His palm cradled her delicate profile, covering half her face with an unyielding grip.
Yun Wan was forced to tilt her head back, her slender neck arching gracefully, her snow-white, exquisite face exposed to the twilight.
The hot spring’s mist curled like celestial fog, shrouding her features in a hazy veil. A rosy flush crept across her cheeks, her eyes shimmering like clear water, glistening with moisture. Her lashes trembled slightly, sending tiny droplets cascading down.
A bead of water trailed down Yun Wan’s cheek, lingering at the corner of her lips—only to be swiftly licked away by the man.
Emperor Jingxuan spoke of impropriety, yet his actions were anything but restrained.
His kiss was fierce and demanding.
His cool lips captured hers, his tongue tracing the petal-like curves of her mouth with relentless dominance. The intoxicating scent of imperial sandalwood mingled with her sweet fragrance, his heated tongue exploring with serpentine precision, delving deeper with each passing moment.
His grip tightened, his hand sliding from the nape of her neck downward, igniting trails of fire wherever he touched.
The sheer lilac gauze of Yun Wan’s dress clung to her skin, soaked through by the spring’s waters, leaving little to the imagination.
His hands bore none of the softness of a pampered nobleman—callouses from years of wielding weapons marked his palms and fingers. Though they had faded somewhat since his ascension to the throne, to Yun Wan’s delicate, porcelain skin, his touch was rough, sending shivers down her spine.
Was this any different from being completely bare?
Yun Wan tried to pull away, but she was trapped—nowhere to escape, no refuge from his relentless advance. Her legs trembled beneath the water, her body swaying like a fragile blossom in the wind.
Noticing her weakness, Emperor Jingxuan’s phoenix eyes gleamed with satisfaction, his movements growing even more aggressive.
Her breath was stolen, then returned in fleeting gasps, leaving her panting, her fair skin flushed, her eyes soft and alluring—like the radiant pomegranate flowers blooming by the poolside.
No, perhaps even those fiery blossoms paled in comparison to the seductive allure at the corners of her eyes.
Suddenly, her body shuddered, her gaze sharpening with clarity. Unable to stop his wandering hands, a tear slipped from the corner of Yun Wan’s eye.
"N-no… not this…"
Her protest was weak as she pushed against Emperor Jingxuan’s chest, trying to retreat from this predator who seemed intent on devouring her whole.
She had never been treated like this before—like prey, helpless beneath a beast’s hunger.
But the moment her hands pressed against him, he seized her wrists, rendering her immobile.
Her rapid breaths made her chest rise and fall, the twin peaks of her bosom drawing his gaze. His eyes darkened, a storm brewing within.
Yun Wan felt a bitter absurdity—she couldn’t protect herself, couldn’t shield her body from his advances. A tear rolled down her cheek.
Emperor Jingxuan paused, studying her.
Her lashes trembled, tears clinging to her cheekbones. Her swollen lips parted as she whispered, "If Your Majesty desires this body, take it. Only… spare this humble woman once you’ve had your fill."
Yun Wan knew men were all the same—drawn to beauty, and she happened to possess enough to tempt even an emperor. She was no chaste martyr; if he insisted, she wouldn’t resist to the death.
But she wouldn’t surrender without gaining something in return.
Spare her?
Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze lingered on her tear-streaked face—so fragile, so pitiful, yet unbearably alluring.
Impossible.
He was no different from any other man, consumed by possessiveness over this beauty. He would have her.
His expression darkened, then he smirked. "If my lady is unwilling, this emperor would never force her."
With that, he released her.
Relief flooded Yun Wan.
Her strategy had worked—proud men like him despised coercion. They preferred conquest through willing surrender.
Catching her breath by the pool’s edge, her thoughts scattered—until the sound of splashing water made her turn.
Her eyes widened in alarm.
"Your Majesty—?"
Emperor Jingxuan had shed his outer robes, leaving only a loose black undergarment draped over his powerful frame.
His collar hung open, revealing glimpses of golden skin. His ink-black hair spilled over broad shoulders, his entire presence radiating raw masculinity.
With deliberate steps, he descended into the water, his dark eyes locked onto her like a predator’s.
Yun Wan’s scalp prickled.
She retreated instinctively. "Your Majesty, you—"
What was he doing?
Her voice died in her throat.
He moved like a stalking beast, the hot spring’s depths doing nothing to slow him.
Trapped against the pool’s edge, Yun Wan had nowhere left to run.
Emperor Jingxuan loomed over her, his towering frame casting her in shadow.
The last sliver of sunset vanished, replaced by the silent watch of the rising moon.
He spoke softly. "This emperor does not force you."
Yun Wan held her breath, sensing there was more.
Sure enough, his gaze dropped to her swollen lips.
Even restrained, he had marked her—a deep crimson dot at the center of her lower lip, like a seductive beauty mark.
His lips curled. "But did my lady truly feel no pleasure at all?"
Yun Wan stiffened. "Of course not!"
"Really?"
He didn’t believe her.
Tilting her chin up, he forced her to meet his eyes.
Her dark pupils reflected him perfectly. He stared, then chuckled.
"Why won’t you look at me when you answer?"
She didn’t even realize how tempting she was—flushed cheeks, blood-red lips, eyes glistening like spring-fed blossoms.
Just looking at her set his blood aflame.
Yun Wan turned away. "How could I feel anything but violation after such disrespect?"
"Or is it that you couldn’t… or that you didn’t?"
