Chapter 165 Ambiguity
Huo Lin's gaze lingered for a moment on her dripping hair and exposed collarbone before he forced himself to look away with difficulty.
“Xiao Zhao said you are here, I…” His voice was hoarse, and his Adam’s apple bobbed heavily.
[Heavens above! With her alluring beauty, is she trying to kill me?]
Who is this dripping hair trying to strangle? That neck, that collarbone, I want it so badly…
[No! Stop! Think about the stern, orange-peel-like faces in the imperial court!]
The more I think about it, the more I think she looks better when she's wet. Those water droplets rolling down her cheeks... May I...?
[I can't think about it anymore! Buddha above, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Prajnaparamita, form is emptiness, emptiness is form.]
Huo Lin silently recited Buddhist scriptures, trying to suppress his restless mind.
As Jiang Huan listened, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve into a slight smile, which she quickly suppressed.
Goodness, is she that charming? She's even reciting the Heart-Cleansing Mantra.
As if completely oblivious to his torment, Jiang Huan walked to the dressing table, picked up a small round box, opened it, and deliberately took her time doing her post-bath skincare routine.
She casually tossed her wet hair to one shoulder, revealing a beautiful, fair neck.
Little brat, I'm totally smitten with you!
She picked up a small amount of the milky white cream with her finger and gently applied it in circular motions, starting from the smooth back of her neck.
Huo Lin's gaze was uncontrollably fixed on that slender white hand, watching the glossy ointment on her fingertips glide over her soft skin, first along the back of her neck, then her graceful shoulders, and finally down to the edge of her slightly gathered collar...
The ointment melted under her hands, moisturizing her skin and seemingly igniting the desire in his heart.
[He came out to stroll around without dressing properly after his bath, and even applied perfume in front of me...]
[Her actions are so unfair! Is she deliberately hinting at something to me?]
[Yes! That must be it! If I pretend to be blind again, wouldn't I be seen as unromantic and betray her feelings?]
[Mainly because it's inconvenient for her to apply it herself, cough, I'm just helping her out.]
Huo Lin internally staged a grand drama, finally finding a reason that he considered extremely legitimate.
He cleared his slightly tight throat, stepped forward, and tried to keep his voice steady.
"The cream isn't evenly applied to your shoulders and back. Let me do it."
Jiang Huan paused in her fingertips and looked up to see Huo Lin in the bronze mirror in front of her.
The emperor in the mirror had a taut face, trying hard to maintain his seriousness, but the burning passion in his deep eyes could not be hidden.
Hmph, you couldn't hold back any longer, could you?
Even though your eyes are practically glued to your face, you're still making excuses.
She wanted to see how Huo Lin would help, and when his forced composure would crumble.
Jiang Huan's lips curved slightly, and a smile flashed quickly in her eyes.
"Alright, but Your Majesty, you must keep your hands steady."
Huo Lin's breath hitched for a moment. The slightly provocative look in her eyes in the mirror caused his already turbulent heart to explode.
A surge of heat rushed uncontrollably to his ears, and he could almost feel the heat spreading under his skin.
My hand is very steady!
He internally refuted this, but his expression tightened even more.
Huo Lin stepped forward and took the box of perfume from Jiang Huan's hands.
His fingertips, calloused and hot, dipped in the balm and placed it on Jiang Huan's shoulder, startling both of them.
Huo Lin focused all his attention on the soft, warm skin before him, mimicking Jiang Huan's earlier movements as he rubbed it in circles.
However, the fact that he was the one making the gesture carried a hint of ambiguity.
Wow, the texture is even smoother and more delicate than mutton fat jade.
[Buddha above, I am not taking advantage of others; I am simply happy to help.]
The curve of those shoulders is just damn beautiful.
His fingers traced a path from one shoulder to the other, down to the rounded curve of the shoulder.
He dared not cross the line of his clothes, yet lingered repeatedly at the edge.
