Behind the Mask - Chapter 22
Chapter 22: Enchanting
Chu Ye felt audacious and bold. She had never imagined that she could one day marry Bai Ning, yet she had blurted out the question in a rush, and she was completely serious.
Bai Ning gazed at Chu Ye, a smile blooming on her face. She, too, had never felt such a longing for the phoenix coronet and wedding robes. If Ye'er were to wear a bride's gown, she thought, she would be breathtakingly beautiful.
Seeing that Bai Ning only smiled without answering, Chu Ye grew insistent. She held her close and pressed in a low voice, "Are you willing?"
Bai Ning replied with a gentle laugh, "Of course I am."
Chu Ye's heart leaped with joy. She glanced at Bai Ning's lips, so close to her own, and leaned in, unable to resist the urge to kiss her.
Before she could touch her lips to the corner of Bai Ning's mouth, Nuan Hua's voice came from outside:
"Miss, we're almost there."
Hearing the voice, Chu Ye instantly composed herself, resuming her "proper" demeanor.
Bai Ning lowered her head, unable to suppress a smile.
Upon arriving at the Bamboo Manor, they had just stepped out of the carriage when they were greeted by the fresh scent of bamboo leaves mingled with a faint, pleasant floral fragrance.
They made their way to the courtyard.
Just as expected, the flowers planted in the courtyard were all in bloom.
Chu Ye, only just able to walk again, moved slowly, one step at a time. She looked around the small, fragrant courtyard and was filled with affection for it. She thought that when they returned to Xizhou, she would build a courtyard just like this one—a place that would truly be their own. The silver she had earned in Jingzhou over the years would finally have a purpose.
"Slow down." Bai Ning's pace was also unhurried as she constantly reminded Chu Ye.
But Chu Ye was stubborn and deliberately quickened her pace, wanting to prove that her injuries were nothing serious.
This made Nuan Hua anxious, and she hurried alongside them, calling out, "Miss... slow down."
Bai Ning had kept things simple for this trip, bringing only Nuan Hua as her personal maidservant.
Back in the familiar room, sunlight streamed in, and everything was peaceful and serene.
"Rest for a while," Bai Ning said, sitting with Chu Ye on the edge of the bed, wanting her to get some rest.
"A'Ning..." Chu Ye took her hand and called her name softly.
Bai Ning leaned closer. "What is it?"
As Bai Ning leaned in, Chu Ye seized the opportunity to do what she had been itching to do in the carriage—she pressed her lips against Bai Ning's, kissing her in a series of soft pecks.
Bai Ning smiled, deliberately letting her lips linger near Chu Ye's, allowing her to continue. Since their reunion, Chu Ye had become much more clingy and affectionate.
They nuzzled, their noses and temples brushing against each other. The familiar embrace and kisses brought a flood of sweet memories to Chu Ye's mind, tinged with a hint of sorrow.
Though they had only been apart for a dozen or so days, so much had happened that it felt as if years had passed.
Bai Ning felt the same. She reached out to gently caress Chu Ye's face. During their time apart, she had imagined countless terrible scenarios—
Chu Ye couldn't bear Bai Ning's gaze. She impatiently captured Bai Ning's lips in another kiss, wrapping her arms around her waist.
Once out of the manor, she cast aside all restraint.
Bai Ning parted her lips, responding in perfect sync. She cradled the back of Chu Ye's head, deepening the kiss as her tongue met Chu Ye's.
Encouraged by the response, Chu Ye's kisses grew urgent. She fervently kissed the soft tongue that met hers, her hands kneading Bai Ning's slender waist with varying pressure.
Now that they were away from the manor, she no longer had to hold back; she could be as unrestrained as she wished. And she knew Bai Ning would indulge her every whim.
"Mmm," Bai Ning's face gradually flushed crimson. Her palm tightened on the back of Chu Ye's neck, but the kiss had left her so weak she could muster no strength.
