Han Yan was startled. Before she could speak, the figure turned around. In the rising mist under the moonlight, his features finally became clear. His body, like white jade, was tall and powerful, seeming to emit endless enchantment.

His features were as if painted, with long phoenix eyes clouded with an indescribable mistiness, appearing more alluring than usual. His thin red lips were tightly pressed together, and his cascading black hair, wet from the hot spring, flowed like silk behind his head. This usually strict and cold person, having removed his outer robes, half-reclining in the moonlit hot spring, was incredibly enticing.

It was Fu Yun Xi.

As if all her tensed nerves suddenly relaxed, Han Yan unconsciously moved closer to Fu Yun Xi. At this moment, she only wanted to cling tightly to him, her inner desire surpassing everything else.

Fu Yun Xi frowned as he stared at Han Yan, seemingly confused about her presence here. He saw her expression was dazed as she swam directly toward him.

As soon as she touched his skin, it felt like finding cool spring water on a scorching summer day. Han Yan felt the burning within her instantly decrease somewhat – his body was too comfortable. Physical pleasure overcame reason, and without thinking, Han Yan extended her arms, wrapped them around Fu Yun Xi’s neck, and began to rub against him frantically.

This hot spring was specially built by the Emperor for Fu Yun Xi, and no one else was allowed to enter. Anyone who entered this place had lost their head. It was a place more feared than the gates of hell, but besides the Emperor, no one knew there was a hot spring here.

This was Fu Yun Xi’s first time having someone intrude while he bathed in the hot spring. Initially, he was extremely shocked and even had murderous thoughts, but when he saw the person’s face, his actions abruptly stopped. He truly hadn’t expected it to be Han Yan. As she came closer, he noticed her unusual complexion, but before he could speak, she had already embraced him and was frantically rubbing against him.

Fu Yun Xi was twenty-one this year, while Han Yan hadn’t yet come of age. In his eyes, Han Yan was still just a young girl, and he had always been cool and composed, not one to lose his composure just because Han Yan embraced him. By comparison, he was more concerned about why Han Yan would act this way. Han Yan had always been prudent in her actions, and although she was quite bold, she had always maintained proper boundaries regarding matters between men and women, never stepping out of line.

Han Yan couldn’t bear it anymore. Not satisfied with just embracing him, she pressed her face against his, almost curling up entirely in Fu Yun Xi’s arms.

Fu Yun Xi was stunned. One hand supporting Han Yan, he felt the face pressed against his was unusually hot. He turned his head, one hand reaching behind her head to face her toward him, finally seeing Han Yan’s condition.

Under the moonlight, this girl who usually had smiling eyes yet remained aloof had lost her usual composure and steadiness, showing signs of confusion.

Her clothes were completely soaked, clinging tightly to her body, revealing a young woman’s graceful figure – a slender waist and long legs, as beautiful as a newly bloomed lotus, carrying a hint of innocent allure. However, Fu Yun Xi’s gaze was fixed on her continuously bleeding palm.

She was injured? And now in this state, something must have happened. He grew worried.

“Zhuang Han Yan.” He frowned, trying to wake her.

Han Yan was completely unaware, just burying herself in his embrace, contentedly rubbing against him like an affectionate small animal, having shed her usual sharpness, appearing fuzzy and pitifully lovable. He had never seen Han Yan act so intimately with him before. With him, she had always maintained proper boundaries, being polite, at most getting angry with him, but now she was incredibly coquettish, as if acting spoiled with him, unconsciously softening his heart. But he also understood that Han Yan’s current state must have a cause – she must have fallen victim to someone’s scheme.

Thinking of this, he pondered for a moment, pulled Han Yan away from himself, and said in an icy voice: “Zhuang Han Yan.”

