Xie Lin's mysophobia had miraculously healed.
Of course, this only happened when he was with Jiang Yunshu.
Xie Lin still maintained strict standards for the palace maids' cleaning duties. The servants scrubbed and dusted meticulously every day, but they no longer trembled in fear as they once did.
Because everyone knew that as long as the Empress Dowager was by the Nine Thousand Years' side, she wouldn’t let him punish them too harshly.
Whatever the Empress Dowager said, Xie Lin would obey.
Now, working in the palace had become straightforward—good work was rewarded, mistakes were penalized, and everything was fair and measured. Moreover, the Empress Dowager had made the palace rules crystal clear in advance. Everything followed protocol, and the servants no longer had to dread Xie Lin’s unpredictable temper.
Jiang Yunshu also noticed that Xie Lin had been much milder lately.
When he was with her, his mysophobia had eased significantly, making her feel far more at ease.
But Xie Lin’s improved condition wasn’t entirely a blessing for Jiang Yunshu.
Before, his mysophobia had kept their kisses rare and fleeting—just light brushes of lips, with little to no deeper intimacy.
Now that Xie Lin no longer held back with her, Jiang Yunshu found herself doing the same thing night after night—pushing him away, over and over.
Jiang Yunshu: "It's too hot!"
The very next day, Xie Lin ordered the underfloor heating in Weiyang Palace to be turned down.
Jiang Yunshu: "You're so annoying!"
Xie Lin fixed his phoenix-like eyes on her. "Has this servant failed in some way? Your Majesty need only speak, and I shall correct it."
Jiang Yunshu couldn’t answer. There was nothing wrong with what Xie Lin did—the sensations were beyond reproach… but it was just too much!
Didn’t he ever get tired of it?
Frustrated, she bit his lip, only for Xie Lin to cup her face and deepen the kiss…
Beyond kissing, Xie Lin adored pressing his lips to her forehead, her cheeks, and especially her eyelids in feather-light touches.
Every night, Jiang Yunshu would fall asleep lying flat on her back, yet by morning, she’d somehow end up curled in Xie Lin’s arms.
Jiang Yunshu confronted him: "How does this happen?"
Xie Lin feigned innocence: "You burrowed into my embrace in your sleep."
She didn’t believe it. Why would she ever willingly snuggle up to him?
Since she usually slept soundly through the night, she had no way to refute him. So tonight, she resolved to stay awake long enough to witness exactly how she ended up in his arms.
She knew pretending to sleep wouldn’t fool Xie Lin, so she silently reminded herself—fall asleep first, but stay light enough to wake up in the middle of the night.
And she did.
She didn’t open her eyes immediately, keeping her breathing steady as she lay still.
Then she felt it—Xie Lin was slowly, carefully stealing the blankets from her.
An inch at a time… until half her body was exposed to the cool night air.
Soon, she began to feel a slight chill.
Just then, Xie Lin shifted, propping himself up slightly to gaze at her.
Jiang Yunshu finally understood—this was how she "voluntarily" ended up in his arms every night!
He’d been stealthily pulling away the covers, leaving her cold so she’d instinctively seek warmth from him in her sleep.
Right now, Xie Lin must be wondering why she hadn’t moved toward him yet.
In a flash, she rolled over and locked eyes with him.
Xie Lin immediately flopped onto his back and shut his eyes.
But it was too late—Jiang Yunshu swiftly pressed a finger against his eyelid, holding it open as evidence.
"Caught you!"
Xie Lin could only laugh helplessly.
Shifting closer, Jiang Yunshu nestled into his arms and whispered by his ear, "The Imperial Seal Keeper must answer me one question."
Xie Lin had no choice. After all, their relationship had always been "fair and just"—when she’d begged him to save the palace maid, when she’d pleaded for Concubine Qiao’s life, they had always struck a balance.
Tonight, with his scheme exposed, her "price" was clear—an answer to her question.
Resigned, Xie Lin said, "Your Majesty may ask."
Jiang Yunshu didn’t hesitate. "When was the first time you truly saw me?"
