Chapter 416 - 414: Seize Every Opportunity
"Lord Qin, it’s been a long time since you last visited. I thought maybe there was something about the Carefree Pavilion that didn’t satisfy you."
Bai Yaoyin spoke softly, unconcerned by the curious glances from those around her.
"Chief Steward Bai."
Qin Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile, brushing off the topic lightly.
This Chief Steward of the Carefree Pavilion was not as enthusiastic as she appeared on the surface. Ever since she was first embraced by him, Bai Yaoyin maintained a deliberate and reserved distance from Qin Yu.
Despite greeting him each time he arrived, the distance was kept just right—neither discourteous nor overly intimate. Even her attire was dignified and elegant, exuding a conservative charm, as if she was afraid of compromising herself.
But what has happened today?
Did she have a change of heart after not seeing me for a month?
"Lord, the room is ready."
Bai Yaoyin gracefully stepped forward, gently taking Qin Yu’s arm with a soft and sweet voice that made hearts tremble, as if inciting a desire to claim her on the spot.
Amidst envious and jealous gazes, Qin Yu appeared detached, with a serene smile, walking towards the third floor without a care.
In truth, Qin Yu was clear-minded; he could tell Bai Yaoyin was not accustomed to this. When her delicate fingers touched his arm, he distinctly sensed a slight stiffness in her graceful demeanor.
If it were any of the four alien race girls on the third floor, they would have already enthusiastically embraced him.
Yet Bai Yaoyin always maintained a small distance, never touching any sensitive spot.
It wasn’t until they entered the familiar elegant pavilion courtyard that Qin Yu took the initiative to withdraw his arm from her embrace.
"Chief Steward Bai, there’s no need to force yourself if you’re uncomfortable."
Qin Yu spoke with a calm demeanor.
Bai Yaoyin’s beauty could rival that of his tender wives. Her figure was exceedingly alluring, her face a blend of innocence and allure, as if nature’s finest strokes had crafted a unique landscape.
However, behind Bai Yaoyin stood the formidable Carefree Pavilion. Qin Yu wasn’t sure of her intentions and had no desire to press her.
"I..."
Bai Yaoyin was momentarily at a loss.
He could even detect such subtle changes?
In the Carefree Pavilion, she had encountered all sorts of men, even mingled with a few.
Even those of much higher status and standing than Qin Yu would show a possessive glint when they laid eyes on her. Yet here was Qin Yu, maintaining his distance despite her undisguised enthusiasm, which was indeed rare.
Bai Yaoyin had never been this proactive, but didn’t expect such a cold response from Qin Yu.
Isn’t it said that many men like this sort of thing?
In front of her, the young tributor left her puzzled, an enigma she couldn’t quite grasp.
"Tributor, has Yaoyin done something inappropriate to upset you, causing such a deliberate distance?"
Bai Yaoyin pondered the information received from her clan, mustering a gentle yet slightly coquettish smile, she softly asked.
"It’s merely some trivial matters that have kept me busy for a while."
Qin Yu shook his head gently.
He hadn’t anticipated that Chief Steward Bai would still care, and it seemed she stayed today, suggesting she had something to discuss.
"Something to say?"
Bai Yaoyin quickly sifted through the events that occurred in the Imperial Capital over the past month, trying to pinpoint why Qin Yu hadn’t left the palace.
But the Imperial Capital was peaceful, and besides the Blossom Festival, there hadn’t been any significant happenings lately.
Wait...
A significant event?
There seemed to have been one.
During the deep night of the Blossom Festival, the expansive sea of flowers hovering over the entire Imperial Capital, accompanied by a three-day flower rain...
Ever since the Flower Fairy became furious, Qin Yu hadn’t left the Imperial Palace, and today, right after the Flower Fairy departed, he came out?!
Could it be that this tributor Qin was somehow involved?
Qin Yu observed the distracted Bai Yaoyin; her face was like a painting, her current expression one that captivated and entranced.
"What are you thinking about?"
Qin Yu chuckled softly, gently clasping her slender and tender hands.
"Ah?"
Bai Yaoyin suddenly returned to her senses, her body involuntarily swaying slightly, losing her balance entirely.
The warmth of jade embraced her, held securely.
Qin Yu hadn’t expected this woman couldn’t even stand steadily.
"Let... let me go."
Bai Yaoyin’s cheeks turned crimson, overwhelmed with shyness, as she placed her hands on the chair to try and prop herself up.
Qin Yu naturally took in the elegance beneath the clavicle.
Unexpectedly, this Chief Steward’s figure was so striking, and she seemed inexperienced...
Hmm.
Her face was petite, brilliant, and tender.
"Just sit here."
Qin Yu gently encircled Bai Yaoyin’s delicate waist, slowly settling her beside him.
Bai Yaoyin’s form was like the willows of early spring, light and fragile, sitting there like a captivating painting.
Regarding Qin Yu’s sudden intimate gesture, Bai Yaoyin was awash with panic, instinctively wanting to withdraw, but then she recalled certain matters.
As the Chief Steward of the Great Yan Imperial City’s Leisure Pavilion, she had held this responsibility for over three years. Without further accomplishments or substantial contributions to the Carefree Pavilion, she feared her position as Chief Steward might not be secure.
