YIYUAN

Li Lian took off her outer garment and footwear, leaving herself in an inner light robe. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was not like she hadn't received training  concerning this matter. The secret was to make herself appear vulnerable, nervous, unsure and delicate. Men loved this as they would feel that they had the power and full control. The art of deception.

She lightly pushed the curtain and sauntered into the room. Undeniably, her heart hammered, a mixture of fear and excitement. If she played well, this would end with her on her way to being one of the highly ranked women in the harem.

Yuwen Hong was relaxed on his huge bed which had four posts of restrained bed curtains to be closed when he was ready to sleep. Around him were a number of scrolls he scrutinised closely.

It took only but a moment for him to sense intrusion in his s.p.a.ce. Lazily, his eyes lifted and a flash of appreciation crossed his face, his lip curling. She imagined that he would carry the same calmness when surrounded by a.s.sa.s.sins.

"How wonderful," he grinned like a kid that just attained a toy he had asked for over many moons.

Li Lian flattered her eyes and slowly took out the hair pins, letting her long hair fall freely.

He reached for a cup that lay by his bedside and downed the contents, eyes still on her.

She untied the handkerchief next, the move before her final one in which the robe that covered every curve of her body was to fall.

The Grand General... No, he was Yuwen Hong now. The emperor.

Yuwen Hong stood expectantly and prowled toward her at a measured pace. His night gold gown trailed in an exquisite fas.h.i.+on and without doubt she was convinced he was Emperor Huizhong. His gait spoke for him the words, 'I own the world'.

She bat her eyelashes and smiled as she started to work on the knot of her garment.

He nodded to encourage her. Never had she encountered his eyes flooded with l.u.s.t.

Undoing her last knot, her inclination was to widely part her garment when his hand ceased hers. They stopped her from exposing herself to him. She looked up at him questionably, hoping that maybe he was considering stripping her for himself.

"Why today Li Lian?" There was a fold on his forehead that made his face scary, coating all seriousness.

"Hmm? Didn't you say you want me?" She feigned confusion.

He let go of her and turned, his back facing her. His huge hands crossed on his back casually. "I spread a rumor, stating that there is a spy that must be captured and executed tonight." He chuckled. "And guess what I get hours later? I get a packaged Li Lian, willing to offer herself."

"If I did the opposite wouldn't you still suspect me? You would say I was hiding from you for the fear of my life."

"But you are not that type." He unexpectedly turned and harshly gripped her throat. "You are like me. Trouble does not scare you. It attracts you."

Her trembling palms caught his hand, helpless for him to loosen his grip. Mental images of how he almost had her dead the last time he had her like this haunted her. His face was blank and she couldn't calculate what was on his mind. "You...don't know... me..." she struggled for words.

"True, that. I don't know you because you could be anyone else." He weirdly smiled, releasing his grip. "Elora, Li Lian, a spy. Who knows?" His thumb softly grazed her neck that was probably reddening. "Hungry?"

She thought she heard him wrong until he further said. "I have some midnight snacks prepared tonight. Would you like some?"

She slowly shook her head. Poison! Yuwen Hong was shallow to poison her to death.

"I knew you would say yes." He purposely mistook her words. "Eunuch Nam, bring back my midnight snacks!" He took the ties of her garment and knotted them together. "You look beautiful tonight." He rubbed the length of her arms, watching her face closely. The look he wore was empty.

Li Lian took a deep breath still startled from her near death experience. Yuwen Hong spared her life because he was not sure who she was. His heart was tied to Elora, then why not as well use this as leverage to claim what he once promised to her?

To become his empress.

She comforted herself by saying to her heart, even though she just got rejected it was no big deal as her beauty was not determined by others. Though she couldn't deny that she was slightly hurt. She smiled back at him, "Thank you." Feelings were unacceptable in the procession of her mission.

"Your Majesty, the food is ready." Eunuch Nam spoke from outside.

"Only Eunuch Nam may enter," Yuwen Hong instructed.

As ordered, only the eunuch entered with a gold tray. He didn't dare look up. The tray was placed on the table prior to him rus.h.i.+ng out.

Yuwen Hong took her hand in his larger one and led her to the small table. On each side were cream fancy zabuton cus.h.i.+ons.

"Slowly," he muttered as he sat her on a cus.h.i.+on. The snacks smelt good. Li Lian saw vapour escape the dishes, raising red flags. If it was the same snacks they brought out earlier on, surely they wouldn't be as hot.

Yuwen Hong lifted the lids one by one. "Spicy crayfish is good for the heart," he winked, "especially the  poisoned heart."

Li Lian gasped. He was indeed planning to poison her dead. She gave out a fake cough when he looked up to a.s.sess her.

Was he saying her heart was sickening to him?

"I also like warm tea before sleep. Good for my stomach." He took a cup and poured some. "Here. Test it. It is quite fragrant."

She was proud of herself when her hand did not tremble as she took the cup. "Ah," she squealed when it dropped, spilling on the table. Not that it was by accident―of course it was.

Unlike his usual self that was easily angered. He laughed. "No worries, I will just pour another."

"No. Don't trouble yourself. I am not a person that likes to indulge in midnight snacks. It causes indigestion."

"Hao." He picked his chopsticks and poured himself some tea.

Surprisingly, he ate his food. Unlike what she had suspected, the food was not poisoned. He moaned several times to ensure she knew he was enjoying himself.

She licked her lips, wis.h.i.+ng to have a taste too.

Yuwen Hong grinned when he saw this. "Now you realise that it's not poisoned?"

"That never crossed my mind," she bluntly objected.

"Here, open your mouth and take a bite." He pitied her, collecting a piece of spicy crayfish.

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Li Lian eagerly opened. She knew royal food tasted great and could be compared to none.

The crayfish brushed her lips and playfully, Yuwen Hong ate it instead.

"Childish," she scorned at the man who bowled in laughter.

His loud laugh made her relax and she knew it was the perfect time to confess. It was either now or never. She had to tell him to save herself. "Yuwen Hong, I must tell you something."

He quietened down while taking a sip of his tea. "Confess what?" He raised an eyebrow. "That you are Elora?"

Her heart screamed, 'NO!'. She musn't tell him. Not when the purpose was to serve her father's selfish desires. What they had in the past was pure and could not be tainted by schemes. "Yes." She looked down.

There was no going back now. It was too late.

S.V