When Xiao Che uttered those deep, doting words, "I am your meme," Lin Wanwan felt as if she were melting from the sudden sweetness.
This...this is an outrageous confession!
This is even more deadly than the previous line, "I love you, not your memes!"
Her heart felt as if it were soaking in a jar of the sweetest honey, with every corner bubbling with happiness.
At this moment, all the cheat codes and hacks became unimportant.
Who needs those pixelated cartoon characters anymore?
Isn't this "Emperor-grade emoji pack"—real-life, voice-activated, tactile, with exclusive after-sales service and a lifetime warranty—amazing?!
It smells amazing! It smells so good!
Lin Wanwan's heart was filled with sweetness. Looking at the handsome face in front of her, she smiled foolishly like a child who had stolen some candy.
However, just as she was still immersed in this ultimate sweetness, Xiao Che opposite her suddenly put away the gentle smile on his face.
His expression instantly transformed back into that of the unfathomable emperor she knew.
He slowly released her hand, calmly took a step back, and sat back on the dragon throne. He scrutinized her from head to toe with a critical and somewhat dangerous gaze.
Lin Wanwan was taken aback by his sudden change.
The silly smile on her face was still frozen at the corner of her mouth, but her heart skipped a beat.
What... what's going on now?
Could it be... that you felt the confession was too cheesy, and now you're being tsundere?
"The misunderstanding has been cleared up," Xiao Che said slowly, his voice low and unreadable.
Lin Wanwan nodded subconsciously: "Mhm."
"I also admit that I was at fault in this matter," he continued, his attitude appearing quite sincere.
Lin Wanwan nodded again, feeling slightly relieved.
Thank goodness, they're not going to renege on their promise.
However, Xiao Che's next words made her heart leap into her throat again.
“However,” he changed the subject, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, a sly glint in them, “just because I have made a mistake does not mean… the Empress is innocent.”
Lin Wanwan: "...Huh?"
crime?
What crime did she commit? She's been living in fear and tears these past few days; she's the biggest victim, isn't she?
Looking at her bewildered and innocent expression, Xiao Che slowly began to "list her crimes".
“Firstly,” he held up a finger, “the Empress dares to harbor unfounded suspicions about the Emperor; this is a great disrespect.”
Lin Wanwan's mouth opened slightly.
"Secondly," he held up a second finger, his tone tinged with a hint of gritted teeth, "Empress, how dare you question my... 'infidelity'?"
When he said the word "cheating," he clearly emphasized it, and a faint blush appeared on his handsome face, a blush that could be described as "utterly shameful."
Since ascending the throne, Xiao Che has only ever had her in his harem. For her, he dismissed the harem; for her, he made a vow: "I will offer the empire as my dowry, and I will never take another concubine in this life."
In the end, she even suspected him of having an affair with some "talented woman from Jiangnan"!
This is simply... the most vicious insult to his personality and dignity as a devoted emperor!
Seeing his angry and embarrassed expression, Lin Wanwan felt guilty and shrank her neck.
Okay... this... seems to be her fault...
"I haven't finished speaking yet!" Seeing her guilty look, Xiao Che decided to press his advantage and make up for all the "grievances" she had suffered these past few days.
"Thirdly, and most importantly!" He held up his third finger, his expression becoming extremely serious. "The Empress dared to give me the cold shoulder for three days, keeping me at arm's length and treating me like trash!"
"In summary, based on the above three points," he concluded, his voice carrying an undeniable imperial authority, "according to the laws of my Great Li Dynasty... he shall be punished!"
Lin Wanwan was stunned by his "combination punches".
Looking at his righteous and businesslike demeanor, she couldn't tell for a moment whether he was joking or... serious.
Her heart began to race uncontrollably.
"Then...then what...what punishment will I be given?" she stammered, her voice trembling slightly.
Could it be... that we really have to follow the law?
Any one of those three crimes she committed would be enough to keep her in the cold palace for the rest of her life!
That damn emperor! He just appeased her, and now he's going to settle scores later?!
Looking at her pale face, which had turned ashen with nervousness, and her wet, frightened eyes, like those of a startled fawn, Xiao Che felt the last bit of resentment he had felt from being "wrongfully accused of infidelity" completely dissipate.
He slowly rose from the dragon throne and walked towards her step by step once more.
His figure appeared exceptionally tall in the flickering candlelight, exuding an oppressive aura that completely enveloped her.
Lin Wanwan's heart pounded faster and faster as he drew nearer, almost leaping out of her throat.
Finally, he stopped in front of her.
He leaned down slightly, his handsome face growing larger and larger before her eyes.
He watched her so nervous that even her eyelashes were trembling slightly, and a very... wicked, triumphant smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"I'll punish you..."
His voice was extremely low, with a seductive hoarseness.
The next second, before Lin Wan-wan could react, a kiss filled with intense aggression landed heavily on her lips.
"Hmm..."
Lin Wanwan's eyes widened suddenly.
Her mind went completely blank for a moment.
This kiss was unlike any other before.
There will be no more testing, no more tenderness.
Yes, but only the most direct and domineering plunder and declaration.
It was as if he was punishing her for her "naughtiness" these past few days, and also as if he was venting all the longing and unease that had been suppressed for three whole days.
Inside the bedchamber, the candlelight flickered, and the atmosphere instantly became incredibly ambiguous.
When the kiss ended, Lin Wanwan was completely weak and collapsed into his arms, panting heavily.
Her cheeks were so red they looked like they were about to bleed, and her moist almond-shaped eyes were filled with shyness and confusion.
Xiao Che held her in his arms, looking at her adorable appearance, so helpless after being "bullied" by him, and felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.
He lowered his head and gently rubbed the tip of his nose against hers, his smile growing even deeper.
His voice, slightly hoarse from the kiss and with a languid air of ill intent, whispered in her ear.
"besides……"
"I'm punishing you... for these three days, you owe me..."
He paused deliberately, his warm breath spraying onto her sensitive earlobe, causing her to tremble.
He spoke slowly in a tone that was almost cruel, like he was delivering a verdict:
"tonight……"
"...Double it up, make up for it."
boom!
Lin Wanwan's face instantly turned bright red, almost as if it were steaming.
She finally understood what his so-called "punishment" really was!
This...this hypocrite! This cunning, treacherous emperor!
However, before she could protest, he swept her up in his arms and strode towards the dragon bed where they had been in a cold war for three whole days.
The curtains slowly fell, obscuring the enchanting spring light from the room.
All the unease and suspicion, all the painful misunderstandings, vanished in this moment.
Without the barrier of "emojis," two hearts, for the first time, were so truly and tightly joined together.
They can clearly feel each other's heartbeats, their most genuine warmth, and their most intense love.
Perhaps, loss is also a new beginning.
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