Perhaps because his tone was too serious, Han Yan hazily opened her eyes, her consciousness clearing somewhat. Gritting her teeth, she mumbled unclearly, “Quickly save Ji Lan and the others…” After speaking, she twisted her body again, appearing very uncomfortable. Fu Yun Xi knew that if this continued and others were alerted, causing a search of the palace, it would ruin everything. He reached out and lightly struck Han Yan’s nape, causing her to go limp and faint in Fu Yun Xi’s arms. Fu Yun Xi held her completely in his embrace, not minding her wet body, and wrapped them both tightly in his white fur cloak. Han Yan leaned against his chest, her burning heat causing his handsome face to darken slightly.

After leaving the hot spring and walking a few steps, Mu Feng and Mu Yan, who had been guarding outside, finally appeared. Seeing Fu Yun Xi carrying someone in his arms, they couldn’t help but be startled. When Fu Yun Xi bathed, these guards stayed far away, so they didn’t know Han Yan had come here. At this moment, Han Yan was completely curled up in Fu Yun Xi’s embrace, tightly wrapped in the white fur cloak, and they couldn’t see her appearance. Mu Feng wondered to himself: how did their master bring back someone just from bathing in the hot spring, and it appeared to be a woman – had he stopped liking the Princess Consort? Thinking this, he inwardly sighed for the yet-to-arrive Princess Consort.

But Fu Yun Xi spoke coldly: “Go investigate what happened in the palace today.” His entire countenance was severe, emanating killing intent. The white fur cloak made him appear as cold as frost, the chill almost freezing Mu Feng and Mu Yan solid. Having followed Fu Yun Xi for so many years, they naturally knew this was a sign of his anger. However, Fu Yun Xi had always been cool and detached, indifferent to everything, and they didn’t know what major incident had occurred.

At this, Mu Feng and Mu Yan dared not delay, setting aside their thoughts and responding seriously: “Yes!”

“Wait,” Fu Yun Xi glanced at the person in his arms, “The Princess Consort’s maids are in danger. Search for them and rescue them.”

Mu Feng and Mu Yan exchanged glances – the Princess Consort’s maids? Could something have happened to the Princess Consort? Could the young lady in their master’s arms be the Princess Consort?

Fu Yun Xi tossed a jade tablet to Mu Yan: “If anyone interferes, tell them it’s this Prince’s order.” Having finished speaking, he ignored them both and strode away.

Mu Feng rubbed his nose: “Master is angry, someone’s going to be in trouble.”

Mu Yan thought of that composed and cold little maid: “Let’s go.”

Meanwhile, Fu Yun Xi brought Han Yan back to the Xuan Qing Princess Consort’s quarters, immediately sent someone to summon the Imperial Physician, then dismissed all the servants and carried Han Yan to his room.

The maids brought hot water, and Fu Yun Xi sat by the bed. Even though he had struck her sleep acupoint, Han Yan was still drenched in sweat, her cheeks unnaturally red. Fu Yun Xi wet a silk handkerchief to wipe away the sweat from her forehead.

As his hand touched Han Yan’s head, she suddenly grabbed it. Before he could react, Han Yan, who had been unconscious on the bed, slightly opened her eyes and gazed at him hazily.

Fu Yun Xi’s heart tightened – the aphrodisiac’s potency was this strong! While he was still contemplating this, Han Yan suddenly grabbed his sleeve and pulled him down on top of her. Fu Yun Xi was caught off guard and stumbled. He could have easily pushed Han Yan away but feared hurting her accidentally, so he had to go along with her pull, both hands bracing himself above her as he coldly stared at her.

Han Yan’s voice was both pained and pleasured: “Yun Xi—” That call’s trailing sound was especially coquettish and enchanting, carrying a husky sensuality completely different from her usual clear voice. Fu Yun Xi was momentarily stunned; Han Yan had never called his name before, only politely addressing him as “Your Highness,” or occasionally calling him “you” when aggravated. This was the first time she had called his name this way. It felt as if small insects were crawling across his heart, creating a tingling sensation, or like a small beast softly scratching with its paws, melting his heart. In a moment of distraction, he felt her hands randomly grabbing at his chest, actually trying to tear open his clothes!