Chapter 293 Boldness
Then, he stood up leisurely.
Seeing this, the palace servants quietly retreated.
Only two people remained in the vast palace.
Li Yuanzhao walked straight to the bedside and sat down, while Huang Mian stood there helplessly, not knowing what to do.
Although he harbored some ambitions to become the most favored concubine, he was, after all, only a teenager and had never experienced anything between men and women.
Moreover, the innate imperial aura emanating from Li Yuanzhao made him nervous just by meeting those deep eyes, and he unconsciously softened his breathing.
The silence was broken only when Li Yuanzhao spoke calmly, "Afraid of me?"
Huang Mian snapped back to reality and quickly shook her head, "I'm not afraid."
"Then sit next to me."
Huang Mian carefully moved over and sat down awkwardly on the edge of the bed.
Half of his body was hanging off, and he dared not get too close.
Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Huang Mian opened her mouth to ask, "Why is Your Majesty here? Didn't you go to Wang Yanzhi's place?"
But then he thought, it must be something Wang Yanzhi said or did that displeased His Majesty, which is why His Majesty came here.
If he says anything more, wouldn't he just upset His Majesty for no reason?
So he cleverly changed the subject: "Your Majesty has been working hard these past few days, and I feel really sorry for you. If... if you don't mind my clumsiness, I would like to give Your Majesty a massage to relieve your fatigue."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow slightly and turned to the side: "You can do this too?"
Huang Mian was secretly pleased to see that she did not refuse, and quickly knelt down behind her.
"My elder brother works tirelessly at his desk all year round, and his shoulders and neck often ache. When I was at home, I learned a few tricks from the doctor to help him relax his muscles and bones..."
How could Li Yuanzhao not see through the hidden meaning in his words, and subtly try to please his brother?
She ascended the throne by dealing with a bunch of cunning and manipulative people.
Therefore, among the women in the harem, she preferred those who were simple-minded and had no guile.
The person in front of me, though somewhat clever, is not exactly annoying.
Besides, he was indeed handsome.
In the candlelight, her profile was soft, her long eyelashes drooped, revealing a touch of youthful innocence, which made people feel more relaxed just by looking at her.
She has always been tolerant of beautiful women.
So she didn't point it out, but instead closed her eyes, completely letting go, and allowing his fingertips to wander over her shoulders and neck.
When Huang Mian's fingertips touched the emperor's shoulder and neck, she couldn't help but hold her breath.
The muscles beneath the black dragon robe were more taut than imagined, as if they contained a power ready to be unleashed.
"Your Majesty, how is this force?"
As he spoke, he tentatively increased the pressure, and only when he felt his subordinate's body gradually relax did he quietly breathe a sigh of relief.
"It seems Huang Wei didn't spoil you, his younger brother, for nothing." Li Yuanzhao said with his eyes closed, his voice tinged with languor. "His technique is indeed quite good."
"Thank you, Your Majesty..." Huang Mian was about to reply when he suddenly felt a raised scar on his palm, running across his right arm.
He subconsciously loosened his grip and asked instinctively, "How did Your Majesty get such a serious injury?"
Li Yuanzhao grabbed his wrist with his other hand and turned to look at him. "Were you scared?"
Huang Mian shook her head.
Li Yuanzhao said indifferently, "It was left behind when I was assassinated on my way back to the capital."
Huang Mian stared blankly at the hideous and abrupt scar, her throat tightening.
He could picture the scene: a hail of arrows and flashing blades, a place teeming with murderous intent.
As a woman, how many perilous situations must she have faced to carve out a bloody path and firmly ascend to the throne of the supreme ruler?
He dared not think about it.
“Your Majesty…” His voice trembled.
At this moment, most of the thoughts of vying for favor had dissipated, and only admiration and heartache remained in my heart.
"What?" Li Yuanzhao released his hand, glancing at him indifferently, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger. "Do you think I shouldn't have this scar?"
"No!" Huang Mian hurriedly shook his head, his fingertips trembling as he touched the scar. "Your Majesty, I just... feel heartache."
He was stunned when he said those words.
Li Yuanzhao stared at him for a moment, then suddenly chuckled: "You're the first person to say that."
She turned and pulled the boy closer, whispering in his ear, "Have you taken a bath?"
Huang Mian blushed and slowly nodded, "Mmm..."
Seeing the hint of emotion in Li Yuanzhao's eyes, he finally mustered up his courage and gently hooked his little finger around Li Yuanzhao's fingertip.
"Your Majesty, it is very late... Your servant... shall attend to you so that you may rest in peace."
Before he could finish speaking, Li Yuanzhao pressed Huang Mian down onto the bed, his fingertips already loosening the belt around his waist.
"This green outfit really suits you."
Her hand had slipped inside his clothes, her fingertips tracing his smooth skin, causing a slight tremor.
Huang Mian lay on the bed, panting softly, her dark hair spreading across the pillow. "Then from now on, I'll wear this for His Majesty every day... um..."
As he spoke, his tone changed.
Li Yuanzhao leaned closer, his lips brushing against the corner of his lips. "You don't have to wear them all. Perhaps, you'd look better without them."
Huang Mian's cheeks flushed even redder, and she subconsciously tried to sit up, but Li Yuanzhao held her firmly down.
He lay beneath her, and under her gaze, his fingertips trembling slightly as he untied the last ribbon on his clothes.
His clothes were open, revealing a young and slender body.
The candlelight flowed across his taut muscles, every line taut with youthful tension.
Those hands, helpless, pressed against the dragon robe, trying to undo her clothes.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, a mixture of helplessness and secret anticipation.
After all the clothes were removed, Li Yuanzhao's fingertips brushed across his slightly sweaty forehead. "You've got guts."
Huang Mian mustered her courage and asked in a low voice, "Does Your Majesty dislike your servant's boldness?"
Li Yuanzhao smiled slightly, "Of course I like it."
The gauze curtains swayed gently, and the candlelight gradually dimmed.
Huang Mian felt a warmth envelop him, and the emperor's long hair fell down to his neck, carrying a cool, ink-scented fragrance.
He closed his eyes, feeling every inch of his skin awaken in a trembling sensation, and eagerly bowed down to greet him.
"Your Majesty..." he murmured unconsciously, his lips gently moving from the nape of his neck to his collarbone.
When their passion reached its peak, Li Yuanzhao's hand stroked his taut waistline, stopping his movements.
Huang Mian opened her eyes, panting heavily, and looked at her with confusion.
"Your Majesty, is there something I have done wrong?"
The grievance in those words made Li Yuanzhao chuckle softly, but it unexpectedly stirred up the stubbornness in the young man's bones.
He suddenly turned over, wrapped his arms tightly around Li Yuanzhao's waist, and tilted his head back to kiss her lips.
"How dare you." Li Yuanzhao's voice carried a dangerous undertone, but a hint of a smile flickered in his eyes.
Instead of retreating, Huang Mian advanced, her lips lightly brushing against the emperor's old wound as she continued downwards, feeling the other's body tense up instantly.
"His Majesty said... he likes my boldness."
Two of the palace lanterns outside the tent had gone out at some point, plunging the room into complete darkness. Only the sounds of intimate noises mixed with breathing could be heard.
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