allonlinenovel Chapter 182: Isn't this just the style of an ancient domineering CEO?
Chapter 182: Isn't this just the style of an ancient domineering CEO?
Zhai Rong twirled the ribbon at her waist with one hand, taking in Cang Zhihe's expression and subtle movements.
She asked casually, "Miss Cang, may I ask where this treasure map is now?"
Cang Zhihe glanced at her warily: "This map is a secret of my Cang family. I will personally hand it over to the Regent when I am alone with him tonight."
Zhai Rongyu shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.
She teased Jun Ce, tilting her head slightly, "Looks like Ah Xu is really quite the ladies' man~"
Jun Ce looked at her helplessly and couldn't help but reach out and flick her nose. "You little ingrate."
She had said something like that before.
He let her tease and make fun of him, but she turned around and teased him back.
Zhai Rongyu dodged away with a grin.
Jun Ce's deep eyes were fixed on her, a hint of tenderness in them that was hard to detect.
Whatever.
With all this commotion, perhaps Rong'er can stay here a little longer.
Cang Zhihe watched the two of them bickering, and a hint of resentment rose in her heart. She gripped the brocade quilt tightly with her ten fingers, feeling like a wild beast trapped in a small cage, unable to breathe.
She stared intently at Zhai Rongyu.
My heart felt as heavy as if it were filled with lead.
This woman, just by standing there, kept the Regent's eyes glued to her!
It's such an eyesore!
Once tonight's deed is done, she will absolutely not allow this person to remain by the Regent's side any longer!
into the night.
Cang Zhihe and her maid made thorough preparations, carefully decorating the pavilion next to the lotus pond in the city lord's mansion with gauze curtains, and setting out fine wine, desserts, and incense, just waiting for Jun Ce to meet her under the stars.
She took out a radiant spirit stone and carefully placed it on the stone table in the pavilion.
“Miss, I remember this spirit stone was a gift from the city lord when you came of age. It perfectly matches your name and can be used to temporarily change the scenery of a summer night,” the maid said with a smile. “It’s just right to use it here now.”
Cang Zhihe slightly curved the corners of her lips.
"I just hope it can come in handy tonight."
The spirit stone on the table emitted a dazzling light, and the frozen pond, which had been barren and desolate in winter, instantly melted away the ice and snow, slowly blooming with colorful summer lotus flowers, swaying and exuding fragrance.
Even the climate around the pavilion suddenly became warm and pleasant.
The gauze curtains hung down, and the fragrance of lotus blossoms filled the air.
Zhai Rongyu transformed herself into Jun Ce's appearance and walked over with her hands behind her back.
Wow, Cang Zhihe really knows how to liven things up.
She looked around at the scenery, marveling at it.
[I never imagined that such a wonderful thing could exist in this Nansang region, capable of emitting such abundant spiritual energy.]
Could it be related to the Dragon Roar Stone left by Ah Xu's mother?
Could it be that the Dragon Clan's territory is near Nansang?
With a wild imagination, Zhai Rong lifted the gauze curtain and stepped into the pavilion.
Upon seeing her, Cang Zhihe stood up with a joyful expression and curtsied gracefully, saying, "Zhihe greets the Regent."
Her eyes were alluring, sending her flirtatious glances.
Zhai Rong coughed lightly, deliberately mimicking Jun Ce's tone of voice, and said in a deep voice, "Sit."
But in his heart, he stuck out his tongue.
Is Ah Xu usually this sparing with words?
I can't just ramble on and on like that, or I'll give myself away!
[Hehe, it's just the style of an ancient domineering CEO, easy peasy!]
Zhai Rong, feeling smug, swayed back and forth with the little devil in her heart. She suppressed her smile and sat down on the stone chair next to Cang Zhihe.
"The treasure map?" Zhai Rongyu cut straight to the point.
