Chapter 86: A Kiss Seals Their Love

Zhan Yan said nonchalantly, “I know, I know. Wishing all the examinees good luck!” Then she pulled Lin’er along, saying, “Come on, Lin’er, let’s get you bathed and dressed up. I’ll make you so beautiful you’ll steal my second brother’s heart.”

“Little sister…” Gu Qingyang called out softly, startled that his little sister could say such things.

Lin’er’s lovely face flushed bright red, so embarrassed she didn’t know what to do, and could only let herself be dragged away by Zhan Yan.

Zhongli Yu stood where he was, his face dark, clearly displeased. His own wife had completely forgotten about him—she had come with him, yet now had left him behind without a word, taking the young girl away.

After a comfortable hot bath and changing into the clothes Zhan Yan had prepared, Lin’er looked playful and adorable. On closer inspection, when she smiled, there were two tiny dimples on her cheeks—utterly charming. Lin’er was from the south, not tall, just about one-sixty, but with a well-developed, curvaceous figure, she was a budding beauty.

“Wow, Lin’er, you’re such a beauty in women’s clothing!” Zhan Yan said with satisfaction, admiring the transformed Lin’er.

Lin’er blushed, stomping her foot. “Sister Yan, you’re making fun of me,” she protested, shy as a young maiden.

Zhan Yan laughed and pulled her to the bronze mirror, smiling. “How am I making fun of you? Just look for yourself—you really are a great beauty.”

Lin’er gazed at the girl in the mirror, clothed in a silky gown of fine fabric, obviously expensive. The pale yellow dress highlighted her fair skin. She had always been pretty, but after a month of rough travel, she thought she must have grown haggard. Yet now, looking in the mirror, she realized she’d only grown lovelier.

“Sister Yan, thank you,” Lin’er said sincerely.

“Silly girl, what are you thanking me for? I already consider you one of us. Stay here as long as you like—no need to stand on ceremony.”

“But… but Gu Qingyang…”

“My second brother? Don’t be afraid of him. If he’s too blind to see your worth and dares to let you go, I’ll find you someone better—there are plenty of outstanding young men in the capital, no need to care about him.” Hearing footsteps approach, Zhan Yan guessed it was her brother and deliberately raised her voice.

“Little sister, you can’t do this—I’m your brother, and you’re siding with outsiders,” Gu Qingyang cried, frustrated at Zhan Yan’s words.

“What? You dare call Lin’er an outsider?”

“Sister Yan, please, don’t say any more. I understand,” Lin’er said quietly, hanging her head at being called an outsider.

Gu Qingyang panicked, realizing his mistake and hastened to reassure her. “Lin’er, that’s not what I meant.”

“Sister Yan, I want to stay. I absolutely won’t go back and marry the magistrate’s son. If I truly meet one of those outstanding young men you mentioned, I’ll leave then, all right?” Lin’er looked up at Zhan Yan, as if making a heavy decision, her eyes earnest.

“All right, stay as long as you wish,” Zhan Yan agreed, glancing meaningfully at Gu Qingyang, whose face darkened at the mention of promising young men in the capital.

“Lin’er, I’ve had lunch prepared for you. Eat well, and I’ll leave you now.”

Lin’er gave her a grateful look and nodded.

Zhan Yan didn’t spare Gu Qingyang another glance and left, tactfully granting them some privacy.

When Zhan Yan returned to the courtyard, she sensed something amiss. Why were Qingyun and the others giving her such strange looks, as if she were some oddity? Had she done something wrong?

“Qingyun, what’s the matter with you all?” she asked, puzzled.

“Nothing, miss,” Qingyun replied honestly, though inwardly she muttered, The problem isn’t with us—it’s with you, miss! You left the prince alone in the main hall and ran off with Lin’er without so much as a word, leaving him sulking and jealous ever since. He’s been in a dark mood—quite intimidating.

Zhan Yan paid no mind to their odd behavior. With both her brothers’ romantic prospects secure, her mood was excellent. She hummed a little tune as she walked inside.

Entering the room, she saw Zhongli Yu reading a book. Not even looking up as she entered—now, that was unusual. Normally, he was all gentle concern the moment he saw her; when had he ever ignored her like this?

“Husband, have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Neither have I. Let’s eat together, then.”

“Mm.”

“Qingyun, set the table.”

“Yes, miss.”

Zhan Yan couldn’t understand her husband’s odd mood and assumed he must be troubled by something, so she waited for him to bring it up.

After their meal, it was time for the midday rest. Zhan Yan had a habit of napping, and Zhongli Yu had taken to joining her, sleeping half an hour each day.

