Chapter 102: I Can’t Have You Here (5,000)

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Mo Yan turned to meet Jin’er’s gaze, smiled gently at her, and squeezed her hand reassuringly, signaling her to proceed with the treatment without worry.

Jin’er had not expected him to ask her to treat the emperor. At first, she was somewhat surprised and nervous. But once she sat down and began to pulse diagnose the Fire Emperor, her calmness and confidence as a healer dispelled all irrelevant emotions.

Before long, Jin’er withdrew her hand and inquired, “Has Your Majesty often suffered from headaches, restless nights with frequent waking, occasional palpitations, and a persistent cough recently?”

Hearing this, the Fire Emperor nodded in mild surprise. She had accurately identified all his symptoms.

“I have been coughing incessantly these past few days and took the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician, which has improved my condition. But now my headache is unbearable; it feels as if a heavy stone presses upon my mind. Managing the memorials is arduous and painful.”

Jin’er frowned slightly and nodded. “May I first perform acupuncture on Your Majesty? It can provide immediate relief for headaches.” Saying this, she took out the silver needle kit she carried with her, awaiting his approval.

The elderly eunuch nearby hesitated but couldn’t speak up.

The Fire Emperor raised his hand to stop him and smiled at Jin’er. “I trust Mo Yan’s judgment.”

Upon hearing this, Jin’er smiled ambiguously and glanced at Mo Yan, who was watching her with a smile. She said nothing further, stood up, walked beside the emperor, opened the silver needle kit, selected a slender, long needle, located an acupoint on the emperor’s head, and gently inserted it.

The elderly eunuch was terrified to see such a long needle penetrating the emperor’s head. He covered his mouth with trembling hands, his face full of horror. Yet, in this tense moment, he dared not make a sound, staring intently without blinking.

Though acupuncture was not unheard of, daring to perform it on the emperor’s head was a boldness perhaps only this young lady possessed.

After the incense burned for a while, Jin’er carefully removed all the needles.

“Your Majesty, it is done.”

At this, the Fire Emperor slowly opened his eyes, moved his head, and after careful feeling, joyfully discovered the headache had truly vanished.

“Wonderful! My headache is gone, and I feel indescribably light, as if I have become several years younger!” The emperor exclaimed excitedly. “Your medical skills far surpass those of the imperial physicians in my court!”

Who would have thought she was so young, possessing not only breathtaking beauty but also such extraordinary medical talent—truly a perfect blend of inner and outer refinement. Mo Yan was indeed fortunate; no wonder he was so deeply enamored with her.

The elderly eunuch nearby also looked at Jin’er with newfound respect, silently considering when he might ask her to treat his longstanding ailments.

“Your Majesty flatters me. This is merely symptomatic treatment; medication and several more acupuncture sessions are still needed. Moreover, this headache stems mainly from Your Majesty’s excessive toil. If you continue this way, the headaches will recur even if temporarily relieved.”

The Fire Emperor nodded, then cast a meaningful glance at Mo Yan before turning back and smiling. “Indeed, I am old and weary; I no longer wish to labor so hard. Soon, I shall have more leisure.”

Jin’er did not grasp the implication of his words but smiled and put away the needle kit. Mo Yan also smiled faintly, revealing no further emotion.

At that moment, the Fire Emperor slowly rose. “You said several more acupuncture treatments are needed?”

Jin’er nodded.

“Then I shall trouble you to come again in a few days for treatment.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will prepare the prescriptions immediately.”

“Address yourself by your own name; no need to be so formal,” the emperor said, noticing how she repeatedly referred to herself as a humble servant, which sounded awkward.

Mo Yan smiled and said, “Yes, Father, no need to call her ‘Miss’ anymore. Just use her name—we are practically family now, no need for such formality.”

At this, Jin’er blushed and shot him a glare, whispering in frustration, “Don’t say such things.”

“Ha ha ha!” The Fire Emperor observed their exchange and assumed they were playfully teasing each other. Laughing heartily, he then looked at Jin’er and said, “Mo Yan’s words are sincere. He truly cares for you. Otherwise, I would grant you both a marriage decree right now.”

Upon hearing this, Jin’er was struck as if by a thunderbolt. Without thinking, she blurted anxiously, “No!”

The emperor was stunned. How many women dreamed of such a bestowed marriage, yet she refused?

Mo Yan’s face paled slightly, a fleeting sense of disappointment crossing his heart. He quickly reached out and tugged on Jin’er’s sleeve.

Only then did Jin’er realize her outburst and hurriedly smiled awkwardly. “What I meant was that Your Majesty labors day and night; there is no need to trouble yourself with such trivial matters for people like us.”

The emperor’s expression softened, and he smiled. “It’s no trivial matter. Besides, it’s just the next imperial decree—not very taxing.”

