Chapter 100: Taking the Initiative – “I want to go to the front study.”

When Cui Ying returned to the Marquis's residence, it was already late at night.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard of Qiyun Pavilion, she said to Cuijin, "Prepare water, I want to take a bath."

Cui Jin was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously asked, "Does Miss still want to take a cold shower?"

Cuijin wondered how many worries her daughter had been having lately. She felt that the number of times her daughter took cold showers was alarming. It was only because she was young and healthy that she was able to avoid such treatments; otherwise, an ordinary girl would have developed health problems from such frequent cold showers long ago.

"No cold water," Cui Ying casually took off the hairpins and tossed them into Cui Jin's hand. She blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering. "We need hot water today. Remember to sprinkle plenty of flower petal scented balls into it, choose the rose scent."

Cui Jin was stunned for a moment, then said blankly, "Miss, what are you going to do..."

Cui Ying chuckled: "Just as you think."

Cui Jin immediately understood and happily went to make the preparations.

Before long, a rich, warm steam filled the room, carrying with it the fragrant aroma of flowers.

Cui Ying took off her clothes, stepped onto a footstool, and slowly immersed herself in the hot water sprinkled with flower petals.

The moment my skin touched the hot water, I shivered involuntarily, but after the shiver subsided, an indescribable sense of relaxation coursed through my body, and my bones felt soft.

Cui Ying let out a satisfied sigh, rested her head on the edge of the tub, and completely relaxed.

In the misty steam, her originally fair skin was flushed with a rich pink, like fine mutton fat jade tinged with the glow of the evening sun. Her long, black hair was wet, winding and clinging to her rounded shoulders and delicate collarbones. Amidst the rippling water, the faded kiss marks were faintly visible, mottled and reflected in the shimmering water.

Cui Ying clasped her hands together, scooped up a handful of hot water with flower petals, and gently poured it on her shoulders. The water droplets slid down her slender neck and soft chest, outlining an exceptionally full figure.

After soaking for about half an hour, Cui Ying finally stood up from the water, dried herself off, and began to carefully apply the perfume.

Actually, she always followed this routine when taking a bath, since it smelled nice and made her feel comfortable.

Perhaps it was because she couldn't help but fantasize about what would happen next, not only was her body flushed with an indelible rouge, but her fingertips were also slightly hot. The delicate balm melted on her fingertips before she could even apply it to her body.

As she put on her nightgown, Cui Jin tied the sash for her, smiling and saying, "You look beautiful today, Miss."

Is it pretty?

Cui Ying looked at herself in the mirror and saw that her black hair was like a waterfall, her face was fair and her cheeks were like peaches, and she was surrounded by a fragrance.

She exhaled softly, her breath carrying the sweet fragrance of flowers.

Oh no, this looks terrible.

Even a fool could tell what she was planning to do tonight.

However, she didn't want to hide it. Since she had already decided to do it, why not see it through to the end?

Cui Ying immediately said, "Bring me another pot of wine, the stronger kind."

I've soaked the wine in hot water and drunk it; tonight will definitely be successful.

Normally, Cuijin would have a thousand pieces of advice waiting for her, such as how drinking is bad for a young lady's health, and that strong liquor is especially forbidden. But today, she understood seven or eight parts of the situation. Not only did she not offer any advice, but she also agreed with exceptionally quickness: "Yes, this servant will go and get it right away."

The wine was poured into the cups, and its aroma filled the air.

Cui Ying originally only intended to take a small sip, but unexpectedly, the taste was quite good, so she took one sip after another, and before she knew it, she had eaten two or three cups.

As the aftereffects surged, Cui Ying's limbs and body felt weak and sore. Coupled with the fact that she had just taken a hot bath, her thoughts became even more muddled, like cotton soaked in water.

She decided not to force herself to stay awake, climbed into bed, pulled the covers over herself, and murmured, "Just a little while, just a little while..."

I reckon Xiao Qiyu will be back when I wake up.

Outside the window, dew pattered against the eaves; the night was quiet, and insects chirped softly.

Several streaks of candle wax appeared, and after an unknown amount of time, Cui Ying slowly woke up.

Her mind was hazy, and she called out to Cuijin, "What time is it?"

Cui Jin responded and came over to serve her a few sips of the hangover soup, saying softly, "Reporting to Miss, it is already three-quarters past midnight."

Cui Ying sat up, her eyes still glazed. She raised her hand to rub them, noticing the empty pillow beside her, and asked, "Hasn't Xiao Qiyu returned yet?"

Cui Jin hesitated for a moment, then cautiously replied, "The young master returned an hour ago, but it seems... he went straight to the front study upon his return. The servant said he was busy with official business."

Cui Ying's eyes cleared up instantly, and her brows furrowed.

The little bit of expectation that had been fueled by the hot water and the alcohol in her heart was extinguished by a bucket of cold water, leaving only an empty, chilling void.

"All he does is hang around that dead study all day long. Who cares if he comes here? Time to sleep!"

Cui Ying angrily pulled the blanket over herself and wrapped herself up inside, not even showing her face.

However, even with my eyes closed, my mind became increasingly clear.

The sweet scent of rose perfume lingered on her body, a constant reminder that all her careful preparations for the evening had been in vain.

The nameless fire burned ever brighter.

Why should she be so impatient?! She's never been this eager in her entire life!

