Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 30.2

The words were cryptic, and Gong Yu couldn’t shake the feeling that the Fourth Prince seemed to know something.

The weather was just right, so Gong Yu took a sedan chair to Dai Ru Yan’s courtyard. It had been a while since her last visit, and without her noticing, the courtyard had shed the bleak silence of winter. Surrounded by trees, it now carried the air of a hermit’s dwelling.

Of course, there was no white-bearded sage here—instead, it was home to a fairy dwelling in her own Peach Blossom Spring.

Gong Yu chuckled to herself as she walked. When she reached the hall, Biyu emerged from inside and said, “Ninth Princess, you’ve come at an unfortunate time. The young lady has just fallen asleep.”

“It’s fine. I’ll just take a quick look and leave soon.”

“That won’t do. The young lady has only just managed to fall asleep,” Biyu clearly had no intention of letting Gong Yu in.

Left with no choice, Gong Yu stood outside, unwilling to leave empty-handed. Just as she was about to resort to wheedling and persistence.

Dai Ru Yan’s voice suddenly called from inside, “Little Jiu, come in.”

Gong Yu smiled and walked into the hall. Several screens were set up inside, and after weaving past them, she saw Dai Ru Yan lying flat on a low couch, draped in a thin blanket, her complexion looking somewhat pale.

“Are you unwell?” Gong Yu sat beside her and reached out to gently touch Dai Ru Yan’s forehead.

Her temperature felt a bit cool, but otherwise normal. Dai Ru Yan took Gong Yu’s hand and said, “It’s just that my body isn’t feeling well. Did you think I’d fall ill as easily as you?”

She was being openly looked down upon.

Feeling wronged, Gong Yu lay down beside her on the low couch and protested, “I’m perfectly healthy. Ayan always picks on me.”

“This couch isn’t very wide. If you fall off, I won’t be responsible,” Dai Ru Yan said, though even as she spoke, she half-embraced Gong Yu, pulling her closer.

Perfectly content, Gong Yu nestled into Dai Ru Yan’s arms and replied, “Exactly. If I fall, I’m taking you with me.”

“Little rascal!” Dai Ru Yan leaned in, her warm breath tickling Gong Yu’s ear as she spoke.

Gong Yu’s heart raced. She turned her head slightly, avoiding the closeness out of guilt, and to cover her fluster, she tugged at the thin blanket draped over Dai Ru Yan and casually pulled some of it over herself.

“Are you cold?” Dai Ru Yan asked, then adjusted the blanket to cover most of Gong Yu’s body before seeming satisfied.

Seeing Dai Ru Yan’s thoughtful gesture, Gong Yu clung even tighter and said, “I’m not cold.”

“Not cold? Then why are you holding me so tightly?” Dai Ru Yan teased, lightly tapping Gong Yu’s nose with a hint of disdain.

“Haven’t you missed me after all this time apart?”

“Why would I miss you?”

Gong Yu boldly wrapped her arms halfway around Dai Ru Yan and said, “Ayan, your words wound me.”

Dai Ru Yan trembled slightly as if laughing, her fingertip resting on Gong Yu’s brow. “Last time you got caught in the rain, developed a fever, and lay unconscious. I took care of you for days, and you never said you missed me. Now you suddenly say you do—you’re truly awful.”

“How am I awful?” Gong Yu widened her eyes innocently at Dai Ru Yan, propping herself up to look down at her lying form. “I wish I could chant your name three times every morning, three times at every meal, and three more times before bed each night.”

“Stop talking nonsense,” Dai Ru Yan laughed. “I’m not the Buddha—why would you chant my name so many times?”

“Because I missed you.” Gong Yu felt that if there were a mirror nearby, anyone could see how flushed her face was right now.

Dai Ru Yan smiled and reached out to gently embrace Gong Yu, pulling her close as she whispered, “If you missed me, why didn’t you come to see me? You little rascal.”

Gong Yu could clearly hear the steady rhythm of Dai Ru Yan’s heartbeat. Even her eyes were clear, filled with tenderness and affection—though, unfortunately, they seemed to lack a certain depth of love.

Or perhaps Gong Yu had never seen any intense emotion in Dai Ru Yan’s gaze. There was only polite, faint smiles or detached indifference.

Of course, when facing Gong Yu, Dai Ru Yan would smile warmly—but that was all.

Lying flat, Dai Ru Yan allowed Gong Yu to study her, her fingertips lightly tracing Gong Yu’s cheek as she asked softly, “Have you been eating well lately?”

“What?” The sound pulled Gong Yu out of her thoughts.

“You seem to have gained a little weight.”

“Am I fat?”

Dai Ru Yan gently pinched Gong Yu’s cheek and replied, “Not at all. You were sick recently and lost weight because of it. I was worried you’d stay that thin.”

“Fortunately, Little Jiu has a good appetite. Gaining weight is just a matter of time.”

Was that meant to be a compliment?

Gong Yu couldn’t bring herself to argue. Looking down at Dai Ru Yan lying there, perhaps because she was about to fall asleep, Dai Ru Yan’s thin clothing faintly revealed the skin beneath.

