Volume 2 Chapter 11 - Kill Him
The autumn air was thick and heavy, and by now, it was already late autumn. The weather was getting colder, and winter wasn’t far off. The trees in the imperial garden had all turned bare, and even the peonies in the courtyard refused to bloom, all remaining as buds.
During this time, Leng Jiu had not left the palace. Mo Zhai, having learned her true ident.i.ty, sent messages to her through people from the General’s Manor, updating her on his training and the situation with Mo Yina. Zhu Kongyang’s shop had been purchased and was now under renovation, soon to be ready for opening.
After quietly reading the few pages, she turned around and threw the papers into the brazier, where they were instantly reduced to ashes. Clapping her hands, she turned, only to realize there was another person in the room. Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow at the man lazily lying on her **bed**. “You still dare to come?”
Long Yue Li smiled teasingly, “Jiu’er, could you really bear to castrate me?”
Leng Jiu walked over, “Why wouldn’t I?”
“I knew you were heartless!” Long Yue Li grumbled as he sat up, taking out a black bracelet from his bosom and pulling Leng Jiu’s hand to put it on. The black bracelet gleamed, contrasting beautifully with her fair wrist, creating an exquisite look.
Leng Jiu looked at the black bracelet, feeling a slight chill as she wore it. She couldn’t tell what material it was made of, and her expression remained indifferent. “You think a mere bracelet can atone for your sins?”
“Mere bracelet?” Long Yue Li lifted her hand, showing her the bracelet. It was composed of intricately carved cherry blossoms, each petal’s texture vividly clear. He pressed one of the petals, and a fine needle shot out from the flower’s center. If Leng Jiu wasn’t naturally sensitive, she wouldn’t have even noticed the needle’s presence!
Seeing her surprised expression, Long Yue Li finally felt a sense of accomplishment. “This is a mechanical bracelet crafted by the master of the Jiqiao Pavilion using black iron. Each cherry blossom contains a poisoned needle, lethal upon drawing blood. If you remove the bracelet, there’s a small groove in the middle. With a slight sc.r.a.pe from a sharp object, the bracelet can instantly transform into a small dagger. It’s specially made for women to protect themselves.”
Upon hearing this, Leng Jiu began to take the bracelet seriously. It was indeed quite interesting, small and worn on the wrist, making it much more convenient than other weapons. She pressed on one of the petals and suddenly looked at Long Yue Li. “Aren’t you afraid that next time I’ll use this against you?”
Long Yue Li pulled her into his arms and gave her a deep, indulgent kiss on the face. “If you can bear it, go ahead!”
Leng Jiu chuckled and tucked the bracelet into her sleeve, looking at Long Yue Li’s shameless demeanor. She found it both amusing and exasperating. Although she had been furious enough to want to kill him that day, a few days later, how could she still hold a grudge? Affairs between men and women were always a matter of mutual consent. It was her who allowed him to approach, and it was because of who she was that he lost control. Although she was angry and in pain afterward, it was just a momentary burst of anger.
Even though her heart had long since cooled, she couldn’t let him off too easily. If she indulged him any further, wouldn’t she end up with back pain every day?
Pushing his hand away, she moved to the side. “Weren’t you supposed to be preparing for the reception of the Xue Kingdom’s envoy? How do you have time to come here?”
Long Yue Li propped his head up, his hair casually scattered, and his charming fox-like eyes never left Leng Jiu. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow slightly. “The reception is being handled by the officials from the Ministry of Rites. I’m just there to make an appearance tomorrow. Why would a prince like me need to worry about it personally?”
Leng Jiu smiled and teased him slightly, “I heard that Princess Lanxiang is a renowned beauty. You should treat her well and not waste your nephew’s goodwill.”
Long Yue Li didn’t bother arguing with Leng Jiu, knowing that she was heartless. He gently stroked his lips and smiled. “With such a beauty, how could I, a mere prince, be worthy? The harem, though it has many concubines, still feels somewhat monotonous. Hmm, it could use a princess to liven things up!”
Leng Jiu curled her lips slightly and didn’t pursue the topic further.
