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Chapter 57: The Fish and the Bear’s Paw
Idiom: Meaning you can’t have both at the same time, you must choose one or the other
Human beings are animals with thoughts. Regarding similar, yet simultaneously different existences, one will often make comparisons. For example, when comparing who you like a bit more, or when comparing who you felt more pity for. It doesn’t matter if you are partial, but rather when facing different people, one’s moods and intentions would be different.
She had once seen such shyness and tension on Luo Weiqing’s face, but she felt it very different this time around. Luo Weiqing’s stubbornness was hidden in tranquility and calmness. When she was gentle, there was not much difference, but when it came to Anhui, it was different. Anhui emanated unswerving and unyielding perseverance from the inside out, and it was hardly concealed. If he was truly hurt, it  would not make people feel sad, but rather make it seem shocking and tragic. But she doesn’t want to see such a scene. Right now, she felt more pity for Anhui than she did for Luo Weiqing. One of them was like a tenacious weed that grew over the dangerous cliffs and had been struggling to survive to this day; and the other was like a bamboo planted in the garden, carefully cultivated, his own destiny beyond his control. But compared with the wild grass, the elegant bamboo possesses its own hidden wounds, but he had led a good life without worries. But the other struggled to survive its entire life, it is not surprising that she wants to give the wild grass more pity.
Withdrawing her thoughts, she observed Anhui’s face. Anhui was actually the most handsome of these men, with sword-like eyebrows, eyes like stars, a straight nose, and profound facial features that made him look very distinct. But according to people’s perceptions here, such a look was not pleasing, especially when coupled with the scar on his forehead. It must be because of this scar that he felt an inferiority complex when it came to his appearance. She suddenly remembered that there was the saying:  if a woman could please themself, they would become proud, and the change of a female character here also applies.
“Anhui, zhen likes the way you look, open your eyes and let zhen see you.” Liyou lied on top of Anhui’s body, Qianhe Liyou’s tone was extremely tempting, but Anhui still kept his eyes tightly shut. After her words, he couldn’t help but open his eyes, but he did not dare to look directly at that burning gaze.
“Why don’t you dare to look at zhen? Where did your courage go?” Qianhe Liyou’s hand reached around the back of Anhui’s head, and with a slight force, she made Anhui’s face turn toward her. His eyes were forced to meet her gaze midair.
“The Empress, don’t tease your subordinate anymore, this subordinate, this subordinate
” He was so at a loss, that he felt really ashamed to look like this. Anhui had never been so overwhelmed in his life, he didn’t even know what he should do or what to do. All the wisdom of the past disappeared at this moment.
“Hehe, when did you start stuttering?” When Qianhe Liyou had such tenderness, although there was a joking feeling in her smile, it made people feel extremely warm and moved. After Anhui heard this light laughter, his whole person felt surrounded by warmth, which made him feel moved to the point that he wanted to cry.
“The Empress, your Majesty laughed
 your Majesty laughed so beautifully.” Anhui uncontrollably stated this, and his hand touched the corners of Qianhe Liyou’s mouth very naturally, recalling the memory of the smile and the nostalgic warmth that came with it.
Qianhe Liyou was stunned by Anhui’s action, and she stopped smiling. Only then did he find out what he had done, and withdrew his hand in slight panic, and eagerly explained: “The Empress must forgive me, this subordinate was impolite.”
Oh my God, just look at what he did just now! He had done such a rude thing upon looking at the Empress’s smile, and he did not know if his actions would anger the Empress.
Qianhe Liyou didn’t miss the panicked look on his face, knowing that she might have scared him, she could not help but reassure and ease his worries, “Zhen does not mind what you did just now, and if you are willing to be more active, zhen will be even happier
”
Qianhe Liyou grasped Anhui’s hand and brought his hand onto her own shoulder so that he could get closer to her.
Her body had never felt so hot, so when she came close to Anhui, she could clearly feel the warmth radiating from the other’s body, especially after her words, the other’s body seemed to burn up even hotter.
“Can I?” Anhui hesitantly asked. Of course he wanted to hug her close, wanted to kiss her, wanted to receive her love, but could he? He was afraid, he was afraid that he would ruin her!
