Lin Yun was so tightly held by him that she could hardly breathe. Her fingertips unconsciously gripped his collar. The scent of ambergris mixed with the smell of alcohol lingered around her nose, making her dizzy.

His lips moved from the corner of her lips to her earlobe, then down her neck, his breathing becoming increasingly heavy.

Lin Yun's body went limp, and she could only cling to his shoulders, panting softly, "Your Majesty... this is against the rules..."

"Rules?" Yongzheng chuckled, his voice hoarse. "I am the rule."

After saying that, he pulled her into his arms and pressed her down onto the bed. In the moonlight, her hair was disheveled, and her clothes were half-open, revealing her fair collarbone.

His eyes darkened, and he leaned in again, kissing her even more fiercely than before. His hands roamed along her waist, his fingertips igniting a wildfire wherever they touched.

Lin Yun was dazed by his kisses, but suddenly snapped back to reality as her clothes were half-undone. She pressed against his chest and said in a trembling voice, "No... we still have to perform the sacrifice tomorrow..."

Yongzheng paused, veins throbbing on his forehead, and finally took a deep breath and stopped.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, trying to calm his erratic breathing, and after a long while he said in a hoarse voice, "I am truly... bewitched by you."

Lin Yun blushed as she straightened his clothes, her fingertips accidentally touching his burning skin before she recoiled as if electrocuted.

Yongzheng took her hand and kissed it deeply in his palm, his gaze burning: "Sooner or later, I will make sure you stay in the Hall of Mental Cultivation with a legitimate reason."

He pulled her into his arms, his voice suppressed and aggrieved, "At the banquet, I saw those people staring at you, and it made me feel terrible. You belong to me, and no one can covet you."

Lin Yun leaned against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling both sweet and bittersweet.

She said softly, "I didn't look at anyone else, I only looked at you."

Yongzheng tightened his grip on her arm: "That won't do either. I don't want them to see you."

Lin Yun had no choice but to let him rub her.

They embraced for a long time before he reluctantly let go of her, saying, "I must go now. You should rest well, and I will come to see you again tomorrow."

Before leaving, he turned back and looked at her deeply, as if he wanted to etch her image into his heart.

Once the footsteps had faded away, Lin Yun slowly curled up in bed, the lingering warmth on her lips making her heart pound.

Looking at the embroidery on the canopy, she suddenly realized that the Emperor might not have gone to the Empress's palace.

Ugh, how annoying! Why did you have to do this? Now she can't sleep.

Even so, the sweet bubbles in my heart couldn't stop spreading.

When Yongzheng returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he changed out of his night clothes and felt much more relaxed than when he arrived.

He gazed at the night view outside the window, a slight smile playing on his lips.

In this life, he will never let the tragedy repeat itself, nor will he allow his beloved to suffer even the slightest harm.

He wanted to get Yun'er pregnant with his child as soon as possible.

This great Qing dynasty must be left to their son to inherit. The thought of Yun'er carrying his child, Yinzhen's, sent a burning sensation through his belly.

Her slender waist was gradually becoming fuller due to pregnancy, and her snow-white skin was tinged with rosy blush... Thinking of this, he suddenly closed his eyes, but could not suppress the surge of blood in his veins.

"Su Peisheng," the emperor's voice was hoarse, "prepare the water."

The bathtub was filled with steam, and he leaned back against the edge of the tub, his hands submerged in the water.

Amidst the rippling water, one could almost see her collarbone, adorned with coral beads, and her tongue, faintly visible as she ate. A muffled groan escaped her throat, splashing water onto the gold bricks scattered on the floor.

Once he had calmed down, Yongzheng stared at the flickering candlelight and gave a self-deprecating smile.

The emperor, a man of great dignity, lost his composure for a woman.