Xuanyuan Mo waited in the dark chamber all night. When he heard movement, his stiff body lifted his head, only to see Xuanyuan Mie walk in with a pleased smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Clenching his fists, he forced a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Royal brother, you’re late today. If you hadn’t come, I might have missed court.”
“You’ll make it.” Xuanyuan Mie plopped down on a seat, speaking indifferently, “Go on, then.”
That smug expression made Xuanyuan Mo’s mood sour.
“It seems royal brother had another indulgent night. Are you quite satisfied with my Imperial Concubine?”
“Naturally.”
Thinking of that person, Xuanyuan Mie’s eyes were filled with a lingering smile. “The Imperial Concubine is a fine woman.”
Xuanyuan Mo’s heart skipped a beat as an unbelievable possibility crossed his mind. Fixing his gaze on Xuanyuan Mie, he asked, “Royal brother, you…”
“You wouldn’t have really fallen for the Imperial Concubine, would you?” Xuanyuan Mo asked nervously, unsure why he felt as though something precious was about to be snatched away.
Xuanyuan Mie openly admitted it, nodding. “Yes, I have taken a liking to the Imperial Concubine. Otherwise, dear younger brother, did you truly think I would willingly follow your orders and spend day and night with a woman?”
Xuanyuan Mo took a step back, his expression shifting. “Royal brother, you should know the purpose of why I asked you to do this.”
“Isn’t it all for your precious cabbage flower?” Xuanyuan Mie sneered. “I’m not fighting you for your cabbage flower. I simply adore the Imperial Concubine. Now that the Tang family has fallen, you no longer need to fear their influence. You can lavish all your attention on your cabbage flower. How does that conflict with your original purpose?”
At that, Xuanyuan Mo fell silent.
After General Tang’s death, the Imperial Concubine truly had no one to rely on and no longer posed a threat.
Once the An family returned triumphant from this campaign, he could slowly plan for her elevation to Empress, without worrying about any complications from the Imperial Concubine.
Xuanyuan Mie patted Xuanyuan Mo’s shoulder, his deep eyes carrying a trace of mischief. “Younger brother, you’ve schemed for so long. Don’t disappoint your cabbage flower. As for the Imperial Concubine, she is now my woman. When you visit her during the day, do me a favor and keep your distance. Avoid close contact with your sister-in-law.”
“I’m not one to tolerate others coveting what’s mine. Not even you, my brother,” Xuanyuan Mie said. “You can do whatever you wish, but one thing is non-negotiable—don’t lay a hand on Guo Guo. Watch your woman carefully. If your cabbage flower dares to bully Guo Guo, I will see her turned into wilted petals.”
“Royal brother, she is still my Imperial Concubine in name.”
Xuanyuan Mie chuckled, shaking his head. “Younger brother, since she is your Imperial Concubine, why did you involve me in such a matter in the first place?”
“From the moment you made that decision, there was no possibility between you and her. Whether or not you like the Imperial Concubine, this decision sealed your fate.”
“Frankly, I disdain such methods,” Xuanyuan Mie’s gaze turned cold. “It’s one thing to scheme for your cabbage flower, but you manipulated someone who was once innocent and wholeheartedly devoted to you. Every action you’ve taken has hurt her.”
“Tell me, what do you think will happen when she learns the truth one day?”
Xuanyuan Mo’s face turned deathly pale. He stepped back repeatedly, overcome with an urge to flee.
“Stop hesitating. You should count yourself lucky that I have no interest in the throne whatsoever. You know me—I despise being constrained. Father’s decree means nothing to me.”
“Remember this, Guo Guo is my woman. She is your sister-in-law. Keep your distance when interacting with her.”
As Xuanyuan Mo’s retreating figure disappeared from view, Xuanyuan Mie’s icy voice rang out behind him.
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