Chapter 173: Is This the Princess’s Answer?

When Xiao Li finally calmed down and slowly opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Lou Yan’s cold gaze. His eyes were long, narrow, and sinister, as gloomy as a deep fog. But at this moment, they swirled with a host of complex emotions that were difficult to decipher.

Xiao Li’s wound was on her left arm. From the looks of it, he had just been the one to bandage it.

She had cut deeply, and the wound throbbed with pain. But now that her emotions had settled and she was completely calm, an injury like this felt trivial.

"What are you doing here?"

Having vented all her negative emotions, she felt surprisingly good.

It wasn’t joy or delight, but the comfort of being cleansed by a clear spring. Her body and mind felt light.

Lou Yan slowly rose to his feet. He was silent for a long moment before speaking. "Princess, what was the reason this time?"

Xiao Li froze for a moment. She suddenly remembered that he had been there the last time she had been overwhelmed by her emotions, too.

"Let’s just say I went mad."

With a single glance from her, Lan Yue and Hong Yue withdrew, closing the door behind them.

Lou Yan lowered his gaze to her. "Was it because of what His Majesty said?"

Xiao Li’s gaze fell to his hand. "Does it hurt?"

Lou Yan took a deep breath. "Princess... are you trying to torture this servant to death?"

Xiao Li didn’t understand. "Hmm?"

Lou Yan leaned down, his broad frame casting a shadow over her. His gaze was scorching, his breathing taut. "Can the Princess tell this servant why you had to hurt yourself?"

Xiao Li simply looked at him, showing no intention of explaining.

Her pain was ineffable, impossible to put into words.

That look in her eyes, so full of rationality and chilling indifference, completely ignited the emotions Lou Yan had been suppressing.

"If the Princess won’t answer, then this servant will ask a different question."

He took Xiao Li’s hand, placed it on his sash, and then untied it himself.

He yanked open his robes, revealing a wide expanse of his chest, then grabbed her hand and pressed it inside.

Before Xiao Li could even react, his own breathing grew ragged.

He lowered his head, drawing close to her cheek to inhale her scent, his lips hovering near but never touching. "The Princess wants three thousand handsome consorts, yet you don’t even dare to touch this servant. Is it something I’ve done wrong, or have you already grown tired of me?"

’She took such good care of that boy from the Feng Family, even kissing him first. Her claim of being tired of it all might have been a lie for the Emperor’s benefit, but what about him? Had she grown tired of him, too?’

His hot breath ghosted over her skin. The sound of his restrained breathing was incredibly seductive, yet it also carried the startling danger of a wild beast drawing near.

Xiao Li didn’t feel like speaking. She was overcome with the kind of lassitude that follows complete emotional release. If she could, she would love nothing more than to lie down and sleep. But clearly, someone was not going to let her.

His skin was scorching and firm beneath her palm. She could feel the hard planes of his muscles, and scars.

Xiao Li couldn’t resist tracing one.

"Nnngh..." A sudden, muffled groan escaped him, sounding both pained and sensual.

Xiao Li paused for a second, then gave him another wicked squeeze.

Lou Yan buried his head in her shoulder, fighting for control. The hand he had braced on the armrest clenched, veins standing out in sharp relief.

Xiao Li turned her head to kiss him, but Lou Yan abruptly stood up straight. His expression remained cold, with only the bewitching, flushed corners of his eyes betraying his inner turmoil.

"Is that the Princess’s answer?"

Xiao Li’s fingertips still lingered on his skin. She leaned back against the chair, tilting her head up to look at him, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Lord Seal Master, is that a question or a seduction?"

A fire instantly kindled in Lou Yan’s eyes. He seized her hand, pressed it down, and slowly lowered his head.

"I am begging for the Princess’s mercy."

His tone was humble, but his actions were audacious as he kissed the red lips he had longed for. Tentatively at first, and when he wasn’t rejected, he began to greedily drink in her sweetness.

Xiao Li tilted her head back, letting him take what he wanted without much of a response, as if simply enjoying his attempts to please her. That is, until he guided her hand farther down, to the waistband of his trousers.

Xiao Li turned her head slightly to the side, preparing to pull her hand away.

Lou Yan stopped kissing and opened his eyes. His were shimmering, full of unconcealed desire, while hers were perfectly clear and serene.

Frustration. Indignation. Helplessness.

He scoffed at her. "The Princess is afraid of this? And here you are, talking about three thousand handsome consorts."

Xiao Li remained cool and unruffed. "Goading me is useless."

’Goading is useless, and so is seduction. What a heartless master she is.’

’He had countless ways to tempt her, but her hand was injured.’

He could only rise slowly and retie the sash he had just undone.

After straightening his robes, he knelt on one knee. "This servant has offended you. I await the Princess’s punishment."

He was prepared to be struck. Mindful of her injured hand, he even turned his face to the side for her.

What came instead was an annoyed kick from Xiao Li. It wasn’t hard, but it was enough to send the vicious Lord Seal Master—a man who had killed his way to the top—toppling to the floor.

Lou Yan started to get up, ready to kneel again, but Xiao Li bent down and pulled him up by the hand. The wound from the golden hairpin wasn’t large; with medicine applied, it had already scabbed over after half a day.

"You certainly are quick," she said. "I was only trying to frighten the Emperor. When you appeared, you scared me, too."

Lou Yan’s fingers closed around hers. "The Princess can do whatever she wishes. Why must you harm yourself?"

’She hadn’t been hurt this morning, but by nightfall, blood had been drawn after all.’

Xiao Li still hadn’t changed. The blood had dried on her white nightgown, looking like scattered red plum blossoms—a shocking sight.

Xiao Li raised her hand, her fingertips touching his chin. With a slight pull, she guided his face down. Seeing the expectation in his eyes, she leaned in and gave him a light peck on the lips.

"I have my own plans. Ask again, and you’re not being good."

’No one was to control her. Not even in the name of concern.’

Lou Yan’s eyes trembled. He was unwilling to accept it, but he couldn’t change the fact that to Xiao Li, he was merely a plaything. No grand purpose, no deep affection—just a casual flirtation. He was someone to be summoned and dismissed at her whim.

Disposable.

’And yet, he adored this cold, cruel, wicked heart of hers. So what if he was just a plaything?’

"Princess, your clothes are soiled. Might... this servant be allowed to help you change?"

The look in his eyes was anything but innocent. His gaze was dark, flickering with the flames of desire, like a predator waiting for its meal to be served.

’She wasn’t normal, but then again, what part of him was?’

"Of course," she said. ’As if she would be afraid of him.’

Xiao Li spread her arms, her wicked smile fixed on him, her eyes full of challenge. "But if you get the slightest bit out of line, this princess will personally finish the job and castrate you completely, you lecherous, impure eunuch!"

Lou Yan had a feeling he was about to risk his life, but... he couldn’t refuse in the slightest.

Mr. Lou had struggled to survive in the palace since he was a child and prided himself on his superior endurance and self-control. But he had clearly overestimated himself. With just one glance, his defenses crumbled completely.

Enduring Xiao Li’s merciless laughter, he managed to finish dressing her. The next moment, he was clutching his nose and fleeing in disarray.

"Hahahahaha..."

Xiao Li’s unrestrained laughter followed him out. Lou Yan felt a rare flush of shame and annoyance, but the memory of a certain image... ’This is pure torture!’

Hong Yue and the other two guarding the door exchanged bewildered glances. What was going on now?