Nan Xun narrowed his eyes at the woman. He knew what she was trying to do. People like her had no shame, and there was no one around to witness her deed.

He scoffed inwardly. Even if he hadn’t been in love with someone else already, he still wouldn’t have set his eyes on women like her. The way she threw herself at him repulsed him. He’d never touch her willingly.

“That’s the servants’ job. Go back to your residence.” Nan Xun didn’t want to waste any time on her. If the emperor hadn’t issued the decree, he wouldn’t even let her enter his manor.

Panicked that Nan Xun was going to leave, the woman grabbed Nan Xun and pretended to stumble, tackling him and spilling cold lotus seed soup over his robe.

“What are you doing?” he snapped and shoved her away. “Do you really think I won’t punish you?”

The woman shuddered, dropping the ceramic bowl to the floor. She rushed up to Nan Xun with...