The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 42

Lu Zhao held Yunxia’s hand as they hurried through the mansion’s long corridor toward her room.

The lingering glow of the sunset enveloped Lu Zhao, the breeze gently lifting the strands of hair tied behind her head. Her figure was tall and graceful.

A faint smile played on Yunxia’s lips as she felt the firm grip on her hand, allowing herself to be led all the way back to the room.

As soon as they entered, Yunxia felt her body lifted into the air. Lu Zhao swept her up into her arms and carried her toward the bed. Yunxia gasped in surprise, burying her face in Lu Zhao’s chest, too shy to look up.

Lu Zhao gently laid her down, her smiling face appearing before Yunxia’s eyes. She pressed her forehead against Yunxia’s, her voice tender and affectionate, “Xiaxia, you have no idea how happy I was to hear you say that to Mother.”

Yunxia wrapped her delicate, boneless arms around Lu Zhao’s neck, tilting her head back to reveal her slender neck. With a charming tone, she asked, “Am I your weakness and your armor, Sister?”

Lu Zhao didn’t answer. Instead, her cool, soft lips traced a path from Yunxia’s brow, eyelids, and the bridge of her nose, finally hovering over her crimson lips. She pressed and explored gently, savoring the essence that was uniquely Yunxia’s.

“Xiaxia, Xiaxia…” Lu Zhao murmured her name in a daze, her voice filled with reluctance and deep attachment.

Yunxia’s mind grew hazy, her body melting like soft water. Her arms slipped down at some point, her small hands helplessly clutching the embroidered quilt beneath her.

Under the hibiscus canopy lay a face as delicate as a weeping beauty, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. Lu Zhao’s nimble fingers roamed over her body, eliciting tremors of pleasure.

When Yunxia’s robes were half undone, Lu Zhao paused, looking down at the blushing young woman beneath her. Softly, she said, “Xiaxia, the Emperor has agreed to grant us a marriage decree once I return from Changzhou.”

Yunxia shyly turned her head away, murmuring a soft “Mm,” not daring to meet her gaze.

Lu Zhao sighed, wrapping Yunxia tightly in the embroidered quilt and pulling her into an embrace. “The journey to Changzhou is fraught with danger. Stay here and wait for me. I’ll be back in at most six months.”

Yunxia looked at her in shock, her eyes instantly reddening. Her fair, slender arms slipped out from the quilt and wrapped tightly around Lu Zhao’s waist. Her voice trembling with emotion, she insisted, “No! I want to go with you! I don’t want to be apart from you.”

Though Lu Zhao’s tone remained gentle, it carried an unyielding firmness. “Xiaxia, be good. I’ll return soon. This time, I’ll leave Xi Gui here to protect you. Nothing will happen. Just wait for me obediently.”

Pouting, Yunxia twisted her body and climbed onto Lu Zhao, clinging to her coquettishly. “Sister, I want to go with you. You haven’t fully recovered yet, and now you’re heading to Changzhou. I’m worried.”

Yunxia’s long, slender legs wrapped tightly around Lu Zhao’s waist as she settled onto Lu Zhao’s lap. Her delicate hands pressed against Lu Zhao’s shoulders, and she nuzzled listlessly into the crook of Lu Zhao’s neck, occasionally nibbling on her earlobe as she pleaded in a whining tone, “Sister, Sister Please take Xiaxia with you!”

Lu Zhao’s body stiffened, her dark eyes turbulent with restrained desire. Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on Yunxia’s waist, her voice hoarse and strained. “Xiaxia be good.”

Yunxia, seeing her unmoved, began to fidget restlessly with her small hands, tugging haphazardly at the waistband of Lu Zhao’s robe. Her eyes, seductive as silk threads, fixed on Lu Zhao. “Sister, if you don’t take Xiaxia with you, won’t you miss me?”

With a sudden “boom,” something seemed to explode in Lu Zhao’s mind. In one swift motion, she flipped Yunxia beneath her, gently brushing aside the stray strands of hair on her forehead. Her gaze burned intensely. “Xiaxia, I will miss you, but I’m even more afraid of putting you in danger. Be good.”

Tears welled up instantly in Yunxia’s eyes. Even after all this, this person remained unmoved was her heart made of stone? Furious, she opened her mouth and bit down on Lu Zhao’s finger.

Lu Zhao understood her fear and reluctance to part, allowing her to act out as she pleased. Softly, she comforted her, “Xiaxia, be good, don’t worry. Wen Yuan will accompany me. There’s no danger, and I’ll return soon.”

