Xie Yu barely slept all night. She tossed and turned until three or four in the morning, still feeling uncomfortable all over.
She lay on the bed, stretching her arms and legs as far as she could, sprawled diagonally like a giant character, her head hanging halfway off the bed. In this twisted position, she finally fell asleep just before dawn.
She woke up early too. When she opened her eyes, the world outside the window was still a deep bluish darkness.
With a grim expression, she got up, dressed, and went into the courtyard.
Little Flower, who had been sound asleep, woke the moment she heard footsteps and rolled over to her feet.
She patted the dog's head and began exercising, working out until her whole body heated up. She took off her outer robe, leaving only a white inner garment, and rolled up her sleeves.
By the time the sky grew pale, the first maids who came to clean the courtyard finally noticed her.
"Third Highness, you're up so early to exercise?"
"Yes. I have too much internal heat. Please tell the small kitchen later to brew me some cooling tea."
Xie Yu gripped a thick branch of the big tree with both hands. Her sleeves had fallen all the way to her shoulders. She slowly exerted strength and completed another pull-up.
Her bare arms revealed clear muscle lines in the slightly cool air.
The maid looked at her with envy. "When will I ever train muscles like that? The guards always laugh at me for being weak."
Her gaze lingered—then suddenly stiffened. She looked toward the windows of Shen Changyin's study and quickly bowed. "Lady Shen."
Xie Yu, still bracing herself against the branch, stiffened as well. She didn't know how long Shen Changyin had been watching.
She jumped down from the tree, her long black hair—now long enough to reach her waist—flying up briefly in the air.
Seeing that Shen Changyin was still looking at her, she pulled her sleeves back down, covering every inch of skin on her arms.
Without greeting her, she turned and went straight back to her room to wash up.
For breakfast, she went to the small kitchen ahead of time and grabbed two steamed buns to make do. After eating, she took a carriage alone to attend court.
The officials waiting outside the Hall of Diligent Governance greeted her. After a while, not seeing Shen Changyin, someone asked, "When will Lady Shen arrive?"
Xie Yu leaned against a vermilion pillar, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her hands hidden away. Hearing this, she lifted her head, her tone sharp.
"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"
The officials all took a step back, exchanging glances from the corners of their eyes, not understanding what new trouble had sprung up between these two.
Weren't they perfectly affectionate just yesterday?
Before long, Shen Changyin arrived as well, standing neither too close nor too far from Xie Yu, facing her—but saying nothing.
Everyone present held their breath. No one dared gossip. All eyes lowered.
The air felt almost frozen until the great doors of the hall opened, and only then did everyone breathe again.
When the empress took the throne and saw Xie Yu and Shen Changyin, she said, "There are only three days left until the two of you are married, correct?"
Shen Changyin glanced at Xie Yu. Xie Yu stared straight ahead.
No one answered the empress .
The empress touched her nose.
Seeing this scene, the officials actually felt mentally balanced.
If these two could cause trouble to the point that even the empress had to endure it, then what was it for them to endure a little?
The empress didn't feel awkward either. She waved her hand generously.
"Since your wedding is so close and there are many household matters to handle, starting tomorrow, neither of you needs to attend court. Prepare properly."
Xie Yu nodded once—barely a response.
The empress was already quite satisfied. She listened casually to a few reports and then dismissed the court.
Although they were officially on leave starting tomorrow, afternoon classes still had to be held today.
By sheer coincidence, the afternoon class was Shen Changyin's poetry lesson.
Xie Yu saw off the music instructor from the first class, then sat behind her desk, collapsed forward onto the tabletop, her gaze empty.
When Shen Changyin walked in gracefully, she didn't even bother to sit up straight.
That was, until Shen Changyin stopped beside her and lowered her gaze to look at the hand resting at the edge of the desk.
Her right hand.
The hand that had gently gathered and teased in the water that day.
Xie Yu instantly pulled her hand back and hid it behind her waist.
Shen Changyin spoke gently. "Do you remember? The first time we met, after you held my hand, you hid your hand behind your back just like this."
Xie Yu sat upright and opened her book. "It's time for class."
She enunciated each word slowly and clearly.
"Teacher."
Shen Changyin suddenly smiled. "Alright. Then let's have class."
She turned, walked to the lectern, flipped through the book, then closed it. Facing her only student, she said casually, "Today we'll study lyrical poetry."
"Poetry is not a form of writing, but a form of speech—a more beautiful kind of speech. That's why, thousands of years ago, even the most illiterate people could create poetry."
