Shin Zuzhou lay motionless, surrendering herself to the power of gentle touches. Someone's cold, rough hands slowly slid up her naked body, moving from her ankles to her thighs, carefully going behind her knees and tenderly touching her skin, barely grazing it with their fingertips. Shin Zuzhou felt a slight shiver as the touches became bolder.
Gradually, the gentle caresses grew more insistent. Shin Zuzhou let out a soft moan when the hands reached the inside of her thighs.
She closed her eyes and focused on her sensations. Her breathing became increasingly rapid, and her lips pressed tightly together under waves of pleasure. A hand slid higher, and the girl slightly bit her lip, trying to suppress another moan. The rough hands began to squeeze areas of her skin more firmly, sending a wave of goosebumps across her entire body.
As the fingers began to creep closer and closer to that special place, her breathing quickened.
«Higher,» Shin Zuzhou begged, barely recognizing her own voice. Tension hung in the air. Only the heavy breathing of two heated people filled the room.
She didn't need to ask twice. Shin Zuzhou felt the person immediately lean over her, and his fingers smoothly slid inside, entering the slight tightness.
Shin Zuzhou tensed her entire body and, arching on the bed, grasped the bedsheets with both hands.
Leaning forward slightly, the person above her felt the resistance of her muscles, but gentle rocking up and down allowed him to penetrate even deeper. The sounds of heavy breathing gave way to quiet, measured moans.
«I'm close,» Shin Zuzhou said. The movements quickened. Just before losing her head completely, Shin Zuzhou opened her eyes to see the person above her. The moment she noticed the familiar mask, euphoria washed over her.
She opened her eyes a second time. It was her room. Her bed. Morning. She slowly looked around, still not fully understanding what had happened. There was no one there. No one had entered. Glancing at her rumpled blanket, Shin Zuzhou sighed heavily.
«I've gone mad.»
***
That day, a three-day mourning period was declared in the country. By morning, all of Southern Nan knew about what had happened at the Temple of Rain. The people were frightened. The demon race had risen up again and struck.
It felt like only yesterday people were celebrating their liberation from these usurpers, and now they were once again threatening public safety.
The Empress and her closest associates immediately departed for the official eulogy of the dead. Official meetings were held, and the army was being prepared.
Only Yang Yulan woke up that morning as if nothing had happened. She knew that very soon the heroine would notice the glow of her stone and follow it to find the remnants of the demonic forces and destroy them. Yang Jinlong knew well what the stone indicated, having already used it on the battlefield. So at this moment, he was likely preparing intensely for the upcoming campaign.
The bloody massacre was already behind them, and no matter what scars it had left on their hearts, they had to move forward. The plot wouldn't wait long. Yang Yulan needed to reach the end and make the outcome as positive as possible. To achieve this goal, she had to accomplish just two things: help stop the demon uprisings so there would be no more innocent victims, and change the villainess so she wouldn't die by the end of the book. The second point was exactly what was supposed to start today.
However, even after a hearty breakfast, to which the girl managed to show up several times, Shin Zuzhou never appeared. Even Xin didn't call her for another dressing-down from this snake early in the morning.
«Something's not right here,» Yang Yulan thought. «She herself wanted to prepare me for the upcoming battles and teach me self-defense.»
Deciding that worrying wouldn't lead to anything, Yang Yulan resolved to go directly to Shin Zuzhou's study.
At the entrance to the room, Xin was of course waiting for her. Her mood, as usual, wasn't the best.
«What have you done this time? My mistress said she doesn't even want to see you.»
«Nonsense,» Yang Yulan was surprised. «She showed up at my place yesterday and told me she was going to train me in weapon use.»
«So you said something to her before that.»
«I did not. She's delusional.»
Xin didn't answer. She continued to stubbornly stand at the entrance, blocking the way. Then Yang Yulan decided to find another method. She took a deep breath and, moving as close to the door as possible, shouted:
«If you don't let me in, I won't let you work in peace.»
Xin immediately covered her mouth, not letting her finish. But just a couple of minutes passed, and an invitation to enter came from behind the door. Xin remained standing outside on orders.
«What do you want?» Shin Zuzhou got straight to the point as soon as Yang Yulan crossed the threshold.
The girl approached the desk where the princess was sitting and, leaning on it with both hands, said:
«When's our training?»
«Let's postpone it. I'm busy right now.»
