The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 45

Lu Zhao sighed, her gaze burning as she looked at Yunxia. “Xia Xia, do you really not understand? Out of all the people in the world, I only want you!”

Yunxia froze in place. The candle in the room crackled, and everything around them seemed to vanish, leaving only Lu Zhao, so close at hand. In an instant, her heart pounded like a drum, tears still streaking her face as her fingers curled slightly.

Lu Zhao leaned in and gently wiped the tears from the corners of Yunxia’s eyes, her voice soft. “Don’t cry. Tomorrow, you’ll still disguise yourself as Lu Xia and stay by my side, but you’re not allowed to let anyone else hold you, understand?”

Yunxia’s lips parted slightly. Lu Zhao lowered her head and pressed a kiss to them, the scent of wine rushing straight to Yunxia’s mind, making her feel as if she, too, were about to become intoxicated.

Lu Zhao nuzzled her cheek, her voice hoarser than ever. “Xia Xia the journey to Changzhou is fraught with danger, I…”

Yunxia abruptly tightened her arms around Lu Zhao’s waist, burying her face in her chest, her voice muffled. “Sister, I just want to be with you. I’m not afraid of danger.”

Lu Zhao tightened her embrace, lifted Yunxia horizontally, and carried her toward the bed. Stroking the hair on her head, she said in a husky voice, “Alright, you rest first. We have to set off early tomorrow morning.”

Yunxia suddenly grabbed the hem of her clothes, her voice pitiful. “Sister, where are you going? Don’t leave.”

Lu Zhao looked at her pale little hand and inwardly sighed. She felt a bit dizzy and wanted to step outside to clear her head. She was truly afraid she might lose control.

Yunxia leaned forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Lu Zhao’s waist from behind, pressing her face firmly against her back. Her voice was both delicate and alluring. “Sister, don’t go Xia Xia is willing.”

In that instant, a string in Lu Zhao’s mind seemed to snap with a crack. Behind her was the scorching warmth of Yunxia’s body, and a faint, elusive fragrance drifted to her nose.

The evening’s wine had left Lu Zhao slightly intoxicated. Her breathing grew heavier, her fingertips trembling faintly as she asked in a hoarse voice, “Xia Xia, do you know what you’re saying?”

Yunxia spoke urgently, “Sister, be with Xia Xia!” Her tone carried a hint of desperation, along with a barely noticeable unease and grievance.

Earlier that day, seeing Lu Zhao standing with Song Jin had left Yunxia feeling downcast. Then, hearing Lu Zhao’s confession all she wanted was to truly be with her. She didn’t want to care about anything else. If it was Lu Zhao, Yunxia thought, she was willing.

Lu Zhao’s eyes darkened, and she turned to gaze intently at Yunxia.

Yunxia’s cheeks flushed crimson, her toes curling nervously. Every cell in her body screamed for closeness, for more. Seeing Lu Zhao hesitate, she mustered her courage, wrapped her arms around Lu Zhao’s neck, and looked at her with shimmering, radiant eyes. Smiling, she said, “Sister, do you really have no feelings for Xia Xia at all? Do you really not want to be close to Xia Xia?”

Lu Zhao’s hand on her waist tightened abruptly. Where had this little girl learned such bold words?

Yunxia’s body trembled slightly. Her small hands, imitating Lu Zhao’s actions, began to wander restlessly over Lu Zhao’s body. With reddened eyes, she cried out, “Sister, I don’t want anything else. I just want to be with you! Are you going to be with that Miss Song instead.”

Lu Zhao gently restrained Yunxia’s wandering hands and coaxed her softly, “Xia Xia, there is no Miss Song. You are the only one my heart desires. Don’t you understand yet? You don’t need to try to please me in any way. Just by standing there, I will come to you.”

Yunxia fell into a deep sleep amidst Lu Zhao’s soft, repeated coaxing.

Grand Tutor’s Residence.

Song Jin watched Lu Zhao’s procession exit the city gates, then tugged at the Grand Tutor’s sleeve and whined, “Grandfather, why hasn’t the imperial decree been issued yet?”

The Grand Tutor’s aged face was stern, his bony hand trembling slightly as he sighed. “I’m old now, and no one listens to me anymore. This Regent King is not someone you can control. Our family may not be able to secure an alliance with her. Perhaps we should consider other candidates?”

Song Jin, unwilling to accept this, shook her head so fiercely that the pearl hairpins in her hair swayed violently. She pushed the Grand Tutor away angrily and said, “Is this how Grandfather treats my marriage? If I cannot marry Lu Zhao, I will dash myself to death against the gates of the Regent King’s residence!”

The Grand Tutor leaned on his cane, scolding her in frustration. “What is so good about Lu Zhao? Has she bewitched you so completely? She set off for Changzhou today, and no one knows when she will return. The Emperor’s decree has been delayed, and there may already be unforeseen changes!”

Song Jin retorted defiantly, “Grandfather, if she’s not here, I will go keep the Eldest Princess company. The Eldest Princess approves of this marriage, so I can still enter the Regent King’s residence!” She knew that Lu Zhao was merely infatuated with the Third Miss of the Xu family. Wasn’t there still Xu Ruoxiang, her lackey? She was not afraid of dealing with that Third Miss!

The Grand Tutor stamped his cane heavily several times. “Since childhood, you’ve preferred women, and that was never a big issue. But why must you fixate on that arrogant Lu Zhao? Even if the Eldest Princess agrees, does that guarantee the marriage will happen? Lu Zhao has secured her position as Regent King not only through her uncle and mother but also through her ruthless and merciless tactics in court. How could a young girl like you outmaneuver her?”

Song Jin clung to the Grand Tutor’s arm and muttered, “Grandfather, please trust Jin’er! The Eldest Princess truly likes me. Even if I cannot become the principal consort, I would be content as a secondary consort.”

The Grand Tutor pondered for a moment and said, “In that case, we must ensure Lu Zhao’s trip to Changzhou does not go too smoothly. If she returns successfully, the first thing she will likely do is ask the Emperor to reject the marriage!”

He rubbed his cane thoughtfully. “We should send a message to the Yang family in advance. Changzhou is currently like an iron fortress, with officials and merchants colluding. If the Yang family wants to make things difficult for her, the local authorities will not obey her commands.”

Song Jin asked, “Grandfather, please do not harm her life. Jin’er only wants to prevent her from marrying that Third Miss of the Xu family.”

The Grand Tutor replied slowly, “Don’t worry, I understand.”

If Song Jin married into the Regent King’s residence, she could secure Lu Zhao’s support for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince and Prince Qing were locked in a rivalry, and as the Crown Prince’s tutor, the Grand Tutor knew that, for the sake of the Crown Prince and the Song family, Song Jin must marry into the Regent King’s household.