The Female Lead is Quite Unusual - Episode 64

Although Sheng Qian had not yet ascended the throne, everyone knew it was only a matter of time.

 

Lin Wan understood that Sheng Qian would not return to the small house they had lived in before and would arrange another residence for her.

 

But when Sheng Qian led her past the main palace in the center of the imperial grounds and guided her to a small courtyard at the back, telling her this would be her home, Lin Wan’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

In the main hall ahead, craftsmen were still at work, and officials bustled back and forth nearby. Clearly, this was to be Sheng Qian’s future workplace. Was it appropriate for her to live just behind it?

 

“Wanwan, I know you wouldn’t want to stay in the bedchamber Gu Ze once occupied, so I chose this place for you.”

 

Sensing Lin Wan’s astonishment, Sheng Qian explained softly, “Right now, the country is plagued by internal strife and external threats. If you lived elsewhere, I wouldn’t feel at ease.”

 

“Wanwan, you are the person I care about most in this world.”

 

Then, in a quieter voice, Sheng Qian added, “If you feel uncomfortable here for now, once everything is settled, we can choose another place to live.”

 

Lin Wan didn’t notice that Sheng Qian had said “we,” assuming that after this period, Sheng Qian would find her another residence. Thinking Sheng Qian’s reasoning made sense, she nodded in agreement.

 

Sheng Qian seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then took Lin Wan’s hand, her eyes filled with apology as she whispered, “I’ve already dismissed all of Gu Ze’s wives and concubines. The palace is empty now, and there are some matters I haven’t had time to handle. I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you with them.”

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll naturally help you.”

 

This was the very reason Lin Wan had entered the palace, so she readily agreed. Noticing the dark circles under Sheng Qian’s eyes. A clear sign she hadn’t rested well these past few days. Lin Wan couldn’t resist tucking a stray lock of hair behind Sheng Qian’s ear and softly advising her:

 

“Qianqian, take things slowly. Don’t rush too much. Make sure you get enough sleep and eat properly.”

 

“Wanwan always treats me like a child!”

 

Sheng Qian sounded a bit displeased, but she never embarrassed Lin Wan. As Lin Wan pondered how to respond, Sheng Qian had already curved her lips into a half-smile, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Lin Wan. “If you keep this up, Wanwan, you’re bound to suffer for it in the future.”

 

“Of course, I know Qianqian has grown up. It’s just that old habits are hard to break.”

 

Lin Wan coughed lightly, speaking with a hint of guilt.

 

She found Sheng Qian’s precocious demeanor utterly adorable but feared that laughing outright would make Sheng Qian embarrassed or angry, so she tried hard to hold back her amusement. “Qianqian is so magnanimous. You’ll understand, won’t you?”

 

Only after speaking did Lin Wan realize she was still using the tone one would use with a child. Sheng Qian pursed her lips, straightened up, and stared at her expressionlessly, clearly displeased.

 

Had she hurt Sheng Qian’s pride?

 

It made sense. Children at this age always wanted to prove themselves.

 

Lin Wan cleared her throat, about to soothe Sheng Qian, when Sheng Qian narrowed her eyes, straightened her back, reached out, and pinched Lin Wan’s cheek.

 

“Wanwan, you’re so childish!”

 

Meeting Lin Wan’s wide-eyed stare, Sheng Qian didn’t retreat but instead leaned closer, her eyes and brows brimming with triumphant delight.

 

“Haven’t you noticed, Wanwan? I’m already taller than you.”

 

Sheng Qian released her pinch after a moment.

 

But the smile on her face was dazzling, like thousands of flowers blooming at once. Shedding her usual maturity, she revealed the spirited confidence befitting her youth.

 

Lin Wan felt as if something had struck her heart. That strange sensation of a racing pulse surged up once again.

 

Unable to resist, she lifted her head following Sheng Qian’s words, only to realize that, without her noticing, Sheng Qian had indeed grown half a head taller than her.

 

Sheng Qian’s eyes curved like little boats brimming with starlight, and within that shimmering light, Lin Wan clearly saw her own reflection.

 

The distance between them was far too close, as if she were entirely enveloped by the fragrance emanating from Sheng Qian.

 

Lin Wan didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt a little nervous and couldn’t help wanting to step back.

 

Yet, in the next moment, Sheng Qian’s arm wrapped firmly around her waist.

