Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 38.1

“Ayan…” Gong Yu softly called out to Dai Ru Yan.

Dai Ru Yan held Gong Yu tightly without responding. The two stood silently in the pavilion until Gong Yu had no choice but to say, “My head hurts a little.”

Only then did the person in her arms loosen their grip slightly. Dai Ru Yan quickly created some distance and led Gong Yu toward the low couch.

The two lay down together in their clothes. Dai Ru Yan gently massaged the acupoints beside Gong Yu’s temples with her fingertips and said, “If it really hurts badly, I’ll call a physician to examine you.”

Afraid that Dai Ru Yan would worry, Gong Yu quickly grasped the hand resting near her ear and replied, “It’s not that serious. Ayan just needs to massage it for me, and I’ll be fine.”

Dai Ru Yan quietly continued massaging and murmured, “If you’re unwell, you should wait for me obediently. When I couldn’t find you earlier, I was so frightened I didn’t know what to do.”

“I’m sorry. Hearing the lingering fear in Dai Ru Yan’s voice, Gong Yu felt even more guilty and frustrated.

“Then why were you still awake so late at night?” Dai Ru Yan paused her hands and asked.

Gong Yu leaned against Dai Ru Yan’s chest and whispered, “I was waiting for you, Ayan.”

Dai Ru Yan tightened her embrace and gently stroked Gong Yu’s back with her palm, saying, “Silly, I have matters to attend to outside. How could I come every day?”

“But last night, the fireworks kept me up all night.”

“Fireworks?” Dai Ru Yan seemed to ponder for a moment. “Could you see the fireworks set off by the Sixth Prince last night from here, Xiao Jiu?”

The jealousy Gong Yu had been suppressing was effortlessly uncovered by Dai Ru Yan, so she decided not to hide it anymore. “Yes, those fireworks were so glaring they disturbed my peace immensely.”

Dai Ru Yan gently stroked Gong Yu’s cheek with her fingertips and replied, “Last night, the Sixth Prince hosted a banquet for the scholars who passed the imperial examinations. The fireworks were meant for elegance and enjoyment. Don’t you like them, Xiao Jiu?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Originally, there was another banquet today, but I declined, saying I had matters to attend to.”

Gong Yu reached out and grabbed Dai Ru Yan’s hand, which was poking her cheek, only to find it unexpectedly cold. She held it tighter and said, “The Sixth Imperial Brother is exceptionally talented. I’m sure he has more than enough ability to recruit advisors. I’ve heard many young ladies in the capital admire his talents.”

Dai Ru Yan looked at Gong Yu with confusion and asked, “Why are you suddenly concerned about the Sixth Prince’s affairs, Xiao Jiu?”

“It’s nothing.” Seeing Dai Ru Yan’s bewildered expression, completely unaware of the jealousy in her words, Gong Yu changed the subject. “I was just mentioning it casually.”

“The Sixth Prince’s maternal family holds little influence. If he wants to secure his position in the court, he naturally has his own methods.”

Dai Ru Yan gently traced Gong Yu’s palm with her fingertips and whispered, “But you, Xiao Jiu, are kind-hearted. Setting up porridge kitchens to aid the disaster victims has earned you widespread praise among the common people in the capital.”

“Yet my original intention was to encourage the wealthy merchants in the capital to join in aiding the disaster victims. In the end, the Fourth Imperial Brother angered the wealthy families, and it all came to nothing.” Gong Yu felt her palm tickled by Dai Ru Yan’s fingertips and tightened her grip slightly.

“The issue of the disaster victims has been mishandled from local officials to court ministers. If the situation continues to escalate without resolution, the court may resort to tough measures. Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan with confusion and asked, “What do you mean by ‘tough measures,’ Ayan?””

Dai Ru Yan draped a thin blanket over both of them and said, “If an imperial decree is issued, the disaster victims in the capital may be forcibly expelled from the city.”

“Doesn’t this mean abandoning them?”

“From Xiao Jiu’s perspective, it might seem that way, but in the court’s view, it’s merely a strategy.” Dai Ru Yan leaned in from behind, pressing close to Gong Yu, her hands resting naturally on Gong Yu’s shoulders. Her breath drifted lightly against Gong Yu’s ear.

Gong Yu turned around to face Dai Ru Yan directly and asked, “Will this incite rebellion?”

Dai Ru Yan drew closer affectionately, her forehead resting against Gong Yu’s cheek as she replied, “That’s why the court would rather avoid large-scale bloodshed unless absolutely necessary.”

