The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 7

“Sister, please have a bite!” Yunxia’s voice was soft and sweet, exceptionally pleasing to the ear.

Lu Zhao chuckled softly, lowering her head to take the delicate, exquisite pastry. Her soft tongue brushed against Yunxia’s fingertip, carrying a warm, moist sensation, and she deliberately ended with a light nip on the soft flesh of the finger, sending a shiver straight to Yunxia’s heart. Yunxia’s face flushed completely red.

Lu Zhao gazed at Yunxia, who was trembling like a quail, and laughed softly. This little girl’s attempt to curry favor was obvious, yet she hadn’t put much thought into it the pastry was clearly made by the cook from her own estate, but from her lips, it had become something she personally prepared.

Lu Zhao felt the urge to tease her a little, never expecting the girl to be so easily flustered. Watching her shy reaction lifted Lu Zhao’s spirits immensely. Having someone by her side didn’t seem so bad after all. For a moment, Lu Zhao understood why that fellow Gao Wenyuan enjoyed lingering among flowers there was indeed a certain pleasure in it.

Yingxue, standing nearby, watched wide-eyed. Her mistress could lie without so much as a tremble, claiming the pastry as her own without hesitation. And that charming way she fed the treat even if Yingxue practiced for ten more years, she could never pull it off. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, Ah, it seems the art of seduction truly requires innate talent!

Yingxue withdrew her hand, still feeling the warmth of Lu Zhao’s lips on her fingertip. Her face was now completely flushed, and she stammered, “Sis… Sister, you must be tired from playing chess alone? Niannian can play a tune for you.”

Lu Zhao casually took a seat opposite Yunxia, tapping the table with a bent finger. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Play the piece you’re most skilled at.”

Yunxia thought seriously for a while before replying, “In the past, whenever my elder sister was troubled, she always loved to hear me play ‘Return.’ She often said that in this life, wherever there is someone you love, that place is home.”

Lu Zhao asked offhandedly, “You have an elder sister at home?”

Thinking of Yunqiu, Yunxia couldn’t help but feel a wave of sorrow. A trace of melancholy clouded her brow as she replied dejectedly, “Yes, but my elder sister is in poor health and has always stayed at home.”

Lu Zhao gave a low hum of acknowledgment. “Is your elder sister in Yindu?”

Yunxia hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly.

Lu Zhao’s voice was deep and soothing. “One of these days, I’ll have the estate’s physician accompany you to check on her.”

A wave of warmth washed over Yunxia’s heart. This was one of the few acts of kindness she had encountered, and it came from someone as noble and proud as Lu Zhao.

Pressing her lips together, she nodded, a faint smile gracing her features as she lowered her head to pluck the strings of the qin. Her posture was upright and elegant, unlike her usual delicate and radiant self, carrying instead a sense of solemnity.

Melodious and moving music flowed from her slender fingertips. Lu Zhao watched Yunxia intently, her gaze profound and turbulent with hidden emotions. As far as she knew, Niannian of the Hongxiu Pavilion had lost both parents and had no siblings. So, who had sent this captivating beauty before her, and for what purpose? Was it related to the upcoming imperial examinations? Or perhaps the position of Minister of Revenue? Yindu was seething with undercurrents. Although the Emperor currently trusted her, she couldn’t afford to make a single misstep. Moreover, with her own hidden intentions, she needed to exercise even greater restraint. Otherwise, everything in the Princess’s estate could crumble.

As the final notes of the melody faded, Yunxia looked up with a smile, only to find a pair of dark, profound eyes fixed intently on her. Instantly, a thin layer of sweat dampened her palms. The surroundings fell into silence, leaving only the relentless, pounding rhythm of her own heartbeat thudding loudly in her ears.

Lu Zhao rose leisurely to her feet, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she looked down at her, speaking softly, “Nian Nian’s mastery of the qin has truly moved my heart.”

The summer breeze rustled gently, and Yunxia felt her face grow warm and flushed, her mind going blank. Tilting her small face upward, she stared blankly at Lu Zhao, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Seeing her dazed expression, Lu Zhao felt a sense of ease. No matter who had sent this girl, she would not escape her grasp.

Lu Zhao then flicked her fingers lightly against Yunxia’s forehead and chuckled, “Let’s go. It’s the Qixi Festival today. Come, take a walk with me.”

Yunxia let out a soft hiss, clutching her forehead as she shot Lu Zhao an annoyed glare. This woman had no sense of restraint it hurt so much!

