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The Emperor’s expression was composed as he sipped his tea slowly, feeling entirely relaxed, the tea poured by his Little Concubine tasted better than any other.

Looking up at her furrowed little brow, a smile spread across the Emperor’s lips, brimming with amusement.

Ah, this little ingrate, when she doesn’t show her claws, you’d really think she was without temper.

In the end, he didn’t punish her, fearing she might feel ashamed and he couldn’t bear it, especially after seeing her great reaction to the last punishment, he decided to let it be this time.

But his heart was annoyed, annoyed that his kindness was wasted on this little ingrate.

Fortunately, this little ingrate needed a lesson, but her eyes became ever so pleasing that this time he didn’t even need to say anything; she knew her mistakes and cajoled him like a tail-wagging puppy, sweet-talking him in such a way that soothed his heart.

Yet, he couldn’t let her off so easily, especially since being coaxed by her was such a great pleasure; he thought to enjoy it a bit longer this time.

Thinking this, a smile played on the Emperor’s lips, his gaze filled with fondness. When she looked his way, he quickly adjusted his expression to look elsewhere, pretending to be indifferent.

Lian Hua looked towards His Majesty, noticing that his expression remained unchanged, cool and composed, with a face fair as jade, and his every movement exuded grace.

She couldn’t help but sit down and gaze at him earnestly, internally exclaiming in admiration; even His Majesty’s angry expression was captivating, increasingly mesmerizing.

Since her tactics proved ineffective and His Majesty wasn’t falling for her act, she decided to wait and just watch His Majesty for the time being.

The Emperor was still holding out; after a while, seeing that she made no move, he couldn’t help but turn to look at her, only to see this little ingrate smiling at him mischievously, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

He found himself at a loss for words; what happened to the coaxing they had agreed on? Who gives up without even trying properly?

He glared at her irritably and grumbled, "Hmm?"

Lian Hua immediately snapped to attention, stood up, and reflexively moved to massage his shoulders, but she had already tried that approach and it hadn’t worked.

Thinking for a moment, she stopped, her eyes darting about. She walked back and sat down, cooing seductively, "Your Majesty, I am so tired, let me sit for a bit, please~"

As she spoke, she began to act pitiful, tugging at the corner of her garment, feigning distress but glancing down, her eyes spinning around quietly watching His Majesty’s every move.

This indeed evoked the Emperor’s sympathy; he couldn’t stand it any longer, grabbed her hand, and gently asked, "Then stand no longer. Having walked so much today, are your legs sore? Let me massage them for you."

As he spoke, he pulled her onto his lap, his large hands beginning to knead her legs.

Lian Hua, pleased that her plan succeeded, let out a smile. His Majesty pinched a ticklish spot on her leg, and she couldn’t control her giggling.

After her laughter subsided, she wrapped her arms around His Majesty’s neck, coyly admitting, "Your Majesty, I deceived you, I am not tired at all."

The Emperor fondly shook his head, kissed her, and pinched her nose, "You little rascal."

Lian Hua didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty and cheekily responded, "I am only naughty with you, Your Majesty."

As she spoke, she couldn’t resist pecking the Emperor on the cheek spontaneously.

The Emperor was fully content now, finding this little rascal to be sweet and tender, quite delightful and now well-trained by him, showing none of the earlier shyness, which was good.

Hmm, deeper training was still necessary, the Emperor thought, one arm around her, the other pointing to his lips, "From now on, you shall kiss here, and be naughty right here."

Uh... Lian Hua blinked then blinked again, feeling that His Majesty really had a thick face, she couldn’t help but bury her head in his chest, laughing muffledly, and while laughing she said, "Your Majesty is the naughty one, the very naughtiest, shameless."

How could the daytime be so intimate? An occasional once or twice was acceptable, but if it were always like that, it would truly be... truly shameless.

The Emperor held her as she laughed, simply talking, nothing more. His Little Concubine was so shy; he merely thought about it, satisfied with her occasional initiatives.

When Lian Hua had laughed enough, she raised her head again, her lips bitten and her eyes shining as she looked into the Emperor’s eyes.

Actually, actually, it wasn’t impossible...

The Emperor raised his eyebrows, not knowing what her gaze meant.

Lian Hua wrapped her arms around the Emperor’s neck. Her eyes, tender and soft with a hint of shyness, and her moist pink lips slightly parted as she whispered, "Brother Zhao, you are truly wonderful."

After speaking, she braved her embarrassment, leaned forward, closed her eyes, and kissed the Emperor, clumsily mimicking his previous kisses.

His Majesty had treated her so well, eagerly waiting to see her, personally seeking her out, defending her, sparing time from his busy schedule to keep her company, even personally selecting numerous pieces of jewelry for her.

She was aware of all these small details and almost failed to appreciate His Majesty’s intentions just now.

So, for such a small favor, why wouldn’t she grant it if His Majesty desired it?

Despite still feeling reserved, His Majesty was more important than anything, and she was willing to do things that made him happy.

The Emperor had no preparation at all and was initially stunned, but soon, her fragrant, soft lips were upon his.

He watched her with a dazed affection as she closed her eyes, her lashes fluttering, eyelids slightly trembling, and her cheeks flushed with a shy redness as she awkwardly kissed him.

In that moment, a warm current surged through his heart, as his Little Concubine always moved him unintentionally.

The Emperor could not help but cradle the back of her head, responding passionately and tenderly.

Their lips intertwining for a long while.

Inside the Side Hall, affection quietly flowed.

Not far from the door of the Side Hall, Xiao Linzi squatted on the ground counting a cluster of small stones, occasionally glancing at the door of the Side Hall. Seeing that His Majesty was still not out, he disappointedly began to count again.

Zhang Qing passed by for the second time, saw his baffled look, and felt the urge to scold him. He resisted, leaning down to whisper, "What are you still doing here? Go, go, go, don’t stand around and be an eyesore."

"Oh," Xiao Linzi responded, thought about it for a moment, pushed the counted stones to one side, scraped the uncounted ones to another, and shifted his position to continue counting.

Zhang Qing watched him move barely a foot and then stop again, really wanting to kick him but afraid the noise might disturb the masters inside the Side Hall.

Initially, he heard murmuring and whispers from inside the hall and knew the masters inside might be sharing intimate moments, which were not for servants to overhear.

He then had everyone move farther away, busied himself with dispersing the crowd, and after hastily moving a distance away and looking back, he found only Xiao Linzi still standing there.

He could not help but come back to scold the lad again, who assured him properly, but when Zhang Qing once more reassuredly walked away, he found the boy still there, forcing him to return again.

And the boy, claiming he had indeed moved, also mentioned that he was waiting to report something to His Majesty and needed to wait there.

So, moving a foot counted as moving?

Zhang Qing could no longer restrain himself, slapped him on the head, and whispered fiercely, "Aren’t you going? His Majesty won’t come out so soon. Move farther away."

His Majesty and Master Lian were deeply in love; they as servants needed to be discerning, keeping far away from matters not meant for their ears.