The wind ceased.
The trees stilled.
Even the cicadas fell silent.
Su Jingyuan heard the thunderous heartbeat within his chest.
He searched his soul, realizing he had long abandoned expectations of others.
No one to think of, no one to miss; when people die, their spirits vanish, everything returns to dust.
In his eighteen years of life, he had not been without encounters with noble ladies from other families. Some were initially captivated by his appearance, but their attitudes changed once they learned of his frail health.
The kinder ones lamented his short-lived fate; the worse ones avoided him like the plague.
Yet the unexpected appearance of Yun Chaorong suddenly disrupted his thoughts.
She was the wealthy and proud Princess Rongyang, yet she had rescued him, not only connecting him with Prince Rui but also arranging for an imperial physician to tend to his health.
She gifted him medicine, jade, and clothing.
Upon hearing he was confined to his residence due to illness, she came to visit.
No pity, no disgust.
In her gaze, there was only admiration, enchantment, and lively delight.
Never, never had anyone acted this way.
Never, never had anyone looked at him like this.
He indeed harbored tender thoughts toward the princess but dared not burden her with his ailing body.
Until he discovered—
The princess seemed to favor his sickly state.
Though he could not understand the reason, everything now made sense.
Once the thought emerged, it grew wildly like vines.
He was like a drowning man who suddenly found something to grasp.
“I… can offer myself in return.”
He steeled his heart and took a gamble.
The delicate hand wiping his sweat froze.
Yun Chaorong’s mouth fell open in shock, forming an “O.”
Su Jingyuan glimpsed the pink tongue and pearly teeth within her cherry-like lips, his mouth growing dry, his gaze darkening beneath long lashes.
Yun Chaorong held the handkerchief: So bold! (◎_◎;) So sudden?
Shouldn’t he have said something conventional about repaying her kindness with loyalty or service?
Straight into 18+ territory?
This Su Jingyuan appeared gentle and frail, yet his words were astonishingly bold.
What a surprise he gave her.
She wanted to reach out and lift his chin but found it a bit too high.
“Um, sit down,” Yun Chaorong pointed to the stool.
Su Jingyuan complied, sitting on the stool, allowing Yun Chaorong to stand slightly taller than him.
She adopted an imposing and dangerous demeanor, lifting his chin with a jade-like finger, forcing him to look at her.
She had intended to say she would gladly accept, but an old-fashioned line suddenly intruded her mind:
“Man, do you know what you’re saying?”
Su Jingyuan gazed into Yun Chaorong’s eyes, his gaze deep as a lake:
“Your Highness, rest assured, I am not seeking to climb the social ladder, nor will I ever flaunt your name for personal gain.”
Yun Chaorong: “Are you willing to serve with your looks?”
“Only willing to serve Your Highness.”
“With your looks?” That’s the key point!
“…Yes.”
Yun Chaorong’s finger changed direction. Her fair fingertip slid down from Su Jingyuan’s chin.
It traveled from his neck to his throat, traced his delicate collarbone, then moved downward, parting his collar and resting against his chest…
Su Jingyuan’s breath grew scorching, the atmosphere in the room becoming intimately close.
Sensing the hand’s intent to descend further, he grasped the soft, slender fingers.
“Your Highness!” He suppressed the panting in his chest, his eyes tinged with a hint of desire.
In Yun Chaorong’s eyes, it was almost blatant seduction.
Yun Chaorong poked his chest and questioned:
“You… did you discover long ago that I crave your body? So you’re tempting me!”
Despite the serious tone, the words spoken were enough to make one blush.
Upon hearing Yun Chaorong’s direct statement, Su Jingyuan felt a fire ignite from his chest down to his lower abdomen, a blazing flame tinged with a hidden sweetness.
“…It wasn’t discovered early.”
“Then when was it?”
“Today.”
Yun Chaorong: Huh? Was her desire that obvious!
She softened her tone a little: “You said you’d serve me with your looks, so what do you want from me?”
