In the passing days, an unspoken tension lingered between them, though outwardly, everything appeared unchanged. To the world, their bond seemed intact, their dynamics unaltered.

Internally, Jinshi grappled with turmoil. Maomao's vulnerability at the front of his thoughts, her pleasured moaning beneath him echoing in his mind, concealed beneath a composed facade.

"Lord Jinshi," Maomao's voice pierced the silence, interrupting his memories as she entered his office, her presence causing a spark in the purple-haired man's demeanor.

"Gaoshun," Jinshi began, shifting his attention to his guard. "Leave us," he commanded. His trusted companion arched an eyebrow but complied, offering a brief bow before exiting and closing the door behind him. "What brings you here?" Jinshi asked, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

However, Maomao regarded him with indifference. "Since you dismissed Gaoshun, I assume you wish to discuss that night?" she inquired, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

"I'd love to talk~," Jinshi chirped, exuding a buoyant demeanor. "But since you came on your own accord, I'd like to hear you out first."

"Well," she began, her gaze flickering toward the office wall as she pondered. "There's no easy way for me to say this." Maomao sighed, lowering her head.

Jinshi felt a pang of dread, his heart sinking, stomach knotting with apprehension. Was this the end? Did she wish to terminate their relationship? Was regret overshadowing their shared moment?

"I came here because," her words started to blur, his mind struggling to comprehend what he might have done wrong. He had acted as though nothing had changed, assisted Maomao in gathering herbs ' had he missed something crucial? "I can't get off."

Jinshi's mind reeled, confusion taking hold. The unexpected statement threw him off guard, trying to process her cryptic words.

"Huh?" Jinshi's eyes narrowed slightly at her words. "You mean like a vacation?" Was she merely homesick, hoping he'd accompany her back this time?

"No, I mean..." Maomao's cheeks tinted pink. "I can't, since we..." Her words faltered, her hesitation palpable as she approached a delicate question.

Then it struck him what she was saying. She was coming to him for help with her hormonal needs. The way she blushed, how she couldn't look at him, this was the vulnerable Maomao he'd been thinking of since the storeroom incident.

'Come here~ ' He whispered, motioning for her to come to him. Without a second thought she did so, coming to stand in front of his desk. 'Around it. ' He instructed. Her eyes flickered to him, her cheeks darkening at his instructions, yet she followed them, coming around to his side.

As soon as she was in reach he took her hand, pulling her onto his lap. She kept her gaze down, but he didn't like that. Taking her chin he lifted her gaze. 'You're really poking a sleeping bear~ ' he chuckled, moving to gently kiss her plush lips.

Her hands met his chest, gripping the fabric of his robes as she kissed him back. His free hand held her waist, his taller form bending slightly to deepen the kiss. Then when they broke for air he spoke. 'I'm worried you might depend on me. '

'I already do. ' She breathed, kissing him once more. 'I can't get off, even while thinking of you. ' Her lips trailed down his neck, kissing it gently so as to not leave marks.

'Then I suppose I should take accountability~ ' With one swift movement he picked her up, sitting her on the edge of his desk. Her hands slid under his robes, pushing them off his shoulders. Pausing only to look at the bite mark left on his shoulder.

'Has anyone asked? ' She questioned, running a finger over the mark. A soft hum came from him as he thought back to his head maid questioning the wound.

'I suppose one person, but I simply told her you bit me. She accepted it without any more questions. ' He paused thinking back to how she gave him a dirty glare. 'I think there was some misunderstanding that I might need to clear up ' ' His words trailed off, his Mind questioning what terrible things she thinks, he had done to Maomao.

'Didn't even try to cover up. '

'Nope~ ' he chirped. She rolled her eyes at him, but he didn't mind. Instead he opened her nightgown, moving his hands to her chest, and rubbing her nipples with his thumbs. 'I don't like hiding the things I like. ' He smiled, moving down to take one into his mouth.

Maomao gave a soft moan, moving to hug his head as he flicked the little bud with his tongue. This is exactly what she had wanted, what her body was craving.

Pushing up her gown he quickly found her slick entrance, two fingers sliding in as he rolled her nipple between his teeth. The moans that fell from her encouraged him to spread his digits, curling them as he searched for her sweet spot. Once the tune of her moans changed, he attacked it, brushing it over and over again till she came undone around his fingers.

'Jinshi~ ' She moaned against his head. It was such a silky voice, one he hadn't heard from her before. Yet he restrained himself, holding back his growing need for her.

'Better? ' He asked her, kissing her chest. She gave a small moan in response. Seemingly content with his lackluster actions. Sitting back on his chair he took a cloth, cleaning his fingers. She watched him for a moment, a glare starting to form with every passing second.

