Chapter 12 Sharing a Bed
Chapter Summary: Don't make promises lightly! Who says you can't sleep together in this lifetime?
Walking on the cobblestone path, Liu Shijin gazed at the distant, flickering light and shadow of the covered walkway. How could she not see through it? No matter how respectful and affectionate the two of them appeared to be, their eyes never truly saw each other.
But these weren't what Liu Shijin cared about. She lowered her eyes and said, "Are you still so afraid of me?"
As she walked slowly, Liu Shiyu felt the warmth of Liu Shijin's palm. She rarely felt so at ease, yet she still didn't answer. Stepping into the corridor, Liu Shijin spoke again: "Speaking of which... since Li Jingyuan's death, I've come to understand four words: 'Don't be attached to anything.'"
After a pause, Liu Shijin released Liu Shiyu's hand and walked to the railing.
"Even though my elder sister was once very willful, after several years apart, everything has changed. You have changed, and so have I. Little Fifth, you don't need to be as fearful and obedient as before. In fact, all I've ever wanted is for you to be happy."
Standing behind Liu Shijin, looking at the delicate silk flower in her hair, Liu Shiyu said in a deep voice, "It's not fear, it's concern."
Liu Shijin turned around in surprise; she had never heard Liu Shiyu express these thoughts before.
Their eyes met, gazing at each other for a long time. Perhaps it was reconciliation, or perhaps a deep, unspoken understanding. When the cicadas chirped three times, breaking the silence of the night, Liu Shijin spoke first: "Little Fifth, I think Xu Luchuan is quite a good match for you. Why don't you let your elder sister help you?"
"No need." Liu Shijin was serious for only a moment before Liu Shiyu refused.
Upon hearing this, Liu Shijin clicked her tongue as if displeased. "No need? Spending all day with those cold, hard documents, is that a life for a human being? Why don't you pick out a few male concubines for me to take home and relieve your boredom?"
"There's no need to mention this matter again," Liu Shiyu said righteously. Liu Shijin, finding it uninteresting, fell silent.
Under the lonely veranda, the water ripples.
Liu Shijin cast the moonlight from his eyes onto the water's surface and said calmly, "Xiao Wu, are you planning to live like this forever? Willing to exhaust yourself for Shao Yuan?"
Liu Shiyu took a few steps forward lightly, and after standing beside her, she said thoughtfully, "What about my elder sister? Does she also plan to continue living like this? Bearing the blame alone for Junyu..."
"You noticed."
Liu Shijin remained unusually calm, while Liu Shiyu stood solemnly with her hands behind her back. Since Liu Shijin could see through her, she could also see through Liu Shijin. "To keep so many male concubines as a disguise for one person. Is it really worth it?"
“In your eyes, it may not be worth it. But in my eyes, it is.” Liu Shijin’s gaze was firm and his voice was resounding. “I was the one who deprived him of his freedom. I cannot let him bear this infamy alone. I will bear all the infamy myself.”
absurd...
Liu Shiyu was surprised; she couldn't think of any other words to describe the person in front of her.
But it is precisely Liu Shijin's absurdity that is her purest expression of love. Liu Shiyu will never feel this kind of love; it's as if she is bound by shackles.
As the eldest princess protecting the nation, she didn't know how long she would have to live with this mask on, or if she would even have the chance to be absurd just once...
Therefore, she envied her.
"Elder sister," Liu Shiyu said calmly, seemingly relieved, "the Marquis's mansion will not become a shackle that confines you for life, nor will Guangling. I hope you are happy."
If Liu Shiyu were the stern and upright Princess Protector of the Nation, she would never have uttered these words. Yet, every word she spoke at this moment was spoken by Liu Xiaowu, the woman who loved and respected her elder sister. In this world, apart from the late Consort Qin, no one wanted her to be happy more than Liu Shiyu.
"Having come this far in my life, having you and Junyu is enough."
Let's go.
Liu Shijin smiled brightly, then took Liu Shiyu's hand and ran towards the end of the covered walkway.
Fireflies dot the lotus pond, a warm breeze caresses the face. Suddenly, the covered bridge of Wanshe Palace appears, and Liu Shiyu is like a free wind, shuttling on the edge of memory, chasing after the distance.
Liu Shijin stopped in front of Jingming Hall and turned to look at the candlelight shining from inside the room, saying, "Xiao Wu, since you two have no connection, why don't I arrange for you to stay somewhere else tonight?"
Liu Shiyu shook her head and said nothing. She thought that since she and Xu Luchuan weren't living in the same room, why bother making things difficult?
Liu Shijin naturally respected her wishes and nodded with a smile.
"It's getting late, elder sister should go home now."
Liu Shiyu was getting sleepy. Her tired eyes gradually blurred the lights in the corridor. Suddenly, Liu Shijin reached out and pulled her into his arms.
