She was afraid of being seen by Xuanwu and the others, lest people start gossiping about her. While looking around anxiously, she tried to slap away his wandering hands. But Lian Yu only laughed and said, “Wouldn’t it be fine if no one was around?”

“See, they’ve all left already. They’re all tactful and understanding people.”

Suzhen looked around stupidly, and indeed there was no sign of Xuanwu, Qinglong, or Shadow anywhere. Even Commander Shao had tactfully led his men away quietly.

Her cheeks burned with heat as she reproached him: “It’s still not proper.”

“Answer me first.”

But Lian Yu was truly being a complete rogue, pinching her chest once before adding in a low voice, “If your answer is no, then I won’t let go.”

Suzhen felt both embarrassed and flustered. She couldn’t say no, but if she said yes… she didn’t even know what she truly thought herself. She only felt that being with this man was both comfortable and relaxing, yet also made her nervous.

She thought to herself that he was handsome, so she wouldn’t lose out no matter what. Besides, a wise person doesn’t fight a losing battle, so she nodded vigorously.

“Lying little wretch.”

She heard Lian Yu say in a low, husky voice. Before she could respond, he had already captured her lips with his.

His lips and tongue briefly moved against her mouth before sliding into it. Her whole body grew hot and trembling. This wasn’t the first time they had done such intimate things, and this time, Suzhen didn’t try to escape…

Lian Yu’s gaze grew dark and intense as he held the back of her head, embracing her extremely tightly. Their clothes rustled together… After a long while, Lian Yu released her and also withdrew the hand that had been exploring freely inside her clothing, instead wrapping it around her waist. Suzhen didn’t know that a man’s desire would accompany his emotions – her whole body was still trembling slightly, but she didn’t dislike the feeling of being touched by him.

The two were silent, while only the sound of falling leaves and flowers created noise around them. Suzhen bit her lip as she looked into Lian Yu’s eyes. His eyes no longer held their previous clarity – his dark pupils were intense and burning, and there was also a faint flush on his face.

“Who was that person you called out to in your dream last time?” Lian Yu reached out to caress her lips, asking her casually, but his tone was serious and composed. With that bearing, beyond being an emperor, he seemed like he was someone special to her.

Suzhen was startled, not expecting that he had always remembered this matter. She thought it had been forgotten at the time. Though surprised, she also felt inexplicably pleased – he cared about her, didn’t he?

She nuzzled her head into his chest. Lian Yu gave a cold snort and said in a low voice, “Don’t try to use tricks on me.”

Suzhen thought for a moment, her eyes rolling as she began to fabricate a story: “It was probably just some young master neighbor who had admired me since childhood. I was just talking nonsense in my sleep – how could I remember clearly?”

She received a knock on the head, from a folding fan that Lian Yu had produced from somewhere. He looked down at her from above, his lips slightly curved, but his eyes were dangerous: “Someone could actually admire you?”

Suzhen was furious: “Aren’t you one of them?”

Lian Yu was rarely outdone by her retort. He tapped her head several more times with the fan handle, making Suzhen cry out and try to run away.

“If you dare run, I have plenty of ways to deal with you.”

Lian Yu spoke unhurriedly, playing with his folding fan. Suzhen glared at him, but his seemingly amused expression made her suddenly feel uneasy. Lian Yu’s eyes darkened as he suddenly leaned down and kissed her lips fiercely several times: “Li Huaisu, this time I’ll let you go, but someday I’ll make you give me both your body and heart. I don’t care who that person is – since you’ve already taken liberties with me, you can’t be fickle-hearted anymore. Otherwise, hmph…”

Suzhen felt both nervous and frightened hearing this, her cheeks unconsciously turning crimson, not daring to look at him.

At this moment, Lian Yu leaned down again and whispered something in her ear. Suzhen cried “Ah!” and this time really did run away.

What he had said was: “How about we continue this back in the room? That bed Meng Qiao prepared for me is very large and comfortable.”

She hadn’t run far before being caught by Lian Yu and swept into his arms. Just as she was about to remind him that “the Huang Tianba matter is urgent – don’t be a foolish ruler,” she heard Lian Yu call out loudly: “Xuanwu, come out. Have someone prepare food and send it to my room.”

Suzhen was stunned and spat: “You’re teasing me.”

Lian Yu laughed: “You seem rather unwilling about me. You don’t seem very pleased.”

He spoke again in a low voice: “Alright, I do want to do things to you, but you need to eat something first. You were trapped by Lian Xin all night, and now it’s already past midday – aren’t you hungry?”

Then he gently touched her stomach. Though Suzhen was thick-skinned, she couldn’t help blushing furiously again, but her heart felt sweet – he noticed everything. Only then did she realize she was indeed starving.

Lian Yu smiled indulgently and took her hand, heading back toward the room.

Xuanwu and Qinglong quietly appeared, along with Commander Shao leading over ten men. Seeing the situation, Xuanwu respectfully answered “Yes” and hurried to arrange things, pretending not to see this romantic scene.

