VBNWDW - Chapter 141
Chapter 141
Her Highness the Grand Princess's word was as good as gold; she would naturally not go back on what she had said.
But Luo Yueqing's request was simply too much, so when it came time to fulfill her promise, she was a bit awkward and hesitant.
Fortunately, the Little Daoist didn't mind. She even reveled in it, deliberately teasing her.
The half-removed riding attire exposed one of her shoulders and her neck. The dim yellow candlelight fell upon her, caught by the elegant lines of her form. Zhong Jueyu turned her head, her loose hair hiding the tips of her thoroughly flushed ears.
Luo Yueqing sat with one leg bent, half-leaning against the wooden couch as she watched the woman sitting on the edge.
The bowl of Cream Glacier sat between them. As time passed, the chill dissipated, and it began to show signs of melting, forming beads of condensation along the rim of the porcelain dish.
A small golden spoon clattered down, making a crisp sound upon impact.
Zhong Jueyu seemed startled by it, trembling suddenly.
The other person, however, pretended not to see. Her fair fingertips pinched the small golden spoon, and after casually scooping up a small amount, she raised her hand and offered it toward Zhong Jueyu.
The spoon stopped just short of Zhong Jueyu, as if deliberately pausing there, wickedly demanding that she take the initiative herself.
Zhong Jueyu looked up, unable to resist shooting the other a reproachful glance, but her body slowly leaned forward. Her back curved slightly, and the spoon landed on her collarbone, sending a chill through her.
Zhong Jueyu let out a soft hum, unconsciously gripping the soft cushion on the wooden couch.
The milky-white Cream Glacier was placed down, nestled in the triangular hollow formed by her shoulder and collarbone. It wasn't a full scoop, but because of her slanted posture, the dessert rested precariously on the edge of her collarbone, trembling as if it might fall at any moment.
Zhong Jueyu couldn't help but urge her in a low voice, "Hurry up."
Her skin wasn't as tender as Luo Yueqing's, but she was still a Grand Princess who had been raised in luxury. In just a moment, the patch of skin covered by the icy water had flushed crimson, looking rather pitiful.
But the other person showed no pity. Not only did she not stop out of compassion, but she also ignored her urging, merely lifting her chin.
Her attitude was arrogant.
It was clear she had no intention of moving herself and required the other person to continue taking the initiative.
Zhong Jueyu, who was in the wrong to begin with, could only obey. She bent closer toward her again.
The half-removed riding attire was pulled, and strands of her hair fell with the movement. Her collarbone touched Luo Yueqing's lips, and that bit of Cream Glacier, which had melted into water, finally found its destination.
The ancestor being served finally opened her mouth. Her slightly sharp teeth grazed the collarbone as the tip of her tongue hooked a tiny bit of the Cream Glacier.
It was hard to tell if it was intentional, but she mimicked a kitten lapping up water, brushing against the edge of the collarbone, now and then.
The hand gripping the soft cushion tightened, the bent knuckles turning white.
The sound of lapping, which she had never noticed before, was now as clear as if it were right beside her ear.
After the icy Cream Glacier was finished, the person refused to leave, pressing against her collarbone and muttering, "Too slow."
The Grand Princess had rarely served anyone in her life, and the few times she had were all for Luo Yueqing. Even so, she was being criticized for being too slow.
She was about to speak when the other pushed her. Caught off guard, she fell backward, propping herself up with her hands to barely steady her body.
But Luo Yueqing was still not satisfied. She leaned over and pressed her against the edge of the low table.
The woman even commanded, "Don't move."
And so the Grand Princess, who stood above all and below none, was frozen in place, being impossibly obedient.
The riding attire slipped down a little more, revealing a golden peony on a red background. The thin cord tied around her neck looked like a conspicuous necklace, making Zhong Jueyu's skin appear even fairer.
Luo Yueqing, however, had no time to admire it. She picked up the plate of Cream Glacier, seemingly intending to pour it over the other woman.
Zhong Jueyu's brow furrowed slightly, and then she turned her head to the side, making no move to stop her.
Fortunately, the other person still had a shred of conscience. In the end, she picked up the small spoon and began scooping the dessert out of the plate bit by bit.
The icy slush, already on the verge of melting, was warmed by her skin and turned to water, dripping down and soaking the thin fabric.
Zhong Jueyu felt a certain restlessness. The sweltering summer heat intertwined with the unusual cold, creating a strange and unfamiliar sensation.