Su Jingyuan: “Your Highness saved my life. I ask for nothing.”
He didn’t desire many things, only that her eyes would always hold him.
He wanted her gaze.
“Well, that can only cover one or two times at most. I’m a proper person, I don’t take advantage of others casually.”
Yun Chaorong bolstered her confidence.
She had to let him know this was a long-term arrangement, not a one-or-two-time affair. Give and take, that’s how it lasts.
Su Jingyuan couldn’t help but smile at her feigned domineering manner, a soft laugh escaping his lips.
The princess truly was delightfully amusing.
“I am frail and often require rare medicines and skilled physicians. I would trouble Your Highness to look after me a little more.”
Hearing this, Yun Chaorong’s smile suddenly bloomed, and she said proudly:
“Of course, I’ll definitely take care of you. With me here, no one else will bully you.”
She leaned in closer, her small face stopping just before Su Jingyuan’s.
“—Only I can bully you.”
Their breaths intertwined.
“Your Highness, I…”
“Don’t say ‘I, your humble servant,’ say ‘I’.”
“Your Highness, I—”
Yun Chaorong stopped his unfinished words with her lips.
Outside the window, a strong wind suddenly rose, and the tree shadows began to sway wildly once more.
Inside the window, the tall, elegant young man held the radiant girl in his arms. Light and shadow danced swiftly over their figures, losing all sense of direction.
The girl leaned in slightly, the man lifted his head, and their lips and tongues met.
Yun Chaorong had only intended to tease him with a light, fleeting kiss, but once their lips touched, Su Jingyuan gently began to kiss and lick her lips.
She caught his scent—a faint bitterness of medicine mingled with the rich aroma of tea. Dazed, she parted her lips, and his tongue instinctively slipped inside.
It brushed past her pearly teeth and captured her tongue.
He sucked gently, but his breathing grew heavier and heavier.
Yun Chaorong’s body went numb, and she felt unsteady on her feet. She placed her hands on Su Jingyuan’s shoulders, then wrapped them around the back of his head.
The next moment, she felt Su Jingyuan’s hand press against her waist, holding her firmly.
His palm was scorching hot; even through the summer fabric, she could feel its searing warmth.
Yun Chaorong couldn’t help but let out a soft moan and kissed back… tenderly, lingeringly, with utmost intimacy.
When they finally parted, Yun Chaorong mischievously bit Su Jingyuan’s lip before pulling away.
Caught off guard by the bite, Su Jingyuan was momentarily stunned, then curved his lips and said hoarsely:
“Your Highness… truly is mischievous.”
“Your Highness, it’s getting late. The palace gates will soon be locked,” Michun’s voice sounded from outside the door.
Yun Chaorong glanced at the faintly yellow sky outside the window. “Ah, it’s already this late. I have to go.”
Su Jingyuan nodded, stood up, and thoughtfully took a handkerchief to wipe the corner of Yun Chaorong’s mouth.
Yun Chaorong looked in the mirror and only then realized her lipstick had smudged, though her hair and clothes remained perfectly neat.
She turned to look at Su Jingyuan, who was focused on wiping her mouth.
As for Su Jingyuan… the hair at the back of his head had been tousled by her, the front of his robe was crumpled from her grasp, his lips were stained with her lipstick, and his face was flushed.
Looking thoroughly like he had been ravaged by her.
And after ravaging him, she was about to pat her bottom and leave!
Yun Chaorong: …Oh! Why do I seem so much like a bully who takes advantage of good people?
“Princess,” Su Jingyuan seemed to guess what she was thinking, “this was all my own choice. If the princess is happy, then I am happy.”
He wiped Yun Chaorong’s face clean, placed the handkerchief on the table, and did not mention returning it.
“I rarely have the chance to see the princess on ordinary days. I only wish for the princess to be happy in this moment.”
Hearing Su Jingyuan say this, Yun Chaorong realized that she indeed seldom had opportunities to see him.