"South of the river stand tall trees; north of the river grows reeds. With pale hands she washes silk, clear waves rippling."
She looked at Xie Yu as she recited an ancient poem.
"I wish to take her hand and build our home together. Our home lies on the river's left bank; my heart ripples like the water."
South of the river, tall trees grow. North of the river, reeds sway. A woman sits by the river washing clothes, the clear water shimmering.
I want to hold her hand and build our home together. Our home is on the left bank of the river, and my heart ripples like the flowing water.
The poem was simple and straightforward. The woman who wrote it must have been very brave.
Xie Yu had studied quite a bit of history recently. She knew that although the current dynasty was open-minded and tolerant of such poems, earlier dynasties had regarded them as obscene.
Yet Shen Changyin recited a love poem to her without the slightest hesitation.
Her feelings were deeper than anyone's. She was best at speaking indirectly. She had once wiped her skin clean with a towel after holding hands. She was distant with everyone.
Xie Yu had once been angry about Shen Changyin's indirectness, wishing she would just confess outright. But now, she actually wished Shen Changyin would go back to being like that.
She tensed and said, "I don't understand."
"Not understanding is fine."
Shen Changyin was gentle and earnest. "Isn't a teacher's responsibility to teach you until you understand? No matter how long it takes, no matter what method is used."
Xie Yu turned her face away.
Not long after, a maid came in carrying a tray, smiling brightly. "My ladies, the imperial kitchen has recently developed a new dessert. Please try it."
Naturally, she placed the dessert on Xie Yu's desk. And just as naturally, Shen Changyin sat down opposite her.
The lid of the white porcelain bowl was lifted, releasing a cool, sweet fragrance—chilled red bean syrup, with more than a dozen milky-white glutinous rice balls at the bottom.
The desk was small. The distance between Xie Yu and Shen Changyin was extremely close. After setting the dessert down, the maid straightened and asked in confusion, "My ladies, aren't you eating?"
A guard peeking from the courtyard looked pained.
Didn't this little maid know what was going on? Right now, the entire court—front and back—knew these two were fighting.
Sharing sweet syrup together was something only couples in the honeymoon phase did.
Serving dessert to a quarreling pair—wasn't that just setting them up for embarrassment?
Xie Yu and Shen Changyin looked at each other. Neither moved.
The maid's grip on the tray tightened. Her heart began to race. Had she done something wrong?
After a moment, both Xie Yu and Shen Changyin lowered their heads, picked up their spoons, and began eating the dessert.
Shen Changyin naturally took out a plain white handkerchief from her sleeve and gently pushed it toward Xie Yu's side. Xie Yu naturally accepted it, intending to use it to wipe her mouth later.
The maid let out a long breath of relief and left happily.
As she exited the courtyard, a guard grabbed her arm and told her that the two were arguing. She widened her eyes in disbelief.
"How is that possible? Lady Shen and Her Highness the Crown Princess are clearly very affectionate. I warn you—don't spread rumors."
Inside the room, the two women had no idea what people outside were thinking. After finishing the dessert and setting the bowl aside, the atmosphere became tense again.
Xie Yu immediately forgot herself once the bowl was down, putting on a cold face for class. Even her answers were stiff and blunt.
The afternoon lesson finally ended. Xie Yu returned to the residence on her own again, without waiting for Shen Changyin.
But at dinner, there was no avoiding Shen Changyin.
The iron tree in the room swayed lazily. Xie Yu sat at the table, propping her face on her hand, thinking: once Shen Changyin comes back, she'll eat quickly and return to her room.
Dishes were brought out one by one, but the person across from her didn't seem to arrive.
By the time the fish soup had grown slightly cold, footsteps finally sounded in the courtyard—along with the sound of Little Flower rushing forward to greet Shen Changyin.
Xie Yu glanced over casually, but then noticed that something was off about Shen Changyin's expression.
Was her face… a little red?
She narrowed her eyes slightly and observed more carefully.
Yes.
Shen Changyin's complexion was still pale and cool-toned, but a faint flush had appeared beneath her eyes.
That kind of redness felt familiar.
Had the effects of the intoxicating incense on Shen Changyin not completely worn off yet?
Xie Yu frowned briefly, then relaxed her brow again.
She thought, What does it have to do with me?
Last time she'd helped out of kindness, and in the end she'd gotten kissed for it.
This time, she absolutely would not meddle again.
But to her surprise, Shen Changyin didn't cling to her either. She merely nodded slightly to her when entering the room.