Each movement generated a tiny electric current, it was impossible to tell which was transmitting it to whom.
The balm seeps evenly into the skin, leaving a delicate sheen, and its intoxicating fragrance fills the air.
Huo Lin's palms grew increasingly hot, and a fine layer of sweat visibly seeped from his forehead.
[Cough, it's a bit hot. The heater in Weiyang Palace must be burning too brightly.]
[Or perhaps he was too tired from applying the perfume. I must have been so diligent in governing that I neglected exercise. Yes, that must be it.]
He repeatedly tried to justify himself, but his movements became increasingly slow, almost turning into another form of caressing.
Jiang Huan quietly turned her head and saw the beads of sweat on his forehead sliding down his jawline.
His focused and sweaty appearance, clumsy yet devout, softened her heart, and her mischievous playfulness faded away, leaving only a flutter of excitement.
She pulled a plain, soft handkerchief from her sleeve and gently placed it on his forehead.
Huo Lin was startled by the sudden touch and froze instantly, looking down at Jiang Huan.
The handkerchief, carrying a faint fragrance, gently wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, brushed across his brow bone, and rubbed against his burning ears...
The night breeze sneaked in through the window that was never fully closed, carrying a slight coolness that dispersed the incense in the room, but it couldn't dispel the sudden warmth and tenderness between the two.
Jiang Huan's gaze met Huo Lin's.
His deep eyes reflected her image, and a burning emotion surged within them, making Jiang Huan's heart tremble.
Driven by her heart, Jiang Huan couldn't help but tiptoe and, taking advantage of Huo Lin's momentary daze, pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth.
The kiss was so light, yet it seemed to ignite a wildfire.
Huo Lin's pupils contracted sharply, his breath hitched, and he froze on the spot, thrown into complete disarray by the kiss, his self-control instantly crumbling.
It was her! She spoke first!
[Whatever! Even if the Heavenly King himself came, it wouldn't concern me!]
[I can't tolerate this anymore!]
"Jiang Huan".
He called out in a low, hoarse voice.
The next second, Jiang Huan felt a tightness around her waist, and she was pulled into his strong arms.
Her head was firmly supported by his large hand. Before she could react, the hasty kiss was forcefully deepened, swallowing up the gasp that escaped her lips.
The candlelight danced on his sharply defined features, and beneath his thick, sword-like eyebrows, his usually piercing phoenix eyes were filled with tenderness.
"Hmm."
Jiang Huan passively endured it.
The air became both dense and thin, and the sounds of panting and dampness were amplified infinitely in the silent bedchamber, each sound striking the swollen heart.
Jiang Huan felt dizzy and was enveloped by Huo Lin's intense aura.
His kiss was forceful and lingering, yet it revealed a captivating tenderness in the subtle details.
Her legs went weak, and she could barely stand. She could only clutch his shirt tightly.
Huo Lin noticed her weakness, chuckled, and easily lifted her up by slipping his arm under her knees.
Jiang Huan gasped and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her cheek against his passionate chest, hearing his rapid and powerful heartbeat.
"Huo Lin..." she couldn't help but call his name softly, her voice carrying a dependence she herself was unaware of.
Huo Lin was slightly taken aback, followed by an even more rapid heartbeat.
[I...I...I must have misheard.]
Wow, I'm so excited!
"Stop...stop jumping! If you jump any further, I won't be able to stand up!"
Jiang Huan's waist went limp, and Huo Lin hurriedly picked her up around the waist and carried her to the bed.
He was tall and slender, and every step he took was steady and powerful, yet carried a hint of urgency.
With the bed so close, Huo Lin carefully placed her on the brocade quilt, his movements as gentle as if she were a fragile treasure.
Jiang Huan lay on the bed, her long hair spread out on the plain white pillow.
Her nightgown had come undone slightly from her earlier movements, and her delicate face glowed with a soft luster in the candlelight.
Huo Lin leaned over her, his gaze intense.
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