Chapter 103: The First Time I Took the Initiative to Kiss Him (5,000)

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Jin'er arched a brow. “He made a great sacrifice for me? What do you mean?”

“You don't know?” Only then did Zi Mou recall that Mo Yan might not yet have told her about such an important matter. “Forget I said anything. Ha ha.”

“Tell me.” Jin'er was rather annoyed that he was so obviously teasing her and deliberately whetting her curiosity.

Zi Mou shrugged helplessly. “You'd better ask him yourself. I wouldn't dare say.”

Jin'er shot him an irritated glance, then turned aside and leaned against the railing behind her. Alone, she gazed out at the scenery steeped in night and refused to speak to him any longer.

“My name is Zhao Zi Mou, a friend of Mo Yan's.” Seeing that she was ignoring him, Zi Mou rubbed his nose and introduced himself with a disgruntled air.

Zhao Zi Mou? The Second Highness's friend? Was he the person Little Die had mentioned that day?

At the thought, Jin'er turned and asked, “Young Master Zhao of the General's Residence?”

Zi Mou raised his brows, a flicker of delight in his eyes. “You know me?”

“I've heard the servants mention you.” With that, Jin'er turned away again and no longer looked at him.

“Oh, so that's how it is.” Zi Mou pursed his lips. “You look terribly unhappy. Has that fellow bullied you?”

He found her languid, melancholy manner indescribably captivating. It made him want to find every possible way to cheer her up.

“If he saw you like this, he would certainly worry,” Zi Mou said without turning his head.

She probably knew nothing about Mo Yan's plans to seize the throne. What could have made her so unhappy?

Zi Mou himself did not know why he was so interested in a woman he had met for the first time. Perhaps it was because she belonged to Mo Yan.

Jin'er pouted, thinking him rather meddlesome. Though she truly wanted to be alone and quietly collect her thoughts, he was Mo Yan's friend, and she did not wish to offend him. Thus, she merely gave an indifferent “Hmm.”

Seeing that she was hardly responding to him—and knowing that he had matters to attend to and could not remain long—Zi Mou smiled and rose.

“I have business to attend to, so I shall take my leave. The weather is growing cold. Miss, don't forget to return early and rest.”

Only then did Jin'er turn her head. She gave him a polite smile and nodded.

That smile left Zi Mou dazed for a moment. He quickly recovered, however, and returned her nod with a faint smile before turning and walking away.

Beautiful—truly, she was extraordinarily beautiful. He was beginning to feel a little jealous of that fellow Mo Yan.

“Why did you take so long?” Mo Yan asked in puzzlement when Zi Mou entered. He leaned back against the chair behind him.

“I ran into your great beauty and stopped to greet her.” Zi Mou walked to a nearby chair and sat down with a half-smile.

“You saw her?” The moment Mo Yan heard Jin'er's name, he immediately became more attentive.

“Yes. She hardly even glanced at me.” Zi Mou pouted, feeling rather defeated. Wherever he went, women usually stared at him shamelessly. Yet this time, he had been completely ignored.

How could Mo Yan not know what he was thinking? He smiled smugly.

“She isn't like those lovestruck women outside. Besides, with someone as outstanding as me beside her, how could she still have eyes for anyone else?”

“Oh, spare me.” Zi Mou rolled his eyes and gave a soft scoff. “I think she was simply in a terrible mood. She was sitting alone in the pavilion, playing a sorrowful tune, looking troubled and dejected. You should stop being busy with that affair all day and spend more time with her.”

He had meant to mock Mo Yan, but by the end, his tone had changed entirely.

Mo Yan's brows drew together, and the smile gradually faded from his face. “Let's discuss business first.”

Knowing that Mo Yan wanted to finish as quickly as possible so he could go see Jin'er, Zi Mou stopped joking around and straightened his expression. He began reporting the course of the battle over the past several days.

By the time they had finished discussing everything, more than an hour had passed, and it was already quite late.

Mo Yan escorted Zi Mou all the way out. When they passed the pavilion where Jin'er had been earlier, she was nowhere to be seen.

“Go back. There's no need to see me out. I could find my way out of here with my eyes closed.” Seeing Mo Yan's distracted expression, Zi Mou smiled and continued on alone.