The rustle of fabric sounded as the person finally finished her preparations and readied herself to taste her own creation.
It was like unwrapping a gift—one shouldn't rush to the final product, but rather admire it starting from the very first ribbon.
Light, scattered kisses fell upon her closed eyelids. Her thick, curled lashes trembled slightly. They slid down her high-bridged nose to her flushed cheeks, which were somewhat hot, perhaps from the heat.
Fortunately, Luo Yueqing had already tasted a bit of the coldness, so there was no need to worry about being burned. She transferred the cool temperature to every inch of skin.
Furthest down were her tightly pressed lips, drawn into a tense line. It took Luo Yueqing a bit of skill to pry them open. The tip of her tongue carried the faint fragrance of tea; she didn't know when Zhong Jueyu had drunk some.
The experience was rather interesting. At the very least, it brought Luo Yueqing a sense of delight. Even though Zhong Jueyu would have told her in detail what she had done that day if she had just asked, those would have been answers without any real substance.
But these traces now were something she had discovered through her own efforts—a detail that even the protagonist herself was about to forget.
And so she deepened the kiss, her hand sliding down, the web of her thumb pressing into the other's neck, forcing her to tilt her head back and comply with her excessive demands.
Her hair cascaded down, just brushing the dark tabletop, painting a strange and alluring picture. The melted Cream Glacier continued to drip.
Feeling it, Zhong Jueyu couldn't help but urge her, pushing at her shoulder and managing to say, "Don't… it's dripping down."
Her muffled voice was indistinct, mixed with ragged breaths.
The other person still had some sense left and didn't linger.
She moved lower, biting her collarbone and swallowing the melted Cream Glacier bit by bit.
Her Highness the Grand Princess bit her lip, her hands braced behind her on the edge of the table. She tried to lean back but the sharp corner pressed painfully into her, leaving her to support herself with great effort.
The lapping sounds were clear, one after another, startling the candlelight into a dance and sending sparks flying from the candlestick.
Looking outside, the unlatched wooden window framed the scenery beyond.
The Grand Princess's residence was far more exquisitely furnished than Xuanmiao Temple. Even the most easily overlooked corners had intricate carvings, to say nothing of the courtyard, where a bamboo grove and meticulously cared-for potted plants complemented each other, neither ostentatious nor desolate.
Further out, servants were sprinkling water, worried that the stuffy, dry summer heat would disturb the noble lady's rest. This would alleviate the dryness and lower the temperature a little, filling the air with the faint scent of earth and dust.
The wind rang the bronze bells on the eaves, creating a tinkling sound. A crescent moon hung over the roof.
The damp robe fell to the floor. Half of the Cream Glacier in the dish was gone, having been moved to another "plate."
Her lean waist and abdomen tensed. The melted, sweet, icy water flowed down her contours like a slender stream.
The low table pressed against her back was pushed, scraping backward with a sharp noise.
Luo Yueqing, however, paid it no mind, completely focused on the delicacy she had prepared.
Zhong Jueyu couldn't help but tilt her head back. Her brows lifted slightly, her phoenix eyes half-closed. A crimson flush covered her deep, bewitching features, and moisture gathered at the corners of her eyes, threatening to fall several times.
A warm and gentle touch landed again and again, taking in the icy Cream Glacier. The alternating sensations of ice and fire stirred up ripples that showed no sign of stopping.
In a daze, Zhong Jueyu's mind wandered, recalling Li Shigui's words about how one plate of Cream Glacier might not be enough.
How was this not enough?
It was more than enough. She probably wouldn't be willing to taste another bite of Cream Glacier for the rest of the summer.
Zhong Jueyu's breath hitched. Her arms buckled, and she could no longer support herself. She could only fall back into the soft cushions, plunging into a bottomless abyss in the sea.
The sound of a dog barking carried from the distant city, then faded away a moment later. It was late at night, but many residences in the capital still had their lights on as people discussed the future.
Some even rushed overnight to the residences of relevant officials, such as Meng Yunshan, or to the Grand Princess's estate.
Li Shigui and Ruan He got no rest either. They could only stand at the gate, repeating over and over that the Grand Princess was overcome with grief today and was temporarily unable to receive visitors.
It didn't matter if others believed them or not; there was nothing to be done if they didn't. Since Her Highness the Grand Princess had chosen to close her doors, they couldn't linger and pester.
