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Li Yu looked at Chu YanYu with a complicated expression.
Because of Li Yu's increase in size, these teacups inside the room were also very big. Did Chu YanYu not feel like something was strange?
Actually, Chu YanYu can't be blamed for this. Li Yu mostly jumped around in Jing-wang's room and not so much outside. However, Jing-wang had ordered people to prepare the teacups.
This made some people gain a misconception. Chu YanYu thought that Jing-wang just happened to have a habit of using teacups that were several times larger than normal teacups.
The brown colored powder dissolved in the water and became invisible, not leaving behind any traces. Li Yu was worried. He didn't know what kind of drug Chu YanYu used.
It shouldn't be arsenic since Chu YanYu touched it with his bare hands. Li Yu's instincts told him it shouldn't be arsenic or anything or that sort.
Even if it was, it was placed in the wrong place. There shouldn't be a problem...
Li Yu did his best to convince himself not to worry. However, Chu YanYu already straightened up and discovered the teacups placed pretty much all over the room.
Chu YanYu: "..."
Chu YanYu exerted quite the effort to enter this room. How can he allow any slip-up to occur in his plan. He began to obstinately put the powdered drug in every single one of the teacups.
Li Yu thought distressingly. How much of this drug did the little pampered wife bring?
On Jing-wang's table, there was a massive red lotus teacup that was as large as an ocean bowl.
Chu YanYu didn't even leave this one alone. In addition to the red lotus cup, he also targeted the much smaller glass cup on the side.
LI Yu didn't dare to make any sounds. Although the little pampered wife didn't know, he knew.
The glass cup was what Jing-wang used normally. Through this manner, the little pampered wife managed to drug the right one.
After Chu YanYu finished drugging all of the cups, he looked at the last bag of powder in his hand with some trepidation. Some noises came from outside the door. Someone was coming.
Chu YanYu stopped hesitating. He quickly opened the last bag of powder and swallowed it.
Li Yu: !!!
Now Li Yu was certain that Chu YanYu wasn't using poison. If it were poison, there'd be no reason to eat it himself.
What kind of drug was this, that even Chu YanYu had to take it...
Li Yu got embarrassed. In court struggle novels, if it's not poison, then it's aphrodisiac?
The little pampered wife who had completely ignored Jing-wang in the original novel was now rushing forward to drug Jing-wang with an aphrodisiac. And this fish just happened to catch sight of it accidentally. Really… fish felt like he was struck by lightning and charred inside-out!
Chu YanYu coughed lightly a few times and quickly wiped away the powder left behind on the corners of his mouth. Then he smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes and grabbed another handful of fish food. He stood in front of the fish tank in a feeding position.
Jing-wang pushed the door open and entered by his lonesome.
Chu YanYu feigned surprise and put down the fish food. He greeted Jing-wang respectfully:
"Your highness."
Right behind Chu YanYu, in the crystal fish tank, Li Yu watched the big and tall figure walk closer and closer.
Thinking about how this guy shamelessly confessed to him, Li Yu couldn't help but feel his heartbeat pick up speed inexplicably. Unconsciously moving back, fish hugged the fake mountain closely.
Jing-wang didn't even look at Chu YanYu who had knelt down to greet him. Instead, he walked directly towards the fish tank.
Li Yu: Ahhhhh the big scoundrel is really coming over here!
Li Yu subconsciously wanted to dive into the cave inside the fake mountain. Suddenly, he remembered that Jing-wang still didn't know that fish was Li-gongzi and Li-gongzi was fish.
What's there to be scared of?
Li Yu: Can't… Can't hide. This has nothing to do with fish!
Oh right. Also the drug that Chu YanYu placed down just now...
Although this has nothing to do with fish, should he warn Jing-wang?
But as soon as Jing-wang entered, he only concerned himself with looking at fish. His deep pitch-black eyes seemed like they were looking right through Li Yu, and seeing into his human heart.
Li Yu felt chills run up his back from being looked at like this. Guilty conscience coming in waves, Li Yu flashed behind a water plant near the fake mountain.
"Your highness..." Chu YanYu already knelt for quite a while and felt somewhat wronged.
He was already kneeling in front of Jing-wang, why was Jing-wang still looking at fish and not looking at him?
However, he knew at least that in front of this fish, he had no status to speak of. This also indicated that making an effort on this fish was the right plan of action.
