"Has the Emperor never combed your hair before?"
As soon as she spoke, Li Yuyu bit her lip in regret.
She chuckled lightly, saying, "Emperor, what I meant to say is, is this really the first time you’ve combed my hair? Your skill is impressive."
Yan Xiu’s dark phoenix eyes quietly regarded Li Yuyu, absorbing her momentary fluster and embarrassment.
He suddenly felt that when Yu’er asked the first question, it wasn’t an act, but something she genuinely cared about.
How is that possible?
Yan Xiu thought he was overthinking.
"I am the True Dragon Emperor. Combing hair is but a trivial task. If I say it’s the first time, then it is the first time. When have I ever spoken falsely?"
Ha!
Li Yuyu’s eyes glimmered slightly, yet her lips curled upwards unconsciously, her mood lifted as she found Yan Xiu much more pleasing to the eye.
"Emperor, I am hungry. Would you mind ordering some food for me first?" Li Yuyu approached Yan Xiu, tugging at his sleeve with a pout, saying, "I wish to change. This outfit is too stuffy, I’m starting to sweat."
"Does my beloved concubine dislike this palace attire?"
Yan Xiu pursed his lips, feeling slightly discomforted.
He had instructed the Fashion Bureau to specially make this palace attire, selecting the patterns himself, all just to please the little concubine.
"I do like it," Li Yuyu chuckled softly, "but Emperor, it is midsummer now, and this outfit has layers upon layers. Being with the Emperor, I naturally do not need to dress so formally. When I’m with the Emperor, I just feel like being casual."
Yan Xiu was in great spirits due to Li Yuyu’s words, and as he exited the inner chamber, he kindly called Hua Yin in to attend to her.
That night, Yan Xiu naturally stayed at Yao Hua Palace.
"Emperor..."
"The bed in Yao Hua Palace was specially commissioned by me. Surely, my beloved concubine won’t claim it’s too small for two people?"
Yan Xiu cut off Li Yuyu’s words, taking the initiative.
Li Yuyu stared at the enormous three-meter-wide bed in silence, gazing at the ceiling.
She suspected Yan Xiu of being deliberate; such a large bed could easily accommodate two more people.
"Beloved concubine, join me for a bath."
Li Yuyu was still dazed when Yan Xiu took her hand.
She looked up, slightly puzzled, saying, "Emperor, you wish to bathe with me?"
Where?
Yangxin Hall’s Hot Spring Pavilion?
Yan Xiu spoke calmly, "Just follow me, my beloved concubine."
There is a hot spring at the Yao Hua Palace’s backyard, and at the moment, hot water had just been poured in. Though the pool isn’t as large as Yan Xiu’s Hot Spring Pavilion’s, it is spacious enough for two people to bathe together.
Li Yuyu’s first reaction upon seeing this place was joy; she could swim here anytime.
Her second reaction was, darn!
She had just thought of a low-level excuse about the bath barrel being too small for two people, but it couldn’t be used now.
As Yan Xiu released her hand, intending her to help disrobe, Li Yuyu was still racking her brain for a way to sidestep this.
Yan Xiu watched the myriad expressions that flitted across Li Yuyu’s face without urging, simply waiting for her.
"Got it!" Li Yuyu suddenly exclaimed, just as she was about to speak, her words were shadowed by Yan Xiu leaning forward.
"Is my beloved concubine shy again?"
Yan Xiu drew closer to Li Yuyu, lifting her chin, contemplating using reverse psychology, not allowing her a chance to evade.
Li Yuyu: ...
Again?
Who was shy again!
No, who has ever been shy!
Li Yuyu turned her face away, dodging Yan Xiu’s hand, and swiftly tugged off Yan Xiu’s sash, casually tossing it aside, then cheekily tilted her chin up with a grin, "Emperor, shall I continue helping you disrobe?"