The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 33

The night grew deep. Lu Zhao carried Yunxia on her back all the way to the courtyard gate. Reluctant to part, Yunxia pulled on her hand and acted spoiled. “Sister, can’t you stay? Stay and keep Xiaxia company!”

The early autumn night was slightly chilly. Yunxia’s hair was a bit disheveled from the wind, and her beautiful fox-like eyes were filled with the reflection of the moonlight, breathtakingly lovely.

Lu Zhao sighed softly in her heart. This captivating little girl. She reached out, hooked her arm around Yunxia’s slender waist, and pulled her into an embrace. They were suddenly very close. Lu Zhao lowered her eyes to look at her and whispered instructions, “Ying Xue has already been sent to the Xu residence. I also sent over a cook for the small kitchen; just tell her whatever you want to eat. There are secret guards protecting you around the backyard. If anything happens, go to them directly. Do not let yourself be wronged, not even a little bit. If that Xu Yunshen dares to harass you again, kick him out!”

“Also, if you feel bored, I will send Zheng Rong and the girl Niannian to keep you company. Don’t worry about your elder sister either; I will have people keep an eye on Pei Shu’s side.”

Lu Zhao rambled on about these arrangements. As they stood inches apart, her warm breath enveloped Yunxia. Tilting her head up slightly, Yunxia saw her own flushed face reflected in Lu Zhao’s dark eyes. Her heart was filled with emotion. Her beloved truly had eyes only for her.

Looking at the dazed Yunxia, Lu Zhao let out a light laugh. She leaned down to nuzzle the tip of Yunxia’s nose and coaxed her in a husky voice, “Stay home and be good. After the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet is over, I will ask the Emperor for a decree of marriage. Some things might happen at the banquet. No matter what you hear or see, do not believe it unless it comes from my own mouth. Do you understand?”

A trace of panic flashed through Yunxia’s heart. Perhaps because the night was too beautiful or Lu Zhao was too charming, she did not dwell on that flicker of unease. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Lu Zhao’s neck and looked up with a playful smile. “Alright, Sister. Xiaxia only believes in you.”

Lu Zhao buried her head in the crook of Yunxia’s neck, her voice deep and low. “Once the marriage decree is issued, I will take you to meet my Master and Mistress. You will like them.”

Yunxia affectionately rubbed her cheek against Lu Zhao’s. Then, with a mischievous turn of her head, she took Lu Zhao’s earlobe into her mouth, licking and nibbling it. She responded in a muffled voice, “Then Sister, you must come to marry me quickly.”

Lu Zhao’s heart trembled. She let out a low sigh, tightening her arms around the girl. “You little enchantress, wait for me.”

Xiaxia, would the merit of saving the Emperor be enough to marry you? You don’t need to do anything. Just wait for me in peace.

Waiting in the distance, Xi Gui could only look up at the moonlight. Sigh, Master is being way too sappy. Thinking of Ying Xue, he felt a bit dejected. He wondered when he would be able to be with Ying Xue again. Master didn’t even bother to ask for his opinion. Sigh.

The Pei Residence.

“Ugh,” Yunqiu groaned as she slowly regained consciousness. Upon opening her eyes, she saw Pei Shu looking at her tenderly. Seeing her wake up, Pei Shu reached out with his cool hand and pressed against her neck, his voice full of apology. “Qiuqiu, does it still hurt?”

A wave of numbness spread through her body. Yunqiu shrank her neck back and said with an unnatural expression, “It’s fine.”

Then, as if remembering something, she immediately threw back the covers to get up. She said anxiously, “Ashu, Xiaxia is missing. I have to go find her. I can’t stay here.”

Pei Shu held her thin shoulders down, his thumb rubbing her cheek. He said seriously, “Qiuqiu, Xiaxia has already returned home. She is fine. Stay here and be good, alright?”

Yunqiu struggled to sit up, feeling helpless. “I, I want to go back. I have nothing to do with you anymore.”

