VBNWDW - Chapter 114

Chapter 114

"Hmm?" Zhong Jueyu tried to listen more clearly, tilting her head slightly.

Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, the world was no longer a blur. She could make out general shapes, like the sachet hanging above and the strands of the person's hair beside her, and hear the soft sound of breathing.

Moments like this were always subtle.

The weakening of her sight allowed her other senses to vie for dominance, becoming exceptionally sharp.

Zhong Jueyu could even hear her own heartbeat, which, accompanied by the wind outside, played an unknown melody.

She suddenly drifted off, recalling an extremely unremarkable memory from her childhood, so distant that Zhong Jueyu had thought she had long forgotten it, yet it flooded her mind at this very moment.

It had been just as dark. The young Princess Dening lay on an enormous wooden bed. Zhong Jueyu still remembered what that bed was like, crafted from the most precious large-leaf red sandalwood. A master carpenter had begun carving it from the day she was born, only finishing when she turned four.

The phoenixes on it were so lifelike that even the corners were carved with auspicious cloud patterns and lotus flowers. Outsiders all gossiped about how much the Emperor and Empress doted on Princess Dening.

But Zhong Jueyu had hated that bed. It was too empty, too large, like a giant prison. Every night, she was locked inside it. Even if she stretched her arms as far as they could go, she couldn't touch the edges. All she could do was quietly count her own heartbeats.

It wasn't until the voice beside her spoke that she was pulled back to reality.

This time, Zhong Jueyu still couldn't hear clearly. She couldn't help but move closer, whispering, "Say that again."

The furnishings in Xuanmiao Temple were ancient, and the simple wooden frame was riddled with wormholes. The slightest movement would cause it to creak. But amidst the noise, Zhong Jueyu finally heard the other person's words.

She said, "What are you thinking about?"

Zhong Jueyu opened her mouth but didn't know where to begin. She couldn't very well tell Luo Yueqing that she was thinking about the bed she used to sleep in. It felt strange, as if she had reverted to a childish little girl, thinking of home while in such humble conditions.

So Zhong Jueyu just shook her head and said, "Nothing."

Luo Yueqing let out a soft "oh," her tone unreadable. Then she asked, "Are you cold?"

Zhong Jueyu took a moment to feel it, then said, "I'm fine."

It was nearly early summer, so the weather wasn't particularly chilly. Aside from the physically weak Little Daoist Qingyue, most people would find it quite comfortable.

Luo Yueqing paused, seeming to mutter something, then moved even closer and blurted out, "Well, I'm cold."

It was a strange thing to say, as if Zhong Jueyu admitting she was cold would make Luo Yueqing not cold.

However, the only person who could refute her didn't speak, her body suddenly stiffening.

It was too close.

Because they were sleeping, both were wearing only thin undergarments. Their inner layers had been set aside, leaving just that single layer of fabric, which felt both present and like nothing at all.

And so, the unique softness of a woman's body pressed against Zhong Jueyu's arm, even squeezing it.

"Don't..." Zhong Jueyu began subconsciously, but the words died on her lips, unsure of what to say.

"Hmm?" The person beside her either didn't hear clearly or was pretending not to. She tilted her head up slightly to look at her, her chin digging into Zhong Jueyu's shoulder. It hurt a little.

Zhong Jueyu could only say, "Are you very cold?"

She reached out, intending to grab Luo Yueqing's hand and test her temperature as she had before, but Luo Yueqing dodged and simply hugged her instead.

"Cold," Luo Yueqing answered vaguely.

Her bare feet rested on the top of Zhong Jueyu's, and they were indeed a bit cool.

Zhong Jueyu couldn't help but feel guilty, apologizing inwardly for her earlier thought that the other woman was doing it on purpose. She awkwardly returned the hug, her arm lightly encircling the other's waist as she pressed the top of her foot against Luo Yueqing's.

