TSFLIP Chapter 273

Feng Guang did not return to her tent but instead ran to the riverside beneath a tree. When the emperor hurriedly left, no one dared stop her, and when she ordered, her four personal guards could only stand watch from a distance.

Crouching by the river, Feng Guang stared at her reflection in the water for a long time, trying to calm her racing heart. In the fifteen years she had lived in this world, she had never recalled anything or anyone from her previous life—until today. The poison incident had inadvertently brought her thoughts back to that man.

What was more terrifying was that, for a fleeting moment, Gu Yan’s face seemed to overlap with Xue Ran’s.

Clutching her chest tightly, she muttered, “System, Gu Yan is Gu Yan, and Xue Ran is Xue Ran, right?”

“Why is the host asking this question?”

“Just tell me the answer!”

“…Gu Yan is Gu Yan, and Xue Ran is Xue Ran.”

Hearing the system’s confirmation, she finally relaxed, completely ignoring the strange hesitation in its response. All she needed was this reassurance.

Suddenly, a man’s silhouette appeared on the water’s surface. Before she could turn around, the man grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. She barely steadied herself before his urgent, passionate kiss claimed her lips.

Forcefully parting her lips, his tongue entwined with hers in a dominating and wild dance. Overwhelmed, she struggled to keep up, and just when she thought she might pass out from lack of air, he finally relented, as if granting her mercy.

Her legs gave out, and she fell into his arms, gasping for air. No kiss between them had ever been this fervent, not even in their most passionate moments before.

Gu Yan’s slender fingers grasped her chin, tilting her face upward. His voice was hoarse yet commanding, “Tell me, who is Xue Ran?”

Even his usual deferential “this subject” self-address was gone.

Heart pounding, Feng Guang hesitated. If she told him Xue Ran was her ex-boyfriend, wouldn’t he tear her apart? “He… uh…”

The sound that escaped her lips carried an inexplicable allure. Embarrassed, she coughed a few times to clear her throat, adopting her usual nonchalant tone. “Does my uncle remember the little white cat I kept as a child? It died not long after I got it. Its fur was as white as snow, so I named it Xue Ran. It even loved osmanthus cakes. Thinking of it just now made me sad, so I came here.”

“Is the emperor speaking the truth?”

“Of course,” she replied, regaining her composure. “But, Uncle, let me remind you—I’m the emperor. Don’t you think your behavior—taking advantage of me and questioning me—is inappropriate for a subject?”

He chuckled softly, his smile inexplicably seductive. “Your Majesty must be joking. From the moment you began seducing me, it was you who stripped away my adherence to protocol. Now that I’ve given in, how could I be at fault?”

Feng Guang sneered. “Uncle, you misunderstand. I only wanted a child.”

“There are plenty of men in the world, yet you’ve poured the most effort into me. Could it be that only I can satisfy you?” His lips curved into a faintly wicked smile.

Unwilling to back down, she smirked. “Uncle, you’re overthinking it. I just prefer the convenience of what’s close at hand.”

“Then, Your Majesty, do you know what the term ‘wild encounter’ means?”

“What?” Feng Guang blinked in confusion—not because she didn’t understand the term, but because she didn’t see why he’d suddenly bring it up.

Leaning closer, he planted a light kiss on her lips, whispering, “The scenery here is quite lovely. Why not take the heavens as our blanket and the earth as our bed? Shall I… satisfy you here?”

The tables had turned. Feng Guang never expected her previous mention of “wild encounters” would come back to haunt her. Admittedly, there was a faint thrill in the idea…

But as a woman, maintaining her dignity was crucial—no matter how feigned it might be. She straightened her expression and said seriously, “Gu Yan, stop joking. My guards are nearby!”

Gu Yan replied calmly, “No need to worry. I already ordered them to leave.”

“Gu—Gu Yan!”

“Your Majesty, I’m here,” he said smoothly. Before she could protest further, he lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the woods.

What happened next was unsuitable for children.

Afterward, he helped her dress, holding her close as he smiled—a touch of mischief in his usually gentle demeanor. “It seems Your Majesty is quite pleased with my performance.”

Feng Guang glared at him fiercely but eventually buried her face in his chest, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.

Her sulking expression was unbearably adorable.

Gu Yan placed a soft kiss on the top of her head, so light she wouldn’t notice, his eyes softening. Scooping her up again, he said, “Your Majesty, allow me to escort you back to camp.”

“No,” she murmured, clutching his robes. Her face was hidden, so her expression was unreadable, but her voice was quiet and faint, like a kitten’s mew.

Gu Yan’s gaze softened further. “You don’t want to return to camp?”

“If I go back like this… people will gossip…” Her reasoning was less about fear of rumors and more about her bruised ego.

“Your Majesty need not worry. You’re the emperor; no one dares comment on your actions. Have you ever heard a single whisper about the times you teased me?”

True enough. Anyone who dared speak out likely couldn’t speak anymore.

Finally, she lifted her head, her face impassive. “Uncle, I’m a wise ruler. I don’t abuse my power to silence dissent.”

Gu Yan smiled faintly. “And yet, during the time you insisted on making me your consort, you reminded me daily that a subject cannot defy an emperor’s orders.”

Feng Guang averted her gaze uncomfortably, knowing she couldn’t win this argument.

As expected, when the camp saw the emperor being carried back by the esteemed Prince Qian, the shock was palpable.

Lan Tingrong, after his initial surprise, felt a glimmer of hope. He had spent years at the border to avoid his engagement with the empress, and now, seeing her dynamic with Prince Qian, he thought perhaps his burden could finally be lifted.

Meanwhile, Mu Liang commented coldly, “Such impropriety.”

Xia Fengya glanced at him and smirked. “You don’t understand. This was inevitable.”

From the moment she saw Gu Yan’s fiery resolve, Xia Fengya had a hunch—Feng Guang wouldn’t escape him.