A Pharaoh and Her Beloved Queen - Chapter 18

The cool, pale orange sunlight pierced through the clouds, quietly gilding the night with the first hints of dawn. Before long, the sun would rise completely, wantonly casting down its scorching heat.

The buildings on both banks grew denser. Recalling what Lamassu had said last night, Ye Zhiqing calculated that they should reach Thebes by noon today.

A vast river wind made Ye Zhiqing’s long robe rustle loudly. she stood motionless, gazing at the undulating, blurred silhouettes in the distance.

As Edith stepped onto the deck, as expected, that slender figure was standing at the front.

She did not intentionally slow her pace, but before she could draw near, Ye Zhiqing turned around, following the sound of the footsteps.

Seeing it was Edith, a flash of surprise crossed her calm features. Ever since boarding the ship back to Thebes, Ye Zhiqing had been awake whenever others were deep in sleep.

Habitually, she would walk onto the deck and quietly watch the magnificent, steady Nile, attempting to soothe the inexplicable restlessness welling up in her heart.

Two days ago, she had run into Edith by chance; since then, every day at this hour, Edith would also come to the deck. Counting today, it was already the third time.

Suppressing the doubt in her heart, Ye Zhiqing lowered her chin slightly. “King.”

Just as in the previous two days, Edith walked straight to Ye Zhiqing’s side and cast her gaze into the distance. “Zhiqing, are you afraid?”

It was a statement of fact.

The emotionless lines of her cold profile remained unreadable, yet the familiar cool fragrance drifting from her side quietly soothed Ye Zhiqing’s unconsciously tensed nerves.

Ye Zhiqing turned her head and said nothing. She did not know the answer to that question.

Arriving in Thebes meant her transaction with Edith officially went into effect. Until she found that scepter, she had to fully integrate into Edith’s life, with no way out.

Everything was developing step by step according to her plan, which made her even more unable to explain the reason for her lapse in composure.

Edith turned around, her naked, searching gaze falling on Ye Zhiqing without the slightest concealment. She leaned toward Ye Zhiqing, a trace of a smile in her voice. “So, even you can be afraid?”

To not answer was to admit it.

Warm breath was so close it felt as if Ye Zhiqing would kiss Edith’s cheek the moment she turned her head.

Ye Zhiqing’s body stiffened for an instant. She countered, “I am not,” her voice as steady as usual.

Without even turning her head to look, she could feel Edith’s burning gaze fixed intently upon her. The steady heartbeat in her chest gradually lost its rhythm.

After a brief silence, Edith let out a light laugh, withdrew her gaze, and took Ye Zhiqing’s hand. “Let’s go back.”

Passively turning around, she followed Edith’s lead. The soft, pale gold robes blurred Edith’s cold aura in the thin sunlight. Flecks of soft warmth seemed to gather like stars, radiating a melting heat that made one unable to think of refusal.

The hand holding hers was well-proportioned; the light wheat-colored skin shimmered with an alluring luster under the warm yellow firelight, looking very beautiful.

For a moment, Ye Zhiqing lost herself staring at their tightly clasped hands, completely failing to notice that the route Edith was leading her on was not back to her own room at all.

Finely carved gold and inlaid gemstones adorned every part of the room. The complex decorations, perfectly fitted, did not seem cumbersome; they circulated a kaleidoscopic, luxurious luster in the dimly lit room. An overwhelming aura surged toward her, soul-stirring.

Before she could marvel at Egypt’s wealth and the exquisite craftsmanship of the decorations, Edith gave a sharp tug, and Ye Zhiqing fell onto the large, soft bed where she had first woken up.

Completely unguarded.

It wasn’t until she felt the soft touch beneath her that Ye Zhiqing regained her senses, but it was already too late.

Her long hair spread out like seaweed, her red lips slightly parted in shock, and a faint crimson flush tinted the corners of her eyes. Her thin robe clung tightly to her exquisite curves…

Alluring, yet unaware of it.