Chu Ye didn't break the kiss, simply deepening their entanglement. The moment they touched, her innate passion surfaced. Unlike the reserved and graceful women of Jingzhou, the women of Xizhou were far more "fierce," especially when expressing their emotions.
Bai Ning squeezed the back of Chu Ye's neck, knowing they couldn't continue, yet she couldn't resist closing her eyes and lingering in the moment.
As their passion intensified, Chu Ye pressed Bai Ning into a corner of the bed. She continued to kiss her deeply while undoing her sash, just as they had done in the past.
Bai Ning's gaze was hazy. "Ye'er," she murmured.
"Hmm?"
Bai Ning caught Chu Ye's hand, forcing a word through her lips. "Don't." Thinking of Chu Ye's injuries, she stopped her just in time. She was only just starting to recover, yet she was already so restless.
Chu Ye paused, resting her forehead against Bai Ning's. She was always "obedient" in front of her.
Bai Ning caught her breath for a moment before softly chiding her, "You're only just recovering. Behave yourself."
Stopped at such a moment, Chu Ye could only stare at Bai Ning with wide, aggrieved eyes.
They stared at each other helplessly for a moment.
"When you've fully recovered, we'll..." Bai Ning paused, then kissed the shell of Chu Ye's ear and whispered coaxingly, "make up for it doubly."
Make up for it doubly.
Chu Ye's face flushed red at her words, but she loved it. So this was what it was like to love someone so much—you became utterly shameless, completely unable to control yourself.
Bai Ning smiled again. "I'll play some calming music for you."
Chu Ye: "..."
Chu Ye saw Chu Lan again on her second day at the Bamboo Manor.
Chu Lan arrived on horseback, a bamboo staff in hand, while Chu Ye and Bai Ning were in the courtyard, enjoying the sun and watering the flowers.
The clatter of hooves broke the tranquility.
"Miss, there's a visitor," Nuan Hua announced as she approached.
"A visitor?" Bai Ning wondered.
"It's Miss Chu's elder sister."
Hearing that Chu Lan had come to find her, Chu Ye froze. Could it be that Elder Sister knows about me and Bai Ning? Has Big Brother convinced her to come and persuade me to go back with them...
A moment later, Chu Lan entered the courtyard.
"Ye'er."
Chu Ye looked over. Chu Lan was alone, leaning on her staff, and clearly had difficulty navigating the unfamiliar surroundings. Chu Ye's heart went out to her, and she rushed forward to help.
"Ye'er, are you all right?" Chu Lan knew it was Chu Ye beside her and joyfully grasped her hand.
Chu Ye glanced behind her. Chu Lan had come alone. "You came by yourself?"
Chu Lan was still asking anxiously, "Are your injuries serious?"
"It's nothing," Chu Ye said dismissively.
Chu Lan lowered her head. After everything that had happened, she didn't know how to face Chu Ye.
"Did Chu Hu send you?" Chu Ye asked through gritted teeth when she saw Chu Lan hesitate.
Chu Lan shook her head, her eyes welling up. "I couldn't see you, and I was worried. Ye'er, I know what happened... Your big brother doesn't have the face to see you."
Chu Ye fell into a pained silence.
"Elder Sister, let's go inside and sit down to talk," Bai Ning said, also moving to support Chu Lan.
Once inside, they sat at the table, and Chu Lan explained everything.
The day she learned that Chu Hu had drugged and locked Chu Ye up, she had him take her to find her. But when they arrived at the old villa, they found the guard locked in the room. Chu Ye had already escaped.
They spent the next several days gathering information and learned that a seriously injured Chu Ye had ridden to the Bai Manor, where she had been taken in and was now recovering. Her situation was relatively stable.
Only then were they relieved.
Chu Lan had guessed that if Bai Ning left the city, she would most likely come to the Bamboo Manor with Chu Ye, so she had come to find them.
Chu Ye remained silent after hearing Chu Lan's story.