It was only then that Yang Yulan noticed that since her arrival, Shin Zuzhou hadn't looked at her once. Before, she could bore into her with her scarlet eyes almost all day, but now she turned away even when Yang Yulan deliberately moved closer to her face.
«What's wrong with you?» she asked sincerely. No answer came.
«Leave me alone for now,» Shin Zuzhou insisted, unrolling scrolls on her desk and carefully studying something.
Yang Yulan couldn't give up so easily. She had another idea.
«I found out that very soon Yang Jinlong and his beloved will leave the palace and go to exterminate the remaining demons.»
«And what business is that of mine?»
«You need to seduce the prince before he leaves.»
Shin Zuzhou was silent for a while.
«That's impossible. He's obsessed with that girl. Try to kill her again?»
«No, no!» Yang Yulan immediately panicked. She tried to smooth things over. «I'll help you charm him.»
And at the same time, I'll try to convince you to give up hope of winning him, she added to herself.
«You? How?»
«I understand this topic. Don't forget, I'm a guy. I know what goes on in their heads better. I just have one question. How good is Xin at finding things?»
Shin Zuzhou's eyebrows arched in confusion.
«I need some material for preparation.»
***
The next day, Yang Yulan showed up at Shin Zuzhou's office again and, entering, dumped a stack of manuscripts and scrolls on her desk.
«What's this?»
«Romantic prose,» Yang Yulan answered, smiling from ear to ear. Despite her good mood, she kept yawning and could barely stand on her feet. The sleepless night spent reading novels wasn't too tiring for Yang Yulan, but it was physically exhausting for her new body.
Shin Zuzhou ignored her subordinate's condition and picked up one of the scrolls.
«This is the first time I've met a guy who enjoys such reading material.»
Yang Yulan hesitated.
«I just like reading this kind of thing from time to time.»
«Never mind,» Yang Yulan waved it off and pointed a finger at the pile of scrolls. «These are the books I liked the most. You need to read all of them.»
Shin Zuzhou skimmed the text.
«Fine.»
«Really?» the girl was surprised.
«You're the one who said to do it.»
«But I didn't think you'd agree so easily.»
For some reason, Yang Yulan felt even happier than before. None of her acquaintances had ever shared her interests or read anything on her recommendation.
«What a shame my favorite book isn't here.»
Shin Zuzhou shifted her gaze to her servant.
«Ask Xin. She'll find it.»
«Won't work. That book is nowhere to be found.»
Yang Yulan scratched the back of her head. She didn't know how to explain that the book simply didn't exist in this world.
«But I would like you to read it.»
Shin Zuzhou didn't react to this statement. She had already delved deeply into reading the scrolls. Yang Yulan, meanwhile, felt another wave of drowsiness. She settled on the couch and decided to nap for a while.
Silence fell in the study. Only the soft breathing of the person on the couch distracted Shin Zuzhou from her reading. She kept glancing at him, without even realizing it. Something about the way he breathed or the position of his body strongly attracted the girl. And while she was figuring out what it was, evening had already arrived.
«How's it going?» Yang Yulan inquired in a hoarse, sleepy voice. She stretched out on the couch, then massaged her stiff neck. Shin Zuzhou secretly watched her every move.
«It's not logical,» was her only answer.
Yang Yulan giggled.
«What else could be expected from you.»
«The heroines in these novels behave foolishly and rely too much on others' help.»
«That's their charm. They make you want to save and protect them.»
«Do you like that type too?»
Yang Yulan thought for a moment.
«No. I like strong and confident women. You know, the ones who are ready to stand up for their truth to the very end.»
She spoke sincerely and didn't actually mean anything special by these words, but Shin Zuzhou seriously pondered them.
«I still don't understand how this will help me win the prince.»
«It's okay. I've specially planned out our next steps for you.»
«Listen carefully,» Yang Yulan said and with a learned air stood in the middle of the room. Shin Zuzhou lazily leaned back in her chair.
«First, you need to interest him with your uniqueness. Show that you're different from other women. First impressions are very important. We need him to remember you and start comparing you to other girls.»
«Second, give him a gift that will make his soul stir. It doesn't have to be expensive. Just make it clear that you put a lot of effort into it.»
«Third, cheer him up. You need to be the only ray of sunshine in his world, full of pitch darkness. Let him know that you'll always be on his side. Believe me, after that he'll never let you go.»
