Volume 1 Chapter 34
Having tasted the sweetness of their kiss, how could Hua Jinzhi bear to let go? As a result, all the time intended for an afternoon nap was spent with him, kissing and cuddling away. Leaning against his chest, watching him still brimming with energy, his face showing signs of reluctance to part, Leng Jiu couldn’t help but feel both amused and fond!
Hua Jinzhi gently caressed Leng Jiu’s face as if holding a fragile treasure, his eyes filled with joy, tenderness, and a hint of surrealness. For him, it felt like he was dreaming at that moment, and he preferred to remain immersed in it, never wanting to wake up!
Tightening his grip on her hand once again, he sighed contentedly, “Sister Qinghua, it feels like I’m dreaming right now!”
Leng Jiu narrowed her eyes, “Do you like Qinghua?”
Hua Jinzhi didn’t expect her to ask that, so he was momentarily caught off guard, then laughed and looked at her, “What kind of question is that?”
Lying flat on his lap, Leng Jiu looked up at him, her eyes meeting his, “Do you like the current me, or the me from before?”
Hua Jinzhi’s gaze shifted uncomfortably on her, and he snorted arrogantly, “Who… who said I like you?”
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow, “If you don’t like me, then why did you kiss me?”
Hua Jinzhi’s fair and handsome face flushed red, and he muttered petulantly, “I was just retaliating for the kiss you gave me that day, but then you kissed me back!”
Leng Jiu smirked, “So, I took advantage of you, didn’t I?”
“Yeah!”
After a moment of silence, Leng Jiu burst into laughter, her voice clear as a bell, echoing in the air, particularly pleasant to the ears; Hua Jinzhi couldn’t help feeling annoyed at her laughter, “What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing!” Leng Jiu finally stopped laughing, reached out, and pinched Hua Jinzhi’s face, “Just find you too cute!”
Hua Jinzhi glared at her with irritation, “I’m a man, can’t you describe me as handsome?”
“A man?” Leng Jiu’s bewitching fingers traced his cheek, teasingly, “Wasn’t yesterday your first kiss? Since when did you become a man? Hmm? Which girl has caught the eye of our first noble son, and enjoyed his favor?”
Although he had never experienced it, he had been taught by the old maids before, so how could Hua Jinzhi not understand what she meant? Suddenly, his face turned red, and he couldn’t speak for a while, only glaring at her with a mix of embarrassment and anger.
“Haha!” Leng Jiu found his reaction so amusing that her mood instantly improved. She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the forehead before leaving without any hesitation, leaving behind a pensive Hua Jinzhi staring at her back, feeling a mix of pain, struggle, and unwillingness. He didn’t blame her for being ruthless, because she wasn’t wrong. Between them, it was impossible! She was the current Empress Dowager, and he was a noble son of a prominent family. They were walking on two separate paths that would never intersect, but… he was already moved, could he still control it?
As Leng Jiu walked out of the bamboo forest, she suddenly stopped and looked up at the sky, asking Lu Chang, “Do you think I shouldn’t have provoked him?”
Lu Chang smiled at her question, “Your Majesty, that’s the wrong person to ask. I can’t answer that!”
Leng Jiu glanced at him and then smiled too. She didn’t expect that she would also have a day when she felt she shouldn’t have provoked someone. It could only be said that Hua Jinzhi was too clean, and his face resembled the one in her memory, making her see him differently from others!
With her thoughts back in order, she returned to her palace, and as soon as she entered, she saw a eunuch standing there holding a tray covered with red cloth. However, she could tell at a glance that it was the Qingfeng Sword from today!
Seeing Leng Jiu returning, the eunuch immediately bowed and said, “Greetings, Your Majesty! This is the sword His Majesty ordered me to give to Your Majesty!”
Leng Jiu lifted the red silk cloth, picked up the Qingfeng sword, feeling its slight chilliness in her hand. The sword was not heavy, and as she gently drew it out, a coolness spread, the blade translucent white and intricately carved with floral patterns. Leng Jiu swung the sword at a nearby tree branch without exerting much force, and the branch fell smoothly, leaving a neat and smooth cut. Leng Jiu chuckled at the sight, then sheathed the sword back into its scabbard. “Indeed a treasure!” she remarked.
She waved for someone to take it away and bring it into the room. After some thought, she decided to place it under her pillow. Well, it might not guard against assassins, but it could serve as protection against wolves!