Mo Yan did not bother with formalities. After giving a quiet “Hmm,” he turned and sped toward his chambers using his lightness skill.

When he reached Jin'er's door, he saw Little Die preparing to retire for the night.

“Your Highness, Miss has already gone to sleep,” Little Die said as she turned and noticed Mo Yan.

“I know. You may leave.” He gazed deeply at the tightly closed door, a faint sense of disappointment stirring in his heart.

After standing there for quite some time, he continued toward the door. At the threshold, he lifted a hand and rested it gently against the wood, gazing silently ahead as though he could see through the door and determine whether the woman inside was asleep, and whether sorrow still clouded her face.

After a long while, he slowly withdrew his hand and turned to leave. He had taken only one step when the door behind him creaked open.

Mo Yan's body stiffened, and boundless joy surged through his heart.

He turned around and saw Jin'er standing there in a white inner garment with a loose outer robe thrown over it. The ornaments had been removed from her waist-length hair, which now fell freely around her. Her fair, delicate face resembled the hazy moon at the edge of the heavens—so beautiful that it nearly made him forget to breathe.

Beneath her long lashes, a pair of almond-shaped eyes gazed at him in puzzlement.

“Did you need me for something?”

In truth, she was not sleepy at all. She had been lying on her bed wide awake, staring blankly into space. She had sensed him the moment he arrived. After hearing him stand silently outside for such a long time, she had risen to open the door for him.

Mo Yan steadied himself and smiled, shaking his head. “It's nothing.”

With that, he stepped forward until he stood before her. Almost involuntarily, he raised a hand and affectionately caressed her tender cheek with the pad of his thumb.

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“Zi Mou said he saw you looking extremely unhappy, so I came to see you.”

Jin'er tilted her face slightly upward. Looking at his increasingly handsome and alluring features in the backlight, she suddenly felt a fresh wave of sorrow.

“What sacrifice did you make for me?” she asked quietly.

The hand against her cheek suddenly stilled. After a long pause, it resumed its former movement.

“My sacrifice was giving up this splendid world and marrying you,” Mo Yan replied with a carefree, roguish smile.

“You're lying. Zi Mou already told me.”

Mo Yan arched a brow. “Did he? Then what exactly did he tell you?”

He did not believe Zi Mou had truly told her anything. Still, that fellow must have let something slip, or she would not have suddenly asked this question.

Jin'er stared unblinkingly into his eyes, not missing the brief flash of panic within them.

“Tell me.”

She suddenly felt as though the two of them were playing a game. That afternoon, he had said those three words to her several times; now it was her turn to say them to him.

“One day, I will tell you—but not now. It really isn't anything serious. Truly. Go to bed early, and be good.” Mo Yan smiled as he withdrew his hand, waiting for her to turn and return to her room.

“Don't do anything foolish.” Jin'er frowned at him, unable to keep herself from worrying. This man could be such a fool at times—a fool whose foolishness tugged painfully at her heart.

“I won't. Don't worry. I won't lose so much as half an ounce of flesh.” Mo Yan lowered his head and leaned close to her. “It will only be a little difficult, just as you have seen these past few days. Well? If you want to reward me, I certainly won't refuse.”

He wore a shameless grin, his expression thoroughly unserious.

For some reason, Jin'er could not smile. Perhaps she vaguely sensed that things were not nearly as easy as he claimed.

She lowered her eyes and thought for a moment. Then she suddenly rose onto her toes, kissed his still-smiling lips, and swiftly turned around and shut the door.

Mo Yan stood frozen, still wearing the same posture and expression as before, as though he had been carved into stone. Only after a very long while did he recover. Slowly straightening, he lifted a hand to touch his lips. Her faint fragrance still lingered there, and his heart began to race as an unprecedented joy filled his entire being.

This was the first time she had kissed him of her own accord. It was entirely different from the times he had kissed her.

He had known she liked him! Ha ha—wonderful!

He placed a hand against the closed door and could feel her standing on the other side, her back pressed against it. He longed to remove that barrier, pull her fiercely into his arms, kiss her passionately, and tell her how deeply he loved her.

In the end, however, he restrained himself.

“Sleep well. See you tomorrow.” After drawing a deep breath, he spoke softly.

