“Fighting?” Liu Luoyi furrowed her brow. She straightened her back, wanting to head over to the other room out of worry.
Yuchi Li rushed to pull her back, stiffly changing the topic: “Xiao Liu’er, don’t worry, they’re fine. My head hurts, come help me massage it away.”
“Could it be from the cold last night? The wind here is so chilly.” As soon as she heard that her head hurt, Liu Luoyi immediately put the going-ons of the neighboring room out of her mind. She felt around on Yuchi Li to make sure she did not have a fever, then let out a sigh of relief.
She pushed Yuchi Li down onto the chair and pressed her fingertips to her head. Her movements were gentle and pleasant, her strength just right. Yuchi Li relaxed under her ministrations, letting out a lethargic yawn.
The room’s soundproofing was not great and Yuchi Li had good ears, so she could hear some things from Yuchi Die’s room. Yuchi Die seemed to still be crying and rebuffing An Ge for something.
It seemed to be: “If I don’t have improper thoughts towards you normally, how could I do these kinds of things with you just because I’m drunk?”
Yuchi Li’s eyes widened when she heard this.
An Ge tried to explain in a low voice but was blocked by Yuchi Die’s rising volume.
“I hate this kind of subservient appearance of yours. What I want is a lover who can stand by my side, not a slave who obeys my every command!” Yuchi Die shrieked. Her emotions seemed to be stirred up. She shoved An Ge.
Yuchi Li tensed. Liu Luoyi sensed her tension from behind her and asked anxiously: “Princess, did I press too hard?”
“No, no.” Yuchi Li answered quickly. Liu Luoyi fell silent, then continued her massage. Her fingers moved lower, then helped her massage her stiff shoulders and neck.
The sounds coming from the neighboring room continued. Now seemingly provoked, An Ge pushed her away and stepped forward to slam her hand against the wall. Yuchi Li could feel the thump of Yuchi Die’s back as it hit the wall.
She shivered involuntarily.
The neighboring room went still, the two of them seemingly panting silently. After a moment, she heard An Ge’s voice as she answered slowly: “Yes, I am the servant and you are the master. I am subservient. But, Princess, if you loved someone above you all this time, would you be able to lose dignity like me?”
“You don’t understand what it’s like. I follow you day and night then look on helplessly as you walk into the red-light district, and I guard you until you come out. Day after day.”
“That day, when you acted like that toward me. I was so happy that I was willing to give myself to you. For that night, at least, I wouldn’t have to watch you from behind.”
An Ge’s voice shook.
She slowly reached out and lifted the chin of the beautiful woman in front of her. This was her princess, her hallowed everything.
Yuchi Die was as enchanting as usual, or even more so now when she was crying. Her supple body was entrapped in An Ge’s embrace, her slender waist writhing as if she both wanted to struggle and was unwilling to.
With a courage she did not know she had, An Ge suddenly lowered her head and kissed Yuchi Die, frantically devouring her whole. Her rouged lips moved frantically before her eyes, alluringly red, intoxicatingly sweet.
Despite intending to resist at the outset, Yuchi Die soon submitted entirely as she discovered that when An Ge asserted herself, she could not break free in any case, or, rather, she did not want to break free at all.
An Ge pressed her hand firmly on Yuchi Die’s back, pushing her into her arms. Yuchi Die slowly draped her elegant arms over An Ge’s shoulders and tried to take the lead but was defeated.
An Ge’s kiss was forceful and overbearing, an entirely new development. The first time she had been frightened silly just by being kissed, but now she kissed with masterful skill. Yuchi Die was pressed against the wall, gasping, her back cold yet her front scorching hot.
The mesmerizing sounds reached Yuchi Li’s ears. She wanted to beat a hasty retreat, but if she left first without concerning herself over them, then the others at the restaurant could see them. She felt that this was inappropriate.
Yet, listening in was inappropriate, too. The two of them were quite…bold.
Adding more fuel to the fire was Liu Luoyi behind her, who was massaging her shoulders earnestly and without a single stray thought. Her cool fingers would occasionally brush across exposed skin, making her shiver internally.
“Alright, Xiao Liu’er.” Yuchi Li gritted her teeth.
The sounds from the neighboring room were a little loud. Fortunately, Yuchi Li had already cleared the rest of the floor of people, or else everyone in E’gu would have heard about it by tomorrow.
Even Liu Luoyi heard it this time. She looked at the adjoining wall and seemed to realize something. Her cheeks flushed pink and she hurriedly stopped what she was doing, sitting beside Yuchi Li, her eyes glued to the ground, her expression adorable.
Yuchi grabbed a napkin from off the table, tore off a few strips, and shoved them into her ears, then passed a pair to Liu Luoyi.
The two of them sat there in silence, waiting for the intense scene next door to finish.
Yuchi Li started to be grateful that she had sent Xin Ran to guard the stairs when she did. Otherwise, the situation would be even more awkward.
