The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 11

It was already late when they returned to the princely estate. Yunxia noticed Zheng Rong lurking hesitantly at the gate and knew she had something to discuss. Taking advantage of Lu Zhao’s departure to the study to attend to matters, Yunxia discreetly sent Yingxue away.

The side door creaked open, and Yunxia spotted Zheng Rong pacing anxiously outside. She called out softly, “Auntie, come quickly.”

Zheng Rong grasped Yunxia’s hands, her face full of worry. “Xiaxia, were you discovered by the Xu siblings? Xu Yunshen has tried several times to go to the rear courtyard to find you, but Yunqiu blocked him each time. After Yunqiu regained consciousness and realized you weren’t by her side, she grew terribly worried. She’s been so anxious these past few days that she hasn’t been taking her medicine properly.”

Yunxia clenched Zheng Rong’s hands, her expression heavy with resentment. “Auntie, give me a little more time. Tell Elder Sister and Niannian not to worry. It won’t be long now the prince is starting to take notice of me. The more importance he places on me, the greater the suffering Yang Yuan will endure later! I want to ensure he can’t even sit for the imperial examinations!”

Zheng Rong’s eyes filled with pity as she embraced Yunxia’s slender shoulders, her voice trembling. “My poor Xiaxia, while you’re in there has she mistreated you?”

Yunxia froze, a faint blush creeping up behind her ears. She shook her head gently. “Auntie, she’s good to me. She isn’t the type to act improperly…”

Zheng Rong’s eyes reddened, her hands trembling slightly. “Xiaxia, you’re still young. Although society is more open now, and a woman can remarry even after a divorce, if you were to lose your virtue before marriage, I fear your future husband might hold it against you.”

Yunxia’s gaze remained resolute as she comforted Zheng Rong. “Auntie, I’m not afraid. Even if I lose my virtue, I will make Yang Yuan pay the price! If my future husband minds, then he isn’t the right one for me!”

Zheng Rong sighed. “I can’t argue with you you’ve always had a mind of your own since you were little. I’ll wait for your news. When the time is right, come find me at the Hongxiu Workshop. Niannian can switch back with you then.”

After seeing Zheng Rong off, Yunxia sat blankly by the window, gazing at the rabbit lantern she had bought and thinking about what her sister had said earlier. Her heart felt hollow. If her sister ever found out she had deceived her, would she forgive her? Would she ever have the chance to see her again?

Lost in thought, Yunxia furrowed her brows. Yingxue, who had been waiting on her cautiously, hesitantly spoke up, “Miss, have the servants been gossiping again and upsetting you?”

Yunxia shook her head, her eyes clouded with confusion and pain. “No, it’s just ”

Suddenly, she grasped Yingxue’s hand and asked, “Yingxue, you used to serve my sister all the time, didn’t you?”

Yingxue’s face flushed with panic, and she shook her head vigorously. “Miss, please don’t misunderstand! Although our mistress is wonderful, I’ve never had any improper thoughts about her.”

Yunxia gently pressed Yingxue into a seat beside her and said earnestly, “What are you thinking? I just want to hear about what my sister usually likes. I want to do something to make her happy.”

Relieved, Yingxue looked at Yunxia’s sincere expression, her eyes welling up. She wiped away a tear and said, “Our mistress finally has someone who cares for her. Miss, you might not know this, but although our mistress appears cold and distant, she has an exceptionally kind heart. Both Xi ui and I were saved by her. The Grand Princess and her consort are always traveling, and after our mistress entered official service, the regent’s estate became empty and lonely. Miss, we’re all so happy that you’re here to keep her company.”

Yunxia felt a faint ache in her heart, not daring to lift her eyes to meet Yingxue’s gaze. She turned away unnaturally and said softly, “I only asked you to tell me what she likes. Why are you saying all this?”

Yingxue urgently grasped Yunxia’s hand. “Miss, I just wanted you to know how good our mistress is. When I reported to her that someone in the small kitchen had spoken ill of you, she immediately had the housekeeper sell off those two servants. She also set a rule for everyone: you are to be treated as the lady of the house, and no one is to speak any unpleasant words in your presence.”

