The night was deep.
The cold wind blew intermittently.
Song Yue and Shen Qingchen talked for a while in the study, then strolled around the courtyard in their cloaks before returning to Qingchen's bedroom.
They talked a lot that night, about everything from court affairs and daily life to the weather and their feelings. Both of them were very calm, as if tonight wasn't the eve of a major battle, but just an ordinary day among the countless days they would spend together in the future. In the dim light, Song Yue would gently support Qingchen's waist, reminding her to watch her step, or he would hold her hand, warming her cold fingertips with the warmth of his palm.
After telling him about tomorrow's plans, she said, "You know what? Of all the ways I call you, my favorite is 'teacher.' It's a very common word, but when I think of it, you're the only person in my mind. It feels like it's a special name for you. Every time I say it, it gives me a very reassuring and comforting feeling."
After she finished speaking, she looked at him and called out softly but firmly, "Teacher."
He gave her a faint smile and said, "When I became your teacher at the Hanlin Academy, I never imagined I would have a female student. She was the top student in the second class, the most outstanding among the junior scholars, intelligent, diligent, and sometimes said some strange things. I never imagined that my student might one day become my wife."
After speaking, Qingchen thought for a long time before saying, "You and I are teacher and student. Tell me, do you think what we're doing violates the rules of propriety?"
He held her hand tightly and replied calmly, "The code of etiquette is not justice. Even if it has existed for millions of years and will continue to exist for millions of years to come, it is merely a tool to maintain a certain order. Between you and me, there is no inducement, deception, or coercion. Our relationship does not harm anyone's interests. How are we different from those who follow the code of etiquette?"
"The distinction between right and wrong should always be based on the essence of the event, rather than on its crudely assigned titles."
As he spoke these words, his cloak swayed in the wind behind him, and a faint moonlight fell on his broad shoulders. His deep eyes seemed to hold the stars in the clear night sky after a snowfall.
Back at the entrance of Qingchen's bedroom, the two stood facing each other under the eaves. Song Yue said, "It's getting late, let's get some rest."
Qingchen nodded. "Mm."
He turned around, but before he could take a step, he turned back. "Are you really going to do that at tomorrow's court assembly? We can also have a seventh-rank censor..."
Before he could finish speaking, she shook her head. “Teacher knows better than I do that it’s not the best course of action. The censors’ advice is often not from the heart, but merely a weapon in someone else’s hand. The Emperor has been in power for many years and is very suspicious. How could he not suspect that the censors are being manipulated by someone? This would only make people think that there is an organization behind the Crown Prince.”
After a moment of silence, she continued, "Besides, I am the Crown Prince's teacher and also Gu Shaoheng's classmate and good friend. Since they are in trouble, I must help them..."
The Crown Prince has been wrongly accused, and it is the duty of a subject to clear his name and protect his position. For Qingchen personally, Gu Shaoheng is arguably her best friend in court. Since she entered the Hanlin Academy, despite being from a noble family, he has consistently helped and protected her, a girl from a humble background. From the blood-stained handkerchief to the little yellow poem, and even when she fell down the tavern stairs, he helped her so much, even having a major argument with Xu Silin for her sake… As a friend, he is loyal, devoted, and his actions are impeccable. Now that he is in trouble, she naturally cannot stand idly by.
With so many incidents happening these past two days, she hasn't had a chance to see him yet. That guy comes from a noble family and has always been carefree and playful. Now that his family has suffered such a sudden change overnight, she wonders how much he's hurting.
"Okay," Song Yue said calmly. "Then go inside quickly. Get some rest."
He knew that, both publicly and privately, she would not give up her ideas and would not easily change her mind.
As Song Yue was stepping down the steps, he was called back.
"Wait a minute," Qingchen said. "I know you're worried about me. I also know you're even more nervous than I am right now, and you're having a harder time sleeping tonight."
If he were to do this tomorrow, she would worry about him just as much as he does now.
He turned to look at her, smiled helplessly, and said, "Yes, you're right."
"Come back." Qingchen suddenly spoke, her clear and gentle voice soft and distinct in the night. "Tonight... sleep with me."
Tomorrow, disguised as a man, she will enter the Golden Palace for the first time to attend the morning court session. Before the Emperor and all the civil and military officials, she will face the Xu faction alone and speak out for the Crown Prince. Although she has already prepared a strategy, what Zhu Rui will think, how many sharp and irrefutable words the Xu faction will utter, and how the situation will develop are all still unknown.
If she's lucky, and Zhu Ruiken listens to her, then the Crown Prince and the Gu family might still have a chance to turn things around. If she's unlucky and is defeated by the Xu faction's repeated attacks, then she might not even be able to keep her official position, and might even face imprisonment.
On the eve of a major battle, it would be a lie to say that you weren't nervous or afraid at all.
"I'm a little scared," she said. "Can you stay with me?"
Hearing this from a few steps away, Song Yue was slightly taken aback.
...
Inside, the lights were off.
Qingchen and Song Yue lay side by side on her bed.
After a moment of silence, she turned to face him and softly asked, "Are you asleep?"
A moment later, his voice rang out, "No."
As she just said, he had even more trouble falling asleep tonight than she did.
Qingchen tugged at his sleeve, "Then turn around, okay?"
After letting out a soft breath, Song Yue turned to Qingchen, searching for her eyes in the darkness, and said gently, "It's getting late, you should go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow."
She couldn't see his face, but she could feel his warm breath. Qingchen closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "I can't sleep. Hold me."
"..."
He was about to speak to persuade her when she grabbed his arm, placed it on her waist, and then moved forward to press herself against him.
"Qingchen..."
"I'm cold."
He hesitated for a moment, then tightened his arms around her waist. "Should we turn the stove up a bit more?"
"No, this is fine."
"Okay. Go to sleep then."
She curled up quietly in his arms, and after a while, Qingchen raised her head slightly and touched Song Yue's face with the tip of her nose.
Her breath hit his face, hot and bothering him to turn away. But Qingchen quickly pressed herself against him again.
Noticing that the person in his arms seemed to be doing this intentionally, Song Yue whispered, "If you don't sleep now, it will be dawn."
"I can't sleep. I want to forget about the tension of tomorrow," she said. "Teacher, can you help me?"
He blinked slightly, then gently covered her eyes with his palm. "Sleep."
"That's not how it is." She pulled his hand away, grabbed one of his fingers, and pretended to casually brush it against her lips.
In the darkness, Song Yue took a deep breath.
He could tell she was nervous about tomorrow's court assembly, and he could also tell she was trying to get his attention. He could tell that her unusual behavior tonight was probably because she wanted him to kiss her so she could focus all her attention on him and stop thinking about what tomorrow would bring.
The reserved yet bold man before her, the one who keeps teasing her, the one who says things he shouldn't say in a coy way—by dawn tomorrow, she will have to become Lord Shen, dressed in a scarlet official robe, and stand bravely in the Golden Palace, facing the powerful Xu Party alone.
There are less than three hours left until dawn.
Seeing that he didn't answer, Qingchen hesitated for a moment, then reached out and touched his lips with her finger, and slowly said, "Teacher... your lips are a little dry."
Song Yue remained calm and pretended to be unmoved, saying, "It'll be fine once you fall asleep."
"...I won't let you sleep."
"Why shouldn't we allow it?"
She covered his nose and mouth, "Like this."
He quietly let her cover his mouth for a while, then pulled her hand away and leaned in to seal her lips with his, just as she wished.
This silly girl, if you cover his mouth, how can he kiss her?
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