Her loose hair, likely freshly washed, carried a subtle, delicate fragrance.

Before, Gong Yu had simply felt she could never tire of looking at Dai Ru Yan. Now, she was even more certain: Dai Ru Yan’s eyes might appear cold, but within their dark depths, they always held a gentle gaze that made Gong Yu lose herself in them.

The slight upward curve of her eyes added a touch of allure. An allure that always captivated Gong Yu unexpectedly.

Yet Dai Ru Yan had thin lips. It was said that people with thin lips were often fickle in love, and Gong Yu thought there might be some truth to that.

Playfully pressing her fingertip to the corner of Dai Ru Yan’s lips, Gong Yu mused that Dai Ru Yan truly seemed unwilling to hold anyone close to her heart.

When Gong Yu first heard that Dai Ru Yan was leaving the capital, she had wondered why she would leave her family.

After spending these years together, Gong Yu felt that Dai Ru Yan might not have any attachment to her family at all.

But why did Dai Ru Yan treat her family as if they were strangers?

Every time Gong Yu heard Dai Ru Yan speak of her family, her tone was almost unfamiliar, as if discussing passersby.

Yes, Gong Yu had felt this more than once: family meant nothing to Dai Ru Yan.

If she didn’t even care about her family, then friends were likely out of the question.

Thinking of this, Gong Yu felt her prospects were bleak. If Dai Ru Yan didn’t care about her family, let alone friends, how could Gong Yu ever find her way into Dai Ru Yan’s heart?

And yet, this beautiful Dai Ru Yan lay right before her, clothes slightly disheveled, her seemingly delicate lips within reach.

Gong Yu’s heart raced. She tilted her head slightly, nestling closer to Dai Ru Yan’s embrace, and whispered, “Ayan…”

“What is it?”

“You once said you didn’t want to leave the capital. Was it because of someone important or something you hadn’t finished?”

Dai Ru Yan gently kneaded Gong Yu’s earlobe with her fingertips and whispered, “I don’t want to leave. I just think staying in this capital might be quite interesting.”

“Interesting?”

This was already the second time Gong Yu had heard those words today.

Puzzled, Gong Yu held Dai Ru Yan’s hand and asked, “What’s so interesting about this capital?”

“Everyone is busy fighting for power and profit. Traps and schemes are everywhere. Someone could fall in a pool of blood at any moment.”

“Are you scared, Xiao Jiu?” Dai Ru Yan cupped Gong Yu’s face with both hands, pressing her forehead close in an intimate, soothing gesture. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

For some reason, Gong Yu felt that Dai Ru Yan seemed a bit different from before.

Gong Yu gazed at Dai Ru Yan, her fingertips brushing against Dai Ru Yan’s cheek. In those dark pupils, she could see her own searching reflection.

Dai Ru Yan allowed Gong Yu to continue, merely reaching out to pull up the thin blanket that had slipped from Gong Yu’s shoulders, draping it over both of them.

The blanket blocked out most of the light, leaving only a faint glow. Dai Ru Yan smiled and asked, “Am I that good-looking?”

“You are.”

“But I’m tired and need to rest.”

“So early?” Gong Yu’s fingers traced the pale skin of Dai Ru Yan’s arm, exposed as she held up the blanket.

Perhaps feeling ticklish, Dai Ru Yan reached out and grasped Gong Yu’s mischievous hand, whispering, “Yes.”

“Will you lie down with me for a while, Xiao Jiu?”

Gong Yu’s gaze fell on the gentle rise and fall of Dai Ru Yan’s chest as she spoke, and she suddenly felt her throat grow dry.

She made as if to poke her head out from under the blanket, but Dai Ru Yan wouldn’t allow it, wrapping her arms around Gong Yu instead. A clear, melodious laugh sounded by Gong Yu’s ear, leaving her with nowhere to hide her guilty thoughts.

“I want to get out.”

“You’re not allowed to.” Dai Ru Yan lay flat, her arm still wrapped around Gong Yu, their bodies pressed close together as she spoke unreasonably.

Gong Yu dared not move any further, for Dai Ru Yan’s clothes were far too thin—the collar even more open than before.

Dai Ru Yan’s alluring appearance was far too tempting, enough to drive anyone to sin.

“Alright, I won’t move. Will you let go first, Ayan?” Gong Yu swallowed hard and spoke slowly.

Her tone was as if coaxing a mischievous child.

But Dai Ru Yan was no child. If one had to describe her, she was a clever and cunning fairy of unparalleled beauty.

“No.” Dai Ru Yan refused outright, even asking innocently, “Why should I let go?”

“Because…” Gong Yu felt sweat beading on her forehead. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, her vision grew clearer.

Dai Ru Yan seemed to notice this as well. She wiped the sweat from Gong Yu’s forehead with her fingertips, then lifted the blanket and said, “Alright, let’s stop fooling around. Time to sleep.”

But now Gong Yu was reluctant to part. She softened her posture, leaning slightly closer to Dai Ru Yan, burying half her face in Dai Ru Yan’s embrace.

