Chapter 81 She Doesn't Want to
Sure enough, when a man and a woman are alone in a room, danger begins.
When Xiao Jin's hot lips suddenly pressed down on Yun Zhao, his head buzzed and went blank in an instant!
It was no longer the vague temptation on the steps before, but a strong and irresistible plunder with the emperor's power.
The dense kisses, small and hot, fell on her lips, cheeks, and neck, carrying the fresh scent of ambergris, but ignited a flame that could burn people.
She had never been touched so intimately by a man before. Her body instinctively softened and trembled in love, and the unfamiliar tide of emotion almost overwhelmed her sanity.
But just as his consciousness was about to sink, a cold voice pierced his mind fiercely.
If she were to indulge in this tonight, she would forever be a bird in this golden cage for the rest of her life, and would never be able to soar into the wider world again!
All her dreams and plans will come to an abrupt end at this moment!
No! Never!
Yun Zhao suddenly turned his head away, avoiding the heart-pounding kiss. His chest heaved violently, and he said in an unstable voice, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty! You can't... I, I'm having my period!"
All the movements came to an abrupt halt.
Xiao Jin's body stiffened noticeably, and the hot breath that was almost swallowing her suddenly cooled down a bit.
Yun Zhao seized this fleeting opportunity, struggled to break free from his side almost awkwardly, and staggered back to the cold ground.
She felt a sharp pain in her ankle, but she ignored it and hurriedly tried to tighten the collar of her clothes that he had torn open, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Xiao Jin still maintained the same posture as before. The desire surging in his eyes had not completely faded away, but was covered with a layer of cold frost.
He slowly sat up, his gaze fixed on Yun Zhao, his voice terribly low and filled with a hint of anger at being fooled: "You—are unwilling to accept my favor?"
Yun Zhao's heartbeat was like a drum. She forced herself to stand steady, lowering her eyes to avoid his pressing gaze. Her voice was remarkably clear and firm, "This is my fault. I have failed Your Majesty... Your Grace. But I... only wish to maintain the distinction between ruler and subject with Your Majesty."
She took a deep breath and stated bluntly, "Perhaps, receiving Your Majesty's favor is an honor countless women in this harem dream of. But this is not my ambition. I wish to be the sharpest knife in your Majesty's hand, to clean up the palace for you, to share your worries and difficulties, and to establish my achievements here. But I have never considered... becoming your Majesty's bedside companion."
Absolutely not! I absolutely cannot become entangled any further with this royal family! I finally managed to break free from my engagement with the King of Qin, and I cannot fall into another, even more glamorous, and inescapable quagmire!
The voice in her heart shouted with great determination.
Xiao Jin wanted to question her harshly, but when he caught her clear voice, all the words were stuck in his throat.
It turned out... that was how she viewed him and the palace.
"Be my subject..." He chewed on these words slowly, and suddenly laughed softly. There was no warmth in his laughter, only cold sarcasm. "But you don't want to be my woman?"
He stood up suddenly and approached Yun Zhao step by step.
The tall figure carried a strong sense of oppression, and its shadow completely enveloped the clouds.
His scrutinizing gaze lingered on her pale yet stubborn face for a long time, as if he wanted to see through her completely.
In the end, he just snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, turned around and strode out of the palace, leaving behind only an icy command: "Come! Prepare your carriage—go to Concubine Li!"
Su Die and others who were waiting in the outer hall were shocked and quickly bowed and replied "yes", and hurriedly prepared the ceremonial carriage.
Xiao Jin didn't even look at Yun Zhao again, as if she was just an insignificant decoration in the hall, and disappeared into the dark night.
Yun Zhao stood there alone. The pain in her ankle and the thrilling pulling sensation just now hit her at the same time, making her feel exhausted.
She took a few deep breaths of cold air, trying to calm her raging heartbeat, then limped slowly out.
Just after leaving the Zichen Palace, I saw Xiaotao coming towards me with a lantern and an anxious look on her face.