In a blink, Long Yue Li was beside Leng Jiu, draping himself bonelessly across her shoulder. His slender, elegant hand lifted her chin as he squinted and said, “I’m not interested in any princess, but if I remember correctly, Jiu’er was very kind to that pretty boy before, hiding your ident.i.ty to listen to his music, protecting him, and even intervening on his behalf with my emperor nephew. Hmm… now that he’s returned in glory, don’t you have any thoughts?”
“What thoughts should I have?” Leng Jiu lowered her eyes to look at him, her gaze calm, devoid of any ripples.
Long Yue Li squinted again. He disliked this aspect of Leng Jiu the most—no matter what he said, she could always remain calm, without the slightest hint of emotion, making her unreadable and unpredictable, frustrating him to no end. Unable to vent his displeasure, he lifted his head slightly and kissed her fiercely. The force of it seemed as if he wanted to swallow her whole.
Caught off guard, Leng Jiu was kissed hard, her lips stinging. Before she could get angry, he softened his actions, kissing her carefully and tenderly. Leng Jiu’s anger dissipated instantly, her body softened, and she collapsed into his arms, closing her eyes to accept his kiss.
Their bodies, having just recently experienced such things, were now ignited by the kiss after so many days. One kiss was far from enough. His burning hands caressed her body, igniting the most primal desires. The luxurious palace dress was peeled away by his hands, and he carried her straight to the **bed**. The silk curtains were drawn, covering the scene of pa.s.sion.
Half an hour later, Long Yue Li lay in satisfaction, holding Leng Jiu. His brows reflected laziness and contentment, his eyes half-closed, his lips curved in a smirk, much like a fox that had just devoured its prey.
Leng Jiu, completely drained of strength, lay limply in his arms, too tired to think about anything.
Zi Yu, noticing the shadows of two people through the screen, wisely decided not to disturb them further. The people outside the hall were also sent away, leaving only the two of them in the room.
Long Yue Li looked down at Leng Jiu, who was curled up like a cat in his arms, and his heart softened into a puddle. He kissed her forehead and got up to carry her. Leng Jiu didn’t want to move and frowned in protest. Long Yue Li smiled indulgently and coaxed her softly, “I’ll take you to wash up. Otherwise, you’ll feel uncomfortable later.”
Leng Jiu, in her daze, seemed to hear him and relaxed her frown, acquiescing.
After a long ordeal of both pain and pleasure, Long Yue Li finally cleaned her up and carried her back out. Though he very much wanted to hold her until dawn, he wasn’t sure if he could control himself. So, for the sake of future benefits, he reluctantly found her undergarments and dressed her before holding her to sleep.
For once, Leng Jiu woke up without any discomfort. Opening her eyes, she saw Long Yue Li’s peaceful sleeping face. Even in his sleep, he was just as devilishly handsome, though without the brilliance that illuminated his eyes when awake. He looked much softer, almost childlike, with his long eyelashes resting gently. Looking at him like this, Leng Jiu felt an inexplicable warmth in her heart, wanting to laugh, along with a strange flutter of emotion she couldn’t quite understand.
Since he had behaved himself last night and hadn’t pestered her any further, she felt unusually gentle. She leaned up slightly to plant a kiss on his lips, then lowered her head to rest against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat until she fell asleep again.
When Leng Jiu woke up once more, Long Yue Li was already gone. Looking at the sun, it was almost noon, and the Xue Kingdom’s envoy had already arrived in the capital!
Zi Yu had prepared several sets of clothes and placed them by the bed. Seeing Leng Jiu awake, she asked, “The banquet is set for this afternoon. The servant has prepared everything, but I wonder which outfit the Empress Dowager wishes to wear?”
Leng Jiu’s gaze drifted over the clothes before settling on a white peony gown. She remembered wearing this exact outfit the last time Lan Ze saw her. “This one.”
In the afternoon, the banquet began. This was a formal occasion, so no officials were allowed to bring their families, and even the concubines of the imperial harem were limited to Consort Hua and Consort Hui.
Leng Jiu arrived just as Long Yi entered. The two exchanged a glance without speaking and walked side by side to the high platform, taking their respective seats.