She ate very little at dinner and didn't speak.
Xie Yu watched her slowly pick up a mouthful of rice, bring it to her lips, and chew it for a long time at an unhurried pace.
An irritation she couldn't vent built up in her chest. She held it in—until she saw Shen Changyin set down her chopsticks and prepare to return to her room. Finally, she couldn't hold back anymore.
"Have you gone to see Military Physician Zhang?"
She lowered her eyes, staring at the rice in her own bowl.
Shen Changyin froze slightly, clearly not expecting her to ask that. After a moment, she replied stiffly, "Yes. I've seen her."
"And the conclusion?" Xie Yu pressed.
"…Everything is fine," Shen Changyin said calmly. "The effects have already faded."
"So, Third Highness, you don't need to worry about that kind of situation happening again."
Her smile was faint. The corners of her eyes drooped slightly, carrying a hint of sadness.
"I know you're angry about my offense. I promise you—those things will never happen again."
Xie Yu felt as though the rice she had just eaten was lodged in her chest.
Was this an apology?
But what she wanted in the first place hadn't been an apology.
And it didn't make her feel any better.
She took a breath and said coldly, "Good. Then that's good."
"Then I won't concern myself with you anymore. Goodbye, Minister Shen."
She returned to her room alone and once again did an excessive amount of exercise to burn off energy, until her body gave out and she collapsed onto the carpet.
That nameless fire was still roaming through her blood, unable to find an outlet.
She had insomnia again.
The sky grew darker and darker. The water clock marked the passage of time. She lay on the bed for hours, unable to fall asleep.
Insomnia was a severe torment to both body and mind—especially for someone like her, who almost never suffered from it. It was pure torture.
She lay there with her eyes closed for a long time. Around two or three in the morning, she suddenly heard the sound of a door opening outside.
She sat up immediately and listened closely.
The footsteps were very light, as if someone were searching for something. There was a faint sound of water.
Xie Yu got up, stepped out of bed, crossed her inner chambers, and opened the door leading to the main hall.
Shen Changyin was holding a cup of tea. The faint redness on her face hadn't faded—instead, it had spread to her cheeks.
She looked at Xie Yu in surprise.
Then she set the cup down, curved her eyes into a smile, and said, "Third Highness, I'm truly fine. Thank you for your concern."
Xie Yu didn't reply. She shut the door behind her and hurried back to her own bed.
Since Shen Changyin said she was fine, then she was fine. Why should she poke her nose into it?
Besides, who knew whether Shen Changyin was putting on an act to fool her again? She had fallen for her tricks so many times already.
She was so angry she felt like a puffed-up bird with ruffled feathers, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
Naturally, she still couldn't sleep.
She heard the main hall door creak open. Shen Changyin seemed to have gone into the courtyard to clear her head.
"Fine," my ass. And she even dared say she'd gone to see a doctor.
You're obviously unable to sleep because the drug hasn't fully worn off, so you went out to wander.
Xie Yu kept her eyes closed, sneering inwardly, not moving an inch.
Whatever Shen Changyin was doing now was entirely her own choice. She, Xie Yu, was definitely not going to save her again. She wasn't a bodhisattva—she wouldn't deliver Shen Changyin anymore.
Gradually, rain began to fall.
When it was just a fine drizzle, Xie Yu couldn't hear it. Slowly, she began to hear one or two bean-sized drops striking the windowsill. Then, as the downpour grew heavier, the sound of rain poured down like beans scattering across the ground—but Shen Changyin was still outside, not returning indoors.
Amid the sound of rain, someone knocked on her windowsill.
Very softly.
After the first knock, there was a long hesitation before a second knock followed. Then it stopped, never sounding again.
If Xie Yu hadn't been awake—and if her hearing weren't sharper than most—no one would have noticed such a sound in the storm.
She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She waited a long time, but there was no third knock.
The person outside seemed to have given up on waking her.
Xie Yu turned her head toward the window, her face expressionless.
She got up, walked over, and pulled the window open.
Shen Changyin stood in the rain, soaked through. She lifted her eyes to look at Xie Yu. Her face was pale from the cold, yet flushed from beneath the eyes all the way across her cheeks.
Her hair was completely wet, plastered against her face and neck, pitiful like a rain-soaked cat.
"Everything that happens next will be led by me. Without my permission, you are not allowed to do anything—especially not to kiss me."
Xie Yu said coldly,
"If you can accept that, then come in."
—
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