Chapter 108: Duplicity
“This matter… this Bengong needs to consider it carefully.”
When Li Xuanyue answered, she felt her eardrums still vibrating. She wasn’t someone easily swayed by beauty, but facing a “delicious” man like Zhong He, it was impossible not to have some thoughts.
However, that didn’t mean she would lose her head over lust.
“In short, do not worry too much.”
Li Xuanyue looked away, deliberately choosing not to look at Zhong He; otherwise, she feared she would lose even more face. Her small movement was clearly seen by Zhong He. He hadn’t expected that the usually mature and steady Li Xuanyue could have such a cute side.
“Alright, then I shall trouble Gongzhu,” Zhong He said with a smile in his eyes.
The people in the hall had retreated at some point. When Li Xuanyue finished her soup and wanted to call Yinxin, she realized that besides herself and Zhong He, no one else was in the hall. This truly gave her a sense of “dying of embarrassment.”
“Does Gongzhu wish to wash her hands?”
Zhong Heās eyes flickered, as if he saw through Li Xuanyue’s next move, and he took the initiative to ask. Li Xuanyue nodded.
“Someone, come!”
Before she could speak, Zhong He had already called out to the maids outside. A moment later, a maid entered carrying a basin of fresh water. Zhong He personally rolled up a sleeve, instantly revealing his firm and fair arm.
Li Xuanyue suspected he was seducing her with his looks. However, the man rolling up his sleeve seemed unaware, his movements elegant and swift.
“This Bengong can do it herself.”
Seeing that he wanted to help her wash her hands, Li Xuanyueās expression changed. How could she agree? She quickly reached out to refuse. Unfortunately, her outstretched hand was firmly caught in his stronger grip.
“Is Gongzhu shy?”
The moment their hands met, Li Xuanyue could feel her body trembleāa result of her failed struggle. Zhong Heās expression while asking this was perfectly serious, making it impossible to find fault. Yet, Li Xuanyue felt he was doing this on purpose.
“Release this Bengong first.”
She wasn’t a child; why did he need to wash her hands? What would people think if word got out?
Instead of listening, Zhong He scooped up water from the basin and let it flow over the back of her hand. The sound of clear water splashing was vivid in the large Phoenix Harmony Palace. The maid who brought the water had already retreated the moment their hands touched. For a time, the atmosphere in the palace became somewhat ambiguous and strange.
“When does Gongzhu plan to enjoy the pleasure of fish and water with this Chen?”
After a moment of silence, just as Li Xuanyue thought he would release her after washing, his next words shocked her so much that she accidentally knocked the washbasin off the table with a “clatter.”
She stared at Zhong He with disbelief. “What is Zhong Shijun saying?”
Enjoy the pleasure of fish and water? Did she hear wrong, or did Zhong He say it wrong? Had these men been controlled by someone?
Seeing her look so frightened, Zhong He frowned for a few seconds before smoothing his brow.
“This Chen heard that Gongzhu promised to accept Yu Shijun’s advances yesterday!”
He spoke very softly, as if commenting on how nice the weather was. This question immediately made Li Xuanyue understand the reason behind his earlier words. Her face instantly darkened.
“That was merely a tactic of expediency,” she said seriously. “It cannot be taken seriously!”
Even if she had agreed, she couldn’t admit it in front of Zhong He. Who knew what he might do next?
A glint flashed in Zhong Heās eyes. “So, Gongzhu does not intend to help Yu Shijun through his heat period?”
He didn’t believe it! Among the five of them, currently only Jun He had passed his heat period with Li Xuanyue’s help. The other four had been relying on willpower or medicine to control it. If Li Xuanyue truly intended to stand by and do nothing, they would be the ones to suffer in the end.
“What are you doing?”
Just as Li Xuanyue was dazed, wondering how to answer, Zhong He approached her again. This time was different; he directly used his hands to pin her into his embrace.
Firm arms, a broad chest, and the faint scent of gardenia emanating from him all made Li Xuanyueās heart race.
“Gongzhu, this Chen wants you!”
The manās voice was ambiguous. His hot breath brushed against the womanās ear. It is said that the first to act gains the advantage. Zhong He appeared refined and elegant, but his bones hid a predatorās greed.
The moment he heard from Liuguang yesterday that Yumian had come to Li Xuanyue to seek favor, he was displeased. However, he hadn’t found a suitable reason or excuse until today. His motherās chicken soup was the fuse. Having finally found a reason to see her, how could he give up so easily?
Li Xuanyueās cheeks were like sunset cloudsāred and burning. She pushed against Zhong He with both hands, trying to stop him.
“Wait, let this Bengong think first!”
“Think about what?”
Under her pushing, Zhong He actually stopped. His breathing was somewhat hurried, and his eyes were fixed on her as if afraid she would escape. Seeing that he was still willing to listen at this critical moment, Li Xuanyue finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Have you truly considered this?”
She wasn’t a pretentious person. If they truly needed her to pass their heat periods, she was willing to fulfill that. Consider it repayment for the torments they suffered in her past life.
Zhong He almost laughed at her words. He then leaned down and kissed her fiercely. He used a kiss to answer the desire in his heart and his determination to have her.
This time, Li Xuanyue didn’t stop him. After all, what was bound to happen would happen sooner or later. Helping them earlier would mean they suffered less pain.
However, the news of the two of them being “entangled” in the Phoenix Harmony Palace all morning did not escape Yumianās ears. When he learned from his confidant, Zhiyi, that Zhong He was with Li Xuanyue under the guise of delivering soup, he laughed in anger.
“This woman is truly duplicitous. She rejected this Gongzi yesterday, yet today she is entangled with Zhong He.”
“Do you think she takes this Gongzi for a fool?”
Yumianās voice held a swirling coldness and charm. Every word he spoke was like a hook, drawing one into deep thought. Zhiyi knew he was frustrated by Li Xuanyueās behavior and could only offer words of comfort.
Translator’s Note: Ooh, things are heating up! “Pleasure of fish and water” (é±¼ę°“ä¹ę¬¢) is a classic idiom for sexual intimacy.
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