"Ye'er, I had no idea he would go so far as to drug and lock you up," Chu Lan said, filled with shame and self-reproach. "If I had known, I would never have let you come back."
"Elder Sister..." Chu Ye said softly. "It's not your fault."
"Your big brother was just confused for a moment. He was thinking of himself, and he was afraid you would get hurt..." Chu Lan couldn't go on. No matter how good his intentions were, the harm had been done. She sighed. "He has wronged you."
After a moment of silence, Chu Ye calmly asked, "Elder Sister, did you come to persuade me to go back? I won't leave her. You don't need to convince me of anything."
Under the table, Bai Ning quietly squeezed Chu Ye's hand.
To her surprise, Chu Lan broke into a smile. "I always said our Ye'er is the bravest. As long as you're with Second Miss Bai, I can rest easy."
The uproar over the Bai Manor rejecting the Minister's Manor's marriage proposal was something Chu Lan had already heard about. Life in this world was difficult, but there would always be those who fearlessly broke free from their shackles.
Chu Ye had been certain that Chu Lan had come to take her away. She never expected her to say this.
"Elder Sister, I will take good care of Ye'er," Bai Ning said gently to Chu Lan.
"I know you cherish Ye'er," Chu Lan said with a smile. "You two must stay together and be happy."
"Elder Sister..." Chu Ye's eyes grew warm.
"Ye'er has really grown up. You have a sweetheart now," Chu Lan said with a smile, patting Chu Ye's head in a teasing, sentimental way.
Reassured that Chu Ye was safe, Chu Lan mounted her horse and rode back.
A few more days of recuperation passed.
The weather was fine, and Chu Ye, having been cooped up for so long, was eager to go out for some fresh air.
Bai Ning saw right through her. "Want to go for a walk?"
"Mhm!"
Bai Ning thought for a moment. "All right. Yao San's spring tea should be ready by now. I'll take you to Linglong Workshop to try some."
Thanks to Bai Ning, Chu Ye also had a fondness for Linglong Workshop, and Miss Yao San had helped her before. "Okay."
Nuan Hua, standing nearby, had to ask, "Miss, you're going out?"
"Just for a little while. We're going to Linglong Workshop for a change of scenery."
"Miss, please take care of yourself."
"All right, I know," Bai Ning said with a smile. "Go and prepare the carriage."
Linglong Workshop was also brimming with the vibrancy of spring.
Their carriage entered directly through the rear courtyard. The maidservant waiting at the door looked familiar to Chu Ye, and then it hit her—why was Qingliu's maid here?
"Excuse me, is Miss Yao San in? Our mistress has come for a visit," Nuan Hua asked politely.
The maidservant's face was slightly flushed. "Oh... she might be a bit busy. Please wait here a moment," she replied.
Chu Ye watched the maidservant hurry off into the inner courtyard.
The air in the inner courtyard was thick with passion. Though it was still early morning, the rising and falling moans were more amorous and heated than anything in the dead of night.
Although the maidservant had been Lady Qingliu's personal attendant for many years, she had never heard such a commotion. It was so... unrestrained.
She knocked on the door. "Miss," she called, but the sounds from within the boudoir were so loud they drowned out her voice.
It was Qingliu's voice. "Little sister, is your elder sister skilled?"
"Damn woman, who's your little sister?" Yao San cursed between pants.
"Of course you are. You're my good little sister," Qingliu said, also out of breath, her voice trembling with a seductive lilt.
"Shut up," Yao San continued to curse. "What kind of elder sister... sleeps with her younger sister... like this?"
Beast, rogue, Yao San cursed inwardly as she wrapped her arms around Qingliu's neck, kissing her with abandon.
"There is. Aren't you one right here? And I think my little sister is quite fond of me, no?" Qingliu laughed, the sounds from her throat growing higher. "Ugh, don't you think about your elder sister every day? Don't you want to cling to me?"
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