kiss
The carriage swayed and rattled all the way back to Fuzhou. Zhao Zhile dozed off in Zhao Youyi's arms, while Chu Chanyin flipped through military books beside him. Because of their previous conversation, the atmosphere between the two was eerily quiet.
The main reason is that Zhao Youyi simply can no longer use him with a clear conscience as before. Ever since she learned that Chu Chanyin might not have romantic feelings for her, she recalled all her past actions and felt that Chu Chanyin had been tolerating everything.
As she expected, Chu Chanyin was in self-reflection and guilt, naturally with a hint of unease and fear. The calm surface was broken. Should the relationship between the two continue as before, a fake couple with more intimacy than trust, or should they return to their original relationship—His Highness the King of Chu and General Zhao?
Chu Chanyin was at a loss for what to do and could only use military books to cover up his evasion.
Zhao Youyi kept glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. Even though their relationship was awkward now, she had to admit that Chu Chanyin had a stunningly handsome face that could make anyone swoon. His long, unbound hair exuded charm, his eyelashes were thick and long, and his gaze always carried an indescribable affection. His lips were naturally red, which made his skin look even whiter and smoother.
He was so beautiful that he was breathtakingly attractive; even his furrowed brows were captivating, making one want to soothe his sorrows.
Zhao Youyi stared at him, lost in thought, until Chu Chanyin noticed her subtle gaze and looked up to meet her eyes. Only then did she have no choice but to quickly look away.
She suddenly remembered Chi Yuming's description of Chu Chanyin as a vixen. Although Chu Chanyin sometimes appeared unusually shy and naive in front of her, his every move was captivating. Moreover, he was born with a face that she admired, making her unable to resist glancing at him and wanting him to smile.
"We've arrived at the Prince's residence. It's getting late. Why don't you stay here for the night, cousin, and then set off for Wanzhou tomorrow?" Chu Chanyin asked in a low voice, seeing that Zhao Zhile was still asleep.
Zhao Youyi glanced down at the little girl sleeping in his arms and nodded helplessly: "In that case, I thank Your Highness in advance."
Seeing that she was still so polite, Chu Chanyin looked at her face, hesitant to speak, but ultimately remained silent. Zhao Youyi had a hurdle in her heart; if she didn't want to come over, it wouldn't matter if he walked a hundred steps towards her.
The group disembarked from the carriage and returned to the Chu Prince's residence. It was already late at night. Zhao Youyi carried the sleeping Zhao Zhile back to his temporary residence and then left for Chu Chanyin's courtyard.
The servants she encountered along the way all addressed her respectfully as Princess, making her realize that, in addition to their awkward cousin relationship, they were also a couple who had been betrothed by the late Emperor and had formally bowed to Heaven and Earth.
In the past, Chu Chanyin had always tried to make her forget this relationship, always calling her cousin, unlike when they were young when he affectionately called her by her nickname, Niao Niao. Unless outsiders were present, he was extremely polite to her, just as he had said before, a sister is just a sister, nothing more.
But if he, as a powerful and influential feudal prince, truly wanted to sever the sham marriage relationship, why would his subordinates still call her Princess?
The servants in the manor could be said to be trying to cover their tracks, but what about his personal guards, Yin Jiu and the others? Even though they knew that she and Chu Chanyin were not a real couple, they still addressed her as Princess Consort. She didn't believe that his personal guards would dare to do this without Chu Chanyin's tacit approval.
Chu Chanyin had just finished bathing, and his hair was still a little damp, which he casually draped over his shoulders. The spring night was still cool, so he wore a cloak over a white brocade robe, which made him look elegant and pleasing.
He was just about to go back to his room to rest when he saw Zhao Youyi standing outside the courtyard gate.
The girl wore a bright purple dress, her hair blowing in the night wind, and looked at him with an inscrutable expression. Her beautiful face appeared particularly cold and aloof at this moment.
"Cousin, it's chilly at night. Come in and talk to me." He spoke as gently as ever. Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi stepped into the courtyard without hesitation and followed him into the study.
Chu Chanyin poured her a glass of warm water. "It's late, so there's no need to serve you tea. Does my cousin have something important to discuss?"
“Yes, I’ve come to confirm something.” Zhao Youyi didn’t sit down to drink the water he poured, but instead walked briskly to his side and, under his bewildered gaze, leaned down and kissed his lips.
Zhao Youyi's gaze was fixed on Chu Chanyin's stunning face. Because of her sudden approach, Chu Chanyin was so frightened that he froze on the spot, his eyelashes trembling like butterflies about to take flight, his eyes filled with disbelief.
The world fell silent for a moment, as if only their breaths remained between them. Zhao Youyi heard the rapid heartbeat from his chest and a hint of panic in his slightly shocked eyes.
Chu Chanyin was so startled by the sudden kiss that he froze. It wasn't until his eyes met Zhao Youyi's that he reacted and pushed her away. In the struggle, her canine tooth accidentally cut his lip, and Zhao Youyi tasted blood.
