Li Zhaoyi’s reaction was purely instinctive.
He was too accustomed to obeying Lu Zhong.
Even if he didn’t agree, Lu Zhong had raised him single-handedly.
That trust was a subconsciousness etched into his very bones.
His only consolation was that his movement was very slight, more like an unintentional shift. He felt Yun Yin wouldn’t notice.
Yun Yin said, “What are you dodging?”
Li Zhaoyi: “…”
He stared at Yun Yin, somewhat shocked, but Yun Yin had already narrowed his eyes.
He asked, “You don’t want me to touch you?”
Li Zhaoyi felt his words sounded strange.
He suspected Lu Zhong’s influence had warped his perception, making everything sound odd. He was about to explain, but in his panic, he stumbled. Just as he was about to fall, Yun Yin’s hand wrapped around his waist.
Caught off guard, Li Zhaoyi crashed into his embrace.
The embrace came too suddenly.
Li Zhaoyi couldn’t recover his wits. Unsteady on his feet, dizzy from the collision, his nose was filled with the familiar scent of Yun Yin’s body.
Yun Yin hadn’t quite recovered either. The feeling of this embrace was far better than he’d imagined. The young emperor’s body was warm. Not only were the curves of his cheeks soft, but his waist was also yielding. It sank into his hand, as if it could be molded and kneaded at his will.
His gaze deepened, and the arm holding the person tightened unconsciously.
When Li Zhaoyi steadied himself and looked up, he plunged into a vast, pitch-black sea.
This sea was boundless, yet he seemed able to see the surging, dangerous undercurrents beneath.
His heart pounded wildly, almost to the point of dizziness.
He said, “…Let me go.”
His voice was very soft, tinged with helplessness. Not only did it fail to end the situation, but it fanned the flames burning in Yun Yin’s heart.
Yun Yin had to take a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the rampaging desire within him.
Then, he said in a low voice, “Still dodging?”
Li Zhaoyi said, very feebly, “I wasn’t dodging.”
Yun Yin chuckled lightly. “Your Majesty had better not be.”
He released Li Zhaoyi.
Naturally, he didn’t think Li Zhaoyi truly intended to dodge him.
Li Zhaoyi was obedient and well-behaved. Occasionally, he had small tempers and was shy. He always seemed very afraid of him.
But Yun Yin was certain of one thing.
That Li Zhaoyi actually liked him very much.
This liking wasn’t necessarily born of romance. After all, Li Zhaoyi was as clean as a blank sheet of paper.
Unlike romantic affection, Li Zhaoyi seemed to regard him as someone to respect and revere, entrusting his greatest trust and dependence upon him, firmly believing he was a good person.
Because of this, even though he sensed something unusual between Li Zhaoyi and Lu Zhong, Yun Yin hadn’t really taken it to heart.
And it was precisely because of this dependence that Yun Yin was willing to exercise some restraint for now.
Of course, only for now.
He didn’t dare guarantee what would happen later.
Nor would he make any guarantees.
It was very strange.
When he’d thought it was just a fleeting impulse, Yun Yin had been frequently agitated by this feeling.
Now that he had truly confirmed his interest in Li Zhaoyi, Yun Yin’s mood had instead become rather good.
His volatile mood clearly left Li Zhaoyi very confused. He didn’t understand why he was being picked on over details, nor why this scolding started harshly but ended so lightly.
He was released, and then his collar was straightened.
Then, he heard Yun Yin say, “Your Majesty, would you like to ride a horse?”
–
Sitting in the carriage leaving the Imperial Palace, Li Zhaoyi kept wondering whose wish this outing truly fulfilled.
If it was his own—
He hadn’t even had the chance to tell Yun Yin about his progress in learning.
But if it wasn’t his, could it be Yun Yin’s?
Whoever’s wish it was, the result was the same: what he’d originally thought would be a very difficult task was as easy as pie for Yun Yin, even simpler than eating or drinking.
Yun Yin didn’t really care about his opinion either.
After asking that question, he summoned De Quan and instructed him to prepare clothes.