“Your Majesty Edith—” along with Edith’s next move, Ye Zhiqing let out an uncontrollable gasp.

Her usually calm tone cracked slightly, tinged with a sense of bewilderment and helplessness.

With her hands braced on either side of Ye Zhiqing’s head, her entire body covering Ye Zhiqing from behind, Edith’s dangerous, predatory gaze fell straight onto Ye Zhiqing’s face. Their breaths mingled, and an ambiguous, sweet fragrance circulated quietly between them.

Ye Zhiqing’s lips were full and lush, shimmering with a liquid luster under the light. Edith slowly lowered her head.

Smooth long hair brushed back and forth against Ye Zhiqing’s neck with Edith’s movements, stirring an unbearable itch that made Ye Zhiqing tremble uncontrollably. The violent thrumming in her chest caused her breathing to turn chaotic. Fine beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, pinning strands of hair to the side of her face. The pure black hair and fair cheeks formed a vivid visual contrast—seductive and captivating.

Edith’s face continued to enlarge before her eyes, so close she could see the pure golden light of “determined possession” surging within her amber pupils. A warm, soft touch seemed to have already reached her lips; closing her eyes tight, Ye Zhiqing shook slightly, unable to control herself.

A joyful laugh from deep within the heart sounded by Ye Zhiqing’s ear, bringing the escalating situation to an abrupt halt.

The weight pressing on her suddenly vanished, and she felt a slight dip on the side of the bed. Ye Zhiqing opened her eyes, the liquid luster in them not yet dissipated.

Turning her head, Ye Zhiqing met Edith’s already calmed gaze without warning. The earlier ambiguity and palpitation were entirely hidden within those deep, quiet eyes.

Staring intently at the expression on Ye Zhiqing’s face, Edith saw that she only watched her without speaking. The smile at the corners of her lips grew more obvious. She reached out to pull the woman into her arms. “Sleep,” she said, closing her eyes and making no further move.

The hand pinning her was as firm and powerful as ever. Ye Zhiqing completely gave up the idea of breaking free. Having grown used to Edith’s occasionally baffling behavior, she knew that submission would obviously be much easier for her than the consequences of resistance.

A cool wind circled past the curtains, clearing Ye Zhiqing’s chaotic thoughts slightly. The scenes from just now replayed vividly in her mind, and her disordered breathing gradually steadied.

A faint, throbbing pain rose in her temples—very slight, not enough to be unbearable, yet enough to easily strip Ye Zhiqing of her ability to think clearly. She had no clue how to untangle the absurdity of what had just happened.

A trace of soreness crept into her eyes. The cold fragrance from the person beside her, interlaced with a heavy weariness, took hold. Ye Zhiqing closed her eyes and let out a helpless, light sigh. The room fell silent.

Ye Zhiqing hadn’t expected herself to actually fall into a deep sleep. The exhaustion that had dissipated over the last few days surged back all at once, easily stripping away her thin defenses.

Since the fall of Punt, she had been like a lonely boat sinking into the deep sea, drifting in the sunless abyss, hoping one day to find a glimmer of light. Edith’s appearance was like an upward-surging current, becoming her only support.

Finding a scepter with no insignia in the vastness of Egypt was far too difficult for Ye Zhiqing. Relying on Edith was her only choice.

Light footsteps sounded outside the door. After a few knocks, a voice spoke: “King, it is time to wash and change your robes. We will arrive at the Tiber Port of Thebes in one hour.”

The golden sun broke through the layered clouds, and the thin morning mist quickly vanished. The scorching heat was blocked outside. Her eyelashes fluttered, and when she opened her eyes again, the sun was already high in the sky.

Edith looked down. Ye Zhiqing was still sleeping in her arms, unaware of anything, sleeping so deeply there were no signs of her waking.

Her body was half-curled, nestled submissively in her arms, her features quiet and soft. The tenderness buried deep within Edith was touched unexpectedly; a faint, soft smile welled up in the depths of her eyes.