“Greetings to Your Majesty! Greetings to the Empress Dowager!”
“Rise!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
**Chapter 11: Kill Him**
Long Yi didn’t say anything else and got straight to the point: “Summon the envoys from the Kingdom of Xue!”
Eunuch Qu immediately shouted the command, which echoed through the hall: “Summon the envoys from the Kingdom of Xue!”
It would take a moment for them to arrive from the outer gates. Leng Jiu swept her gaze across the court and the first person she noticed was Long Yue Li, that scoundrel. As usual, he was lounging lazily, his entire posture exuding a sense of indolence. Sensing her gaze, Long Yue Li looked up, his lips curling into a wicked smile as he ran his fingers across his rose-coloured lips, giving off an aura that was both seductive and dangerous.
Leng Jiu turned her eyes away in exasperation, and her gaze landed on a figure dressed in pale moon-white. Palace Guard Wei had also just looked up, coincidentally meeting her gaze. Caught off guard, he appeared startled before awkwardly looking away, though the tips of his ears were tinged with a faint redness.
It had been a while since Leng Jiu last saw Palace Guard Wei, and seeing him now, she realized she had missed him. She made a mental note to visit him in the coming days.
Lord Hua Jin wasn’t present today, so Leng Jiu didn’t see him either.
As several moments pa.s.sed, the guests from outside finally began to enter the hall. Following everyone’s gaze, Leng Jiu immediately noticed a figure dressed in an elegant pale blue robe, looking both familiar and yet different from before. Gone were the rough, simple clothes, replaced by a refined garment made of precious Yun Jin fabric, the light blue adding a touch of ethereal grace. No longer did a simple headband adorn his hair; instead, he wore a jade crown. His features were the same as ever, but the humility of old was replaced by an aura of elegance, composure, and n.o.bility.
Just like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley that had now absorbed the colours of the world, this person was dazzling. It seemed that Lan Ze had truly taken her advice to heart, or perhaps he had always been this n.o.ble flower, merely hidden beneath the surface.
“Minister Lan Ze greets His Majesty!” This was not the lowly, humble kneeling from before but a graceful, unbowed salute, displaying elegance without the slightest trace of subservience.
“Princess Lan Xiang greets His Majesty!” A sweet, melodious voice chimed in, reminiscent of a warbler’s song, enough to catch the attention of any man.
Only now did Leng Jiu remember the presence of Princess Lan Xiang. Her gaze shifted to the woman, who was clad in a simple white gauze dress, her face half-covered by a veil that revealed only the upper half of her face. Yet, even this was enough to show that she was indeed a beauty. Her large almond-shaped eyes glistened with a gentle light, her delicate eyebrows curved gracefully, and a dazzling gem adorned her smooth forehead. Her long hair was styled into an intricate, yet not overly extravagant, updo, with just a few pearl hairpins for decoration. Even with such a simple appearance, she was captivating, embodying the essence of a natural beauty.
The civil and military officials, many of whom were rather gossipy, were all aware that Princess Lan Xiang was renowned for her beauty. Now, seeing her partially concealed yet still stunning appearance, they couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like fully unveiled. Leng Jiu, however, was not particularly curious about her looks. After a brief glance at her face, her attention shifted to the princess’s figure. The gauze dress was perfectly tailored, and while it didn’t fully reveal her curves, it was clear enough for Leng Jiu to a.s.sess.
Large b.r.e.a.s.t.s, a slim waist, shapely hips, and long, straight legs, combined with that sultry voice—she was undoubtedly an enchanting beauty. She couldn’t help but wonder if Long Yue Li could handle such a captivating woman.
Even Long Yi was momentarily stunned by her beauty, pausing before he raised his hand and said, “Both of you, rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Lan Ze’s gaze swept over Leng Jiu, pausing slightly before naturally moving away, as if nothing had happened. “I have come from the Xue Kingdom and brought two items as offerings for the Emperor!”
Two attendants stepped forward, opening the two boxes they were holding. One of the boxes was filled with ice, cold air billowing out. As the cold air dissipated, two pure white lotus flowers were revealed inside, crystal-clear and so beautiful that they lifted everyone’s spirits!