Yunxia pushed her away, ignoring her words, her nose red as she muttered sullenly, “If you leave, I’ll go out and look at other pretty sisters! In this vast Yin Capital, there’s bound to be someone better than you.”

Lu Zhao pinched her cheek. “I’ll deal with you when I get back!”

Yunxia, pouting angrily, refused to speak to her again. That night, no matter how Lu Zhao tried to coax her, it was useless. Yunxia crawled early to the inner side of the bed, turning her back to her.

For several days in a row, Yunxia tried every trick acting cute, throwing tantrums but Lu Zhao never relented. Changzhou was seething with public resentment, rife with collusion between officials and merchants, and with the Yang family there as well, she couldn’t bring herself to take Yunxia along.

On the day of Lu Zhao’s departure, she rose early, moving quietly so as not to disturb Yunxia. Before stepping out of the room, she glanced back at the small figure lying with its back to her, then walked forward reluctantly. This girl claims she can’t bear to part with me, yet on the day I leave, she sleeps so soundly. Shaking her head helplessly, Lu Zhao left.

Yunxia hadn’t slept a wink that night. The moment she felt the other person leave, she scrambled up, changed into the servant’s clothes she had prepared earlier, and stealthily followed.

Yingxue hurried after her in a panic, calling out loudly, “Miss, miss, come back quickly!”

Yunxia immediately covered Yingxue’s mouth, winking her beautiful eyes and pretending to be fierce. “Don’t shout! Keep your voice down! Just pretend you didn’t see me. I’ll blend into sister’s entourage. Once we’re out of Yin Capital, she won’t be able to do anything about it!”

Frowning, Yunxia lowered her voice threateningly, “If you keep shouting, I’ll find Xi Gui a wife! I really do have a sister named Niannian young and beautiful!”

Tears welled in Yingxue’s eyes as she stammered, “Miss, you’re so heartless! I’ve been so good to you, and you’d give Xi Gui to someone else?”

Yunxia ruffled her hair vigorously. “Stop crying, stop crying! Go back and pretend to be me, lie in bed for a while, and fool Xi Gui for now, okay?”

“When I return, I’ll reward you handsomely!” With a wave, Yunxia scampered off cheerfully. She needed to hurry and blend into the group. If her sister wouldn’t take her, she’d follow on her own. Hmph!

Lu Zhao mounted her horse and glanced back at the manor, a bitter smile playing on her lips. It’s really time to go, and it’s me who’s reluctant. With all the commotion in the front courtyard, she didn’t even wake to see me off. It seems she’s truly angry this time. Ah, I’ll just have to coax her when I return.

Wen Yuan, noticing her expression, casually tugged on his reins, leaning back as he teased, “Lu Xiaozhao, you look so reluctant to part just like a woman!”

Lu Zhao shot a sidelong glance, his voice icy as he spoke, “I am indeed a woman. If you keep running your mouth, I won’t mind making you my ‘sister’ from now on.”

Wen Yuan’s eyes widened in horror, and he forced a laugh, “No, no, no! I’ll shut up. You’re the boss!”

The group walked along the deserted streets of Yindu. Unnoticed, a masked youth had begun trailing at the rear of the procession, while a handsome young servant secretly hid himself in the middle carriage.

As they approached the city gate, a delicate young woman stood waiting in the chill of the early autumn morning, her nose red from the cold.

Spotting Lu Zhao’s party approaching from afar, the woman gracefully bowed and said in a soft voice, “Sister Zhao… A-Jin has been waiting here for you. I made these with my own hands for you to enjoy on your journey.”

Song Jin presented an exquisitely crafted food box, lifting her head to gaze at Lu Zhao with hopeful eyes.

Lu Zhao frowned almost imperceptibly and replied coldly, “Miss Song, that won’t be necessary. My journey is long, and carrying such things would be inconvenient. Please take it back.”

Unwilling to accept this, Song Jin bit her lip, her misty eyes fixed tenderly on Lu Zhao. “Does Sister Zhao despise A-Jin so much?”

Lu Zhao was baffled, assuming that the near-imperial marriage arrangement might have caused some misunderstanding. Not wanting to offend the Grand Tutor’s household, she dismounted and lowered her voice so only the two could hear: “Miss Song, I already have someone in my heart, and His Majesty did not decree our marriage. There’s no need for this. Regarding your care for me, both the Princess’s estate and the Regent’s mansion will repay you with due courtesy.”

Hearing Lu Zhao’s detached words, Song Jin staggered, supported by her maid. Tears immediately streamed from her eyes, making her appear utterly pitiable.