Xuan Yuan Che lowered his gaze to the person leaning against him, meeting her clear, spring-like eyes that shimmered under the candlelight in the hall, making it increasingly difficult to look away. Her proactive closeness only made it harder for him to suppress the surging emotions deep within.
He was known for his exceptional self-control, but in her presence, it was like a thin sheet of paper, easily torn by her slightest touch. Although the benzoin incense burning in the bedchamber was meant to calm the mind and aid sleep, its light, sweet fragrance clinging to her only fanned the rising “flames” of desire, stirring greater restlessness.
Qin Shu pressed against Xuan Yuan Che’s chest, feeling his heartbeat racing unusually fast. The hall was silent, where even the softest breaths were audible, let alone Xuan Yuan Che’s now heavy, labored breathing. Her gaze drifted over his face in the flickering candlelight—he seemed to be blushing…
This scene reminded her of the day Xuan Yuan Che had suddenly appeared at Yuehua Palace, leaning in so close that his face was nearly touching hers. The abrupt proximity had made her blush, her heart pounding.
She had thought Xuan Yuan Che was merely innocent and inexperienced in matters of romance, not necessarily prone to shyness—after all, he had even cupped her chin that day.
Now, it seemed her earlier suspicion, when she had pressed her hand against his chest and sensed his irregular heartbeat, was no illusion.
A faint smile curled Qin Shu’s lips. He pretended to be composed, and quite convincingly so, yet he couldn’t withstand just a little initiative from her?
For a moment, she felt an even stronger urge to tease him. Her hand, resting on his chest, gradually crept upward until it hooked around his neck, her palm making contact. Sure enough, the pulse in his carotid artery had quickened too.
Standing as they were, Qin Shu only needed to lift her eyes to clearly see Xuan Yuan Che’s Adam’s apple bobbing with a swallow. This guy, with his flawlessly handsome face, had an Adam’s apple that held an inexplicable allure—so tempting she couldn’t resist wanting to…
Suddenly, Qin Shu’s wrist was seized, freezing all movement, leaving only her fingertip resting on Xuan Yuan Che’s Adam’s apple.
Then, a low, tense voice came from above.
“Don’t move!” Xuan Yuan Che’s breathing grew even heavier than before. Did she not know a man’s Adam’s apple shouldn’t be touched recklessly?
Qin Shu noticed the intensifying heat in Xuan Yuan Che’s eyes and suddenly realized her actions had been overly provocative. While she was unaffected, Xuan Yuan Che was clearly struggling. She cleared her throat softly and said, “Then… Your Majesty, could you release my hand first?”
Xuan Yuan Che loosened his grip on her wrist. Seeing the red marks his hold had left on her fair skin, he suppressed the turmoil within and asked with concern, “Did I… hurt you?”
Qin Shu glanced at her reddened wrist and explained, “My skin is pale; the marks will fade soon.”
Xuan Yuan Che nodded and then asked, “Would you still like to visit the Sacred Sun Palace?”
Qin Shu smiled faintly and replied, “Has Your Majesty decided how to take me there?”
Xuan Yuan Che fixed his gaze intently on the person before him and said gently, “I can carry you. It won’t require any effort from you. What do you think?”
Without hesitation, Qin Shu agreed, “Alright.”
Xuan Yuan Che hadn’t expected her to agree so readily and was momentarily stunned. Fearing she might change her mind if he hesitated, he swiftly scooped her up in his arms.
Qin Shu, suddenly airborne, instinctively wrapped her arms around Xuan Yuan Che’s neck. As he held her, she noticed how effortlessly he carried her. The difference in their height and build made her feel strikingly small and delicate in his embrace, like a fragile, pitiable damsel.
While her thoughts drifted, she realized Xuan Yuan Che had already carried her out of the bedchamber. Initially lifted only to his chest height, she now found herself completely off the ground.
In the deep silence of night, only Xuan Yuan Che would dare to scale walls and leap across rooftops within the imperial palace.
It had to be admitted—his lightness skill was truly remarkable. He excelled in both civil administration and martial prowess, mastering each with equal brilliance.
Their figures cut swiftly through the darkness under the night sky.
Cradled in Xuan Yuan Che’s arms, Qin Shu felt him land steadily before a palace gate. Looking ahead, she saw they had arrived at the Sacred Sun Palace.
As the bedchamber of Celestial Sun Nation’s emperors throughout history, the Sacred Sun Palace truly embodied majestic grandeur.
Noticing Xuan Yuan Che showed no intention of putting her down and instead continued forward, Qin Shu remained in his hold.
Two eunuchs standing guard at the gate bowed deeply upon their arrival, not daring to lift their eyes. They pushed the gates open, closing them again after the pair entered.
The spacious hall was brightly lit by candles. Qin Shu’s sweeping gaze took in every detail, all proclaiming this as an emperor’s personal quarters.
Shifting her gaze upward, she leaned close to Xuan Yuan Che’s ear and whispered, “Your Majesty, do you plan to carry your consort all the way to uncover the secrets within Sacred Sun Palace?”
Hearing her voice by his ear, Xuan Yuan Che’s thoughts faltered. Though privately wishing to hold her longer, he gradually set her down and said, “Let us proceed further inside.”
Qin Shu detected a flicker of reluctance in his eyes—could such a brief embrace have already become addictive?
She followed him inward until they reached the deepest chamber.
Upon entering, Qin Shu caught an unusual fragrance permeating the bedchamber. The burning incense wafted into her senses, soothing and delightful, tempting one to become immersed in its spell.
Her eyes fixed on the incense burner. “Your Majesty, this scent…?”
“Indeed, you found it immediately upon arriving. This incense is called ‘Union Bliss Fragrance.’ I discovered its formula in an ancient manual and blended it myself. Its subtle aroma brings tranquility while gradually stirring deep desires. Those exposed will experience vivid illusions of intimacy, though come morning, nothing physical has occurred.”
“Truly remarkable,” Qin Shu mused. “But currently, it feels incomplete. Is there a missing catalyst?”
“How astute. Before each concubine’s attendance, they drink a bowl of ‘ginseng soup.’ The morning after, they consume a cup of ‘fragrant tea.’ Thus, both body and mind become convinced the night’s duties were fully fulfilled.”
Xuan Yuan Che fixed his gaze intently on Qin Shu and continued, “The imperial court and the Imperial Harem are inextricably linked. After discovering this method and verifying its feasibility, I have used it to deal with them. Each of them has their own intricate network of influence behind them, and none of them are the one who holds my heart. Therefore, there will absolutely be no ambiguous entanglements between me and them.”