Chaotic World Book

Tang Wanju and Zhao Changhe exchanged glances, utterly surprised by this unexpected delight. Tang Wanju exclaimed joyfully, "There's no time to lose, please let Young Master Sha go fetch a batch to the workshop, and Master Yuan Xing can come with me to the workshop. Let's all ponder over it first."

Yue Hongling stood up and said, "I'll go too. I've experienced the transformation within the Kunlun Space and have some insights that might be helpful. Perhaps it could also bring some revelations to my own Sword Intent."

Zhao Changhe also stood up, wanting to go along.

The two women both glanced at him, half-smiling, "Although King Zhao has learned many things, it seems he really hasn't researched this area much at all. Better take a rest; if you're free, you could go to the palace and meet Your Majesty."

Zhao Changhe watched them leave with some speechlessness, knowing full well what the two women were thinking, and decided not to argue... I really wasn't thinking of copying you all, why bother?

He thought inwardly that actually, he was somewhat versed in transformations of space, like the Secret Realm beneath the Temple by old Xia, which was quite typical. However, he really only touched the surface and had no idea about how to manipulate the ring. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west; soon, I'll go to the Temple for research and will scare you all afterward.

Speaking of which, Hongling seems to get along well with everyone without any conflicts... Perhaps mainly because the rumors of her and him spread too early, others have long built psychological preparedness. Meanwhile, due to her straightforward nature, it's hard for others to hold any resistance against her. The only one who could output against anyone was Bao Qin from Imperial City.

Thinking so, he looked at Bao Qin subconsciously.

The girl unexpectedly didn't follow Tang Wanju to the workshop, but sat by the table resting her cheeks, staring blankly at him. When caught by his gaze, she seemed startled and hurriedly dropped her eyes.

Suddenly, Zhao Changhe realized there was no one in the hall at the moment, only him and Bao Qin.

"Uh..." Bao Qin, known for being articulate, actually began to stammer, "Your, Your Highness, would, would you like, some tea?"

As she spoke, she clumsily poured tea, causing the cup to clink noisily.

Despite being alone together, Zhao Changhe really couldn't think of anything improper and couldn't help but laugh, "Hey, why didn't you go out with your mistress?"

"With guests at home, how could the host leave entirely? Before, if Miss had to leave suddenly while hosting, I'd stay to entertain the guests."

Zhao Changhe swallowed the words "you're a host too," knowing such words would hurt the girl's feelings. After all, she was inseparable from Wanju, representing her externally and could indeed be regarded as a host.

He merely laughed, "I'm not a guest, okay."

"Really?" Bao Qin gave him a sidelong glance, "Did you marry my mistress?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Bao Qin continued, "Even without that, do you know where things are around here? You can't even find your way to the restroom, and you dare call yourself a host?"

Just stammering, yet so sharp-tongued when ranting... Zhao Changhe couldn't help but laugh and cried, pretending to roll up his sleeves to pummel her.

Bao Qin raised her head, sticking out her neck.

Looking down at her, Zhao Changhe saw the girl's cherry mouth pouting and her petite chest puffing up... But those eyes seemed to hold both anger and grievance, who knows what they contained?

Having had no prior inappropriate thoughts, suddenly, his heart skipped a beat, and his mouth felt dry.

How did he never notice before that Bao Qin had grown so much, and furthermore...how pretty she was.

Come to think of it, she was Wanju's agreed attendant; she's essentially his already, accepting would be normal, rejecting would probably lead to being resented... How did he completely overlook her?

Were her seemingly annoyed eyes just because of the previous topic? What was there to resent in that topic, what was she truly resentful of?

Why give Wanju "Romance of the West Chamber" to read, what was she hinting at?

Zhao Changhe suddenly thought of an issue—regarding this society, regarding a young girl's self-awareness. If left neglected long-term, or if "the master doesn't want" her, what outcome would it have on her? How would others see her?

Seems... it would be problematic. She might even dare not make it overtly clear, only showed her grievances through the subtle hints of "Romance of the West Chamber" instead, because once straightforwardly expressed, there would be no retreat, and if rejected...

Zhao Changhe felt a jolt in his heart, no wonder Wanju intentionally left him alone with Bao Qin, something even Wanju didn't dare mention, afraid he'd refuse, and Bao Qin might then attempt to drown herself.

The atmosphere suddenly quieted, and Zhao Changhe fixed his gaze on Bao Qin, lost in thoughts, while Bao Qin's eyes started to panic, her heart thumping loudly, the echo like a drum in the empty hall, stammering again, "You, what are you doing, hit if you want..."

Zhao Changhe deliberately said, "Can I just hit you whenever I want?"

Bao Qin turned her head in defiance, "I'm just a maid, if King Zhao wished to punish me, what could we do? Wouldn't we have to obediently endure it."

Zhao Changhe reached out and turned her chin back, continuing to look.

Bao Qin's heart almost leapt out, her little mouth slightly open, as if trying to say something but stuck unable to speak.

Zhao Changhe slightly bent down, whispered in her ear, "Why read 'West Chamber' to Wanju?"

Bao Qin instinctively pushed against his chest, her eyes wandering aimlessly. The current posture was too intimate... His breath brushed past her ear, tickling, making her heart itch too, as though something brushed over her heart, stirring her breath into chaos.

Indeed... there really was no one around.

She stammered again, "What's wrong with reading 'West Chamber'... Miss has read all sorts of leisure books..."