«This all sounds terrible,» Shin Zuzhou couldn't help commenting.
«It might seem that way, but trust me, it works.»
«But,» the girl cut herself off, «of course, all this doesn't work without a romantic atmosphere. But don't worry, I'll arrange that perfectly.»
«Oh, and there's also a bit about saving a life, but we'll skip that for now. That's for when you've already completely won his heart.»
«Why are you so eager to help me?» Shin Zuzhou asked only. She didn't know how this could benefit a stranger.
Yang Yulan scratched the back of her head again.
«I just want you to become better and learn to care about others.»
«Lies,» the princess cut off.
«As you say,» Yang Yulan didn't insist.
Things moved to the next day. Yang Yulan and Shin Zuzhou agreed on a plan of action.
They headed to the training ground where Yang Jinlong was preparing for the upcoming battle.
«What exactly should I do?» Shin Zuzhou asked, addressing her companion.
«You should also train and show him how strong you are. He'll be surprised that you know how to handle weapons, despite being a girl, and he'll remember you.»
«I think he remembers me well enough as it is. Besides, you yourself said men like women they can protect.»
«That's true. You need to be a strong heroine. But not too strong, so as not to overshadow him. So first you'll show off, and then you'll pretend to get hurt, and he'll tend to your wounds. A typical cliché, but it always works.»
«I don't understand what you're talking about at all,» Shin Zuzhou complained.
«Just do as I say.»
The princess stopped arguing. She really didn't have many options.
The girl stepped onto the training ground and, under the curious gazes of the people there, picked up the first sword she saw and struck a straw dummy.
All the men who had been busy with their own tasks stared in surprise. Only one young man paid her no attention. It was Yang Jinlong. He sat at a distance on a wooden plank, seriously sharpening his sword.
Shin Zuzhou performed a couple more tricks and, realizing the prince still wasn't going to look at her, decided to move to the next part of the plan. She swung the sword again, and then as if by accident dropped it from her hands, cutting her forearm. Blood immediately gushed from her exposed, pale arm.
The people on the field didn't dare approach the princess. There were also no servants around. So the onlookers waited for the fiancé's reaction. Even after this, he continued to sharpen his sword with the same impartiality.
After a while, one of the prince's close associates patted him on the shoulder and pointed to the bleeding princess.
Yang Jinlong cast only a momentary glance at her and then resumed what he was doing.
Yang Yulan was beside herself with rage. She knew the prince wasn't interested in other girls besides his beloved. But this indifference crossed all boundaries. He could at least call someone to take care of the wounded girl. But he didn't lift a finger.
«A true gentleman,» Yang Yulan spat sarcastically and ran to the villainess. Shin Zuzhou didn't resist. She didn't react to the situation at all. Such treatment from the prince was nothing new to her.
Meanwhile, Yang Yulan was lamenting. She was beside herself with worry, afraid that this situation might only harden the princess.
«Don't pay attention to that idiot,» Yang Yulan said, and Shin Zuzhou burst out laughing. She couldn't believe that this person had just called the great prince and future emperor an idiot.
Yang Yulan didn't notice and continued bandaging her mistress's wound. Fortunately, after the incident at the temple, she now always carried first-aid supplies with her.
«He just doesn't know what he's missing. He's fixated on his beloved, and now everyone else is just garbage to him.»
Yang Yulan tried to smooth things over and hint subtly.
«Don't worry, we still have a chance to attract him. And even if he doesn't end up with you, you won't lose anything. You'll fall in love with someone else in the future. The world doesn't revolve around him alone. I'll help you.»
Shin Zuzhou didn't bother explaining again that what she was primarily interested in was the power he could provide. Instead, she thought about something else. What were this guy's true intentions, and why was he trying to make her change her mind about the prince?
The people on the training ground silently watched the princess and the mysterious masked man who had begun to take care of her. They could barely restrain themselves from running off the field and immediately telling others everything that had happened.
When Yang Yulan and the princess finally left the field, a genuine buzz ran through the crowd.
The execution of the next part of the plan was not long in coming. Yang Yulan believed in striking while the iron was hot, so she immediately set about preparing the second point of the plan.
Yang Yulan racked her brains for a long time over what to give Yang Jinlong. It seemed he wasn't interested in anything in this life. Except, of course, battles and demons.