The head of the Imperial Medical Office stood up excitedly. “Could these be the snow lotuses that bloom only once every ten years?”
Lan Ze nodded. “Indeed, they are snow lotuses! This year happens to be when the snow lotuses bloom, and even more fortunately, they bloomed as twin lotuses—a sight so rare it might not be seen even once in hundreds of years!”
Long Yi, the Emperor, was delighted. “Wonderful! The Regent has truly shown his consideration!”
Lan Xiang stepped forward, pointing to the other box. “Your Majesty! Inside this box is the earth dragon bone from the Xue Kingdom’s perilous region. When the divine physician created the Black Jade elixir back then, the most precious ingredient was this earth dragon bone!”
Long Yi’s eyes lit up again. “I know that the Xue Kingdom’s perilous region has rare earth dragons, more valuable than even the snow lotus. I never thought I’d have the fortune to see one!”
Lan Xiang bowed slightly. “It is all due to Your Majesty’s blessings!”
Long Yi was in an excellent mood after receiving these items and waved his hand. “Please, Regent and Princess, take your seats!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The two of them sat on the left side, and the banquet officially began.
Just after they sat down, Hua Yuxuan glanced at Lan Xiang and casually remarked, “I have long heard of Princess Lan Xiang’s renowned beauty. I thought I could see it today, but it seems the princess is quite reserved, which is a bit disappointing.”
Princess Lan Xiang squinted her eyes and smiled. “Lan Xiang is but a mere sh.e.l.l of beauty, nothing compared to the n.o.ble elegance of the Imperial Consort. There’s nothing to hide about my appearance, but this veil was placed on me when I was ten years old by my mother, who instructed me that unless I found a man I could spend my life with, I should never remove it. I dare not forget my mother’s words, so if I have been disrespectful, I beg the Imperial Consort’s forgiveness!”
Her voice was soft yet resonant, leaving everyone feeling at ease.
Long Yi’s eyes brightened. “I have many fine young men in my court; has any caught the princess’s eye?”
Lan Xiang smiled at his words. “I have just arrived in the capital and haven’t even had a chance to set foot down; how could I have time to look at anyone?”
“Haha! I must have been too eager!”
Long Yi shifted his gaze from her and ordered the meal to be served, and the banquet officially began. Naturally, no banquet would be complete without music and dance. Several dancers, with flowing sleeves, entered gracefully to the accompaniment of music. Suddenly, a minister spoke up, “In past banquets, the Regent would play the zither for our entertainment. I wonder if we might have the chance to hear him today?”
As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes turned to Lan Ze. The truth was, they all had something on their minds—Lan Ze was once a lowly prince, and even though he was now the Regent of a va.s.sal state, it did not erase his past as a mere palace servant. Seeing Lan Ze today, many were tempted to suppress and humiliate him, so it was no surprise that no one objected to the minister’s suggestion.
Leng Jiu glanced at the minister, then slowly set down her wine cup. However, she said nothing. Today’s Lan Ze did not need her protection.
Lan Ze did not feel insulted or angry at the minister’s words; his expression remained unchanged. Just as he was about to respond, Princess Lan Xiang suddenly stood up. At that moment, Leng Ji clearly saw the coldness and anger in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, and with a graceful smile, she said, “Although my zither skills are not as good as my elder brother’s, I would like to take his place and play a piece for everyone’s enjoyment. Would the Emperor grant me this favor?”
Long Yi was not concerned by Lan Xiang’s intervention. With a beautiful woman’s request, how could he refuse? “I have heard that Princess Lan Xiang is skilled in many arts. Today, I would like to witness it!”
Princess Lan Xiang lowered her eyes. “Please forgive me for my modest attempt!”
The dancers retreated like a tide, leaving the center stage clear. Immediately, a seven-stringed zither was placed there. Lan Xiang walked over gracefully, sat down elegantly, and raised her hands. Her slender, jade-like fingers were as white as snow, adorned with two bracelets, making her look even more exquisite. Some of the onlookers were entranced.