Lu Zhao chose the most inconspicuous carriage in the backyard and led Yunxia out. Yunxia still wore a veil over her face and, as soon as she boarded the carriage, leaned softly against Lu Zhao’s side. Her hands stealthily wrapped around Lu Zhao’s waist, and when she wasn’t refused, she pressed even closer. Her delicate lips brushed near Lu Zhao’s ear, her breath warm and fragrant like orchids, “Sister, Nian Nian loves being with you so much.”

The warmth of Yunxia’s breath seeped into Lu Zhao’s ear, sending a tingling sensation through her. A pleasant fragrance wafted to her nose, and the softness of Yunxia’s body gently brushed against her side. Lu Zhao’s heart trembled slightly, and she suppressed the strange, tingling feeling that arose. Raising an eyebrow, she asked with a composed expression, “Why are you still wearing the veil today?”

Yunxia twisted the handkerchief in her hands and mumbled, “If I ever leave the Regent’s Manor someday, perhaps this veil will help me enter another noble household.”

Lu Zhao’s gaze darkened as she grasped Yunxia’s small hand, her tone turning cold, “What? After entering my home, you still think of entering someone else’s?”

A blush crept across Yunxia’s face and neck. She turned her head away, avoiding Lu Zhao’s gaze, and whispered, “That Miss Song from the Song family has feelings for you. Once she enters the Regent’s Manor, where will there be a place for me? Besides, Nian Nian. will never be a concubine.”

As she spoke, the corners of Yunxia’s eyes gradually reddened. Her own mother had been a concubine, trapped in a life of helplessness. She and her sister had suffered so much because of it kneeling for hours in the snow, enduring beatings and scoldings from Xu Ruoxiang and the main wife. She never wanted to experience that oppressive despair again.

Lu Zhao pinched her chin and turned her face toward her, pressing a fingertip to the reddened corner of Yunxia’s eye. She chuckled softly, “Why are you crying now?”

Yunxia stubbornly bit her lip, her beautiful fox-like eyes wide open, refusing to let the tears fall. In a soft voice, she said, “Nian Nian’s heart aches at the thought of Sister being with someone else. Sister, please be good to Nian Nian, won’t you? In the past. Nian Nian suffered so much”

Her words, half-truth and half-feigned, were spoken with deep emotion. As she spoke, she swung a leg over and straddled Lu Zhao’s lap, placing her hands on Lu Zhao’s shoulders. In an instant, Yunxia was half a head taller, looking down at Lu Zhao with lowered eyes, her long lashes dotted with glistening tears that refused to fall, a picture of pitiable beauty.

Lu Zhao’s eyes flickered with emotion, her heart feeling as though it had been scalded. She hadn’t intended to explain, but seeing Yunxia’s tears, she felt flustered and, as if possessed, blurted out, “I have no relationship with that Song Jin. I will not marry her, nor do I have any plans to marry anyone else for now.”

Yunxia lowered her gaze, concealing her disappointment. If he wouldn’t marry anyone else, of course he wouldn’t marry her either. Ah, the road ahead was long, when would he ever hold her in his heart?

The carriage jolted to an abrupt halt, sending Yunxia lurching forward. Luzhao swiftly wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her tightly against him. As his palm brushed against her soft skin, his breathing quickened. Yunxia let out a delicate gasp, her voice unusually tender and melodious.

Xigui, standing outside, blushed at the sound of that soft “Ah~”. This Miss Niannian was far too passionate! In broad daylight, no less he wondered if his master could handle it. Ah, as the old saying goes, “The hardest to bear is a beauty’s favor.” How true those ancient words were!

Clearing his throat, Xigui spoke respectfully, “Master, Prince Rui has sent an invitation for you to dine with him at Moonlit Pavilion. He mentioned that Miss Niannian could first visit the jewelry shop to pick out some items. He will send someone to fetch her later.”

“Understood,” Luzhao replied in a deep voice. His gaze intense, he lifted his eyes to her and gently brushed a strand of hair from Yunxia’s temple, his tone softening. “Be good. I’ll take you shopping first buy whatever you like.”

Yunxia’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. Luzhao’s gaze was profoundly deep, and whenever he looked at her with such focus, it gave her the illusion of being cherished.

Her heart raced uncontrollably. Burying her face in his shoulder, she nodded meekly.

After Luzhao left, Yunxia patted her cheeks and murmured despondently, “Xu Yunxia, what are you hoping for? Know your place! Don’t follow in Mother’s footsteps. He’s a lofty imperial relative, what are you to him? Don’t indulge in vain hopes. Focus on seeking revenge and taking Sister away from here that’s all you should be thinking about!”