Holding the Emperor Hostage : Chapter 77: Hot Springs

The hot spring palace had both open-air and indoor springs.

It was already early winter, and the cold air was biting. Even though the open-air springs were surrounded by exotic flowers and rare plants, creating a lovely atmosphere, and the surrounding temperature was warm and pleasant, Yin Shuhuai still chose an indoor spring.

The entire palace was built of jade, and even the pillars supporting the roof were carved from white marble. It was simple and weighty, yet not lacking in refinement and elegance. Beside the pool near the water, there was a couch of imperial concubine style, with a folding screen standing before it.

The attending maids helped Yin Shuhuai undress, then brought fresh fruit and grape wine. At Zhuang Wuwei’s signal, they tiptoed out in single file.

“You may go too.” Yin Shuhuai waved his hand. He had never liked having people around him when he bathed.

Zhuang Wuwei and the other attendants bowed in acknowledgment and withdrew without a sound.

In an instant, only Yin Shuhuai remained in the hall. He entered the water wearing his snow-white inner garments and leaned comfortably against the stone wall. He picked up the grape wine and poured himself a cup, drinking slowly. After a long while, he let out a deep sigh.

Footsteps sounded from behind. Yin Shuhuai was about to turn when a large pair of hands suddenly covered his eyes: “Would Your Majesty like to guess who I am?”

Yin Shuhuai blinked. His thick eyelashes were like two small brushes, lightly brushing against the palm of the person behind him: “In all of Ji County, there will not be a second person so outrageously bold.”

A muffled laugh came from behind. Shentu Yang released his hands and rested his chin affectionately on Yin Shuhuai’s shoulder: “Your Majesty is truly wise.”

Before the words had finished, he leaped into the pool. In an instant, water splashed everywhere, drenching Yin Shuhuai from head to toe.

Yin Shuhuai, furious with embarrassment, kicked Shentu Yang in the shoulder: “Get away from me.” Like a husky that only knows how to wreck the house.

Shentu Yang was quick of eye and deft of hand. He reached out and caught Yin Shuhuai’s ankle. The slender, fair ankle was held in a large bronze-colored hand. Shentu Yang took the opportunity to draw close to Yin Shuhuai, pressing his entire body flush against Yin Shuhuai’s chest. He smiled and said: “Your Majesty is truly rough.”

Forced into this position, Yin Shuhuai leaned backward, his body pressed tight against the stone wall behind him, one leg still firmly held by Shentu Yang. In a flash, Yin Shuhuai’s other leg suddenly bent and lifted. Shentu Yang let out a muffled grunt and retreated rapidly.

Yin Shuhuai braced his right hand against the stone wall, twisted his waist, and delivered a flying sweep kick, striking Shentu Yang hard across the neck.

Water splashed and sprayed in all directions. Shentu Yang’s form suddenly sank beneath the water. The next second, Yin Shuhuai felt his waist gripped tightly. A head surfaced against his chest, and Shentu Yang, his face covered in water, laughed out loud at Yin Shuhuai: “Your Majesty has such a cruel heart…”

Before he could finish speaking, he cupped Yin Shuhuai’s neck with both hands and kissed him fiercely.

No one knew how much time passed before the two of them separated, breathing heavily. Yin Shuhuai bent his knee and thrust again, kicking Shentu Yang away, then leaned lazily against the stone wall.

“Your Majesty truly uses me and then tosses me aside…” Shentu Yang wiped the water from his face, swam up to Yin Shuhuai, and tapped his nose with a finger: “You little heartless one.”

“What kind of madness are you throwing?” Yin Shuhuai frowned, utterly baffled. When had he ever used him and tossed him aside?

Shentu Yang chuckled softly. He leaned in and kissed the lightly furrowed space between Yin Shuhuai’s brows: “Don’t frown. If Your Majesty has any troubles, you may tell me freely. I will settle everything for Your Majesty.”

Yin Shuhuai was a bit thirsty. He turned and poured a cup of grape wine. Looking at Shentu Yang before him, he drank the sweet wine in one gulp: “Does the Duke of Yan intend to serve others with his looks?”