Her fingers lightly plucked the strings, and the sound of the zither floated out, clear and ethereal. Her skill was commendable, playing the piece fluently and without any hint of awkwardness. However… Leng Jiu squinted slightly. Wasn’t this piece a bit too heavy? She glanced at Lan Ze and saw that he was also looking at Lan Xiang, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
When the piece ended, Lan Xiang rose gracefully. “My zither skills are lacking; I hope the Emperor will not be displeased!”
How could Long Yi be displeased? He clapped his hands, full of admiration. “Princess Lan Xiang’s zither skills rival those of the Regent. How could they be lacking?”
After clapping, he looked at the wine in front of him and smiled. “Eunuch Qu, bring the wine!”
Eunuch Qu immediately brought a cup of wine and walked to Princess Lan Xiang.
Lan Xiang glanced at Long Yi, picked up the wine cup, and everyone watched her intently, wondering how she would drink it. Would she remove her veil? Lan Xiang, fully aware of their gazes, lifted her sleeve to cover her face. The veil moved slightly, and when she lowered her hand, the cup was empty, but the veil remained securely in place. She placed the cup back on the tray. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for the fine wine!”
Not being able to see the beauty’s face left some people disappointed, but there was nothing they could do.
The banquet continued, with Long Yi occasionally drinking with Lan Ze and asking about the Xue Kingdom’s customs. Hua Yuxuan would also exchange a few words with Lan Xiang from time to time. The ministers below clinked cups and chopsticks, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Leng Jiu sat quietly on the high platform, saying nothing, only drinking and eating as if everything around her had nothing to do with her—and indeed, it didn’t. Her gaze swept over the crowd below. Long Yueli was drinking happily, his eyes half-closed in a drunken haze, looking at the opposite side with a playful expression, his thoughts unknown.
Leng Jiu then looked at Gong Yuwei and saw that he was also looking at her, his eyes filled with suppressed longing and complex emotions. Leng Jiu smiled slightly, gesturing toward the outside, and then got up and left.
Gong Yuwei, seeing Leng Jiu’s gesture, was startled at first, then became a bit excited. His face flushed slightly. Although he had accepted that Xiao Jiu was indeed the Empress Dowager, the thought of meeting her in private still made him feel uneasy and conflicted. However, his desire to see her ultimately overcame these feelings, and he quietly got up and left.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively, with many ministers having already made several trips to relieve themselves, so no one paid attention to the Prime Minister’s departure.
Leng Jiu sat in a small garden not far from the banquet, leaning against a stone pillar with her eyes closed, letting the cool breeze blow away the slight tipsiness from the wine.
Zi Yu and Duheng stood on either side, and before long, Gong Yuwei arrived. The two of them exchanged a glance and continued to stand guard.
As Gong Yuwei approached, he saw Leng Jiu with her eyes closed. Seeing her up close, he realized just how breathtakingly beautiful she was, so beautiful that he couldn’t find words to describe her. The sight of her sitting quietly with her eyes closed inexplicably stirred his heart. He couldn’t resist the urge to reach out and touch her, but in the end, he did nothing. Just then, Leng Jiu opened her eyes, her gaze piercing directly into his.
“You’re here!”
Gong Yuwei felt a rush of panic, as if he’d been caught in the act of peeping, and quickly averted his eyes, not daring to meet hers. “Empress Dowager!”
Leng Jiu narrowed her eyes. “That’s not the proper way to address me, is it?”
Under Leng Jiu’s gaze, Gong Yuwei had no choice but to correct himself. “Xiao Jiu!”
Leng Jiu lifted his hand to hold his, pulling him to sit beside her and resting her head on his shoulder.
Gong Yuwei stiffened as she touched his hand, and he sat there, stiff and tense, until he felt the weight on his shoulder and came to his senses. He was immediately nervous: “Xiao Jiu! This is improper!”
“What’s improper about it?” Leng Jiu clutched his hand, a bit sullenly saying, “I’ve had quite a bit to drink. Let me rest for a while!”