Surprise flashed in De Quan’s eyes, but he respectfully obeyed. Li Zhaoyi knew Lu Zhong would learn of this soon enough, but he could hardly explain Yun Yin’s actions.
He looked at Yun Yin almost helplessly, but Yun Yin showed no sign of the self-awareness that he was being protected yet undermining his own position.
As Li Zhaoyi changed into the close-fitting riding attire, Yun Yin’s gaze remained fixed on him.
Until Li Zhaoyi asked uneasily, “…Is it strange?”
Only then did he withdraw his gaze.
“No.”
“It looks very good,” he said.
It truly did look good.
The riding attire accentuated his waistline and greatly complemented his bearing.
The only incongruous element was Li Zhaoyi’s overly delicate and gentle features.
But this incongruity completely vanished the moment a spark of competitive spirit flared in his eyes after Yun Yin laughed at him for failing to mount the horse. It was replaced by a rare, stunning sight.
Yun Yin confirmed another point.
Li Zhaoyi wasn’t without a temper; he just didn’t direct it at him.
In truth, the little emperor possessed a stubborn, unyielding spirit.
This stubborn streak was deeply hidden. Yun Yin was very satisfied that he was one of the few people who had drawn it out. The subtle displeasure he’d felt earlier from Li Zhaoyi’s dodge finally dissipated entirely.
On the contrary, he’d originally only wanted an excuse to spend time with Li Zhaoyi. Now, seeing Li Zhaoyi’s appearance, he felt somewhat moved himself.
After Li Zhaoyi could be led around for a few laps, Yun Yin began to seriously instruct him.
“Straighten your back. Grip the horse’s flanks tightly.” He wrapped his arms around Li Zhaoyi, speaking calmly in his ear, “Don’t sway.”
Li Zhaoyi followed his instructions, and the effect was immediate.
His forehead was damp with sweat, but his eyes were sparkling, already brimming with excitement.
After riding, the two of them went to rest nearby.
Yun Yin asked, “Did you like it?”
Li Zhaoyi nodded.
He loved the feeling of riding a horse.
Free and unrestrained.
Riding a horse, it felt like he could gallop anywhere.
Yun Yin smiled: “Then Your Majesty must grant this minister one request, and this minister will often bring Your Majesty out to ride.”
It was actually a lie.
The moment he saw the look in Li Zhaoyi’s eyes, he had already decided to bring him out riding from time to time. Princes were supposed to have lessons in riding, archery, and martial arts anyway; he wouldn’t mind being that teacher.
Li Zhaoyi, now familiar with his tactics, muttered softly, “Why do you always do this?”
He said, “I’ve been very obedient lately.”
His docility softened Yun Yin’s heart. Yun Yin said, “Alright.”
“Then how about Your Majesty makes a request of me instead?” he said. “Consider it a reward from this minister for Your Majesty’s diligent hard work these past days.”
His generosity came so suddenly that Li Zhaoyi’s eyes widened.
This made him look even more like a cat.
Yun Yin—
Lowered his eyes, thinking.
Perhaps temporary restraint wasn’t a bad thing.
After all, this Li Zhaoyi—probably no one could refuse him.
Before he figured out exactly what to do with this person, he shouldn’t overestimate his own self-control.
He waited for Li Zhaoyi to make a request.
It would just be those things: small toys, delicious treats, or a beautiful painting.
Li Zhaoyi’s world was very pure.
Yun Yin was willing to satisfy them all, even give him more.
Then, he heard Li Zhaoyi hesitantly say, “I can ask for anything?”
Yun Yin raised an eyebrow.
Had his courage grown, thinking ahead?
He didn’t feel offended; rather, it was like being scratched by a kitten’s paw, not painful at all, more like a playful gesture.
He said very straightforwardly, “Your Majesty may speak freely.”
Perhaps seeing his good mood, Li Zhaoyi fell into hesitation.
But this opportunity was simply too good, truly a now-or-never moment. After hesitating for a moment, he still gathered his courage and spoke.
“…I don’t want to make a request. I want to ask a question.” He said cautiously, “You can also choose not to answer.”
He paused for a few seconds, then said quietly, “I want to know, Yun Yin, why… don’t you become the emperor yourself?”
