Chapter 253: Lou Yan Is Waiting, Waiting for His Master’s Permission
Xiao Li had no desire to plunge this world into an age of firearms, so she kept her production of them limited.
To this day, there were no more than a hundred sniper rifles and shotguns, all of which she had assembled personally. There were only two handguns, both of which she kept hidden.
The weapon most often used against external foes, and the most intimidating one, was the mortar.
Portable, deadly, and highly mobile.
Of course, the most important thing was that they weren’t small, making them impossible to hide.
It wasn’t like a handgun. If someone else got their hands on one of those, they could hide it, get close, and shoot her unexpectedly. To be killed by a firearm of her own creation would be a complete joke.
Two years had passed, and they could now produce a full thousand mortars. The shells alone filled several warehouses.
It was no exaggeration to say that Xiao Li could use them to level every surrounding nation.
This was the source of Xiao Li’s confidence and her enemies’ nightmare. Otherwise, the three rebel factions and other nations would have attacked long ago.
The cannons were the most important, while armor and blades were in the highest demand.
If her forces were fully equipped with the refined steel armor and blades, Longsheng’s military power would increase at least tenfold.
Xiao Li looked at the massive stockpiles and couldn’t help but smile.
Before, she had created all this out of a fear of being under-armed. Now, she had become everyone’s nightmare.
In the beginning, the world’s consciousness had protected her as she fought against the male and female protagonists. Now, the world’s consciousness was protecting Xu Nianqing, placing her once again on the opposing side.
’It seems I, Xiao Li, am destined to be the archvillain.’
The smile in her eyes was wild and unrestrained. ’If that’s my destiny, then I’ll be the greatest villain of them all.’
Sensing that Xiao Li was in a good mood, Lou Yan proposed, "Your Majesty, there is a hot spring behind Dragon Creek Mountain. The flowers around it are in full bloom. You can soak and admire the view at the same time. Would Your Majesty like to go and unwind?"
Xiao Li glanced at Lou Yan. ’This man’s face is that of a natural-born villain. He’s trying his best to look normal, but with just one look, I can tell he’s up to no good. It’s written all over his face.’
’A hot spring, huh? He’s trying to hit on me, isn’t he?’
Seeing Xiao Li hesitate, Lou Yan moved closer, so close that their scents began to mingle.
The corners of his lips curved into a wicked, provocative smile. "Is Your Majesty afraid? Scared of your humble servant?"
’If I was truly unwilling, would reverse psychology even work on me?’
’But since I’m in a good mood, I might as well play along with him.’
"Lead the way."
Lou Yan bowed. "Your Majesty, this way, please!"
The hot spring Lou Yan mentioned was not close. It took half an hour by horse just to get there. The spring itself was natural, but it had clearly been enclosed, making it a private retreat.
Lou Yan pushed the gate open himself. "Your Majesty, please follow me."
The place was quite large, featuring a mountain gate, a pavilion, and a rear hill—a complete estate. The hot spring was situated at the base of a cliff on the rear hill, a pool of about three hundred square meters, its surface veiled in a layer of mist.
Countless flowers bloomed on both sides: peonies, camellias, jasmine, and begonias. A climbing rosebush also scaled the cliff face, producing cascades of pink blossoms.
’The scene... how to put it? The view is nice, and every flower is beautiful on its own, but all crammed together, it’s a bit of a mess. This aesthetic is... hard to describe.’
"Is this your handiwork?"
Lou Yan replied, "This is one of the properties the late Emperor left to the Dark Scale Guards. After this servant took charge, I had it tidied up. Today is only my second time here."
Xiao Li narrowed her eyes. "And how long ago was ’before’?"
Lou Yan admitted frankly, "Before Your Majesty ascended the throne."
He had wanted Xiao Li for a long time. From the day he first understood his own feelings, he had fantasized about hiding her away and devouring her whole.
Now, he had finally lured her into his own territory.
He lowered his gaze to conceal his intensely aggressive emotions, saying submissively, "This servant will attend to Your Majesty."
Even knowing his intentions were impure, Xiao Li felt no fear. She spread her arms, allowing him to unfasten her robes.
Her outer robes were removed, leaving only the thinnest inner tunic.
Once Lou Yan knelt to remove her shoes and socks, she walked toward the hot spring without a backward glance.
She let her entire body sink into the water. The temperature was just right; it felt absolutely divine.
After a thorough soaking, she swam a leisurely lap around the pool.
The water was warmer than body temperature and not ideal for swimming, but one lap wouldn’t hurt.
SPLASH!
Xiao Li broke the surface. Instead of wiping the water away, she tilted her head back, letting it stream down her face.
’Sunshine, the spring breeze, the hot spring... aside from the garish flowers, everything was perfect.’
An intensely predatory gaze landed on her, unblinking and hotter than the sun.
Xiao Li tilted her head slightly to look at him, only to see him still standing on the bank, fully and impeccably dressed.
He appeared to be observing the etiquette of a servant, but in reality, his audacity was boundless, his desire to overstep his station stirring restlessly.
Xiao Li watched, waiting to see how long he could keep up the act.
Lou Yan waited, waiting for his master’s permission.
As mentioned before, despite his years in the palace and his ruthless, bloodthirsty nature, Lou Yan possessed an innate servility that ran bone-deep.
This wasn’t to say he was obsequious to everyone, but rather that he craved being conquered and controlled.
Xiao Li was the one person who could control him, and he would willingly place the other end of the iron chain around his neck into her hands.
He would crave her, desire her affection, and occasionally become extreme or even crazed, but he would never, ever turn on his master.
Master and servant, one in the water, one on the shore, gazed at each other from a distance in a silent standoff.
After a moment, Xiao Li’s lips curled. Her deep eyes held an unreadable smile as she raised a hand and beckoned to him. Her red lips moved, silently mouthing two words: "Come here."
’She liked wolves, but she was even fonder of wolves that obeyed only her.’
On the shore, having received his order, Lou Yan’s breath caught. The look in his eyes changed in an instant.
He slowly and deliberately untied his belt and shed his robes, leaving on only his trousers as he stepped into the hot spring.
Xiao Li had no sense of shame. She stared openly at the living, breathing portrait of a handsome man undressing, admiring every inch of his physique.
’The body: perfectly proportioned, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs, an eight-pack, and a V-taper.’
’The face: healthy, fair, and flawless skin. His features were refined and unique, not quite fitting the aesthetic of the era, but no one could possibly call him ugly.’
’The vibe: a refined scoundrel, a sinister psycho, a thug in silk robes? Whichever way you sliced it, he was compelling.’
Xiao Li sighed internally. ’Before, I was so focused on getting rid of the male and female protagonists. How much fun did I miss out on?’
’If I’d known that killing the protagonists wouldn’t let me leave this world, I... ugh, no, that’s not right. I was busy trying to prevent that little monster, Lu Nianqing, from being reincarnated.’
’Well, that’s settled now. He’s been reborn.’
"Your Majesty..."
Lou Yan drew near and bent down slightly, just about to tease her, when Xiao Li suddenly shot up, grabbed his neck, and with a burst of strength, shoved him under the water.
His pupils trembled violently, but he didn’t resist in the slightest. The moment he was submerged, a soft body pressed down on him, and he felt a similar softness on his lips.