Chapter 7

Zhu Hui's face twitched in annoyance at being called a Eunuch. He reached out and teasingly played with Yuan Ling's hair. He lowered himself and kissed the strand of hair tenderly while staring at Yuan Ling deeply. His voice was seductive, "Then how would I have serviced my Lord like last night?"

Yuan Ling found his face blushing so deeply, he believed that it may actually be steaming. He looked away and muttered shyly, "I-I could have pushed Hui-Gege down…"

Zhu Hui leaned in even closer, "Oh? Does my Lord really think he could do such a thing? Could he really push down another with these delicate hands?"

He gave the exposed ivory hand a gentle kiss while staring into Yuan Ling's eyes. Yuan Ling felt himself gulp as he stared back feeling himself be seduced.

Zhu Hui's hand gave a tantalizing squeeze on his upper thigh, "And could my Lord's thin legs last all night on top?"

Even though he had several layers of thick clothing, he could still feel the proximity of Zhu Hui's hand. He trembled as his body anticipated the touch. Zhu Hui smirked at his reaction, desperately wanting to tease him more.

Suddenly, a knock came on the door causing both to flinch and immediately pull away from each other. A voice sounded from behind the door, "My Lord! Forgive this lowly servant, but the officials are waiting for you in the audience room… Is it… Is it safe to come in?"

Yuan Ling buried his embarrassed expression under his hands. Zhu Hui stood up and cleared his throat, "Come in."

Eunuch Wan hesitantly stuck his head in as if he were preparing to have a stone tablet thrown at him. Usually, the Emperor was never in a good mood in the morning as if angered that it was him who woke him up and not another.

Yuan Ling would then strip off his clothes, shout at the Eunuchs, and throw things demanding to see Zhu Hui. Zhu Hui would come -even though they never had to ask him to- and he somehow managed to control the childish Emperor.

Eunuch Wan's eyes widened when he noticed Zhu Hui already in the room, "Eh? So it WAS true! You really did stay here all night!!"

Yuan Ling snapped at him, "Oi! You better not allow any ridiculous rumors to spread! If you do, I will gut you and your entire family!"

Eunuch Wan went pale and crashed to his knees to prostrate. His voice wailed, "Please have mercy, my Lord! This lowly servant would never dare!!!"

Yuan Ling let out a sigh. Eunuch Wan had served him for many years so he was accustomed to this behavior. However, it still gave him a headache. It's not like he was ever serious about it. He held his forehead in exasperation, "Just don't allow people to talk. Now stand up. Let's go meet those annoying old men."

Yuan Ling stood up and felt his legs turn into soggy noodles. He fell forward from his lack of strength. Instead of falling to the ground, he landed in the arms of Zhu Hui who had caught him effortlessly.

Yuan Ling looked up at Zhu Hui with sparkling eyes, "T-Thank you Hui-Gege."

Zhu Hui grunted back, "En."

Eunuch Wan sprung forward, "My Lord!? Are you okay!?" His expression froze as he saw Yuan Ling in Zhu Hui's arms wearing a coy and endearing look. Was this really his Emperor?! Why did he look like a wife ogling her husband?!

Yan Ling nodded lacking the strength to leave his arms, "Yes. I'm fine. I was just momentarily imbalanced."

Zhu Hui whispered into his ear, "Still think you can push me down?"

Yuan Ling pushed him off with a flustered look and raised his head proudly, "L-Lets go. We can't be slow or else Empress Dowager will scold me again."

Zhu Hui gave a nod, "En."

Yuan Ling took a deep breath and used his leftover strength to walk. While he focused on appearing normal, his lips twisted from the effort. His hips swayed uncomfortably as his bottom region agonized from the previous night's torment. However, he was determined not to show just how destroyed his body was.

Zhu Hui followed closely, preparing to catch him at any moment. Seeing Yuan Ling concentrate so much on walking caused the corner of Zhu Hui's lips to twitch while he tried to refrain from smiling. Those who saw this expression thought he was possessed.

Of course, no one dared to ask the Emperor why he was walking so strangely, nor did they have the courage to ask the military expert Zhu Hui if he was smiling or cursing someone.

Yuan Ling walked into the audience room with a proud look on his face. He didn't seem to be struggling as much as before. However, Zhu Hui knew it was just an act. As childish as Yuan Ling was, he really loathed looking weak in front of his officials. He could be bleeding profusely and he would still turn his nose up in their presence.