Chapter 54: Nan Jihan’s Desires

Those men didn’t look or sound like people from Northern Qi. They were too organized to be regular bandits. And they weren’t assassins as they tried their best to subdue her without hurting her.

Jun Huang only asked the leader to a duel to get a good look at his techniques. She recognized them to be from Southern Mu. If she was right about that, the person who was behind her kidnap must be Nan Jihan.

She huffed.

“Bitter. Harsh to the throat and the heart. Your Highness should refrain from drinking too much. It’s bad for your lungs and spleen. If Your Highness enjoys drinking, you should go for wine from the lost Western Que. It’s mellow and good for your health.”

Nan Jihan hummed. “Is the gentleman from Western Que?”

“No, I’m not,” Jun Huang said in a light tone. The white jade cup she was holding reflected the moonlight. The liquid appeared to be amber like the finest wine, but it was unpleasant to the tongue. “I’ve just been there before.”

Nan Jihan nodded and looked at the cup he was holding without a word. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was thinking about. When he came to his senses, half of the wine had been spilled, drenching the table, and Jun Huang was looking at him with a hand supporting her chin.

“Your Highness doesn’t need to keep me waiting,” Jun Huang slowly said. “There must be a reason for Your Highness to have taken me here. It’s better if you just tell me.”

Nan Jihan chuckled. “I didn’t expect the gentleman to be so observant and so direct.” He dropped his pretense. “When I was in Prince Chen Manor, I could see that the gentleman was no ordinary man. You have been at Qi Chen’s side for a while. You must know the challenges of being part of the royal family. I only want you to help me become the emperor. The day I’m crowned will be the day your name goes down in history.”

He was being extraordinarily genuine, and he kept his eyes on Jun Huang. Jun Huang looked back at him, then at the wine on the table. She could see the moon reflected on the surface.

Jun Huang was a little surprised by how straightforward he was being. She didn’t respond immediately.

The wait was torture for Nan Jihan. He was worried that his words were not enough to sway Jun Huang’s loyalty.

“Why is the gentleman so conflicted? Is it because Qi Chen is the crown prince, while I am only a royal prince and isn’t as likely as he is to become the emperor? If that’s what you’re worried about – ”

“Your Highness misunderstood,”Jun Huang interrupted him. “Everyone knows Your Highness has a lot of supporters. Many see you as the only candidate for inheriting the throne. There’s no need for Your Highness to be so humble.”

Nan Jihan frowned. “Then why didn’t the gentleman respond to my request? If you’re willing to serve me, I’ll grant you power and status when I become the emperor. You will be second only to myself, and ruling over tens of thousands of people. Don’t you want that future to come true?”

Jun Huang could see he was being serious. He stared at Jun Huang as if he was afraid Jun Huang would disappear into thin air.

His conditions were very generous. Not even Qi Chen had promised to award her so handsomely. What Jun Huang wanted wasn’t empty promises, however. What she wanted was a powerful country as her tool for revenge. Besides, Qi Chen was only a temporary patron for her.

“Your Highness must know a good bird chooses its tree to reside in. I believe Your Highness is a man of his words, but you’re not the tree I chose as my home. I hope Your Highness can understand.” Jun Huang kept her eyes calm and her head held high, as if Nan Jihan wasn’t a prince, but merely a man who sought answers from her.

The wind left ripples on the surface of the wine. It looked clear like water. One had to take a sip to know that it burned on your tongue.

Nan Jihan scowled at her. It made him furious that Jun Huang’s composure never broke. His feelings meant nothing to her.

He wanted to break that composure of hers. He wanted to make her lose her calm.

Jun Huang finished the wine in one go after some hesitation. The wine was potent, but it warmed her to the core, chasing away the coldness of the night.

Nan Jihan was angry at her for not knowing what was good for her and denying him so easily. He stood up suddenly, knocking off the cups and the wine spilled all over the two of them, soaking their robes. They seemed oblivious to that and just stared at each other. One looked up, while the other looked down.

Nan Jihan stared at Jun Huang. She had just finished a cup of wine. A flush of red spread through her pale face and her eyes became misty as if she was tearing up. It was a seductive sight.

Jun Huang was a woman. She could wear men’s clothes and put her hair up like a man, but there was a limit to how much she could change her appearance. She had always been beautiful. Now the feminine side of her true self and the masculine side of her persona clashed together and gave her a unique charm.