After Accidentally Marking the Cold and Elegant Eldest Princess - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: A-Xue is Cute

“I am not like you, with these things on my mind all day long,” Yuan Jingxue said calmly.

“Is that how Your Highness thinks of me?” Yan Yunti leaned close to her face, her thumb pressing against those soft red lips. “In that case, I shouldn’t fail Your Highness’s expectations; I really ought to kiss you properly once more.”

“Yan—” Yuan Jingxue only managed to utter a single syllable before her lips were sealed once again.

As if extremely dissatisfied with her answer, Yan Yunti kissed her with great force this time. When they finally broke apart, Yuan Jingxue felt as though her lips were almost numb. Looking at Yan Yunti’s own lips, they were as vivid as blood, a sight that made one flush with heat.

After this repeated friction, Yuan Jingxue was already beginning to react, and Yan Yunti showed no restraint. While busy kissing her, Yan Yunti’s hand had already found its way to her chest, kneading like dough.

Yuan Jingxue grabbed her hand and pulled it away, rebuking her in a low voice through hurried breaths: “Yan Yunti! You are being insolent!”

Yan Yunti took the chance to give one last squeeze before laughing and pulling the woman into a tight embrace. Their chests pressed against each other, flattening the soft “white rabbits.”

The young woman’s clear laughter echoed in Yuan Jingxue’s ears. “Your Highness’s white rabbits are truly too soft; I couldn’t help myself. Why don’t we call that little rabbit ‘A-Ruan’ (Little Softie)?”

Having finished her kissing and touching, she immediately began to change the subject.

Yuan Jingxue had no desire to acknowledge her. A-Ruan? How does she come up with this stuff!

“If you’ve played enough, get down,” Yuan Jingxue said, her voice icy.

Yan Yunti was in high spirits, feeling the gloom that had accumulated from the “differential treatment” at the banquet last night vanish into thin air. After all, so what if Yuan Jingxue was intimate with Ning Ruolan? The only person who could kiss the Eldest Princess like this was her.

Yan Yunti held Yuan Jingxue and leaped down, landing steadily on the ground. She then hoisted the woman onto the horse, sat behind her, and rode leisurely down the mountain.

“Is Your Highness uncomfortable?” Because they were moving slowly, Yan Yunti noticed every time Yuan Jingxue adjusted her posture.

“It’s nothing. Just go faster,” Yuan Jingxue replied, not wishing to elaborate.

Yan Yunti didn’t listen. She released the reins. “Change your posture, Your Highness.” As she spoke, she held Yuan Jingxue’s waist and helped her shift to a side-saddle position, her hand sliding to the inside of the Princess’s thighs to give them a gentle massage. “Your Highness likely doesn’t ride often, and we galloped quite fast just now. I fear you’ve been chafed; some medicine might help.”

A deep red flew across Yuan Jingxue’s face as she pushed the hand away. “If you’re going to talk, talk, but keep your hands to yourself.”

“I only wanted to help Your Highness relax.” Yan Yunti reluctantly withdrew her hand. Holding her with one arm and the reins with the other, she changed the subject: “Although there is no banquet tonight, there will be bonfires and barbecues everywhere. Is there anything Your Highness would like to eat? I can hunt it and roast it for you. Whenever my mother and I camped out in the past, I was responsible for the roasting. Everyone praised my meat for being fragrant and tender. Would Your Highness like a taste?”

Yuan Jingxue thought of the scene at the previous Cuju banquet where Yan Yunti was surrounded by a crowd. Tonight’s bonfires were meant to let the young ladies relax; many used the occasion to invite others to dance, and several couples had formed this way in previous years.

Thinking of this, Yuan Jingxue said cryptically, “I fear that when the time comes, your roasted meat won’t be enough to go around.”

“Not enough to go around? How so?” Yan Yunti found it strange. “I only roast meat for Your Highness; how could it be insufficient? Has Your Highness’s appetite grown? You haven’t gained any weight, though.” As she spoke, she gave Yuan Jingxue’s waist another pinch, catching the soft flesh at her side. This earned a low warning: “Yan Yunti! If you touch me blindly again, believe it or not, I will have your hands cut off!”