“After all, suppressing a rebellion requires military force, and the capital has limited troops. If anything goes wrong, it could create opportunities for those with ill intentions.”

Gong Yu froze, not daring to move, her arms gently encircling Dai Ru Yan. The warmth of Dai Ru Yan’s breath against her neck felt almost intentional.

The conversation suddenly stopped. Gong Yu remained as still as a wooden doll, but the intimate way Dai Ru Yan nestled in her arms made her heart race wildly.

How was this supposed to be a peaceful night’s sleep?

“Ayan?” Gong Yu called softly.

Dai Ru Yan, nestled against her, lazily hummed in response, “What is it?”

“Nothing… I thought you had fallen asleep.”

“I am a bit tired.” Dai Ru Yan pressed closer, like an affectionate kitten, resting her head against Gong Yu’s heartbeat and murmuring, “It’s late, Xiao Jiu. Stay with me for a while.”

Her voice carried a hint of exhaustion. Gong Yu gently stroked Dai Ru Yan’s back to help her sleep more comfortably.

“Alright, let’s sleep.”

Outside the pavilion, the cicadas’ chirping continued unabated, and the moon hung full and bright in the night sky. Only when Dai Ru Yan’s breathing steadied in her embrace did Gong Yu dare to shift slightly.

But Dai Ru Yan’s hand still clutched Gong Yu’s clothes, so Gong Yu remained still, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.

As dawn began to break, Gong Yu opened her eyes to find the world outside still dimly lit, with a heavy mist lingering in the air.

Dai Ru Yan slept peacefully in her arms. Gong Yu tilted her head slightly to study her, noticing how Dai Ru Yan still held tightly to her clothes. Gong Yu couldn’t help but think that Dai Ru Yan must have been truly frightened the night before.

Filled with guilt, Gong Yu leaned down and kissed the furrow between Dai Ru Yan’s brows, whispering softly, “I’m sorry.”

But the sleeping Dai Ru Yan showed no reaction. Gong Yu felt foolish for a moment, then lay on her side, gazing at Dai Ru Yan, feeling as though she could never get enough of looking at her.

As the mist outside began to dissipate, Dai Ru Yan’s brows relaxed slightly, as if she were about to wake.

Gong Yu instinctively closed her eyes, and moments later, she sensed that Dai Ru Yan had indeed awakened.

It seemed Dai Ru Yan had shifted slightly, her gaze turning toward Gong Yu. Then, as if sitting up, she blocked some of the light in front of Gong Yu.

Was Dai Ru Yan leaving?

Before Gong Yu could gather her thoughts, warm breath drew near, followed by a gentle kiss on her brow, her cheek, and finally lingering at the corner of her lips.

The movements were slow and tender, as if performing a solemn ritual.

Gong Yu couldn’t help but wonder: Why did Dai Ru Yan always kiss these three places?

Suddenly, her ear was lightly touched, and Dai Ru Yan’s soft voice whispered, “Still pretending to sleep?”

“No, I’m not.” Gong Yu opened her eyes to see Dai Ru Yan leaning over her, propped up on one arm.

Dai Ru Yan seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, and Gong Yu could even see the tenderness in her eyes.

Gong Yu gazed steadily, raising her hand to gently stroke Dai Ru Yan’s cheek as she asked, “How did Ayan notice?”

“Little Jiu moved her eyes.”

Did she move?

Gong Yu found it hard to believe and asked, “Really?”

Dai Ru Yan nodded, pressing her fingertip lightly against the corner of Gong Yu’s lips and said, “Yes. In the past, when I kissed you, Little Jiu was always fast asleep, completely unresponsive.”

In the past?

So, this wasn’t the first time Dai Ru Yan had done this.

Gong Yu grabbed Dai Ru Yan’s hand and asked, “Then why did Ayan sneak a kiss?”

“Is this sneaking a kiss?” Dai Ru Yan looked at Gong Yu with confusion, her fingertip tracing Gong Yu’s slightly dry lips as she said, “If I want to kiss, I just kiss. Does Little Jiu not allow it?”

Uh…

Why did she say it so confidently!

Gong Yu was momentarily speechless, yet she felt that Dai Ru Yan was actually right. If she wanted to kiss, then of course she could.

“Then why do you always kiss these three places?”

“Because I like it.” Dai Ru Yan raised an eyebrow and replied softly.

What kind of answer was that?

Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan with confusion, then brought Dai Ru Yan’s hand to her lips and kissed it, saying, “Then I want to kiss too.”

With that, Gong Yu pulled Dai Ru Yan down beside her, rolling over to look down at Dai Ru Yan, who was now lying flat.