Yunqiu’s face was pale, and her eyes held deep-seated unease. She didn’t dare face Pei Shu or look into his gentle eyes.

Pei Shu’s face instantly darkened. He grabbed Yunqiu and pinned her firmly to the couch. His hand brushed her temple, his eyes filled with a madness she had never seen before. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke with a strained, bitter voice, “Who gave you permission to have nothing to do with me? Qiuqiu, I don’t agree.”

In an instant, those foul memories flooded Yunqiu’s brain. Her body began to shake uncontrollably, and tears surged from her eyes. Yunqiu used her hands to push Pei Shu away with all her might, crying out, “No! Go away! Get away from me!”

Pei Shu felt as if a knife were twisting in his heart. He closed his eyes in pain. Did she really despise him this much?

Pei Shu looked down at her from above and said in a cold voice, “Qiuqiu, look at who I am! You are mine. I won’t let you go.”

Having said that, he gripped Yunqiu’s waist tightly and pressed his legs against hers to prevent her escape. His kisses began to fall like an overwhelming tide.

His kisses grew hotter, constantly drawing the air from Yunqiu’s mouth. His hands restlessly unfastened the buttons at her waist, exploring her body inch by inch.

Yunqiu kept shaking her head and pushing him away, crying out heart-wrenchingly, “No! Please! No!”

“Ashu, save me!”

Pei Shu finally realized something was wrong. Yunqiu was crying with her eyes closed, her face covered in tears and her clothes half-undone, looking extremely pained.

What on earth was he doing?

Pei Shu’s heart felt as if it were being pricked by a thousand needles, making it hard for him to breathe. He took off his outer robe and wrapped it entirely around Yunqiu’s body. His voice was full of self-reproach. “Qiuqiu, I’m sorry. As long as you stay by my side obediently, I won’t force you.”

Yunqiu’s eyes were brimming with tears. Only then did she realize it was Pei Shu. Her lips trembled as she hugged herself tightly, shrinking into the corner of the bed in terror.

Pei Shu’s reaching hand froze in mid-air. He clenched his fist, his heart aching sharply. “Qiuqiu, I,”

Yunqiu lowered her head. Those memories and that pain made her feel cold to the bone, her whole body shivering.

Pei Shu’s gaze darkened. He turned around sorrowfully. “I will go call a maidservant.”

Yunqiu opened her mouth, her heart feeling incredibly bitter. The taste of sorrow spread across her tongue. She spoke with great difficulty, “Ashu, I, I am no longer pure. I was violated by Yang Yuan.”

Yunqiu choked up, unable to say the words that followed. Tears had already flowed into her mouth—salty and bitter, just like her broken life.

Pei Shu’s eyes turned blood-red. His hands clenched and loosened. The heartache was so intense he nearly doubled over. This was the girl he had cherished for so many years! How could that beast! He wanted to kill him! Deep self-reproach then filled his heart; he hadn’t protected her well, and he hadn’t married her sooner.

Seeing that Pei Shu had no reaction for a long time, a bitter smile touched Yunqiu’s lips. Xu Yunqiu, what are you even hoping for? How much longer do you want to cling to him? Did you really come to him just to find Xiaxia? Did you not have any of those dark thoughts?

Yunqiu stood up and walked slowly toward Pei Shu. She knew it was all over. She should leave; she shouldn’t make things difficult for him. Just as her hand touched the door, she was pulled back by a great force. The next second, she fell into a warm embrace.

Pei Shu’s breath brushed against her ear as he kissed her cheek tenderly and lingeringly. His arms held her so tightly it felt as if they might break her waist. His voice was deep and husky. “Silly Qiuqiu, don’t leave me. I only want you.”

Tears blurred Yunqiu’s vision. That fool was holding her tightly from behind, giving her hope and leaving her with nowhere to run.

Yunqiu went limp in his arms, her strength failing her. She truly couldn’t bear to throw away the light of her life.