บท 60: 60. After...

Liu Mei could feel her floating around in a daze and slowly warmth enveloped her body and soft hands started massaging her stiff muscles.

When she opened her eyes she saw his face in concentration as he massaged her arms and hands as well. ''How did I get here?''

She could see steam coming from the water she was in. To her surprise, she realized he was right next to her, holding her on his chest. Suddenly she remembered the things they did just a night before and her eyes popped open. Suddenly her face became completely red and she hoped from deep in her heart that he won't notice it.

But he did. He could feel her body stiffen up and her cheeks becoming red. He wanted to tease her but feared that he will make her go back into her shell again so he just hugged her and whispered on her ear. ''Just relax. Your body is stiff now as I went a bit overboard. I am sorry my dear.''

She relaxed as she could feel that he had no other comments and just enjoyed his hands softly pressing her stiff muscles. But then she suddenly stiffened again and turned her eyes towards him

He just shrugged. ''I am a hotblooded, good looking guy that hadn't 'eaten' for so long. I am still 'hungry'. Sorry.'' But looking at her unapologetic and with big smiles.

Feeling his body she realized that her body became unseasonably hot again and even before knowing what was going on the two of them wasted half of the water in the bath.

When she finally was lying again in his arms completely in exhaustion she gave him a cold stare. ''Do not even dare to come near me for at least a dozen days! This is too much!'' She literally felt no energy even to move.

With a chuckle, he quickly put some clothes on and then picked her up from the water, wrapped in cloth like a mummy and brought her back to bed in his arms. This time he really felt truly sorry.

He could feel his energy levels going higher but she dazedly was about to sleep. He kissed her lips and she opened again her eyes and looked at him with waring. ''Do not fear. I am just waking you up as you must eat something. Just a little bit then I will leave you asleep.''

She was about to tell him that she was not hungry but suddenly felt her stomach grumble. Of course, she was not that dumb not to deny food so she just nodded. ''Call my maids, I can't eat like this. It is unseemly.''

As he called the two girls they rushed in and with respect bowed in front of Emperor. Hua Roulan entered as well as she was the tallest and strongest and saw her friend wrapped like a cocoon. Only her face could be seen. In wonder, she looked at Emperor that just coughed and finished belting up.

He turned this head towards Liu Mei and smiled. ''You stay here and don't move anywhere. I will come back again tonight. Eat well and rest.'' Then he turned around and left.

His words were heard by people on the outside and they wondered what was that about as usually the concubine would be sent back home after a while. But they didn't dare to think too much in it.

What they could see is Hua Roulan rushing out with angry expression and a man holding her tightly and trying to talk to her to calm her down. They rushed away as they could feel a dangerous aura spreading from these two to whole surroundings.

''Let me go...'' Hua Roulan looked at him with anger.

''Not letting go. I could feel your aura even before you left the room. Are you trying to kill your family or you plan to kill her? If you do something stupid, anything stupid, it will be as she ordered you to do that. Is that your plan?'' His words made her realize that her actions were really too much so she just pushed his hands away.

''Thank you for stopping me.'' Then she turned around and left him speechless. Somehow he felt a sense of loss as his hands no more held her body. It was comfortable to hold her, what if...? But then he shook his head. No, he must not take a liking to her. She is too crazy for his taste. His eyes became focused and he rushed to catch up on Emperor.

While Liu Mei struggled to eat half asleep, Emperor sat on his chair with so much energy that he hasn't felt for years. ''The night with miss Liu Mei was spent. We can't let her be without a title after this. I want the court to give her name. Any proposals?''

Actually he could just have given her title but today he wanted to see people's actions. Her brother sat on the side and was quiet while other ministers started arguing.

''Miss Liu Mei was married before. Giving her anything higher than the name of a concubine would be too much!'' One fiery minister yelled while others started arguing with him.

''It was heavens choice for her to join the harem. She mustn't have any name less than a consort!'' An old man started yelling. ''Are you looking down on us, the old nobles? Her brother is a minister as well and his family was noble when your family was still jus commoner and had a small house in some village. Do not look down on us. If the nobility starts rising, will you all be able to live normally?''

Emperor narrowed his eyes as he heard those words and chuckled. They called up Liu Sheng's name but he didn't even twitch as nothing of that concerned him. Not only that. Liu Shen just looked at his hands and seemingly ignored all that talk.

But as the titles for Liu Mei became more and more exaggerated, Liu Sheng started rolling his eyes. Suddenly a loud voice could be heard. ''Enough!''