Dai Ru Yan didn’t resist, only glanced sideways and said, “It’s almost dawn.”

“I don’t care. Ayan just kissed me, so I want to kiss back.”

Gong Yu leaned down, gently kissing Dai Ru Yan’s brow. Seeing the brightness in Dai Ru Yan’s eyes, she tugged at a nearby silk ribbon and lightly covered Dai Ru Yan’s eyes with it.

“What are you doing?” Dai Ru Yan reached up to remove the ribbon, but Gong Yu held her hand and said, “I had my eyes closed when you kissed me, so Ayan should close her eyes too.”

After that, Dai Ru Yan’s hand stopped trying to remove the ribbon. She merely pursed her lips slightly and reluctantly conceded, “It really is almost dawn.”

“It’ll be quick.”

Gong Yu gently cupped Dai Ru Yan’s face with both hands, her lips carefully landing on Dai Ru Yan’s cheek—just a light touch.

Then she heard Dai Ru Yan say very seriously, “That’s already the second one.”

“I remember Ayan kissed me three times,” Gong Yu replied, as if playing a mischievous trick.

Her fingers imitated Dai Ru Yan’s usual movements, gently stroking Dai Ru Yan’s lips. Gong Yu couldn’t help but think how thin they were.

Gong Yu swallowed nervously, her courage failing her. The kiss that should have landed on the corner of her lips instead landed squarely on those crimson lips.

Perhaps because Dai Ru Yan didn’t resist, Gong Yu grew bolder and lightly licked them. Dai Ru Yan seemed puzzled and softly called out, “Little Jiu?”

Feeling guilty, Gong Yu pulled away, her entire face burning fiercely. She reached out and gently removed the silk ribbon.

Dai Ru Yan blinked and looked at Gong Yu. Gong Yu, having lost her earlier boldness, nervously blinked and said, “I… I didn’t kiss too much. Just three times, that’s all.”

“I know.”

“It’s just that you…” Dai Ru Yan hesitated, pursing her lips as she whispered, “The way you kissed just now was a little different from how you usually kiss me.”

Hearing this, Gong Yu’s heart skipped a beat. Her face flushed bright red, and she looked around everywhere, unable to meet Dai Ru Yan’s clear gaze.

Dai Ru Yan sat up slightly, her loose robe still full of wrinkles. Gong Yu instinctively reached out to straighten it, but her hand was caught and held in Dai Ru Yan’s palm.

“Where did Xiao Jiu learn all this?” Dai Ru Yan asked directly, without any hesitation.

Gong Yu was taken aback, blinked, and glanced at the dissipating fog outside. “Ayan, it’s almost dawn.”

“Xiao Jiu doesn’t want to say?” Dai Ru Yan frowned slightly.

“No,” Gong Yu replied honestly. “I just felt like doing it, so I did.”

“Really?”

“Really!”

Dai Ru Yan’s gaze seemed to probe Gong Yu, who nervously let her look on. Only when Dai Ru Yan appeared to believe her did her furrowed brow relax. She took Gong Yu’s hand and said softly, “I thought Xiao Jiu had sneaked off to the brothel again and seen something she shouldn’t have.”

Again… Gong Yu felt utterly wronged.

Gong Yu shook her head. “I haven’t gone. Even though the Fifth Prince often invites me to drinking parties, I’ve never gone.”

At this, Dai Ru Yan’s brow furrowed again. “The Fifth Prince is lost in wine and women, and he even drags Xiao Jiu along with him?”

“Fortunately, Xiao Jiu hasn’t been able to attend any banquets lately, so she hasn’t been exposed to such unsavory scenes.”

“Ayan… don’t you like it?” Gong Yu asked, sensing that Dai Ru Yan might not be fond of such intimate gestures.

Dai Ru Yan snapped out of her thoughts and replied, “Intimacy should have its boundaries. The Fifth Prince’s behavior in such settings has already earned him a notorious reputation in the capital. Yet, such practices are rampant here. Xiao Jiu must not follow that path, understand?”

Hearing this, Gong Yu couldn’t help but feel as though she had already been branded a troublemaker in Dai Ru Yan’s eyes.

Perhaps because she hadn’t received a response, Dai Ru Yan reached out and gently touched Gong Yu’s cheek. “I’m saying this for your own good. After banquets, the scenes with dancers and courtesans are truly disgraceful.”

“I know,” Gong Yu quickly assured her. “After all, most men in the capital indulge in lavish lifestyles, with wives and concubines filling their mansions.”

“But do you not like it when I kiss you like that?”

