She should have just “fainted” right away. Opening her eyes…
Mei Yao’s body trembled instinctively.
The sensation was unfamiliar, fresh and thrilling. Her mind was not entirely clear at the moment, but her body was acutely sensitive. She felt no shame, only a subtle, indescribable pleasure—exactly what she needed, as if it could fill all the emptiness within her. The feeling surged fiercely, and she found herself instinctively responding, unknowingly matching his movements with deep breaths and exertion.
Footsteps outside the hall had already reached the doorway, as if someone were about to push the door open at any moment.
Emperor Li Sheng’s voice was low and weary: “It was here that Yangyang gave birth to our second son. I remember she bled so much back then. For a long time, whenever I closed my eyes, I would see Yangyang lying on a blood-soaked mattress, crimson spreading beneath her…”
“Your Majesty, please restrain your grief. Your health is of utmost importance. Let us return. The Empress’s banquet will likely end soon.”
“…Let me stay a little longer.”
Yan Yu frowned, hesitating briefly before withdrawing his hand. He lifted the person in his arms, intending to hide behind the large screen in the corner.
But Mei Yao had no idea of the situation at hand. All she felt was the sudden disappearance of the wonderful sensation that had just satisfied her, leaving her body restless and agitated once more. She opened her moist, dazed eyes and looked at him, a wave of grievance washing over her. Just when she had started to feel better, he did this—what a bad man, so terribly bad!
Her lips trembled as she was about to cry again when she felt a sudden warmth on them. The man before her leaned in and kissed her, silencing the sound that never left her lips!
Just as Yan Yu carried her behind the screen, the hall door swung open…
Mei Yao seemed to have already memorized this feeling and motion. In his arms, she clung to his clothes, tilting her head upward in search of more—but it was far from enough. She struggled and writhed, yet the man refused to release her lips. He knew exactly what she wanted but deliberately withheld it. Frustrated and angry, tears welled in her eyes. Yan Yu, unable to bear it any longer, reached his hand in again.
An overwhelming sense of satisfaction washed over her once more. Mei Yao could hardly suppress the urge to cry out, but the man only deepened his kiss. She felt the exquisite sensation envelop her completely, as if she were floating on clouds or riding the waves of the sea—drifting, rising and falling, racing toward the light that seemed just within reach.
Gradually, her consciousness returned. She felt the kiss on her lips grow tender. Opening her eyes amidst heavy breaths, she saw the handsome face so close to hers. His slightly closed eyes slowly opened, and he pulled away from her lips, withdrawing his hand—now glistening wet.
The Emperor outside the door ultimately did not step inside.
While Yan Yu wiped his hand with a handkerchief, Mei Yao finally regained some clarity. Realizing the situation she was in, the lingering flush on her face deepened, glowing like a delicate crabapple blossom. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, and in the end, she began to regret it—she should have just “fainted” right away. Why had she opened her eyes?
As if reading her thoughts from her vexed expression, the man before her scoffed lightly and said, “It’s not interesting to turn around and blame someone after you’ve had your fun!”
“You’re really… so detestable!”
“I’m detestable?”
He simply used that hand, still holding the handkerchief, and waved it before her eyes.
That handkerchief… was too unbearable to look at!
Mei Yao wanted to snatch it away but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to touch it, disgusted.
Seeing her turn her head away, close her eyes, and look utterly ashamed and indignant, Yan Yu stood up and said, “Clean yourself up!”
“Wait!”
“What else is there?”
“How… how can I go out looking like this?”
Her hair was disheveled, and most importantly, her undergarments were no longer wearable.
Yan Yu gritted his teeth. “I really should have left you to your own devices!”
After taking two steps away, he added, “Wait here!”
Most items in this hall had been packed away, except for a chest in the eastern warm chamber that held some belongings left by ancestors. Yan Yu opened the chest and rummaged through it, pulling out a small undergarment.
At the sight of it, Mei Yao frowned. “Whose random thing is this? I don’t want it!”
This little Junzhu was truly fussy!
Yan Yu forced himself to be patient. “It belonged to the Former Empress, clean… really don’t want it?”
“No! I refuse to wear something someone else has worn!”
She turned her head away, refusing to look at it again.
“Then figure it out yourself!” Yan Yu said and headed toward the hall’s exit.
Just as he was about to step out, he indeed heard the reluctant voice behind him. “W-wait… come back!”
Yan Yu turned around, his expression clearly annoyed by her demands!
Why was today so unlucky? Mei Yao steeled herself, closed her eyes, lowered her gaze, and beckoned him over.
The next moment, a piece of clothing was flung over her head, covering her face.
She pulled the garment off her head and looked up to see him staring directly at her. Unhappy, she said, “Aren’t you leaving yet?”
Typical ingratitude!
He deliberately provoked her. “I’ve already touched you, why be afraid of being looked at?”
“You…” Her small face flushed bright red again. “Yan Yu, can’t you have any shame?!”
Unhurriedly, he strolled back to her, looking down at her from above, almost enunciating each word. “Have you forgotten how you begged me earlier? You cried and pleaded with me to save you, saying you still wanted…”
Mei Yao rushed forward and covered his mouth!
This scoundrel, this jerk!
Spouting such crude words without a hint of embarrassment!
But just as her hand touched his lips, she noticed his Adam’s apple involuntarily bob.
Something flashed through her mind. Since that’s the case, then…
She suddenly pressed herself against him, and indeed!
“General Yan, is this another normal reaction?”
Having satisfied herself, she was now mischievously stoking his fire!
Yan Yu suddenly wrapped his arm around her slender waist, pulling her forcefully against him, pressing firmly against her abdomen.
He said hoarsely, “Yes, will you help me?”