“Your Majesty is wise.” Shentu Yang drew close again, kissing Yin Shuhuai’s lips in fine detail, swallowing the sweet wine in Yin Shuhuai’s mouth bit by bit. His burning body was strong and powerful, pressing hard against Yin Shuhuai, who was pinned to the stone wall: “With my looks, would I truly wrong Your Majesty?”

The very confident Shentu Yang pecked at His Majesty’s lips again and again, in a casual and unhurried manner: “Your Majesty, this humble minister has wanted to serve others with his looks for a very long time. What must I do for you to accept me willingly?”

The dense, unbroken kisses made Yin Shuhuai’s mind grow chaotic. Perhaps it was the intoxicating wine tonight, or perhaps it was the rippling waves of the hot spring. In any case, a thread of lingering restlessness slowly rose in Yin Shuhuai’s heart as well. He suddenly reached out and gripped Shentu Yang’s neck, pulling him down hard…

Warm spring water beat against the hard stone wall again and again. Water splashed in all directions. The plate of fruit by the pool’s edge slowly slid into the water. Colorful fruits drifted and floated on the surface.

When Yin Shuhuai woke up, it was already the middle of the night.

Cold, clear moonlight poured in through the window panes ground from scallop shells, casting the hall in dim twilight. By the window, a branch of wintersweet was delicate and dripping with moisture, giving off waves of faint fragrance. Through this dim light, Yin Shuhuai turned on his side and looked at the person sleeping beside his pillow.

Even in sleep, this person still instinctively held Yin Shuhuai in his embrace. One arm served as Yin Shuhuai’s pillow, while the other arm rested carefully on Yin Shuhuai’s waist. As Yin Shuhuai shifted slightly, Shentu Yang’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. His body instinctively pressed closer, and in his sleep he patted Yin Shuhuai’s back in a muddled way, rubbing his forehead against the tip of Yin Shuhuai’s nose. One thigh pressed down possessively on Yin Shuhuai’s body, holding him firmly in place.

Yin Shuhuai, imprisoned by Shentu Yang like an octopus: “…”

With some effort, he moved away the thigh pressing down on him. Before Shentu Yang could react further, Yin Shuhuai directly lifted his own thigh and pressed it down on top.

Excellent, he could finally breathe smoothly. Yin Shuhuai let out a soft breath. The next second, Shentu Yang’s eyes opened. His pupils were clear and sharp, without the slightest trace of sleepy drowsiness.

Yin Shuhuai: “…You were not asleep?”

That was impossible. Shentu Yang’s breathing had been long and even. He had clearly been asleep.

“I was asleep.” Shentu Yang’s voice was lazy, carrying a husky tone of deep satisfaction: “You moved, and I woke up.”

A man accustomed to fighting on the battlefield possessed a vigilance that ordinary people could scarcely imagine. Even if Shentu Yang had been sleeping soundly the second before, the slightest rustle would bring him instantly awake. Not to mention that he held such a great treasure as Yin Shuhuai in his arms.

As he spoke, Shentu Yang’s large hands roamed continuously over Yin Shuhuai’s waist and back, then pressed precisely on the acupoints all over his body, massaging him.

Yin Shuhuai enjoyed himself with narrowed eyes and reached out to pat Shentu Yang’s cheek: “Not bad. The Duke of Yan’s skill at serving people is quite exquisite.”

“Naturally.” Shentu Yang let Yin Shuhuai pat his cheek again and again, playing at obedience: “I was also a slave for more than ten years…”

The moment these words were spoken, the hand on his cheek instantly stopped. In the moonlight, Yin Shuhuai’s outline flickered in and out of view, his expression unreadable.

Shentu Yang, who had spoken so lightly and casually, suddenly felt the world go dark before his eyes. It was Yin Shuhuai leaning forward to kiss his brow: “A hero is not asked about his origins.”

“Is Your Majesty comforting me?” Shentu Yang raised an eyebrow, rolled over to pin Yin Shuhuai beneath him, and brushed his lips against Yin Shuhuai’s in a teasing, near-touching way. He lowered his voice: “If Your Majesty wishes to comfort someone, you should”

Before he could finish speaking, Yin Shuhuai had already grabbed Shentu Yang’s hair and pulled down, forcing Shentu Yang to lower his head.

“Has anyone ever told you that you are truly long-winded sometimes?” After saying this, Yin Shuhuai did not wait for Shentu Yang’s response and kissed him directly.