 

Lin Wan wanted to appear more composed and tried to glare at Sheng Qian, but when she met Sheng Qian’s narrowed gaze, her whole body felt like a small animal trapped under the stare of a predator, her legs involuntarily weakened.

 

Sheng Qian’s face drew closer and closer.

 

What was she doing?

 

Utterly flustered, Lin Wan wanted to push Sheng Qian away, but her arms had no strength at all. She could only dodge by turning her head aside and closing her eyes.

 

Her heart thumped wildly, each beat faster than the last.

 

Fortunately, Sheng Qian didn’t come any closer.

 

She stopped right in front of Lin Wan.

 

The surroundings fell into complete silence. Lin Wan could clearly feel Sheng Qian’s faint breath brushing against her cheek; their breaths seemed to intertwine.

 

Lin Wan’s cheeks grew increasingly flushed.

 

“Stop messing around!”

 

Summoning strength from who knows where, Lin Wan took a deep breath and shouted with her eyes shut.

 

The moment she spoke, she wished she could bite off her own tongue: her voice had taken on a soft, tearful tone, almost like she was whining.

 

“So Wanwan finally knows what it means to be scared?”

 

After a moment, Lin Wan heard a light chuckle. For some reason, Sheng Qian’s breathing also seemed a little uneven.

 

Then, the arm wrapped around her waist finally loosened, and Sheng Qian gently tapped her nose.

 

“If Wanwan can’t handle playing, why provoke me in the first place?”

 

Strangely, Lin Wan detected a hint of indulgence in Sheng Qian’s voice.

 

Sheng Qian stroked Lin Wan’s flushed cheek, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, the smugness in her tone growing even more apparent.

 

Just as Lin Wan, in a mix of embarrassment and anger, was about to stomp on her foot, Sheng Qian swiftly stepped back, turned around, and waved at Lin Wan with a laugh.

 

“Wanwan, see you tonight. I want Cloud Silk Noodles for my late-night snack!”

 

Only when Sheng Qian’s figure had disappeared from view did Lin Wan open her eyes, biting her lower lip with complex emotions.

 

She had become tainted!

 

In that fleeting moment, she didn’t know where the strange thought had come from, but she had actually believed Sheng Qian wanted to kiss her.

 

Thankfully, she hadn’t voiced it out loud otherwise, how could she ever face Sheng Qian again?

 

Lin Wan let out a long sigh, her feelings a tangled mess.

 

Sheng Qian had blossomed now, fitting her aesthetic more and more, like an elegant flower bud. Every time she saw Sheng Qian, she marveled at the wonders of the Creator.

 

Sheng Qian was still a child, unaware that certain actions carried ambiguous meanings.

 

She only saw Lin Wan as an older sister. It was normal for sisters to tease and play around; Sheng Qian just wanted to be close to her. It was Lin Wan who was overthinking things.

 

From now on, she must not lose her composure around Sheng Qian again!

 

Lin Wan didn’t dwell on her guilt for long.

 

Soon after, a procession of palace servants filed in.

 

The first among them was Aunt Huang, who had lost her tongue. In her hands, she held the account books detailing all of Sheng Qian’s current assets.

 

Sheng Qian told Lin Wan about Aunt Huang’s background: Lin Wan had always felt that Aunt Huang possessed an extraordinary demeanor, and her perception was not mistaken. Aunt Huang had received systematic training and was originally the chief palace maid assigned by Sheng Qian’s maternal uncle to serve Sheng Qian’s mother.

 

However, Sheng Qian’s mother refused to heed Aunt Huang’s advice and was determined to end her own life, which ultimately led to Aunt Huang having her tongue cut off and being sold out of the palace.

 

Previously, Aunt Huang had been managing Sheng Qian’s finances and expenditures.

 

Lin Wan was reluctant to take over the account books, as she trusted Aunt Huang and believed she would manage Sheng Qian’s assets well. Yet, under Aunt Huang’s pleading gaze, Lin Wan eventually picked up the account books.

 

At a glance, Lin Wan’s eyes widened in astonishment.

 

She knew Sheng Qian had considerable wealth, given that she was the chieftain of the Leyi tribe, but she never imagined the extent of Sheng Qian’s holdings: besides numerous horse stables, inns, and pawnshops. Sheng Qian even owned several gold mines!

