Chapter 101 IF Line: Saving the Beauty [Female-Dominated] - (Part 3) "Tanuki..."
"What do you want to do?" Xu Lingzhao grasped his hand and gently placed him back under the covers, his tone firm and unyielding. "Put him down properly."
Her tone was a little stiff.
In Chu Jingze's eyes, she was scolding him. The cold made his brain unable to think, and he became delicate. He buried his face in Xu Lingzhao's neck, not looking up, like an angry raccoon with its head down.
Xu Lingzhao smiled slightly and gently patted his back. She used to think that male beauty was misleading, but now that it had come to her, she could only shake her head helplessly, with a warm and soft body in her arms.
How can I leave?
"Your Highness, Physician Cheng has arrived," Huaiyue reported as she entered.
"Come in." Xu Lingzhao grasped Chu Jingze's wrist, placed it on a soft cushion, and covered it with a thin veil. Imperial Physician Cheng took his pulse without looking up. After a moment, he stood up and bowed. "Your Highness, the young master is fine, just a bit of a cold. I have written down a few prescriptions. If he takes them regularly every day, he will recover in less than three days."
"Thank you, Physician Cheng. Huaiyue, escort Physician Cheng back to the palace." Xu Lingzhao gently placed his hand back under the covers and spoke softly.
Before she could speak, the maid beside her left the room to go to the pharmacy to prepare the medicine after asking for permission.
After the crowd dispersed, Chu Jingze slightly raised his face and whispered, "It hurts so much."
Xu Lingzhao pinched his cheek. "You asked for it."
Chu Jingze hugged her tighter and didn't say anything more. Her scent made Chu Jingze feel at ease. Xu Lingzhao looked at the table next to him, where there were various bottles and jars used to apply to his external injuries.
Xu Lingzhao lowered his eyes, and when he looked at Chu Jingze again, his gaze was filled with more affection.
"Your Highness, the medicine is ready." Huaiyue tactfully handed the prepared medicine to Xu Lingzhao and fed him spoonful by spoonful.
"It's so bitter." He frowned and refused to open his mouth.
"You'll feel better if you drink it. Come on, open your mouth." Xu Lingzhao patiently coaxed him, her tone very gentle, which made the dazed Chu Jing feel an unprecedented sense of happiness and security.
Unconsciously, his lips opened.
After taking the medicine, it was already midnight. Xu Lingzhao looked at the hand wrapped around his waist. There was nothing to do tomorrow, so it was fine.
She stood up and was about to take off her coat.
A hand grabbed her wrist. Xu Lingzhao looked down at him; his eyes were tightly closed, and he muttered, "Don't go."
Xu Lingzhao chuckled softly. It seemed the cold had clouded his judgment. Compared to his cautious demeanor during the day, Xu Lingzhao preferred his gentle and charming appearance.
"I'm not leaving." Xu Lingzhao gently placed his restless hand back under the covers.
Chu Jing opened his eyes slightly and watched as Xu Lingzhao took off his outer clothes, lifted a corner of the quilt, and lay down.
"Come here." Xu Lingzhao stretched out his hand and looked at Chu Jingze, the meaning in his eyes was crystal clear.
Chu Jing obediently snuggled into her arms and fell asleep, while Xu Lingzhao gently patted his back to lull him to sleep.
Their hair was intertwined, inseparable.
The fragrance lingered around Chu Jingze's nose, and everything before him seemed so unreal. The person who was once out of reach was now holding him in her arms and coaxing him to sleep.
"Your Highness."
"Um?"
"Your Highness."
"Um."
"Your Highness."
Xu Lingzhao didn't reply to him again, but instead gently pinched his waist.
Chu Jing's lips curled up slightly. He didn't say anything more, but fell into a deep sleep in her arms.
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that Xu Lingzhao slowly opened her eyes. The person in her arms was fast asleep, and the flush on her face had long since faded. She looked intently at Chu Jingze's features.
I thought he was exceptionally handsome in every way, especially his eyes, which were captivating and mesmerizing, making it impossible to look away once you'd seen them.
Xu Lingzhao felt that he was deliberately seducing her, but he himself did not realize how obvious it was.
It's just that she wants to.
Xu Lingzhao began to consider his status in the Princess's residence: a concubine? A maidservant? A secondary husband? The principal husband?
She looked at Chu Jingze's sleeping face. This was the first time she had ever felt her heart flutter for a man. She didn't want to be like other men. She liked peace and quiet, and having a confidant by her side was enough.
The Emperor summoned her to the palace yesterday for this very reason. Although he did not reprimand her, he was subtly implying that she needed to get married. Xu Lingzhao knew that this was instigated by her sister.
They've always been at odds.
Especially since Xu Lingzhao had just returned from the military camp, although it was the Emperor's intention to cultivate her, the power in the capital was deeply entrenched, and her open and covert struggles with Xu Lingfeng never stopped.
Chu Jing let out a soft moan, which caught her attention.
No wonder the character is 狸奴 (li nu), it looks like a little cat.
Chu Jing placed his hand on Xu Lingzhao's waist, enjoying the constant warmth emanating from her body. His headache had subsided, and he slowly opened his eyes to find Xu Lingzhao's face magnified before him.
He was fully conscious at that moment.
Seeing the person he liked right in front of him, Chu Jingze's face instantly flushed red, and he froze so stiff that he dared not move. Xu Lingzhao noticed his nervousness.
"Weren't you quite the charmer last night? Why are you acting different now?" Xu Lingzhao's eyes were filled with laughter, which softened her aloof demeanor considerably.