She whispered in Liu Shiyu's ear, "Xiao Wu, actually, the letter I sent to Jinling was just a joke I made after drinking. I didn't expect you to come, but I'm really happy that you did."
“...”
Liu Shiyu's feelings at this moment were hard to describe.
Unexpectedly, all her troubles turned out to be due to Liu Shijin's casual remark. But she was also at fault, so how could she be blamed?
Liu Shijin released his hands, took a few steps back, and said with a smile, "Let's go back."
Liu Shiyu turned around in silence. She pushed open the door, then suddenly realized something was amiss. If it was just a joke, why was Qiu Shibai waiting outside the Marquis's residence so early today? But when she turned back, she saw only an empty courtyard; the person behind her had already hurriedly left.
Perhaps only Liu Shijin understood that it wasn't that Qiu Shibai knew Liu Shiyu was coming in advance. Rather, it was because, ever since the late emperor passed away, she had ordered Qiu Shibai to guard outside the Marquis's residence every summer solstice.
Unfortunately, the constraints imposed on them by the imperial family did not disappear with the passing of the late emperor.
That's why the carriage from Jinling has been delayed in arriving...
"...Eldest sister."
Liu Shiyu murmured in the wind, but no one echoed her.
Silently stepping through the door, she wearily headed towards the west room. But upon opening the door and seeing Xu Luchuan slumped on the couch, she immediately snapped back to reality. She had forgotten to instruct them to take him to the east room.
"Who gets this drunk after just one drink..." Liu Shiyu sighed and quickly stepped forward, nudging his shoulder. "Wake up, Xu Luchuan. Wake up. Stop pretending, I know you're not drunk!"
Xu Luchuan opened his eyes after speaking. Liu Shiyu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Now that you're awake, go back to your east room and sleep. I need to rest."
Xu Luchuan, however, did not move. Instead, he suddenly pointed at her and shouted, "Liu Shiyu!"
"Why are you shouting so loudly? It's not like I can't hear you." Liu Shiyu was completely bewildered by the strange behavior of the person in front of her.
Xu Luchuan, emboldened by the alcohol, became even more outrageous.
"Let me tell you, I'm not afraid of you. I'm not even afraid of that unreasonable old woman from the Xu family, why would I be afraid of... a little brat like you! I'm determined to be your sworn enemy. Even if... I'm banished back to Liyang in the future, I won't hesitate... I won't hesitate..."
Liu Shiyu stood with her hands on her hips, watching the man's behavior; he was clearly drunk. She still couldn't believe Xu Luchuan's alcohol tolerance was so low. But before she could figure it out, Xu Luchuan stood up and strode aggressively towards her.
Liu Shiyu was so frightened that she tried to dodge, but she couldn't escape in time and he tightly restrained her arms.
"Xu Luchuan, what are you trying to do?"
Liu Shiyu's eyes widened as she stared nervously at the person in front of her. She couldn't predict what he would do. Holding her breath, Liu Shiyu dared not relax for a moment.
But to everyone's surprise, the next second, Xu Luchuan rested his head on her shoulder and rubbed against her, murmuring, "Liyang...Liyang..."
"I don't want to go back. Liu Shiyu, I beg you. No matter what... don't send me back to Liyang... I'll do anything you want, just don't send me away... I... please..."
He doesn't want to go back? Is he not doing well in Liyang?
Liu Shiyu stood there, stunned. Xu Luchuan leaned quietly on her shoulder, saying nothing more. Seeing this, Liu Shiyu called out, "Xu Luchuan."
Unfortunately, no one answered.
Liu Shiyu reached out to push the person away, but found it was no use. Helpless, she called out to the outside, "Lian Yue," but only received silence.
Seeing that the east room was too far away, Liu Shiyu found it difficult to carry Xu Luchuan, who was heavier than herself, back. She had no choice but to help him to the bedside first, and then go out to call for help.
Just as Liu Shiyu was helped to sit down by the dazed Xu Luchuan, he was suddenly pulled into Xu Luchuan's arms and fell heavily backward.
"Let me go, Xu Luchuan! What do you want?"
The two fell onto the bed together, and Liu Shiyu struggled to escape. However, Xu Luchuan was in a daze and didn't know what he was doing. He tightened his grip on Liu Shiyu's arm.
Unable to break free, Liu Shiyu cried out in distress, "Lian Yue, where did you go? Lian Yue! Help! Is anyone there?"
But Jingming Hall remained eerily silent, as if isolated from the world. Liu Shiyu felt even more heartbroken.
Half an hour later, trapped desperately in Xu Luchuan's arms, Liu Shiyu heard heavy breathing gradually approaching her ear. She hadn't expected him to fall asleep so peacefully.
Enraged, Liu Shiyu clenched her fists.
Xu Luchuan, believe it or not, this princess will kill you.
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