Chapter 159

Chapter 159: Oars Glide Through the Water as a Long Song Echoes

The lake water flowed gently, a small boat swayed slightly. A person stood by the water, singing a long song to 

evoke emotions.

"The trees are felled with a fierce thud, the prince wanders on, never to return; the water is shallow and shallow, 

the boat glides gently..."

A melodious and clear song drifted in his ears. Si Cang Qing sat in the half-open cabin, sipping tea and admiring 

the scenery, silently watching the person at the bow, who was enthusiastically tapping the gunwale and singing. 

Turning his head, he could see a group of women among the flowers, trees, and pavilions on the lake shore, 

pointing and whispering, some giggling, others playfully teasing him.

"The fragrant artemisia is lush, a beautiful woman in splendid attire; the reeds are abundant, a beautiful woman by 

the riverbank!" Ran Shuangran clapped along, laughing as she looked at the woman opposite.

"...Oh dear, how embarrassing!" 

Si Cang Qing strolled over to the man who was singing so merrily. Here, he could clearly hear the women’s 

laughter, banter, and playful scolding. He sat down beside Ran Shuangran, but the man paid him no mind, 

continuing to sing loudly toward the opposite bank:

“Gloomy and melancholy, my heart yearns deeply; tossing and turning, I look around but see no trace of you; 

Lonely and solitary, I wander east and west; Sighing deeply, I have sought but found no answer.”

He wrapped his arm around this person’s waist, only to be met with a glare. Si Cang Qing remained unfazed and 

cast another glance at the women frolicking nearby.

"Using reeds as matchmakers, preparing calamus... um..."

"Ah!"

The women gasped suddenly, the clamor assaulting his ears. After a long pause, they were released, panting. 

Ran Shuangran glared angrily, "You, you..."

Looking back at the shore, the men and women who had been drawn by the song had scattered. 

Ran Shuangran swung his hand, but it was caught steadily.

“Qingqing, let me tell you, don’t be so arrogant…”

“I won’t.” Si Cang Qing gently finished the sentence, embracing the slightly struggling body, and said, 

“The sun is too strong, let’s go back to the cabin!”

“Go back yourself…” Ran Shuangran replied without hesitation, but met the man’s deep, unblinking eyes 

staring at him. The words caught in his throat, and after a long while, he finally managed to say in a hard voice, 

“You, you, you, don’t try that honey trap, if I fall for it again…”

“Just what?” Looking at this proud cat, Si Cang Qing once again slightly curved the corners of his lips, revealing 

a faint smile that could hardly be called a ‘smile’.

“Just… just…”

After stammering for a while, Ran Shuangran still couldn’t get a clear answer. Si Cang Qing didn’t press him, 

only gently kissing him and whispering, “Let’s go back to the cabin!”

“…Mm.”

For a moment, the lake returned to quiet, with only a few small boats rising and falling on the water in the distance. 

"Si Cang Qing!"

A furious shout suddenly rang out on the water, startling the egrets into fluttering and scattering.

Si Cang Qing picked up a piece of apple with a willow branch and held it to the lips of the person in his arms, 

whispering soothingly, "Eat some apple..."

Leaning back, Ran Shuangran glared, his cheeks slightly flushed, and said, "You...you're not allowed to use your 

beauty on me!"

"Fine," Si Cang Qing replied casually, offering the apple to his lips again.

Opening his mouth to bite into the apple, Ran Shuangran continued, his words muffled as he chewed, "You're 

not allowed to smile at me anymore!"

"Fine," Si Cang Qing still replied, forking up another piece of apple and offering it to his lips.

"I'm not eating!" Ran Shuangran scoffed, giving him a sidelong glance. "Stop trying to curry favor! You did 

something wrong, so you're trying to please me now? Why haven't I seen you this proactive before?"

Si Cang Qing glanced at him indifferently, looking at the empty plate, and nodded slightly. "If you don't like it, 

I'll have them stop offering it..."

