Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 26

It felt as though everything was magnified. The howling wind and snow outside battered against the doors and windows with a clattering noise, accompanied by the faint crackling sounds from the charcoal brazier burning brightly.

Her heart pounded rapidly. Gong Yu leaned in closer, taking a nervous, deep breath, and asked, “Ayan, is today New Year’s Eve?”

Since the two were almost the same height, Dai Ru Yan could no longer easily embrace Gong Yu as before. Instead, she reached out to support Gong Yu’s back, soothing her as she said, “Little Jiu, be good and let go, alright?”

“No,” Gong Yu replied, nuzzling against Dai Ru Yan’s cheek like a cat. “I want to hold you like this, always and forever.”

Dai Ru Yan looked at Gong Yu with a hint of helplessness, pressing her lips together in a feigned stern expression, yet her eyes were filled with such tenderness that Gong Yu’s heart trembled uncontrollably.

Gong Yu raised her hand and gently traced Dai Ru Yan’s cheek with her fingertips, swallowing nervously as if she had no self-control.

Fortunately, the dim lighting in the hall allowed Gong Yu to conceal her unease. But as her warm fingertips drew closer to those soft lips, her tension only grew.

“Stop fooling around,” Dai Ru Yan said, taking hold of Gong Yu’s hand, likely assuming she was merely drunk. “Let go and sit over there. I’ll take a proper look at you.”

Gong Yu refused to comply, as if bewitched, leaning in to ask, “Ayan, can I kiss you?”

Dai Ru Yan was momentarily taken aback, then lightly tapped Gong Yu’s forehead with her fingertip. Her expression remained unchanged as she remarked, “You really are terribly drunk.”

“I’m not drunk,” Gong Yu replied, feeling a pang of disappointment at Dai Ru Yan’s reaction, even though it was entirely reasonable.

“If you don’t let go, I’ll call Bi Yu to pull you away, you little drunkard,” Dai Ru Yan warned, though one hand still protectively supported Gong Yu’s back while the other gently massaged her pressure points.

Touched by this caring gesture, Gong Yu’s boldness stirred once more. Gazing intently at Dai Ru Yan, she smiled and said, “If I give you one little kiss, will you let me go then?”

Dai Ru Yan pinched Gong Yu’s cheek lightly, narrowing her eyes as she studied her. Gong Yu felt a chill run down her spine, afraid that Dai Ru Yan might notice something amiss.

Just then, a maid waiting outside softly reminded, “Miss, it’s already Hai hour.”

“Understood.”

Dai Ru Yan’s gaze remained fixed on Gong Yu as she agreed, “Fine, I’ll let you kiss me, but you must let go afterward.”

Gong Yu leaned in closer, noticing that Dai Ru Yan stood perfectly still, unmoving.

Yet, the clarity and transparency in Dai Ru Yan’s eyes were unmistakable. With just one glance, Gong Yu knew there was no affection in them. Still, she cautiously pressed her lips to Dai Ru Yan’s.

Her mind went completely blank, consumed by nervousness. The only thought that surfaced was how incredibly soft a girl’s lips could be.

Soon after, Gong Yu released her hold on Dai Ru Yan, leaning lightly against her and inhaling the faint, delicate fragrance that clung to her.

By now, her flushed cheeks probably made her look genuinely drunk. In her mind, she reasoned that since Dai Ru Yan didn’t have anyone she liked, a first kiss for a first kiss couldn’t possibly be considered taking advantage.

Perhaps she was truly exhausted, but Gong Yu felt that the incense in Dai Ru Yan’s hall had a soothing, sleep-inducing effect. Drowsy and disoriented, she unknowingly drifted into a deep slumber.

Naturally, her dreams were pleasant, and she slept soundly until dawn, faintly aware of the wind still howling outside.

When I got up from the bed, I noticed the room’s furnishings suggested it was one of the chambers in Dai Ru Yan’s courtyard.

Stepping outside, I found the maids waiting nearby, holding hot water, a washbasin, towels, and the like.

After washing up, Gong Yu intended to find Dai Ru Yan and headed toward the courtyard where she usually spent her time. Unexpectedly, the maid named Biyu placed a large tray of walnuts in front of her and said:

“Ninth Highness, please finish shelling these walnuts before going to see my lady.”

