Chapter 229: Go Ahead and Seduce Your Majesty

Xiao Li, feeling mischievous, wanted to tease him for a while. This was certainly not going to be a simple peck. She actively parted his lips, plundering them with domineering force.

When Song Junzhan came to his senses, a wave of joy instantly washed away every shadow of gloom. He gently wrapped his arms around Xiao Li, letting her have her way with him as he returned her kiss with tender passion.

Happiness had come so suddenly, he wished he could die in this very moment.

Song Junzhan was a quick study. Though he seemed somewhat unworldly, desire was the best teacher. After the Empress had kissed him, he had already learned how to plunder and devour.

When Xiao Li had her fill and tried to pull away, he pursued her relentlessly.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

He murmured her title between kisses, giving her a moment to breathe before his lips found hers again. He was greedy, unwilling to let go. It felt as if he could never have enough of her.

Xiao Li figured he must truly be drunk, holding her so audaciously without any intention of letting go.

But Song Junzhan hadn’t lost his senses completely. Sensing the force in Xiao Li’s push, he reluctantly pulled away.

The corners of his eyes were flushed and moist, his gaze so tender it seemed to cling to her.

He couldn’t resist pulling her into another tight embrace, his voice laced with ragged breaths and unconcealed greed. "Your Majesty, I fear I’ve grown even greedier."

’Before, all I yearned for was a single kiss. But now that I’ve truly had one, how can I possibly stop there?’

’Human nature is greedy. I want more... so much more...’

In contrast to his turmoil, Xiao Li was perfectly calm. "Do you need me to slap you sober?"

Song Junzhan smiled. "I am perfectly clear-headed right now. I wouldn’t dare be muddled for even a moment."

’I’ve finally kissed Your Majesty. How could I not be wide awake?’

As he spoke, he slowly released Xiao Li, though not without dipping his head to steal one last kiss.

Now that they had truly kissed, he had grown much bolder.

A moment ago, he only dared to escort Xiao Li while walking a step behind her. Now, though he still kept that respectful distance, he dared to hold her hand.

Hong Yue, Lan Yue, and the other maids followed a few paces behind, all trying to suppress their smiles.

’Prime Minister Song looks just like a bashful newlywed.’

’Her Majesty and the Prime Minister are finally making progress! It took them long enough. Prime Minister Song is truly the only one worthy of Her Majesty.’

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Mu Bai silently shuffled farther away. Ahead, the Empress and the Prime Minister were lost in a world of their own. In front of him, his boss was radiating a gloom so dark it was demonic.

Mu Bai was speechless. Mu Bai just couldn’t understand.

’I know the boss has extraordinary feelings for the Empress,’ Mu Bai thought, ’but has he forgotten he’s a eunuch?’

’The Empress is bound to have men—she might even fill a harem. What’s a eunuch like you getting jealous for? Besides, with so many handsome men lining up for her, can you even keep up with being jealous of them all?’

The aura of gloom around Lou Yan was so thick it was nearly tangible. Bitterness, fury, and anguish warred within his heart.

To see the one he loved kissing someone else was like a knife twisting in his heart.

Yet he knew, with painful clarity, that this was the Empress—heartless and cold.

’The Empress has no room in her heart for anyone. Song Junzhan is no different from me... No, that’s not right. At least Song Junzhan can covet the Emperor openly.’

’I have my own ambiguous relationship with the Empress, and those around her know it’s unusual. But by comparison, everyone thinks only Song Junzhan is worthy of her.’

Song Junzhan cursed how short the walk was. In what felt like no time at all, they arrived at Xiao Li’s bedchambers. He had hoped the Empress might ask him to stay, but it was clear that his hope was in vain.

He felt a flicker of disappointment, but his heart was still bursting with joy from the night’s events.

As he exited after paying his respects, he came face to face with Lou Yan.

"Prime Minister Song."

"Mr. Lou."

Lou Yan’s expression was grim, his gaze inscrutable in the lantern light. "Does the Prime Minister intend to abandon his position as head of all officials to become Her Majesty’s Imperial Consort?"

Lou Yan was clearly not one to be trifled with, but Song Junzhan was no pushover himself.