Yunxia’s breath hitched for a moment. Her lips parted slightly as a sharp, stabbing pain spread through her chest. She never expected that person to go to such lengths. If she were to discover Yunxia’s own shameful thoughts, would she still be so kind?

Seeing Yunxia remain silent, Yingxue assumed she was moved by the prince’s actions and continued, “Miss, don’t overthink it. If there’s anything that could make our mistress happy, it’s having you by her side.”

Yunxia let out a low “Mm,” her heart heavy with sorrow. Even if she wished to stay by her sister’s side in the future, would her sister still want her? Yunxia restrained herself from dwelling on what was to come. For now, the most important thing was to bring her joy and make sure she held Yunxia close to her heart.

Early the next morning, before daybreak, Yunxia took Yingxue with her to the garden at the back.

Dewdrops glistened like crystals on the petals. Yunxia bent over, carefully collecting them one by one into a ceramic jar.

In the morning light, the young girl’s delicate brows were lowered, her fair skin glowing softly under the faint rays. The usual stubbornness in her expression had faded, replaced by a touch of gentleness.

Yingxue stared, mesmerized, and asked foolishly, “Miss, what are you doing?”

Yunxia straightened up, rubbing her lower back with her small hands, her eyes sparkling. “I was thinking of doing something I’m good at to make Sister happy! My mother was very skilled at brewing tea, and I learned a little from her. I thought I’d let Sister taste my handiwork.”

Yingxue’s eyes widened. This girl was so devoted to their mistress! She must find a way to tell their mistress about the girl’s heartfelt efforts!

For several days in a row, Yunxia took Yingxue to collect dewdrops. Each evening, she returned so exhausted she could barely straighten her back, yet she forbade Yingxue from speaking of it, wanting to give Lu Zhao a surprise.

After gathering a small jar of dew, Yunxia personally brewed a pot of tea and brought it to Lu Zhao.

In recent days, with the imperial examinations approaching, Lu Zhao had been extremely busy. By the time she returned home, Yunxia was often already asleep from exhaustion, so the two had not crossed paths.

Now, hearing Yunxia’s voice from the study, Lu Zhao casually gathered the items on her desk into a pile, tapped the table, and said in a deep voice, “Xi Gui, let Niannian in.”

Yunxia had dressed carefully for the occasion. She wore an outer garment as thin as cicada wings, with the collar of her inner robe slightly open, hinting at the curves of her bosom. Her eyes, shimmering with emotion, were captivating.

Xi Gui lowered his gaze as he opened the door for Yunxia, his heart racing. He dared not look at her—this Niannian girl was far too alluring. Could their mistress handle such temptation?

Yunxia glided in gracefully, carrying a tray. Her fox-like eyes, glistening with unshed tears, fixed on Lu Zhao with a pitiable charm. Standing beside her, she parted her red lips and said, “Sister, Niannian specially brewed this tea for you. Please have a taste.”

With her pale, slender fingers, she lifted an emerald-green cup to Lu Zhao’s lips. Lu Zhao’s breath caught. The delicate fragrance of flowers mixed with the girl’s own scent filled her senses, stirring an unprecedented flutter in her heart.

Lu Zhao’s tongue tasted the bitterness of the tea and the sweetness of the flowers, her eyes darkening as she spoke in a husky voice, “Nian Nian, are you trying to seduce me?”

Yun Xia wrapped one arm around her neck, sitting softly on her lap. Her ink-black hair cascaded down her back, and her slender, pale fingers pressed against Lu Zhao’s chest as she murmured, “Sister, you haven’t come to see Nian Nian for days, so I had to come find you myself!”

Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow, watching her calmly without a word.

Yun Xia lifted her snow-white arm, revealing a large red mark on her wrist that stood out starkly against her delicate skin.

She brushed her fingers gently over Lu Zhao’s neck, cooing, “Sister, Nian Nian got hurt while brewing tea for you! Blow on it for me, it hurts so much…”