455: Tightening of the waist and abdomen

Netherworld, Jiaotai Palace.

The light screen was playing a compilation of “mourning” from around the globe.

The red artillery uniforms of Xia Country’s East Sea roared under the night sky; young people on the streets of M Country danced while holding black paper fried chicken; the cheerful melody of “Funeral March” by Y Country's band faintly drifted over... Ling Qi touched the tip of her nose, her glasses reflecting the changing images on the screen: “Humans always find unique ways to express complex emotions.”

Shang Wan Ning leaned against the phoenix couch, fiddling with a warm Jade Slip in her hand, and raised her eyes upon hearing the comment.

“Rather than emotions, it's more like interests and sentiments finding the safest outlet.”

“Those who fled to M Country...”

“We don't need to worry about them.” Shang Wan Ning's voice was calm, her expression indifferent. “M Country's hyenas will take care of them. Their souls will come down eventually.”

“When that time comes, they will go to whichever layer they belong.”

Her Divine Sense returned to the light screen.

It was currently switching to an international news channel, where the anchor was seriously analyzing the geopolitical changes in the Pacific Ocean after the sinking of R Country, though the background music was inexplicably uplifting.

The Empress's lips moved slightly, almost imperceptibly.

This performance was worth watching.

“Put it away.” She raised her hand, and the light screen instantly extinguished. “The farce is over; it's time for serious business.”

Ling Qi was putting away the annotated Dossiers. Just as her fingertip touched the next cool Jade Slip, her waist suddenly tightened.

A burning, delicate body pressed against her from behind, arms loosely wrapping around her. A palm, separated by thin clothing, felt scorching hot against her waist.

The warmth came abruptly, causing Ling Qi’s breathing to hitch, and her spine instinctively curved slightly.

“Your Majesty?”

She didn't dare turn her head, and the tips of her ears quietly flushed a light pink.

“Mhm.”

Shang Wan Ning responded vaguely.

Her chin rested in the Secretary-General's shoulder hollow, her nose brushing against the smooth skin of her neck. The faint body fragrance, mixed with the scent of ink scrolls and tea, was pleasant.

“AQi...”

Warm breath swept across the woman's ear.

Ling Qi's knuckles, clutching the Jade Slip, tightened.

It was working hours. Although the Palace Door was closed, a Maid might come in at any moment to report something, and Assistant Lin might also return to report back. Such embracing was truly against the rules.

“Your Majesty, official business has not been finished yet.” She tried to make her voice sound normal, but the end of her sentence trembled uncontrollably.

“I know.”

Shang Wan Ning chuckled.

The laughter rolled out of her throat, carrying a hint of lazy nasal resonance.

The arm wrapped around her waist not only didn't loosen but moved further, inching forward, fingers lightly tracing the skin beneath the fabric.

“You've been busy for so long. R Country has sunk, the Soul Tide has been settled, and afternoon tea has been consumed.”

“It's time for My Secretary-General to ‘rest’.”

Ling Qi clearly felt the hand's presence growing stronger, slowly moving up along her waistline; everywhere it passed, a slight tremor arose.

She took a deep breath and said, “Your Majesty, this is the Main Hall of Jiaotai Palace.”

“What difference does the Main Hall make?” Shang Wan Ning turned her head, her lips almost touching her earlobe, her words full of obvious teasing.

“I'm in My own place, holding My own Girlfriend. Is there anything inappropriate about that?”

Her free hand lifted, two fingers hooking a stray lock of Ling Qi's hair near her chin, slowly wrapping it around her finger and playing with it: “Or are you saying, AQi, that you don't like this?”

Ling Qi felt a tickle in her heart.

Her eyes behind the glasses glanced at the Palace Door. It was tightly shut, and there was no movement outside.

But right now was working time, and such intimacy was truly inappropriate.

“Subordinate wouldn't dare, but it is improper etiquette.”

“Heh, etiquette?”

“What I say is the rule.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Shang Wan Ning suddenly released the hand playing with the hair, reached down, and grasped Ling Qi's wrist resting on the desk... Her palm was warm, gripping tightly, making it impossible to pull away.

Ling Qi stiffened all over.

Using this posture, Shang Wan Ning pulled her closer into her embrace, their bodies pressing even tighter together.

“AQi!”

The Empress called her name again.

This time, her voice was even lower, hiding assured control. “Why are you so tense? I won't eat you.” As she spoke, she rubbed the inner side of Ling Qi's wrist with her fingertip.

The skin there was thin, allowing her to feel the pulse beating underneath.

Each beat was faster than the last, completely losing rhythm.

Ling Qi's breathing became ragged.

Reason urged her to push the person away, maintain distance, and remind Your Majesty to preserve her dignity, yet her body gradually relaxed under the familiar touch.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and her heart pounded hard enough to burst out of her chest.

“Your Majesty, there are still Dossiers to process.”

“Tsk, the Dossiers aren't going anywhere. You've been with Me for so long, when have I ever mistreated My Bedmate?” Shang Wan Ning eased the pressure on her hand, slowing down her teasing actions.

[Ah, My Secretary-General is good in every way.]

At work, she was always composed and capable, never making mistakes with Dossiers, and remaining steady when facing problems. Yet, in a work setting, she was excessively proper, refusing to relax even slightly.

This ascetic demeanor was even more alluring than her private self.

The Secretary-General on the couch was soft as an unmelting cloud, her expression full of relaxed charm.

Stripped of all reserve, only complete dependence remained.

But right now, the person in front of her had a perfectly straight back, and even the flush creeping up her earlobes was hidden by restraint.

She was clearly panicking intensely, yet stubbornly maintaining her composure.

This contrast sparked a sense of amusement in Shang Wan Ning's heart.

She just wanted to tease her, to see this capable and calm Secretary-General lose her footing in front of her, revealing a rarely seen embarrassment.

She admitted she was being very naughty right now.

Like a bad woman luring a Little White Rabbit to open her home door.

Ling Qi curled her fingertips. The warmth covering her palm seeped through her skin and into her bones. Deep down, she also longed for it—longed to press closer to Your Majesty, longed for this intimacy to linger longer.

But the Dossiers on the desk were piled high, and most of the official business remained unprocessed. How could she just stop working?

She knew the priorities; one moment of pleasure couldn't compare to having meat every day.

If she relaxed now, and a Ghost Messenger suddenly announced something outside, or Chief Assistant Lin pushed the door open to report back, not only would the scene be awkward, but she would also be too distracted afterward to properly handle official business, thus delaying important matters.

It would be better to grit her teeth, finish the task at hand, and then comfortably spend time with Your Majesty. With no interruptions then, they could be as intimate as they pleased.

Yet, Your Majesty was thoroughly naughty, unable to hide the wickedness in her bones. Knowing full well that Ling Qi was restraining herself due to the official business, she insisted on pressing her step by step.

The pressure of the fingers rubbing her wrist was neither too light nor too heavy; the heat of the breath sweeping her ear was neither too high nor too low.

Every movement drilled into her heart, making her body restless, even her breathing shaky, yet she could only endure it.

Shang Wan Ning seemed to see through her thoughts, gripping her wrist and gently shaking it: “Why aren't you speaking? Are you secretly wishing for this too?”