Huh…

What’s the meaning of this?

Gong Yu sat alone in the courtyard, gripping a nutcracker as she cracked open the pile of walnuts. She picked out the walnut meats while nibbling on some herself.

Having just woken up in the morning, aside from a cup of tea, Gong Yu hadn’t had anything else to drink.

Though she’d had a lovely dream earlier, staring at this large tray of walnuts left her utterly confused about Dai Ru Yan’s intentions.

Eating too many walnuts made her thirsty, so Gong Yu poured herself a cup of the tea the maid had left nearby and took a big gulp.

The bitterness of the tea nearly made her choke. Thinking her taste buds might be off, she poured another cup to confirm. This was definitely not the kind of tea she usually drank.

Sigh…

Could it be that Dai Ru Yan was angry?

But everything had been fine when they kissed. How could things change overnight? Unless…

Was her kissing technique not up to par?

Lost in deep thought, Gong Yu continued shelling the walnuts, muttering softly in frustration, “It was just a light touch—what technique could there even be?” Teetering on the edge of collapse, Gong Yu resigned herself to her task, shelling walnuts in a daze.”

Outside, the wind and snow seemed to have stopped, and a bit of sunlight even broke through. Though the sunlight in the pavilion didn’t bring much warmth, it still felt comforting to see.

Carrying the bowl of walnut meats, Gong Yu left the pavilion and walked along the corridor. She asked a maid she encountered, “Where is your lady now?”

These maids were all deaf-mutes and seemed to understand through lip-reading. Gong Yu followed the maid in front as she led her to one side.

It appeared to be a study. Gong Yu nervously clutched the box in her hands as she stepped inside. The maid named Biyu came out from within, smiling, “Ninth Highness, you’ve finished shelling the walnuts so quickly?”

Gong Yu smiled without replying, then heard Biyu say, “My lady is inside.”

Lifting the curtain, Gong Yu saw Dai Ru Yan seated at the desk. It was the first time Gong Yu had seen such a crowded study.

Books filled the space from floor to ceiling. It felt less like a study for a young lady and more like that of a seasoned scholar.

Dai Ru Yan held a brush and, without looking up, asked, “Does your head still hurt?”

“No, it doesn’t.” Gong Yu withdrew her gaze from the surroundings and placed the black box containing the walnut meats on the side of the desk.

Like a child who had done something wrong, Gong Yu was eager to make amends, afraid that Dai Ru Yan might truly be upset.

“Ayan, I’ve finished shelling all the walnuts.”

Dai Ru Yan merely glanced at them and said lightly, “There’s some warm congee by the low table. Go have some.”

“Okay.”

This lukewarm response left Gong Yu feeling uncertain.

Fortunately, the congee was delicious, and Gong Yu, who had been fasting for a while, was quite hungry. She thought to herself, Even if Dai Ru Yan is really angry, at least she still cares about me.

As if comforting herself, Gong Yu’s mood suddenly brightened.

Dai Ru Yan seemed to be practicing calligraphy, her focus entirely on the task. Gong Yu didn’t disturb her and quietly enjoyed her warm congee.

After satisfying his hunger, Gong Yu took a sip of tea and immediately frowned.

This tea was truly bitter!

No wonder even the usually stoic Crown Prince had complained about it that day. Staring at the half-cup of tea left in his hand, Gong Yu resigned himself and gulped it down in one go.

This tea was practically a form of torture.

Hesitantly holding the teacup, Gong Yu asked, “Ayan, do you have any other tea here?”

Dai Ru Yan looked up slightly and replied, “Everyone in this courtyard drinks this bitter tea. Don’t tell me you don’t like it, Xiao Jiu?”

“No, I quite like it.”

His survival instincts kicked into high gear, thinking that even if it were a bomb, he’d have to praise it to the skies at this moment.

“Since you like it, I’ll have Biyu prepare another cup for you.”

Gong Yu quickly interjected, “No need, one cup is enough.”

Now Gong Yu understood—Dai Ru Yan was definitely angry. Otherwise, the tea would have been replaced long ago. Having figured this out, Gong Yu stood up and approached Dai Ru Yan, lowering his voice to say, “Ayan, I was wrong.”

