After Becoming a Concubine, I Took Down the Princess - Chapter 32

After quite a while, Liang Xiao gently let go of her.

Yan Heng blinked, her heart racing. She took a few deep breaths, calming her mind.

Liang Xiao took her wrist and pulled back her sleeve: “Do you still want to take it off?”

Yan Heng shook her head: “It doesn’t make much difference anyway, and it looks quite nice on.”

Liang Xiao changed to holding her hand, pushed off the ground, and the swing started to move.

No need for a detailed, direct confession, just a simple kiss was enough for the two to understand each other’s feelings.

The two quietly swung for a while.

Liang Xiao suddenly remembered something and turned her head to look at her: “I’ve been confined by my Imperial Father, and probably can’t leave the palace for another three months. If you find it boring, you can go out and have fun on your own, you don’t have to stay here guarding me.”

Yan Heng squeezed her fingers: “It’s nothing. As long as I can be with Your Highness, anywhere is fine.”

Liang Xiao was still a bit worried: “But I’m afraid…”

Yan Heng insisted: “It’s okay, I want to see you every day.”

Liang Xiao had no choice but to pinch her cheek in exasperation.

Yan Heng let go of the rope and covered her face, saying: “Your Highness, respect the elderly and cherish the young.”

Liang Xiao: “Respect the elderly? Why didn’t you mention this before?”

Yan Heng: “I didn’t dare to before.”

Counting their ages, Yan Heng was over eighty years older than Liang Xiao…

Liang Xiao let out a soft laugh by her ear: “An old fox eating young grass.”

Yan Heng’s sense of guilt intensified.

After saying this, Liang Xiao looked ahead, her tone flat: “I plan to show some deference to my Imperial Father in a couple of days.”

Yan Heng turned her head in surprise and looked at her: “Why would Your Highness do that?”

Liang Xiao turned her head and gazed intently at Yan Heng: “I think there’s still something fishy about my Imperial Mother’s matter.”

For example, the Thousand Poisons Box, and also the identical box presented by Consort Yu.

These issues haven’t been resolved yet.

Liang Xiao sighed, and continued: “If I can get the confinement lifted sooner, I can continue the investigation.”

Yan Heng was puzzled: “But His Majesty… doesn’t he already know Your Highness is investigating the case?”

Liang Xiao held the hemp rope of the swing and swung her legs: “Since I already know the truth, my Imperial Father must also feel guilty, and he shouldn’t obstruct me anymore.”

Yan Heng seemed to understand the meaning: “His Majesty might think that since the matter is already concluded, no matter how much Your Highness investigates, it won’t cause any waves. Therefore, His Majesty won’t care.”

“Exactly,” Liang Xiao blinked, “My A-Heng is truly smart.”

Hearing this, Yan Heng’s ‘old fox’ face flushed.

Liang Xiao then whispered: “Actually… you don’t have to keep calling me Your Highness.”

“Then what should I call you?” Yan Heng moved closer and nestled against Liang Xiao.

She thought for a moment: “Xiao Xiao? A-Xiao? Xiao’er?”

Liang Xiao pursed her lips: “Whatever you like.”

Yan Heng quickly pecked Liang Xiao’s face, then jumped off the swing: “Calling you Your Highness is just a habit, I can’t change it right away.”

Liang Xiao hadn’t reacted yet, her expression slightly stunned.

She also jumped off the swing, caught Yan Heng who was trying to escape, and pulled her into her arms, making it impossible for Yan Heng to move thanks to her taller stature.

Yan Heng reached up and wrapped her arms around Liang Xiao’s waist, saying in a muffled voice in her embrace: “Your Highness.”

“Hmm?”

“I like you so much.”

“Me too.”

Liang Xiao raised her hand and twirled the jade bead at the end of Yan Heng’s hairpin: “You can call me anything you want.”

Yan Heng raised her head, gently stood on tiptoes, and leaned in close to Liang Xiao.

Her kiss was careful and full of reverence.