Suddenly, Edith leaned down and pressed a kiss onto Ye Zhiqing’s smooth forehead—a touch that vanished as soon as it landed.

Carefully rising, after a slight sound of movement, Edith stood by the bed, moving her numb arm. She glanced at the still-sleeping Ye Zhiqing, the corner of her lips hooking slightly as she walked out with light steps.

Hope, the female official serving close to Edith, was bowing her upper body. Behind her was a group of maids holding robes, crowns, and other ornaments.

Raising an eyebrow imperceptibly, Edith said, “Hope, wake her in half an hour, have her change her clothes, and bring her to the deck.”

“Yes, King.” With heads bowed and eyes forward, they were no longer surprised by the Queen’s unconventional actions. After all, the only person to ever share a bed with Her Majesty was this Miss Ye.

Even Miss Hill, the King’s only concubine a few years ago, had only moved into the palace and had never been this close to the King.

Edith paced toward the room on the other side, and the maids behind her followed knowingly. Since Miss Ye hadn’t woken yet, the King likely didn’t want to disturb her.

The giant ship gradually entered the smooth river channel, moving slowly forward.

Majestic white walls stood in the distance, unafraid of the erosion of wind and rain over endless years, bringing a heavy sense of oppression. The simple, ancient lines revealed a rugged beauty. The ancient city carrying Egypt’s most prosperous civilization burst into her sight.

The banks were crowded with people, shouting and worshipping toward the giant ship. Stone buildings with white walls and yellow roofs were scattered in an orderly fashion along both banks. In Ye Zhiqing’s eyes, everywhere radiated a desolate and ancient charm—not the ruins seen in the modern world, but Thebes presented before her in a brand-new state.

Crossing thousands of years of time, Ye Zhiqing’s breathing seemed to stop. She greedily snatched up everything she saw, feeling this ancient and great civilization with a sense of near-pain.

Shocking—incomparably shocking.

Naya looked sideways at Ye Zhiqing, who had suddenly stopped, and reminded her in a low voice, but received no response. Seeing they were getting closer to the Tiber Port, she increased her volume, inevitably sounding a bit anxious.

As if sensing something, Edith turned around at the right time. Their gazes met in the air—quiet and deep. Suddenly, her breathing turned chaotic for an instant.

Meeting her again, her amber eyes seemed to hold a vast sea of stars, matching Edith’s current expansive and calm expression. Like a deity’s indifferent posture looking down upon all living beings, the cool gaze directed at her was like an overwhelming tide between sea and sky, instantly enveloping her, tossing her high, then dropping her hard.

She realized, profoundly and clearly, that Edith had been that ruthless and heartless Queen of Egypt from the very beginning.

The faint palpitation buried deep in her heart was once again extinguished by reason. The sense of crisis from being about to enter a strange environment snapped Ye Zhiqing back to clarity. The hazy mist covering her black eyes vanished instantly, replaced by clarity and resolve.

Taking in every one of Ye Zhiqing’s subtle shifts in expression, Edith remained calm and untroubled, cool as if without temperature. “Come here.”

Walking slowly toward Edith, onto the highest point of the bow, Ye Zhiqing stopped three paces away from her.

To her surprise, Edith’s indifferent voice rang out again: “Come to my side.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Ye Zhiqing stood beside Edith as told.

Edith wore a belt woven from fine, soft gold thread around her waist, perfectly outlining her tall, tight, and graceful figure. A simple yet majestic golden crown adorned her dark hair, and golden chalcedony hung over her forehead, refracting a daunting brilliance under the bright sunlight.

Whether on the ship or on the shore, everyone was shocked by the woman who had suddenly appeared beside Her Majesty Edith.

For a time, searching and suspicious gazes fell upon Ye Zhiqing. Many of them knew the Queen had brought back a much-favored concubine, and they speculated whether the strange face beside the Queen was that concubine.

