Chapter 2
Chi Ye pinched my chin hard. A few drops of saliva slipped from my parted lips.
Feeling the coolness on his fingers, he stared at me in disbelief.
I hastily took out a handkerchief and wiped his hand.
Before the fury gathering in his eyes could erupt, I leaned toward his ear and said,
“Please don’t be angry, General. I have a plan that can help you win your beloved.”
He’d never expected that. Sure enough, half his rising anger ebbed away.
My words captured his entire attention.
“What plan?”
“A beauty trap.”
I raised my wet eyes, knitted my brows slightly, and parted my red lips. “The crown prince’s interest in me isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The less time he spends with his sister, the more time you can spend with the princess.”
“And I can keep Master Shen occupied too.”
“Then there won’t be anyone left to threaten your chances.”
I left it at that.
He could weigh the rest himself.
After a moment, an amused smile appeared on his face.
“You’re certainly no innocent.”
“But—”
He paused and looked me over, barely concealing his contempt.
“With those brothel tricks of yours, you can only hook common men. Do you really think you can bewitch the crown prince and the top scholar?”
You’d better remember those words, General.
I laughed coldly to myself.
“That doesn’t matter. May I ask whether you agree to my plan?”
“I only want to protect myself.” I lowered my eyes, looking fragile.
Sometimes yielding a little was the best way to win someone’s trust.
“Hmph.” I’d piqued his interest. “Deal.”
Chi Ye didn’t believe I could pull off anything that ambitious. He simply wanted to see me make a fool of myself.
That was fine. What I hadn’t told him was—
A beauty trap could also drive a wedge between people.
Not far away, the poor scholar was still standing with his hands behind his back, admiring the view.
He had no idea I’d just destroyed the balance of their fair competition.
And the first target about to take the bait—
Was him.
The next day.
I took great care over my appearance.
The original supporting character had appallingly gaudy taste.
I abandoned her usual pinks and greens for softer, plainer shades.
But I paid particular attention to the waist.
It made my figure look even more graceful.
Bright, fresh colors suited the innocent princess. An erotic heroine ought to look sultry and alluring.
Carrying a box of pastries, I went to Shen Yu’s study.
“Stay right there. Don’t come closer.”
His eyes were full of suspicion.
Apparently Chi Ye’s remarks yesterday were still affecting him.
“I’ve come to help you get what you want, Master Shen.”
Under his puzzled gaze, I took a few steps forward and approached his desk.
With two fingers, I lifted a painting from it.
“Green hills, flowing waters. How vivid your painting is.”
No man dislikes a woman’s compliments, even a scholar who thinks himself above everyone else.
His expression softened a little.
“What have you come for?”
“As I just said—to help you get what you want.”
“Landscapes are all very well, but aren’t they a little pretentious?”
“What young girl would like this? It’s so dull.”
Shen Yu frowned, apparently giving my words serious consideration.
He was much easier to fool than Chi Ye.
“Then…”
I took up a brush and began drawing on a blank sheet beside him.
“Instead of painting hills and rivers—”
“Paint cats, dogs, men.”
A naked man with bulging muscles emerged on the paper, wonderfully lifelike.
“How dare you!”
“Weiwei isn’t as crude and shallow as you!”
My brazen tastes had shocked him.
Oops. I’d accidentally drawn what I liked.
I hurriedly folded the paper.
“Oh, silly me. I misspoke. I meant paint the princess.”
“If you only compose poems and paint with her, all you’ll gain is a kindred spirit.”
“She won’t have the slightest idea you love her as a woman.”
“I know you’re a reserved, refined man who can’t bring himself to make grand gestures. But if you keep being so subtle, the title of prince consort will have nothing to do with you.”
As I spoke, I secretly moved a little closer.
Lost in thought, Shen Yu didn’t notice. He even seemed to think my suggestion feasible.
“I’m ashamed to admit that I’m not good at portraits.”
“Especially with Weiwei’s beauty—enough to put every fish, bird, moon, and flower to shame…”
I quickly tugged his sleeve, cutting off his rambling.
The princess wasn’t even here. Who was he flattering?
Describing a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl with those stock expressions suggested his reading hadn’t done him much good either.
I curled my lip.
Knowing the whole novel, I naturally knew Shen Yu couldn’t paint portraits.
Honestly, his landscapes weren’t much good either.
I’d gone against my conscience to flatter him.
As an erotic heroine, I found complimenting men easy enough.
The difference was that now we were in a study.
Before, we’d been in bed.
Ah, past glories. Best not dwell on them.
“Why don’t you practice on me first?”
“We’re both women. Once you understand my outlines and proportions, painting the princess will be much easier.”
“Of course you could use another woman, but then word might get out. The princess’s surprise would be spoiled.”
Shen Yu considered my plausible-sounding theory for a moment.
But one thing puzzled him.
“I thought you’d be hostile toward Weiwei.”
My knack for crying on demand sprang into action. I looked at him through swimming eyes. “That’s the general’s prejudice against me. The princess rescued me from misery. I’m not ungrateful.”
“I only perform. I don’t sell my body. I’m still…untouched.”
Shen Yu, who’d been sipping his tea, suddenly coughed. Soon his face was flushed.
“Please, say no more…I believe you.”
He turned his face away awkwardly.
Following his earlier gaze, I looked down. My breasts were quivering slightly as I sobbed.
Ha. This was nothing. There was plenty more in store for him.
And so Shen Yu and I reached an agreement too.
The general and the scholar were settled for the moment. Only the crown prince remained.
He treated this disposable supporting character more gently than anyone else.
But of the three—he was also the most calculating.