At his words, Jin'er's heart trembled, and she felt her cheeks grow warm. Not daring to linger there any longer, she bit her lower lip and hurried back to her bed, burrowing beneath the covers.

Hearing her flustered footsteps from outside, Mo Yan could not help smiling. He turned and walked toward his own chambers next door, his heart lighter and happier than it had ever been.

The next morning, Jin'er rose early. As usual, Mo Yan came to accompany her at breakfast.

After what had happened the night before, Jin'er felt inexplicably awkward and did not dare look him in the eye. When she saw him approaching, she quickly turned and walked inside. She had not expected him to blur into motion and suddenly block her path, causing her to crash headlong into his arms.

“Ow!” Jin'er cried, rubbing her forehead in annoyance. “What are you doing?”

“Why are you acting as though you want to avoid me?” Mo Yan asked with a teasing smile. He raised a hand and gently smoothed a strand of hair beside her ear.

“Am I?” Jin'er replied. She tried to slip around him and enter the room, but he moved his left foot half a step to the side and blocked her again.

“Move quickly. Don't let anyone see us and make fun of me.” Jin'er lowered her voice irritably, glancing toward Little Die, who was staring at them.

Little Die was clever enough. The moment Jin'er looked her way, she pretended to remember some urgent business and hurried out of the room, a sly smile shining in her eyes.

Seeing that Little Die had actually chosen to retreat, Jin'er could not help rolling her eyes. It seemed she would have to cultivate better understanding with that girl in the future...

“I didn't sleep well at all last night,” Mo Yan said with a smile as he watched Jin'er.

“Why not?” Jin'er asked, puzzled.

“Because I was too happy.” Mo Yan stared at her without blinking, his face alight with delight.

Jin'er understood what he meant. Recalling the scene from the night before, she felt her cheeks flush faintly. She tried once more to slip past him, but her arms were suddenly seized in his grasp.

She looked up, intending to tell him to let go, only to be caught off guard by his swiftly descending lips. Her body stiffened, and once again, he successfully captured her.

Before she could react, his lips had already withdrawn. With a faint smile, he took her hand and led her inside, seating her beside the table. Everything happened so naturally that he left her no chance to respond.

“Eat.” Mo Yan placed chopsticks in Jin'er's hand and picked up his own. “Starting today, I have to attend the morning court assembly, so I will still be busy for a while. Once this period is over, I promise I will make more time for you.”

“The morning court assembly?” Jin'er repeated in surprise. As far as she knew, he had never attended the morning court nor taken part in state affairs. Why had he suddenly become concerned with the nation's welfare?

“Yes. His Majesty is in poor health and needs me to help shoulder some of the burden,” Mo Yan said naturally.

Jin'er gave a soft reply. Remembering that today was also the day she was supposed to perform acupuncture on the Fire Emperor, she added, “Tell His Majesty that I will go give him acupuncture this afternoon.”

Mo Yan looked up and smiled at her before lowering his head and continuing his meal.

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After breakfast, Mo Yan hurried away, while Jin'er returned to her room, sat cross-legged on the bed, calmed her mind, and began cultivating her inner art.

Over the past several days, she could feel that she had improved considerably. Yet compared with the goal she had set for herself, she was still far behind. At the very least, she could no longer allow herself to be captured so easily. She would have to work twice as hard.

Starting tonight, she would resume her old habit of practicing until the third watch. She also needed to find time to study how to incorporate the use of poison into both offense and defense. Otherwise, she would be wasting one of her greatest strengths.

She cultivated her inner art for most of the morning before finally rising and leaving her room. She sat in the courtyard, ate a few pastries, drank several sips of tea, and then began practicing her swordplay.

With nothing else to do, Little Die stood nearby and watched Jin'er dance with her sword, her eyes filled with admiration and envy.

Jin'er did not stop until it was nearly lunchtime. Little Die hurried to fetch hot water and washed Jin'er's face and wiped away her sweat. When she had finished, Mo Yan happened to return.

“How was your first day at court?” Jin'er asked with a smile as she poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him.

“Not bad.” Mo Yan smiled but said no more.

His appearance that day had astonished many people, especially those aligned with the Empress. They had repeatedly swept him with assessing, meaningful glances.

