Chapter 34 Departure [VIP]

Chapter Summary: The Eldest Princess "acts like a hooligan".

When Liu Shiyu woke up again, it was already the next day at dawn.

She awoke with a start from a nightmare, large beads of sweat silently sliding down her cheeks. She sat up, bewildered, on the unfamiliar bed, repeating over and over the words she hadn't had a chance to say in her dream: "Don't...don't leave me."

But in the empty room, no one answered.

Liu Shiyu finally realized that everything was an illusion brought to her by a dream. She came to her senses and tried to raise her left arm, but found that she could not move it.

Gazing at the dimly lit windowsill, Liu Shiyu called out, "Lian Yue."

The sound of the wooden door turning pressed in with the approaching dawn, and Lian Yue stepped inside. She didn't speak, but simply took a tinderbox from her sleeve and gently blew on it. With a flicker of her wrist, the candlelight cast a shimmering glow through the curtains. Liu Shiyu looked up.

Seeing this, Lian Yue stepped forward and said softly, "Your Highness, it's not dawn yet. Won't you sleep a little longer?"

Liu Shiyu did not respond.

Silently, she reached out her still-functioning right hand, lifted the bedding, and stepped barefoot onto the bed. Before Lian Yue could speak, Liu Shiyu began walking out, her feet sinking into the cold floor. She pushed open the door.

The courtyard before me was quiet and desolate, and the morning breeze carried the chill of late autumn.

Liu Shiyu asked urgently, "Where is Xu Luchuan?"

“Your Highness is on the other side.” Lian Yue answered her question as she walked towards the bed. “Your Highness, you are weak and the floor is too cold. I’ll get you your shoes, please put them on first.”

Lian Yue bent down to pick up the embroidered shoes, but when she turned around, the person who had asked her question at the door had already disappeared.

Liu Shiyu ran frantically from the room, the sound of her feet pounding the ground growing increasingly rapid. Finally, she slowed down outside the room and was about to push the door open when Lian Yue, who had been chasing after her, blocked her way.

"Your Highness, I must remind you that this is the county government office."

"That gentleman has already treated Lord Xu, and he is fine. It's just that his meridians were injured, and he should wake up in about two or three days. You can rest assured, so why act so impulsively? If that gentleman were to see you like this, how would you handle it?"

She offered well-intentioned advice for months. But in Liu Shiyu's heart, Xu Luchuan and Wei Jingshan were clearly more important.

"I'll only take one look."

Liu Shiyu's mind was made up, and it would be futile for Lian Yue to say anything more.

Helpless, she stepped aside to clear the way, then gently placed the embroidered shoes in her hand at Liu Shiyu's feet, saying in a conciliatory tone, "Put these shoes on, and I'll go outside the courtyard gate to keep watch for you. Come out after a quarter of an hour."

"Okay." Liu Shiyu replied and put on her shoes.

The two parted ways outside the room. After a month, Liu Shiyu finally entered the room as she had wished.

She tiptoed to the bedside, and upon seeing Xu Luchuan lying unconscious on the bed, Liu Shiyu burst into tears. But her tears were not only from pain and sorrow, but also from the peace of mind she felt upon seeing Xu Luchuan.

The tension in my nerves eased and I felt relieved at that moment.

Liu Shiyu quickly took off her shoes and knelt down on the edge of the bed, wanting to be closer to him. Then, she peeked out from under his knees and subconsciously reached out to pinch Xu Luchuan's fingertips, which were outside the blanket.

She seemed to have a lot to say to Xu Luchuan, but didn't know where to begin.

Suddenly, the wooden window on the west side of the room was blown open by the wind, and Liu Shiyu couldn't help but shiver.

It was as if the chill from walking barefoot had seeped into her feet was spreading. She moved her numb toes and tentatively asked, "Little Green, I'd like to put my feet in to warm them up. You won't mind, will you?"

Xu Luchuan had no right to resist, and Liu Shiyu swiftly shoved her foot into his blanket.

The lingering warmth of the blankets soothed Liu Shiyu's icy feet. She gently tucked the blankets in and murmured, "Little Green, please wake up soon."

"Once you wake up and your injuries have healed, I'll have Feng Rong make you mutton pancakes, dragon and phoenix stew, and braised raw meat. I'll agree to whatever you want, and I'll listen to whatever you say. Of course, it's okay if you don't pay any tribute."