Their bodies pressed close together, Dai Ru Yan’s hand resting lightly on Gong Yu’s back, soothingly stroking, completely unaware of Gong Yu’s tense nerves.

But that was as far as it went. Gong Yu lay close to Dai Ru Yan, so close she could feel her own breath burning hot.

Beside her ear, Dai Ru Yan hummed a soft melody, as if in a particularly good mood.

Gong Yu tried to move even closer, steadying her breath as she asked, “Ayan, did you not sleep well last night?”

“Hmm, I stayed up too late reading.”

Dai Ru Yan closed her eyes without any guard, answering softly. Gong Yu, as if waiting for her to fall asleep, remained silent and didn’t speak again.

After a while, Gong Yu thought Dai Ru Yan must be asleep, but she still wanted to wait a little longer.

Without a clock, Gong Yu could only foolishly count from one to a thousand in her mind.

Only then did she slowly lean forward, slowing her breathing, her fingertips gently brushing aside the strands of hair clinging to the side of Dai Ru Yan’s face. Her movements were as light as they could possibly be.

Those delicate, rosy lips were right before her. The thought made Gong Yu tense up.

Her fingertips traced along Dai Ru Yan’s cheek to the edge of those lips. A place Gong Yu was very familiar with, because she had touched them just like this earlier.

Back then, Dai Ru Yan was still awake, so Gong Yu didn’t dare let her gaze linger, afraid that if Dai Ru Yan saw the overwhelming joy in her eyes, she would be disgusted.

But now it was different. Dai Ru Yan was sleeping peacefully, and Gong Yu felt that if she kissed her just a little more gently, Dai Ru Yan wouldn’t notice.

If she wasn’t discovered, maybe she could even steal a few more kisses. Gong Yu thought this to herself.

After slowing her breathing, Gong Yu lowered herself, her lips carefully pressing against Dai Ru Yan’s brow, her cheek, and finally landing on the corner of her mouth where her thumb had just rested.

Her movements were light, but Gong Yu felt as if she had practiced archery all morning—her back was even soaked with sweat.

But this was no time to relax, because Gong Yu still hadn’t kissed Dai Ru Yan’s lips.

Gong Yu was truly nervous now. As she leaned in to kiss those delicate lips, her entire body was suddenly pulled close. The movement startled Gong Yu so much that her heart nearly leaped out of her chest.

Dai Ru Yan looked at her calmly and asked, “What were you doing just now, Xiao Jiu?”

“I just kissed you a few times. I didn’t do anything else.” Gong Yu, who wanted to make excuses, answered with surprising honesty.

Dai Ru Yan slightly raised herself, looking down at the guilty Gong Yu, and whispered, “Why did you sneak a kiss?”

Gong Yu felt that at a time like this, it was better to confess.

“Because I like Ayan.”

“If you like someone, you just kiss them?” Dai Ru Yan’s expression made it impossible for Gong Yu to tell whether she understood or not.

She couldn’t even tell if Dai Ru Yan was angry or simply didn’t care. After all, Dai Ru Yan often treated Gong Yu like a child.

“Of course. If you like someone, you can kiss them.”

Dai Ru Yan’s fingertips gently stroked the back of Gong Yu’s neck, her eyes as calm as ever, not even showing a hint of anger.

Gong Yu felt that today might be her last day alive. All it would take was one word or a single look of disgust from Dai Ru Yan.

Her gaze was inscrutable.

Gong Yu’s mind was a jumble of chaotic thoughts, suddenly regretting why she had stolen so many kisses.

Perhaps it was because she had kissed too many times that she ended up waking Dai Ru Yan and exposing herself.

“Ayan, are you angry?”

Gong Yu blinked nervously as she asked.

Dai Ru Yan continued to look down at Gong Yu from above, the overwhelming sense of oppression making Gong Yu feel extremely uncomfortable.

“Or… do you not like me kissing you?”

Gong Yu felt that she was probably out of luck. Even when Dai Ru Yan was in a bad mood, she would usually remain polite.

This kind of cold treatment clearly meant she was utterly disgusted.

Falling out of love right after her first crush. Though it was the norm for most people, there were still a lucky few favored by the heavens.

Her eyes grew shamefully moist. Gong Yu turned her head away, avoiding Dai Ru Yan’s icy scrutiny. It felt as though she had done something terribly wrong.

Though stealing kisses was indeed not a good thing, and even someone as well-mannered as Dai Ru Yan had every right to be angry.

Gong Yu thought she must be foolish. Before Dai Ru Yan could even get angry, she had already come up with excuses for her.

But then, a shadow suddenly fell over her. Warm lips pressed against the corner of Gong Yu’s eye, and Dai Ru Yan’s voice whispered softly by her ear in consolation:

“If you wanted to kiss, then kiss. Why cry like a child?”

Did this mean she didn’t mind?

Or that Dai Ru Yan didn’t dislike it?

Or maybe… Dai Ru Yan actually liked her a little too?

Gong Yu felt as if she could come back to life at full health again.