Chu YanYu took in a deep breath and said with a smile: "Your highness, I originally passed by unintentionally and discovered that this fish has been starving for quite a while without anyone to feed it... I barged in rudely. Please forgive me, your highness."
Chu YanYu thought that the reason he received a beating last time was because he didn't figure out Jing-wang's needs correctly. Jing-wang probably didn't like people who acted without permission. Therefore, he will yield first and admit his mistake to Jing-wang. In reality, he was also pointing out that he was doing this for the fish. As long as he can grab onto to Jing-wang's likes, Jing-wang will definitely notice him.
Sure enough, because he mentioned fish, Jing-wang gave him a glance. But it was only one glance.
However, Chu YanYu knew that Jing-wang didn't send him out. This meant that… he can stay–
He felt like he was getting closer and closer to Li-gongzi's position now!
Jing-wang didn't make Chu YanYu go out. Li Yu felt somewhat awkward because normally when Jing-wang was inside this room, he usually wouldn't let outsiders stay. Was he finally treating the little pampered wife differently now?
... big scoundrel!
Li Yu angrily swung his tail several times, accidentally breaking the water grass that he was hiding behind.
Li Yu: "..."
Jing-wang's hearing was very good. He even noticed the snapping of the water grass and instantly shifted his sharp gaze over.
Li Yu immediately curled up the trouble-causing tail: Ao! Do whatever you like!
Important things must be said three times. He was only a fish. Who Jing-wang loved and who Jing-wang kept had nothing to do with fish!
Jing-wang looked at his fish for a while. Seeing that the fish didn't swim over, Jing-wang also didn't reach out to annoy the fish.
Jing-wang walked over to the table and sat down. Chu YanYu figured the drug he ate was almost about to take effect. He said in a soft gentle voice to Jing-wang: "Your highness, let me pour you a cup of tea to moisten your throat."
Li Yu: "..."
Li Yu couldn't help but swim closer to the wall of the crystal fish tank. For the little pampered wife to be so forward, was the original gong-shou pair from the novel finally about to create sparks?
He should be happy. Perhaps if Jing-wang and Chu YanYu got together, he wouldn't think about Li Yu anymore...
However, Li Yu knew clearly that Chu YanYu had drugged the tea. Was he supposed to sit back and watch?
Li Yu hesitated nonstop, indecisive.
On one hand, it was beneficial to him. On the other hand was... the big scoundrel that gave him quite a headache.
He wasn't some saint. He was fine only caring about himself and making a choice that only benefited himself. Jing-wang and Chu YanYu were a pair in the original novel anyways. The drug wasn't placed by Li Yu either. At most, he can be counted as being an onlooking bystander.
If he really felt guilty, he could find the System to reset. That way, he'd have no more guilt and continue to live as a happy, lively fish...
Actually, he didn't need to feel so conflicted.
"Your highness, I don't know which teacup you use." Chu YanYu's obediently cute voice sounded again.
This Chu YanYu was already not the same as the back-straight, arrogant and haughty youth from the banquet.
Li Yu felt his heart shiver. Chu YanYu was purposely making the inquiry here in order to decrease Jing-wang's suspicion. Li Yu knew that Chu YanYu was about to act soon.
Jing-wang slightly turned his head, as if about to reply.
Big scoundrel, just ignore him!
In panic, Li Yu thought hastily.
However, there's no way Jing-wang could hear a fish's thoughts. His distant gaze glanced at the glass cup next to the lotus teacup.
Chu YanYu understood what he meant and picked up the glass cup with both hands, holding it before Jing-wang.
He thought for a moment, then still submissively kneeled down. From Jing-wang's angle, the other should be able to see his figure like this.
Chu YanYu's face already started to feel hot. He felt like this should be the effect of the aphrodisiac. Plus, he has never actually enticed anyone so boldly before. For once, he felt flustered. This was very much different from exchanging a few teasing words with the guard.
Very quickly, he will be conquering this man before him.
"Your highness, please drink this tea." Calming himself, Chu YanYu persuaded Jing-wang with a soft voice.
Jing-wang accepted the cup, his long thin fingers rubbing the edge of it.
Li Yu knew this was one of Jing-wang's habits. He was very likely to drink in the next second.