'Why didn't you lick them? ' She asked, seemingly annoyed at his need to be clean. 'You did it last time. '

'I didn't want to get myself going. ' He answered, unable to meet her gaze. Had he done so, he'd have her pinned to his desk, taking her for everyone to hear.

The cloth was ripped from his hands and thrown to the side, his slim frame pinned in his chair as she settled on his lap. Maomao crashed her lips against his, the need for more driving her.

Her hand found his dick, slipping into his pants and stroking it. His moans filled her mouth but she swallowed each one, her hand pumping him. A bead of precum formed on the head, his body begging for release. Breaking the kiss he left out a soft plea. 'Maomao, please. '

Without any hesitation she pulled him out, shifting herself to be above him. Then he was plunged deep into her, making her bite her lip to stop the moan of pleasure that threatened to escape. He felt so warm, so thick, so good.

'Damn it. ' He breathed, a ribbon of cum spilling into her from the sudden heat and tightness. Still this didn't stop her, she began to bounce, letting him almost fully out of her before slamming her hips back on his. His hands found her hips, helping her move as she rolled them, only to bring herself down harder.

His mouth found hers, his moans and hers mixing as she bucked against him. Maomao could feel him twitch inside her, she could feel how good she was making him feel. He was simply doing the same to her.

'Jinshi. ' She breathed, his lips meeting hers once more as he helped her bounce. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as she tightened around him. Her movements became ragged, her climax close.

'Maomao. ' She didn't have time to kiss him again before he slammed her back down against him. She came, her walls tightening as he kept moving her. The moan that flowed from her was intoxicating, pushing him to chase his own high while fucking her through hers.

Then he slammed back into her, leaving out a small cry himself as cum spilled inside her, pushing deep into her needy womb. She stayed there, hugging his head as he slowly came down.

'Did I hurt you? ' He quietly questioned, worried about the roughness of this session.

'No. ' She answered, melting against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her as she laid her head on his shoulder.

'If you make this a habit, I might have to marry you~ ' he teased, kissing her head over and over again. A simple hum escaped her as he held her, peppering her with love.

'I'd lose my position as poison taster. ' She muttered, giving him pause.

Blinking a few times he slowly digested her words.

'Was that all she was worried about? ' He thought. His mind spiraled at the thought. 'You mean to tell me, you won't marry me simply because you want to stay a poison taster? '

'I like Lady Gyokuyou, I enjoy tasting her food. I also enjoy how wonderfully they taste~ ' The thought of such rich meals filled her mind, making her drool at the thought.

'With me you can have such food everyday! I'll even allow you to taste mine for poison, if that's what you desire! ' He called out, praying for her to accept. 'You can go see Consort Gyokuyou any time you wish! I'll see to it you can be called without any problems! '

Still her silence made his heart ache. He simply wanted her happy, but if this was the life she wanted, then he would have to accept it. He couldn't force her to be happy while married to him, confided to a life of royalty. It was unfair to Maomao.

'You can still taste her food ' ' His words trailed off, not wanting to pressure her into something she wouldn't like. His hold tightened, keeping her close at the thought of losing her because of his constant want to marry.

'Is that what you want? ' She whispered. Her words were so soft he had hardly heard them. Thankfully, she was close enough to his ear for him to make out the sentence.

'As long as you're happy, that's all I want. ' He admitted, closing his eyes and accepting whatever answer may come from her.

Sure, he was terrified she may reject him. He shivered at the thought of her requesting never to see him again. However, if it made Maomao happy he'd accept it. That's what he had done before, when she was able to leave the palace. Yet she didn't want to, so he put himself through heartache for nothing. She came back, so that makes her his, right?

'You'll want children, I'm not ready for such a task. ' She spoke, slowly pulling away from his chest to look at him.

'I can wait, I'm not necessarily ready either. ' He admitted, a smile on his lips. She dropped her gaze, thinking over her next set of questions.

'And I can still work for Lady Gyokuyou? ' She asked, a hint of worry gracing her features.

'I'll pull as many strings as I need, to ensure you stay at her side. ' He answered. Maomao took another moment to think, racking her brain for any other worries she might face.

'What about your womanizing ways? ' She asked, raising an eyebrow at him. Jinshi took a moment, a tight smile on his lips as he blinked at her. 'Well? ' She asked, moving closer to his face with a glare.

'Of course, I wouldn't go as far. ' He said with an unsure tone. 'It's just easier to keep the woman here in line with my charm. ' A smile spread across his face, making Maomao raise her eyebrow more.

'You'll cut back? ' She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. He nodded quickly, answering her question. 'And you won't start flirting with anyone? ' Another nod came from him. 'See, what you can do about my job first ' Then we'll discuss the rest. ' She considered.

He pulled her close, hugging her as if she were going to vanish on him. She accepted his embrace, finding slight comfort in it.

Maybe this could just work out.