Chapter 29

“Qiu Jinning, how are you? Why did you drink?” After Qin Chu entered, she pulled Qiu Jinning into her arms and carefully examined her expression.

The person in her arms had flushed cheeks, her breathing was deep and quick, her eyes faintly misted over. The corners of her eyes carried a light red tint, and there seemed to be a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead. She looked exactly as if the love gu had flared up.

Hadn’t she left first? How had she ended up drinking again?

Mm? Why did Qin Chu feel that there was no scent of alcohol on Qiu Jinning?

“Qin Chu… I did not drink. I only smelled some.” Qiu Jinning was still rational. Fortunately, she had made a swift decision and left early. Now, merely smelling some alcohol had already made it this difficult to endure. If she had stayed with the Second Prince any longer, she did not dare imagine the consequences.

Luckily, Qin Chu had returned in time too. Otherwise, she might have had to pour several buckets of cold water over herself to endure it.

Hearing this, Qin Chu relaxed a little. As long as she had not drunk, it should not lead to anything too serious…

Actually, she really wanted something to happen.

Qiu Jinning slightly raised her head and [Read on BaiLianTales]wrapped her arms around Qin Chu’s waist. “Qin Chu…”

That low call completely threw Qin Chu’s heartbeat into chaos.

“Are you still uncomfortable?”

“Mm. Hold me tighter…”

Qin Chu’s breath caught. She slowly tightened her arms around her.

The two embraced silently, each calming their own breathing.

After a long while, Qin Chu lowered her head and looked at Qiu Jinning’s still-flushed cheeks. Her tone drifted slightly. “Do you want to go to the bed? I mean, standing like this must be tiring for you. It would be better to lie down.”

She was tired too. Her left leg had no strength, and relying only on her right leg to support herself was not only physically exhausting, but mentally hard as well. It was far too difficult to endure…

“Mm…” Qiu Jinning responded softly and turned to the bedside, but she did not lie down. Instead, she raised her eyes and looked at Qin Chu.

Qin Chu stared at her dazedly. The person before her had her lips pressed tightly together, as if she were [stolen content]doing her utmost to restrain herself. Her bright eyes shifted like a cold and lonely immortal from the moon palace who had suddenly descended to the mortal world and developed mortal feelings.

She hesitated for a moment, then took the initiative to lie down, her hands quietly clenching.

This was what Qiu Jinning meant, right? She wanted Qin Chu to lie down first, right?

Seeing her obediently lie down, the corner of Qiu Jinning’s tightly pressed lips curved faintly, and she bent down.

For a moment, there was silence. Qiu Jinning lay against Qin Chu’s arms, then after a while, raised her head and looked down at the person lying beneath her.

Qin Chu was so nervous she could hardly breathe. Her dry throat swallowed, and a certain hidden expectation rose in her heart.

Closer. Even closer.

The person in her arms gazed at her for a long time, her forehead lowering more and more.

Qin Chu’s hands could not help trembling. She watched Qiu Jinning’s red lips slowly approach, full and alluring.

Just then, a fair hand reached out. Pale, slender fingers rose before her eyes and read the original at bailiantales.comgently landed on her lips.

Cool fingers brushed over the corner of her mouth, carrying an indescribable hesitation.

“Qin Chu…” Qiu Jinning’s red lips softly breathed out her name, her gaze dark and difficult to understand.

“I’m here. Is the love gu still restless?” Qin Chu spoke with difficulty, forcefully suppressing the impulse to hold Qiu Jinning tight and do this and that, desperately clinging to her reason that was on the verge of collapse.

She wanted so badly…

Wanted so badly…

Wanted Qiu Jinning—thousands and thousands of times…

Qiu Jinning said nothing. Her gaze was complicated as she stared into Qin Chu’s eyes, her finger unconsciously tracing lightly over the corner of her lips.

Unable to endure the desire in her heart, Qin Chu unconsciously parted her lips and kissed the finger teasing by her mouth.

Her lips gently caught the soft pad of that finger, and both of them froze. Time seemed to stop.

Qiu Jinning rubbed the corner of her lips, her face red as she said, “When I came back, I saw the Second Prince. He said the phoenix maiden was born on the last day of the third month in late spring. He wants you to wear red from now on.”

