Chapter 23: Applying Medicine
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
After the playful banter, the Princess was left feeling frustrated, her temper rising. Unfortunately, the person beside her remained oblivious, unaware that after sparking a fire, one should help extinguish it. They simply retreated to a distance, indulging in their own bath.
At this moment, the distance between the two was merely less than five steps.
However, the Princess dared not invite more trouble for herself, especially in a situation where both were scarcely clothed. She refrained from actively engaging with the Young Master.
Moreover, in such discomfort, the Princess dared not glance randomly. Instead, she focused on her breath, silently reciting a heart-calming mantra.
The beauty is within reach, yet one cannot make a move.
The Princess now truly experienced the taste of playing with fire and getting burned.
Fortunately, the bath in the clear spring pool is spacious enough for each of them to bathe separately, and all is calm.
When the Princess, having relieved her emotions and dried her hair, was about to emerge from the water, she noticed that the Young Master had quietly slipped away while she wasn't paying attention. Now, she was sitting on a chair, wearing her own nightclothes, with a mischievous smile while watching her.
Li Qiubai: "..."
Feng Shui changes, and this time, is it turning in her favor?
"Your Highness, do you want your clothes?"
Oh, it seems the Young Master has some skills!
The Princess was amused but maintained a feigned embarrassed expression. "Yes, how can I get them from you?"
With that, the Young Master couldn't help but smile even more joyfully, continuing to gaze at the Princess' exposed little head. Seeing the rare pitiful look on the Princess' face, she teased, "If you want them, come over and take them yourself!"
The Young Master merely wished to apply the principle of treating others as they treated you, as taught by the Princess today, letting her experience the taste of being teased.
Unfortunately, she underestimated the Princess’ schemes.
“Okay."
Without waiting for the Young Master to react, the Princess stood up directly from the water, completely exposed.
The sudden sight of the beauty emerging from the bath left Young Master Meng dumbfounded.
Unlike ordinary women who would be shy and reserved in such situations, the Princess carried herself with great composure. She stepped up onto the platform confidently, barefoot, walking towards the Young Master. She continued until she reached the Young Master, coming to a halt right in front of her.
"I already said if you want to look, feel free to look. Why bother using these petty tricks like stealing clothes?"
The Princess opened her hands candidly, letting the water droplets slide down her body, completely dispelling the shy demeanor she had just shown. With a smile, she praised, “It seems you are quite considerate as my Consort. If you want to personally wipe this Princess’ body, just say it directly, and this Princess will surely comply with your request.”
This seems quite different from the scene the Young Master had imagined...
Unable to see the Princess' embarrassed expression, Young Master Meng was greatly disappointed. She only managed to steal a glance at the Princess' proud figure before quickly turning her head, not daring to look any longer.
Young Master Meng felt that joking aside, she couldn't really take advantage of the Princess!
Seeing that the Princess seemed to expect her to serve, Young Master Meng didn't dare to play around anymore. She quickly grabbed a white towel and covered the Princess' face with it, then swiftly ran away as if escaping.
“Your Highness, please handle it yourself. I will go back to the sleeping chamber first."
And the set of sleepwear that was used by the Young Master to threaten the Princess just now was casually thrown onto the chair by her.
When the Princess removed the white cloth covering her sight, the Young Master had long vanished without a trace.
"Silly girl, truly clueless about romance."
After a teasing chuckle, the Princess dried herself off, leisurely changed into sleepwear, and headed towards the sleeping chamber.
When the Princess returned to the chamber, the Young Master had already conscientiously nestled into the bed, with eyes tightly shut.
The Young Master's feigned sleep was far from the relaxed state of actual slumber.
With just a glance, Li Qiubai had already seen through her intentions.
The Princess, seemingly unaware, treated it as genuine sleep, purposefully lightening her movements as she quietly perused the various medicinal supplies prepared by Yuechu on the table.