She even wondered: Xiao Qiyu doesn't hold any official position now, so what official business does he have that requires him to spend every day in his study? Is he genuinely busy with official duties, or... is he deliberately avoiding her?

The thought of the latter made Cui Ying feel a surge of anger rising to his head.

She kicked off the covers, sat up abruptly, and her bright, almond-shaped eyes shone with light.

"What's wrong, young lady?" Cui Jin was startled.

Cui Ying's snow-white chest heaved violently as she spoke with a firm and resounding voice:

"I want to go to the front study."

...

Front study.

In the dead of night, all the servants on night watch went to sleep.

Cui Ying stormed to the door, intending to kick it open, but then she remembered that she was there to sleep with Xiao Qiyu, not to argue with him, so she held back and instead raised her hand to knock.

"Guess who I am," she said sarcastically as she tapped the door.

The moment the words were spoken, a steady footstep sounded from inside the room, and in the blink of an eye, the study door was opened.

Xiao Qiyu was dressed neatly, with a calm expression, and his jade-colored face exuded a solemnity that was inconsistent with his age.

He lowered his eyes, and when his gaze fell on Cui Ying's nightgown, which could barely be called a covering, his eyes darkened. Without saying a word, he took off his own outer robe, his movements so fast that they even stirred up a breeze.

The next moment, his outer robe, carrying his body heat and scent, was wrapped tightly around Cui Ying's body, covering her from head to toe completely.

What are you doing?!

Wrapped up like a silkworm cocoon, Cui Ying struggled haphazardly: "I specially picked this outfit out, doesn't it look good?"

The effects of the alcohol hadn't completely worn off; her cheeks were still slightly flushed and hot.

Xiao Qiyu's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Beautiful."

He paused, then lowered his voice even further: "But I want to watch it alone."

Cui Ying scoffed, rolled her eyes, and said, "That's as if there are other people here—"

Her gaze swept past Xiao Qiyu's shoulder, casually glancing inside, and unexpectedly caught sight of three dark backs of heads.

Xiao Yuanshou, Xiao Yuanke, and Xiao Heng, who hadn't shown his face for a long time, sat around the table, each tacitly avoiding looking towards the door...

The air condensed.

Cui Ying wished she could dig a hole in the ground and disappear right then and there; she was sobered up considerably.

Her outer robe was wrapped too tightly around her, so she couldn't perform the proper greeting. She could only force a smile and say, "Hello, Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, Third Brother. I didn't know you were here. I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."

He turned around and wanted to run away like a zombie.

Xiao Yuanshou coughed and stood up seriously: "It's getting late, the three of us should go back, we all still have official business to attend to."

Xiao Yuanke and Xiao Heng immediately understood and stood up, echoing, "Yes, yes, it's time to go, it's time to go."

The three of them practically flew out of the study in quick succession, their eyes avoiding Cui Ying, who was wrapped up so tightly that only her head was visible and whose face was flushed, as they passed the door.

Forcing himself to maintain the last shred of dignity, Cui Ying said a dry farewell to the three retreating figures: "Third Uncle, take care; Fourth Uncle, take care; Third Brother, take care..."

My face was practically frozen from smiling.

Cui Ying only breathed a sigh of relief when the three figures completely disappeared into the night.

The next moment, she buried her face in Xiao Qiyu's chest.

Xiao Qiyu stumbled from the impact, instinctively reaching out to pull her into his arms, unable to contain his laughter.

"What's wrong with you?!"

Cui Ying's cheeks burned as she angrily accused, "Isn't this place always the quietest? How come so many people have suddenly come! It's amazing that you managed to gather these three busy people in the middle of the night. What have you all been busy with!"

Xiao Qiyu looked down at her exasperated appearance and couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek. He straightened his expression and said in a low voice, "My third and fourth uncles and I are discussing some things."

"What is it?" Cui Ying asked instinctively, still fuming.

Xiao Qiyu remained silent for a moment, the lamplight under the corridor reflected in his eyes, the light and shadow flickering.

He lowered his voice even further, his tone quite grave: "A secret letter has arrived from the northern desert. The Eastern Turks have no intention of negotiating peace, and war is likely imminent."

"A war?" Cui Ying was dumbfounded.

All her anger vanished in that instant; her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Um."

Xiao Qiyu frowned slightly: "There's something strange about this matter. The new Khan has returned to avenge his family and placed the old Khan under house arrest. The internal situation is not yet fully stable. Logically speaking, it's not appropriate to choose to launch a large-scale military campaign at this time, which would be a waste of resources and manpower."

Cui Ying listened quietly, her expression solemn, the spoiled air on her face vanished without a trace.

Seeing her quiet demeanor and fearful expression, Xiao Qiyu's heart softened inexplicably. He reached out and gently stroked her long hair that was loose behind her back, his tone softening: "Let's not talk about this anymore. You were in such a hurry to find me, is there something you need?"

Cui Ying's lustful thoughts had long been banished to the winds by this news, but unable to think of a new excuse for the moment, he nodded and said, "There is something."

"What is it?" Xiao Qiyu asked.

Cui Ying said, "Come and sleep with me."

Xiao Qiyu: "..."

"Which kind of sleep?" he pressed.

Meat or vegetarian?

Cui Ying paused for a moment, then said matter-of-factly, "The kind of sleeping that's really unbearable to look at."

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Author's Note: Little Jade: I really like it!