His body trembled slightly, and the large hand at the back of her head tightened.

That night in the Eastern Palace’s inner chambers, he had discovered what a bold and daring nature lay beneath her proper exterior. Even now, her closeness alone was enough to unsettle him.

Since the Emperor ascended the throne at fourteen years of age, the country had been ruled by a woman for over thirty years. The customs throughout the nation had become increasingly liberal, with women able to study and hold official positions outside the home, and able to divorce their husbands and leave their households. Whether in inner chambers or public affairs, though not equal to men in all matters, their conduct and behavior were countless times more uninhibited compared to the previous hundred years of the former dynasty.

Even so, he had never imagined she would carry herself with such ease in private. His long fingers threaded through her thick black hair, fingertips brushing the base of her ear.

She lowered her eyes, hesitant, glancing up at him.

After all, she was inexperienced. Despite her boldness, she didn’t know if what she was doing was right.

He caught her gaze and understood. He drew her up against him, holding her close.

A low breath escaped his lips.

Her head was buried in the crook of his neck. He shifted, turning her, holding her steady.

She let out a soft sound of surprise, then bit her lip and smiled, her hands sliding up around his neck.

“Don’t move,” he said hoarsely. Then, lower: “…let me hold you.”

This utterance was so filled with affection and longing, this tone so soft and gentle, that it instantly scattered her thoughts, almost making her believe that he truly loved her.

Her lips trembled, almost asking the question, but the words reached her teeth and could not be spoken.

It wasn’t that she feared his answer would not be what she wanted to hear, but that she feared his words would raise her hopes too high. How many words from an emperor truly come from the heart, and how could a minister wholeheartedly believe such words? Better to remain as they were now—she loved him, she adored him, and that was enough. No matter what happened in the future, she would not… hate him.

So she stopped moving, and embraced him tightly, letting him hold her.

There was a small hollow in his right shoulder, next to a hard, thick callus. She recognized it as a mark left from years of archery practice. Her mind involuntarily recalled the scene at the Riding and Archery Hall in the Northern Gardens a year ago—his galloping on horseback, his vigorous and imposing manner, intimidating all officials and generals with his prowess.

It seemed as though in this world, as long as he existed, nothing could outshine him. And what woman would not fall for him?

Her lips brushed against his shoulder.

He let out a low breath, as if coming to his senses. He asked, “Who taught you all these tricks?”

His tone was deep, slow, intoxicating—not an accusation, but flirtation.

She narrowed her eyes, the corners of her lips curling up. “Doesn’t Your Highness know that I am widely read?”

He brushed aside her hair to see her face. “Have you even read those scandalous books?”

She nodded, pursing her lips. “Has Your Highness not heard of that book ‘Bold Words’ circulating in the country these past few years? Its passages are exquisitely written. After I entered the court, I heard that the daughter of Inspector Liu from the Imperial Archives also praised this book.”

He raised an eyebrow, pondering. “I have read it too.”

Back when Shen Zhishu was still at the Imperial Academy, he loved to collect such books, bringing them into the palace privately to show him.

When she heard he had also read it, she couldn’t help but laugh. She raised her face close to his ear. “When I was at the women’s school in Chong Prefecture, I once explained some of the more colorful phrases from that book to everyone.”

He looked at her with a slanted eyebrow.

Her smile was radiant, her eyes bright. She murmured a line from the book against his ear—vulgar enough to make him laugh outright.

She continued, “At that time, the women in the school secretly passed this book around and excerpted the poems for private discussion…” She kissed him once. “Your humble servant understood it best.”

He couldn’t help but laugh.

Though he knew she placed great importance on achievements, he didn’t expect that even in such matters she could be so self-satisfied. Looking at her bright eyes and upturned lips, he felt warmth surging in his heart.

Never had a woman been so frank and undisguised before him, nor had any woman ever given him such wholehearted and sincere affection.

The smile on his face gradually spread, and he finally laughed aloud.

She stared at him, slightly stunned. After a while, she slowly reached out to touch his brow and eyes, murmuring, “Your Highness…”

He kissed her gently, pulling her closer.

She let him hold her, then looked at him again. Seeing the smile still in his eyes, she was moved. “Your Highness looks so handsome when you smile.”

He smiled again, his heterochromatic eyes half-closed, lazy and content.

Though not as fierce as before, his manner now was gentler, more deliberate, as if he were not the same man whose temper had flared so sharply earlier.

She closed her eyes slightly, understanding him even less.

He had always been a man of few words but many actions, with a heavy heart difficult to discern. It was not the first time she had angered him. If those earlier wild actions were to vent his anger, how could they give way to such gentleness now? She could feel the depth of his emotion at this moment, yet did not understand why he had grown so still and tender.

“Meng Tinghui,” he suddenly embraced her more tightly.

She didn’t open her eyes, only responding with a soft, “Your Highness.”

He kissed her forehead, lingering. “I am good to you because I want to be.”