Richest Man: Divine-Grade Reconstruct System Chapter 998 - 958: The Day of Ascension

As Lin Yi’s body barely began to shift inwards, Leng Yu’s own form mirrored the movement, drawing closer.

A delicate leg then unexpectedly landed upon Lin Yi, causing his heart to give a sudden jolt.

Though they often shared a bed at night, this was the first time such a thing had occurred while both were fully awake.

A wave of nervousness washed over Lin Yi for a brief moment.

It wasn't due to any fear of the woman, nor was it a matter of Leng Yu's lack of beauty; rather, the sensation felt like a furtive taste, stirring an inner unease.

Every time he shut his eyes, the gentle visage of Xiao Zihan would materialize.

Then, there was the image of Luo Ning's endearing and pretty face.

These persistent thoughts, these faces that flickered through his mind, kept Lin Yi on edge, ensuring he held onto the very last vestiges of his self-control.

Without this mental fortitude, under the seductive pull of this woman, Lin Yi likely wouldn’t have managed to resist this long.

Hadn’t you noticed the attire this young lady is currently sporting? It’s truly quite something to behold.

Even for someone like Lin Yi, who had witnessed much, a flicker of longing stirred within him.

"Since you’re unable to sleep, just rest here. But we’ll likely need to rise early tomorrow, so let’s try to get some sleep now."

"Alright, sleep here. My bed is quite spacious; just shift towards the center a bit."

"However, try not to get too close. It’s summer, and I’m concerned about developing a rash."

With those words, as if to mask his own discomfort, Lin Yi directly turned over, presenting his back to Leng Yu before settling down.

He couldn't help but make this move; if he faced Leng Yu, she would undoubtedly detect something amiss.

After all, he was a grown man, a person of pride and integrity.

When confronted with such captivating beauty, it was only natural to harbor certain inclinations.

If circumstances had been more accommodating, Lin Yi might have already sought out a secluded spot, far from prying eyes.

Observing Lin Yi’s reaction, Leng Yu couldn't resist stifling a giggle, covering her mouth as if fearful of being overheard, though she still attempted to suppress it even with her hand there.

Yet, for reasons unknown, she completely disregarded Lin Yi’s instruction for distance.

As Lin Yi lay down, she followed suit, but made no effort to maintain the space he had suggested.

While Lin Yi was inwardly reciting the Sutra of Great Compassion in a state of focused stillness, a sudden weight settled upon him.

Simultaneously, his heart silently lamented, "This monk’s life might be forfeit."

"Brother Lin Yi, is the Imperial Palace using ice? I’m feeling a bit chilly," Leng Yu murmured softly.

Her actions grew even more intimate, yet Lin Yi sealed his eyes, feigning sleep and pretending not to hear.

He couldn’t help but inwardly lament his predicament, a dignified man finding himself in such a compromising position, being toyed with by this young woman; it was truly exasperating.

Meanwhile, his thoughts turned inwardly, silently appealing to the system:

"Oh system, can’t you awaken sooner and send me back? If not, at least bring my wife here."

Naturally, despite his fervent internal appeals, the system offered no response, remaining silent regardless of his summoning.

This was because the system was currently in a dormant state, incapable of rousing itself without sufficient energy.

Concurrently, Lin Yi harbored a subtle hope that the upcoming enthronement ceremony would bring about an unforeseen boon.

In this rather vexing state, Lin Yi eventually drifted off to sleep in a daze.

Upon reopening his eyes, he discovered an octopus tightly clinging to him.

Furthermore, the voice of a young eunuch could be heard from outside:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it is already late. You must rise to bathe and change your attire."

Groggily opening his eyes, he gently nudged the languid little octopus aside, shook his head with resignation, pulled a nearby opulent quilt over her, and then disembarked from the bed.

At this juncture, palace maids and eunuchs were already positioned nearby. The moment Lin Yi arose, someone promptly offered him a warmed towel.

Lin Yi accepted it and wiped his face, finally feeling a semblance of wakefulness return.

Subsequently, servants began to assist Lin Yi with the customary rites of incense burning and bathing.

There was no alternative; these preparations were integral to the ceremony, considering the profound significance of this day – the day Lin Yi would ascend the throne.

On such a momentous occasion, incense must be offered before donning the newly designated Dragon Robe.

Moreover, for the ensuing several hours, Lin Yi would not possess a single moment to himself, as his schedule was meticulously planned.

As an individual from modern times, Lin Yi naturally felt a degree of awkwardness being attended to during his bath.

This sensation was amplified when the attendants were young palace maids, causing his aged face to flush even more noticeably.

Consequently, he gestured with his hand, signaling for all the palace maids to withdraw beyond the screen, before immersing himself alone in the bathtub, scrubbing himself in a perfunctory manner.

He wasn’t particularly unclean to begin with; Lin Yi merely intended to go through the motions, perform a brief wash, and then exit.

However, as he submerged himself in the bathtub, plunging his head beneath the water in an effort to fully awaken, he abruptly felt a soft touch tracing its way across his back.