"But taking a concubine? Absolutely not! Absolutely not!"

Liu Shiyu spoke with righteous indignation, and in her excitement, she even stood up and leaned against Xu Luchuan. But her injured arm could not support her full strength, and before she could even get up, she involuntarily collapsed onto Xu Luchuan.

The weight of a person pressed down on her like that. If Xu Luchuan were awake, he would definitely give Liu Shiyu a good scolding.

But he remained soundly asleep.

Liu Shiyu, pressing down on Xu Luchuan, hurriedly tried to get up, but was drawn to his warm chest. Hearing a vibrant heartbeat emanating from within his chest, Liu Shiyu couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Little Green, what do you think about when you're asleep? Do you think about me?

His chest is so warm!

I really want to lean against him and sleep for a while...

Liu Shiyu pressed herself closer to Xu Luchuan, sinking deeper into his desire, but she couldn't stay any longer and shook her head desperately. Then, she propped herself up with her right hand and leaned towards Xu Luchuan's face.

"Little Green, I really have to go. Before I leave, could you please..."

"Give you a kiss."

Liu Shiyu glanced around warily, then muttered to herself, "I'll just give you a tiny kiss. Heaven and earth know, I know, and I know. There shouldn't be any problem."

As soon as he finished speaking, a shy kiss landed hastily on Xu Luchuan's lips.

Liu Shiyu stood up and carefully reached out her fingertips to touch his brow, the love in her eyes unspoken. Perhaps all that was missing between them was the right opportunity.

But now Liu Shiyu should leave.

"Xu Luchuan, shall we talk next time we meet? I have a lot to tell you."

As the morning sun cast its glow into the courtyard, Liu Shiyu turned to look out the window; it was already broad daylight. Suddenly, a voice rang out from outside the quiet courtyard gate: "My lord, what brings you here?"

"I have come to see Your Highness."

Wei Jingshan had been busy all night and had just settled the miners in the mine when he rushed over to visit them.

But when he saw the tightly closed courtyard gate, he became suspicious again.

Lian Yue, forcing a smile, was about to answer when the courtyard gate was opened from the inside. Liu Shiyu, pretending not to see Wei Jingshan, asked her without changing expression, "Lian Yue, have you chased away the stray cats?"

Seeing this, Lian Yue quickly chimed in, "Yes, Your Highness. The stray cat has been chased away by your subordinate."

"Lord Marquis, you're here too." Liu Shiyu raised her lowered eyes and glanced casually at Wei Jingshan. "Did you come to see me?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Jingshan looked at Liu Shiyu, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Highness, I wish you good health. I came here specifically to visit you. Seeing that Your Highness is well, I am relieved."

Liu Shiyu opened the courtyard gate, gesturing for him to come in. Wei Jingshan then stepped into the courtyard.

Looking back at Wei Jingshan, who was feigning compliance beside her, Liu Shiyu sneered, "Your Excellency can rest assured to report back to your uncle. I won't die. At least not here."

May Your Highness enjoy boundless happiness and longevity.

To Liu Shiyu, Wei Jingshan's flattery sounded like sarcasm.

She didn't respond further, but instead called out loudly to Lian Yue, "Lian Yue, go and keep an eye on the gate. Don't let those nameless stray cats howl all night, disturbing my peace and quiet."

"Yes," Lian Yue replied and left.

Wei Jingshan could tell that Liu Shiyu's words had a hidden meaning, but he ignored it.

He scanned the empty courtyard, finally fixing his gaze on Liu Shiyu, and said in a low voice, "I have already informed Fu Zheng and the others about Yongzhou. Your Highness, it is time for you to depart."

"Did Uncle agree?"

Liu Shiyu walked through the corridor and stopped in front of it, turning his back and suddenly sneering.

"The letter hasn't been delivered yet." Wei Jingshan watched Liu Shiyu's retreating figure without following him. "Your Highness, rest assured, I am confident."

Liu Shiyu looked up at the corridor and stared at Xu Luchuan's door, saying firmly, "Wei Jingshan, if your conscience hasn't been extinguished, then seek justice for the people of Yongzhou, not just to give me an explanation."

Upon hearing this, Wei Jingshan withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes, and replied, "Okay."

[Author's Note]

Xu Luchuan: Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! I've made a huge mistake! Why didn't this kind of good thing happen when I was awake?!