"Who said I don't like it?!" Ran Shuangran immediately retorted, glaring at him again, then leaned against him, 

a feeling of helplessness rising from the bottom of his heart—getting angry with this fool was truly a thankless 

task! Yet, he couldn't bring himself to actually kill him, and he couldn't resist his occasional gentleness.

Thinking of this, Ran Shuangran glanced at Si Cang Qing again, looking at his cold face, and felt a pang of 

nostalgia for that fleeting, beautiful smile. Just as he was about to say something more, he saw Si Cang Qing 

put the apple into his mouth. He immediately exclaimed, "Aren't you being a bit insincere? I said I wouldn't eat it,

and you actually believed me?"

Si Cang Qing glanced down at the other's displeased expression, paused his movements, and then gently opened 

his mouth…

"You!" Ran Shuangran's neck flushed red with anger as he watched helplessly as the other ate the last piece of 

apple.

A glint of amusement flashed in his eyes. Si Cang Qing suddenly lowered his head, cupped Ran Shuangran's chin 

with one hand, pressed his lips tightly against the other's, and, with a light, teasing touch of his tongue, placed 

the apple from his mouth into the other's mouth.

…Ever since he had unintentionally done this with Feng Lan yesterday, he had thoroughly enjoyed this kind of 

thing.

His arms involuntarily wrapped around the other's waist, tightening their grip. Ran Shuangran closed his eyes, 

opened his mouth, and let the suddenly intruding tongue, mingling with the faint fragrance of fruit, playfully tease 

his mouth.

After a long while, the two finally separated, panting.

Without noticing, an apple was swallowed, nearly choking him. Ran Shuangran coughed several times, taking a 

while to catch his breath.

“You want to choke me to death?”

Si Cang Qing didn't answer, only placing his hand on the other's neck, gently stroking it.

Dissatisfied with the other's silence, Ran Shuangran sharply elbowed him. “Where did you learn these indecent 

things?”

He asked casually, but his slightly reddened ears betrayed a hint of emotion.

Si Cang Qing still didn't answer, only gazing at the slightly reddened earlobe, a strange stirring rising in his heart. 

He then moved his lips closer, gently taking it into his mouth.

Suppressing the ticklish sensation, Ran Shuangran elbowed him again, his tone softening, “You idiot, you're really 

a lecher!” How did he fall for this person… It's really ruining the reputation of this Seventh Young Master. 

Ran Shuangran forgot that Si Cang Qing was, after all, an emperor. Regardless of his past life's achievements, 

he had been educated in imperial arts by Feng Wufeng since childhood, plotting for years to overthrow the 

powerful Qin family and, in a short time, destroy two other great kingdoms. Such a man possessed undeniable 

cunning; even Qiu Ping Tian had been humbled by his lack of experience.

However, Si Cang Qing was never one to express himself openly. While he had previously refrained from romantic 

pursuits due to his personality and various other reasons, he was undeniably intelligent. He indulged and pampered 

his lovers, but that didn't mean he was without means.

For example, when Ran Shuangran, in a fit of anger, went to a brothel for pleasure, Si Cang Qing, though 

displeased, knew Ran Shuangran's character perfectly well.

Si Cang Qing knew that beneath Ran Shuangran's fierce exterior was merely a result of his anger and 

embarrassment.

The fact that Ran Shuangran initially agreed to marry him as a consort demonstrates his absolute sincerity, as 

the Seventh Prince would never stoop to such a low level… To be subservient to someone else would be a 

profound humiliation for Ran Shuangran, yet he still agreed to the marriage, clearly indicating a resolute affection.

The matter of Mo Qing Jue had thoroughly enraged him. Si Cang Qing knew that if he immediately pursued him, 

given Ran Shuangran's domineering nature, he would likely become even more aggressive, only making matters 

worse.

