The reception hall was suddenly empty, save for the Queen, the breathless Princess, and the single, stunned new consort.
"You've made an excellent choice, Cousin!" Princess Tia repeated, grinning wickedly. "I'll have him settled into the West Wing immediately."
"No need," Qingxue said, her gaze still locked on Li Jingyao's cold, beautiful face. She broke eye contact only to smile at the Princess. "He'll be coming with me. Now. I suddenly feel quite… inspired."
Princess Tia squealed, delighted by the Queen's sudden intensity. "Go, then! Have fun, Cousin!"
Qingxue turned and flicked her wrist, signaling Jingyao to follow. His expression remained unreadable, a perfect mask of the handsome, willing consort. Qingxue knew that beneath the surface, his revenge plot was already ticking like a bomb.
The massive royal bedchamber was an intimidating space, now shrouded in the dim light of dusk. The air was thick with the lingering scent of sandalwood.
