Chapter Eighteen: You Actually Splashed Me with Water

Where had this sudden wave of melancholy come from? Hua Rong was at a loss for words, so she hastily picked up her chopsticks and busied herself with the dishes.

“Your Majesty, eat more. Who knows if you’ll have another chance to enjoy this in the future!”

Her words sounded peculiar, and Jun Yeli’s brows knit together. Suddenly, his hand shot out and grabbed Hua Rong’s wrist. “What did you mean by that just now? Are you planning to leave me?”

“No, not at all!”

The truth was, once Jun Yeli grew tired of her, he probably wouldn’t visit her again, so this might as well be their last supper.

Jun Yeli, however, was not satisfied with her answer. He leaned in, unwilling to let the matter go.

Bathed in the pale moonlight, he stared at her cherry lips, now even more rosy and inviting. For a moment, he lost control of his emotions. “Have you realized that you are even more tempting than this so-called hotpot?”

His words left the air thick with embarrassment.

Yet the sight before him—her delicate features, haloed by a silvery edge from the moonlight, made her appear as rare and precious as a priceless gem.

If he were any ordinary man, surely young women would have trampled down his door, scheming for any way to become part of his family.

But alas, “If being with you leads only to death, then perhaps we should keep our distance.”

Hua Rong quickly forced a smile and shook her head. “Your Majesty, please calm yourself!”

With that, she extended her arms and pushed him away, taking a deep breath to steady the emotions that had been stirred moments before.

Seeing her so cold and distant, Jun Yeli grew more unsettled. “What does this mean? Are you playing hard to get? Haven’t you tired of such games? Do you really think I have such intentions toward you? How naïve.”

Feigning indifference, Jun Yeli picked up a slice of meat and placed it in his mouth, letting the mild spiciness distract him, finally feeling somewhat appeased.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Hua Rong, freed like a condemned prisoner who’d received a pardon, patted her chest with relief. Her unaffected manner only made him more displeased.

“You!” Jun Yeli’s expression darkened as he began to doubt himself. “Am I really so lacking?”

So many women vied to share his bed, yet this woman played her game of push and pull to perfection, making his heart itch with frustration.

After a moment’s struggle, Jun Yeli, unable to contain his irritation, grabbed the wine flask on the table and took a long swig.

“This wine is exquisite!” Jun Yeli’s eyes sparkled with sudden vigor. There was a faint fragrance of osmanthus, yet it wasn’t quite the usual kind. Upon careful tasting, he thought he detected other subtle flavors.

In any case, the aftertaste lingered wonderfully on his palate.

“Your Majesty, please drink less. What if you overindulge?”

“And if I do?” Jun Yeli’s tone carried a hint of threat, making Hua Rong shrink back. She forced a smile and quickly changed the subject. “If you drink too much, Your Majesty might spill your secrets to me, and that wouldn’t do…”

Her smile was painfully awkward, as if she were being held at knifepoint.

Jun Yeli frowned at her, not liking the look one bit. But after a moment, he chuckled. “Don’t worry. I never get drunk, no matter how much I drink. No wine has ever bested me!”

With that, he began drinking with abandon. When he saw Hua Rong unmoved, he grabbed another flask and held it out to her. “Join me!”

If you’re so intent on disaster, why drag me down with you?

If they both got drunk and lost control, it would spell utter ruin.

Yet under his pressure, Hua Rong could only nod and drink with him.

She sipped; he downed entire flasks. It seemed a fair arrangement.

“I have to admit, his tolerance is impressive,” thought Hua Rong, watching his carefree drinking, while he barely touched the food.

When the wine was finally gone, Jun Yeli looked unsatisfied. “Such fine wine, but so little of it. It’s a shame.” He then turned to Hua Rong. “Is there more? This is good. Have your people send a few large flasks over next time.”

Was he serious? Did he think she could just whip up more? She had brewed it herself, laboring painstakingly, and it had been no easy task!

“There’s none left, Your Majesty,” Hua Rong replied promptly. Even if she were killed, she couldn’t produce more. After all, there were osmanthus flowers in season, but at night—well, perhaps only ghosts could help her now!

“Oh.”

And what was that supposed to mean?

Hua Rong was confused. His cheeks were tinged with red, as though dusted with thick rouge. Something seemed off.

“Your Majesty, you’re not drunk, are you? Please don’t frighten me!” she pleaded. It was the middle of the night—what if he passed out here? Would she have to arrange for someone to carry him away?

At her words, Jun Yeli suddenly grinned and gazed at her with a dazed look. “What’s wrong? If I’m drunk, aren’t you pleased? On a long night like this, after a few drinks, what do you think we should do?”

“Of course… get a good night’s sleep?” Hua Rong tried to smile, but the conversation was slipping out of her control, veering off track.

He kept inching closer, and Hua Rong, alarmed, scrambled to her feet. “Your Majesty, please, calm down! I’ll think of something for you!”

With that, she tried to flee, but Jun Yeli’s eyes flashed with shrewdness. He sprang up like a tiger pouncing from a mountain and lunged at her.

Caught off guard, Hua Rong was instantly knocked to the ground, his body pressing heavily atop hers, making her feel utterly stifled.

“Your Majesty… please get up. Do you realize how heavy you are?”

“Isn’t a bit of weight… more to your liking?” Jun Yeli’s breath carried a faint trace of wine, and his husky voice was dangerously seductive.

Hua Rong’s heart jolted, panic welling up within her. “Your Majesty, since you’re like this, forgive me for my lack of courtesy!”

Glancing at the large water jar nearby, Hua Rong gritted her teeth, scrambled over, scooped up a ladle of water, and unceremoniously doused the emperor.

With a resounding splash, the water came down like a torrential rain, leaving Jun Yeli drenched and stunned.

“You… you actually threw water on me!” he exclaimed, utterly dumbfounded. Never had he encountered such insolence—in all his years as emperor, he had become a drowned rat!