Contents
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Infinite
Overview
After the Golden Lotus banquet, Zetian and Shimin retreat to a penthouse where their long-simmering tension finally breaks. Zetian declares love as infinite and confirms Yizhi’s consent, dissolving the need to choose. Shimin fears pity but accepts her affection. Their intimacy deepens, solidifying their partnership beyond the cockpit.
Summary
After the late-night banquet, Zetian and Li Shimin are escorted to a penthouse suite. Zetian bathes first, then waits instead of sleeping, determined to address their unresolved tension. When Shimin emerges and prepares to avoid intimacy by sleeping on the couch, Zetian asks him to carry her to bed, heightening their closeness.
In the candlelit bedroom, Shimin attempts to withdraw, but Zetian invites him to share the bed. He protests that she has Yizhi and urges her to choose him instead. Zetian rejects exclusivity, explaining that cheating is deception and that she and Yizhi have openly agreed love can be infinite. She states her heart is open to Shimin.
Shimin worries she owes him or pities him, referencing manipulation like Sima Yi’s. Zetian steadies him, saying she cherishes who he is despite his scars and reputation, and proudly calls him her co-pilot, Iron Demon. Shimin softens, and they kiss with deliberate gentleness, acknowledging pride in their partnership. They exchange playful titles, “Iron Widow” and “Charming Lady (Mei-Niang).”
As desire builds, Zetian loosens Shimin’s robe. He hesitates over revealing his scarred torso, but Zetian reassures him. Seeing his scars, she is awed by his strength and the life he has survived, contrasting his raw wounds with Yizhi’s tattoos. The moment culminates in mutual gratitude that they endured enough to meet, signaling a deepened, consensual intimacy and a redefined bond.
Who Appears
- Wu ZetianProtagonist; initiates intimacy, affirms polyamorous love with Yizhi’s consent, reassures Shimin, and chooses emotional vulnerability over her Iron Widow persona.
- Li ShiminCo-pilot; tries to keep distance, fears pity, reveals vulnerability and scars, accepts Zetian’s affection, and reciprocates with gentle intimacy.
- Gao YizhiAbsent but central to discussion; his consent underpins Zetian’s assertion that love can be infinite, easing Shimin’s concerns.