Gong Yuwei wanted to move away, but hearing her slightly weary voice softened his heart. His hand, enveloped by her gentle grip, made his heart race, and he found it hard to let go.
Time seemed to stand still, and it was hard to tell if it was happiness or torment.
The place was not far from the banquet, and occasionally palace maids could be seen walking by with things. Gong Yuwei was tense, worried about the damage to Xiao Jiu’s reputation if someone saw them. However, his fears were realized when a drunk minister staggered over and headed their way. Gong Yuwei was so startled that he lost his balance and fell backward. Leng Jiu, caught off guard, fell with him. Luckily, the ground was covered in thick gra.s.s, so they didn’t get hurt.
After they fell, the minister changed direction and seemed to head back to the banquet. Gong Yuwei sighed in relief. When he came to his senses after the shock, he noticed Leng Jiu lying on his chest, her eyes shining brightly in the dark as she looked at him.
Gong Yuwei was not accustomed to this position and gently pushed Leng Jiu away: “Xiao Jiu, can you please get up?”
Leng Jiu looked at the flush on Gong Yuwei’s face that even the darkness couldn’t hide and was delighted. “Big brother! You look so innocent, I really want to bite you!”
Gong Yuwei was stunned and didn’t know how to respond. Leng Jiu leaned in and actually bit him, not on the face but on his lips!
Boom! Gong Yuwei felt something explode beside his ear, disorienting him. The unique scent of Leng Jiu’s femininity filled his nostrils, causing his heartbeat to quicken with every breath until he could hardly breathe.
“Xiao Jiu…” He wanted to refuse, but Leng Jiu didn’t give him a chance. She switched from biting to kissing, her lips, warm as feathers, touching his. She turned and pressed against his lips, prying them open, her sweet tongue sweeping over his senses and taste buds, quickly conquering his defenses.
Gong Yuwei knew this was inappropriate and that it shouldn’t be happening, but at this moment, he felt like even his lips, his body, and even his soul weren’t his own! The sweetness between their lips ignited his nerves, burning his reason, taking away his heartbeat and breath, making him unable to resist.
Leng Jiu slightly pulled away from his lips, looking at him with a hint of annoyance and smiling: “Don’t you know how to breathe? Are you trying to suffocate yourself?”
Gong Yuwei finally came to his senses and took deep breaths, turning his head away, not daring to look at Leng Jiu!
Leng Jiu wasn’t going to let him escape. She turned his head back, looking straight into his eyes: “Look at me!”
Gong Yuwei had no choice but to look at her, and seeing her serious expression nearly made him forget to breathe again! Leng Jiu looked at him intently, her eyes as if drawing him in. Her lips parted slightly but she didn’t speak. She moved closer, and once again covered his lips with hers. He watched her close her eyes, saw her serious and affectionate expression. She wasn’t teasing; she was kissing him with deep sincerity.
For some reason, at this moment, he felt valued and cherished, as if he was being held close in her heart. His hands relaxed slightly, and his eyes involuntarily closed, focusing on her kiss. His hands, which had unknowingly wrapped around her slim waist, tightened slightly. Their bodies pressed together, and the softness of her body made him reluctant to let go.
Gong Yuwei wasn’t good with words, and Leng Jiu couldn’t find any other topic to talk about, so they spent this moment mostly in their embrace. Initially, Leng Jiu kept teasing and kissing him, and he, like a puppet, could only endure. But soon, he seemed to accept the affection and began to respond tentatively, eventually taking the initiative to kiss Leng Jiu, exploring her lips for that intoxicating taste.
His kisses were as innocent and pure as he was, like a breeze from the snow-capped peaks, clear and sacred. Although clumsy and naive, it was this clumsiness and innocence that made Leng Jiu reluctant to part. Each kiss filled her heart, and she loved the feeling deeply.
For someone like Gong Yuwei, inexperienced in love, kissing was just kissing. Being able to initiate a kiss was already a big step for him. He had no other thoughts; his hands stayed firmly around Leng Jiu’s waist, never moving up or down. So when they finally parted, despite being slightly disheveled, everything seemed perfect.