Liang Xiao raised her hand and cupped the back of Yan Heng’s head, forcing her to press tightly against herself.

They exchanged a long and sweet kiss until their legs felt weak, and only then did Liang Xiao release her.

“Let’s go back inside, it’s getting a bit cold out here,” Yan Heng squeezed Liang Xiao’s fingers, which were cold to the touch.

“Alright.” Liang Xiao took her hand instead.

It was not yet time for lunch. Liang Xiao held Yan Heng, and the two leaned on the small couch reading a book.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Yan Heng tossed the book aside.

Liang Xiao put down her book and looked at her inquisitively.

Yan Heng pointed to the book filled with poetry and lyrics: “I don’t understand it.”

Although she was literate, she really couldn’t get interested in these classics. After only flipping through a couple of pages, she felt dizzy.

Only those storybooks could keep her engrossed.

Liang Xiao took the book away and stroked her face: “Then we won’t read it.”

Yuehua had washed some grapes and knocked on the door, preparing to enter.

Yan Heng scrambled out of Liang Xiao’s arms and quickly sat to one side, as if she had been caught doing something unspeakable.

Liang Xiao found it amusing. After Yuehua left, she looked at her and asked: “What are you so flustered about?”

Yan Heng shook her head: “I don’t know, it was subconscious—”

Liang Xiao popped a grape into her mouth: “No need to worry.”

Yan Heng bit into the grape, and the sweet juice flowed out, mirroring her mood.

She swallowed the grape and asked: “When is Your Highness planning to show deference to the Emperor?”

Liang Xiao straightened her clothes: “In a few days, so it doesn’t look too deliberate.”

The two chatted until it was almost lunchtime. Yan Heng said the flowers in the small garden were not pretty enough and she was going to the Imperial Garden to steal a few big, beautiful ones for Liang Xiao to weave into her hair.

Liang Xiao knew she had a way of avoiding others and wasn’t too worried, so she let her go out to have fun, lest she be cooped up in the palace for too long.

About two hours later, the little fox returned, carrying a large bunch of fresh flowers in its mouth, crawling back through the dog hole of the Liu Yang Palace. As soon as her head poked out of the hole, Yan Heng saw Liang Xiao standing there waiting for her. She circled Liang Xiao twice, lightly sweeping her calf with her tail, signaling her to follow her back to the room.

The snow-white fox jumped onto the small couch, placed the flowers on the small table, and then transformed back into human form, sitting down with the bronze mirror.

“Although I haven’t put flowers in other girls’ hair, my mother did it for me, so I have some recollection,” Yan Heng patted the spot next to her, signaling Liang Xiao to sit down quickly.

Liang Xiao complied, walking to her side and sitting with her back to Yan Heng, intending to see what she was up to.

Yan Heng kicked off her shoes, turned, and knelt on the small couch. She took a vividly blooming flower from the table and tucked it into Liang Xiao’s bun.

There was no conversation between them. Liang Xiao, through the mirror, kept her gaze on Yan Heng’s face.

Yan Heng had her lips tightly pursed, her eyes serious, and her movements were careful, afraid of pulling Liang Xiao’s hair.

Liang Xiao wanted to touch Yan Heng’s face, but couldn’t turn around at the moment, so she settled for the next best thing and raised her hand to touch the mirror. A warm, cool sensation spread from her fingertips, flowing layer by layer into her heart, extinguishing some of the heat and restlessness she felt.

Yan Heng was completely unaware of Liang Xiao’s action, only focusing on creating her “artwork.”

“Finished!” After about a quarter of an hour, Yan Heng picked up the mirror and placed it behind Liang Xiao so she could see her reflection.

“Good handiwork. I’ll reward you by having you put flowers in my hair more often in the future.” Liang Xiao pulled Yan Heng’s hand and turned to face her.

Their eyes locked. No one knew who made the first move, but by the time Yan Heng realized it, the two were kissing again.