In the afternoon, she heard that Lady Li had been sent back to the palace by Long Yi. Upon inquiring, Leng Jiu learned that Lady Li, upon hearing that her fox fur had been sent to her, went to find Long Yi in tears, pouring out her grievances. In the end, Long Yi had her sent away!
Lu Chang chuckled, “Lady Li seems to truly hate you, Your Majesty!”
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow, “She has hated me for a long time, so this doesn’t make much of a difference. But in a few days, she’ll probably hate me even more!”
Lady Li would soon be tasked with selecting concubines for Long Yi, including the prospective empress, Hua Yuxuan. Lady Li would likely hate her even more by then!
Leng Jiu skipped the afternoon hunt, as Long Yi knew she was feeling unwell and didn’t send anyone to invite her. Instead, he sent over some roasted venison and stew.
Leng Jiu could only express her speechlessness at Long Yi’s actions, but she accepted what was sent without hesitation. There was no need to have a feud with her stomach, right?
Later that night, after taking another bath, she finally crawled into bed to sleep. It had been a tiring day, and soon she drifted off into a deep slumber.
In the middle of the night, Leng Jiu felt someone approaching and jolted awake. Instinctively, she was about to strike out, but sensing who it was, she stopped herself just in time and lay back down, exasperated. “What are you doing sneaking around in the middle of the night?”
The person sat by the bed, emitting his unique seductive aura mingled with a strong scent of alcohol and a hint of coldness. His slightly cool hand caressed her cheek, his voice slightly husky. “Jiu’er, why is it that I’ve fallen for you, this heartless little vixen?”
Leng Jiu, in the darkness, rolled her eyes and ignored him!
Seeing her silent, Long Yueli leaned over, capturing the lips he had longed for with a gentle touch, nibbling and caressing. Originally, it was just that, but as he touched her, the suppressed longing surged like boiling water, unstoppable, finally turning into a deep kiss, full of tenderness and affection. His hands had unknowingly opened her robe, and his whole body pressed against hers, his robe the only barrier between their skin. The contact made them both tremble, unwilling to part!
“Little vixen!” Long Yueli’s kisses trailed from her lips down, touching her soft skin, embracing her tender body. He sighed with satisfaction.
At this moment, Leng Jiu was awakened by him, her sleepiness dissipating. His touch ignited flames all over her body, and his lips left a faint scent of alcohol, as if she were intoxicated. Her body pressed tightly against his, her slender fingers running through his tousled hair, the silky sensation making her reluctant to let go.
The bite marks on his collarbone were slightly itchy and painful, causing her to moan softly, unable to resist. She pushed him onto the bed, panting, “You rogue!”
Long Yueli, his lips grazing down from hers, touched her tender skin, his breath filled with desire. “Jiu’er, tell me, how can I let go of this heartless little vixen?”
Leng Jiu embraced his neck, gazing at the ceiling, sighing. “Long Yueli! It’s not that I won’t let you go, but that you won’t let yourself go. With so many women in the world, why are you fixated on me? If you want my body, I can give it to you, but I can’t give you my feelings. I thought you were carefree, but I didn’t expect you to be so deeply affectionate!”
Long Yueli looked at her, silent for a long time!
Knowing he wouldn’t get an answer, he lowered his head and captured Leng Jiu’s lips, using a kiss to vent his emotions at the moment, pressing her body into his, deeply entwined. At this moment, he truly wanted to swallow her into his stomach!
As the temperature rose, their desires became indistinguishable. Just as they were about to become one, Leng Jiu suddenly stopped Long Yueli’s movements and pressed him down. She breathed softly, “Not tonight!”
Long Yueli embraced her, “Why?”
Leng Jiu, lying against his chest, covered both of them with the blanket. “I’m having my period tonight!”
Long Yueli reached down and immediately withdrew his hand, his face darkening. “Damn it!”
Leng Jiu chuckled and snuggled against his chest, embracing him. “Alright! As compensation, you can sleep here tonight!”
Long Yueli embraced her, sighing helplessly. Unable to get what he wanted, he was truly in agony!
—– Extra —–
Always feel a little sorry for Long Yueli, so many times he almost got there, but in the end, he got nothing, ╮（╯▽╰）╭ I’m a stepmother, haha!