“Yes, zhen personally said yes, who dares to say no!” She knew what this man needed, and she would not be stingy and reluctant to give it to him.
With just a phrase, Anhui could feel the Empress’s domineering and strong aura, but he more felt the gentleness of that domineering, and this is what made her the most irresistible.
Anhui’s hand gradually tightened, holding his breath and very carefully hugged Qianhe Liyou’s whole person. At this moment, Anhui told himself in his heart that even if he died now, he would have no regrets.
“Anhui, tell me, are you willing to be zhen’s person?”
“

willing.”
The kiss grew stronger and stronger, and under the encouragement of Qianhe Liyou, Anhui also gradually let go the last of his reservations, no longer just passively accepting, but proactively kissing Qianhe Liyou with a flattering and pleasing meaning. But his actions were still cautious for fear of offending her.
Qianhe Liyou was not a greedy person, so she let him go after doing it with Anhui just once. The soft brocade covered the two of them and Anhui withdrew from her a little unnaturally, but this immediately caused the wrath of Qianhe Liyou’s displeased gaze, which made Anhui freeze in place. And then under Qianhe Liyou’s stare, his face turned red little by little.
” This subordinate, this subordinates will leave now!”Anhui felt extremely overjoyed. That stimulus and feeling of excitement made him wholeheartedly immerse himself in it. Every movement and every reaction, it was not like his usual self.  He was very worried that his performance was not good enough and made the Empress dissatisfied.
Qianhe Liyou stretched out her hand and embraced Anhui’s whole person in her arms, resting her head on his shoulder. Her tone was no longer gloomy but a little more lazy and indulgent: “Do you want to stay in Anbu Black Ops or enter the palace as an Imperial consort?” She was not an irresponsible person, she had already taken him, of course, he would be given a title.
When Anhui suddenly heard such a question, he was also very embarrassed. It was not that he was greedy for the rights of leading the Anbu Black Ops, but rather, he was used to the life under the Anbu Black Ops, and it would be controversial if he entered the palace as a concubine with his identity. He did not want to make things difficult for the Empress either. Just enter the palace and you could uprightly and openly become the Empress’ man. He was a man, and he naturally had an irresistible temptation to be able to be with his beloved in an upright manner.
“
The Empress, everything is subject to the Empress’s arrangements. If your Majesty thinks it is good, the subordinate will also feel that it is good.” Since he could not make a decision for himself, let the Empress choose for him, no matter what choice was made, he was more than willing to accept .
“Anhui, don’t refer to yourself as a subordinate anymore. At least don’t call yourself a subordinate in zhen’s bed.” At this moment, she felt like when Anhui claimed to be her subordinate, the word felt grating and ear-piercing. As for Anhui’s arrangement, in fact, in her heart, there are already a few.
Anhui felt that he was starting to blush more than before, “Then, what should this subordinate call themselves to be?”
“I will make you an Imperial consort.” She would give him the title. She surmised this is what Anhui desired but she knew this was not enough, “But, you will still be responsible for everything in the Anbu Black Ops, and you can continue to do the things you want to do. ” She would give him what he wanted instead of imposing what she thought was good and bad onto him.
Sure enough, after hearing these words, Anhui was surprised but also delighted, and asked with a blatant expression of disbelief: “Empress, is this really okay? There has been no such precedent in the harem since ancient times?”
An Imperial consort must not interfere in the affairs of the court. Although Anhui’s organization was technically not a part of the court, his power was no less than that of the officials in the court. As for the Empress’ arrangements, he had never heard of such a thing happening before. Although he was pleasantly surprised, it was truly unbelievable.
“The absence of precedent does not mean that this cannot be done. Don’t let zhen down.” Fish and Bear’s paw[1], possessing both! This is not difficult for her!
It’s just, a person will grow and change. She loved Anhui at this moment, but she could not guarantee that she would feel this way all her life. After thousands of years, she was a person who understood the magic of time, but she was planning on cheristing the feelings of the present even more. Only by grasping the present could there be a future, and what she gifted Anhui was a graspable present and a future that one could look forward to.
Footnotes:
The Fish and the Bear’s Paw(idiom): Meaning you can’t have both at the same time, you must choose one or the other.