While Jin’er was anxious, Mo Yan hurriedly added, “Father, I am not in a rush for this matter. Let us prepare properly before asking you to grant us marriage.”

The Fire Emperor looked at Mo Yan and quickly understood his intent, nodding in agreement.

“Very well, this matter will be decided another day. I have affairs to attend to; you may take your leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please escort this gentleman to fetch the prescription,” Jin’er said, trying to calm herself as she turned to the elderly eunuch.

The Fire Emperor nodded, and the eunuch led Jin’er and Mo Yan out of the study to the adjoining room to write the prescription.

Watching the three depart, the Fire Emperor smiled faintly and stroked his beard with satisfaction. Yet, somehow, he had a vague feeling that Jin’er might not be entirely willing to marry Mo Yan.

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Sigh—he hoped he was overthinking it…

After leaving the study, Mo Yan and Jin’er walked silently. Jin’er was still shaken by the earlier surprise and felt a lingering fear. Had the marriage decree truly been issued, she didn’t know what she would have done.

“Father likes you very much,” Mo Yan suddenly said, smiling as he glanced sideways at Jin’er.

“Is that so?” Jin’er answered absentmindedly.

“Of course. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken the initiative to arrange a marriage for us,” Mo Yan said with a smile, though his brow furrowed as the memory of Jin’er’s strong opposition played in his mind. “Jin’er, why did you react so strongly then?”

Jin’er’s heart tightened; she pressed her lips and feigned casualness. “Didn’t I explain afterward?”

Mo Yan smiled. “I don’t think that was a good explanation.”

Jin’er stopped walking, frowned, sighed, and after staring at him for a long moment, spoke softly, “I dislike feeling forced into something.”

“You should know I sincerely want to marry you. Father knows my feelings, hence his words,” Mo Yan said seriously, his smile fading.

“I’m not even sure if I can live. It’s too early to talk about these things,” Jin’er said helplessly.

“I don’t mind. Actually, if the worst should come to pass, I’d rather marry you first and give you complete love,” Mo Yan’s eyes brimmed with sincere affection, almost burning into Jin’er’s soul.

“Why do you insist on this…” Jin’er sighed and turned away, lacking the courage to meet his gaze.

At that moment, Mo Yan gently embraced her from behind, his arms slowly tightening, holding her close.

“But I won’t let that ‘if’ come true. I will help you detoxify; I won’t let anything happen to you,” Mo Yan murmured, nuzzling her hair softly.

Jin’er opened her mouth to speak but swallowed her words. At this moment, she truly could not utter anything that might hurt him.

After a long silence, Mo Yan released her, took her small hand, and led her toward the imperial garden.

This time, Jin’er did not resist. Perhaps feeling indebted to him, she began to offer her affections in advance.

Two white-clad figures strolled hand in hand through the imperial garden. Whether seen from behind or front, they resembled a celestial couple, evoking both envy and admiration for their perfection.

Various flowering trees stood tall, rockeries clustered, pavilions and towers echoed each other, blossoms fragrant, water babbling, butterflies fluttering among flowers, and fish chasing in the streams.

Though the environment in Haoyue Palace was not bad, it paled in comparison, for the scale was simply incomparable.

“Is this place beautiful?” Mo Yan glanced sideways at Jin’er and asked.

“It is, but only having this one patch of sky to see every day—one would inevitably grow bored,” Jin’er answered thoughtfully.

Such words would have resonated deeply with Mo Yan in the past, but now he could not. This would become his imperial garden, his own sky—a place he reluctantly yet inevitably loved.

“Let’s sit,” Mo Yan said, concealing his sorrow behind a smile.

“Okay.”

Mo Yan led Jin’er to a nearby stone bench and sat down, turning slightly to pull her close with an arm around her shoulders.

Jin’er lowered her head, lightly biting her lower lip, allowing such intimate closeness. Truly, if she could set everything else aside, this feeling of intimacy was quite pleasant.

Just as she thought this, Mo Yan gently hooked a finger to lift her chin.

Jin’er looked up at him; her gaze fell upon his tender, rosy lips. He parted them slightly, and a deep, alluring voice drifted out. “You look troubled. What are you thinking? Tell me.”

Her eyes seemed locked onto his lips, unable to look away. The distance was neither near nor far.

Her throat involuntarily tightened; the subtle sound reached Mo Yan’s ear, as if a feather had brushed his heart.

“Tell me…” His voice grew hoarse, and he lowered his head slowly, inch by inch.

As his sensual lips drew nearer, Jin’er’s heart raced. She wanted to flee but found herself utterly frozen. Unexpectedly, she felt a faint sense of anticipation.

Torn between wanting to escape and a hidden yearning, her heartbeat quickened in nervous tension. Ultimately, she could not evade his lips even slightly. When the soft, warm touch came, her heart trembled.

