Jun Yulin looked at the girl’s slightly anxious and weary expression, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
Only then did the officials around them realize that something seemed off about the atmosphere. There was a faint sense of oppression, but none of them could quite figure out what was going on.
After the morning court session ended, Yan Luo, with her eyes barely staying open, directly refused the usual debriefing from that certain someone who’d used her as a pillow all night and returned to her quarters to catch up on sleep.
She felt like she was has been just making up for sleep all the time in this dimension…
She slept in a drowsy haze, and yet Jun Yulin, who had already left, returned once more. He stood beside her bed, watching Yan Luo’s furrowed brows as if she was somewhat uncomfortable. Seeing the exhaustion on her face, a trace of heartache gradually appeared in his eyes.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly. Blinking, he carefully and quietly sat at the edge of her bed.
This time, thanks to the precedent of the night before, Jun Yulin was bolder. He lightly poked her here and there with his fingers, then gently lay down on the bed and inched closer to Yan Luo.
He was still maintaining that cold and indifferent appearance, but in his eyes there was a cautious kind of probing.
A strangely satisfied expression.
Hmm… The little girl had grown up, but as an emperor, it was only right to be diligent in handling state affairs…
Then, as he looked at her faintly furrowed brow, Jun Yulin blinked and thought: the peach blossoms are blooming nicely right now. As a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl, being cooped up here all day must’ve felt awfully dull. He should take her out for some fun this afternoon.
Just as he was thinking that, the sweet-smelling little thing beside him naturally turned over in her sleep, and a small hand of hers rested right onto his waist. Jun Yulin’s breath hitched. Looking at Yan Luo’s little face now turned toward him, he instinctively licked the corner of his lips and leaned down to nuzzle her lips softly.
His heart was racing wildly. He realized that ever since the morning court that day, something had subtly changed.
He used to be confused about it, but now he was absolutely certain.
Yes. He liked her…
But no, he couldn’t. There were still things left undone. She had just turned eighteen. She had just ascended as the new emperor, and the court was still unstable. She needed to focus on governing diligently.
As for that whole consort selection thing that had come up before—yeah, it w way too early. He’d find a way to shut that plan down.
Anyway, the little girl used to like him, didn’t she? So she definitely still does now!
Actually, Jun Yulin found it a little strange. Why hadn’t Yan Luo given him this kind of feeling before? Now, everything about her felt like it was coated in honey, slowly seeping into his heart, from her sweet smile to her slightly lazy voice.
It felt like it all happened so suddenly, and now she appeared utterly exquisite in his eyes.
Especially when that little face of hers smiled so lazily and carelessly, it just melted his heart.
Other than him… who else could possibly be worthy of her?
But… there were still a ton of troublesome matters waiting for him.
Still expressionless, he came to a decision, then quietly stayed by her side for a while before slipping away again.
The weather today wasn’t great—slightly overcast outside with a light drizzle. When Yan Luo finally woke up, reviewed some memorials, and had lunch, she lounged lazily, eyes half-closed and not wanting to move.
And then, Jun Yulin showed up again.
His dark hair was damp with a trace of moisture, and seeing Yan Luo’s languid posture, a flicker of amusement passed through his eyes.
“Royal Uncle, why are you here again?” Yan Luo asked with a cheerful smile, but her tone was far from welcoming.
She was still mad about the night before.