A faint smile curled at the corner of Dai Ru Yan’s lips as he picked up his own teacup and took a sip. “As a prince, you gathered a crowd to drink last night. Do you realize how serious a transgression that is?”

Huh?

Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan in confusion. The matter that had been tormenting him all this time turned out to be of little consequence in Dai Ru Yan’s eyes.

Perhaps noticing Gong Yu’s delayed response, Dai Ru Yan tilted his head and asked, “Why aren’t you answering?”

Feeling dejected, Gong Yu gently tugged at Dai Ru Yan’s sleeve and explained, “Fifth Brother dragged me there last night. I slipped away later and really didn’t drink much.”

“You… If I’d known you were carousing with those noble young men last night, I should’ve had Biyu splash a basin of water to wake you up.” Dai Ru Yan sighed helplessly, glancing at Gong Yu standing beside him.

Gong Yu noticed that Dai Ru Yan didn’t seem the least bit displeased, as if he didn’t mind the kissing from the previous night at all.

Outside the window, the wind and snow had ceased, making the room even quieter. Gong Yu hesitantly asked, “Did I do something inappropriate while drunk last night?”

Dai Ru Yan paused briefly while holding his brush, then wrote the character for “drunk” before softly replying, “I think from now on, there’s no need to call you Xiao Jiu anymore.”

“Why?”

“Let’s just call you Little Drunkard instead.” Dai Ru Yan said with a smile in his eyes.

Uh…

That nickname was rather casual.

Gong Yu had no energy to argue. Noticing the little rabbit crouched nearby, quietly nibbling on his robe, he reached out and picked up the chubby bunny.

Dai Ru Yan turned to look, reaching out to stroke the rabbit. “The scar on your neck is quite deep. I had someone find a scar-removing ointment for you to try.”

“Alright.” Gong Yu set the rabbit down and obediently sat on the nearby low couch as Dai Ru Yan approached with a white porcelain jar in hand.

“Fortunately, the scar isn’t too deep, or it would have been dangerous.”

Gong Yu tilted his head slightly, not daring to move, and only felt the cool sensation of the ointment. “Actually, this scar isn’t a big deal. It was just a light graze from a dagger.”

Dai Ru Yan sat beside him, carefully applying the ointment with his fingertip. “Most royal heirs would make a fuss over the slightest scratch, but here you are, grinning and saying it’s nothing.”

“Besides, if an ordinary woman’s skin were marred, it could affect her marriage prospects.”

“Does that mean I won’t be able to marry?” Gong Yu joked in response.

Dai Ru Yan tidied up the porcelain vase, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and then reached out to straighten Gong Yu’s robes. “Nonsense,” she said. “As a prince, why would you need to marry?”

But Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan with utmost seriousness and replied, “But I’m not a prince—I’m a princess.”

“Young Jiu is still too young for marriage anyway,” Dai Ru Yan responded hesitantly.

“It’s not too early. In half a month, I’ll be fourteen,” Gong Yu said nervously, meeting Dai Ru Yan’s ink-dark eyes. She pretended to joke, “But if I were to marry, I’d marry you, Ayan.”

Dai Ru Yan was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly and said, “You’re talking nonsense again.”

Hearing this response, Gong Yu felt as disappointed as she had been excited the night before. Yet she had to pretend as if nothing were wrong.

Dai Ru Yan gently stroked the well-behaved little rabbit beside her and suddenly turned her head, whispering, “But you mustn’t speak of this carelessly outside.”

“Yes, I understand,” Gong Yu replied.

“If others were to find out, it would be a grave crime of deceiving the emperor,” Dai Ru Yan murmured, her fingertips lightly brushing Gong Yu’s earlobe. “That would put you in danger. Do you understand?”

“I know.”

Looking into Dai Ru Yan’s worried eyes, Gong Yu felt an inexplicable sense of hopelessness.

If Dai Ru Yan had been indifferent, Gong Yu might not have been so cautious. But it was precisely because Dai Ru Yan was so gentle that Gong Yu feared if she made a mistake, everything would never be the same again.