When their lips parted, Yan Heng’s eyes were covered with a hazy mist. Those upturned fox eyes made Liang Xiao’s heart flutter.

Yan Heng held onto Liang Xiao’s shoulders and mumbled: “Why are you so… so good at kissing?”

Liang Xiao raised her hand and stroked her face, saying softly: “Self-taught, I suppose.”

After speaking, she put down her hand, pulled Yan Heng to the desk, and took out a painting.

The long scroll unrolled, revealing the beautiful person in the drawing.

Liang Xiao sat down beside her: “I was bored just now, so I painted this.”

The person in the painting was Yan Heng. She happily hugged the painting, turned and kissed Liang Xiao on the face: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

As night fell, the two lay on the same bed, and Yan Heng suddenly felt a bit awkward. She propped herself up and said to Liang Xiao: “How about I go to the side chamber instead?”

Liang Xiao propped up her head and looked at her: “Why? Do you think my bed is too small?”

“Of course not,” Yan Heng quickly waved her hand, “I just feel like it might be a bit too fast.”

They had only just confessed their mutual feelings, and in the blink of an eye, they were already sharing a bed. Although they were both women, and there was no inconvenience in lying together, now that they had an added layer of relationship, Yan Heng wanted to proceed gradually.

“As you wish.” Liang Xiao pulled the blanket up, got up, and called Yuehua: “Take Miss Yan to the side chamber.”

After receiving the instruction, Yuehua left first to prepare the bed. Yan Heng, meanwhile, quickly left a kiss on Liang Xiao’s lips, then jumped out of bed and vanished in a flash.

Liang Xiao touched the corner of her mouth, where a soft sensation seemed to linger. Her heart couldn’t help but beat faster and faster, as if it would burst out of her chest the next moment.

She took a deep breath and buried herself under the covers.

After about half a month of such affectionate time, one clear morning, Yuehua outside suddenly rushed in urgently: “Your Highness, His Majesty is here! He’s almost at the entrance of the palace!”

Yan Heng was so startled she immediately jumped up. It was too late to run, so Liang Xiao practically hugged and stuffed her behind the screen.

Yan Heng had the guilty feeling of an affair being caught red-handed.

Yuehua was right. Liang Shu was indeed arriving soon. Just as Yan Heng was standing still behind the screen, he strode in.

Liang Shu glanced around. Liang Xiao did not get up to greet him, only leaning on the couch with a book.

Sandalwood incense was burning in the room, and the faint fragrance soothed his mood somewhat.

“Still angry with Imperial Father?” Liang Shu said as he walked over.

Liang Xiao put down her book and said softly: “Your humble daughter dares not.”

The emerald bead in Liang Shu’s hand rotated once: “What happened to your Imperial Mother is indeed my fault.”

Liang Xiao lowered her head and remained silent.

He continued: “Imperial Father was also forced by circumstance.”

Liang Xiao welled up with tears in her eyes, looking up at him: “Your humble daughter knows Imperial Father has his difficulties.”

She blinked, and the tears fell, making Liang Shu’s heart ache with pity.

He wanted to touch Liang Xiao’s head, but she avoided him.

Liang Shu could only retract his hand awkwardly: “I have lifted your confinement. Do not bring up this matter again in the future.”

Liang Xiao nodded, still sobbing: “Thank you, Imperial Father.”

Silence fell between father and daughter. Liang Shu didn’t know what else to say. He sat for a while, then got up and left.

Yan Heng emerged from behind the screen. Liang Xiao had already wiped away her tears, but her eyes were still a bit red.

Yan Heng sat beside her, gently taking her hand: “Your Highness… have you forgiven the Emperor?”

Liang Xiao shook her head: “No, I can’t.”

Even though she had only been with her Imperial Mother for seven years, she had given all her love to Liang Xiao without reservation.

She couldn’t let go of this emotion, nor could she forgive her Imperial Father.

It was only that the situation demanded it now, and she had to bow her head to her Imperial Father.

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