“In your dreams!” Mei Yao broke free and took two steps back.
“Hah! I knew you couldn’t be relied on at critical moments!” He advanced two steps, speaking fiercely. “If you dare provoke me again, it won’t be my hand next time.”
Realizing what he meant, Mei Yao felt her heartbeat suddenly quicken.
After a few moments of silence, she murmured, “I didn’t mean to provoke you. I’m a victim too, and yet you still bully me…”
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
Though he knew she was acting again, Yan Yu had no energy to argue with her. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Go change your clothes. I’ll take you out.”
She had only been to this palace once before and had never set foot in the Former Empress’s quarters, so she truly needed a guide.
“But… I don’t know how to style my hair.”
Truly a pampered princess of the barbarian king—so difficult to deal with!
Yan Yu asked her, “Where is your personal maid?”
“She went with Princess Fu Guang…”
Suddenly, she realized that Feng Xiu was probably frantically searching for her by now!
“Wait here!”
After saying this, Yan Yu quickly walked out. Mei Yao took the opportunity to tidy her dress, though she didn’t know where to put the soiled garments, so she bundled them up and hid them behind the screen.
Yan Yu soon returned, followed by a very respectful young maid.
“Style her hair.”
“Yes, General.”
Mei Yao didn’t know where he had found this person and looked at him with some surprise, but she didn’t refuse.
There was no mirror here, so Mei Yao didn’t know what she looked like after being tidied up. Only when the little maid said “done” did she look up at Yan Yu: “Do I look good?”
She really was troublesome!
Yan Yu turned his head away, ignoring her.
Mei Yao said softly: “Then it must not look good, change it!”
Yan Yu felt a headache coming on: “It looks good, very good!”
“Really good?” She walked up to him, looking up and asking with a serious expression, her peach blossom eyes still filled with the afterglow of desire, making one’s heart tremble to look at.
Yan Yu leaned down toward her: “What did I just say, if you provoke me again…”
“Then let’s go!” Mei Yao replied crisply and decisively.
Yan Yu gritted his teeth in frustration. This wild cat only knew how to start fires but not put them out. Sooner or later, hmph!
He was just about to step forward when he suddenly caught sight of the bundle behind the screen.
With a hint of mockery, he said: “That thing, are you just going to leave it there?”
Uh, Mei Yao suddenly remembered this matter and blushed with embarrassment again.
Her expression seemed to please him, his face looking slightly better than before, as if her embarrassment had allowed him to regain some ground.
Yan Yu said to the little maid: “Go find something to wrap it up for her to take away.”
Even though this little maid was young, she now realized that something must have happened between this Asura General and the jade-like beauty before her. The young girl also blushed, softly acknowledging before leaving.
Not long after, the little maid brought back an exquisite sandalwood and gold-inlaid carved pouch box, neatly folding the “bundle” behind the screen and placing it inside, respectfully handing it to Mei Yao.
Mei Yao felt it was too hot to handle.
She stole a glance at the man beside her, seeing him lightly press his thin lips together, smiling with considerable amusement.
After leaving Chang Le Palace, Mei Yao said: “Where did you find this little maid? Would she…”
“She’s one left behind from the Former Empress’s palace, she wouldn’t dare speak carelessly!”
“You’re very familiar with this place?”
“I used to come here often to play for over a year when I was young.”
He remembered being the Crown Prince’s study companion at five or six years old. The ten-year-old Crown Prince would often sneak in with him. Back then, there was an old nanny here named Feng, who had served the Former Empress since childhood. Every time they came, Nanny Feng would secretly bring them delicious food and fun toys.
Later, he was taken to the Great Northwest by Prince Ping, Yan Chengming, and could only return once or twice a year. Fortunately, His Majesty always held some old affection for the Former Empress, so this palace hadn’t changed much and remained familiar.
Seeing him lost in thought, as if immersed in memories, Mei Yao didn’t speak further.
Yan Yu directly led her toward the banquet area. Perhaps everyone was rushing to join the festivities, as they didn’t encounter any important people along the way.
Passing by the Begonia Garden, Mei Yao felt her face grow hot again, already harboring an inexplicable anger toward Princess Zhaohua.
“Miss!”
Unfamiliar with the palace, Feng Xiu thought she wouldn’t have gone far and had circled the vast Begonia Garden several times. Suddenly seeing her mistress, she excitedly rushed over in a small run: “Are you alright, Miss? I couldn’t find you, I was panicking to death!”
Turning her head and seeing the man beside her, she properly curtsied: “General Yan.”
“I’m leaving.”
Seeing she was now safe, Yan Yu strode away with his long legs without looking back, as if eager to quickly shake her off and sever any connection.
Mei Yao frowned indignantly at his demeanor. Just moments ago, he had done such intimate things to her, yet now he was cold and rigid, as if the two of them had just had a fight!
“What happened, miss?”
Mei Yao grumbled, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Feng Xiu felt that something must have happened to her young mistress, and it was definitely related to General Yan. Moreover, she must have come out at a disadvantage, and it was absolutely her own fault.
What a pair of adversaries!
“What is this box, miss?”
Seeing how exquisite and luxurious the box was, Feng Xiu thought it must be a gift from some noble in the palace. As she spoke, she reached out to take it.
Mei Yao hesitated for a moment before handing it over, then added, “Don’t open it. We’ll talk about it when we get back.”
Her young mistress’s fair face flushed a little redder as she said this, and Feng Xiu felt certain it was a gift from General Yan.
That night, Mei Yao, who had just tasted desire for the first time, had a shameful dream. She woke up in the middle of the night to find her undergarments damp.
She covered her chest and stared blankly for a while, realizing something even more troubling.
That handkerchief he had used to wipe his hands—it seemed it hadn’t come back with her.