Zhu Zhuyun pulled down her hood, revealing a face that had been carefully prepared with makeup. Despite her beauty, she couldn't hide the tension and longing in her eyes. She held out the empty jade bottle toward Ye Yin, her voice shaking just a little bit.+3
"Mr. Ye... you promised me," she whispered. "The netherworld essential oil..."
Ye Yin looked back and forth between her nervous face and the empty bottle. His smile grew wider as he spoke. "Oh? So you have already run out of the oil". He stepped back from the window to make room for her. "Come inside first. It is the middle of the night. It wouldn't be good for your reputation as the eldest lady of the Zhu family to be seen talking outside a window like this".+1
Zhu Zhuyun bit her lip and hesitated for just a second. Then, she quickly climbed through the window and landed silently on the floor.
A single lamp gave off a soft, yellow glow in the room. The air smelled like Ye Yin—a fresh, pleasant scent mixed with a hint of dampness from his bath. Being alone with a man late at night made the air feel heavy and tense. Zhu Zhuyun's heart began to beat faster. She pulled her cloak tighter around her body, trying to hide how panicked she felt inside.+2
Ye Yin didn't seem to notice her nervousness. He walked over to the table and poured two cups of water. "Sit down," he said, gesturing to a chair. He then leaned back on a soft couch near the window. His bathrobe was slightly open, showing his collarbone and part of his chest.
Zhu Zhuyun's face turned red as she looked at him. She sat down stiffly and gripped her hands together. "Mr. Ye, I..."
"I know why you are here," Ye Yin interrupted. He began to play with a new jade bottle in his hand. It was dark and smooth, and the liquid inside moved as he turned it. Zhu Zhuyun couldn't take her eyes off it.
"I have plenty of things," Ye Yin said slowly. "But I don't give my things away for nothing".
Zhu Zhuyun spoke up immediately. "I will do whatever you ask! The Zhu family is on Prince Mubai's side now, we can—"
Ye Yin laughed softly and shook his head. "The Zhu family made a smart choice, but that is a deal I made with the family. Right now, I am talking about you, Zhu Zhuyun herself".+1
He looked at her with a gaze that was bold and aggressive. He stood up and walked toward her, step by step. His tall frame made her feel small, and his charming scent made it hard for her to breathe. She wanted to move away, but she felt like she was stuck to the chair.
Ye Yin stopped right in front of her. He leaned down and lifted her chin with his fingers, forcing her to look into his eyes. "If you want power, you have to pay a price, don't you?"
His touch felt cool, but it sent a spark through her that made her whole body shake. She looked at his handsome face so close to hers. Her mind told her this was dangerous, but her hunger for power and her strange feelings for him were like vines wrapping around her thoughts.+2
"I... I..." she stammered.
Ye Yin moved his thumb across her lower lip in a slow, provocative way. "It seems like you miss your last treatment".
Zhu Zhuyun's face turned bright red. She felt ashamed, but she also felt a strange rush of excitement. She closed her eyes tight as if making a big decision. When she opened them again, she looked determined and even a little seductive.
"As long as you give me what I want... I am yours to do with as you wish," she said.
A satisfied smile appeared in Ye Yin's eyes. He didn't say another word. He leaned down and kissed her. Zhu Zhuyun struggled for just a moment before she gave in completely. All the stress, fear, and ambition she had felt for days seemed to pour out into that kiss.
Her cloak fell to the floor, and her clothes were removed one by one. Under the dim yellow light, they held each other tightly. Ye Yin was very skilled, leading her into feelings she had never known before. Zhu Zhuyun went from being shy to being active. She wanted to let go of everything she had been holding inside. Her nails even left red marks on his back.
The room was filled with his masculine scent and a faint smell of medicine that made her head spin. She had tried to push against his chest at first, but her hands were weak. Feeling his warm skin and strong heartbeat made her fingers tremble. Soon, she wasn't pushing him away; she was holding onto him like a person trying to stay afloat in a storm.
Ye Yin felt the change in her and kissed her even more deeply. He held the back of her head with one hand while the other moved over her back, making her feel numb with excitement. A quiet moan escaped her throat. Her eyes were wet with a few tears of shame, but her body responded to him anyway.
Her reason was completely gone now, replaced by a flood of desire. The temperature in the room seemed to rise as they stayed together. Ye Yin controlled the rhythm perfectly, sometimes being gentle and sometimes being forceful. Zhu Zhuyun felt like a small boat on a giant ocean, moving however he guided her. She felt like two different people: one watching herself fall from grace, and the other enjoying every second of the intense storm.
When it was finally over, Zhu Zhuyun lay on the bed, exhausted and covered in sweat. Her skin was a soft pink color. She looked lost, her soul feeling empty while her body still shook slightly from the experience.
Ye Yin lay beside her, propped up on one arm. He played with her messy hair and looked at her with a look of appreciation. He enjoyed seeing this side of her—the side that wasn't cold or proud. He had a very satisfied smile on his face.
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