Three days later, the Third Prince recommended a person to the Emperor in court and swore a military oath to back his choice.
The Emperor agreed to replace General Liu and promoted General Gu as the commander for the current campaign.
Unexpectedly, General Gu launched a night raid on the State of Wei and successfully captured one of their cities in a single stroke.
When the victory report arrived, the Emperor’s mood instantly improved, and he repeatedly exclaimed “Excellent!” in court.
Xiao Jinteng was instantly basking in glory.
The Third Prince’s Residence
Xiao Jinteng stood before a candle and placed the slip of paper in his hand into the flame to burn.
“Di Shengyue truly is a talent,” he murmured, watching the slip of paper slowly turn to ash. The firelight in Xiao Jinteng’s eyes grew brighter.
“Feigning a weak position while simultaneously launching a night attack on the most vulnerable defensive city of the State of Wei. With her assistance, I will surely be able to advance to the next level.”
The afternoon sun was just right. Inside the rouge and powder shop managed by Di Shengyue, Xiao Yinxue was checking the store’s physical inventory with Youtao.
“Princess, the Third Prince has sent a great number of powders,” Youtao said, smiling while conducting the inventory count. “They are all precious items.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yinxue opened one box of scented powder. Her fair, jade-like fingertips gently took a pinch of the powder and rubbed it onto the back of her hand.
She brought it to her nose and inhaled lightly; it carried an extremely subtle and elegant fragrance.
The incense of the State of Xiao focused on long-lasting scents, so they tended to be quite strong, unlike this powder, which smelled much more comfortable.
“Shengyue, come here,” Xiao Yinxue beckoned to Di Shengyue, who was still looking at the account books.
Di Shengyue walked over as requested.
Xiao Yinxue used her index finger to scoop up a small amount of the powder and quickly moved to dab it onto Di Shengyue’s neck.
Unexpectedly, Di Shengyue reacted extremely quickly. She took a step back, instantly moving out of the range of Xiao Yinxue’s surprise attack.
At the same time, she lightly tapped her toe, swiftly moved behind Xiao Yinxue, and grabbed her slender wrist.
Her hand met Xiao Yinxue’s soft and smooth skin. Xiao Yinxue’s body was petite and slender; Di Shengyue gave a gentle pull.
“Oh… You!” Before Xiao Yinxue could react, she crashed right into Di Shengyue’s embrace, white powder still residue on her fingertips.
The faint, natural fragrance of Xiao Yinxue, mixed with the scent of the powder, drifted into Di Shengyue’s nose. She only had to look down to see Xiao Yinxue’s fair neck. Di Shengyue’s eyes darkened slightly.
A deep, playful voice sounded in Xiao Yinxue’s ear: “Princess, so you called me over just to launch a surprise attack?”
Seeing that her sneak attack had failed, Xiao Yinxue pouted unhappily, a hint of displeasure coloring her brow. “Why are you so fast? I can’t even get you once. How boring.”
“If I’m not quick enough, how can I capture the beautiful woman?” Di Shengyue smiled, curling her lips.
“Let go of this Princess quickly! I haven’t finished checking the inventory yet,” Xiao Yinxue moved her wrist and demanded.
“That won’t do,” Di Shengyue laughed. “You’re allowed to sneak attack me, but I’m not allowed to resist?”
“Who attacked you?” Xiao Yinxue shot Di Shengyue a slightly angry glare. “I just wanted to apply some powder to you.”
“Princess, if you wanted to apply powder to me, you could have just said so,” Di Shengyue chuckled softly, letting go of Xiao Yinxue’s wrist. “When have I ever refused a request from the Princess?”
Xiao Yinxue glanced at Di Shengyue. Based on her understanding of Di Shengyue, this was not someone who would let herself be easily teased. She was likely holding back some new trick to bully her.
As if sensing the suspicion in Xiao Yinxue’s eyes, Di Shengyue explained, “However, if the Princess wants to apply powder to me, shouldn’t it be fair? It should be my turn to apply some to the Princess later.”
