Ling Shan's delicate eyelashes fluttered slightly, a strange yet somewhat familiar flutter of emotion rising in her heart.
"Shan Shan, there you are," Jun Wuyuan said with a gentle smile in his eyes. He leaned over and kissed her quivering eyelids softly, then reached out and took her soft hand, placing it on his chest. The strong and rapid heartbeat burned her palm.
Rather than sharing joys and sorrows, he hoped that the beloved Shan Shan could always stay in happiness while he bore all the hardships alone.
The flower blooming in his heart should not be exposed to the storm. It should only blossom brightly and gorgeously.
If the petals were drenched in the sudden downpour, looking delicate and powerless, it would only prove that he, the flower - keeper, was incompetent.
But Jun Wuyuan would never admit that he, a mature man, could be so incompetent.
It was he who allowed Ling Shan to get close to him step by step into his heart. How could he just watch the delicate flower wither?
Jun Wuyuan was a domineering man. The flower he cherished in his heart could only bloom more brilliantly.
Naturally, it could only have eyes and a heart for him alone, and bloom grandly only in front of him.
"Even if you're not afraid, I won't allow you to get the slightest bit hurt. This is what my heart clearly tells me. Not only today, not only in the future, Shan Shan, you should get used to it."
"Is it worth it?"
Ling Shan hugged him. Her tongue felt astringent. After rolling it around in her mouth, she finally asked, "You're the emperor. Aren't you afraid that I'll become spoiled and arrogant if you protect me like this?"
"Definitely worth it."
Jun Wuyuan met the trace of blank disbelief deep in Ling Shan's eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his head with a smile and kissed her gently.
"Shan Shan could do so much to protect me. What I've done is nothing special. Moreover, our Consort Zhao is worthy. Shan Shan, are you doubting my judgment?"
[Be spoiled and arrogant? My woman should be willful and bold. She should always be the one bullying others. Even if she's to be bullied, it can only be by me (meaningfully).]
Ling Shan: "..."
Really, all the just - welled - up emotions were wasted. Ling Shan really wanted to roll her eyes at him!
The perfect atmosphere was ruined. He just had to mess up her peaceful heart.
"Your Majesty, you're so kind."
Ling Shan buried her face completely in Jun Wuyuan's shoulder. Her voice was a bit muffled, hiding the sudden eye - roll.
He was really so kind that she couldn't help but be both in love with and annoyed at him!
[Since you know I'm kind, work harder at night from now on. It's best to exercise well, so as not to...]
Pass out halfway through and end up aborting the task!
Ling Shan pretended to accidentally bite down on someone's scapula. It didn't hurt but felt a bit tingly.
"Shan Shan..."
Jun Wuyuan lowered his head as if he wanted to say something else, but Ling Shan suddenly looked up and met his sparkling peach - blossom eyes, stopping his absurd thoughts.
"Your Majesty, you don't know that I almost got silenced just now."
What?
Jun Wuyuan's thoughts and movements suddenly froze. In an instant, all his attention was drawn to her words.
"What happened?"
Countless thoughts quickly flashed through Jun Wuyuan's mind. He nervously supported Ling Shan's waist and scanned her body up and down with his eyes.
Ling Shan was slightly stunned by his nervous gesture, and then her heart felt warm.
"Fortunately, Your Majesty came back quickly. Otherwise, I don't know where to find you."
Ling Shan leaned closer. Her lips got close to Jun Wuyuan's ear. With a bit of fear and complaint, her words drilled into Jun Wuyuan's heart.
Even Jun Wuyuan felt a bit scared. He originally thought that no one else would be stupid enough to appear in this dense forest full of tigers.
But who would have thought that someone would actually get close.
That damned cripple. Instead of staying put, he had to come and watch his death with his own eyes?
Jun Wuyuan sneered. His hand landed on Ling Shan's back and gently stroked it.
"Shan Shan, do you want to go hunting wild boars?"
[Wild Boar Ridge, right? Jun Wuhan, this dead cripple, picked this feng shui treasure land for himself. It's just perfect for burying himself.]
Ling Shan: "..."
This was the most slandered wild boar ever!
Yes, of course she wanted to.
But...
"Your Majesty's wound can't get wet. How about..."
"It's okay. The rain will stop soon. I'll take you to watch a good show."
Alright.
If Jun Wuyuan said it was okay, it was okay. She also really wanted to know the identity of the black - clothed man opposite Jun Wuhan.
The rain hadn't stopped yet. Ling Shan leaned in Jun Wuyuan's arms and didn't feel the slightest bit of cold. She happily played with Jun Wuyuan's fingers with her warm hands and voiced out her doubts.
After she finished speaking, she saw a glint of surprise that seemed almost disbelieving in Jun Wuyuan's sparkling peach - blossom eyes.
What did that mean?
Ling Shan felt as if a row of sharp thorns had risen on her back. Her big, round almond eyes stared at Jun Wuyuan warily, as if she was just waiting to bare her teeth and bite.
Jun Wuyuan was amused by her cute look. No matter what he was thinking in his heart, he skillfully reached out to smooth her hair.
"Our Shan Shan is so smart."
[I didn't expect her to be so sharp - eyed and catch this shady rat. She really is the girl I love. This kind of tacit understanding... is simply amazing!]
Ling Shan: "..." She rolled her eyes silently.
It seemed that her guess was right.
The identity of that black - clothed man was definitely fishy.
Jun Wuhan, this stupid guy. Don't even know who the other person was and just get involved in such a life - threatening matter of regicide?
If it was really as she thought, then Jun Wuhan was really stupid to the point of being laughable.
"Your Majesty, who do you think this person is?"
Using the name of the Langya Wang Clan, colluding with a prince in private, intending to assassinate the emperor and usurp the throne, and hiding his true identity.
Which prince could it be? Or was it some other force besides the Langya Wang Clan?
Ling Shan couldn't make more judgments based on the memories and information in her mind, so she had to seek the answer from Jun Wuyuan.
She originally thought that the Empress Dowager Wang and the Grand Tutor Wang were the biggest villains, but unexpectedly, there was still an unknown mastermind hiding in the dark.
The Great Yan Dynasty was more chaotic than she had imagined when she first came.
If she didn't keep a sharp eye out, she might lose her life next time without even knowing what was going on. That would be really unlucky.
[I guess it must be someone who is tired of living. He's just waiting for me to send him to hell.]
"I guess..."
Jun Wuyuan dragged out his words, looking as if he really knew something.
Ling Shan looked at him speechlessly in her heart. On the surface, she blinked her eyes expectantly, waiting for the emperor's words.
Jun Wuyuan let out a short "er". The tips of his ears turned red unnaturally.
Then, in a very awkward tone, he changed the subject:
"Hey, the rain has stopped. I'll take Shan Shan to Wild Boar Ridge to watch a good show in person?"
[That damned guy behind the scenes made me speechless. Once I catch him, I'll definitely skin him alive...]
Ling Shan: "..."