Chapter 12

Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao talked but got nowhere, and in the end, Kong Xiyan was left speechless. Clinging to the belief that she couldn't possibly sleepwalk, she lay down.

She set her alarm, thinking about how she didn't know what time she'd finish filming tomorrow. Yanyan would be home alone with no one to take care of her, so Kong Xiyan turned her head to look at the person sleeping beside her.

"President Chi," she said hesitantly.

Chi Wanzhao turned to look at her, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. "What is it?"

Xiyan was completely covered by the quilt, only her head sticking out, her fair face uncertain. "Tomorrow I'll be going to the set, so I might not be able to take care of Yanyan."

Chi Wanzhao's bright eyes instantly cooled by two degrees. "I'll make arrangements."

"Okay."

Relieved, Kong Xiyan continued to sleep on her side. Soon, Chi Wanzhao on the other side turned off the light, leaving only the rustling of clothes in the pitch-black room.

Yanyan was still snoring. Tonight, Chi Wanzhao had deeply hurt her feelings, so she kept her rear facing Chi Wanzhao, occasionally swishing her tail across Chi Wanzhao's face.

Chi Wanzhao grabbed the tail that swept over again, patting her bottom in warning. Yanyan stood up and wobbled over to Kong Xiyan's side.

In the night, moonlight streamed in. Chi Wanzhao saw Kong Xiyan sleeping with her back to her and said out of nowhere, "Don't you have anything to say?"

Kong Xiyan quickly replied, "What is it?"

Chi Wanzhao, catching the faint fragrance from nearby, said, "You—" Then she paused. "Starting tomorrow, send me your schedule."

Kong Xiyan frowned in surprise, turning around in the darkness, puzzled. "Why?"

Chi Wanzhao answered matter-of-factly, "It'll be easier for me to arrange who takes care of Yanyan." After a moment, she added, "What, is it inconvenient?"

Kong Xiyan immediately replied, "It's convenient."

Chi Wanzhao's cold aura dissipated a bit, and her tone softened. "That's good. Send it three times a day: morning, noon, and evening."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Having given her orders, Chi Wanzhao didn't speak again. Kong Xiyan turned over and continued sleeping on her side. After several nights of sharing the bed, she had relaxed considerably—at least the initial awkwardness and sleeplessness were gone.

Thinking about having to arrive at the set by five in the morning, Kong Xiyan pushed aside distracting thoughts and gradually steadied her breathing.

In the room, two people and a cat slept on the big bed, filled with silence and warmth.

The next day, before dawn broke, the alarm had barely rung twice when Kong Xiyan reached over and turned it off. Yanyan poked her head out, glanced at her, and buried her head back to sleep. Kong Xiyan carefully turned over and got out of bed, sneaking into her slippers like a thief, and tiptoed downstairs with the clothes she had prepared the night before.

By the time she finished washing up in the bathroom, someone was already in the kitchen.

Chi Wanzhao was wearing her pajamas, with an apron tied around her waist, her long hair casually pinned up, her hands moving quickly and busily.

Kong Xiyan stood at the door, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, am I disturbing you? How about from now on I sleep in the next room on filming days?"

Chi Wanzhao paused, her busy hands halting, and turned to look at her. "You're not disturbing me."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Looking at her unpredictable mood, it didn't seem like she wasn't disturbed.

In truth, after getting to know her, Kong Xiyan found that Chi Wanzhao wasn't like the cold, heartless, selfish person the outside world described, who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

On the contrary, having lived together for a few days, she thought Chi Wanzhao was actually quite warm.

She could cook, she took care of Yanyan, and even when sleeping, she was proper and never crossed the middle line—she respected her.

Although married life was different from the mutual indifference she had expected, they got along with mutual respect, which wasn't bad.

If this was how it would be for three years, she could accept it.

Chi Wanzhao fried a sunny-side-up egg, poured a glass of milk, and put two slices of hot toast on a plate. Seeing Kong Xiyan still standing there, she said, "Come eat breakfast."

Kong Xiyan waved her hand. "No need. I'll just have a piece of bread later."

Chi Wanzhao glanced at her coolly, a chill rising in her eyes, and her thin lips parted. "What? Does Miss Kong need to check who made the breakfast before eating?"

Kong Xiyan was slow to react. "What?"

Chi Wanzhao placed the plate on the table, lowered her head, and said with an unhappy expression, "Nothing. Go ahead and eat." She then pushed open the bathroom door and went in.

Kong Xiyan stood behind her, watching silently for a moment, then finally sat down at the table and quickly finished the breakfast.

