The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night

Princess Chang Le had spoken, so after entering Qingyin Pavilion, Zhi Wan sat down beside her to watch the opera.

Today, the opera being performed at Qingyin Pavilion was Romance of the Western Chamber.

With a crash of gongs and drums on stage, the costumed actors emerged one by one from behind the curtain, singing their lines.

"Bravo!"

"Bravo!"

The audience members watching the show broke into thunderous applause, their cheers unending.

Zhi Wan, too, was watching with great interest.

When she got to an exciting part, she couldn’t help but start clapping as well.

Princess Chang Le heard her, her gaze shifting from Shen Longjin to Zhi Wan.

She saw the girl’s face, flushed with excitement and looking so adorably fresh that one felt an urge to take a little bite.

She watched Zhi Wan with amusement.

’She really is a fascinating one. No wonder a certain official surnamed Lu, a man who supposedly shuns women, was moved by mortal desire and even brought his scheme to me.’

Princess Chang Le snorted inwardly, then suddenly leaned close to Zhi Wan’s ear and whispered, "Zhi Wan, that Shen Longjin fellow... I’ve taken a liking to him. Why don’t you give him to me?"

"Of course." Zhi Wan nodded without the slightest hesitation.

Princess Chang Le froze, looking at her in surprise.

She had thought it would take some effort. At the very least, Zhi Wan shouldn’t have agreed so readily.

She never would have imagined that Zhi Wan would agree without even a moment’s thought.

Princess Chang Le raised an eyebrow and looked at Shen Longjin again.

For a soldier, he was unusually handsome, with fair skin and a tall, slender build. Dressed in simple robes, he looked more like a frail scholar.

Setting aside his humble origins, his looks and bearing could easily capture a young girl’s heart.

She had assumed Zhi Wan must have held some affection for this Shen Longjin.

And yet, when she asked for Shen Longjin, the girl had agreed without a hint of hesitation.

’Could it be that Zhi Wan didn’t hear her clearly?’

After all, between the thundering gongs and drums on stage, the powerful singing of the actors, and the periodic bursts of cheers from the audience, the noise was overwhelming.

Shen Longjin rested his hands on his knees. Although his eyes were focused on the opera, Princess Chang Le’s gaze on him was so blatant that it was impossible not to notice.

A thin sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead. He was nervous and somewhat bewildered.

’Why is Princess Chang Le looking at me?’

Princess Chang Le withdrew her gaze, then suddenly reached out, gripped Zhi Wan’s chin, and turned her face toward her. She repeated, "Zhi Wan, I have taken a liking to Shen Longjin. You will give him to me." After a pause, she added, "Of course, if you give him to me, I will be sure to compensate you handsomely."

Zhi Wan was stunned.

’I heard her clearly the first time, and I can’t believe she’s repeating it. It seems the Princess has truly taken a liking to Shen Longjin—a very strong liking, at that.’

’I’ve only met Shen Longjin three times. While I think he’s a decent man and a potential candidate for a live-in husband, Princess Chang Le has done me a great service. Since she’s taken an interest in him, of course I’m willing to give him to her.’

’I can always find another live-in husband, but I cannot afford to offend Princess Chang Le.’

She opened her mouth, originally intending to say that she had no real relationship with Shen Longjin and that the Princess should feel free to take him. But then she remembered the Princess’s last words, and an idea sparked. Feigning reluctance, she said, "To be honest, Your Highness, I am quite satisfied with Shen Longjin. But since Your Highness has taken a liking to him, I am of course willing to hand him over."

Just as she expected, upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le immediately said, "Since you’re being so agreeable, I can’t let you suffer a loss. Tell me, what compensation do you want?"

"Your Highness is too kind. You helped me so much just a short while ago; how could I possibly ask for more compensation? I don’t need anything." Zhi Wan shook her head. ’All I need is for Princess Chang Le to owe me this favor. That will be enough.’

"You little thing, you actually have a conscience," Princess Chang Le said, quite pleased with her attitude. "Don’t you worry. I’ll take him and train him for a while. When I’ve had my fun with him, I’ll return him to you."

Zhi Wan’s brow twitched, and she quickly refused. "Your Highness, please don’t trouble yourself. I can just find another."

’What does she mean, return him to me after she’s had her fun?’

’It’s not like Shen Longjin is the only man in the world.’

’And I certainly don’t have a penchant for taking other people’s leftovers.’

’Shen Longjin comes from such a pitiful background. He finally managed to find a path for himself as an Order Flag Soldier. I can’t bear the thought of him becoming the Princess’s plaything, only to be discarded later.’

With this in mind, she couldn’t help but say, "Your Highness, Shen Longjin is a decent person, an honest and dutiful man. If you’ve truly taken a liking to him, please grant him a proper status. His background is quite pitiful, and he worked hard to secure his position in the army."

"So concerned and worried about Shen Longjin, are we?" Princess Chang Le raised her eyebrows, her tone full of meaning. "Does your cousin know about this?"

Zhi Wan paused, then shook her head honestly. "My cousin is still in Jiangning. He doesn’t know about this yet."

"Your cousin cares a great deal about you. How could you not tell him about something as important as finding a live-in husband?" Princess Chang Le asked, her expression full of amusement.

"My cousin is far away in Jiangning and very busy with official duties. I didn’t want to bother him with trivial matters." After she spoke, Zhi Wan suddenly felt that something was amiss. "Your Highness, how did you know I was looking for a live-in husband? I don’t believe I’ve ever mentioned it to you."

Princess Chang Le faltered for a moment, then deliberately put on a stern face. "Does someone need to tell me? Anyone with eyes can see it."

Zhi Wan still felt a little suspicious.

"Alright, you can go back and sit with your aunt now," Princess Chang Le said suddenly.

Zhi Wan collected her thoughts and stood up. "Yes."

She had just returned to Lady Wei’s side and sat down when she saw Yuanbao walk over to Shen Longjin.

"The Princess summons you. Mr. Shen, if you would please come this way."

Shen Longjin looked at him in surprise.

"Mr. Shen, please come this way," Yuanbao repeated.

Shen Longjin frowned.

Bai Yi nudged his arm. "The Princess is calling you. You should go."

With a grave expression, Shen Longjin stood up and followed Yuanbao.

"Princess, I have brought him," Yuanbao reported upon reaching Princess Chang Le’s side.

Princess Chang Le’s gaze shifted from the stage to Shen Longjin.

"This humble soldier greets the Princess," Shen Longjin said, bowing.

"You may rise," Princess Chang Le said coolly, pointing to the chair beside her. "Sit here."

Seeing this, Shen Longjin quickly took two steps back. "This humble soldier wouldn’t dare."

"I told you to sit. Do you dare to disobey?" Princess Chang Le said, displeased.

"Mr. Shen, please sit," Yuanbao said, afraid that Her Highness would become angry. He quickly pushed Shen Longjin down into the chair.

Watching this from a short distance away, Lady Wei’s brow furrowed.

’What is Princess Chang Le trying to do?’

’Shen Longjin was a candidate for a live-in husband that she had found for Wan’er. Was Princess Chang Le just going to steal him away so brazenly?’

Lady Wei was so irritated that she no longer had any mind to watch the opera.

Afraid that Zhi Wan would be upset, she gripped her hand and promised, "I’ll find you another one, and I guarantee he’ll be better than Shen Longjin." ’Next time,’ she resolved, ’I definitely won’t pick someone so ridiculously handsome.’