Her mind went blank; she slowly closed her eyes, and her tender lips relaxed, yielding to his kiss.

He was gentle, as if savoring delicately, cautiously afraid of harming her. His slick tongue tenderly licked her lips, her teeth, then ventured inside to explore her sensitivities.

At this moment, she thought of nothing else but the emotion and joy he brought her.

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His kiss seemed magical, capable of emptying her thoughts, including all painful memories and conflicting emotions.

Her breath was erratic, heart racing without rhythm, and the world around them ceased to exist—only their lips, tongues, and mutual desire remained.

For the first time, she longed to continue, to let something happen. Her body felt soft, her soul empty, aching for relief.

She began to respond with her tongue to his tenderness, feeling his body tremble. His breathing grew heavy and urgent, his embrace tightening as if to embed her into his heart.

She experienced what it meant to be entwined and lost in passion truly.

After what felt like an eternity, Mo Yan reluctantly parted from her swollen, rosy lips.

Jin’er slowly opened her eyes, filled with lingering desire and haze.

“Jin’er…” Mo Yan called softly, his voice hoarse. “We can’t go on. I cannot take you here.” He smiled helplessly, words laced with hidden pain.

Facing his ambiguous yet affectionate smile, Jin’er’s cheeks burned. Realizing her own abandon, she felt a flush of shame and quickly buried her head in his chest, afraid to look up.

Mo Yan smiled and lowered his head, stroking her long hair with deep tenderness, feeling indescribable happiness.

“Jin’er, don’t leave me…” He was afraid—truly afraid that one day she would go away, especially after her passionate refusal of the marriage decree earlier.

Thinking this, he hugged her tighter, fearing that if he loosened his grip, she would fly away.

Jin’er closed her eyes, breathing in his unique scent, her heart stirred momentarily. Yet, she said nothing.

Mo Yan’s heart sank with her silence, nearly bottoming out before slowly rising again.

She neither accepted nor refused, did she? He did not believe she would abandon him—not truly.

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“Your Highness, this afternoon the Second Prince brought that young lady to see the emperor,” a junior eunuch reported, bowing before Mo Fan.

“What? He brought her to see Father? For what?” Mo Fan slammed down his teacup, face full of anger and confusion.

“I heard it was to treat the emperor’s illness. Her medical skills are remarkable; the emperor praised her highly.”

“She knows medicine?” Mo Fan said in surprise. After a moment, he raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Interesting, very interesting… I must have her!”

“Your Highness, the emperor likely knows about their relationship now. I fear…” Wang Lin hesitated beside him.

“Afraid of what?! Even if I can’t truly have her, I will still…” Mo Fan’s lips curved into a sinister smile.

Returning from the imperial garden, Jin’er kept her head down, her heart in turmoil. Mo Yan thought she was shy about the earlier matter and held her hand silently.

After dinner, he had work to attend to, so Jin’er wandered alone through Haoyue Palace, taking an evening stroll. Xiaodie wanted to follow but Jin’er preferred solitude and did not let her come.

After walking aimlessly for a while, Jin’er sat down in a pavilion by the stream. She picked a leaf she had just plucked and gently blew on it.

Her voice was still tinged with melancholy, ethereal and clear, like a sorrowful breeze caressing the pavilion. Her mind flooded with memories—joyful, painful, sad, helpless, and the solemn promises once made to her… Suddenly, it all felt like a dream, though she did not know when she would awaken.

“Sigh! You’ve just blown away my good mood,” a teasing voice rang out nearby, snapping Jin’er back to reality.

She turned to see a handsome, elegant man clad in pale blue brocade robes stepping up to the pavilion. He held a closed folding fan in his right hand, rhythmically tapping his left palm. His demeanor was refined yet carried a hint of roguish charm, somewhat reminiscent of Mo Yan when they first met.

Jin’er had to admit her luck in encountering such attractive men—as if fate delighted in sending these dazzling figures her way. Yet now, she wondered if this were truly a blessing.

Her thoughts involuntarily drifted to Mo Yan, Tianyu, Qingyue, and Liunye—each unparalleled in grace and talent—all crossing her path and entangling her heart, leaving her confused and uncertain of her true feelings.

“You must be Jin’er?” The man frowned, noticing that like other women, Jin’er stared at him unblinking but as if looking through him, lost in thought. This made him feel somewhat vexed.

He seated himself boldly on the stone bench in the pavilion’s center, his gaze unabashedly appraising Jin’er.

“Who are you?” Jin’er snapped out of her trance and curiously asked, aware this was Haoyue Palace—not a place anyone could freely enter.

“You truly are a rare beauty; no wonder Mo Yan is willing to make such sacrifices for you,” Zimou said with a smile, ignoring her question.

Jin’er arched an eyebrow. “What sacrifices has he made for me? What do you mean?”