At four thirty, Kong Xiyan said goodbye to Chi Wanzhao and left. She walked quickly out of the residential complex and stood by the roadside waiting for a car. Fu Qiu was very excited, chatting with her on WeChat nonstop.

Fu Qiu: Sister Kong, we're almost there, wait a moment.

Kong Xiyan: Okay.

The morning temperature was low, and the cold wind made her shiver. Kong Xiyan had deliberately put on a trench coat, but even so, her calves were trembling from the cold.

In no time, the car arrived.

Fu Qiu quickly opened the door for Kong Xiyan to get in and thoughtfully said, "Sister Kong, from now on, don't stand at the intersection. It's unsafe and cold. Just tell me which apartment you're in, and I'll come in to pick you up."

Kong Xiyan thought for a moment. "It's fine. I like taking a walk in the morning."

Fu Qiu poked her head out. This residential area wasn't the most expensive in the city, but it had a great location, surrounded by mountains and water, with beautiful scenery. It had sold out immediately when it was released, and when she had previously dropped Sister Kong off, she had found it strange, thinking Sister Kong must have bought it earlier.

Later, she learned from Sister Tong that Kong had used all her money to pay compensation, and she couldn't help but wonder.

But Sister Kong told her it was rented.

Who rents in a place like this?

It was unbelievable.

Fu Qiu pulled her head back in and closed the window. "Sister Kong, are you cold?"

The car's heater was blasting. Kong Xiyan shook her head. "I'm fine, not cold."

Fu Qiu was a chatterbox, talking nonstop the whole way, from celebrity gossip to bizarre stories, and at the end she would ask Kong Xiyan, "Sister Kong, what do you think?"

Kong Xiyan just felt drowsy.

Her good sleep schedule was now kicking in. She had woken up after 4 a.m., and sitting in the warm car, she began to feel sleepy.

After finishing one gossip topic, Fu Qiu noticed Kong Xiyan rubbing her eyes frequently and said, "Sister Kong, why don't you rest a bit? I'll wake you when we arrive."

Kong Xiyan replied, "Okay."

With that rest, they arrived directly at the set.

Kong Xiyan opened her eyes as the car stopped, gathered her long hair. Fu Qiu pushed the door open and called out, "Sister Kong, we're here."

"Mm."

Fu Qiu helped her out. Many people were already busy on the set.

Soon, another car pulled up behind them. Xiao Cheng had been wearing sunglasses since morning, with a pink casual suit, a faint smile on his handsome face, nodding to everyone he passed.

Next to arrive were some veteran actors for cameo roles. Gu Ling and Wu Qing hadn't come, as their scenes weren't being filmed yet.

Xiao Cheng had just greeted Kong Xiyan when his assistant pulled him away for makeup, and Fu Qiu led her to the other side where the makeup artist was already ready.

For this scene, Kong Xiyan had rehearsed it many times, but after all, she hadn't acted in three years, and with what had happened before, the crew looked at her with scornful eyes, and many even pointed at her openly.

So after two consecutive NG takes, Director Sun patted her shoulder. "Don't be nervous."

Kong Xiyan nodded, lowered her head to think for a long time, then looked up and said, "Let's start."

Director Sun asked everyone again, and then the script supervisor shouted, "Action!"

In the Ning'an Hall behind the imperial palace, officials sat in full attendance. Some whispered to one another, others admired the dance of the courtesans in the center, and bursts of laughter filled the air—a scene of harmony and joy.

Just as everyone was enjoying the festive atmosphere, the Left Prime Minister's voice suddenly rose, reaching all ears.

He wore a stern expression, glancing sideways at the Crown Prince. "I simply believe that Minister He's embezzlement of disaster relief funds must have other underlying causes. For the Crown Prince to close the case so hastily—could there be a reason?"

At his words, the court officials began to murmur among themselves. The Crown Prince's expression darkened, and he stood up, glaring furiously. "Left Prime Minister, what do you mean by that!"

The Left Prime Minister rose unhurriedly, his expression steady. "Reporting to Your Majesty, according to my investigation, Minister He frequently visited the Crown Prince's residence before the new year. Many commoners witnessed His Highness and Minister He drinking together at Juxian Tower. Now that Minister He is in trouble, the Crown Prince's hasty conclusion seems inappropriate."

"Your Majesty, as the heir apparent, the Crown Prince should abide by the law and his duties. I request a reinvestigation into Minister He's embezzlement of disaster relief funds."

Half of the seated officials immediately stood out and knelt on the ground. "We request a thorough reinvestigation by Your Majesty!"