The opportunity to venture out was something hard-won by her father.
If she were to return now, probably...
Rather than going back to the clan, it might be better to accommodate Qin Yu a little. At least, he is handsome, and that masculine aura is indeed very attractive.
Besides, it’s just an embrace...
Though she was not accustomed to such intimacy with men, if she could seize this opportunity to make Qin Yu a guest of the Carefree Pavilion, it would undoubtedly be a great achievement.
If she could win over such a promising young Royal Court Tributor, it might temporarily quell the mutterings of the clan elders, right?
"What’s on your mind?"
Seeing her complex expression and lack of intention to break free, Qin Yu couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised.
He initially thought Bai Yaoyin would break away and find an excuse to leave.
"Yaoyin just misses Lord Qin,"
Bai Yaoyin’s voice was soft, coupled with that beautiful face, it made one have an impulse to protect her at all costs.
"White Steward, call them in."
Upon seeing Bai Yaoyin in this state, Qin Yu actually felt a bit uneasy.
This woman wasn’t as simple as she seemed; for her to humble herself like this, she must have an ulterior motive.
Just like the first time he was alone with Bai Yaoyin, she directly took out a Guest Minister Order.
Honestly, Qin Yu didn’t like this feeling.
"Does the lord despise me?"
Bai Yaoyin’s voice was filled with grievance as if making a significant decision, she gently leaned her head on his arm.
Her movements were stiff, yet it was precisely this unnaturalness that gave off a sense of pleasure.
The fragrance of her hair filled the air, causing a surge of heat.
"Playing this game with me..."
Qin Yu’s lips curled into a wry smile.
Unlike other maidens, Bai Yaoyin exuded a fresh and clean aura.
As he gently applied pressure with his hand, Bai Yaoyin’s face instantly flushed, even her earlobes tinged with a shy blush, looking so enchanting and delicate.
"Don’t..."
Bai Yaoyin lightly parted her lips, her eyes like clear springs, filled with a plea as she looked at Qin Yu.
To persuade Qin Yu to accept the position of Guest Minister, she had retreated to her bottom line, even willing to self-sacrifice, taking each step cautiously.
However, the closeness between them was such that they could almost hear each other’s breaths, this intimacy made her completely uneasy, a surge of indescribable urge to escape welled up in her heart. Yet at the same time, she feared that such retreat would anger Qin Yu, this conflict and struggle quietly proliferating within her.
Bai Yaoyin herself hadn’t realized how much allure her unconscious attitude possessed.
Qin Yu looked down at the exquisite face resting on his arm, her slightly pursed delicate lips like petals wet with morning dew, exuding irresistible charm and allure.
"Mmm..."
The next moment, Bai Yaoyin let out a soft, incredulous gasp from her small lips, as the familiar yet unfamiliar masculine scent assaulted her senses, leaving her in a daze.
How could he...
As they parted, a crystalline filament silently trailed through the air.
The fragrance, like flowers blossoming in spring;
The tenderness, like fresh leaves sprouting in early summer;
The smoothness, akin to pebbles in a stream during autumn;
The sweetness, comparable to honey under winter’s warm sun.
Staring at the bewildered Bai Yaoyin, Qin Yu’s heart couldn’t help but stir with a hint of regret.
Could she have been frightened by him?
After a brief moment of stupefaction, Bai Yaoyin’s body trembled lightly, finally coming back to her senses.
In her clear eyes, the dormant heat radiating from Qin Yu’s presence was reflected, her previously fair and tender face instantly covered by a panic-induced pallor.
"My lord, I’ll go call Xiaoxuan and the others now."
Bai Yaoyin hurriedly stood up, unable to maintain her usual calm composure, her mind tangled, having long lost her confidence in controlling everything, simply wanting to flee this emotionally chaotic scene as quickly as possible.
Soon after, four alien-race maidens, each bearing distinct charms, gracefully walked into view.
While enjoying the earthly beauty, that is never lacking.
However, even with these four maidens being uniquely attractive, Qin Yu still missed Bai Yaoyin with her two dimples.
Regardless of her captivating face or the unique aura exuding from the inside out, no other maidens could compare.
Yet, Qin Yu was in no hurry; he could see that Bai Yaoyin had her designs on him, so there was no need for him to take the initiative, she would naturally appear.
Just as he predicted.
When Qin Yu waved off the four alien-race maidens, preparing to leave, that graceful figure had already appeared before the courtyard.
"Qin Tributor, are you satisfied with Xiaoxuan and the others’ service?"
Bai Yaoyin had already suppressed her earlier flustered demeanor, wearing once again that warmth-inducing smile.
However, this time facing Qin Yu, her gaze intentionally avoided his, no longer daring to blatantly use her enchanting eyes to tease him as before.
Evidently, with the earlier lesson learned, she now thoroughly understood that Qin Yu was not to be trifled with.
"Not coming in for a bit?"
An extreme sense of danger suddenly surged in Bai Yaoyin’s heart, her instincts warning her against entering the pavilion again.
But seeing Qin Yu’s calm demeanor, Bai Yaoyin hesitated briefly, then entered with a somewhat flattering smile.
Yet deliberately chose to sit opposite Qin Yu.