Taking out a small bottle of medicinal wine for bruises from the medicine, she returned to the bedside. Seeing the person lying on the bed still maintaining a disciplined posture without turning, the Princess couldn't help but smile.
"Chang'an, are you asleep?"
The soft call was not answered.
Afterward, the Princess continued to climb onto the bed, bending her legs as she sat beside the Young Master. She gently lifted the half-covered quilt that was over the Young Master.
Pouring a few drops of medicinal wine into her palm, the Princess then lifted the Young Master's shoulders, allowing her to be half-embraced in the Princess' arms. Soon after, with a single hand, the Princess untied the Young Master's robe.
As soon as the Young Master smelled the strong scent of the medicinal wine, she knew things were not right. Within moments, before the Young Master could decide whether to open her eyes right away, a sudden coolness enveloped her shoulders.
The slightly cool medicinal wine, mixed with the warmth from the Princess’ palm, spread over the Young Master's shoulders, causing a shiver to run through her body.
At that moment, the scene from the clear spring pool, which was enough to make one blush and feel a flutter in their heart, untimely surged into the mind of Young Master Meng.
Meng Chang'an hastily raised her hand, gripping the Princess’ wrist, blushing as she opened her eyes.
The Young Master never expected that even with the desperate plan of pretending to be asleep to avoid embarrassment, she couldn't escape this disaster.
"Your Highness, what are you trying to do?"
Despite the Young Master's thoughts, the Princess maintained a serious expression, saying, "I am applying medicine to you. What else could I be doing?"
At this moment, although the Young Master's clothing had loosened slightly, the entire sleepwear remained properly on her body, only revealing a bit of skin along the neck and shoulder area.
If that were the extent of it, Young Master Meng wouldn't have said much.
However, at this moment, the Princess' palm had slipped inside her clothing, pressing closely against her shoulder.
Such gestures, such touches, seemed overly intimate and ambiguous in the eyes of Young Master Meng,
"Let us not bother with it; it is just a minor injury, nothing serious."
"Did you not already cry out in pain earlier in the carriage? If bruises are not dispersed, you will feel even worse tomorrow." The Princess became more serious in both words and actions, ignoring any resistance from Young Master Meng. She directly followed the memory of the injury on the Young Master’s shoulder, precisely finding the spot and gently massaging it. "I have spent some time in the military and learned a few techniques from army medics. With the help of this medicinal wine, you will be much better by tomorrow."
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Before Young Master Meng could refuse once more, the Princess, filled with remorse, continued, “You suffered this injury because of me. If I cannot do something for you, how can I still have a face to face you?”
The Princess spoke with a sense of righteousness, and the guilt written all over her face made Young Master Meng unable to bear it in her heart.
The medicinal wine had dissipated on Young Master Meng's shoulder, and under the Princess' careful massages, the injury brought a sensation of soreness mixed with a subtle sense of pleasure.
The blend of discomfort and pleasure was somewhat akin to the usual shoulder massages she received from maids, making Young Master Meng feel considerably more at ease.
Mm, the Young Master could feel it, the Princess' technique was indeed skillful.
Recalling the Princess' constant protection in the palace, Young Master Meng felt helpless and could only indulge her.
Forget it, it is just a shoulder, a touch would not make me lose a piece of flesh.
With that, Young Master Meng silently swallowed back the words ‘I can do it myself,’ she intended to say, loosened the Princess’ wrist, and nestled into the Princess’ neck, allowing her to massage away the bruises.
The pungent scent of the medicinal wine was quite unpleasant.
The Young Master had never liked such odors, but inexplicably, when mixed with the faint fragrance emanating from the Princess, the medicinal wine didn't seem as repulsive to the Young Master.
"Then, please be gentle... I am a little ticklish..."
The soft, gentle voice made the Princess freeze for a moment.
Li Qiubai cleared her throat, feigned composure, and continued her actions. After regaining her calm, she smiled gently and said, "Alright, I will be gentle."