Gong Yuwei held Leng Jiu’s hand, still immersed in the moment, feeling deeply embarra.s.sed about having kissed her and making such reckless moves. He didn’t dare to look up at her.
Leng Jiu couldn’t help but smile, leaning over to kiss his cheek a few times and resting on his shoulder: “The most normal thing between a boyfriend and girlfriend. Didn’t you ask me to be your girlfriend? From now on, you have the right to hug and kiss me as much as you like, understand?”
If it were an ordinary man hearing such words, he might have had impure thoughts. But Gong Yuwei didn’t. For him, kissing and hugging were already the most he could handle. He couldn’t refuse and remained silent.
Leng Jiu found his innocence both endearing and amusing. Curious, she leaned in and asked mischievously: “Do you know what happens on the wedding night?”
She expected Gong Yuwei to blush and be shy, but to her surprise, he seriously replied: “Lifting the veil, drinking the wedding wine, and performing the marital rites!”
Leng Jiu burst into laughter, unable to hold it in: “Hahaha! Yuwei, you’re too cute!”
Gong Yuwei was puzzled by her laughter, but hearing her call him ‘Yuwei’ stirred something in his heart, and he ignored the ‘cute’ remark.
Leng Jiu, still smiling, leaned in mysteriously and asked: “Do you know what performing the marital rites means?”
Gong Yuwei was taken aback and shook his head: “I read about it in books, but there were no detailed explanations. When I asked my teacher, he said I’d understand when I got married!”
Pff! Leng Jiu was utterly amused. Though Gong Yuwei was rigid and lacking in romantic imagination, his simplicity was sometimes very endearing, like now. Clearing her throat, Leng Jiu tried to sound normal: “Performing the marital rites means taking off all your clothes—remember, everything needs to be off—and then the two of you lie together, kiss, and do other things in bed. Understand?”
Leng Jiu tried to make it sound casual, but Gong Yuwei’s face turned beet red, his lips slightly parted, as if he had heard something unbelievable.
After teasing Gong Yuwei for a while, seeing that he was about to crack, Leng Jiu finally released him with one last deep kiss. She then stood up, brushed off the gra.s.s from her clothes, and walked away, leaving Gong Yuwei in a daze for a long time before he finally headed back to the banquet.
When Gong Yuwei returned to his seat, though his expression remained unchanged, his mind was elsewhere. The wine in his cup trembled slightly, mirroring his unsettled state!
Long Yueli had noticed Gong Yuwei as soon as he entered, his gaze fixed on Gong Yuwei’s lips. The bright, moist color made him narrow his eyes, as if realizing something. His heart clenched, and he quickly drank the wine in his gla.s.s before leaving in a hurry.
Leng Jiu returned to the Weiyang Palace. Not asking for Ziyu’s attendance, she went straight to the bath. However, just as she entered, a strong arm pulled her over, and a kiss full of alcohol overwhelmed her, forceful and aggressive. Leng Jiu almost couldn’t handle it, and was pushed against a column to stay upright.
His strong hands tore at her clothes, ripping them apart. Her outer and inner garments fell to the ground in tatters. His hands roamed over her body with such force that she frowned. Realizing his anger and frustration, Leng Jiu bit his lips hard to break free from his grip and stared at him coldly: “What are you going mad about now?”
Long Yueli lifted his hand to touch his lips, which were now stained with a trace of red. Seeing the blood, he sneered: “Did you just have a secret meeting with someone named Gong? And now you’re rejecting me?”
Leng Jiu didn’t know how he found out but didn’t feel guilty. “My affairs are none of your business!”
Long Yueli licked the blood from his lips, his narrow, fox-like eyes exuding a dangerous aura: “What if I insist on interfering?”
Leng Jiu wrapped herself in a veil and glared at him: “You have no right and can’t do anything about it!”
Long Yueli’s eyes darkened with danger. He stepped closer and pushed her back against the column again: “I’m displeased with him now. If I kill him, will you feel heartache?”
“Dare you?” Leng Jiu’s gaze turned sharp: “I won’t allow you to touch him!”