Stretching languidly, she announced, “Time to sleep,” and climbed into bed.

But Zhongli Yu remained with his book, unmoving. Now Zhan Yan felt something was truly wrong—was he angry with her?

“Husband?”

“Mm.”

“Nap time.”

“Mm.”

“Husband.”

“Mm.”

“Are you angry?”

“Mm.”

Zhongli Yu still didn’t look at her, brooding inwardly. Ever since coming to the Gu family estate, Yan’er had hardly any time for him. Today was the worst—she’d abandoned him entirely.

“Husband, why are you angry?” Zhan Yan was baffled. What had she done to upset him?

“Think about it yourself,” he said in a low voice.

“I can’t think of anything,” she replied, racking her brains.

“Keep thinking.”

“I won’t—I’m tired. Baby’s sleepy, going to bed,” she said lazily.

Zhongli Yu felt an uncomfortable weight in his chest. His darling wife didn’t have the slightest sense—couldn’t she coax him, even a little? He thought petulantly.

“If you’re tired, just sleep,” he sighed, resigned. How could he admit he was jealous—jealous of a young girl, no less? It was too humiliating to say aloud.

“Oh.”

The room fell silent. Zhongli Yu looked at his wife, already asleep, and felt a wave of helplessness. He lay beside her without holding her. As he struggled to fall asleep, Zhan Yan suddenly turned over, flinging an arm around his waist and hugging him tightly, murmuring as she slipped deeper into slumber.

Zhongli Yu looked at his sleeping wife, her arms clinging to him with surprising strength. Amusement flickered in his eyes—she hugged him even in her sleep. Suddenly, his mood improved considerably.

“Husband, hold me while I sleep. It’s more comfortable that way,” she murmured, startling him.

“I thought you were asleep?” He was sure she’d been breathing evenly, completely at rest.

“Just teasing. How could I sleep when you’re angry? I was only pretending to make you laugh,” she said playfully.

“Oh? You mind that I’m angry?”

“Of course! Who else do I care about but you? Can’t you see how anxious I am, I can’t even sleep?”

Her words melted his heart; how could he stay angry after that? He pulled her tightly into his arms, feeling whole again.

He patted her back indulgently, his voice tender. “Alright, I’m holding you now. Rest.”

“Husband, I still can’t sleep,” she said, gazing at him earnestly.

“Why not?” Hadn’t his anger passed? Why couldn’t she sleep?

“You haven’t told me why you were angry.”

“I’m not angry anymore—just sleep.”

“So you admit you were angry before?”

“No, that’s not what I meant,” he protested. How could this little woman be so particular about his words?

“I don’t care. If you don’t tell me, I won’t sleep. Baby won’t sleep, either.” Zhan Yan looked like she wouldn’t give up easily.

“I wasn’t angry—just a little jealous, that’s all,” he muttered, almost to himself. But there was no hiding it from Zhan Yan’s sharp ears.

“Jealous? Of whom?” Zhan Yan thought back over the day and suddenly realized. The more she thought, the wider her smile grew, until she burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Zhongli Yu’s face darkened, his frustration mounting.

“Husband, you’re jealous of a little girl?”

“Why not? Is she so wonderful that you forget even your own husband when you see her?”

“When did I forget you?” she protested—though, truth be told, she had left with Lin’er and forgotten her husband was with her. That last part, of course, she only dared to say to herself.

“Right, you didn’t forget me—just didn’t even glance my way before running off with another woman,” Zhongli Yu said, his expression growing even darker as she refused to admit her error.

“Husband, you look like a resentful wife right now,” Zhan Yan teased.

“Zhan Yan,” he snapped, even using her full name—a rare sign of real anger.

“Yes, I’m here,” she replied sweetly.

Zhongli Yu sighed, defeated, holding her close and closing his eyes. He truly had no way to deal with this woman; in this life, he was utterly resigned to her.

Zhan Yan lifted her head, seeing her husband at a loss for words, though his embrace was just right. Amused and touched, she realized how lovable he was in moments like this.

She reached out, gently caressing his handsome face, her voice full of tenderness. “Silly, it’s because you’re the one I love most that I can be so unguarded with you. The reason I left with Lin’er without a word, leaving you behind, is because this is our home. Here, I do as I please, knowing my husband will always forgive me.”

“I was being petty,” Zhongli Yu admitted, ashamed.

“No, you weren’t. You just care too much about me, and I understand. Even if you are petty, I love that about you,” Zhan Yan said, her gaze full of affection. This man, even for such a trivial thing, could get jealous so adorably it made her love him all the more.

