Chapter 21: The Empress Dowager and Her Substitute Little Lover
Wei He took off his outer garment and draped it over Wan Jinyu’s shoulders, his expression filled with concern.
“Madam, shall we go over there?”
Hua Yue shook her head.
This period marked the ambiguous phase between the male and female leads, as well as the moment the original heroine discovered their intimacy.
Disbelief.
Psychological turmoil.
Paranoia and despair.
Hua Yue bit her fingertip; this was a rather difficult scene to act out.
After some thought, she spoke softly, “His Majesty must be attending to official affairs, so we won’t disturb him.”
Her voice was calm, but her gaze fixed intently on the two, with an unsettling look.
Qing Li blinked, uncertain why Hua Yue’s mood had suddenly shifted. “Alright.”
“Don’t you think there’s something different about them?”
Qing Li studied them carefully.
As the two were preparing to leave, she shook her head. “No, not really.”
Hua Yue retorted, “Then your eyesight isn’t very good.”
“...”
“Alright, let’s go back.”
...
The sky had darkened slightly.
Spring had arrived, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of blossoms and the moist scent of earth.
Light raindrops began to fall.
Before Hua Yue could descend from her sedan chair, a bamboo umbrella was placed above her head. The person who approached stood against the wind, thoughtfully shielding her from the rain.
“Sister, you’re back.”
The young man’s voice was gentle, but Hua Yue immediately detected the faint scent of blood on his hands.
She twitched her nose. “You’re hurt?”
Wei Yan smiled casually, unconcerned, tilting the umbrella slightly towards Hua Yue.
“I accidentally cut myself during sword practice today. Just a minor wound.”
His smile was as radiant as ever.
Hua Yue raised an eyebrow, her gaze briefly passing over the hand holding the umbrella, then smoothly took it, lifting it a little higher so they could share it.
“I’ll help you treat it when we get back.”
The two suddenly found themselves very close.
Wei Yan was momentarily stunned, then his smile widened greatly, his voice bright with excitement. “Great!”
He tentatively grabbed Hua Yue’s sleeve, and when she looked at him, he coughed, “This way it’s warmer.”
Hua Yue replied, “...Whatever you say.”
Wei Yan’s sadness from the day lifted instantly.
He lowered his eyes to look at Hua Yue.
She looked very beautiful today.
He opened his mouth, “Sister.”
“Hm?”
Wei Yan’s expression was conflicted; he gathered the courage to ask many questions but relaxed before speaking.
“Never mind. Did you have fun today?”
“Not bad.”
“Hmm.”
A silence fell between them.
Hua Yue glanced at Wei Yan and saw his lashes lowered, a rare melancholy in his eyes.
She withdrew her gaze, and Wei Yan pressed his lips together.
Together, they walked side by side under the umbrella, returning to the palace.
The palace staff nearby were no longer surprised, lowering their heads respectfully.
The man was tall and handsome, the woman graceful and poised—they looked perfectly harmonious.
A palace maid whispered enviously to her friend, “That Master Wen is truly fortunate; he’s soaring to new heights.”
...
“You’re asking to lose your life, keep your voice down.”
“Alas, I just don’t have that kind of luck.”
“...”
...
Jinhua Palace.
Inner hall.
The man’s fingers were slender, his fingertips peeling slightly, and his palms covered in numerous small wounds from shards.
The blood was still fresh, looking rather gruesome.
“Does it hurt?”
Hua Yue looked up.
Wei Yan shook his head. “No.”
His hand was held gently by Hua Yue, the cool touch grounding him so he had no mind for anything else.
“Then handle it yourself.”
Hua Yue withdrew her hand and stood up. “I’m going to bathe.”
Wei Yan’s eyes widened. “...Ah? You’re not going to help me?”
Hua Yue’s face showed disdain. “It’s too ugly. The wound looks so bad it makes me uncomfortable. Better to bandage it tightly.”
She was nearly triggered by a phobia of clustered patterns.
Wei Yan: “...”
...
After Hua Yue finished bathing, Wei Yan was playing the guqin.
Her eyes fell on his hands, the palms wrapped in several layers of white cloth, obediently wrapped.
Hua Yue sat opposite him, a slight arch to her brow.
“You’re not happy?”
Wei Yan raised an eyebrow, stopping his playing; the music ceased.
“No, just a bit confused.”
“What about?”
“Why did you agree to me in the first place? You’re the Empress Dowager, you could have anyone you want, so why just because I volunteered to be your bed companion?”
Hua Yue pondered for a moment, then, meeting Wei Yan’s expectant gaze, she replied with a question, “If not, then what?”
“That’s good.”
Wei Yan relaxed visibly.
That brat Qin Ziyan was clearly talking nonsense about replacements.
He had risen solely on his charm.
After comforting himself, Wei Yan felt much lighter. “What song would you like to hear?”
“You know them all?”
Wei Yan blushed. “Just a little.”
Hua Yue: “...”
She casually named two pieces from the original owner’s memory.
“Alright!”
The guqin’s melody was melodious, the musician exquisite as jade.
Hua Yue propped her chin on her hand, watching until her eyes slowly closed.
Wei Yan: “...”
Was this a lullaby?
“Sister?”
No response.
Wei Yan carefully rose and approached Hua Yue, bending down to hold her waist and lift her.
Hua Yue groggily woke, “Finished playing?”
“Mm.”
She yawned, her vision clearing somewhat, falling upon the man’s clear and handsome jawline; his lips were slightly pursed.
His lower lip, bitten many times by Hua Yue, was darkened at the corners.
Hua Yue had used spiritual energy today.
It was natural to feel a bit tired.
Thinking so, she gently hooked her arms around Wei Yan’s neck, and under the man’s restrained yet passionate gaze, she smiled and kissed him.
“Ah Zhan.”
“Hm?”
“Time for bed.”
“Ahem, yes.”
The next moment.
The lips that had barely healed were bitten again, breaking anew.
“Hiss—”
“Sister, can you bite somewhere else next time?”
Wei Yan’s eyes were full of grievance.
If she kept biting like this, he wouldn’t be able to show himself in public.
A sweet dilemma.
Hua Yue raised an eyebrow, indulging, and gently turned her head to bite his neck.
Near the throat.
Her breath caressed the sensitive spot.
Wei Yan: “...”
His eyes reddened, and he stiffened for several seconds before embracing Hua Yue and striding towards the bed.
“Sister, I will serve you well tonight.”
Hua Yue chuckled softly. “Do your best.”
...
The storm of passion had just subsided.
Wei Yan held Hua Yue tightly.
His face was flushed with excitement.
Hua Yue was already drowsy. “Don’t disturb me, I’m going to sleep.”
It was proven that men could not take encouragement.
Though Hua Yue enjoyed it all the same.
Wei Yan obediently replied, “Mm.”
Once the woman in his arms breathed steadily,
Wei Yan brushed her forehead gently.
“Sister.”
Only Hua Yue’s calm breathing responded.
“Sister.”
“Sister.”
Hua Yue, half-asleep, murmured, “Hm?”
“Sister, do you like me?”
Wei Yan whispered softly.
A long moment passed.
Yet, no answer came.
...
[Newbie Task Three: Uncover the heroine’s identity.]
[Time limit: 48 hours.]
[Countdown has begun. Host, please be mindful of the time limit.]
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
404 returned once more.
“You’re back?”
Hua Yue held a rose in her hand, lying on a lounge chair with her eyes closed, swaying gently in a state of utter contentment.