Chapter 91Palm: Yinyin

King Xuan nodded and said, “Very well. If there’s a festive occasion, just feign illness.”

Xue Qingyin lounged lazily on the chair, her posture relaxed, and laughed softly, “That’s certainly a convenient excuse.”

Marvelous!

The palace maid tidied the dishes beside her while sneaking a glance at Xue Qingyin’s posture. Her brow twitched heavily.

Such comportment was unheard of.

But she endured it.

The palace maid pretended not to notice and lowered her head silently.

“You won’t go tomorrow either?” King Xuan’s voice resounded again.

Xue Qingyin asked, “Is it unavoidable tomorrow?”

King Xuan replied, “It’s avoidable. However, tomorrow Father will bestow gifts upon you…” He paused before asking, “Yinyin, do you not want them?”

Xue Qingyin was startled for a moment, biting her lip unconsciously.

He still called her “Yinyin” even after last night…

Though his expression remained icy, his tone carried an intimacy reminiscent of their wedding night—deep and unique.

Returning to her senses, Xue Qingyin averted her gaze and asked, “How does Your Highness know there are more rewards? Didn’t they already grant some?”

“Don’t believe me, Yinyin?”

Xue Qingyin bit her lip again, feeling slightly flustered.

When he addressed her like that, memories of their passionate entanglement inevitably surfaced in her mind.

But wasn’t self-respect just a formality?

Xue Qingyin sighed softly and said, “Your Highness has never been wrong before.”

King Xuan rarely spoke sweet words, but whatever he promised, he always fulfilled.

After some thought, Xue Qingyin relented, smiling openly. “Alright, I’ll go tomorrow!” She then teased, “Your Highness knows me well—how could I give up the rewards?”

Listening to her words, which seemed to alternate between praise for his integrity and declarations of affection, King Xuan’s heart softened imperceptibly.

His gaze lowered to her disheveled hair, draped over her shoulders, and her loosely fitted green sleeves, accentuating her slender neck and jade-like skin.

Yet her jade-like complexion bore faint traces of blush.

King Xuan clenched his fingertips.

He knew those marks were from his lack of restraint the previous night.

“Your Highness?” Xue Qingyin looked at him, perplexed.

She felt uneasy; having slept and eaten her fill, she wondered what to do next. Should they just stare at each other?

King Xuan responded with a simple “Hmm?”

Curious, Xue Qingyin asked, “Is Your Highness not busy today?”

King Xuan replied, “Not busy,” and waved off the palace attendants.

Xue Qingyin was puzzled. Did he have something else to say to her?

To her surprise, King Xuan approached, bent down, and picked her up again.

Startled, Xue Qingyin instinctively clung to his neck.

Was it going to happen again?

King Xuan was notably endowed in certain aspects.

A mix of fear and curiosity arose within her. Despite his fierce approach, his hand holding the back of her neck was always gentle…

As her thoughts raced, King Xuan placed her on a beauty couch and adjusted a cushion behind her.

Then he pressed her leg down and lifted her hem without room for protest.

“I want to see if it’s too chafed,” he said.

Xue Qingyin froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.

She regretted complaining about his roughness last night, which had reddened her skin.

Now he was taking it seriously!

In a few swift movements, King Xuan removed her clothing. She curled her legs reflexively, but he restrained her firmly.

Under the flickering candlelight, her fair skin seemed luminous, though faintly bruised in some areas.

King Xuan’s voice deepened. “I’ll have them bring medicine.”

He stood up, removed his robe to cover her, and called for medicine at the door.

Moments later, an attendant delivered it.

Without delegating the task, King Xuan deftly uncorked the bottle, dipped his finger into the ointment, and applied it gently.

However, the affected areas were sensitive, making Xue Qingyin flinch.

“Ticklish,” she protested.

King Xuan remained unfazed, pressing gently with his calloused fingertips. “Still ticklish?”

“Painful,” she countered, grabbing his hand and brushing her soft fingers against his rough ones.

“This… it’s rough!” she accused, though the pain was exaggerated.

King Xuan’s throat bobbed slightly as he let her hold his hand.

Her slender fingers contrasted with his large palm. With a slight movement, he encased her hand within his.

When she struggled to pull away, he calmly relented. “If you don’t want the medicine, we won’t use it.”

He dressed her with care, leaving Xue Qingyin to speculate if she had misunderstood his intentions.

Changing the subject, she said, “I can’t sleep anymore. How about Your Highness carries me to see the stars?”

Without hesitation, King Xuan bent down. “Kiss me, and I’ll carry you.”

Xue Qingyin was stunned.

But she obeyed, curious how far she could push him.

Awkwardly, she kissed his lips.

Moments later, she was hoisted onto his back as King Xuan strode towards the door, his cold expression unchanged.

Outside, palace attendants knelt respectfully as the couple emerged, creating an imposing scene.

Looking at the empty sky, Xue Qingyin whispered, “Your Highness, there are no stars tonight. Let’s admire the courtyard instead.”

King Xuan agreed without complaint, his calm demeanor unwavering.

Beneath his icy exterior, a tenderness lingered—hidden, but real.