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"What?" the Emperor’s eyes deepened as he followed up with his question, tightening the hand that encircled her waist.

Lian Hua quickly glanced at the Emperor, placing her hand on his, and struggled slightly, "Please let go of me first, I want to recite a poem to you..."

"A poem?" the Emperor asked, puzzled.

"Yes, a poem," Lian Hua nodded shyly.

She had decided what to do, the poems of parting sorrow she learned from Consort Fang Pin were not suitable now, she would rather save them for later to impress His Majesty.

Now she wanted to recite other poems, the ones she had just learned from Consort Fang Pin, perhaps it was that deep emotions invoked mastery herself, as she had somehow remembered them.

In the past, when she read storybooks, she seemed to have seen scenes where beautiful women expressed their love, usually flipping past quickly since she could not empathize, and she preferred adventure-filled stories of mountain heroes, sword-carrying chivalry, and righteousness, which were more thrilling to read.

But just now, images she previously overlooked flashed through her mind, though rough and somewhat false, they seemed to bring her deeper understanding.

She thought about it, her and His Majesty’s affection was beyond doubt, most suitable indeed, she should be able to do it.

Seeing her insistence, the Emperor reluctantly let go of her, at that moment he most wanted to fiercely kiss this sweet little troublemaker who always knew how to scratch his itch, leaving his heart tingling.

Lian Hua bit her lip, thought for a moment, and led the Emperor into the inner chamber, dropping the curtain of the moon-gate, inviting the Emperor to sit in front of the bed.

The Emperor was increasingly anticipatory, his gaze never leaving her.

Although he didn’t know what she intended to do, his heart thudded away, the naughty demeanor of this little troublemaker really made his heart stir, only thinking she was the one that could make him feel like this...

Lian Hua, out of nowhere, produced a long, flowing ribbon, twirling it between her arms, she picked up one end to veil her face, feeling a bit nervous.

She cheered herself on silently, recalling the scene when she once watched a Dancing Girl dance, her hands gently moved the ribbon, twisting her body along, and she sang in a clear, sweet voice within the Side Hall, "I live at the head of the Yangtze, you live at the tail."

Finishing the line, she swung the ribbon towards the Emperor, her skirt swaying a graceful arc, as her eyes fluidly moved to meet the Emperor’s.

The Emperor’s heart warmed, instantly understanding what his Little Concubine was doing.

He had never thought that his somewhat untamed Little Concubine would show her affection in this manner, it must be the first time she’s done this, movements somewhat raw and expression still shy, yet they couldn’t hide her grace, unable to stop his heart from fluttering.

He was spellbound, involuntarily reaching out to grasp the ribbon.

Lian Hua, quick and alert, flicked the ribbon with her fingers, swinging it away from the Emperor’s front, a sly smile spread across her face, she turned and continued to recite the next line, "Day by day I long for you, but you are not seen, together we drink the River Water."

This seemed like a reference to the earlier moment when they shared a drink of water.

The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh silently, even at this moment, his Little Concubine still loved to play, grateful for her smile which was as sly as a little fox, giving him a moment to collect himself, otherwise he couldn’t be sure of what he might do, captivated as he was.

Lian Hua’s eyes sparkled, corners tilting up invitingly, the more she danced the more she felt it, lifting her delicate wrist, she gently flicked the ribbon, with slow, cloud-like steps, "When will this water cease, when will this sorrow end."

Before the Emperor could react, she turned around, her hands floating upwards with the dancing ribbons, her soft sleeves slipping down to reveal arms as tender as bamboo shoots, chanting the final line, "I only wish that your heart would be like mine, so sincere in its amorous hopes."

As the word "hopes" dropped, she spun around, perfectly bending her knees as she reached forward to pick up the dancing ribbon and half-covered her face with it.

Behind the ribbon, a pair of almond eyes appeared as if they could speak, her entire being resembling a spirited and alluring sprite among the flowers.

The Emperor’s throat tightened; his little mischief-maker was indeed clever, her dancing becoming more and more skilled.

A dab of rouge on her cheeks, her expression shy yet longing to speak, her beauty like that of pink peach petals, her demeanor as elegant as a hidden orchid.

Could she be a Fairy Lian Hua who had descended to the mortal world?

So beautiful, so enticing, he couldn’t bear to look away.

After the dance of poetry concluded, Lian Hua stood still for a while, seeing His Majesty staring intently at her, silent without any other action, she grew somewhat puzzled.

But that was not a concern, If she wanted to know his opinion, she could just ask.

She lowered the dancing ribbon and walked up to the Emperor, eagerly inquiring, "Brother Zhao, did I recite well?"

By then, she had already reached the Emperor, her eyes glistening as she looked at him, a look of earnest desire for praise evident on her face.

Little did she know, she had stirred the spring waters in the Emperor’s heart.

The Emperor placed his hands before his knees, overwhelmed with emotion, restraining himself with all his might, and with a hoarse voice, he managed just one word, "Yes."

His eyes burned with intensity as he gazed steadfastly at her. His mind was still captivated by her recent dance, his heart ablaze with passion.

He had never known that his Little Concubine, when she danced, could be so bewitching, making it impossible for him to contain his desires.

At that moment, with his hands before his knees to suppress his urges, all he wanted to do was to fiercely take her...

Lian Hua felt a sweet embarrassment, somewhat abashed by his gaze.

It was her first time doing this, and it seemed rather good.

Yet, she pondered, "I really shouldn’t have used that poem, We long to see each other every day, it’s not as pitiful as in the poem, where one is upstream and the other is downstream, unable to meet, only able to drink the River Water and miss each other. "

As she spoke, she settled next to the Emperor, almost making him lose his composure, yet she remained oblivious, continuing to express her creative process, "But the lyrics of this poem felt very good, there are no difficult words, it’s easy to remember and understand, each line aligns well, making it easier to dance to. "

While talking, she swung her feet slightly and continued, "The other poem about ’mountains crumbling and River Water drying up, heaven and earth merging but parting from my beloved’, I felt was inappropriate.

I never want to be apart from Brother Zhao, not even if it snows in summer.

What if there’s some injustice and it leads to frost in June? Don’t you think so?"

As she spoke, she tilted her head to look at the Emperor, awaiting his response.

He was slightly startled as he followed her train of thought. His Nannan was still so straightforward and adorable, choosing a practical poem over the other, fearing the frost in June preventing her love for him...

His throat tightened, and in a raspy voice, he said, "Nannan..."

If it had been before, her words might have choked him, stuck in his throat, overlooking her intentions.

But now, he understood, his Nannan, though rough around the edges and perhaps a bit naive for his status as an Emperor — which Emperor would wish for unrest under the heavens?

— that was not her intent. Her flights of fancy were to express that even with the slightest doubt of uncertainty, she dared not wager.

She was emphasizing her resolve in her feelings.

The true meaning of her words was that, even if the River Water dried up and fierce snow fell in the heat, she never wanted to part from him.