Xiao Yinxue thought for a moment. Just applying some powder to each other seemed harmless, so she agreed, “Naturally, you can.”
Yet, for some reason, she felt she could catch a whiff of a mischievous scent in Di Shengyue’s dark eyes.
Xiao Yinxue tentatively rubbed the powder from her fingertips onto Di Shengyue’s cheek. Her slender, jade-like fingers gently massaged it, blending the powder in.
Perhaps she used a little too much powder. Half of Di Shengyue’s face was significantly fairer than the other side, making her look a bit comical.
Seeing this, Xiao Yinxue burst out laughing.
A hint of helplessness flashed in Di Shengyue’s eyes: “Princess, who puts powder right on their face?”
“This Princess likes it,” Xiao Yinxue snorted playfully, then applied powder to Di Shengyue’s other cheek as well.
Satisfied, she leaned closer to Di Shengyue and took a light sniff. “Shengyue, you smell so fragrant.”
“Is the Princess satisfied with her masterpiece?” Di Shengyue asked, a hint of cunning flashing in her deep eyes.
“It’s barely acceptable,” Xiao Yinxue replied.
“Then, is it my turn now?” Di Shengyue looked down slightly at Xiao Yinxue.
They had been standing extremely close just now. As Di Shengyue lowered her head slightly, their lips were almost touching.
Gazing at Di Shengyue’s face, which was now inches away, Xiao Yinxue suddenly realized that their distance had become a little too close during their playful exchange. A blush suddenly surfaced on her cheeks, and she instinctively took a step back.
Di Shengyue took the powder box from Xiao Yinxue’s hand, dipped a few fingers in the powder, and gently stroked Xiao Yinxue’s neck.
Her fingers massaged her neck with varying pressure, lightly stroking down her slender neck, bringing a slight tingling sensation.
Xiao Yinxue instinctively shrank her neck and took a few steps back: “No… Don’t put any more on, that’s enough…”
Di Shengyue, however, leaned in: “Princess, how can this little bit be enough?”
Xiao Yinxue was pushed into a corner, her entire back pressed against the wall. She was like a small animal caught by a hunter, her moist eyes wide, putting up a false bravado: “This Princess says enough is enough!”
“Princess, you were the one who promised me it would be fair. I let you have your way just now,” Di Shengyue hooked her lips. Her fingers gradually moved up and touched her ear.
“This, this Princess always likes to go back on her word.” A flush of red quietly crept up Xiao Yinxue’s earlobe, slowly spreading.
“Princess, I don’t agree.” Di Shengyue said, her fingertip tracing the contour of her ear, her nail seemingly unintentionally brushing against the sensitive area behind her ear.
“What are you doing…” Xiao Yinxue’s body trembled slightly from the teasing, and she instinctively flinched her neck. She felt a wave of tingling numbness rising from the spot Di Shengyue had touched, making her feel unsteady on her feet.
“Just evening out the powder for the Princess,” Di Shengyue said, sounding utterly serious, but her two fingers pinched and heavily rubbed her earlobe a few times.
Nonsense!
Xiao Yinxue glared at her angrily. This person was clearly flirting with her!
Xiao Yinxue slapped away Di Shengyue’s mischievous hand, wanting to escape.
She then realized that she had been cornered by Di Shengyue against the wall. Di Shengyue had one hand braced against the wall behind her, completely encircling her.
“Princess, where are you trying to go?” Di Shengyue lowered her head and laughed softly.
“You, move away quickly!” This posture was too suggestive, and Xiao Yinxue’s fair face was crimson.
Di Shengyue leaned down and buried her head in Xiao Yinxue’s neck, sniffing the faint fragrance on her. “Princess, you smell so fragrant.”
Di Shengyue’s low whisper in her ear, her scent mixed with the smell of the powder, drifted into Xiao Yinxue’s nose. Her hot breath was sprayed on her neck, intoxicating her.
Xiao Yinxue’s already flushed face became even hotter, and even her neck was scorched a deep red.