The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 41

Early the next morning, Yunxia was sound asleep, her fair, delicate arms exposed outside the covers. Over the past few days, her mind had been restless, her emotions turbulent, and she hadn’t had a single good night’s sleep. But as soon as Lu Zhao returned yesterday and nestled in her embrace, Yunxia had drifted off.

Lu Zhao had to enter the palace to see the emperor today, but he couldn’t bear to wake Yunxia. He simply leaned down and gently brushed his lips against hers. After leaving, he instructed Yingxue, who was waiting in the outer chamber, “Don’t wake the young lady. Let her sleep a little longer. No matter who comes, if she hasn’t woken up, have them wait outside.”

After a moment’s thought, Lu Zhao added, “Even if the Eldest Princess comes, it’s the same.”

Yingxue lowered her head obediently and nodded, though inwardly she couldn’t help but grumble, The master truly cherishes this young lady, holding her in the highest regard. If the Eldest Princess heard this, wouldn’t she be green with envy? And what about that Miss Song, who’s so eager to enter the prince’s residence? I wonder what she’d think!

By the time Yunxia woke, it was nearly noon. She half-opened her eyes, still dazed, and called out softly, “Sister, sister.”

Yingxue, who had been waiting in the outer chamber, hurried in as soon as she heard the sound. Her eyes fell upon Yunxia’s sleepy, languid charm her rosy lips slightly pouted, her delicate bosom partly revealed, the thin inner robe unable to conceal her alluring figure. A faint, elusive fragrance drifted to Yingxue’s nose.

In an instant, Yingxue’s face flushed crimson, and she felt something warm slowly trickling down.

Startled, Yunxia widened her eyes, hastily pulled her clothes together, and rushed over. She pressed a handkerchief to Yingxue’s face, asking with concern, “Yingxue, what’s wrong with you? Sit down quickly.”

Embarrassed, Yingxue tilted her head back, not daring to look directly at Yunxia, and mumbled, “Young lady, it’s nothing, nothing at all. Perhaps the weather is just too dry.”

Confused, Yunxia leaned in closer to check on her.

As Yunxia drew near, that faint, elusive fragrance lingered around Yingxue’s nose, making her freeze in panic. Oh heavens! How can I possibly say I was moved to tears by the young lady’s beauty? This is just too embarrassing! No wonder the master is so devoted to her, who could resist this?

Seeing Yingxue sitting motionless with her head tilted back, Yunxia tapped her lightly on the head and laughed, “Sit here for a while. I’ll go change first.”

By the time Yunxia had changed and come out, Yingxue had already set out the morning meal. When she looked up, her eyes were filled with awe.

Yunxia was wearing a light blue gown with a pale-colored vest over it, her slender, snow-white neck exposed. Her dark, lively eyes were exceptionally pure and captivating.

Yingxue’s heart sank. It’s over, it’s over. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen the young lady, so why does my heart always race like this? If the master finds out, will he send me away?

Unaware of Yingxue’s inner turmoil, Yunxia sat down and smiled. “Yingxue, what’s going on with you today?”

Yingxue lowered her head, her mood somewhat downcast. “Young lady, I’m just so happy to see you back! The master went to the palace early this morning and specifically instructed me to take good care of you. After you left, I didn’t dare stay alone at the Xu residence, so I secretly returned to the Prince Regent’s residence. The servants all said the master was going to marry Miss Song, and I cried several times in secret.”

Touched, Yunxia took Yingxue’s hand and comforted her, “Silly Yingxue, haven’t I returned?”

Yingxue suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, “Oh, I almost forgot! Madam Wanning came looking for you this morning. Before leaving, the master instructed that no one should disturb your sleep, so I nearly forgot to tell you!”

Yunxia quickly ate a few bites of food and brought some of her handmade incense pills to find Wanning.

In the courtyard.

Wanning was speaking with Gao Han, “Sister Han, Zhaozhao has grown up. Let her be.”

Gao Han tightened her grip on the teacup, saying angrily, “Aning, Lu Xiaozhao is far too headstrong! Look at what she’s done in Yindu! First, she kept an actor, and then she got involved with the third daughter of the Vice Minister of Works a mere concubine-born girl! Now she insists on marrying no one but her! And who is Xu Xin? A petty man! The kind who would sell his own concubine for personal gain!”

Wanning gently patted her hand and said soothingly, “Sister Han, you must trust A’zhao’s judgment. Since she was young, she’s always had high standards, how could just anyone catch her eye?”

