Huo Jingsha's rough fingertips brushed against her delicate skin, sending shivers down her spine. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't allow it. He lifted her chin, making her clearly see the desire about to erupt in his eyes. Shu Yao blushed, but didn't push his hand away. Huo Jingsha understood, quickly washing both of them clean, then wrapped her tightly in a robe prepared by a servant, holding her protectively in his arms, and left the washroom, striding towards the bedroom.
Although he didn't say it explicitly, he had already shown it through his actions: he wanted her now and couldn't wait until tonight.
You Shuyao buried her flushed face in the crook of his neck, her heart pounding like a drum. At this point, there was no way she could refuse, so she could only obediently let him carry her back to the room.
He didn't see a single servant along the way, as if all the irrelevant people had been cleared out. He carried her and kept moving forward, but instead of returning to Biyue Residence, he went straight back to his main courtyard and his bedroom.
Bringing a woman back to one's own room for sexual intercourse carries extraordinary significance; it is an honor that no other woman who has come to the Huo family has ever received.
In You Shuyao's memories of her past lives, Huo Jingsha had never brought a woman to the main courtyard. He only occasionally went to his concubine's courtyard, and the same was true for her! But now, at this moment, he carried her into the bedroom of the main courtyard, where he was going to have his first intimate contact with her.
As soon as he placed her on the bed, he pressed himself against her, and the desire that had been aroused to the point of collapse in the bath was completely released at this moment...
*** ***
Huo Jingsha celebrated her birthday, and the Huo family held a grand birthday banquet in her honor.
In fact, Huo Jingsha had no interest in this kind of banquet. To him, such a noisy and bustling occasion was extremely annoying. A group of people sitting together flattering each other, being insincere and fake, and having the same old songs, dances, and food and drink, was extremely boring.
However... he wouldn't let anyone know his true thoughts. After all, even the emperor and empress celebrated their birthdays in this way. If he had any doubts about it, wouldn't that be the same as questioning the entire royal family? Don't be fooled by his current position, which is second only to the emperor. He still understands the saying that serving a ruler is like walking on thin ice. Only someone who is tired of living would show such a thing.
Therefore, he did not stop his subordinates from making lavish preparations for him; in fact, he encouraged them to do so, in order to improve his relationship with other officials. On the other hand, he also wanted to show the emperor that although he frequently went out to confiscate property and execute people, he still enjoyed high prestige among his colleagues.
And most importantly, the annual birthday banquet, which is also a gift-giving banquet, gives everyone an opportunity to openly curry favor with him. Don't always think about giving women; the more women you give, the more money you lose. It's better to give real gold and silver, which is the most practical thing to do.
As soon as dawn broke, everyone except the main courtyard was bustling with activity. The maids and servants throughout the mansion didn't dare to stop for a moment, busy arranging flowers, greenery, wine, tea, and fruit, as well as moving tables and chairs. In the kitchen in the back courtyard, the fire burned continuously, and the sounds of the chef chopping vegetables and tossing woks filled the air.
The concubines in each courtyard got up early to dress up, eager to bring out all their most treasured silks and satins and put them on, determined to make themselves look radiant and outshine everyone else. Although the master hadn't visited them in the back courtyard for a long time, why not take the opportunity to stand in front of him, show off their beauty, and impress the guests at the banquet?
Therefore... the banquet was a riot of colors, with beauties vying for attention and a multitude of stunning women.
Although it was ostensibly a birthday celebration, Huo Jingsha was a shrewd businessman. Besides inviting his loyal subordinates who had risked their lives for him, he also invited officials of the third rank and above, as well as prominent merchants from the capital. Gifts poured in continuously, and stewards of all ranks were sent out to greet the guests at the door. The concubines' task was to remain quietly in their assigned seats, only rising to serve whoever their master needed.
This was You Shuyao's first time attending Huo Jingsha's birthday banquet. Chunlu originally wanted to lead her to a seat below the main guest, but she refused and casually chose a quiet corner to sit in, quietly observing her surroundings.
However, before she could even settle into her seat, a servant stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and reported...
“Aunt Yao, the master has asked me to summon you to come and serve you at his side.”
As soon as the servant finished speaking, You Shuyao immediately felt the various meaningful glances shot at her by the concubines around her, some of which were filled with jealousy, some with envy, some with resentment, and some with indignation.
Shu Yao pursed her lips and secretly glanced at the man sitting in the main seat. Although he was discussing the matter with an official and his gaze was not on her, she still felt that he was watching her every move.
She was now Huo Jingsha's favored concubine, and since they had sent someone to invite her, it would seem too pretentious for her not to go. So even though she didn't want to attract attention, she still got up and followed the servant toward him.
Let him serve me personally; this banquet is of great significance, and in front of so many people, I must give him face.
As the birthday celebrant, Huo Jingsha naturally sat in the main seat at the highest point of the hall. He wore a loose-fitting, luxurious robe made of silk, and appeared very relaxed and languid. In fact, after removing his Jinyiwei uniform, his usual coldness and ruthlessness were greatly diminished, and he gained a touch of the refined elegance of a noble young master.
The host's relaxed and easygoing attitude will unconsciously enhance the atmosphere of the entire banquet, allowing everyone to laugh and chat freely, creating a peaceful and joyful atmosphere.
As soon as You Shuyao sat down, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist.
She glanced up at him discreetly and found him still chatting with someone with his face turned to the side, his expression quite indifferent, but the five fingers clasped around his waist were restlessly kneading back and forth...
Pshaw! What a hypocrite!
She gave a barely audible purse of her lips, then lowered her head, her mind filled with his desperate, starving appearance from this morning—a world apart from the composed, dignified manner he displayed now as he spoke to people. This man was truly something else; even his imperfections made it seem as if she were interacting with two different people.
Suddenly... a wine glass appeared in front of him. It turned out the glass was empty. He reached out and gestured for her to pour him more wine.
Shu Yao obediently picked up the wine pot and poured him a full cup, taking the opportunity to move his face toward her.
"Why are you only arriving now? You've kept me waiting!" he asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with a hint of complaint.
She glanced at him, met his questioning gaze, pouted slightly in anger, and glared at him.
Is it her fault? Who was it that tormented her on the bed so early in the morning? It was like they were never satisfied; the more she begged for mercy, the more energetic they became, and in the end, they almost made her unable to get out of bed.
It was Qiuyue who applied the medicine to her and Dongxue who helped her loosen her muscles and bones, so that she could barely get up to wash and dress. Otherwise, she would have had trouble walking. How could he have the nerve to question her now?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