"Why are you so cold?" she asked, a little surprised. Luo Yueqing had been wrapped in the blanket for a long time.

"I have a 'cold' constitution, so my hands and feet get cold easily," Luo Yueqing replied, burying her face in Zhong Jueyu's embrace.

Outside, all was silent. Even the moon had hidden itself. The stream in the mountain valley flowed on, like a winding ribbon.

The trees in the small courtyard stood tall, occasionally shedding a few leaves and disturbing the tranquility of the yard.

The bedding on the wooden bed bulged up in a large mound. The people inside held each other close. After their brief conversation ended, they didn't bring up any other topics, instead starting to fool around like children.

Her rounded toes slid over the instep, tracing the bones up and down, again and again. Of course, this repetitive motion was never exactly the same.

Sometimes it would start from the ankle, other times it would deliberately linger on the arch of her foot, or slowly move downward.

Zhong Jueyu was a little ticklish and could only press against the sole of the other's foot in an attempt to escape.

The person in her arms laughed, a light, triumphant chuckle.

Like a little cat that had just gotten a taste of cream.

This annoyed Her Highness the Grand Princess a little. She tightened her embrace and said in a low voice, "What are you laughing at?"

Luo Yueqing looked up at her, her messy hair brushing against Zhong Jueyu's neck and earlobe. Instead of helping, it only made her feel more ticklish.

But this time, Zhong Jueyu didn't let go. She just watched her.

Luo Yueqing said, "My hands are cold. Jinyan, help me warm them up."

It was another one of the little Daoist's usual tricks. Her sticky tone seemed to be currying favor, yet it also held a hint of being spoiled by affection.

Before Zhong Jueyu could agree, she held out her hands, clasped together obediently, like a criminal about to be bound.

"Jinyan," she drew out the word, making the two syllables twist and turn a thousand times.

Zhong Jueyu was always soft-hearted, especially towards the little Daoist. She took her hands and placed them inside her own clothes, then said helplessly, "Warmer now?"

But the person in her arms said, "Jinyan, you have abs."

Her cool fingertips poked here and there, as if she had discovered something new and fascinating.

Zhong Jueyu couldn't help but suck in a breath, her waist and abdomen retracting slightly.

But that person was relentless, her fingertips tracing the lines back and forth. It didn't hurt, but it was very strange, stranger than any other touch before.

"Stop fooling around," Zhong Jueyu could only say, her voice inexplicably hoarse.

Luo Yueqing refused to stop, whispering, "Let me count again, just to see how many there are."

Zhong Jueyu fell silent again, tacitly agreeing to her plea. She didn't understand why the other was so concerned about this. After all, she had practiced martial arts since she was a child. Not only did she have them, but so did Ruan He, Li Shigui, and others. She had seen even more of them in the military camps.

For example, one of her subordinates was covered in blocky muscles, as sturdy as a small mountain. When he charged at the enemy with two broadaxes, it felt like the ground itself was shaking.

The person in her arms counted from one to four, then let out a sigh of sincere admiration. "Jinyan, you're so amazing."

She really didn't understand what was so amazing about it.

Zhong Jueyu grabbed her hand and pressed it against her stomach, saying only, "Keep it warm."

But that person was restless, asking again, "Won't this give you a stomachache? What if you catch a cold..."

"I won't," Zhong Jueyu replied. Her constitution was much better than a certain someone's.

Luo Yueqing sighed with feeling, "Jinyan, you're really amazing."

She was now like a squirrel hugging a stove for warmth, her hands and feet all toasty.

"What's so special about that?" Zhong Jueyu truly didn't understand.

"It's just amazing," Luo Yueqing said, nestled in her arms.

There was no logical reason.

Many people had praised Zhong Jueyu in the past, using flowery language and classical allusions that could fill an entire page. No one had ever been as concise as Luo Yueqing, even repeating herself.

The topic ended just like that, but neither of them felt awkward. They chatted on and off, and when they didn't feel like talking, they simply fell silent.