From now on, he would have to accelerate the work at hand. First, he wanted to press forward in one relentless surge and give his opponents no opportunity to recover. Second, he wanted to finish as quickly as possible so that he could remove the cold poison from Jin'er's body. Fortunately, he had the Fire Emperor's support, and everything was proceeding far more smoothly than expected.

After lunch, the two of them returned to their rooms and rested for a little over half an hour before setting out together for the Imperial Study.

Mo Yan held Jin'er's hand the entire way. He rarely spoke, his brows faintly furrowed as though he were pondering something.

Several times Jin'er wanted to ask him about it, but in the end she said nothing. She knew that if he did not wish to speak, asking would be useless.

At the Imperial Study, Jin'er took the Fire Emperor's pulse and performed acupuncture on him. She then went to the adjoining room to write out a prescription, while Mo Yan remained in the Imperial Study to help the Fire Emperor review memorials.

Once the prescription was finished, the old eunuch hesitantly asked Jin'er to examine him as well. She smiled and agreed.

After she had taken care of everything, Mo Yan still had not come out. She therefore decided to return alone.

The sun shone brightly that day, a gentle breeze stirred the air, and a faint floral fragrance drifted through the gardens. As Jin'er passed through the Imperial Garden, she wandered about alone for a while.

As she walked, several people emerged near the fork in the path ahead.

Aside from two palace maids and a young eunuch, the group was led by a dignified, richly dressed middle-aged woman and a young man.

When Jin'er realized that the young man was none other than the Crown Prince—the shameless lecher who had secretly imprisoned her before—her brows furrowed, and she turned around, intending to avoid them.

But she had barely moved when the newcomers spotted her. Knowing it was too late to hide, she had no choice but to turn back and stand where she was.

“How bold! You see Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince, yet you do not kneel and pay your respects?” a shrill voice shouted.

The group had already come within a few paces of Jin'er.

“This common girl pays her respects to Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince.” Jin'er lowered her head and bent her knees in a formal salute.

“Which palace are you from? You are such a lovely girl, yet I have no impression of you at all.” The Empress stared at Jin'er, her eyes flickering as she was secretly shaken by the girl's beauty.

“Mother, she is the great beauty from my younger brother's palace whom I mentioned to you before,” Mo Fan whispered into Empress Chen's ear.

Yet his eyes never left Jin'er for even a moment. He was practically staring himself foolish.

At his words, Empress Chen suddenly understood. “So you are that girl. No wonder...” she said. As she spoke, she glanced sidelong at Mo Fan and saw that he looked almost ready to drool. Her brows immediately drew together.

After clearing her throat, Empress Chen ignored Mo Fan and turned her attention back to Jin'er.

“Wandering through the Imperial Garden alone? What an elegant pastime.”

“This common girl would not dare. I was merely passing through,” Jin'er replied softly, her head slightly bowed.

If she had not been waiting for the Fire Eye Stone to save her life, she would never have wanted to remain in the imperial palace. She felt uncomfortable here, and having to bow and scrape before people she detested was unbearably humiliating.

She would endure it for now. One day, she would make certain she never had to suffer such indignities again.

“Passing through? Then where were you coming from?” Empress Chen asked with a smile, though Jin'er found something deeply unsettling about it.

“Your Majesty, I just came from examining His Majesty's illness.” Seeing that the Empress intended to question her endlessly, Jin'er decided to answer truthfully, hoping the woman would let her leave soon. She did not want to remain with them for another moment.

Yet things often went contrary to one's wishes.

“You know medicine?” Empress Chen raised a brow and smiled. “I had heard a little about it before. Since even His Majesty has such faith in your medical skill, why don't you examine me as well?

“My chest has felt terribly tight lately, and I have little appetite. Those imperial physicians do nothing but prescribe the same two formulas over and over. I have taken no shortage of medicine, yet seen hardly any improvement. They are a useless lot!”

By the end, her expression had turned cold, and the smile vanished from her face in an instant.

Jin'er's heart trembled. Clearly, the situation left her no room to refuse. The Empress could change expressions as quickly as one turned a page, and it was best not to provoke her. With so many people present in broad daylight, even the Crown Prince would hardly dare do anything to her.

With that thought, Jin'er had no choice but to agree and followed the group toward the Empress's palace.