"Sister!" Xiao Tao hurriedly supported her, lowering her voice, full of worry, "Sister Su Die asked me to come... Did you, did you anger His Majesty? What's wrong with your foot?"
Annoyed? That's inevitable.
How could the emperor, who was so concerned about his reputation, not be annoyed when she rejected him so bluntly?
Yun Zhao pulled the corner of his mouth helplessly, revealing a tired bitter smile: "I twisted my foot, but it's okay. Let's go, let's talk about it when we get back. Tomorrow... there are still a lot of things waiting for us." The first day as a palace lady was destined not to be easy.
Xiao Tao obediently didn't ask any more questions, but carefully supported her and walked back slowly.
"Sister, you are a palace lady now, the head of the six bureaus. Why do you still have to do some things yourself? Can't you just tell the people below to do it? Are you... afraid that His Majesty is still angry?" Xiao Tao muttered softly, full of heartache.
"I'm afraid he'll be angry, that's true." Yun Zhao said calmly, looking at the long palace path under the palace lanterns, "But he won't really touch me, that's also true."
Her father and brother commanded a large number of troops - this was the reason she dared to refuse the emperor tonight.
Even if Xiao Jin wanted to take back the military power in the future, it would take at least three to five years.
Now, his foundation is not stable, and he is determined to be a wise ruler who will restore the country. He has finally managed to restore some reputation. How could he easily destroy the Great Wall and touch her, a "capable minister" who has just been promoted and has the Yun family army standing behind her?
…
Zhuixia Palace.
Li Yangzhi had already gone to bed. When he heard that the emperor had suddenly arrived, he was so frightened that he quickly put on an outer robe and rushed out to greet him.
When she rushed to the main hall, Xiao Jin was already sitting there with a frosty face, emitting a solemn and murderous aura that kept strangers away, making the temperature in the entire hall seem to have dropped to freezing point.
The palace maid on night watch was so frightened that she served hot tea tremblingly.
Concubine Li suppressed her inner doubts and knelt politely, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be well and safe."
Xiao Jin picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then put it down heavily with a crisp thud.
He raised his eyes, his gaze like cold lightning shooting towards Concubine Li, who stood with her head bowed respectfully. His voice was flat and calm, yet it felt like an invisible boulder pressing down on people's hearts: "Why don't you ask me - why did I come to you at this time?"
Li Yangzhi's heart tightened, and she lowered her head even more respectfully. Her voice was gentle but firm: "The former court, the harem, and everything in the world all belong to Your Majesty. Your Majesty has a unique mind and can come wherever He pleases. I... dare not speculate, nor should I ask too many questions."
“Boring!”
The two cold words, like ice-hardened needles, pierced Li Yangzhi's heart.
Her cheeks flushed crimson, her fingertips curled slightly, and she felt a wave of embarrassment. She tried to maintain her composure, her voice trembling slightly. "Your Majesty...it's late at night, the dew is heavy. May I...undress you?"
Xiao Jin seemed not to have heard her words. His gaze fell on the void, and with an almost cruel scrutiny, he suddenly spoke: "You are currently the highest-ranking person in the harem. If I want to make you empress, are you willing?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yangzhi felt as if struck by lightning. Her knees gave way and she fell to the ground with a thump. Her voice was filled with genuine fear: "Your Majesty! I absolutely dare not! I am uneducated and lack virtue and ability. I am truly incapable of ruling the harem and ruling the country! I beg Your Majesty to revoke your order!"
"Extremely boring!" The undisguised sarcasm on Xiao Jin's lips was almost overflowing. He seemed to have completely lost the last bit of patience and was not even interested in taking another look at the trembling, obedient woman at his feet.
He drank the remaining tea in the cup and then put it back heavily on the table with a crisp sound.
He stood up suddenly, and another face, one that was either cunning, stubborn, or calm, emerged uncontrollably in his mind, forming a stark and glaring contrast with the dull and submissive face in front of him.
He didn't even glance at Li Yangzhi, who was lying on the ground, as if she was just an insignificant decoration in the palace. He just said indifferently: "Come here - go to Concubine An's place!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
