Chapter 769 Flirting

"Qingqing..."

"Qingqing?"

Zhao Junyao called her twice, yet after waiting for a long while, he heard no response.

Turning his head to look, he saw that she had plunged headfirst into the water. Clad in a pale pink Liuguang Brocade bodice, she was like a beautiful mermaid, gliding delightfully through the water!

Even though it was early October, this hot spring was an active spring water, piped into the palace from a mountain a hundred miles away. Warm and smooth, clear as jade, soaking in it didn’t feel cold at all but rather like a warm spring day. The steaming spring water meeting the cold air turned into billowing, curling mist. Over time, the area around the spring became shrouded in a delicate, veil-like mist. When the moonlight penetrated, the shadows of the trees danced, vague and elusive. The water sparkled even more, bright as shattered jade. Hidden in the ephemeral mist, it further invoked the image of a beauty half-concealed behind her pipa.

Previously, Zhao Junyao hadn’t been much interested. He had no love for beauties, and even less for indulgences, especially such extravagant and costly luxuries, which he held in utter disdain. After all, one look at this pool, and he could imagine how much manpower, material, and financial resources had been exhausted back then to construct it. Therefore, since his ascension to the throne, this place had been decisively closed, and it had been seven years now.

Now, though it wasn’t the dead of winter, it was still a cool and chilly night. If one could bathe in the hot springs, it would certainly be far more comfortable than the palace bathtubs. Moreover, seeing Qingqing’s joyful expression, he thought she must like it as well.

In that case... Zhao Junyao chuckled lightly. "Then it’s worth it!"

"Ah!"

Suddenly, a shrill scream pierced the air!

Not far away, Xia Ruqing started flailing uncontrollably in the water.

"Emperor... Emperor... COUGH, COUGH!"

Water splashed everywhere, and he could faintly hear her choking on several mouthfuls.

Zhao Junyao’s expression tightened as he quickly approached. "What’s wrong?"

"My leg hurts so much! Emperor, save me!"

This usually proficient swimmer suddenly seemed as helpless as someone who couldn’t swim a stroke. Seeing Zhao Junyao approach, she clung to him desperately like a lifeline, trying to prevent herself from sinking.

Zhao Junyao felt a wave of helplessness.

I’ve seen people who cherish their lives, but never to this extent!

This minx is so audacious, but...

He liked it!

Zhao Junyao still looked resigned. He pried her arms from around his waist and, with one hand, lifted her up and tossed her onto the bank.

Then he spoke with a stern face, "If you hadn’t called out, did you think I wouldn’t save you?"

Xia Ruqing, who had been terrified earlier, had her eyes shut tight and didn’t dare to open them. Hearing Zhao Junyao’s voice nearby, she realized she was safe. She stealthily opened one eye. Sure enough, she was on the bank. And he was standing in the center of the pool, head slightly bowed, gazing at her leg!

WHOOSH! Her face instantly flushed crimson.

Some people are just devastatingly captivating! So handsome—how are others supposed to live? Even though he’s a man, his features are more exquisite than any woman’s! And if you’re going to be exquisite, fine. Exquisite men are usually somewhat effeminate. But this one before her? He’s the very image of a heroic war god. His taut, well-defined, wheat-colored muscles aggressively vied for her attention. Tell me, effeminate? Where is he remotely effeminate?

Xia Ruqing surreptitiously scanned him from head to toe but still couldn’t find a single effeminate trait. Instead, those wheat-colored muscles made her positively salivate. How had she never noticed how incredibly handsome he was before? Then it hit her—right, it had been ages since she’d slept with him! Pregnancy, childbirth, plus the postpartum confinement... All that time added up, it had to be nearly a year, hadn’t it!

GULP!

Someone couldn’t help but swallow hard.

"Emperor..."

Zhao Junyao didn’t need to look to know what this minx was thinking. However, he had previously consulted the Imperial Physician; she had given birth to twins, which had greatly strained her body, and intimacy was inadvisable. Thus, the unfortunate Emperor had no choice but to wait longer. But being as proud as he was, he naturally didn’t want anyone to see his unsatisfied desire. He immediately cleared his throat, affecting an air of serene detachment. He approached with a gentle smile and asked softly, "Qingqing, does your leg still hurt?"

Hypocrite! Deceiver!

Still, she decided not to argue the point. "No... it doesn’t hurt anymore!"

Zhao Junyao took a deep breath, instantly relieved. "Then that’s good! Sit there properly, and you’re not allowed back in the water!"

Xia Ruqing was very reluctant. "Emperor, I’m cold!"

With that, she fixed her large, glistening eyes intently on him. Her eyes were like the myriad stars in the night sky, or the luminous moon. When she felt wronged, they would instantly mist over, glistening and dewy, conveying endless melancholy and ineffable sorrow. So poignant and deeply sorrowful, it was truly difficult for anyone to meet her gaze directly.

Zhao Junyao sighed inwardly, resigned.

My dear, I surrender!

With that thought, he reached out and lifted Xia Ruqing back into the water. However, he sternly positioned her near the edge of the pool. "Stay right here, don’t move. Otherwise, if your leg hurts again, I certainly won’t intervene!"

Xia Ruqing lowered her shimmering eyes, concealing the mischievous glint as they darted about. "Yes, Emperor!" she replied, bending her knees slightly in acquiescence.

Just as she was about to adjust her position, she "accidentally" lost her footing and tumbled into Zhao Junyao’s arms. Zhao Junyao caught her, clearly seeing through her little trick. He laughed. "Qingqing, when did you learn... these sorts of things!"

Xia Ruqing’s face immediately took on a shy expression. "Since the Emperor returned from Guangnan, you’ve become even more tall and robust. It makes this concubine’s heart flutter so!"

Emperor... this concubine has admired you for so long. Why not... just give in to me!

As she spoke, her restless little hands had already begun to explore his body. After a moment, she continued, "Emperor, it seems you’ve gotten a bit tanned on your trip to Guangnan! This concubine has some excellent massage cream. Why not... let this concubine personally give you a massage?"

Her soft hands and seductive, sweet words were like a fine, soft feather, brushing over and over his heart, leaving him feeling both flustered and tender.

Zhao Junyao urgently seized her hands. "Qingqing, if you keep this up, I will definitely make you regret it!"

Xia Ruqing’s heart skipped a beat, a flicker of fear in her eyes.

Heavens, no! She was just teasing him for fun; she didn’t actually want to die in the tiger’s den!

Thinking this, she put on an even more pitiful act. "Emperor, did this concubine say something wrong? It was not intentional, Emperor!"

After saying this, she reached out and caressed his arm a few more times. Mmm, it felt so good. Such a pity she could only look and not... devour. Otherwise... Haha! It was a good thing her body was still weak; otherwise, she wouldn’t dare to tease the Emperor so openly! As it turned out, teasing the Emperor felt absolutely exhilarating, haha!

The fire Zhao Junyao had been suppressing within him finally became unbearable. That heat surged downwards, coiling in his lower abdomen. His vital energy was in turmoil, and a wicked heat coursed through him. For a moment, he truly wanted to cast everything aside and take her then and there. But seeing her unusually flushed cheeks, his heart softened, and he relented.