Su Jingyuan’s status did not allow him to enter the palace to request an audience, and even if he did, he could not enter the inner palace.
She also did not want to visit the Duke of Yu’s residence too often. If she came a few more times, Old Madam Su would likely throw a tantrum and go complain to the emperor.
She needed to think of a solution.
“Oh, in a few days, the palace will host a Lotus Viewing Banquet. All the noble families in the court should have received invitations, with both male and female family members invited. Would you be willing to come?”
“If the princess invites me, I would be delighted to attend.”
“Good,” Yun Chaorong looked up at his jawline, “I will have someone send you a separate invitation later. If you are not feeling well that day, there is no need to force yourself.”
“Alright.” Su Jingyuan listened to her thoughtful words, feeling a warm current flow through his body.
He tidied his hair and clothes, then escorted Yun Chaorong all the way to the entrance of the Duke’s residence.
Along the way, he maintained a respectful distance, treating her with courtesy.
“Princess, please take care on your way.”
Only after Yun Chaorong’s carriage and escort turned the corner and disappeared from the street did he turn and return inside.
Su Mingyuan rushed up anxiously.
He had waited outside Su Jingyuan’s courtyard for quite some time without seeing Princess Rongyang emerge. She had actually stayed until sunset before leaving.
“Why did the princess stay in your courtyard for so long?”
Su Mingyuan was furious today and reached out to grab Su Jingyuan’s collar, thinking he could still handle the younger Su Jingyuan as easily as he did in childhood.
Su Jingyuan sidestepped lightly, evading Su Mingyuan’s hand.
“Elder brother, please restrain yourself. As the head of the Duke’s residence, you should conduct yourself appropriately.”
Su Mingyuan knew he had somewhat lost his composure just now. He was truly anxious.
Princess Rongyang had driven all the servants out of the courtyard, and the attendants from Morning Sun Palace were strictly guarding the courtyard gate and corners. They had no idea what was happening inside.
If he knew that Su Jingyuan and Princess Rongyang had dismissed even the palace attendants and spent so much time alone together in the room, he would likely go mad.
“I don’t need you to remind me!
Tell me, why did the princess come to see you? And with such a grand display, she even angered Mother to the point of falling ill.”
Su Jingyuan’s gaze turned slightly cold, a stark contrast to how he appeared before Yun Chaorong.
“Elder brother, watch your words! Mother’s discomfort is due to our failure to attend to her properly and has nothing to do with the princess.
The princess was merely visiting on behalf of Prince Rui today.”
“Prince Rui?”
Su Mingyuan paused. So that was it!
“Then what did you say to the princess?”
“What does elder brother think I said to the princess?”
Su Jingyuan retorted, then added before Su Mingyuan could explode in anger, “The princess simply inquired about Mother’s condition, and I said that Mother and elder brother were taking good care of her. Elder brother, what are you worried about?”
Su Mingyuan hesitated, his expression shifting uncertainly. Knowing he was no match for Su Jingyuan in argument, he could only turn and leave with a flick of his sleeve. “You’d better watch yourself. Tomorrow, go to Mother and apologize!”
The sun sank below the wall.
The sky darkened, and the warmth faded away.
Su Jingyuan walked slowly.
Siji approached and draped a cloak over Su Jingyuan.
“Young master, be careful not to catch a chill.”
As the blue cloak settled on his shoulders, Su Jingyuan was momentarily lost in thought, recalling the sky-blue hem of Yun Chaorong’s skirt.
“Young master, are you tired?” Siji asked.
Su Jingyuan tightened the cloak, a trace of impatience flickering between his brows.
He wasn’t tired, but he was growing weary.
He suddenly felt no desire to continue maneuvering between his mother and eldest brother.
………
Yun Chaorong returned to the Morning Sun Palace.
She saw that everyone in the palace was beaming with joy.
Nanny Yu, her face lit up with delight, hurried over.
“Princess, there’s good news, wonderful news!”