’I can see what sort of designs Lou Yan has on the Empress,’ Song Junzhan thought. ’And I have my doubts about whether he’s a real eunuch.’

’For now, I’ll just have to treat him as a rival.’

"Does Mr. Lou wish for me to become the Imperial Consort? A pity, then. Her Majesty doesn’t seem to need an Imperial Consort, but she certainly needs a Prime Minister to lead her officials."

He smiled with easy grace, not treating Lou Yan as a threat in the slightest. "Her Majesty drank quite a bit tonight. I must trouble Mr. Lou to take good care of her."

Mu Bai marveled internally. ’Composed, magnanimous, and unfazed. No wonder everyone says Prime Minister Song is the ideal candidate for Imperial Consort.’

’Then I look at my boss, who can’t hide his jealousy at all. He’s not going to get kicked out by Her Majesty again, is he? Just looking at him is stressful.’

Lou Yan was jealous, but he knew better than anyone that jealousy was useless.

He personally carried a basin of water inside to help the Empress wash up for the night.

Hong Yue and Lan Yue were once again shoved aside. ’...Back at the Princess Mansion, this Mr. Lou only showed up once in a while, so we didn’t think much of it. But now that we’re in the palace, he’s always fighting with us to serve the mistress! And the worst part is, he’s fully entitled to do so now.’

’So infuriating! If he wants to seduce Her Majesty, fine, let him seduce her. Why does he have to steal our jobs?’

Xiao Li wasn’t actually drunk, but if Lou Yan insisted on waiting on her, she wasn’t going to refuse.

’As long as this rascal doesn’t stir up trouble,’ she thought, ’he’s no different from any other Palace Attendant. Just another person here to serve me.’

But obviously, how could a treacherous sycophant who had just witnessed the Empress kissing another man possibly behave himself?

Xiao Li hadn’t even gotten ready for bed, but Lou Yan had already stripped and climbed into it.

Xiao Li narrowed her eyes. "Are you trying to stage a rebellion?"

She might not have been feeling her best, but she was still the Emperor. For him to get into her bed right in front of her—did he think the Emperor was just a paper tiger?

Lou Yan wasn’t the least bit flustered. He replied respectfully, "The weather is too cold. I am warming the bed for Your Majesty."

A ghost of a smile played on Xiao Li’s lips as she looked at him. "...Hong Yue and Lan Yue can warm it, too."

’Young girls are soft and smell sweet. Perfect for warming a bed.’

Lou Yan declared with righteous conviction, "They are women; their body temperature is too low. I am warmer than they are."

Xiao Li: "..."

’His trouble-making today seemed rather tame, but now this rascal has climbed right into my bed. His ambition is plain to see.’

"Fine. You can warm it. I’ll go to sleep later."

With that, Xiao Li went to the adjoining room, as she happened to have some matters to attend to anyway.

By the time she returned, nearly half an hour had passed.

Lou Yan was still lying on the bed, in the exact same position she had left him in. ’Has he really not moved at all?’

Only when he saw Xiao Li approach did Lou Yan’s gaze shift, as if in a daze. "Isn’t Your Majesty coming to bed?"

Xiao Li said, "The bed is warm enough. You can get up now."

Lou Yan didn’t move. He posed a question of great depth: "But what if it gets cold in the middle of the night?"

Xiao Li replied, "We’ll add a few more bed warmers. I can’t sleep with someone else in my bed."

When he still didn’t move, Xiao Li reached out and yanked the covers off him.

She yanked it away, and the sudden expanse of flesh was almost blinding.

Xiao Li had seen her share of the world, so she wasn’t the least bit bashful. Instead, her eyes swept over him from head to toe.

She mocked him without mercy. "You’ve gone this far, so why are you still wearing pants?"

Lou Yan’s eyes narrowed. "If that is Your Majesty’s command, then I will naturally oblige."

Xiao Li flung the covers back onto him, but a hand shot out from beneath them and pulled her down.

Xiao Li fell on top of him, the covers bunched between their bodies. Lou Yan cupped her face forcefully. His dangerously handsome features were a mask of fierce, ruthless aggression, yet the angle of his upturned head made it look more like a plea. "Is it truly so difficult for Your Majesty to favor me?"