The Emperor's face darkened, his gaze coldly sweeping over the crowd. He knew the Left Prime Minister had long harbored ill will toward the Crown Prince and had been framing him frequently in recent years. If he handed this case to him for reinvestigation, it was sure to be a trap.

But at this moment, with all the officials present, he couldn't openly protect his son, so he could only cast a hopeful glance at the Right Prime Minister.

The Right Prime Minister was also in a difficult position. Chu Qian saw how troubled her father was and couldn't help but stand up.

She wore a pink silk dress, her long hair flowing, two gold hairpins adorning her head, their pendants resting on her fair neck, adding a touch of elegance.

Chu Qian stood up composedly. "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have a few words I'm not sure if I should say."

In the court, everyone knew the Emperor had always favored this daughter of the Right Prime Minister. As her words fell, the Emperor said, "Qianqian, no need for formality. Speak freely."

A faint smile curved at the corners of Chu Qian's lips. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

She stepped forward, and the Right Prime Minister nervously tugged at her sleeve, but she gently pressed it down.

Chu Qian stood beside the Left Prime Minister, turning her head to look at this elderly man, her red lips parting. "I have a few questions for the Left Prime Minister."

The Left Prime Minister snorted, disdainful of her.

Chu Qian paid no heed to his attitude and said directly, "May I ask, Left Prime Minister, who recommended Minister He to Your Majesty?"

"It was the Left Prime Minister."

"And who, three years ago, repeatedly offended Your Majesty to spare Minister He from execution?"

"Still the Left Prime Minister."

The old man's face couldn't hold up, and he roared indignantly, "How was I to know that man was so shameless!"

Chu Qian gave a light laugh, her gaze passing over him to sweep across the officials. Though merely a woman, the presence in her bright eyes silenced everyone, and the hall filled with people fell deathly quiet.

Chu Qian continued, "His Majesty entrusted Minister He's embezzlement case to the Crown Prince, yet the Left Prime Minister chose to investigate privately. Is that not a sign of distrust in the Crown Prince?"

"Or is it distrust in His Majesty!"

Her words were sharp and decisive.

"The Left Prime Minister's private investigation is disloyal to His Majesty! To slander the Crown Prince without evidence is unjust! Left Prime Minister, such disloyalty and injustice—what is your intention?"

The officials were silent. Those who had just spoken for the Left Prime Minister exchanged uneasy glances and lowered their heads, quieting down.

The Left Prime Minister's face flushed red. "I was—I was doing it for His Majesty! I feared His Majesty would be deceived!"

Chu Qian smiled serenely. "I believe with His Majesty's wisdom, he will make the right decision."

The Left Prime Minister was refuted, his face clouded with gloom, his hands clenched tightly, his eyes fixed on Chu Qian.

Chu Qian stood in the center of the hall, looking down on the crowd, her sharp gaze meeting Lin Liang's from afar, and in an instant, all her fortitude melted into gentle tenderness.

This was the first path she had paved for Lin Liang in the court.

The Emperor, having neither shielded the Crown Prince nor ignored the Left Prime Minister, ordered a reinvestigation. The Right Prime Minister then recommended Lin Liang for the task, and the Emperor agreed.

Just as Chu Qian and Lin Liang stood side by side and exchanged a smile, Director Sun called out, "OK!"

This scene finally wrapped.

Kong Xiyan let out a sigh of relief. Fu Qiu immediately rushed over, her eyes full of stars. "Sister Kong, you're so cool! Ahhhhh! That scene just now had me crossing my legs!"

Fu Qiu said dramatically, "I've decided, I don't want any male idol anymore! Just looking at you is enough!"

Kong Xiyan smiled lightly and shook her head without speaking, sitting back in her seat to rest and wait for the next scene.

She had just taken out her phone when she heard a series of dings. Opening it, her Weibo private messages were blowing up, all of them insults.

Confused, she tapped in to take a look.

—Shameless homewrecker! Not satisfied with stealing a man, you even steal roles! Disgraceful!

—Bitch and dog, lasting forever!

—Get out of the entertainment industry!

Every message was an accusation. Kong Xiyan lowered her eyes, trying to figure out what was happening, when she heard Fu Qiu mutter with her phone in hand, "That Guo Yixi must be crazy!"

"What's wrong?"

Fu Qiu handed her phone to Kong Xiyan.

It was a Weibo post Guo Yixi had just made.

"Think about it, life is sometimes really strange. What was already settled gets someone barging in to interfere. So you see, kindness only gets you trampled."

Kong Xiyan's pupils contracted, and she returned the phone to Fu Qiu with a cold face.

Fu Qiu looked at her with concern. "Sister Kong."

"I'm fine."

Fu Qiu scratched her head and sighed.