I twisted my ankle

As Wen Yunmian entered, she heard laughter as clear as silver bells ringing through Chanyang Palace. It was Attendant Hui.

Jun Chenyu was bare-chested, his broad, powerful arms resting casually on the edge of the Hot Spring Pool, his sculpted abdominal muscles firm and handsome.

His features were naturally cold and sharp. Without any expression on his face, his phoenix eyes were as chilly as a frozen pool. His high nose bridge almost seemed to cleave the light, making his eyes look even deeper.

Attendant Hui sat beside the pool, smiling as she poured wine for Jun Chenyu, her gaze demurely fixed on the tall, handsome sovereign before her.

Had Noble Lady Wei not begun her monthly courses today and had her green name tablet withdrawn, it probably would not have been her turn to attend him in bed.

Besides, Consort Shu had always been domineering. Attendant Hui had only dared come to serve him after steering clear of Consort Shu's sharp edge.

Unlike Noble Lady Wei, she did not have the Empress's maternal clan behind her. She was merely the daughter of an ordinary official and dared not draw too much attention to herself, so she treasured this opportunity all the more.

Jun Chenyu had a rare moment of leisure today, yet he now found his interest waning.

Veins stood out on the back of his long, slender hand as he held his wine cup languidly, his lowered lashes concealing the darkness in his eyes.

Attendant Hui had received no response when she spoke to him earlier. Now she timidly addressed him again. "Are you tired, Your Majesty? Shall I help you retire?"

Jun Chenyu set his wine cup beside the pool. He truly had lost interest and was about to rise.

Just then, a young eunuch approached and reported quietly, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Ni has arrived to take your routine pulse."

Jun Chenyu gave a cool acknowledgment and lazily rested his hand on the ledge. Wen Yunmian set the medicine chest on the floor and knelt on both knees to take his pulse.

The chill of her fingertips made Jun Chenyu's brow crease slightly. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of those jade-white fingers, as delicate as tender scallion shoots. These were clearly not a man's hands.

Jun Chenyu lifted his phoenix eyes and saw the "imperial physician" keeping her head firmly lowered, her frame exceptionally slender.

He glimpsed a trace of softness in her features and seemed to recognize something. His lips curved slowly, and he silently allowed Wen Yunmian to examine his pulse.

"Imperial Physician Ni, how is my health?"

Wen Yunmian deliberately lowered her voice. "Your Majesty is in excellent health. I believe you have all but recovered."

"Is that so?" A dark gleam flashed through Jun Chenyu's eyes. He did not look at Wen Yunmian, but as she withdrew her hand, his long fingers closed directly around her wrist. Fortunately, their sleeves concealed it, and no one noticed.

"Your medical skills leave something to be desired, little physician." His cool, languidly seductive voice brushed against her ear.

Wen Yunmian's lashes trembled. Then she heard Jun Chenyu tell Attendant Hui coldly, "Go bathe."

Attendant Hui nodded, delighted and bashful. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Only once no one else remained in the hall did the grip on Wen Yunmian's wrist loosen a little.

Then she heard Jun Chenyu say icily, "Impersonating an imperial physician to approach me is a capital offense."

Wen Yunmian feigned panic, bowed, and lowered her head to the floor. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I did not mean to offend."

Jun Chenyu caught Wen Yunmian by the chin. "Who gave you the courage to come to Chanyang Palace?"

Tears filled Wen Yunmian's eyes. "I learned that Your Majesty would have your routine pulse taken this evening, so I gathered my courage and came ahead of Imperial Physician Ni, just to see you."

"I missed you so much that I risked losing my head to come here. Now that Your Majesty has discovered me, please grant me death..."

As she lowered her head to kowtow, her clothes inadvertently fell open, revealing a glimpse of spring beneath. Without warning, the sight entered Jun Chenyu's cold eyes.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and a fierce trace of desire seeped into the chilly corners of his eyes.

The next instant, Wen Yunmian's wrist was seized again, and he pulled her into the Hot Spring Pool.

The warm water soaked her clothes at once.

Wen Yunmian gave a soft cry and pressed her trembling body into Jun Chenyu's embrace, tears mingling with the warm water as they fell. "Your Majesty, I missed you so much. Do you no longer want me?"