She did not want to push Qin Chu into the center of the whirlpool, nor did she want Qin Chu to block those storms for her. But she had no choice. The Second Prince was powerful, and they still had no strength to oppose him. For now, they could only temporarily yield.

If possible, she would rather be the one to step forward. She would rather go into seclusion in the mountains from this moment on. But under heaven, there was no land that was not the sovereign’s.

Qiu Jinning’s heart trembled. Sometimes, she even wanted to meet that female emperor whom the people praised as a wise ruler. They were so innocent. As a ruler, how could she disregard the wishes of her people?

But she could not meet her yet. She was still one step away. Only after next spring’s metropolitan examination, after standing in the palace examination, would she be able to fight with everything she had—even if it was an egg striking stone, even if jade shattered and tiles fell.

Before that, she could only pretend compliance and temporarily stabilize the Second Prince.

Qin Chu froze, and her heart turned cold. In the end, it had still been confirmed. The phoenix maiden the male lead was searching for was the person lying in her arms at this moment—the person she was unwilling to let go of.

“All right. Starting tomorrow, I will wear red.”

She agreed lightly, but Qiu Jinning felt pain and could not bear it.

“If you do not like it, there is no need to pay attention to him. For now, they should not act rashly.” Those people were clearly using power to bully others, yet they still maintained a facade of mutual willingness. Even when forcing others, they still wanted to keep a reputation for being upright and virtuous.

How could there be such a principle, where they took all the benefits in the world?

Qiu Jinning’s gaze sank. The Second Prince’s sanctimonious appearance was truly detestable, but fortunately, it was precisely because of his hypocrisy that she had been given time and opportunity.

When spring came next year, once she stood in the great hall, she would tear away those people’s righteous masks.

The phoenix maiden had to mother the nation for the Zhou clan to continue for a thousand years, yes? If the female emperor was also only a wise ruler in name, then Qiu Jinning would like to see whether the phoenix maiden spilling blood in the great hall would still allow the dynasty to continue for a thousand years.

She would never allow herself to be forced by power into giving herself to any man.

Qin Chu did not know what she was thinking and comforted her, “It is not that I dislike it. Wearing red is for you, but also for myself.”

Now that things had progressed to this point, she had no choice but to cooperate.

Most importantly, she was willing to be Qiu Jinning’s shield. Completely willing.

Qiu Jinning’s mind trembled. She stared fixedly at Qin Chu. This person had never been the reckless good-for-nothing everyone spoke of. She was also a clever person with clear eyes and a clear heart.

“Qin Chu…”

“I’m here…”

“Qin Chu… I want…” Qiu Jinning lowered her eyes, her heart uneasy.

“I said before, as long as you want it, you can do anything. Anything is fine with me.” Qin Chu held her finger and moved it away from her lips.

She wanted it too. Very, very much…

Knock, knock, knock. The door was suddenly knocked. From outside came Nanny Ziyun’s urgent and worried voice. “Miss, how are you now? This old servant brought a doctor.”

That girl Luyao truly did not know what was important. If Miss was unwell, she should hurry and find a doctor. What use was there in finding Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing? What if Miss’s condition was delayed?

Thinking this, Nanny Ziyun glared at Luyao again.

Luyao ignored her with a dark face. Miss had already said that having Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing there was enough. Were they supposed to disobey?

Guanzi also stood to the side, blocking the door. “Nanny Ziyun, you’re exaggerating too much. Miss Qiu has felt unwell after drinking several times, and every time, our Miss helped cure her. If the two of them stay in the room for a while, I guarantee Miss Qiu will be fine.”

She had guarded the door every time. Her Miss was amazing.

“Mediocre doctors harm people. Hurry up and shut your mouth.” Nanny Ziyun looked at the tightly shut door with heartache. She had been Miss’s wet nurse and served her for so many years, yet she had not known that Miss felt unwell every time she drank. She had truly failed in her duty.

“My Miss is not a mediocre doctor. My Miss is capable of anything. You’re the one who’s like a narcissus that won’t bloom—just pretending to be garlic.” Guanzi was unconvinced and put her hands on her hips to argue. She refused to shut up. She was not a gourd with its mouth sawed shut.

“What nonsense are you spouting, you plump maid?”