Cang Zhihe simply smiled and reached out to pour wine for Zhai Rongyu. "Your Majesty, rest assured, since I promised to hand over the treasure map, I will not go back on my word."
Her gaze followed the hazy gauze curtain to the crescent moon on the horizon.
"Such a beautiful day and scenery, it would be such a waste to let it go to waste."
"Your Majesty, why don't you drink with Zhihe first, and then bring up these official matters?"
His gaze, as clear as autumn water, fell gently on Zhai Rongyu's face, seemingly filled with boundless affection. Zhai Rongyu lowered his head somewhat guiltily and quickly picked up his wine glass and gulped it down.
Sigh, Ah Xu really knows how to attract attention.
【These huge, flapping wings of the Azure Lotus are almost making me dizzy!】
As the strong liquor went down his throat, Zhai Rongyu suddenly felt emotional.
"Miss Cang, if I may be so bold as to offer you a word of advice, with your looks and the treasure left to you by the city lord, you are perfectly capable of having a wonderful life of your own. Why do you need to think about depending on others?"
Cang Zhihe's expression stiffened for a moment.
She gripped the wine glass tightly in her hand, and said with a hint of sorrow, "How could the Regent possibly understand Zhihe's situation?"
“As a woman, I have no power or influence, and all I have is wealth, which will only bring me misfortune.”
"If you can't find someone to rely on, how will you get through the rest of your life?"
Besides, she was already used to being high and mighty and being bossed around, and she didn't want to bother with those troublesome relationships with powerful people.
Therefore, finding a powerful and influential man to rely on is the best option for her.
Of course, she would never say these things to the Regent.
Seeing Zhai Rongyu's slightly somber expression, as if he were deep in thought, Cang Zhihe quickly changed the subject, squeezing out two tears from her eyes, and said tenderly, "Zhihe's fate has been full of twists and turns. Now, I have lowered myself and disregarded the proper boundaries between men and women to meet the Regent, simply because I admire you..."
She hadn't drunk any alcohol, yet a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
"From the first time I saw you, Zhihe's heart was given away..."
She put down her wine glass, reached out her fingertips to touch Zhai Rongyu's hand on the table, but Zhai Rongyu dodged her with lightning speed.
A dark light flashed in Cang Zhihe's eyes.
She deliberately took a sip of wine, pretending to be unable to hold her liquor, pressed one hand to her forehead, and softly leaned towards Zhai Rongyu.
Zhai Rongyu suddenly jumped off the stone bench and took two steps back.
Cang Zhihe tripped and fell to the ground. Her maidservant immediately rushed forward and awkwardly helped her up. "Miss..."
Cang Zhihe gritted her teeth in anger, but still had to put on a gentle, drunken expression as she sat back down on the stone bench with the help of her maid.
"Zhihe is not a good drinker, I'm sorry for making a fool of myself in front of the Regent..."
Zhai Rongyu patted his chest and breathed a sigh of relief after seeing her sit down.
[Phew~ That was close!]
She almost bumped into him!
Before we left, Ah Xu repeatedly warned us not to let her touch us!
Otherwise, he'll tickle me!
I almost died laughing.
Seeing that she was avoiding him like the plague, Cang Zhihe's eyes dimmed as she asked, "Does the Regent think that Zhihe has been too presumptuous?"
“In the past, Zhihe was also pampered and cherished as she grew up. I never imagined that she would become someone I can’t even bear to look at…” As she spoke, tears streamed down her face. She looked truly vulnerable and helpless.
If a man were here, he would probably want to hold her in his arms and cherish her dearly.
Zhai Rongyu forced a smile and comforted her, "Miss Cang, it's alright. People always grow to resemble the kind of person they hate the most, and you're not the only one like that."
Seeing that she was willing to confide in her, Cang Zhihe suppressed her joy and asked, "And what about you, Regent? What kind of people do you dislike?"
Zhai Rongyu immediately replied, "Rich person."
Cang Zhihe: ...