However, Yang Yulan knew one small fact about the prince's beloved sword, which he had lost on the battlefield. That sword had apparently been forged for him by one of his friends, so it was very precious to him.
The girl didn't know exactly what that sword looked like, but from the description given in the book, she compiled a list of characteristics that she gave to a blacksmith. He didn't have a ready-made sword matching the description. But he had some vaguely similar ones, which were also excellent. Yang Yulan took one, introducing herself as one of Shin Zuzhou's close associates. The blacksmith didn't bother to double-check. He knew about the rumors going around and seemed to have made up his own mind.
«Here. He'll be touched,» Yang Yulan said, handing the sword to her mistress.
But touched the prince was not.
When Shin Zuzhou gave him the gift, he first froze in shock, then grabbed his head as if suffering from terrible pain, and finally fled back to the palace. Yang Yulan hadn't expected such a strange reaction. The second part of the plan had also failed.
Only one chance remained. Yang Yulan ran around the palace for hours in search of candles and flowers to create a romantic atmosphere. Each time, the servants looked askance at her incomprehensible actions.
She brought musicians into the hall, then seated Shin Zuzhou on a bench adorned with flower buds.
«Wait here,» she commanded and disappeared in an unknown direction. Half an hour later, she returned. And wearily sank down next to Shin Zuzhou.
Shin Zuzhou didn't comment on her actions.
«I'm sorry,» Yang Yulan forced out, devastated. «I tried to lure the prince here, but it seems it's truly impossible now. Security at the entrance to his palace has been increased, and the prince himself has stopped even coming out for training. It seems after our last meeting, his health has worsened.»
I even tried to sneak into his palace to ask Mei Baijie, the girl lamented to herself. I promised to visit her anyway.
«I see,» Shin Zuzhou said. She knew the idea was stupid from the start but had decided to let Fishy take some action. At least they had tried.
«It's okay. I'll continue my way, then.»
«No,» Yang Yulan cried out. «Don't do it your way. Please, try to calm down. You don't need to harm other people for his sake.»
«You are a wonderful person, I know this.»
At these words, Shin Zuzhou glanced at her in disbelief.
«I know... somewhere deep down inside you. And if he can't see it, that doesn't mean others can't. There are so many people in the world who will love you just the way you are.»
«Do you count yourself among these 'others'?»
«What? Ah, yes.»
«So you're one of those people who love me for no reason?»
«Of course,» Yang Yulan answered without thinking.
«So you'll always be on my side? Even if I try to kill Mei Baijie?»
Yang Yulan fell silent. Shin Zuzhou, on the contrary, began to laugh loudly. She leaned on the bench's armrest and inhaled the scent of flowers.
Yang Yulan hesitated a little longer, then pulled an object from her bosom. It was a handmade book.
«What's this?» Shin Zuzhou inquired.
«Remember that book I told you about? My favorite?»
«You said it was nowhere to be found.»
«I copied it from memory.»
Actually, using the system and completely changing the villainess's fate. But it's for the best. She needs to see how the heroine changed in the book and also believe that she can become good.
«Why?»
«I just wanted to share something I love. It's worth spending even an entire night for that.»
Shin Zuzhou silently looked at the person beside her. Unfortunately, because of the mask, she couldn't tell what emotions the guy was feeling at that moment. It greatly irritated her. She didn't understand why this guy spoke so badly of the prince. Why all his attempts to bring them together ended with the two of them alone in a romantic setting, and why he had become so courteous with her in recent days. Of course, the princess had some suspicions, but she tried not to dwell on them.
***
The next day, after rumors spread about the romantic adventures of the mysterious masked man with the Northern Princess, even the envoys from Northern Bei squealed with indignation. One morning, they simply showed up in the throne room and complained to the Empress about this wicked and depraved woman who had started a romance with someone else while betrothed to the prince.
The Empress didn't listen to their delusional tales. She knew Shin Zuzhou was an intelligent girl. And this intelligent girl needed the throne.
Perhaps with her recent actions, she wanted to arouse the prince's jealousy. She was confident of the girl's motives.
The one she wasn't confident about was the masked man. He might wish harm upon the princess. She needed to know for sure.
After escorting the red-faced, furious envoys out of the hall, the Empress summoned a servant.
«Bring me the masked man everyone is talking about. Without the Northern Princess's knowledge.»
«Yes, Your Highness.»
The servant rose from the floor and immediately ran to carry out the order.