“The hands cannot be cut. If they are, how will I serve Your Highness in the future?” Yan Yunti’s skin was growing thicker by the day, and she spoke without reserve. Seeing she was about to truly provoke the woman, she pivoted: “Has Your Highness been practicing the Yoga arts lately? How do you feel?”

Yuan Jingxue was beyond anger and too exhausted to stay mad. She gave a curt two-word reply: “Practicing.”

“And coming out to ride these past two days—is it because I said your physical strength was lacking and you needed to exercise?” Yan Yunti asked again.

Yuan Jingxue continued her economy of words: “No.”

That tone and that expression… then it was a “yes.”

It seemed the Eldest Princess did care about what she said.

Yan Yunti felt even more refreshed. “I’ll roast the meat tonight. Remember to send someone to find me. I’ll use the excuse of bringing meat to my third brother so Your Highness can taste my skill.”

She had already thought of the perfect excuse.

Yuan Jingxue felt that refusing now would be disappointing. She simply said, “As you wish.”

Hearing her speak in short bursts, Yan Yunti felt like teasing her. She whispered in Yuan Jingxue’s ear, “Today’s kisses… did Your Highness like them?”

“Liked it” was also two characters.

But how could the Eldest Princess say it? Not only would she not say it, she kept her face cold and told her, “Your mouth should be sealed up as well.”

The more Yan Yunti looked at the beauty in her arms who was feigning coldness, the more she liked her. She sighed into Yuan Jingxue’s ear: “I used to think Your Highness’s cold face was frightening, but now, the more I look at it, the more I feel…” She paused deliberately before lowering her voice to a soft, clear whisper, “My A-Xue is truly cute.”

Her earlobe burned at the words. Yuan Jingxue truly didn’t understand where Yan Yunti saw “cute.”

Could it be that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”?

No, they weren’t lovers.

A single “A-Xue” wasn’t enough; Yan Yunti continued to whisper “Jingxue” in her ear, repeating her name over and over.

Yuan Jingxue had to reach out and cover her mouth. “Be quiet.”

Yan Yunti looked at the beauty’s crimson earlobes. Low laughter vibrated in her throat, but she didn’t say or do anything more.

Yuan Jingxue pretended she hadn’t noticed anything, and the two rode slowly down the mountain.

By nightfall, bonfires were lit everywhere, and barbecue pits were set up. The air was filled with laughter and noise; the atmosphere was lively.

Amidst the excitement, Yan Yunti sat before a grill, carefully brushing oil, turning the skewers, and seasoning the meat. Catching a hand reaching out in her periphery, she warned: “If you want to eat, roast it yourself.”

“You’re roasting so much and won’t let me eat?” Tan Ning sat opposite her in shock. Seeing the tray of chicken skewers, charred on the outside and tender on the inside, she couldn’t help herself. Risking a slapped hand, she snatched a skewer and took a quick bite. “You can’t eat all this by yourself. I’m just helping you share the burden.”

After finishing one, Tan Ning reached for another. Yan Yunti moved the tray behind her back. “The palace servants are roasting over there. Go eat there.”

“The palace servants’ cooking isn’t as good as yours.” Seeing there was no hope for more meat, Tan Ning scrutinized her. “Yan Yunti, you’re acting strange. Who are all these skewers for? It can’t possibly be for that third brother of yours.”

“It is for him,” Yan Yunti lied without blinking.

“The devil himself wouldn’t believe you,” Tan Ning muttered. Keeping her poise as a noble lady, she couldn’t actually scramble for meat, so she pivoted to her own troubles. “If only I had your skills. You have no idea how annoying that man named Cui is. We aren’t even engaged yet, and he’s already trying to be handsy. If Lord Ning hadn’t helped me last night, I would have nearly poisoned him.”

Yan Yunti: “Lord Ning? The one from the Duke of Ning’s manor?”