Zhao Youyi moved away from him, her gaze falling on his rosy lips, which were still glistening with blood. Against his fair skin, they made her want to kiss them. As she watched him catch his breath, Zhao Youyi couldn't help but smile.
Chu Chanyin looked up at her. Because of the struggle just now, his hair was a little messy, which contrasted sharply with his fair skin, making him look even more vibrant and attractive.
"What are you doing?" he asked weakly, as if he were murmuring, his once affectionate peach blossom eyes now only showing confusion.
"I'll kiss you." Zhao Youyi answered crisply, walked to the other side, picked up the teacup, and drank the water in one gulp.
"Why?" Chu Chanyin looked up and asked her, his eyes slightly red.
Zhao Youyi looked at him and remained silent for a long time. "I don't know. Just like Your Highness, you can still call me your cousin even when you do things that cross the line. It's just a kiss. Why does Your Highness care so much?"
Chu Chanyin's emotions were extinguished by her casual remark, "Why bother so much?" He stared blankly at the person in front of him and subconsciously said, "Before, I just wanted to make up for what I could to you, I didn't mean anything else."
Zhao Youyi walked over, bent down to look at him, as if trying to see through his handsome appearance to his true emotions. "Do you feel indebted to me? Besides that?"
"I promised your brother I would take good care of you..." Chu Chan avoided her gaze and answered evasively.
With a "smack," Zhao Youyi's hand landed lightly on his face, then patted his cheek like she would a puppy. Chu Chanyin was caught off guard by her sudden slap and didn't know how to react. He felt a slight pain on his left cheek. Her strength was not heavy, almost like a light touch, but it hit him hard in the heart.
The force was so great that it was awe-inspiring.
“Chu Huaicong, look into my eyes and tell me, why are you so good to me?” Zhao Youyi pinched his chin and said.
Chu Chanyin could easily break free from her restraints, but he stood frozen in place, staring at her cold expression, and subconsciously replied, "This is what I owe you."
"Nothing else?" Zhao Youyi pressed him further.
"No." Chu Chan avoided her gaze.
Zhao Youyi released his hand and took a step back, her gaze falling on the red mark on his chin. Her eyes darkened slightly, and she distanced herself from him, her expression returning to normal: "Very well then, Your Highness and I have reached an agreement. From now on, we will only be allies, nothing more. Once everything has settled, we will divorce."
"Divorce?" Chu Chanyin stood up in disbelief, not even having time to wipe the blood from his lips. "Why?"
“We were just a fake couple to begin with,” Zhao Youyi said with a smile, her head lowered. Chu Chanyin couldn’t see the emotion in her eyes. “Are we going to stay a fake couple for life if we don’t get a divorce? Even if Your Highness is willing, I’m not.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Chanyin remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head to avoid her gaze: "Since my cousin has this intention, I will certainly help her. I agree to this matter. Before the divorce, if my cousin needs any help, she can write to me."
Seeing his dejected expression, like a lost little dog abandoned by its owner on the street in the pouring rain, Zhao Youyi's heart couldn't help but ache, but her face remained indifferent: "No need, these are all trivial matters, why trouble Your Highness, the Prince of Chu? It's getting late, Your Highness should rest early, I will take my leave."
After saying that, she left his study without waiting for his reply, leaving Chu Chanyin standing there in a daze. He wiped the blood from his lips with his finger and looked at the dazzling color, his heart filled with complicated emotions.
He sat down, his gaze searching for Zhao Youyi's back through the half-open window. He watched the girl stride forward, her hair blowing in the night wind, her sword and jade ring clashing as she walked, making a crisp sound that struck his heart. He wanted to call out to her, but couldn't find any reason to.
Since the day he reunited with her, his heart no longer belonged to himself. He was emotionally volatile every day because of her, happy and sad because of her. But he dared not cross the line, fearing that there was a bottomless abyss ahead, a consequence he could not bear.
Just like back then, his closeness to her resulted in the tragic death of her closest relative while trying to save him. He couldn't help but think that if they had never met, he would only bring disaster and misfortune to her.
What could he give her? And what could he use to keep her? His life, bound by responsibility, or his bloodied hands?
Thinking of this, Chu Chanyin closed his eyes in anguish, a crystal tear sliding down his cheek, the coolness of which chilled him to the bone, making him incredibly clear-headed. They could never go back to the way things were. From now on, they were merely the King of Chu and Lady Zhao, allies who had once shared some affection, and nothing more.
The moonlight was lonely. Chu Chanyin took out a pot of wine and leaned against the willow tree in the courtyard to admire the moon. He was in low spirits and remembered the time when the two of them admired the moon together. He gently patted her hand with his folding fan. Her eyes were full of trust and heartache when she looked at him. She felt sorry for his past misfortunes. At that moment, he really naively thought that the two of them would have a future.
Everything... was just wishful thinking.
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