Ye Zhiqing’s expression was calm, her posture elegant and dignified. Her cool and indifferent aura was not at all inferior to Edith’s. Her calm, distant gaze was cast forward—candid and fearless.

Although Ye Zhiqing could not immediately guess the purpose behind Edith’s move, she knew very well in her heart that regardless of why Edith did it, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages for her.

Her status as a concubine was too low; Edith’s action today undoubtedly raised her status by several levels. In Ancient Egypt’s strict hierarchy, this would provide great convenience for Ye Zhiqing’s future actions in Egypt.

Ye Zhiqing thought so, and clearly those at the center of power thought so as well.

They had originally thought Edith had merely found a rare toy, but in today’s solemn and serious setting, Edith’s unexpected move and Ye Zhiqing’s composed posture caused their previous assumptions to be overturned one by one.

Regardful gazes fell upon Ye Zhiqing once more, along with extremely hidden layers of defensiveness.

Edith never made a move without meaning; there was bound to be another deep significance in this.

The ship slowly approached the port. The officials who had long been waiting at the port knelt with their heads to the ground. A soul-cleansing hymn was slowly chanted at the port and along both banks:

You rise, you shine! The heavens roll aside!

You are the King of Gods, the God of All,

From you we come, and in your midst we are revered.

Your priests come forth at dawn;

With laughter they wash their hearts;

The sacred wind carries music, blowing across your golden strings.

At sunset, they embrace you, as every cloud

From your wings flashes with reflected colors.

You sail across the zenith, your heart rejoices;

Your morning and evening barques meet in the cool breeze;

Before you, the goddess Ma’at holds high her “feather” of destiny,

The Hall of Anu rings with voices speaking your name.

Glory to you—Her Majesty Edith,

The supreme ruler of Egypt,

Glory to you, bloodline of the Sun God;

Your brilliance shines upon every inch of Egyptian soil;

We offer up our bodies and souls.

Devout faith was infused into the hymn, and Ye Zhiqing’s heart trembled slightly. She could clearly feel the purest faith of the common Egyptian people toward Edith, no different from their reverence and worship of the gods.

Or rather, in their eyes, Edith was a god.

Having researched Egyptian deities long ago, she knew that, as the books said, the Egyptian Pharaoh was an existence equal to a god before Egypt entered its period of decline.

Seeing it with her own eyes, Ye Zhiqing finally realized how pale and weak the words washed by time truly were.

The two stood side by side, sharing an identical indifferent expression and matching white-and-gold ornate robes. In such a solemn and grave setting, there was actually a trace of eerie warmth and harmony.

Turning her head slightly, Ye Zhiqing realized belatedly that the golden bracers she had put on after washing matched the shape and pattern of the ones on Edith’s wrists.

The bright sunlight coated Edith’s profile with a majesty that made one not dare look directly at her. The chanting below gradually subsided, and Ye Zhiqing quickly straightened her posture again.

Only after Edith spoke for them to rise did the officials below stand up, looking up at the two standing on high.

Ye Zhiqing listened for a while; it was mostly formalities, expressing a welcome for Edith’s return and a general overview of what had happened in Thebes during her absence.

It was very dull. Ye Zhiqing turned her gaze away, looking toward the religious officials standing on the other side. They were easy to identify because their clothing was very different.

Ye Zhiqing was surprised to find that the ages of the religious officials matched her random guess perfectly. At a glance, they were all elders with whitening hair, with a few young faces interspersed among them, making them very conspicuous.

Suddenly, Ye Zhiqing’s gaze stopped on a clear and handsome priest.

The pure white linen robe looked otherworldly on him. As if sensing her, he looked toward Ye Zhiqing. “Clean” was her first reaction; the boy’s gaze was too clean, a purity untainted by a single speck of dust.

Following that was a delayed panic. The boy’s gaze held neither sorrow nor joy, radiating the purest clarity and insight—as if everything before him was laid bare, even the unspeakable secrets buried deep in one’s heart.