However, when these words reached the ears of onlookers, they took on a different meaning.
Hey, Li Qiubai, you animal! Beast
At this very moment, a black-clad woman hidden on the rooftop was on the verge of bursting into curses.
Fortunately, she was well aware of her current situation. After cursing in her heart, she discreetly withdrew from Li Qiubai's sleeping chamber and made her way to the side chamber where Yuechu was located.
"Who is there?!"
Sensing the loosening of the latch, Yuechu swiftly drew the sword hanging by her bedside and thrust it towards the intruder.
Unfortunately, her modest swordsmanship failed to impress the visitor.
"It is me."
The intruder effortlessly took Yuechu's sword and tossed it into a nearby scabbard, and only after removing the face veil did Yuechu recognize the familiar voice.
"Ye Wuyou? Why are you here at the Princess’ residence at this hour?"
"Why am I here at the Princess' residence? Naturally, to discuss important matters with your Highness!"
Ye Wuyou lit a match, illuminated the oil lamp on the table in Yuechu's room, and without any courtesy, sat down by the table. Pouring herself a cup of tea, she drank most of it before continuing, "Unfortunately, I came at the wrong time. Not only did I fail to find Your Highness for a conversation, but I also saw something I should not have, nearly blinding my eyes!"
Hearing this, Yuechu's drowsiness diminished significantly. She quickly went over and sat across from Ye Wuyou, attentively refilling her water. "Lady, why not share what you have seen?"
Yuechu's sudden change in demeanor surprised Ye Wuyou.
Without refusing, she enjoyed Yuechu's care. After sipping the water Yuechu had poured for her, Ye Wuyou sighed, "Tsk tsk, it was really blinding!”
"I knew there had to be a reason why she suddenly became so agreeable and offered me so many benefits. It turns out, she was captivated by our Xiao Chang'an's beauty!" Reflecting on this, Ye Wuyou couldn't help but grit her teeth and muttered bitterly, "If only I had asked her for more favors earlier!"
Yuechu: "..."
For Yuechu, this is the same as not telling her anything, she can't imagine what the Princess and Young Master might have been up to in the room. As she contemplated how to gracefully leave this imposing figure, she noticed Ye Wuyou had already stood up on her own accord. “Forget it, just tell her for me. Tomorrow, I will be waiting at our usual spot. There is something I need to discuss with her; make sure she remembers to come.'"
Yuechu rolled her eyes at Ye Wuyou and remarked, “In the current situation in the capital, people are searching for you everywhere. Now, expecting our Highness to meet you, is like asking for the impossible, is it not?”
With a mischievous smile, Ye Wuyou responded to Yuechu, “You also know that people are searching for me everywhere in the capital, right? If she does not help, I might not be able to keep my hiding place safe. Miss Yuechu, do not forget, that I am just cooperating with her, not her servant. Do not push me to turn my back on you!”
Upon hearing these words, Yuechu clearly sensed the veiled threat.
Without caring about Yuechu's reaction, Ye Wuyou covered her face again and casually added before leaving, “I have delivered my message. Whether she comes or not is her business.”
With just a cup of tea and a few words, Ye Wuyou left Yuechu's residence in a carefree manner.
Before leaving the residence, recalling the amusing sight of the Young Master being dazed by the Princess' actions, Ye Wuyou couldn't resist her sudden curiosity. Once again, she stealthily moved to the spot where she had been observing from above the sleeping chamber and continued to observe the situation inside the room.
However, at this moment, the two people inside the sleeping chamber remained oblivious to the additional pair of eyes that had appeared on the roof.
After several rounds of massaging from the Princess, Young Master Meng had nestled in her arms and was comfortably drifting into sleep.
Only when that skillful hand, now coated with medicinal wine, continued to extend into Young Master Meng's clothing, slowly moving down her shoulder and landing on the wound over her heart, did Meng Chang'an suddenly shudder, waking up on the spot.
