Chapter Thirty-Four: Incapable in That Regard

“No, no, Your Majesty, you should find someone else to accompany you in the bath; I’m really not suited for such things!” The very thought of that passionate scene made Hua Rong unable to convince herself. As a woman, she held firm views on romance. She could accept a man having several wives, but three people bathing together…

Ahem… It was truly improper!

Summoning every ounce of strength, Hua Rong finally escaped his grasp. She fled, stumbling and tumbling, out of the room like a shot arrow.

Her abrupt departure left Jun Yeli stunned. He lowered his gaze to his empty hands, bewildered. “She just left like that?”

She had just hinted at sharing a romantic bath, so how could she leave at this moment?

“What on earth is going on in this woman’s mind? She teases me and then simply walks away?”

Jun Yeli felt as if he were being toyed with like a monkey, unable to restrain his frustration. As a monarch, even if someone wished to play with monkeys, it should be others performing; when had he ever become so passive?

Lost in thought, Jun Yeli’s heart stirred with uncertainty at Hua Rong’s sudden escape, leaving him feeling strangely empty. “Consort Rong, you really do have a remarkable talent…”

He sighed, yet couldn’t help but smile.

Meanwhile, Hua Rong, having narrowly escaped disaster, was panting heavily, disheveled from her struggle moments before.

The eunuch standing guard outside was somewhat surprised and couldn’t resist glancing at Hua Rong a few more times. “Your Ladyship, what happened to you?”

Even if things inside were heated, to emerge so unkempt was rather improper.

At his words, Hua Rong felt utterly helpless and waved her hand, shaking her head. “Enough! His Majesty is engaged in such important matters, why didn’t you stop me? I nearly walked right into the lion’s den!”

Thankfully, she had only stumbled upon a young lady bathing; had she witnessed something more explicit, she’d never be able to clear her name!

Thinking of this, Hua Rong couldn’t help but hug herself, shivering all over. “Truly, His Majesty is formidable; when it comes to Zhao Longzi’s affairs, he always aims for double victories. Remarkable!”

She was grateful she’d run fast enough!

Seeing Hua Rong’s look of relief after disaster, the eunuch was perplexed. “Your Ladyship, there’s nothing wrong; entering was just right for you. I was helping you!”

It was just a bath—why so alarmed? The eunuch believed there must have been a fierce encounter inside.

He smiled, feeling he’d done a great deed. But Hua Rong shot him a glare. “Enough, why don’t you serve him yourself?”

…

As the saying goes, like master, like servant; he actually thought this was helpful?

“Forget it, I won’t argue with you. I won’t change my mind, I’ll find my own way!” Hua Rong waved him off, unable to summon the courage to face the emperor again. The thought of his bold tastes made her tremble.

With that, she lifted her skirts and dashed away, leaving the eunuch utterly confused. “Did it work or not?”

If it worked, he’d get a reward. If not, what had happened inside to leave Hua Rong so terrified?

Just as he was pondering, Jun Yeli called out from inside, “Eunuch Li, come in and scrub my back!”

At his words, Eunuch Li dared not delay and hurried in.

Upon entering, Jun Yeli sat amidst rose petals in the bath, like a beauty bathing, his long hair flowing.

Eunuch Li took the scrubbing cloth and gently rubbed Jun Yeli’s smooth back. “Your Majesty, is this pressure to your liking?”

Jun Yeli nodded, but his face remained troubled.

His mind was filled with the image of Hua Rong fleeing, leaving him perplexed.

“What do you think Consort Rong means? Why is she so passionate one moment, then deliberately distant the next?”

Even if it was the legendary ‘playing hard to get’, shouldn’t there be a balance? She had tantalized him so thoroughly, only to leave him empty-handed every time!

The thought left Jun Yeli frustrated.

Eunuch Li was puzzled. “Your Majesty, what do you mean? Was there no progress between you and Consort Rong moments ago?”

Progress? There was none. Jun Yeli sighed, saying nothing more.

Eunuch Li was speechless. “Impossible! With the way Her Ladyship looked, I thought…”

Hua Rong was disheveled and her clothes rumpled, yet Jun Yeli hadn’t succeeded?

After pondering, he looked at Jun Yeli in surprise, his gaze subtly changed.

“Why are you staring at me?” Through the water’s reflection, Jun Yeli saw Eunuch Li’s shocked expression and sensed something was off.

Eunuch Li tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, could it be that… you’re incapable in that regard?”

Otherwise, how could a beauty in your arms leave you with nothing?

As emperor, who could refuse such a woman, unless Jun Yeli himself faltered?

The words made Jun Yeli’s body stiffen, a silent anger spreading. Sensing trouble, Eunuch Li quickly changed his tune. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, I spoke out of turn. I’ll never mention this again, and rest assured, no fourth person will ever know!”

The second to know was likely Hua Rong—no wonder she left in such a hurry.

“Enough, I’m perfectly fine. Don’t concern yourself!” Jun Yeli shot him a glare.

To be insulted by a eunuch—who gave him the courage?

Eunuch Li breathed a sigh of relief. “Then why…?”

“Why ask so many questions? What does it matter to you?” He’d rather not discuss it; the more said, the more painful.

A monarch spurned by his own consort, played like a monkey again and again—how humiliating! Where would his dignity remain?

After a moment’s struggle, Jun Yeli spoke, “By the way, have the envoys from the foreign states made any move in the guest hall?”

He hadn’t had time to pay them much attention lately, and they showed no intention of leaving. What were they plotting?

The eunuch shook his head. “No movement at all.”

That was strange. After a pause, Jun Yeli said, “If they’re so quiet, something must be amiss. Pass on my order—organize a grand race, and invite those snakes to compete as well!”