“Yan’er, Yan’er,” he murmured, discovering how sweet endearments could be.

Zhan Yan cupped his face and pressed her lips to his, kissing him deeply, seeking to convey the depth of her love. He felt as though he’d received the world’s greatest prize, utterly immersed in her tenderness.

Meanwhile, after Bi Rou was whisked away by Gu Qinghan, they arrived at Xiyue Lake, where she and Gu Qingyang had walked that morning. Now, at noon, the lake was gilded by the autumn sun, breezes sending ripples over the water, willows swaying gently at the shore, and the crisp air invigorating the senses. Bi Rou’s cheeks were flushed—whether from shyness or the wind, it was hard to say, but she looked more radiant than ever, captivating Gu Qinghan utterly.

Gu Qinghan gazed at her, at a loss for words—not a man of many to begin with, and now, before the woman he admired, he was even more tongue-tied.

“Master Gu,” Bi Rou finally broke the silence, unable to guess his intentions.

“Rou’er, don’t call me Master Gu—it sounds so distant,” Gu Qinghan finally spoke, abruptly changing how he addressed her. He remembered how jealous he’d been that morning when Qingyang called her Rou’er; from now on, only he would use that name.

Bi Rou blushed at his intimate address, lowering her voice. “Then what should I call you?”

“Call me by my name,” he urged softly.

“Gu Qinghan,” she said, a bit awkwardly.

A vein throbbed on Gu Qinghan’s forehead—he hadn’t meant for her to use his full name.

“Rou’er, I like you,” he said, seeing her shyly lowered head, the soft pink of her ears, and feeling his heart melt. He couldn’t hold back his confession.

Bi Rou trembled, her hands shaking with emotion. He really liked her—he’d said it himself. Hearing those words from him was like basking in winter sunlight, warm and gentle beyond description. Many men had admired her in Xiyuan, but their regard had never touched her heart. Now, just a single sentence from this man left her dizzy with joy. Was this what mutual affection felt like?

She smiled—a wide, radiant smile—but at the same time, tears slipped from her eyes, tears of pure happiness known only to her.

Gu Qinghan saw her both laughing and crying, and worried—did she not like him? Had he misunderstood?

He was so nervous he didn’t know what to do. He had never seen a woman cry before, and found that her tears pained him more than he could have imagined. Gently, he cupped her face, brushing away her tears with his lips. Only when her cheeks were dry did he finally kiss her lips. Both trembled at the touch, lost in the moment, forgetting they stood at busy Xiyue Lake.

Love, once kindled, only deepens. He no longer cared that she was a princess; he wanted only to be with her. She, in turn, let go of her childhood infatuations—when true love comes, nothing else matters. That deep kiss drew their hearts ever closer.

At length, he reluctantly released her, his voice husky. “Rou’er, you taste so sweet.”

Bi Rou looked up, sensing many eyes upon them. Glancing around, she realized a crowd had gathered, watching with interest. Flustered, she wished she could vanish—their spot was a thoroughfare by the lake. Her face turned as red as a cooked shrimp. “Gu Qinghan, look what you’ve done!” she hissed.

Gu Qinghan had noticed as well, and despite a faint blush, thought the happiness of a moment ago worth any embarrassment. He chuckled, his mood bright. “You’re right, Rou’er—it is my doing.”

“You—you’re shameless!”

“I only want you.”

“Stop talking! So many people are watching—let’s go!”

“All right. When we’re alone, I’ll kiss you again.”

“Are you addicted to kissing now?”

“Yes, and I can’t quit.” With that, he swiftly scooped her up, tapped his toes, and sped away toward the Gu family manor.

The townsfolk saw the couple flit away like swallows, quickly vanishing into the distance.

The honest people of Wenyang Town began to chatter…

“Were those two immortals just now?”

“How could they be immortals?”

“Didn’t you see how beautiful the woman was? Like a fairy!”

“Yes, yes—the man was handsome, too, and could even fly!”

“Fly? That’s martial arts, not flying. So ignorant.”

“So martial arts are really that amazing? People can fly?”

“I still think they’re immortals. I’ve never seen such beauty before—she must be a fairy.”

“You’ve read too many stories! There are no immortals in this world.”

“How do you know there aren’t?”

“I’ve never seen one—so I don’t believe it.”

“Have you ever seen the emperor?”

“No.”

“So you think there’s no emperor, then?”

“…”

“Haha…”

By the lakeshore, laughter rang out, filling the golden autumn air.