Commander Shao coughed lightly behind them: “What did you all see just now?”

His soldiers answered in unison: “His Majesty and Minister Li were discussing important matters.”

Suzhen quickly pulled Lian Yu to walk faster. Lian Yu still held her, completely unashamed: “My affairs – who would dare gossip about them? You can set your mind at ease.”

Though he spoke casually, his tone carried the majesty of the Son of Heaven.

Suzhen suddenly thought: How could such a person have come to like her?

Lost in various thoughts, she felt as though people were watching them from all around. Suspiciously turning her head to look, she whispered: “Lian Yu, it seems like someone is watching us.”

Lian Yu’s eyes swept lightly toward a certain direction, seeming unconcerned as he kissed her cheek: “You’re overthinking. With me here, you don’t need to worry about other things.”

And so he led her away.

Huo Chang’an knew that Lian Yu had discovered him long ago, but had only given Xuanwu a meaningful look. Watching the two walk away, he slowly released Wuyan’s hand: “Did you see? Did you see how Lian Yu treats Li Huaisu? Does he treat you the same way? With such tender affection… No, he doesn’t. Even if he did treat you that way, wouldn’t your heart turn cold? He loves so many people!”

After everyone left with Lian Yu, Lian Yu seemed to have business and gave instructions to everyone before leaving with Xuanwu, Qinglong, and Commander Shao. She hadn’t wanted to obstruct his work, so she had intended to walk around the Meng residence rather than stay in her own courtyard where Huo Chang’an might find her. Who knew he would still intercept her halfway and forcibly bring her here.

She had watched silently as Lian Yu kissed Li Huaisu and showed her such affection. Now, hearing Huo Chang’an’s provocation, she glanced at the red marks on her wrist – where he had gripped her tightly just now – and said coldly: “Huo Chang’an, you could be even more shameless! Fine, I’ll give up on Lian Yu. Are you satisfied now? I, Wei Wuyan, will have no choice but to cling to you from now on. I’ll give myself to you – do you dare take me into the Huo residence? You say you love Lian Yue – are you willing to break her heart? How wonderful that would be!”

“Think it over carefully. If you want me, I’ll give myself to you.” She smiled coldly and turned to leave, while Huo Chang’an’s face turned ashen as he stood frozen in place.

When the emperor speaks, things are indeed different. By the time they returned to Lian Yu’s place, it had only been the time to drink a cup of tea, yet Meng Qiao was already there bowing and scraping, leading many beautiful serving girls to deliver food.

Lian Yu seemed to regard those beautiful girls as if they were invisible. After watching them set things down, he said: “Magistrate Meng is thoughtful and thorough, and has made great contributions this time. I will certainly reward you according to merit. For now, you may all withdraw.”

“Yes, yes…”

Though Meng Qiao was happy to hear about the merit, he was clearly disappointed that his carefully prepared women were not appreciated. But he dared not say anything about it, looking at Suzhen with disappointment before being caught by Suzhen’s half-smiling glance. Startled, he quickly led everyone away.

Xuanwu and Qinglong once again tactfully closed the door for the two of them.

“That dog official Meng Qiao,” Suzhen muttered a complaint, then unceremoniously picked up her bowl and chopsticks to eat, wolfing down the food. Lian Yu watched with a gaze that was unconsciously gentle. He had dismissed the others so she could eat comfortably, occasionally serving her dishes, just like many years ago when they had shared meals together in the mountain forest.

There was no earth-shattering passion, no worldly affairs – neither wind nor rain, nor clear skies. So simple.

After Suzhen finished eating, she took the handkerchief Lian Yu handed her and wiped her mouth. Lian Yu then pulled her onto his lap, reaching out to touch her right arm and massage it gently before lightly touching her cheek and asking softly: “Does it still hurt?”

He hesitated before continuing: “Huaisu, Lian Xin is my mother’s biological daughter. I dote on her as my own sister, but she’s not actually my sister, and Mother loves her dearly, so I can’t punish her severely. This time, you’ve been wronged. But I promise you, if she dares to be cruel to you again, I won’t let her off.”

Suzhen had been shy about their intimacy, but hearing his words and seeing the hidden tenderness in his eyes, she couldn’t help but become entranced. She put her arms around his neck and said softly: “It doesn’t matter. Your sister is like my sister too. I’ll be more tolerant of her in the future – don’t punish her. But she must also be kinder to others. She’s a princess of the nation and should set an example. When I hit her at the Huang residence that day, first I was afraid Quan Feitong would kill her – you know how wicked and ruthless Prime Minister Quan can be. If I had tried to stop him, he might have been even more harmful to Lian Xin. Second, I wanted to teach Lian Xin a lesson. Her cruel, ruthless, and arrogant temper gives me a bad feeling – I’m afraid she’ll get into trouble sooner or later.”