Volume One, Chapter 20: Sima Yun's Tenderness

Adorned with cloud-like hair and floral beauty, golden tassels swaying, the warm lotus canopy embraced the spring night.

Liu Qi lay on the bed, gazing at the soft light by the bedside and at Sima Yun beside him, whose cheeks were flushed. His heart was tangled with complex emotions.

He was uncertain of Sima Yun’s true intentions—whether she saw him merely as a tool or something more—but the fact that she had spoken up for him at the Yang residence surprised Liu Qi greatly.

Still, he could not be sure if it was all a performance orchestrated by Prince Qi and Sima Yun. After all, Prince Qi was inscrutable, and although Sima Yun’s thoughts seemed simpler by comparison, there was no guarantee she was not being used by him.

Sima Yun lay quietly against Liu Qi’s chest. After days of care, her mood seemed to have improved significantly. No longer capricious as before, she even showed moments of coquettishness, stirring Liu Qi’s emotions subtly.

For a fleeting moment, he even thought it wouldn’t be so bad to stay at the Sima mansion—to accompany Sima Yun each day, spending his time either tidying the estate or sharing tender nights with her.

Yet, such thoughts were swiftly cast aside. He was a prince of the Great Kang dynasty, the hope of his realm. He could not indulge in a woman’s embrace while bearing the weight of a deep and bloody vendetta.

Therefore, even though the warmth before him was within reach, Liu Qi would abandon it without hesitation. For the realm of tenderness was but a hero’s tomb.

Sima Yun seemed to have fallen asleep, a gentle smile gracing her face.

Liu Qi attempted to withdraw, but Sima Yun opened her eyes.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“Sister, I need to go to the privy,” Liu Qi replied.

Sima Yun sat up and stretched. Beneath the soft light, her figure was enchanting, her unadorned beauty momentarily overwhelming Liu Qi.

“Stop calling me ‘little’ this and ‘little’ that. It’s so annoying,” she said with mild displeasure.

Liu Qi asked, “Then how should I refer to myself?”

“Just say ‘I,’ isn’t that enough?” Sima Yun rolled her eyes.

Liu Qi nodded. “Understood.”

“Go on,” she made room for him to get off the bed.

Liu Qi dressed and took a lantern outside.

It was late autumn; leaves had withered to yellow, frost had fallen, and the world was cloaked in white.

His clothing was thin, and on the way to the privy, the chill made him shiver.

After only a few steps, a maid’s voice came from behind.

“Master, you should wear this,” said Xiao Fang, ever serious. She quickly explained and draped a sable coat over Liu Qi before turning to leave.

With the sable coat wrapped around him, the autumn wind no longer bit coldly. Liu Qi wrapped himself tighter, his gaze heavy with mixed feelings as he watched Xiao Fang depart.

Sima Yun, worried he might catch cold, had sent Xiao Fang to bring him the coat. Although it was only a short walk to the privy, her concern for Liu Qi was evident.

Liu Qi felt moved but uncertain whether her care was genuine or if she had other motives—perhaps fearing his body’s weakness would interfere with her own pleasures.

Thinking this, he dismissed further thoughts, afraid that if he idealized Sima Yun too much, he would find it harder to leave her mansion.

He entered the privy, relieved himself, then returned to the room with his lantern.

Though Sima Yun’s chamber had chamber pots and night jugs, those were for her use. As a servant, Liu Qi was not entitled even to such facilities.

After all, the distinction between master and servant was strict; sharing such intimacies would break decorum.

Back in the room, Liu Qi removed the sable coat and folded it carefully on the nightstand.

Then, he quietly slipped back into bed.

He assumed Sima Yun had fallen asleep, but as soon as he settled in, she pressed close, disregarding his coldness and even running her hand downward.

“Sister, I’m cold,” Liu Qi said.

Sima Yun nuzzled him affectionately. “If you snuggle close, you won’t feel cold.”

Despite this, her body rubbing against him stirred a heat within Liu Qi. Though he was exhausted, her touch rekindled his vigor.

“Let’s do it again,” Sima Yun murmured.

“As you wish, sister,” Liu Qi replied.

Before, Liu Qi had gone through the motions for survival, but tonight, he found himself willingly yielding. Perhaps from some moment onward, he truly began to care—no longer simply completing a task, but seeking love from one another.

Sima Yun seemed to sense Liu Qi’s change, pouring herself into their union, freely expressing her emotions.

For the first time, Liu Qi experienced the joy between man and woman, no longer numb and mechanical.

…

“Whew…”

Sima Yun, breathless, lay on Liu Qi’s chest, gently stroking his jaw.

“In a few days, you’ll enter the palace. Don’t forget your sister then,” she said with reluctance.

Liu Qi replied, “I could never forget.”

This was no lie or mere flattery, but a sincere truth from his heart.

At some unknown point, Liu Qi could no longer tell if his words were true or false, if his feelings were genuine or feigned.

Perhaps truth had been spoken under the guise of falsehood, or genuine affection mingled with pretense.

In any case, Liu Qi’s impression of Sima Yun had fundamentally changed, and she too had softened. No longer capricious, she treated the household staff more gently. The servants began to whisper that Madam Sima’s recent cheerfulness must mean success at court.

“The robe on the nightstand—take it and wear it,” Sima Yun said softly, resting on Liu Qi’s chest.

“This…” Liu Qi was incredulous. “That’s your clothing!”

“It’s yours now,” Sima Yun replied, climbing atop him and looking down with affection. “When you’re in the palace and feel lonely, just look at this robe—it carries my scent.”

Unable to contain his emotions, Liu Qi turned over, pinning Sima Yun beneath him.

Startled by his sudden action, she shouted, “Bold servant!”

The exclamation snapped Liu Qi to full awareness. Just as he was about to withdraw, Sima Yun gripped him.

“What are you trying to do?” she asked.

“Servant… servant…” he stammered.

“Didn’t I tell you not to call yourself that?” she chided.

“I… I didn’t mean to offend you…” he faltered.

“How do you intend to offend me?”

“I…”

“Speak.”

Liu Qi was at a loss. He could have handled the situation deftly, yet somehow, and from some time on, he found it difficult to lie to Sima Yun.

“I want to bring you happiness,” he said.

Expecting her fury, Liu Qi closed his eyes, ready to face the consequences.

But instead, Sima Yun gently stroked his chest and said, “Then come. It’s my first time trying from below.”