"At such a good time, don't say anything to spoil the mood. Mingde, I miss you very much... Did you miss me?"

Mingde wanted to refuse, but for some reason, his hands and feet had no strength, as if he was drunk. A sneaky warmth rose from the bottom of his heart, making him unable to put on a stern face to truly reject anything.

"Look, I've been abstinent like a monk..."

Li Ji kissed the corner of Mingde's lips, gently coaxing him to open his teeth. Sure enough, Mingde dazedly wanted to say it was his own fault, but as soon as he opened his mouth, his mouth was thoroughly conquered.

The heat entangled between their lips and teeth rose sharply. By the time Mingde reacted, he had already been laid down on the bed. The man's rough palms caressed the tender inner thighs, his lips and teeth lingering, leaving a sweet, soft pleasure.

This kind of pleasure accumulated too quickly. Mingde felt his lower body organ being grasped. He let out a moan, his trembling hand grabbing Li Ji's arm.

"Is this okay?" Li Ji's voice was a bit hoarse. Mingde was sure that if he said no, neither of them would have a good night.

He gritted his teeth. "...Hurry up!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a storm-like pleasure swept over him. The man's powerful arms completely suppressed his possible struggles. He could only passively accept that stimulation and pleasure. Just when he was about to ejaculate, Li Ji suddenly stopped and kissed Mingde's tearful eyelashes. Then, while he was in a daze, Li Ji used his knuckles to invade the forbidden area.

The pain mixed with pleasure from being forcibly stopped at the crucial moment was like a whip lashing the body. Mingde arched his body, panting and moaning, "...Don't... don't stop..."

Li Ji easily interpreted it as another meaning. He smiled, "Alright."

Immediately, he scooped up Mingde and forcefully thrust himself inside. The downward force of their bodies caused them to merge even deeper, the lightning-like pleasure leaving his mind blank. Before Mingde could utter a word, he went limp, barely supported by Li Ji's hands on his waist.

Incoherent gasps filled the room, accompanied only by the faint crackling of red candles and the lewd, wet sounds of their joined bodies. The candlelight flickered over the bed, as if they had melded into one, intimately cherishing each other, never to part.

"...When will you let me through your door again?"

The warm, fragrant bath water made Mingde drowsy. Li Ji softly called his name a few times to no response, so he gently bit the tip of Mingde's ear and licked it. Mingde shuddered awake. "Don't mess around!"  

But his post-coital hoarseness made it sound more like an enticing invitation.

Li Ji laughed. "Who knows when I'll next be allowed to set foot in your residence. Since that's the case, we might as well settle all accounts in one go..."

Before Mingde could react to what "settling accounts" meant, he felt a naughty hand press between his legs. He sharply inhaled, his voice noticeably lacking conviction. "...Let go..."

In stark contrast, he was instantly and thoroughly penetrated. The recently ravaged entrance accepted the massive member without any resistance. Mingde gasped, the sound swallowed by Li Ji's mouth.

"...The winters in the capital are getting colder..."

The languid tone belied the fiery passion being ignited.

Aided by the water's lubrication and teasing, the sensations grew more vivid. Mingde could barely stand. "What are you babbling about? Bastard!..."

"I'm thinking of my future benefits," Li Ji murmured in his ear, even their breaths intertwining. "I'm saying, Mingde, if I come to warm, humid Jiangnan for the winter, without even a place to stay, what am I to do...?"

"What...what's that got to do with me?!..."

The huge thing inside him suddenly moved fiercely, the numbing pleasure snaking through him like electricity before abruptly stopping. Mingde couldn't suppress a moan that sounded almost like a sob.

With a hint of smugness, Li Ji quietly asked, "It has nothing to do with you?"

Mingde choked back a cry, panting as he cursed, "You despicable, shameless bastard! Scoundrel! Hitting a man when he's down!...Ah..."

Li Ji slowly thrust, chuckling softly. "Go on."

Mingde could barely speak, his words turning into barely restrained moans of pleasure as soon as they left his mouth, stirring the soul amidst the steamy bath. Li Ji grasped one of Mingde's hands, barely holding him up, but as the movements and frequency of thrusts increased, the accumulating pleasure made it harder and harder to stand.

"Okay, okay...I agree...enough..."

Li Ji demanded between pants, "Agree to what?"

"Every winter...ah..."

The climax exploded, Mingde completely collapsing into the water, a ringing in his ears drowning everything out. Li Ji kissed his temple, smiling with satisfaction. "...Mm, come every winter. Remember, you're the one who invited me."

Mingde wanted to retort but had no strength. As soon as he opened his mouth, it was thoroughly sealed.

Li Ji's voice sounded especially gleeful. "...No going back on your word."

_

Summer turned to fall, and the first frost arrived. The imperial yellow palanquin came and went, the Emperor's boundless grace unchanging through the years. That grand residence was always lively - spring blossoms filling the courtyard, summer lotuses blanketing the pond.

Even in the coldest season, there was always someone who cherished him like a precious pearl by his side, accompanying him through the coldest, loneliest times.

But in the capital he couldn't see, within those nine-layered palace walls, it was a place spring and summer could never reach. That man counted the days on his fingers, waiting day by day for the weather to turn cold, desperately awaiting the dreaded twelfth lunar month in the brightest, sunniest seasons.

In the blink of an eye, time flew by. In an instant, years had passed. The red lattice windows in the garden saw several springs and autumns. Before he knew it, the spring flowers had all withered and the ice and snow had melted.

A great dream in the world, three feet of autumn frost on his hair.

In the thirteenth year of Heshun, Emperor Li Ji disappeared from the nine-layered palace.

Some say the Taishang Emperor ascended to heaven. Some say he became an immortal. The history books are vague, avoiding taboo subjects out of respect, hastily recording a few lines about his life.

Emperor Li Ji took the throne upon coming of age. In his life, he was valiant with glorious military exploits, to be praised by later generations.

Besides these scant lines, nothing more is said.

Mingde opened the door. Li Ji stood at the bottom of the stone steps, extending his hand, as if it was their first meeting many years ago.

"You won't send me away again, will you?"

Mingde raised his hand. The instant their fingertips touched, he was embraced, as if he was still that willful, spoiled child, with that man's love to back his reckless whims.

But in truth, years had already passed.

"...Back then, you said you loved me...Do you still love me now?"

Li Ji's laughter was so deep it seemed to come from his chest. "I have always loved you."

Nestled against his shoulder, Mingde nodded almost imperceptibly, his sigh scattering in the wind. "...Me too..."

_

The history books record: In the thirteenth year of Heshun, the Emperor abdicated due to grave illness. The crown prince Mingxiu ascended the throne and changed the era name to Qinghe. The crown prince was frail in health but ruthless in temperament, smiling genially yet concealing his joys and anger. At fourteen, he led a northern expedition, personally commanding troops. Decisive in killing, he was no less than his grandfather, earning the admiration of the realm. However, his administration was cruel and overly strict with subordinates, a flaw noted by historians.

Additionally: In the fifth year of Qinghe, the State Preceptor's whereabouts became unknown.