The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 4

Lu Zhao watched the performance for a while, idly playing with the wine cup on the table. Suddenly, she stood up and said indifferently, “I’m going out for some air.”

She paced out of the hall with measured steps. She was taller than the average woman, and her commanding aura as a high-ranking official exerted a powerful pressure on those around her. Though she carried a faint smile, it was tinged with a cold detachment that made her seem unapproachable.

After Lu Zhao left, Wenyuan shook his head and sighed, “Tsk, tsk. To have such a beauty by her side and still feel the need to go out for ‘air’—she truly has no appreciation for romance.”

Wenyuan tapped the wine cup on the table and smiled. “Little beauty, why don’t you come over to me instead?”

Yun Xia’s cheeks flushed crimson. Fortunately, her veil hid her trepidation. Her hands gripped the fabric of her dance skirt tightly as she shook her head gently, saying softly, “Nian Nian only wishes to stay by the Regent’s side…”

Wenyuan drained his cup in one gulp, a trace of scrutiny appearing in his eyes. “Oh?” he hummed, the trailing tone suggesting a hint of suspicion.

After a long while, Lu Zhao had still not returned. Wenyuan reclined lazily as a performer fed him grapes. His phoenix-like eyes remained fixed on Yun Xia. The girl in the crimson dress, her face veiled, possessed a pair of fox-like eyes that were utterly captivating. Her dance attire was thin and daring, failing to hide her graceful curves, and she sat with her back perfectly straight. Despite her provocative clothing, she radiated a sense of restraint and fear—as if she weren’t someone actually trained in the world of pleasure.

Wenyuan tilted his head with a cold smirk. His mind raced through the political complexities of the court. Every faction wanted to win Lu Zhao over; could this “Nian Nian” be a plant from one of the other princes?

Eventually, Wenyuan called out to Lu Zhao’s guard, Xi Gui. “Little Xi, has your master gotten lost in my manor? Why hasn’t she returned?”

The corner of Xi Gui’s mouth twitched imperceptibly. Prince Rui was notorious for his teasing. His master possessed a photographic memory; forget a small manor, she could draw a map of a neighboring country after walking through it once. This was clearly a slight against her.

Hiding his thoughts, Xi Gui replied respectfully, “Your Highness, I shall go find her at once.”

Yun Xia, growing anxious and fearing Lu Zhao might leave without a word, looked up immediately. “I will go with you to find the Regent.”

The smile in Wenyuan’s eyes deepened. Before Xi Gui could speak, he said loudly, “Little Xi, take her with you.” He then threw a wink at the guard. “Learn to anticipate your master’s needs. Go on!”

Song Jin’s eyes were filled with disdain. “Prince Rui, do not misunderstand,” she said contemptuously. “The Regent is as pure as the wind and moon; how could a woman of the streets ever catch her eye?”

Gao Wenyuan snapped his folding fan open and fanned himself, smiling with feigned wisdom. “Miss Song, you don’t understand. An ordinary woman might not move her, but such a peerless beauty? That remains to be seen.”

Looking at Yun Xia’s slender neck and snow-white skin, Song Jin watched as the crimson dress accentuated the girl’s stunning figure. She couldn’t help but curse internally—What a temptress!

Xi Gui’s temples throbbed. Prince Rui truly loved causing trouble just for the sport of it.

Xi Gui led the way, with Yun Xia following silently behind. They found Lu Zhao standing in a pavilion in the courtyard. She seemed to have been there for a long time, lost in thought.

The hazy summer moonlight draped over her. In her light blue robes, she looked elegant and refined, standing as upright as a pine or bamboo. From a distance, she possessed an indescribable air of haughty coldness.

For some reason, the moment Yun Xia saw that silhouette, her heart began to race. Her palms grew damp with sweat, and all the rehearsed lines she had prepared vanished. She could only stare at the woman blankly.

“Xi Gui, let us return.” Lu Zhao’s voice was calm and steady. She did not turn around, unaware that Yun Xia had followed.

Seeing that Lu Zhao hadn’t turned, Xi Gui hesitated, stammering, “Master… um… Lady Nian Nian…”

Lu Zhao turned in confusion, only then noticing the small figure standing in the moonlight behind Xi Gui. Though her face was partially hidden, the girl’s fox-like eyes were heart-wrenching—shimmering as if veiled by mist, staring at Lu Zhao without blinking, as if accusing her of abandonment.

For a moment, Lu Zhao felt a strange sense of intoxication, her heart fluttering unnaturally. She suppressed the inexplicable surge of emotion. Years in the court had taught her restraint; that tiny spark was like a pebble thrown into the ocean—it caused a few ripples before being swallowed by the depths.

Her expression remained cold as she looked at Yun Xia. “Lady, go back to where you came from. The Regent’s Manor is no place for you.”

Upon hearing those words, Yun Xia’s blood seemed to freeze. Her face turned deathly pale, the mist in her eyes thickened, and her body swayed. A single thought echoed in her mind: I failed. She hadn’t caught Lu Zhao’s eye. What would happen now? What about her sister? Who would help her seek revenge?

In a sudden burst of desperation, Yun Xia lunged toward the tall figure. She threw her arms around Lu Zhao’s waist, burying her face in the woman’s chest. “Sister, take Nian Nian with you!” she cried out. “Nian Nian has admired you for so long. I don’t want to be entangled with those heartless men anymore!”

Lu Zhao felt her arms suddenly full of a soft, lithe body. The girl’s softness pressed against her, and a faint, clean fragrance filled her senses. It was surprisingly pleasant. Lu Zhao felt her blood rush to her face, her heart thumping like a drum, and her entire body stiffened.

After a moment, Lu Zhao regained her breath and raised her hands to push the girl away. Sensing the movement, Yun Xia gripped her even tighter. She looked up with her beautiful, tear-filled eyes. “Sister, save Nian Nian! If you don’t take me today, the madam will force me to please those disgusting men tomorrow. Nian Nian is unwilling… I beg of you…”

Thinking of the grim future where she and her sister might truly be forced by their father and stepmother to serve powerful men, Yun Xia felt a genuine surge of sorrow. Tears fell like broken strings of pearls. She cried with such grief that even she didn’t realize why she felt so wronged.

The veil covering her face had slipped off at some point. Under the moonlight, Lu Zhao gazed down at the girl in her arms. Her pure, innocent face was covered in tear tracks, her nose and cheeks flushed red—she looked like a bullied child, utterly pitiable. Her small, fair hands clung to Lu Zhao’s waist as she looked up, shaking her head piteously.

As Lu Zhao’s gaze drifted to the girl’s crimson lips, a soft spot in her heart was struck. She hesitated for a moment, then sighed, her voice unconsciously softening. “Stop crying. You may come back with me.”

Xi Gui stood nearby, eyes wide with shock. His master usually couldn’t stand being touched—even an accidental brush by a stranger would result in hours of disdain. But as he looked at the girl’s exquisite figure, a look of realization dawned on his face.

So, the Regent likes this type…