Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Schemes and Seduction Morning After the Conquest

Xiao Ran stretched lazily in his silk-covered bed, his muscles relaxed, his body refreshed. Last night had been exhilarating.

Beside him, Su Mei lay exhausted, her long red hair messy, her flawless skin glowing from the intense night of passion.

She had resisted at first, but in the end, her body had surrendered completely.

Now, she lay naked and vulnerable, her thighs still trembling from their heated session.

Xiao Ran smirked, his fingers trailing along her soft curves, making her stir.

Her blue eyes fluttered open, a mix of lingering defiance and reluctant submission in them.

"You're still here?" she murmured.

Xiao Ran chuckled. "Where else would I be? I rather enjoy watching a proud woman recover from defeat."

Su Mei blushed, glaring at him before turning away.

"Hmph. Don't get used to it."

But her body betrayed her words.

The night before, she had screamed his name, her walls tightening around his dick, her pride shattered by the sheer pleasure he had forced upon her.

She had given in completely, and now, she was his.

Xiao Ran pulled her into his embrace, his lips brushing against her exposed shoulder.

"We'll see about that," he whispered, his hand sliding between her thighs once again.

Su Mei gasped, her legs instinctively parting as her honey well was once again teased.

But before he could claim her one more time, a loud knock echoed through the chamber doors.

Xiao Ran sighed. Interruptions.

Su Mei quickly pulled the sheets over herself, her face flushed.

"Your Highness," a servant called from outside. "The Emperor requests your presence in court."

Xiao Ran's eyes narrowed.

So soon?

Last night, he had shaken the imperial court by defeating Wei Tao. The nobles wouldn't sit still after such a humiliation.

It seemed the real games were about to begin.

Courtly Intrigue - A Hidden Enemy

Dressed in lavish black and gold robes, Xiao Ran strode confidently into the imperial hall.

The moment he entered, all eyes turned to him.

The nobles whispered.

Some sneered, others looked concerned, but most watched warily.

At the center of the court, the Emperor sat on his golden throne, his face unreadable. Beside him, the Crown Prince, Xiao Tian, stood with a smug look, his arms crossed.

And in the middle of the hall, Duke Wei knelt, his forehead pressed to the ground.

Xiao Ran's smirk deepened.

"Your Majesty," Duke Wei's voice trembled with carefully crafted sorrow. "I come before you today to seek justice for my son, who was crippled by the Fifth Prince in an unfair duel."

Gasps filled the room.

Xiao Ran rolled his eyes. So that was their plan?

He broke Wei Tao's bones fair and square, and now they wanted to flip the script?

The Emperor's sharp gaze landed on Xiao Ran.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

Xiao Ran stepped forward, his smirk unwavering.

"Justice?" He chuckled. "If I recall, the duel was witnessed by the entire court. Wei Tao challenged me, and I merely accepted. Surely, you do not mean to say that a noble of the Wei family would attempt to overturn a publicly accepted duel?"

Duke Wei's face twisted, but he kept his head low.

"The Fifth Prince used forbidden techniques," he hissed. "It was not a fair fight!"

Xiao Ran laughed. "So what you're saying is, your son was too weak to handle me?"

"You—!" Duke Wei's fists clenched.

The Crown Prince stepped forward, smiling coldly.

"Brother," he said, his voice silky smooth, yet laced with malice. "Surely you understand that using questionable means to win a fight raises concerns?"

Xiao Ran tilted his head, pretending to think.

"Ah, I see. So, if I were to challenge the Crown Prince to a duel right now, and he loses, will the court say the same? That he was defeated unfairly?"

The nobles went silent.

The Crown Prince's smile stiffened.

Xiao Ran had cornered him.

If he accepted the duel and lost, his reputation would crumble. If he refused, he would look like a coward.

The Emperor's voice suddenly cut through the tension.

"The duel was fair."

Everyone turned toward the throne.

The Emperor's expression was calm, but his eyes gleamed with hidden amusement.

"The court will not waste time discussing a settled match. If Duke Wei's son was too weak, then he should have trained harder. Let this be a lesson."

Xiao Ran smiled.

The Emperor was siding with him.

Duke Wei's face darkened, but he couldn't argue further.

"Understood, Your Majesty."

But as Xiao Ran met the Crown Prince's gaze, he knew—

This was only the beginning.

An Unexpected Temptation

Later that night, as Xiao Ran returned to his palace, he was not alone.

Waiting for him inside his chamber was a new beauty.

She sat on his bed, her long raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders, her voluptuous figure barely covered by a sheer silk robe.

Her golden eyes glowed in the dim candlelight, filled with seduction and mystery.

"Your Highness," she purred.

Xiao Ran raised an eyebrow, stepping closer.

"And who might you be?"

She smiled. "A gift… from the Crown Prince."

His eyes narrowed.

A trap.

But what kind of trap?

She slowly stood, her body moving like a serpent, her hands sliding down her robe, letting it fall to the floor.

Her full, round breasts bounced freely, her soft, supple curves completely exposed.

She walked toward him, pressing herself against his chest, her lips brushing against his ear.

"Will you accept me, Your Highness?" she whispered.

Xiao Ran chuckled, his hand gripping her waist, his fingers digging into her soft flesh.

"If I said no, would you leave?"

She smirked. "I would be… disappointed."

Xiao Ran leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a deep, dominating kiss.

She moaned, her body melting against him, her arms wrapping around his neck.

Whatever the Crown Prince's game was…

He would play along.

For now.