The toes on her instep started their mischief again, scratching her intentionally or not.

Zhong Jueyu felt the tickle and shifted away slightly, then moved back again.

Luo Yueqing, completely oblivious, continued her repeated actions.

The temperature under the covers gradually rose, becoming warm and cozy, much more bearable than being alone.

Both of them were getting sleepy. They had woken up early and had gone through quite an ordeal that evening. It was impressive they had lasted this long.

Her arm around Luo Yueqing tightened unconsciously, pressing the other woman closer into her embrace. In a daze, she heard Luo Yueqing ask again, "Jinyan, have you always been this amazing since you were little?"

Zhong Jueyu forced herself to stay awake and managed to reply, "No one is born knowing everything. I'm just a bit more diligent than most people."

In her youth, her mother-empress had urged her on. After she passed away, it became a habit.

Luo Yueqing then asked, "Then, has anyone ever liked you?"

This question made Zhong Jueyu freeze. Her eyes snapped open, and she was suddenly wide awake. "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Just wanted to ask."

"What about you?" Zhong Jueyu didn't answer right away. The hand resting on her lower abdomen was already warm, but no one made a move to take it away, letting it stay there.

Luo Yueqing thought for a moment, then said with certainty, "Yes."

Luo Yueqing was not unattractive, nor did she have the aloof coldness or self-conscious pride of a noble lady. Naturally, she had many suitors.

"Were there any at the temple?" Zhong Jueyu pursed her lips, feeling inexplicably displeased.

"I think so. I remember a few Daoist priests, but I avoided them all."

Her reasons for coming to the mountain were already difficult to speak of. Both the temple's abbot and the head of the Luo Family had instructed her to stay indoors as much as possible, let alone interact with people. Otherwise, the original owner of the body wouldn't have been so bored as to go drinking in the michelia flower forest.

Zhong Jueyu's expression softened slightly. "Xuanmiao Temple is a bit too lenient in accepting disciples."

The person buried in her embrace asked again, "What about you? Many people must admire Your Highness."

Before Zhong Jueyu could answer, she heard her continue, "Were there any women among them?"

The question was a bit sudden. Zhong Jueyu paused for a moment before replying, "Yes."

She lowered her head slightly. Strands of messy hair brushed against her thin lips, carrying the faint scent of sandalwood.

"What about it?"

Luo Yueqing shrank deeper into her embrace and said in a muffled voice, "So what do you think about it?"

Her frame was slender, her skin delicate and soft. Warmed by the blankets, she felt like a fluffy cloud. Not only was she not uncomfortable to hold, but she was strangely comforting, even more so than any so-called bolster pillow.

Zhong Jueyu obligingly shifted her body so she could lean more comfortably, then said, "What do you want me to think?"

The imperial palace was a lonely place. It was common for palace maids and concubines to keep each other company for solace. She had stumbled upon it a few times in her youth. She had been too young then, ignorant and uncomprehending, but she had been sharp enough not to tell anyone. Later, as she grew older and more experienced, she slowly came to understand.

Luo Yueqing gave a vague sound of agreement but said no more.

Zhong Jueyu waited for a while, only to realize the person had already fallen asleep. She felt a bit helpless, but then thought that the little Daoist was indeed exhausted today, so she could only set the matter aside for now.

The night wind howled outside, sweeping up the fallen leaves on the ground. Looking towards the edge of the mountain range, one could faintly make out its silhouette. The darkness was beginning to fade.

The room also gradually became clearer, no longer pitch-black as before.

Zhong Jueyu, whose eyes had been closed, suddenly opened them. Then, the tips of her ears, hidden beneath her hair, turned a deep shade of red.

She looked down. The hand that had been resting on her lower abdomen had, at some point, moved upward, cupping the soft rise of her chest.

"You lecher..." someone chided in a low, mortified voice.

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