 

Lin Wan couldn’t help but reflect: her father had been thinking of donating money to the national treasury to help Sheng Qian and had already sent funds to the palace. Little did he know that Sheng Qian possessed such vast wealth.

 

Most likely, Sheng Qian would not accept her father’s money.

 

With these thoughts in mind, Lin Wan carefully stored the account books. Just then, another palace attendant approached with the account books for the palace’s renovation expenses.

 

Lin Wan worked tirelessly for a long time, and it was nearly midnight before she had a rough understanding of each palace maid’s responsibilities.

 

Remembering that Sheng Qian had mentioned wanting to eat cloud-thread noodles earlier, Lin Wan reasoned that since Sheng Qian had brought it up, she would surely return. She quickly ordered the kitchen to prepare the noodles and sent someone to fetch Sheng Qian.

 

It was already so late. How could a young girl like Sheng Qian endure staying up every night?

 

By this point, Lin Wan was exhausted and her mind felt heavy. When the kitchen delivered the noodles, Lin Wan used warm water to keep them heated. Just as she was about to wash up and sleep, Sheng Qian returned.

 

“Wanwan, you’re still awake?”

 

Sheng Qian hurried in, clearly having run back.

 

Despite her youth, Sheng Qian showed no signs of fatigue after a busy day. When facing Lin Wan, her eyes still shone with remarkable brightness.

 

“Wanwan, you should get some sleep!”

 

She had clearly noticed Lin Wan’s exhaustion. Drawing closer, she tenderly stroked Lin Wan’s cheek, then lowered her head and said, “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have rushed things and tired you out.”

 

In that moment, Sheng Qian truly resembled a child who had made a mistake.

 

“How could I blame you?”

 

Seeing Sheng Qian like this, Lin Wan felt her heart melt into a puddle. She yawned and said, “I came here to help you, after all. But we mustn’t rush things. Our health should always come first.”

 

“Wanwan, you care about me so much. I’ll listen to whatever you say.”

 

Sheng Qian lowered her head and spoke softly, obediently blowing out the lamp. She then picked up the bowl of cloud-thread noodles from the table and went outside, gently closing the door behind her.

 

Lin Wan initially thought Sheng Qian intended to sleep in another room. At that moment, she felt somewhat uncertain about how to face Sheng Qian, so she breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her leave and went to the bathhouse to freshen up.

 

When she returned, however, Lin Wan caught a faint glimpse of Sheng Qian through the door crack.

 

Sheng Qian was holding the bowl, squatting by the doorway, completely disregarding her future image as an emperor, and eating her noodles right there.

 

During the day, she had worked hard to prove her maturity, yet here she was, acting so childishly.

 

Sheng Qian’s posture made it clear that she still intended to sleep here.

 

Lin Wan sighed inwardly.

 

She had a guilty conscience and truly could no longer treat Sheng Qian as a child. It was no longer appropriate for them to continue sharing a bed.

 

But it was already so late, and persuading Sheng Qian at this moment would be difficult. Lin Wan didn’t want to discuss the topic with her right now, so she had no choice but to resign herself to spending another night sleeping beside Sheng Qian.

 

However, Lin Wan secretly resolved to have a serious talk with Sheng Qian the next day.

 

Originally, Lin Wan had intended to carefully plan what she would say to Sheng Qian the following day.

 

But she was simply too exhausted and, without realizing it, drifted off to sleep.

 

She didn’t know how much time had passed when, in her dazed state, she felt the bed dip slightly beside her. Sheng Qian had lain down next to her.

 

Instinctively, Lin Wan shifted closer, but Sheng Qian’s body felt unusually stiff, unlike its usual softness.

 

A while later, a warm, soft sensation brushed against Lin Wan’s forehead, followed by a sigh in the room that sounded almost gritted through clenched teeth.

 

“I’m not your little sister!”

 

“One day…”

 

As if that wasn’t enough to vent her frustration, it wasn’t long before the warm, soft touch returned; this time, it gently landed on Lin Wan’s lips…

 

Afraid of waking the sleeping Lin Wan, the kiss was as light as a dragonfly skimming the water, fleeting and almost dreamlike.

 

Yet the ripples it stirred in Sheng Qian’s heart continued to spread, one after another, not subsiding for the entire night.