491: Deep in the palace

Before the words could fully leave her lips, a burning heat flashed in Situ Jun's eyes. That hint of reluctance born from the impending departure was like remnant snow cast into a raging fire, instantly consumed by an affection so intense it nearly overflowed.

No longer able to suppress the surging emotions in his heart, he extended his long arm, pulling the person beside him into his embrace. He rolled over and pressed down on her with an irresistible tenderness and urgency, lowering his head to kiss her lips fiercely.

At the moment their lips touched, Liu Airu trembled all over. All her worries and melancholy were crushed by this scalding kiss, turning into a soft, lingering tenderness.

The bed curtains swayed gently with their movements, and the falling gauze cast ambiguous shadows under the candlelight. The several Coiled Dragon Candles in the hall seemed to be ignited by this intense passion, burning ever more vigorously. The wicks crackled softly, and the warm light outlined the intertwined figures on the bed in a hazy and affectionate glow, reflecting this lingering affair that was clearly absurd yet uncontrollable. It echoed for a long time in the heavy night of the deep palace, refusing to dissipate.

Outside the hall, the night wind swept past the palace eaves with the chill of late winter. The palace lanterns hanging from the corners swayed gently in the breeze, their dim yellow light casting fragmented ripples on the bluestone pavement.

The shadows of the ancient trees in the Imperial Garden flickered, their leaves rustling as if to conceal the most secret thoughts of the deep palace, hiding all the love and madness that dared not be shown into the inky night, unknown and unobserved.

Inside the hall, the candlelight still flickered, and the bed curtains were half-drawn, shielding them from the outside cold and prying eyes.

Only the intertwined breaths and low murmurs, intermittent and lingering, spoke of the deep affection behind this indulgence. They spoke of an Empress who lived in the rear palace and was not her own master, and a City Lord who held heavy troops in the Northern Frontier with ambition hidden in his blood. Between the blade of power plays and the shackles of responsibility, a thrilling love quietly bloomed.

This love was like a spark buried beneath the deep palace. On the surface, it was covered by layers of palace rules, imperial power, and suspicion, appearing weak and hidden. Yet, it burned scalding hot in their hearts. One day, it would break through all restraints, set the entire Tianqi Imperial City ablaze, burn away those cold shackles and worldly constraints, and allow this hidden love to finally see the light of day.

The drum for the fourth watch struck for the third time. The night was deep and all was silent, with only the lingering warmth remaining in the bedchamber of Kunning Palace.

Situ Jun slowly turned his head to look at Liu Airu, who was sleeping soundly in the crook of his arm.

Her eyelashes fell like butterfly wings, casting shallow shadows under her eyes. A faint, undried flush still lingered on her cheeks, and her breathing was light and even. She looked like a small animal that had finally let down all its defenses to rest peacefully, completely devoid of the Empress's dignity and aloofness during the day, leaving only a pitiable softness.

Situ Jun's movements were gentle, almost reverent, as he bit by bit withdrew his arm from beneath her head, fearing that even a slight force would wake her from this stolen moment of peace within the deep palace.

Liu Airu seemed to sense the movement beside her and grumbled dissatisfiedly, a trace of lingering affectionate smile still hanging on the corner of her lips. Her moon-white nightgown was already loose, and as she turned over, it slipped to her shoulder, revealing the faint red marks on her delicate skin—marks left during their passion, the warmth he had left behind, and a unique, secret, and scalding sign of their love for each other.

Situ Jun's gaze softened. He reached out to tuck the corner of the quilt around her, wrapping her tightly. His fingertips gently brushed the stray hairs by her temples, and his thumb caressed her warm cheek. His movements were tender and full of pity, the surging passion and reluctance in his eyes almost overwhelming him.

He took one last look at the person on the bed, his thin lips parted, and his voice was so low and husky that only he could hear it:

"Wait for me."

With a soft murmur, he left without further attachment. His black robes fell silently in the gloom, and with a flash of his figure, he passed through the window lattice like a wisp of light smoke, merging into the heavy night without causing even a ripple, as if he had never stayed in this bedchamber.

The guards on the palace paths were still dozing, their heads nodding, completely unaware that a figure had swept past overhead.

The light from the palace lanterns flowed over Situ Jun, his black robes blending with the night. He followed the palace paths in his memory, flying toward the direction of the Royal Back Mountain Forbidden Ground adjacent to Cining Palace. His aura was suppressed to the point of being extremely faint, like a shadow merging into the night, swift and hidden, unnoticed by anyone.

In just half a cup of tea's time, Situ Jun stood within the residence of the Mysterious Clarity Master.

This place was separated from Cining Palace by only a lake about fifty feet wide. The bluestone pavement under the corridor along the lake shore was the same as that in the palace, dampened by the night dew and shimmering with a cold light.

Several clumps of secluded bamboo grew at the edge. The morning breeze blew, making the bamboo leaves rustle, contrasting with the sparkling ripples in the lake. It was quite quiet and elegant, not at all as oppressive as the rest of the palace.

The Mysterious Clarity Master had already sensed Situ Jun's aura. He immediately woke from his meditation and walked out quickly. Seeing the figure in black, he immediately bowed and saluted, his tone respectful and steady:

"Master."

Situ Jun nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the Mysterious Clarity Master, his tone carrying an unquestionable decisiveness:

"I will set out to return to the Northern Frontier today. The matters in the palace are entrusted to you."

The Mysterious Clarity Master lowered his head and replied:

"Rest assured, Master. Your Subordinate has already made arrangements for the various matters in the palace. If Master has further instructions, your Subordinate will naturally follow them without fail."

Situ Jun turned, his gaze fixed on the distant lake surface. The lake water under the night sky shimmered with a cold light. He spoke in a deep voice, his tone carrying an unprecedented solemnity:

"After I leave, Liu Airu will still reside in Kunning Palace. Keep an eye on her for me, especially—don't let Li Xuan touch her. Go and tell Li Xuan this personally; there's no need to be indirect."

He paused, and his aura suddenly turned several degrees colder, carrying an intimidating pressure:

"From now on, if anyone in the palace, whether it be the Empress Dowager, the concubines, or the close attendants around Li Xuan, dares to be disrespectful to her or harm her in the slightest, punish them severely without holding back. Also, look after the Liu Clan in secret and don't let anyone take the opportunity to make things difficult for them."

The Mysterious Clarity Master's heart shivered. Having followed Situ Jun for so long, he had never seen his master care so much about anyone. It seemed that this New Empress of Tianqi had truly entered his master's heart, and no mistakes could be tolerated.

He bowed again, his tone becoming even more solemn, carrying a determination to protect her with his life:

"Your Subordinate understands. I will surely protect Lady Liu's safety with my life. The Liu Clan will also be protected in secret, ensuring no one is harmed, and certainly not letting Your Majesty get anywhere near her."

Situ Jun nodded with satisfaction. The Mysterious Clarity Master was meticulous and handled matters steadily. With him stationed in the palace, he could return to the Northern Frontier with peace of mind.

He said no more, turned, and headed toward the exit of the back mountain. His figure soon merged into the morning mist of the back mountain.

On the other side, in the bedchamber of Kunning Palace.

The wind outside the window swept past the cracks with a chill, and the palace lanterns on the eaves swayed gently. The light and shadows mottled and flowed within the hall, making the messy bed even more evocative of the post-passion ambiguity and tenderness.

The scattered nightclothes, the slightly messy bed curtains, and the lingering scent of pine and woman's fragrance in the air all spoke of the madness and lingering affection of last night.