This only made Gao Han angrier. She slammed the cup onto the table and retorted, “High standards? She’s just bewitched by that girl’s looks! She’s rejecting well-bred daughters from noble, scholarly families in favor of someone from an insignificant household!”

Wanning covered her mouth and chuckled. “Sister Han, forgive me for saying this, but don’t be upset. Weren’t you also captivated by the Prince Consort’s good looks back in the day? Zhaozhao takes after you.”

Gao Han couldn’t help but laugh at this, pinching Wanning’s waist playfully. “You’re teasing me now! How annoying! If the Emperor bestows a marriage upon Lu Xiaozhao, she’ll have to accept it whether she wants to or not! How is that the same as my situation?”

Just then, Yunxia entered the courtyard and saw the Princess and an elegant, beautiful woman playfully bickering.

The woman wore a simple jade hairpin holding her hair in place, her eyes curved gently with warmth. Dressed in a creamy white outer robe, her every movement exuded grace and nobility.

Yunxia guessed this must be her sister’s teacher’s wife. She approached obediently and bowed respectfully to the Princess and Wanning, her cheeks flushed with shyness as she said, “Princess, Madam, Xiaxia pays her respects.”

Wanning looked up and examined the beautiful young girl. Her voice was soft and sweet, her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly furrowed in a way that evoked tenderness. Most captivating were her eyes dark, sparkling, and profound, enough to stir one’s heart with a single glance.

Wanning raised an eyebrow at Gao Han, her eyes filled with unconcealed admiration. She smiled faintly, thinking, This is exactly the kind of beauty Zhaozhao would be drawn to.

Yunxia took out two exquisitely carved nanmu boxes and handed them to the two women, saying softly, “Princess, Madam, these are incense pills I made myself. Please try them they release a delicate fragrance when steeped in water.”

Gao Han did not take the box, still harboring some resentment. They had agreed to send her away, yet here she was, living in the Regent’s Palace! If it weren’t for Lu Zhao’s resistance to the imperial marriage decree, would she have gotten injured?

Ignoring Gao Han, Wanning accepted both boxes. She picked up one of the pills and brought it to her nose, inhaling a light, floral scent that carried hints of various blossoms without being overwhelming.

Wanning asked curiously, “What are these made of? How can they carry so many fragrances without being cloying?”

Yunxia lowered her gaze demurely and replied, “They’re made from dried and crushed petals of flowers from all four seasons, kneaded together into incense pills. If you like them, Madam, I can make other varieties for you next time.”

Gao Han cast a brief, indifferent glance her way, and Yunxia immediately added in a placating tone, “I will send some to the Princess as well.”

Gao Han straightened her sleeves and stood up, her voice cold as she declared, “These little trinkets won’t win me over. Lu Zhao was poisoned and injured because of you. I made myself perfectly clear to you a few days ago, yet you still remain by her side. You must forgive me, as her mother, for finding it difficult to like you!”

Wan Ning tugged gently at Gao Han’s sleeve and whispered, “Sister Han…”

Yunxia bit her lip, feeling Gao Han’s words pierce her heart like daggers. Still, she mustered her resolve and lifted her tear-filled eyes, speaking each word deliberately: “Your Highness, the greatest fortune of my life has been meeting my sister. I dare not forget what you’ve said to me, but life is long, and no matter how treacherous the path ahead may be, I will walk it by her side.” q”I am both her weakness and her armor.” Yunxia’s voice was tender yet resolute, her back straight as she clenched her lower lip firmly.

Lu Zhao had appeared behind Yunxia at some point. After Yunxia finished speaking, she let out a light laugh and looked triumphantly at Gao Han. “Mother, His Majesty has entrusted me with a task. Once I complete it, he will bestow a marriage upon Xiaxia and me.”

Gao Han snorted coldly. “You certainly are a devoted soul, rushing into marriage before you’ve even fully recovered. I no longer have the face to see Grand Tutor Song again. When the spring selection begins next year, if the Grand Tutor’s household sends Song Jin into the palace, you’ll have to tread carefully from then on!”

Lu Zhao wrapped an arm around Wan Ning’s shoulders and said nonchalantly, “I can handle such matters. Please make yourselves at home, Mother and Shiniang. Xiaxia and I will take our leave first.”

Wan Ning watched the two embrace and depart, shaking her head with a faint smile as she remarked to Gao Han, “Oh, you just let them be.”