Why would Jing-wang's vigilance be this low? Before royalty used tea, shouldn't there be a silver needle used to test for poison– alright, the silver needle might not be able to test out something like an aphrodisiac. But where was the servant who tested food and drinks ahead of time for the master? How come they didn't appear?
There was no time for Li Yu to think more carefully on this, Jing-wang was about to pick up the cup. In this kind of perilous situation, Li Yu felt like he must do something!
Regardless of who Jing-wang liked and who Jing-wang got together with in the end, Li Yu couldn't accept Jing-wang getting drugged. Li Yu's logic was, if Jing-wang really liked Chu YanYu, then he wouldn't get in the way. However, to use drugs– how was this kind of despicable method any different than using force!
He can't accept either!
Chu YanYu already poured an aphrodisiac in every teacup prepared for fish. It was impossible for Li Yu to jump over as a fish and knock over the teacup in Jing-wang's hand. If humans came in contact with aphrodisiac, they'd burn with desire. If a fish came in contact, perhaps he'd become a cooked fish.
Seeing that he couldn't rely on anyone else, only himself, Li Yu can only change into his human form to warn Jing-wang verbally.
Although he was still angry, in this kind of important moment, it was necessary to have a sense of priority and put aside his bad temper.
Li Yu secretly took out the fish pillow from his interdimensional space and threw it in the crystal fish tank, randomly placing it inside. Then picking an angle that Chu YanYu and Jing-wang most likely won't see, he swam to the edge of the crystal fish tank and jumped out.
Despite apparently listening to Chu YanYu speak, Jing-wang has been following the fish with the corner of his eyes this entire time. Discovering that fish jumped out, he heard fish landing on the floor with a clear sound. Chu YanYu also heard this and was just about to turn his head. In a moment of desperation, Jing-wang lightly used his fingertip to flick the edge of the cup.
Chu YanYu's attention immediately returned.
"Your highness, did you need something?" Why hasn't Jing-wang drank the drugged water yet?
Chu YanYu felt like he was on fire in panic.
Jing-wang smiled and then picked up the teacup, moving it to the side of his mouth in an unhurried manner. Chu YanYu looked at him full of anticipation. Jing-wang looked past Chu YanYu and saw that after the fish landed on the floor, it used its tail as a support and made a carefree arc around the bend, sliding behind the cupboard.
Jing-wang, who discovered that the carp demon's tail could be used like this: "...."
Lost in thought for a moment, Jing-wang then secretly glanced at the fish tank. He was worried that Chu YanYu would discover that the fish inside the fish tank had disappeared. He was just about to cancel his plans and ensure that Chu YanYu wouldn't notice when he saw that inside the huge crystal fish tank, a silver colored fish was facing head down and bumping into the stone bed in a strange fashion, not moving.
Jing-wang: "....."
Jing-wang saw a fake fish that looked the same as the carp demon before. He was very certain that this one was also fake, because the real one had already jumped out.
Maybe it's a doppelganger skill... Jing-wang, who knew a smudge of cultivation knowledge, rubbed his brows. At least now he no longer needed to worry about Chu YanYu discovering something.
Jing-wang picked up the teacup once again while estimating the human form Xiao Yu's speed.
Xiao Yu was even faster than he imagined. Not long afterwards, he jumped out and shouted:
"Your highness, you can't drink this water!"
Finally here. Jing-wang pressed his lips together and completely placed the teacup to the side.
Chu YanYu jumped in shock from the youth that suddenly appeared out of nowhere, his fingernails digging deeply into his palms.
The youth that ruined his plans was wearing bluish-green robes, white teeth and bright eyed, slim and graceful. This was Li-gongzi who had apparently run away from the estate and left.
Brows furrowed, Chu YanYu felt a wave of frustration internally. Li-gongzi had already left, so why did he come back? Was he unhappy that his position was being threatened so he came back to take Chu YanYu down?
Did Li-gongzi already discover that he had drugged the tea?
Impossible. Chu YanYu was very clear that when he was placing the drug, he was the only person in the room.
"What do you mean, why can't he drink it." Chu YanYu questioned resentfully. The drug was already placed anyways. If he showed any signs of hesitation, it would make Jing-wang suspicious!
Li Yu couldn't care about much else right now. He walked forward and tugged on Jing-wang's sleeve, saying loudly: "Your highness, you can't drink this water. The water was drugged!"
Chu YanYu looked towards Li Yu in surprise. These words just sounded when Wang Xi walked in with a large group of guards.
