Moonlight spilled down, casting long shadows of the two figures.
Their exquisite faces were mere inches apart, their eyes meeting, igniting sparks in their hearts.
Ye Lingyuan’s eyes were filled with a gentle smile.
His thin lips parted, and his enchanting voice echoed in Zi Linling’s ears once more, "Lin'er, be this King’s woman, will you?"
His warm breath brushed against Zi Linling's forehead, making her heart beat faster.
She gazed at his handsome face, so close, a flicker of infatuation in her eyes.
Did this seductive man not know how handsome he was? And yet, he still tried to seduce her!
Her face slowly drew closer, the distance between their lips shrinking.
Just as they were about to touch, a sharp glint flashed in Zi Linling's eyes.
Simultaneously, spiritual energy surged from her palm, and she struck towards Ye Lingyuan.
"Get lost! Stop toying with me!"
Ye Lingyuan seemed completely unprepared for Zi Linling to suddenly lash out in her daze.
By the time he reacted, Zi Linling's palms had landed on his shoulders.
"Ugh!"
Ye Lingyuan let out a muffled groan and stumbled back two steps before regaining his balance.
A trickle of blood escaped his lips, and he said with feigned heartache, "Lin'er, how could you be so heartless!"
Zi Linling froze.
She had never imagined that her palms, which hadn't used much spiritual energy, would actually make Ye Lingyuan bleed.
She had thought that with Ye Lingyuan's cultivation, he would easily dodge it.
Therefore, this was not her intention.
The blood at the corner of Ye Lingyuan's mouth was so striking; even in the moonlight, it shimmered with a cold, elegant glow.
Zi Linling looked at Ye Lingyuan's resentful gaze, then incredulously at her own hands.
A hint of guilt crept onto her face.
"You... why didn't you dodge?"
Little did she know, this was merely Ye Lingyuan's stratagem.
Ye Lingyuan's senses were incredibly keen.
The moment Zi Linling's expression changed, he had already sensed the abnormality.
But if he didn't let Zi Linling vent her frustration, no matter how sincerely he confessed his feelings, Zi Linling would still perceive it as false.
Therefore, he deliberately didn't dodge, just to make Zi Linling feel guilty.
Only under the weight of guilt would Zi Linling genuinely feel his emotions.
Indeed, Zi Linling had fallen into his trap.
In her flustered state, filled with guilt, Zi Linling failed to notice the triumphant gleam that flashed in Ye Lingyuan's eyes in her blind spot.
Ye Lingyuan was going to great lengths to win the beauty’s heart.
He clutched his shoulder and said mournfully, "This King never expected you to attack him when he was confessing his heart to you."
Zi Linling’s heart ached.
So, she had been overthinking.
So, this man was genuinely expressing his admiration, not toying with her.
So, even this cold man had moments of infatuation.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Ye Lingyuan's light cough interrupted Zi Linling's thoughts.
She hurried over, supported him, and asked with concern, "Are you alright? I... I didn't mean to, I thought... I thought..."
A faint smile played on Ye Lingyuan's lips. "You thought this King was toying with you, didn't you?"
Zi Linling nodded sheepishly.
Ye Lingyuan's gentle voice whispered in her ear.
"Lin'er, this King never jokes about matters of the heart. If I admire you, I truly admire you!"
Although Zi Linling had always appeared very cold, her coldness was merely a facade; she still possessed a maiden's heart.
What maiden does not yearn for love? What maiden can withstand such a sudden romantic offensive?
However, Zi Linling was, after all, someone who had seen the world. Thus, in the face of this assault, she managed to maintain a sliver of composure.
"Ye Lingyuan, do you really like me?"
Ye Lingyuan nodded.
Ever since that night he had inadvertently stumbled into Zi Linling's chambers, her image had lingered in his mind, refusing to fade.
Love at first sight, it could be nothing less!