Dai Ru Yan hesitated before answering, “It’s not that I dislike it, but it feels a bit strange.”

Gong Yu’s anxious heart finally settled. At least Dai Ru Yan didn’t hate it.

“Still, Xiao Jiu should avoid doing that too often,” Dai Ru Yan said, poking Gong Yu’s cheek with her fingertip. “After all, Xiao Jiu is also a woman. Such actions come across as too frivolous.”

Frivolous…

Though it was bolder than usual, hearing the word “frivolous” from Dai Ru Yan made Gong Yu feel like some kind of rogue.

Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan with confusion. “So, Ayan really doesn’t like it, right?”

Dai Ru Yan hesitated and didn’t respond, so Gong Yu continued on her own, “Alright… I won’t kiss you like that anymore.”

“Are you angry, Xiao Jiu?”

“No.”

Gong Yu lay on her side, and Dai Ru Yan moved closer, stroking her cheek with her thumb and whispering, “Be good, Xiao Jiu. Don’t be angry.”

“I’m just not used to it… that kind of teasing kiss from Xiao Jiu.”

“Teasing?” Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan, puzzled. “But I only did it for a moment. I didn’t do anything else.”

Dai Ru Yan pressed her entire palm against Gong Yu’s cheek, her eyes clearly reflecting Gong Yu’s tightly pursed lips. She blinked a few times and said, “I don’t know either. It’s just that moment… it unsettled me deeply.”

Gong Yu studied Dai Ru Yan’s serious expression and asked hesitantly, “Really?”

“Really,” Dai Ru Yan responded, her palm gently stroking Gong Yu’s warm cheek. “I don’t dislike Xiao Jiu’s closeness, but this feels very different from our usual intimacy, so I… just couldn’t quite accept it.”

Hearing this, Gong Yu felt she understood. Perhaps Dai Ru Yan simply didn’t realize that the cause of her restlessness was her own stirring heart.

Gong Yu grinned excitedly, clutching Dai Ru Yan’s hand and whispering, “Then let’s kiss a few more times. Maybe Ayan won’t find it strange anymore.”

“No.”

Dai Ru Yan pressed her lips together firmly and said, “It’s already dawn. I should go.”

“Ayan really won’t kiss me anymore?” Gong Yu held tightly to Dai Ru Yan, playfully kissing the back of her hand.

Perhaps tickled by the gesture, Dai Ru Yan pressed her fingertip lightly against Gong Yu’s lips and murmured, “No mischief. I really have to leave.”

Seeing Dai Ru Yan’s serious expression, Gong Yu had no choice but to release her hand and say, “Alright then. If Ayan won’t kiss me, then I’ll just have to…”

“I forbid it.” Dai Ru Yan cut her off, speaking sternly. “Xiao Jiu is not allowed to act recklessly.”

“I haven’t even said what I was going to do yet. How does Ayan know what it is?”

“I know exactly what goes on in that little head of yours.”

With that, Dai Ru Yan lightly flicked Gong Yu’s forehead with her finger.

Gong Yu rubbed her forehead and sighed helplessly, “I understand. Ayan, it’s almost dawn—aren’t you going back?”

Dai Ru Yan gazed at Gong Yu’s turned back and let out a soft sigh, her fingers brushing against the hem of Gong Yu’s clothes. She leaned in cautiously, tilting her head slightly, and pressed her lips to Gong Yu’s. The moment that warmth and softness touched her, even if only for a brief instant, Gong Yu understood why Dai Ru Yan had described it as unsettling.

Gong Yu parted her lips slightly, and Dai Ru Yan seemed to explore further, her tender warmth making Gong Yu feel as though her heart were tightly bound, yet her entire being seemed to float. It was an intoxicating tease she couldn’t resist.

When Dai Ru Yan slowly pulled away, her eyes filled with warmth and gentleness, Gong Yu was left breathless, staring blankly before breaking into an unconscious smile.

“Now do you see why I didn’t want you to try this so easily?” Dai Ru Yan’s voice was slightly hoarse.

Gong Yu tugged at the edge of Dai Ru Yan’s robe and laughed, “But I really love this feeling.”

Dai Ru Yan was taken aback for a moment, then poked Gong Yu’s cheek and whispered, “Xiao Jiu, you are not allowed to try this with anyone else, understand?”

“I know,” Gong Yu replied, looking up at her. “And Ayan isn’t allowed to either.”

“Of course.” Dai Ru Yan drew back slightly, glanced at the bright sunlight outside, and said resignedly, “I really must go now.”

Gong Yu hugged a soft pillow, covering half her face, and said, “I’ll miss Ayan.”