“Won’t allow?” Long Yueli’s lips curled into a deeper sneer: “Last time, when I wanted to kill Hua Jin, you didn’t bat an eye, and you didn’t worry when he was injured and almost crippled. But now, just mentioning someone named Gong makes you so anxious and even threatens me. Xiao Jiu, did you really develop feelings for him?”
“Whether I have feelings for him is none of your concern, but I won’t allow you to touch him!”
“Ha!” Long Yueli laughed derisively: “You say I have no right to meddle in your affairs, so what right do you have to command me? Whatever I want to do, no one can stop me!”
With that final, harsh remark, Long Yueli disappeared like the wind, leaving behind a heavy and sorrowful atmosphere. Leng Jiu, holding the veil, had complex feelings in her eyes.
After a brief bath, Leng Jiu summoned Qingling to issue orders to ensure Gong Yuwei’s protection. Her intuition told her that Long Yueli wasn’t joking this time!
As she lay down, Leng Jiu felt a mixture of emotions she couldn’t quite define. Perhaps she shouldn’t have shown such concern for Gong Yuwei, but the moment she heard Long Yueli’s words, she instinctively reacted, and once she realized it, she couldn’t retract her response. She shouldn’t have been so impulsive. Thinking of that seemingly cold but pure-hearted young man, Leng Jiu closed her eyes heavily, hoping he could stay safe.
That night, Leng Jiu slept restlessly, startled by even the smallest sounds. In the middle of the night, Qingling came in and lit a lamp: “Empress Dowager! When Minister Gong returned to the mansion, he was attacked on the street. Luckily, his hidden guards arrived in time to save him. However, among the a.s.sa.s.sins was a skilled killer who killed two of his hidden guards and wounded him with a sword in his shoulder. Our people followed, but lost track of him!”
Leng Jiu sat up abruptly, her teeth clenched: “He actually dared?”
Qingling watched her for a while before asking: “Do you have any other orders, Empress Dowager?”
Leng Jiu came to her senses, feeling somewhat powerless, and waved her hand: “You can go rest now.”
“Servant will take her leave!”
After Qingling left, Leng Jiu lay back down heavily, closing her eyes, but sleep eluded her!
In her past life, she had several regular lovers, but they never demanded anything from her. She generously gave them money and power but never emotions. They were with her for their own purposes. There might have been affection, but it was too faint to lead to conflicts. They all knew about each other and would not act out of line even if they appeared simultaneously.
She never sought their affection, and their relationships were always mutual agreements. If they no longer wished to be with her, she wouldn’t force them. She could say she had never worried about men, let alone cared so deeply.
She could sense that her feelings for Gong Yuwei were different; it was genuine affection, and she wanted to treat it well. However, this affection wasn’t enough for her to change herself and become an ordinary and low-key woman. Thus, she accepted Long Yueli and even indulged him in her world. But now she realized that things weren’t as stable as she had imagined.
She had always thought Long Yueli was heartless and indifferent to the world. Even though he wasn’t as uncaring as her previous lovers, she didn’t expect him to be deeply involved. He understood what he was doing, what was unattainable, and their relationship was purely physical with no burdens. But at this moment, she realized she was wrong, and wrong in an extreme way. Long Yueli’s feelings for her had exceeded her limits. Whether it was affection or possessiveness, it was not good for her!
She didn’t hate Long Yueli, but not hating him didn’t mean she liked him. Now, he had indeed become someone she disliked. If that was the case, it was better to cut ties as if they had never met!
Outside the capital, Long Yueli sat on a tree branch as thick as an arm. The leaves concealed his face, and even the moonlight couldn’t reveal his expression. Beside him hung a sword with two drops of blood on the tip—Gong Yuwei’s blood.
Long Yueli looked up at the sky and then laughed bitterly. It was unclear whether he was laughing at others or himself.
Suddenly, he clutched his chest as if something important had been lost. The emptiness made him anxious, more so than ever. After a long time, he laughed again, but this time it was filled with desolate sadness: “Xiao Jiu! You are indeed the coldest one!”
TL – “Xiao Jiu! You are indeed the coldest one!” Leng in Leng Jiu means Cold thats why he said that