“Yes, her. I used to hear her methods were ruthless and thought she’d be terrifying,” Tan Ning’s tone lightened as she spoke of Ning Ruolan. “Meeting her last night, I realized the rumors were wrong. Lord Ning is quite helpful and treats people well. She even personally escorted me back to my quarters. I truly envy her for reaching such a high position as a Kunze.”

The eldest son of the Duke of Ning’s house was sickly and held no office despite inheriting the title. It was Ning Ruolan who supported the manor. Her ability to return to the capital from the remote Lizhou province for a promotion was a testament to her competence.

Yan Yunti wasn’t particularly interested in talking about Ning Ruolan. She changed the subject: “That Cui fellow—do you want me to deal with him for you?”

The person Tan Ning referred to was Cui Yanzhi, the legitimate son of the Marquis of Cheng’an. Tan Ning’s father was the Count of Anchang, so while he had a title, it was lower than a Marquis, and her father was not highly regarded. The伯府 (Count’s Manor) was clearly declining, so Tan Ning’s father was intent on using her marriage to climb higher. Tan Ning’s mother had died young, and her stepmother was neither good nor bad. Tan Ning had long since seen through her father’s lack of affection and felt no attachment to her family; she would never be willing to marry a profligate like Cui Yanzhi.

“How would you deal with him? Beat him up?” Tan Ning replied with a smile, shaking her head slowly. “Beating him would be satisfying, but it doesn’t solve the root problem. Just watch—with a mouth as loose as Cui Yanzhi’s, he’s bound to bring trouble on himself tonight.”

“As long as you have a plan. If you need help, let me know.” Yan Yunti placed the finished meat on the tray and stood up to leave.

Tan Ning tried to grab a piece, but Yan Yunti turned sharply, causing her to miss.

Tan Ning gave a light scoff. “Truly, one who values a lover over friends.”

Yan Yunti didn’t deny it. She carried the tray away from the crowd, then turned and headed toward the encampment area. If they stayed in the palace all day, what would be the difference from being in the Imperial City? Therefore, the Emperor had ordered tents to be set up outside.

When Xiao Ran led the way in, Yuan Jingxue was leaning by the window, looking at the stars. She heard Xiao Ran say behind her: “Your Highness, the roasted meat has arrived.”

Yuan Jingxue didn’t turn around. “Leave it there.”

The scent of the barbecue drew closer, and the rabbit in her arms began to squirm more vigorously.

Yuan Jingxue stroked it gently, tapping its head. “A-Ruan, don’t learn from her. You aren’t allowed to be rowdy.”

The words had just left her mouth when a “pfft” sound came from behind her.

Yuan Jingxue turned around. Seeing Yan Yunti standing there in a servant’s outfit holding the tray, and noting the uncontrollable smile on Yan Yunti’s face, she realized the name “A-Ruan” had been overheard. Her cold gaze landed on Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran’s scalp felt numb as she lowered her head to explain: “Miss Yan said that since she roasted the meat herself, she must personally bring it for Your Highness to taste.” She really couldn’t win the argument; she couldn’t even pull the tray out of the girl’s hands, so she had no choice but to bring her.

Yuan Jingxue withdrew her gaze, not even looking at Yan Yunti. “Leave us.”

These words were naturally directed at Xiao Ran, who immediately turned and left with rapid steps.

Yan Yunti placed the tray on the table by the window and sat across from Yuan Jingxue. She picked up a skewer and offered it: “Would Your Highness like a taste?”

Yuan Jingxue stared at her coldly. Even as the meat was held to her lips, she didn’t open her mouth.

Yan Yunti blinked, pretending to be puzzled. “Does Your Highness want me to feed you in a different way? We kissed so much today, I’m afraid Your Highness’s mouth might be numb…”

Yuan Jingxue didn’t want to get angry. She took the skewer from her hand, not understanding: “Why did you come here again?”

“Because I was thinking,” Yan Yunti’s eyes were filled with mirth, “at this moment, Your Highness likely needs me.”

After kissing so many times during the day, how could there be no reaction? She naturally had to come and help the Eldest Princess find some relief.