Dai Ru Yan smiled and said, “It’s still early. Get some more sleep.”

“Mm.” Though Gong Yu agreed obediently, her other hand still clung to the hem of Dai Ru Yan’s skirt.

“Xiao Jiu, let go,” Dai Ru Yan said helplessly.

Only then did Gong Yu release her grip. Dai Ru Yan slowly stood up, smiled softly at Gong Yu, and then turned to walk leisurely out of the pavilion.

Sunlight streamed into the courtyard, illuminating it brightly. The green curtains swayed gently in the breeze, gradually obscuring Dai Ru Yan’s graceful figure.

Gong Yu’s heart was still racing wildly as she stared blankly ahead, only snapping back to reality when the figure had completely disappeared from view.

Clutching the soft pillow tightly, she brought it closer and sniffed, as if it still carried the lingering scent of the incense Dai Ru Yan often used. Though the action might seem foolishly infatuated, Gong Yu remained completely unaware, closing her eyes as if she could still feel the intoxicating, heart-pounding kiss.

Lost in thought, she couldn’t help but marvel: How does Dai Ru Yan learn everything so quickly? One moment she was awkward and hesitant, and the next, she was already taking the lead.

No—Gong Yu suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of crisis creeping up on her.

As time passed and frost began to settle, late autumn had arrived. Gong Yu, who had been cooped up in her residence for so long, was finally able to venture outside for a stroll. Though she mostly traveled by sedan chair, the capital, once overrun with refugees, had stabilized somewhat under the Sixth Prince’s management of the mess left by the Fourth Prince. At the very least, the city’s normal order had been restored.

Gong Yu glanced at the brocade pouch in her hand. A gift sent by Qin Hua from outside the capital. Beyond the city walls, the corpses of refugees lay scattered across the land. Although the disaster had been brought under control, it was far from enough to save the suffering people of the Gong nation.

A servant outside the sedan chair called out, “Your Highness, we have arrived at the Sixth Prince’s residence.”

Today, Gong Yu had ventured out in response to the Sixth Prince’s invitation. Initially, she had no intention of attending, but upon hearing that Dai Ru Yan would also be at the flower-viewing banquet, she decided to go. She thought to herself, At worst, I’ll keep quiet. Sooner or later, I’ll have to step out anyway—might as well test the waters and see how people react.

Of course, her secondary goal was to observe how the Sixth Prince used these banquets to amass wealth. With the national treasury depleted from relief efforts for the refugees, the Sixth Prince had repeatedly relied on such gatherings to fill the coffers. Gong Yu had to admit she admired his methods—far more cunning than those of the Fourth Prince.

Guided by a servant, Gong Yu maintained her usual demeanor, though many guests cast curious glances her way, having not seen her in public for over half a year.

“Isn’t that the Ninth Prince, the one who went mad with some illness?”

“Exactly! I heard he was haunted by vengeful spirits. His residence even summoned numerous exorcists.”

“Don’t even mention it. He might look normal now, but who knows if he’ll suddenly draw his sword the next moment? I heard the Grand Tutor’s daughter was seriously injured back then.”

Gong Yu listened to the whispers along the way and couldn’t help but feel amused. These rumors had grown even more elaborate and dramatic than the ones she had initially spread.

Turning a corner into the inner courtyard and then through another garden, she arrived at the flower-viewing banquet. Gong Yu rested her hand on the sword she always carried, and the officials who had been watching her like spectators quickly averted their eyes.

The Sixth Prince approached with a wine cup, comforting her gently, “Xiao Jiu, are you feeling better now?”

Gong Yu pretended to be tense, gripping her sword tightly as she replied, “Thank you for your concern, Sixth Brother. I’m much better now.”

“Don’t be afraid. This is my residence—no one will harm you, Xiao Jiu.”

Just then, someone called for the Sixth Prince. Gong Yu sat alone at a table, while the officials who had been seated nearby scattered as if avoiding bad luck.

She felt like laughing but held it back, picking up a pastry to eat without engaging anyone in conversation. The surroundings were lively, and after finishing half a plate of pastries, she sipped some tea.

Still, there was no sign of Dai Ru Yan. Gong Yu couldn’t help but wonder if the servant had gotten the wrong information.

Suddenly, the sound of a zither grew louder. Gong Yu paused with her teacup in hand, noticing that everyone around was turning their gaze in one direction.

Without even looking, Gong Yu knew it must be Dai Ru Yan arriving. She couldn’t help but wonder what expression Dai Ru Yan would wear upon seeing her.