Jun Chenyu's breathing grew hotter. Looking at her imperial physician's robes, he lowered his eyes with considerable interest. "How could I not want you?"

His large hand gripped Wen Yunmian's waist, and he made her lean over the edge of the pool.

Wen Yunmian's voice was soft and sweet. "Your Majesty, Attendant Hui is still bathing. I cannot steal someone else's chance to serve you in bed. Please let me leave."

Jun Chenyu seemed to regain a little reason. He released Wen Yunmian. "Then I will visit you tomorrow night."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Wear these clothes again tomorrow night and examine me." His lips curved upward. Some of the cold severity of a man long accustomed to power faded, and his eyes filled with playful interest.

Wen Yunmian's cheeks flushed, and she answered obediently. She was just about to climb out of the Hot Spring Pool when Jun Chenyu said, "Go behind the screen and change out of those wet clothes before you return."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wen Yunmian walked behind the screen alone, a hint of cunning appearing at the corners of her alluring, flushed eyes.

After removing the imperial physician's robes, Wen Yunmian pretended to lose her footing and fell to the floor.

She bore the pain without daring to make a sound and struggled to rise. Jun Chenyu was accomplished in both scholarly and martial pursuits, and a martial artist's hearing was exceptionally keen.

His thick, sword-like brows drew together. He immediately rose and walked toward her. "What happened?"

When he reached the other side of the screen, he abruptly froze. The wildfire that had subsided within him instantly roared back to life.

Wen Yunmian lay on the floor, her snow-white skin almost blending into the jade-colored silk, her curves lush and her waist slender enough to span with a hand. The hazy, indistinct sight fiercely battered Jun Chenyu's reason.

"Your Majesty." Wen Yunmian looked at him through misty eyes. "I think I twisted my ankle."

Jun Chenyu crouched down, but Wen Yunmian stretched out her slender, jade-white arms and looped them around his neck. "Your Majesty, could you hold me?"

In that instant, his reason collapsed completely.

Jun Chenyu lowered his gaze. "Xiao Luzi!"

Eunuch Lu hurried in with his head bowed and stood at a distance. He heard Jun Chenyu order coldly, "Have someone take Attendant Hui back."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wen Yunmian lifted her eyes weakly. "What about me?"

"You will stay. Today, you may escape death, but not punishment." A deep smile entered Jun Chenyu's phoenix eyes.

Wen Yunmian was lifted into his arms. He did not even carry her to the bedchamber, instead making her lean straight over the table.

Outside, the night was deep, and the snow fell harder.

Forced to dress and sit in her sedan chair, Attendant Hui knew that making a commotion outside Chanyang Palace was forbidden, but she was utterly aggrieved. "Wait, why are you sending me away when everything was going perfectly well? I haven't even served His Majesty yet. Have you mistaken the hour?"

Eunuch Lu remained reasonably respectful. "My lady, it is perfectly ordinary for His Majesty to change his mind. Please return."

As he spoke, faint, persistent sounds came from within the hall.

Attendant Hui's eyes widened abruptly. That was unmistakably a woman's voice.

Who was it? Who had seduced His Majesty while she was bathing?

Damn it! She had finally secured his favor, only to have someone snatch it away!

"Eunuch Lu, who is serving His Majesty in there? A consort or a palace maid? I will not leave until you tell me clearly."

Eunuch Lu's expression turned guarded. "My lady, this servant has already said everything that needs to be said. If you forget your manners again and disturb His Majesty, I fear it will no longer be as simple as sending you back."

Attendant Hui bit her lip hard, not daring to say another word, and let the sedan chair carry her away.

Inside the bedchamber, Wen Yunmian wept and begged for mercy.

Early the next morning, Jun Chenyu was thoroughly content. Naturally, he treated Wen Yunmian well, allowing her to remain in Chanyang Palace and sleep until she woke on her own.

Though he was displeased with the Marquis's Residence, he would not go so far as to take it out on her.

When Wen Yunmian left Chanyang Palace, Yun Yang suddenly reported in alarm, "My lady, someone from Fengyi Palace has come to summon you. They said Consort Shu and all the other ladies have already arrived. You are the only one they are waiting for."