The palace maids serving in the bedchamber had all withdrawn, even Wanwan and Qiao'er. The palace door was guarded by the duty maids, and everyone else had gone to rest. Liu Xing and Jing Yun had been dispatched to the Shen Manor to retrieve the treasure map.
Yun Xiao nestled in Shangguan Yin's embrace, blinking her eyes and occasionally looking up at him. The lamplight flickered in her eyes, clearly revealing a small, ulterior motive. Shangguan Yin's heart sank. Could it be?
"Xiao'er."
"Murong," Yun Xiao called out softly, her voice sounding sweet and intoxicating, making one's bones feel weak.
If this was her natural disposition, it would be normal. But this little girl was not like that. She only became soft like flowing water and yielding like fine powder when she had a mischievous or wicked thought in mind.
Shangguan Yin, holding her, understood perfectly. However, from now on, he would have to feign ignorance, refusing to let the little fox have her way, because this was no trivial matter, and he would worry himself to death.
"Mm."
Shangguan Yin responded with a "Mm," his gaze flowing with dazzling brilliance, his face veiled in deep affection and a warm smile.
"Murong, I want to go to Dongjing Mountain."
"Then let me go?"
"Good."
Shangguan Yin had walked right into the trap, agreeing too quickly with his rash words.
Yun Xiao straddled him, adding as an afterthought.
"You promised me, and you can't go back on your word. A king's word is his bond."
Call her despicable, call her shameless, but between them, there was no need for such pretense. All that mattered was that he had spoken the words.
Yun Xiao leaned down.
Not long after, gasps of breath echoed within the bedchamber.
Faint moans, like gentle waves lapping against a beach, or like the lingering notes of a zither.
They coalesced into a tender and sensual melody.
Shangguan Yin was like a madman, spending most of the night showering this person with affection.
Thinking of how she had tricked him into going to Dongjing Mountain, something he could neither renege on nor endure without heartache and worry, his feelings transformed into endless affection and an increasingly intense thought.
He had to get this girl pregnant. Only if she were pregnant could he prevent her from leaving, no matter how much she wanted to.
They finally slept just before dawn.
After their intimate union, their faces were flushed and moist. Her small face was like transparent crystal, radiant and dewy. Her hair, stuck to her cheeks with sweat, clung to her face. The man beside her, his waist covered by a thin blanket, reached out to draw her into his embrace.
His deep, profound gaze overflowed with a pool of tender light, like the winter sun, warmly enveloping the person in his arms. He reached out and playfully nudged her nose, which was resting unconsciously against him, and softly whispered.
"What a little cheat. Since you managed to trick me this time, make sure you don't get into any trouble, or there will be no more 'after'."
After Shangguan Yin spoke, he held Yun Xiao, and they fell asleep together.
The sweet and loving embrace, illuminated by the dim light, resembled a moving scroll, captivating the eye. The lamp wick flickered twice, its trembling light dancing on the window lattice.
At the first quarter of Mao (5:15 AM), Shangguan Yin rose.
Despite the long night, he wasn't particularly tired. It was just the thought of being outsmarted by this little girl last night and agreeing to her request that slightly annoyed him.
The Qingyun Mountain range occupied a vast area. It wasn't just hiding the Blood Bandits; even entering the mountains on foot was an extremely dangerous undertaking. How could he possibly rest assured if she took people there?
However, he knew she wanted to help him. Looking at the recent events in the palace and his arduous efforts, she simply wanted to assist him. How could he not understand her intentions? She was, after all, not a woman who readily meddled in other people's affairs.
Shangguan Yin turned his head to look at the bed. His dark hair cascaded down. The little girl exuded the mature charm of a woman, becoming increasingly alluring. Thinking of her passion last night, which had made him lose control, he knew how formidable she was.
Shangguan Yin sighed and turned to the inner screen, calling out. Fu Hai, his close eunuch, immediately appeared from outside, respectfully waiting to attend to the Emperor's changing. However, Shangguan Yin was not in a hurry, and spoke slowly.
"I am going to bathe. Have the morning court postponed for a while."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Fu Hai immediately attended to Shangguan Yin as he went to bathe, and then sent eunuchs to the Jinluan Hall to relay the Emperor's message.
Inside the room, Yun Xiao was sleeping soundly. However, as soon as Shangguan Yin left, she woke up, her eyes gazing at the golden silk dragon-patterned canopy above. She softly called out, "Wanwan."
It was Wanwan's turn to be on duty today, so she entered as soon as she heard the call from inside.
Yun Xiao lifted her body. Her entire frame ached, as if she had been twisted and reassembled. She really wanted to sleep a little longer, but she still had things to do. She could sleep after she was done.
"Help me to bathe."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Wanwan was taken aback. This was a rare sight. Her mistress usually loved to sleep, so why was she getting up to bathe before dawn? Moreover, it was winter, and the outside was pitch black, with only a sliver of pale light showing on the horizon.
"Your Highness, it's still early. Please sleep a little longer."
"It's not early anymore. Today, I want to attend the morning court."
If not for this matter, why would she get up? After hearing Zhui Yue's report, she knew that some officials would still make things difficult for Shangguan Yin. Although he could handle it, she simply wanted to step in and let those old geezers know her stance. Let's see what they intended to do.
A layer of frost covered Yun Xiao's face, and her lips curved into a cold, humorless smile.
When Wanwan heard this, she was delighted. She supported her mistress's decision to intervene. Let's see what those people dared to do to her mistress. Her mistress had just gotten married, and they dared to suggest the Emperor take a concubine. Those detestable people! Anyone who wanted to send their daughter into the palace would meet a terrible end.
Wanwan helped Yun Xiao bathe. A small pool, specially built for her by the Emperor, was located a little further inside the bedchamber. Although not large, it was luxurious, with luminous pearls hanging from the four corners and various glazed beads cascading down, creating a dreamlike, ethereal atmosphere, as if one were in the celestial Jade Pool.
White mist emerged from some unknown vent, quickly filling the chamber and steaming the skin. Fine beads of sweat broke out, and soon her fair skin turned pink, bringing a sense of comfort throughout her body.
After bathing for a while, Yun Xiao got up. She still had important matters to attend to.
Wanwan stepped forward and wiped her body with a cotton cloth, giggling. This was because her mistress's body was covered in many marks.
Although she hadn't understood before, she now knew what had happened.
"You little vixen, you just laugh at me. Tomorrow, I'll find someone to marry you off too, and then we'll see if you still laugh."
As Yun Xiao spoke, Wanwan's face immediately turned bright red. She repeatedly pleaded, "Alright, I won't laugh anymore. Don't marry me off. I want to stay and accompany you."