Mei Lin stared at him sharply, a trembling voice echoed inside her heart. But it wasn't fear—rather, it was a warning. She had to be strong. She must not let her feelings sink deeper, even though Emperor Li Xuan's warmth almost broke down her defenses.
"I didn't come here to fall in love," she murmured silently. "Then why does my heartbeat... feel so alive when I'm with him?"
Mei Lin slowly rose from Emperor Li Xuan's lap. Her movements were gentle but left a warm trace on the man's body. Emperor Li Xuan straightened, his jaw muscles tightening as he felt a brief pressure from Mei Lin's delicate hand accidentally pressing on his thigh as she moved away.
Without a word, Mei Lin walked slowly to the small table beside the throne chair. There, a bowl of neatly sliced pomegranate was laid out. She took one piece and bit into it slowly—her movements so deliberate, as if she knew every action was being carefully watched by Emperor Li Xuan.
The sweet pomegranate juice moistened her ripe lips. She licked it slowly, then glanced back at the Emperor. With a challenging gaze that still held many mysteries, Mei Lin moved closer again. Her steps matched the soft music still playing in the room. She sat back on Emperor Li Xuan's lap, this time her body closer than before.
Mei Lin offered the bitten fruit—not with her hand, but with her lips. "Would Your Majesty like to taste?" she whispered between breaths, her voice like a gentle breeze slipping through a night full of secrets.
Emperor Li Xuan did not answer. His eyes locked onto Mei Lin's lips, then to the gleaming red pomegranate. A faint smile appeared on his face, yet his hands gripped Mei Lin's waist tighter. At that moment, the atmosphere was more than mere temptation. There was intensity, a push and pull of power and tenderness, as if they were dancing on an invisible battlefield.
Mei Lin arched her body slowly, continuing her dance on Emperor Li Xuan's lap, but now it was more than just an artful movement. It was a strategy. A charm. And a trap she had set for a man used to having everything—except control over her.
Emperor Li Xuan stared at Mei Lin's lips offering the pomegranate with an unreadable look—half admiration, half desire he hid behind the cold face of a ruler. But this time, he had no intention of hiding anything.
Slowly, he leaned closer. His large, warm fingers gently grasped the nape of Mei Lin's neck, holding her face in place. The distance between them was now just a breath. When his eyes met hers, he could see a slight tremor there—whether from fear or undeniable tension.
Without a word, Emperor Li Xuan accepted the pomegranate piece. But instead of taking it with a normal bite, he let their lips touch first. A brief kiss, half tasting, half testing limits. The sweet and tart flavor of the fruit mixed with the warmth of their joined breaths, making Mei Lin's body stiffen for a moment.
"I don't know," Emperor Li Xuan whispered softly, his voice low and heavy, "which is sweeter... this pomegranate, or your lips."
His hands now encircled Mei Lin's waist, holding her firmly as if unwilling to let her go. He wasn't just enjoying the game—he was leading it. But in his eyes, there was something beyond the desire of a grown man. A deeper attraction... something he hadn't admitted even to himself.
"Don't disturb me with your dance if you're not ready for me to respond with more than just a gaze," he continued, his eyes tracing Mei Lin's face, her jawline, then down to her neck shining in the light.
Mei Lin replied with a faint smile, but inside she knew—this game was not entirely under her control. She had to stick to her plan... not fall too deeply. Yet when the Emperor's gaze was so close, and his kiss left a warm trace, Mei Lin knew: her feelings were being tested.
Amid their shared intimacy, hurried footsteps sounded outside the private hall door. The clinking of jewelry echoed before a chief concubine entered without full permission. Her sharp gaze swept the room and froze when she saw the scene on the throne.
Mei Lin was still sitting on His Majesty's lap. Although she had drawn her body closer to cover the part of her clothes that had opened, the aura of intimacy just formed clearly hadn't dissipated yet.
The chief concubine bit her lower lip, trying to contain her burst of emotion. "Forgive me, Your Majesty," she said flatly but with a bitter tone. "I thought... this place was not used for performances."
Emperor Li Xuan turned slowly but did not immediately order Mei Lin to get down. Instead, His Majesty's hand rested casually on the waist of his new concubine—a silent signal sharp enough to burn the chief concubine's heart.
Mei Lin bowed politely but did not move back an inch. Inside she knew this was part of the palace power game. She was only a pawn, but if she had to endure, she must not falter.
"I called Mei Lin here," Emperor Li Xuan said coldly. "She's showing me something interesting."
The chief concubine held her breath, then replied with a thin smile. "Of course, Your Majesty. Anything that can entertain... even if just for a moment."
Mei Lin drew her body a little closer—not out of desire, but as a shield. She knew this outfit could be used as a weapon against herself if she slipped. But this time, she chose to be strong.
In her heart, Mei Lin thought, This palace is no place for the weak. If they want to bring me down with spotlight and jealousy, so be it. I didn't come to fall in love... but to survive.
The chief concubine stepped forward, her gait graceful but full of pressure. She stood not far from the throne, letting her perfume fill the air—the scent she alone once wore when with the Emperor.
"I didn't know the palace now hosts dance performances from... commoners," she said with a sweet yet piercing smile. "Quite entertaining, though a little... strange."
Mei Lin smiled softly at the chief concubine, then bowed slightly. "Forgive me if I am not as refined as the concubines who were here before me. I only try to please Your Majesty, despite all the limitations I have."
The Emperor smiled faintly, clearly enjoying the subtle duel.
The chief concubine narrowed her eyes again. "Oh, you don't have to humble yourself like that. Some women are indeed skilled at using 'limitations' to catch someone's attention. Especially when the body becomes the main tool."
Mei Lin remained calm, her gaze clear yet sharp. "Sometimes, Your Majesty just needs... something fresh. Something he hasn't seen every day."
Suddenly, the atmosphere turned cold. The maidservants who came with the chief concubine only dared to watch from the corners, holding their breath, afraid to speak.
Emperor Li Xuan, still with his hand on Mei Lin's waist, chuckled softly hearing the argument among his concubines. "Enough. I like sharp conversations... but don't hurt each other. My chief concubine, you surely know this palace is not yours alone."
The chief concubine bowed her head to control her emotions. "Of course, Your Majesty. I only worry about the health and... sanctity of the palace etiquette."
Mei Lin said nothing, only gave a small smile. But inside, she knew every word was a test. And every smile a shield.
Emperor Li Xuan looked at the chief concubine calmly, but his eyes showed firmness. His left hand still encircled Mei Lin's waist, who sat gracefully on his lap, while a razor-thin smile played on his lips.
"My wise concubine," he said softly but firmly, "you surely know that as Emperor, I have the full right to decide... who will accompany me, tonight and on nights to come."
The chief concubine clenched her jaw, her face still smiling but clearly cracked here and there. "Of course, Your Majesty," she replied flatly. "But I only fear... Your Majesty's choice won't last long if based solely on outward appearances."
Mei Lin said nothing but leaned a little closer to the Emperor's chest—a subtle move that silently declared she was unfazed by the sarcasm.
Emperor Li Xuan lowered his hand to Mei Lin's and held it gently. "No need to worry. I know what I need. Sometimes, something new brings a fresh breeze to a palace that's been spinning in the same circle too long." Then he turned to Mei Lin, looking at her with a warm smile. "Isn't that right, spring flower?"