“Princess, I once heard one of my elders say that women can only give themselves to men on their wedding night. Then they truly become man and wife.” Liu Luoyi suddenly spoke.
“What about us? I also want to give all of myself to you, so we can be truly married.” She turned to look at Yuchi Li and asked seriously. Her eyes were bright and filled with undisguised yearning.
Yuchi Li had guessed that she was not clear on just what she desired, so even after reading those books, without her mother’s guidance, there really was no way for her to understand these sorts of things fully.
Now, under her frank inquiry, Yuchi Li found that her throat and words had run dry.
“We can, too, but for us, we don’t give ourselves to anyone. We’re equals just deepening our feelings.” Yuchi Li said gently. She did not quite dare to look at Liu Luoyi, especially in this situation.
But Liu Luoyi suddenly drew close, looking at her with wide eyes, then pointed at her own lips.
Yuchi Li hurriedly shook her head. If she kissed her in this context, she was afraid that she would…
She wasn’t even sure if Xiao Liu’er understood or not. She could only keep scooting back until her bum was about to fall out of her chair.
Seeing Yuchi Li evading her, Liu Luoyi felt a little bewildered. She bit her lip and tugged on the corner of her clothing, murmuring: “Princess…”
“Th-this is improper, really.” Yuchi Li said.
“A’Li…” Liu Luoyi called of the sudden. With a change of address and the drawn out final syllable, the atmosphere became hazily ambiguous, making Yuchi Li’s body go numb.
The next second, Liu Luoyi stood up and sat down directly on her lap. She bit her lip tightly, her hands clenched with fright, but she still gazed tenderly at Yuchi Li with sparkling eyes.
The soft touches made Yuchi Li’s heart skip a beat. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest. As she sat there, stunned, Liu Luoyi leaned into her arms and pinched her lapel with two fingers.
Yuchi Li figured it out instantly, both the familiar, fearful fidgets and the unfamiliar boldness. She sighed, reached out and placed a hand on Liu Luoyi’s waist lest she fall, and shook her head as she said: “Tell me, who taught you.”
“The Eldest Princess.” Liu Luoyi replied, perfectly assured.
She knew. Yuchi Li wanted to flip the table in anger. She should not have gone to appease Yuchi Die just now. Instead, she should have fought her and tossed her out the window. She knew that Liu Luoyi was easily deceived in her feelings, so she always used these underhanded tricks.
She did not know what kind of nonsense she had told Liu Luoyi, either.
But the beauty in her arms was both real and diverting. She could not ignore her or push her away. The noises from next door had quieted—either that, or she now had her attention elsewhere.
Liu Luoyi gripped her lapels, then relaxed her body. She placed her head on Yuchi Li’s shoulder, her soft cheek resting against her neck. Yuchi Li’s heart melted, and she could not help but hug her a bit tighter.
The sensation was very comfortable, like holding a soft plushie but more springy.
“Don’t mess around.” Yuchi Li’s voice was hoarse. She was desperately enduring the palpitations of her heart. Now was not the right time. Liu Luoyi was a woman born and raised in an ancient setting, different from both Yuchi Die’s free personality and her own unfettered disposition; she could not act irresponsibly with her.
“Alright.” Liu Luoyi agreed, sitting still. She was already extremely happy just being in Yuchi Li’s arms.
Her slender shoulders were close to Yuchi Li. Other features of hers were attractively curvaceous and alluring, making Yuchi Li scared to look down.
“You’re going to the military camp tomorrow. Who knows when you’ll be back.” Liu Luoyi said with a wisp of melancholy in her voice.
Yuchi Li smiled. No wonder she had been acting weird today; she could not bear her leaving.
“Don’t worry, I still have to be appointed as Crown Princess. I’ll be back in no time. You can have some fun in E’Gu for a few days, and my sister and An Ge are here, too. I’ll assign a diligent maid to take care of you.”
Liu Luoyi nodded and said: “I want to open a shop with the space you gave me, to sell portraits. Is that alright?”
“Of course it is. That’s your space, you can do anything you want with it. Xiao Liu’er’s paintings are so vivid and likelike that you’re sure to become a master painter known far and wide!” Yuchi Li said, her eyes curving as she smiled with joy.
Liu Luoyi smiled bashfully.
There was no movement next door, but their murmurs could still be heard. Yuchi Li started to look forward to seeing their sorry figures; she would have to take the opportunity to make fun of them. Who told Yuchi Die she could corrupt Xiao Liu’er like that?
“Princess…” Liu Luoyi whispered, then shook Yuchi Li’s lapels. Yuchi Li could not endure her expectant gaze.
“Didn’t you call me A’Li just now.” Yuchi Li feigned grievance.
“I’ll change it after we’re married.” Liu Luoyi smiled bashfully and, with a bravery of unknown origin, she suddenly turned to face Yuchi Li, placed her hands on her shoulders, and called timidly, “Princess…”
Yuchi Li knew that she wanted to make her kiss her.
Haha, kiss your future wife, princess