It was just hard on Ruan He and Li Shigui. Worried that the estate's servants couldn't hold them off, they had to stand guard at the main gate after a full day of work.
After seeing off another carriage, Li Shigui, bored, turned to the person beside her and whispered, "Do you know what I just saw?"
Ruan He was leaning against a pillar, resting with her eyes half-closed. Hearing the other's voice, she didn't even open her eyes as she replied lazily, "What did you see?"
Li Shigui leaned in closer and continued in a low voice, "I saw our Highness get kicked out of the room by the Little Daoist. After begging for a long time, she actually tried to climb in through the window."
Hearing this, Ruan He opened her eyes and said with an unreadable expression, "Serves her right."
Li Shigui looked astonished and exclaimed, "What's wrong with you? That's our Highness! How could it serve her right!"
"Don't tell me you've been bewitched by the Little Daoist too? Her Highness is completely smitten, and now you're taking her side."
Ruan He glanced at her, her eyes a mixture of speechlessness and disdain, and uttered, "I think you should be kicked out for a few days too."
"What!"
Ruan He couldn't be bothered with her. She turned her head to look into the distance again, leaving Li Shigui scratching her head.
Meanwhile, in the room where the temperature was steadily rising, someone whispered into the Grand Princess's ear, "Have you learned your lesson?"
Zhong Jueyu gripped the other's collar, the teardrop at the corner of her eye finally falling. She tried her best to steady her voice, wanting to offer the most sincere apology.
But before the words could leave her lips, they were instantly silenced. A chilled cherry, pushed inside by a fingertip, rendered Zhong Jueyu speechless. The thoughts she had barely managed to squeeze out of her distracted mind all went blank.
"Don't…" A sob was mixed with her plea.
The empty plate was tossed to the floor, but there was no time to pay it any mind.
A fingertip pressed against the cherry, pushing it like an ice ball toward the deepest part.
The other person chuckled, leaving scalding words by her ear, "You've learned your lesson, Zhong Jinyan."
"Avoiding me over a dream… you're really something, my princess."
Zhong Jueyu wanted to explain, but she was silenced once more.
The woman's wickedness was practically written on her face. She had made up her mind not to listen, determined to carry on with the punishment.
Time flowed by. The crescent moon in the sky sank lower and lower. The night dyed all of creation in ink. The number of guards on the distant city walls increased, a dense line of people standing atop them.
The carriages at the gate of the princess's residence gradually dispersed, leaving the wide road empty. Ruan He and Li Shigui waited a while longer, and seeing that everyone was gone, they left with a yawn.
The night grew quieter, leaving only the chirping of insects and the occasional call of a bird.
The water-soaked cherry fell to the floor, rolling a few times and leaving a faint wet mark on the wood. A moment later, more water dripped down, forming a small puddle.
Luo Yueqing looked up at the person above her and said in a hoarse voice, "It fell."
Kneeling, Her Highness the Grand Princess gripped the bed curtains, only able to shake her head to express her innocence.
But the other person paid her no heed, uttering, "You should be punished."
A gust of wind blew in, flipping through the pages of a picture book on the table. Page after page revealed exactly what the two in the bed were doing, a replica in every stroke. There was no need to rush; they still had a long night to while away.
The wooden bed creaked. The bed curtain was pulled down, concealing the scene within. The candle, now half its original size, burned on with effort.
Luo Yueqing embraced the fallen woman, leaning down to press against her again. Her fingertips, pale from being soaked, brushed past the corner of Zhong Jueyu's mouth.
But the other woman was too dazed to respond, her vision a field of white, with only a ringing in her ears.
A moment later, she hurriedly grabbed the other's wrist, shaking her head in a panic and saying, "I was wrong."
She had finally seized an opportunity to say the words she hadn't been able to utter all night, thinking she would be let off.
But Luo Yueqing just smiled and asked in return, "What is Your Highness saying? I can't hear you."
And just like that, the words the Grand Princess had worked so hard to say were rendered void.
Another wave crashed over them. Before, it had been Zhong Jueyu doing her best; this time, it was the Little Daoist's turn.
Luo Yueqing understood the meaning of fairness well; reciprocity was the only way to make things last.
The wind outside grew stronger. The cloudless sky held only a crescent moon. It seemed tomorrow would be a fine day as well.
No one paid any mind to the cherry on the floor, which was blown about, rolling over and over.
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