"Your Highness." He spoke softly, his face flushed. He dared not look Xu Lingzhao in the eye again, and his hand rested directly on her waist.
Are you still feeling unwell?
"I'm not feeling unwell anymore, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern."
"Why do you keep thanking Your Highness? How are you going to thank me?" Xu Lingzhao's hand unconsciously covered his face. Their eyes met, and the air seemed to thicken at that moment.
"Your Highness." Chu Jingze didn't know what to say. The meaning in Xu Lingzhao's eyes was too obvious. He knew what he had to give up, but at this moment, he seemed to be able to hear his own heartbeat.
"If you don't feel uncomfortable anymore, get up and have breakfast." Xu Lingzhao's smile deepened as she looked at his stammering appearance.
Xu Lingzhao stood up and had just picked up her clothes when Chu Jing quickly pressed her hand down, saying with a blush, "Your Highness, let me help you."
"You can?" Xu Lingzhao looked at him. He used to be a pampered young nobleman.
"I know a little." He slightly raised his eyelids, his tone tinged with guilt; he only knew how to dress simply.
Xu Lingzhao smiled, but instead of speaking, she shook the bell beside the bed.
Huaiyue walked in with her head down and helped Xu Lingzhao change clothes in front of Chu Jing, watching the tedious steps until the very end.
He would just blink blankly.
"After you change, come out for breakfast." Xu Lingzhao pinched his cheek and then left the room with Huaiyue. Just as Chu Jingze was feeling a little disappointed, someone came in with his head down.
Chu Jing looked at the familiar figure in front of him.
He called out tentatively, "Xiao Qing?"
Xiao Qing, who was kneeling on the ground, raised his head. His eyes were already filled with tears. He sobbed and said, "Young Master."
The meeting between master and servant was naturally filled with warmth. Chu Jing looked at the injury on Xiao Qing's arm and asked her with concern what had happened.
"I was sold to a butcher by a human trafficker, and she always beat me," Xiaoqing sobbed. "Fortunately, Miss Yu saved me. Young master, I thought I would never see you again."
With red eyes, Xiaoqing helped Chu Jingze tie his hair into a bun. He picked up a golden hairpin and said, "Young Master, I heard that Your Highness treats you very well."
Chu Jing nodded; he knew she treated him well.
Chu Jing sat down next to Xu Lingzhao somewhat embarrassed, as he had taken up some time.
Xu Lingzhao didn't say anything, but glanced at him and placed a steaming bowl of porridge in front of him. "Eat."
The two did not speak during breakfast until Huaiyue brought out the medicine she had prepared. Chu Jing immediately put on a tearful face. Seeing this, Xu Lingzhao took his hand, raised her chin, and said, "I will tell you some good news after you finish drinking it."
Chu Jing looked at the two clasped hands and thought, "Your Highness's hands are so warm."
Then, as if he were going all out, he drank the medicine in one gulp, and Xiaoqing took advantage of the moment he opened his mouth to slip him a piece of candy.
"Xiaoqing, you understand me best." The sweetness melted in her mouth, quickly masking the bitter taste.
Xu Lingzhao watched him, his eyes narrowed with satisfaction, without saying a word, simply observing.
With Xiaoqing by his side, Chu Jing felt much more relaxed than before, to the point that he thought he was still in the Chu residence. When he came to his senses, Xu Lingzhao was looking at him with great interest.
"Your Highness, Tanuki..." His tone was slightly coquettish, and his fair skin made his blushing even more noticeable.
Xu Lingzhao squeezed his palm. "Is it still bitter?"
He shook his head.
"I have already made arrangements for your parents and sister." Her words were like a reassuring pill, and Chu Jingze excitedly grabbed her arm and shook it repeatedly. He couldn't hide the joy on his face. He looked at Xu Lingzhao, his breathing a little rapid, "Your Highness, when can I see them?"
Xu Lingzhao simply smiled faintly, "It depends on your performance." After saying that, she got up and went to the study.
Chu Jing stood there stunned for a moment before quickly following after him. He jogged over to Xu Lingzhao's side and boldly took his hand, saying, "Your Highness, let me grind ink for you."
After grinding for less than an hour, Chu Jingze felt his hands getting sore. He carefully observed Xu Lingzhao, who was reading documents, and quietly slowed down his movements.
"Tired?" Xu Lingzhao asked, closing the document in her hand and looking at Chu Jingze.
He nodded, sat directly on Xu Lingzhao's lap, wrapped his arms around her neck, bit his lower lip, and didn't move. His eyes, filled with tears, were looking at Xu Lingzhao.
Of course she knew what he wanted to do.
However, there are some things I cannot easily agree to.
"Your Highness." His tone was coquettish. It wasn't that he was completely ignorant about matters between men and women; it was just that after so many years of following the rules, sitting on her lap was already a complete abandonment of all etiquette.
However, he then recalled that the two of them had slept in the same bed last night. He was already hers, and the person in front of him could not only save his family, but perhaps also clear their name in the future.
And I genuinely like her.
"Does Your Highness have feelings for Li Nu?" He leaned close to Xu Lingzhao's ear, his breath hot against her ear, and placed a hand on her shoulder, a mixture of innocence and allure.
Xu Lingzhao looked at him, a hint of desire in her eyes. Last night, she had maintained proper gentlemanly conduct because she thought he was still ill. Now, faced with his initiative, Xu Lingzhao spoke, her voice slightly hoarse, "Does Linu think I am fond of you?"
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Author's Note: Please mark this as complete before correcting typos, to prevent web crawlers from scraping the revised version.
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