The ink was ground quickly.
The crisp scent of ink mingled with the faint sandalwood fragrance in the study, creating a soothing aroma.
Lin Wanwan gently placed the ink stick back in its original position, but did not immediately leave. She stood quietly behind Xiao Che, hands at her sides, like the most dutiful yet least noticeable palace maid.
Her gaze seemed to fall obediently on the ground, but in reality, the corner of her eye was precisely locked onto Xiao Che's straight but slightly stiff nape.
He was still reviewing memorials, so focused that he seemed oblivious to the world around him.
But his unconsciously furrowed brows and the occasional, extremely subtle movement of his neck silently revealed his current physical condition.
The "My neck is so sore.jpg" emoji above my head still stubbornly hovers there, showing no sign of disappearing.
Lin Wanwan knew that the time was ripe.
All the groundwork had been laid, and her identity as a "caring palace maid" had been established. Now, it was time to reveal her true "hidden skills."
Her heart began to beat faster involuntarily.
This was, after all, her first time initiating physical contact with the emperor.
God knows how he'll react.
Would I suspect she has ulterior motives and is plotting something? Would I get angry on the spot and accuse her of "disrespect"?
The risk is very high.
But the returns are equally enormous.
If she succeeds, she can be upgraded in his eyes from a simple "interesting ally" to a "useful person" who can actually solve his problems.
This value is unmatched by any scheme.
Lin Wanwan took a deep breath, suppressing all her tension.
She took half a step forward, bringing herself closer to him, and then, in a tone that was somewhat tentative, somewhat cautious, and as if she had brought it up "unintentionally," she spoke softly:
"His Majesty……"
Her voice was very soft, like a feather, gently brushing across the quiet study.
Xiao Che, who was reviewing the papers with a vermilion brush, paused slightly.
He didn't look up, but Lin Wanwan could sense that all his attention had shifted from the memorials to her.
Lin Wanwan steadied herself and continued in a respectful yet concerned tone, "Your Majesty seems somewhat tired. When I was at home, I learned a few basic massage techniques from an old doctor from my hometown. I've heard they can improve blood circulation and relieve fatigue. I wonder... if Your Majesty would be willing to let me... alleviate your fatigue a little?"
She spoke with extreme humility.
The phrase "an old doctor from my hometown" is used to make the origin of this skill seem simple and unpretentious, and to avoid attracting attention.
"A rudimentary massage technique" is a self-deprecating remark, intended to lower his expectations so that even if the massage is not done well, he won't be too disappointed.
"To alleviate the situation to some extent" means to stop there, not to exaggerate, but simply to express an attitude.
After saying this, Lin Wanwan held her breath and quietly awaited his verdict.
This was a carefully planned "self-recommendation" by her; success or failure hinged on this moment.
A brief silence fell over the study.
Xiao Che finally slowly raised his head.
He turned around, his unfathomable phoenix eyes, sharp as an eagle's, shooting straight at Lin Wanwan. It was a gaze filled with intense scrutiny, as if trying to see through her very soul.
Lin Wanwan's heart jumped into her throat instantly.
She forced herself to maintain a submissive expression, not daring to reveal the slightest hint of guilt.
Xiao Che remained silent.
But the emoji above his head once again honestly betrayed him.
The "[My neck is so sore.jpg]" image disappeared, replaced by a completely new expression, tinged with surprise and confusion.
It was a tiny figure with a large, shiny question mark on its head.
[She can do this too? .jpg]
Seeing this expression, Lin Wanwan's heart instantly calmed down.
There was no anger, no disgust, only pure curiosity and surprise.
This shows that he didn't dislike her suggestion!
His silence at this moment is a form of tacit consent!
Lin Wanwan no longer hesitated. She knew that if she waited any longer, she would appear timid and cowardly, lacking in honesty.
She mustered her courage and stepped forward again, going around to the back of his dragon throne.
Then, she slowly and tentatively extended her hands.
Her fingertips trembled slightly just before they touched his shoulder.
That was, after all, the emperor's body.
It was a forbidden zone that no one, except the imperial physicians, could touch at will in this era.
But once the arrow is released, there's no turning back.
Lin Wan-wan gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and gently and steadily placed her soft, warm hands on his slightly thin shoulders, which were stiff from long hours of sitting at his desk.
Through the dark fabric, she could clearly feel the muscles under his hand tense up instantly!
It's a physical, instinctive resistance and wariness towards unfamiliar touch.
Lin Wanwan's heart also tightened, but she didn't stop moving at all. She knew that only by demonstrating her "professionalism" could she dispel his doubts.
She held her breath and focused her mind, quickly recalling the "office massage techniques" that her colleagues, who suffered from cervical spondylosis, had taught each other in the office in her previous life.
She first used her palms to gently knead his entire shoulder and neck area with moderate force, allowing the stiff muscles to adapt and relax.
Then, she located the "Fengchi" and "Jianjing" acupoints.
She brought her index and middle fingers together and pressed down precisely with the pads of her fingers, neither too light nor too heavy.
"Hmm..."
A very soft, almost inaudible groan escaped from Xiao Che's throat.
His tense body relaxed for a moment.
Lin Wanwan was overjoyed, knowing she had pressed the right spot!
Her confidence soared, and her movements became smoother and more confident. She pressed, kneaded, and gently stroked his stiff neck with her knuckles... the pressure gradually increased, and the rhythm was neither too fast nor too slow.
Her technique may not have been very professional, but it was enough for a patient with severe cervical spondylosis who had been sitting at a desk for long periods of time and had never experienced this kind of service before.
At first, Xiao Che's body remained stiff, filled with the instinctive resistance of an emperor.
But gradually, as Lin Wanwan's warm hands pressed and kneaded his aching acupoints, the pleasantly sour feeling that reached his bones began to gradually break down his defenses.
His tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed without him even realizing it.
His thin lips, which had been slightly pursed due to discomfort, relaxed.
He even... unconsciously closed his eyes and leaned back slightly, as if he wanted to enjoy this rare moment of comfort more thoroughly.
While pressing the button, Lin Wanwan secretly glanced at the emoji above his head out of the corner of her eye.
She saw that the little figure with the question mark had long since disappeared. In its place was a little figure lying comfortably in a massage chair, with a blissful expression on its face, and pink bubbles constantly rising around its body.
[Feels good~.gif]
Seeing this expression, Lin Wanwan's lips curled into a smug and mischievous smile.
It's done!
This "feeding" was a huge success!
A full massage took the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Lin Wanwan felt her arm getting a little sore, and then slowly and reluctantly withdrew her hand.
She stepped back, stood with her hands at her sides, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am not skilled enough to perform this properly."
Xiao Che slowly opened his eyes.
His deep phoenix eyes, which usually held sharpness and scrutiny, now held a hint of... laziness and contentment, like a cat that had just woken up.
He moved his neck, and the stiffness and soreness that had plagued him all afternoon had indeed disappeared by more than half, replaced by an unprecedented sense of ease and comfort.
He turned his head and looked at Lin Wanwan again, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
He offered no praise or thanks, maintaining his haughty, imperial demeanor.
He simply uttered a comment in his unique, indifferent voice, neither sarcastic nor overly enthusiastic.
"The craftsmanship is acceptable."
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