It would be better… to simply grant his wish and let him run wild.

Over the next few days, Ran Shuangran would only grow angrier and more restless, but similarly, a few days of 

distance would allow him, with his intelligence, to think things through and not remain fixated on the 

Mo Qing Jue matter.

At this moment, Si Cang Qing went to find him and forcefully took him away. Even though Ran Shuangran was 

angry, it stemmed more from Si Cang Qing's neglect and her inability to let go of his pride. Such issues were not 

worth considering, as the crucial conflict had been subtly resolved.

This was always how they interacted. Besides, Si Cang Qing knew in his heart that Ran Shuangran ultimately 

couldn't resist him, so there was even less to worry about.

These deeper thoughts were naturally unknown to him. Ultimately, Si Cang Qing didn't want to deal with his lover 

through such subtle and dishonorable means. And Ran Shuangran, being extremely difficult to deal with, forced 

Si Cang Qing to use some cunning.

The small boat swayed gently, the sun blocked by the awning, the openwork sides offering a clear view of the 

lake and shore.

A cool breeze caressed him, bringing a sense of comfort. Ran Shuangran leaned comfortably against 

Si Cang Qing, playing with his fingers.

The arguments and quarrels gradually faded away, leaving only tranquility and warmth.

No one mentioned Mo Qing Jue's matter again. Although everyone disliked his existence, they finally understood 

Si Cang Qing's intentions...it was simply to protect his lover! Si Cang Qing's wholehearted devotion to those 

around him was the initial reason they were moved. Though there was dissatisfaction, they couldn't change it.

"By the way!" Lying in his arms, almost asleep with Ran Shuangran restrained, he suddenly spoke, "Qingqing...

you really closed Cuichun Pavilion?"

Si Cang Qing didn't respond, only gently combing his hair. Although Ran Shuangran had gone to the brothel 

himself, he wouldn't do anything to him. However, Cuichun Pavilion, under the emperor's nose, dared to keep 

Ran Shuangran for pleasure, so it couldn't be allowed to remain.

Anyway, this kind of profession was rife with sin; closing one place meant closing another.

Ran Shuangran turned her head, looking at Si Cang Qing, and smiled strangely, "But...Cuichun Pavilion isn't an 

ordinary brothel!"

Hearing this, Si Cang Qing raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Hehe, you've made me so angry I didn't have any money on me," Ran Shuangran said innocently. "I had no 

choice but to try and curry favor with Master Qiu..."

The implication was that Cuichun Pavilion was a property under Qiu Ping Tian's control.

Si Cang Qing frowned slightly. It was no wonder he was unaware; since Qiu Ping Tian had come to his service, 

he had let him develop freely and hadn't interfered in anything. As a spies with spies all over the land, Qiu Ji, 

besides his open business, inevitably engaged in clandestine dealings…

Seeing Si Cang Qing frown, Ran Shuangran burst into laughter. He had deliberately targeted Cui Chun Pavilion; 

given Si Cang Qing's personality, he might tolerate his misdeeds, but he would never tolerate the existence of 

Cui Chun Pavilion. Indeed…

“Oh dear, Cui Chun Pavilion is the largest brothel in the capital owned by Master Qiu! That madam, Cui'er, 

is one of his spies… Now that you've thrown them all into prison, if Master Qiu finds out, he'll be furious!”

The man exaggerated as he spoke, his eyes crinkling with smug satisfaction. Si Cang Qing felt a pang of 

helplessness, gently pressing the back of the man's head and kissing his lips to silence his insults.

But…

Si Cang Qing's mind raced. Qiu Ping Tian had already left the palace in a huff; he'd probably soon receive news 

that he had sealed off Qiu Ping Tian's businesses, wouldn't he? Unfortunately, he cannot leave the court for the 

time being, and given that man's petty nature, who knows how this matter will be resolved peacefully!

For now, he can only try to salvage the situation as quickly as possible!

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