Chapter 45 Tenderness and Defenses
Chapter Forty-Five: Tenderness and Mental Defense
After Bai Na revealed everything on the calendar, the invisible ice between Su Su and him seemed to have quietly melted away.
She no longer stood up like a hedgehog, and while she didn't exactly reciprocate his deliberate attempts to get close and touch her, she gradually stopped dodging and resisting. As for Li Qianche, it seemed as if he wanted to make up for all the companionship and warmth he had missed in the past, and he spent almost every spare moment at Yongshou Palace.
Su Su has learned her lesson and rarely goes to the Imperial Study anymore, so as not to give anyone cause for gossip and to prevent him from being distracted while reviewing memorials.
On the contrary, Li Qianche seemed to have chosen this place. He would move to the warm pavilion of Yongshou Palace to review memorials, and he would read books next to her. He would even eat meals together here almost every time.
Inside the warm pavilion, one could often see this scene: Li Qianche sitting behind a long sandalwood table by the window, intently reviewing the mountain of memorials, wielding his red brush to decide matters of great importance.
Su Su, meanwhile, nestled on a chaise lounge not far away, covered with a soft blanket, engrossed in a travelogue or essay. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the two of them in tranquility and peace.
However, this tranquility rarely lasted long. His Majesty, reviewing memorials, would involuntarily glance at the slender figure on the couch. Watching her languid and relaxed demeanor, her delicate, white fingers turning the pages, the occasional slight curve of her lips at the mention of something interesting in the book… he felt as if a feather were gently scratching his heart, making it difficult to find peace.
So he would often put down his vermilion brush and stroll over. At first, he would just sit by the couch, stroke her hair, and squeeze her hand. Later, he became more and more audacious. When he saw her comfortably resting on the chaise longue, he would squeeze in and insist on holding her in his arms, leaning against it with her.
"Your Majesty, this bed is too narrow..." Su Su refused, her voice still hoarse from just waking up.
“It’s alright, it’ll be warmer if we squeeze together.” Li Qianche had a good reason, he tightened his arms around her, his chin resting on the top of her head, the faint fragrance of her body lingering around his nose.
This intimacy gradually began to take an inappropriate turn. He wasn't just holding her; he was always kissing her here and touching her there. His warm hands, through her thin summer dress, lingered on her waist and back, carrying a burning heat.
That afternoon, Su Su was being held in his arms, chatting idly, when his hand restlessly slipped inside her clothes and grasped her full, soft breasts.
Su Su trembled, her cheeks flushed, and she pressed down on his mischievous hand, her voice tinged with panic: "Your Majesty... in broad daylight... if word gets out, it won't sound good..."
Li Qianche chuckled softly, his breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe, his voice carrying an undeniable domineering authority: "Who dares to gossip about my intimate relationship with my own concubine? I'll rip out their tongue."
Before he finished speaking, he had already deftly untied the belt around her waist, and her skirt flared out...
"Ah..." Su Su tilted her head back and let out a soft, sweet cry. The chaise lounge creaked softly and continuously due to the sudden weight and movement, and the swaying rhythm only made him more comfortable with it.
Chunlan, Qiuju, and the others standing outside the hall were already used to the commotion that often came from the inner hall when the Emperor was present. They all kept their eyes down, heads bowed, but their slightly reddened ears betrayed that they were not entirely oblivious.
And so, he took her twice on the chaise lounge. Su Su was already drenched in sweat, her whole body as limp as melting spring water, too lazy to even move her fingertips. Li Qianche, satisfied, picked up the limp woman and carried her to the bathhouse where hot water had already been prepared.
Inside the enormous cypress bathtub, hot water steamed with a soothing fragrance. Su Su leaned against him, letting him wash her. The warm water enveloped her weary body, which should have been extremely comfortable, but the man behind her was far from docile.
As he washed her, his hands began to wander again, roaming over her smooth back, slender waist, and full buttocks. Su Su protested weakly, "Stop... I'm tired..."
Li Qianche wouldn't listen. He was young and impetuous, and had already tasted the sweetness of love. He hadn't been satisfied with the previous two encounters, so he made her turn around.
As the warm water rippled, it overflowed the tub, splashing the surrounding floor. The tub was small, and her body was held tightly in his arms, the room filled with a decadent, sensual atmosphere.
When the clouds finally parted and the sky cleared, Su Su was too weak to even open her eyes. She let Li Qianche wrap her in a large cotton towel and carry her back to her bed in the palace. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep, completely unaware of when he dried her hair and covered her with the quilt.
When she awoke again, night had fallen outside the window, and the hall was brightly lit by candlelight. As she moved slightly, she felt a strong arm across her waist.
She turned her head and saw that Li Qianche had not left yet. He was asleep with his eyes closed, breathing evenly. His handsome profile looked much softer in the candlelight, less cold and dignified than usual, and more serene.
Su Su gazed quietly at his sleeping face, her heart filled with mixed emotions. His recent tenderness and sincerity were undeniable; it would be a lie to say she wasn't moved. He was forceful and passionate, bringing her an unparalleled pleasure, captivating her and making her crave his warmth.
But……
A cold voice in her heart kept reminding her: the matter of Mu Hanyan might be false, but the poison that pierced her intestines in her past life, Consort Zhuang's hideous face, the news of her father and brothers' tragic deaths, and the bone-chilling cold she felt lying in the snow... were all real.
The heart of an emperor is unfathomable. Today he may bestow countless favors upon her out of affection, but if she makes a mistake tomorrow, or if he grows weary of her, will he not hesitate to take everything back, or even offer her poison?
She dared not. Although this life was different, she still dared not entrust her whole heart to him. That was too dangerous, and the price would be too high.
So be it. Su Su took a deep breath in her heart. Since she couldn't see through the future, she would seize the present. She would enjoy his unreserved love and care at this moment, seeking a moment of peace and joy in this deep palace.
If in the future... if one day he loses interest in her, then she will quietly hold onto her position as a Noble Consort, relying on this affection and the stability of the Su family, to live out her remaining days within these palace walls.
Having figured this out, she felt somewhat relieved.
He hooked his arm around her waist in his dream, pulling her closer to him. She felt the steady heartbeat and burning body temperature from his chest, and then closed her eyes again.
At least for now, he was truly by her side. As for tomorrow... let's wait and see.
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