“I’m speaking human words. Miss said no one is allowed inside, so no one is allowed inside. Don’t think that just because you’re old, I won’t dare act.”

Guanzi lifted her sleeves and spread her arms in front of the door, looking as if one woman could hold the pass against ten thousand.

Nanny Ziyun was furious. “You still want to use force? Try it. Luyao, restrain her for me.”

Luyao rolled her eyes and silently stepped back. Sorry, she could not restrain her. The plump maid could fight three people at once. Luyao did not want to seek a beating.

Besides, calling Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing inside was Miss’s instruction. Luyao did not want to ruin Miss’s good moment. If they kept stopping them, the future son-in-law might be replaced.

Compared to serving an unfamiliar man, Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing was better. She treated Miss well, and she treated the maids well too. Especially this plump maid—she worked quickly and was easy to coax. Luyao was so much more relaxed now. Whenever there was work, a few nice words would make the plump maid take it over.

In conclusion, Luyao felt it was better not to change the future son-in-law. It was good for Miss and good for her too.

Guanzi raised her head and puffed out her chest. Seeing that Luyao sensibly did not act, her confidence grew even stronger. “Facts speak louder than words. The few times Miss Qiu felt unwell, which time wasn’t my Miss the one who handled it? You’re eating salty radish and worrying over nothing.”

She was Miss’s most trusted head maid, the Qin residence’s most outstanding future chief steward. Guarding doors was what she was best at.

Inside the room, the two listened to the arguing outside, and the atmosphere turned awkward for a moment.

Qiu Jinning wanted to get up, but Qin Chu tugged her back. “If you’re still uncomfortable, let me hold you a little longer. Don’t mind Nanny Ziyun. Guanzi can stall her.”

That little maid’s mouth never spared anyone when she had reason [Read on BaiLianTales]on her side. Qin Chu had yet to see her suffer a loss.

Qiu Jinning was silent for a moment, then lowered her head and leaned against Qin Chu’s neck. She said dully, “Seeing you already calms me a great deal. I no longer feel much discomfort.”

Qin Chu raised a brow. She was not uncomfortable anymore, yet she was still leaning against her. This was being insincere again.

She considerately held the person in her arms tighter and coaxed her at random. “Mm, it’s good that you’re not uncomfortable anymore.”

With warm jade and soft fragrance in her arms, Qiu Jinning’s black hair scattered over Qin Chu’s neck, making her heart itch.

Seeing that the person in her arms obediently leaned there without moving, Qin Chu’s breathing slowed. Her hands moved upward from Qiu Jinning’s lower back, and she tentatively touched the top of Qiu Jinning’s head.

The person in her arms stiffened, then relaxed again, as if silently allowing her actions.

Qin Chu slightly parted her lips, inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled. She was so nervous she forgot to breathe through her nose.

One hand stroked Qiu Jinning’s black hair, while the other reached toward Qiu Jinning’s waist, finding the belt hanging to one side.

Her trembling fingers gently tugged at the belt. The person in her [bailiantales.com]arms silently cooperated and shifted slightly. The belt slipped loose.

Qin Chu’s heart, which had been floating among the clouds, fell with it. Her heartbeat sounded louder than ever before. Her fingers followed Qiu Jinning’s loosened upper garment and touched the tightly bound skirt below.

“The… the love gu still hasn’t settled down, right?” Qin Chu’s hand paused. Touching the edge of the skirt, she pulled aside the thin inner garment.

Qiu Jinning said nothing. She only felt a coolness at her waist as that mischievous hand, with nothing blocking it anymore, touched the skin at her side.

“Qin Chu…” Qiu Jinning could not help letting out a soft sound. Her whole body trembled with it, and her knees went weak.

Qin Chu hurriedly withdrew her hand, her tone flustered. “I—well—I didn’t—I was afraid the love gu was restless.”

She must have been possessed just now. But she wanted to so badly…

She wanted so badly to be like that Lantern Festival night and put all her theoretical knowledge into practice.

Qiu Jinning nuzzled against her neck and smiled faintly. “I know. It is the love gu being restless.”

Those teasing words fell by Qin Chu’s ear, and she instantly became like an eggplant hit by frost. The courage that had surged up just now completely disappeared.

“Go open the door. Don’t let Nanny worry.”