The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 39

“Xiaxia, come back with me,” Lu  Zhao said. Her face was pale, but her voice was exceptionally firm.

Yunxia’s heart pounded violently. She looked back through a blur of tears, droplets still hanging from her face and her small mouth slightly agape. She could hardly believe that the person she had just been pining for had suddenly appeared here.

Seeing that she did not answer for a long time, Lu Zhao leaned over and pulled Yunxia into her arms. Her fingertips turned white from the force of gripping the girl’s arms, her strength greater than ever before.

Yunxia crashed straight into that soft embrace. Only then did she see the blood seeping through the shoulder of Lu  Zhao’s robe. Panic-stricken, she began to struggle, wanting to check the wound.

Lu  Zhao mistook Yunxia’s struggle for a refusal to return with her. Her expression darkened further. Ignoring the pain, she swept the girl up by the waist, carried her out of the carriage, and tossed her onto the horse. She then locked Yunxia firmly in her arms from behind and galloped away, leaving a trail of dust.

Niannian’s mouth fell open. She pointed in the direction they had vanished and stammered, “Mother, that… that Regent looks terrifying! It was as if she wanted to swallow Xiaxia alive!”

A flash of astonishment crossed Zheng Rong’s eyes. She murmured blankly, “I did not expect… the Regent has truly placed Xiaxia in her heart.” She patted Niannian’s hand and comforted her, “Do not worry; Xiaxia will be fine.”

Zheng Rong lifted the curtain and shouted to the driver outside, “Driver, we are going back. Do not travel any further.” She looked toward Yindou and sighed, “I truly do not know if this is a blessing or a curse.”

The wind whistled past, blowing Lu  Zhao’s dark hair against Yunxia’s face. It felt itchy, and her heart trembled along with it. Tilting her head up, she could only see Lu  Zhao’s tensed jaw. The woman looked cold and ruthless, a version of her Yunxia had never seen before.

Yet, Yunxia felt no fear; instead, her heart felt more settled than ever. The person she loved had not given up on her! Yunxia slowly reached out and hugged Lu  Zhao’s waist tightly, carefully pressing her face against her chest. She remained obedient as they thundered forward.

Feeling the person in her arms yield and carefully lean closer, Lu  Zhao felt the majority of her anger dissipate. A trace of a smile unconsciously flickered on her lips, and her arms tightened around the girl.

Upon entering the Regent’s Mansion, Lu  Zhao dismounted and carefully lifted Yunxia down.

Yunxia struggled to get down on her own; after all, Lu  Zhao was still injured!

Lu  Zhao’s hand came down firmly, delivering two sharp swats to her backside. She said in a deep, displeased voice, “Xu Yunxia! Behave! Where else do you think you are going to run?”

Lu  Zhao had never spoken a harsh word to Yunxia. Even when she first entered the mansion, Lu  Zhao had always been gentle.

Stunned, Yunxia froze and stared at her in disbelief. Mist filled her eyes, and as her long lashes trembled, large tears began to fall.

Grievance, sorrow, and insecurity caused Yunxia to sob uncontrollably. She had never wanted to leave Lu  Zhao, but everyone said the Emperor had decreed a marriage for her and Song Jin. Furthermore, the Eldest Princess had pleaded so earnestly for her to leave. What could she have done? What right did she have to stay by her side?

Yunxia’s emotions finally found an outlet, and her tears would not stop. She did not understand why, in front of Lu Zhao, all her emotions and pretenses could be so easily discarded. She was simply very sad and felt very wronged; she wanted to tell her everything, whether it was joy or sorrow.

Lu  Zhao suddenly panicked. Large teardrops splashed onto her hands, making her own heart ache in response.

Lu  Zhao used her fingertips to wipe the tears from Yunxia’s face again and again. Seeing that Yunxia would not stop crying, she leaned down and kissed away the tears on her cheeks one by one. Her lips finally rested on Yunxia’s eyelids, brushing them softly like a feather across the heart, causing her to shiver.

Yunxia closed her eyes and felt her tenderness, her body going limp in the embrace. Lu  Zhao held her tightly and coaxed her in a low voice, “Xiaxia, do not leave me.” Her voice was enchanting, carrying an almost imperceptible plea.

In that instant, Yunxia thought of the Eldest Princess’s words.

“Xiaxia, think of Zhao’s situation.”

“Your departure is for the best of everyone.”

“Song Jin is the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Song. Her status is noble and will be of great benefit to  Zhao.”

Yunxia began to struggle violently, trying to break free from the embrace and pushing her away with all her might.

At some point, Yunxia heavily bumped into her shoulder. Lu  Zhao let out a sharp hiss of pain, her brows knitting together in agony. She doubled over, clutching her shoulder, but her hand still gripped the corner of Yunxia’s clothes tightly.

Seeing her in pain, her face pale as sweat beaded on her forehead, Yunxia was terrified. She quickly supported her and cried out anxiously, “Sister, are you alright? I did not mean it! Did I hit your wound?”

As Yunxia leaned in close, Lu  Zhao took the opportunity to wrap her arms around the girl’s waist, locking her firmly within her embrace. She rested her chin in the crook of Yunxia’s neck and nuzzled her. A flash of a successful smile crossed her dark eyes; Yunxia still cared for her!

“You! You were faking it just now!” Yunxia was exasperated. She should not have let her heart soften. Steeling herself, she gave Lu Zhao’s waist a sharp pinch.

“Hiss!” Lu Zhao did not dodge. She simply leaned her full weight against Yunxia, pinning her firmly against the door. Her soft lips brushed lightly against Yunxia’s neck. She let out a deep sigh and said with a nasal tone, “Xiaxia, I am truly injured. My body hurts, and my heart hurts too.”

Lu  Zhao paused, her voice tinged with grievance and a touch of acting spoiled. “Xiaxia, when I woke up and found you were gone. I was so heartbroken.”

Yunxia could no longer hold back. She slowly reached out both hands and hugged Lu  Zhao’s waist tightly. She said in a muffled voice, “They all said you were betrothed by the Emperor, and that you were going to have a Consort.”

“But,” Yunxia lowered her eyes, her spirits sinking as she choked out, “I could not even bring myself to say a single word of congratulations.”

Yunxia reached out a hand and pulled Lu  Zhao’s hand to rest over her heart. She looked at her with tear-filled eyes. “Sister, here… it truly hurts so much.”

Lu  Zhao’s fingertips trembled, her heart filled with self-reproach. It was her fault for not arranging everything properly; she had let her beloved suffer.

A mysterious emotion flickered in Lu  Zhao’s deep, dark eyes. She held the girl’s head, forcing her to tilt it up slightly, and said seriously, “Xiaxia, I only want you. The Emperor has not decreed a marriage. Even if he does, it will be for you and me. Believe me, alright?”

Yunxia stared blankly into Lu  Zhao’s eyes. They reflected a tiny version of herself, looking pitiable. Her hands at her sides tightly gripped the fabric of Lu Zhao’s waist.

Lu  Zhao pressed her lips together, her longing surging forth. With eyes full of tenderness, she said, “Xiaxia, it will not happen again.”

The cold door panel against her back reminded Yunxia to be sensible. But in her heart, she could not bear to leave even an inch. She could not help but close her tear-filled eyes.

Xu Yunxia, let it be. You cannot bear to leave her.