Li Yu froze. In a flash, Jing-wang gripped his hand tightly. Jing-wang gave Wang Xi a nod.
Wang Xi immediately ordered the guards to seize Chu YanYu.
Chu YanYu still held on a hint of hope and struggled nonstop, saying: "Your highness, it wasn't me. You can't only listen to Li-gongzi's one-sided words!"
Chu YanYu was only forcing himself to remain calm. When he discovered that Wang Xi picked up all of the teacups inside the room to be taken away, he finally realized that something wasn't quite right. Why would Wang-gonggong know that he placed the drug in all of these teacups?
Also the drug that he took ahead of time… Chu YanYu looked at his own uncontrollably trembling legs. This was what made him despair the most.
What will happen to him in a bit?
In any case, it can't be what he had wanted– Jing-wang's trust and affections.
Wang Xi took the troublemaking Chu YanYu away like a gust of wind. Only Jing-wang and Li Yu were left in the room. Wang-gonggong understood that his highness must have many heartfelt words to let Li-gongzi know. He thoughtfully helped the two close the door.
During days while Li-gongzi was angry, his highness and his days both passed with difficulty.
Wang Xi truly hoped that Li-gongzi would quickly change his mind.
The door closed again. The room recovered its peace and quiet once more. Li Yu coldly squinted at Jing-wang.
Jing-wang was unable to express his happiness with words so he moved directly to hug Li Yu. Li Yu smacked away Jing-wang's outstretched hands and said coldly: "Don't tell me you already
knew that Chu YanYu drugged the tea beforehand?"
The situation just now was all sorts of strange. Li Yu was too worried out of his mind; he should have guessed this long ago.
Hesitating for a second, Jing-wang nodded.
Ever since Chu YanYu interrupted Jing-wang's business last time, he entered Jing-wang's list of priority people to watch and guard against. As soon as Chu YanYu started something again, Jing-wang immediately knew. Otherwise, why would the inner courtyard be so easily entered by an outsider?
The aphrodisiac that Chu YanYu obtained by exchanging everything he had was long switched out by Jing-wang into grounded bean powder. He also made certain earlier that there were no weapons on Chu YanYu and that he wouldn't do anything to the fish. Otherwise, Jing-wang wouldn't have easily allowed Chu YanYu to enter the room. He didn't care who was behind Chu YanYu. He only wanted to use Chu YanYu to force out the human form Xiao Yu.
There's an ancient saying, one day without seeing each other was like being separated by three autumns. Before he never believed this, but now he was well experienced in this feeling. In the last few days, Xiao Yu refused to interact with him and hid from him. Jing-wang felt like there was a darkness expanding in his heart, making him even capable of doing the craziest things. No need to mention simply using a dispensable chess piece.
He filled the walls with words he wanted to say to Xiao Yu, but Xiao Yu still didn't appear. He was afraid that Xiao Yu would hide from him for a lifetime so he had no choice but to use this plan.
Chu YanYu was practically plotting against Jing-wang right before Xiao Yu's eyes. Jing-wang made a gamble that Xiao Yu wouldn't bear to watch this and would definitely appear in person.
When that happened... he'd be able to let Xiao Yu know how he felt.
This scheme was really very risky, but he had almost blind faith towards Xiao Yu. Fortunately, he won the gamble and finally saw the human shaped Xiao Yu like he wished. Jing-wang was very happy. The cruel and vicious urges inside his heart already dissipated a whole lot.
However, when Xiao Yu received confirmation that Jing-wang had known ahead of time, the youth's face turned greenish black, white, and then greenish black again. Jing-wang's instinct told him that Xiao Yu wasn't very happy again.
The youth before him lowered his eyes and rubbed his face, saying resentfully: "You're tricking me again..."
Li Yu had no choice but to transform in order to save Jing-wang– because he didn't want Jing-wang to be hurt. However, now that he knew it was all a scheme by Jing-wang, probably to force him to appear, once again, Li Yu felt like he was utterly humiliated. He still hasn't recovered from being deceived the first time. At this moment, the fury in his heart reached its peak once again because of Jing-wang's scheme.
"What I hate the most is when others deceive me!" Li Yu said coldly, word by word. Breaking free from Jing-wang's hand, he punched Jing-wang right in the middle of his chest and then ran out of the room without looking back.
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