Chapter 88: Shu Yao Was Exposed
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
After confirming that Shen Lingyun was not hurt by those children bumping into her, Shu Yao finally let out a sharp breath.
Fortunately, she was not shaken off this time.
However, the smile that had once graced the beauty’s face had now completely disappeared. That cold, icy expression was even more chilling than before.
"Lingyun..."
Shu Yao didn't dare to provoke Shen Lingyun any further. Before she could be pushed away, she withdrew her hand from the woman’s waist. She only tugged at the jade pendant on her belt, coaxing softly, "I was wrong... Do not be angry anymore, alright?"
Now she knows how to be nervous?
Seeing Shu Yao like this, Shen Lingyun's expression softened slightly.
This time, she didn't run away. She simply let Shu Yao clutch her belt tightly.
At the same time, she didn't want to let Shu Yao have her way so easily. So, she bit her lip, turned her head, and looked at the river lanterns drifting on the water, avoiding Shu Yao’s gaze. With a touch of self-mockery, she spoke.
"No, you are not wrong. This is all my fault. I should not have forced you. I knew you were unwilling, yet I still pushed you. You did nothing wrong. I was the one who brought shame upon myself."
Shu Yao lifted her head and saw that Shen Lingyun's eyes were already brimming with shimmering tears.
This person had always been indifferent and rarely got angry. Even when she was upset, she would usually remain silent or furrow her brows slightly. When had she ever been on the verge of tears like this?
Seeing this, Shu Yao suddenly felt her heart ache.
At this moment, how could she still remember her earlier reservations? Without thinking, she followed her heart and pulled Shen Lingyun into her arms, anxiously explaining.
"I was wrong, I was wrong! Do not be sad, it is all my fault! Do not misunderstand—how could this ever be forced? If anything, I am beyond happy you would say this! Of course, I wanted to give it to you. I have been longing for a chance to express my feelings! It is just that I… I… I only hesitated because I could not dare..."
Shu Yao dared not reveal the real reason. She could only keep admitting her fault. "I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong. Lingyun, my good Lingyun, please be kind and forgive me just this once. Give me another chance, okay?"
As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Shen Lingyun’s expression. Seeing that she had not turned hostile on the spot, Shu Yao grew bolder. Taking advantage, she lightly brushed the tip of her nose against Shen Lingyun’s earlobe.
"Alright? Lingyun?"
The sudden touch, mixed with the warm breath by her ear, made Shen Lingyun tremble violently.
She stiffened, stunned for a long moment, before finally breaking free from Shu Yao’s embrace.
"There is only one chance. Since you have already missed it, there will not be another!"
If not for the unusual flush on Shen Lingyun’s face, Shu Yao might have actually believed her words.
Now, however, her panicked heart finally calmed down a little.
She had a feeling that if she hesitated and avoided things like before, she might never have another chance to stay by Shen Lingyun’s side.
If that was the case, she might as well break the pot now. Even if the truth came out one day and Lingyun came to despise her, that would still be better than making her sad and bringing her to tears right now.
"I truly know I was wrong!"
The flower lantern was still in Shu Yao’s hand, held along with her sword. Before Shen Lingyun could flee in panic, Shu Yao grabbed her hand, pried open her fingers, and forcibly placed the handle of the lantern into her palm. She then clenched Shen Lingyun’s hand tightly, refusing to give her even the slightest chance to let go.
"Alright, now you have accepted my flower lantern. You are not allowed to let go!"
"You…"
The stifling gloom that had weighed on Shen Lingyun’s heart had long since dissipated, and whatever anger remained had completely vanished the moment Shu Yao caught up with her. Now, looking at Shu Yao’s determined and overbearing expression, her eyes were filled only with helplessness.
"You are truly a scoundrel."
Shu Yao still refused to loosen her grip on Shen Lingyun’s hand.
"I am a scoundrel! As long as you are happy, as long as you do not throw away the lantern—or me—I do not care about my dignity!"
At that, Shen Lingyun’s face finally bloomed into a smile once more.
"Alright, I will not throw it away. Now let go."
Shu Yao’s eyes lit up, and she loosened her grip slightly, cautiously confirming, "So you have accepted my feelings?"
Now that she had regained her freedom, Shen Lingyun didn't answer her directly. Instead, she raised the lantern high, pretending as if she were about to toss it into the river.
The instant Shu Yao’s expression changed dramatically, Shen Lingyun finally withdrew her hand in satisfaction, holding onto the lantern securely. Then, she extended her empty hand toward Shu Yao.
"Let us go. Otherwise, Chang’an and the others might not be able to wait any longer."
Still shaken, Shu Yao quickly placed her hand in Shen Lingyun’s palm, only daring to hold it lightly. She asked in disbelief, "You really will not throw it away? You have forgiven me?"
Shen Lingyun still wore her usual indifferent expression, but the tenderness in her eyes was unmistakable.
For someone so reserved, taking the initiative to cross that line—to both hint and subtly push Shu Yao forward—was already an incredible effort.
She was not good at sweet words. Now, faced with Shu Yao’s eager and pleading gaze, she only controlled her emotions, maintaining her cold front as she replied, "You get only one chance. There will not be another in the future."
After saying that, she already stepped up the stairs and went up.
Only one chance?
The knot in Shu Yao’s heart, which made her feel guilty and hesitate, came up again.
Shu Yao’s heart tightened. She quickly followed, secretly slipping between Shen Lingyun’s fingers. Before she could shake her off, Shu Yao already interlocked their fingers. She lowered her head guiltily and muttered in a small voice.
“Actually, I still have some things I have not told you. Can you also count it in this chance and forgive me together…”
Unfortunately, she spoke too softly. Shen Lingyun didn't hear clearly and asked in detail. She was already distracted by the two people leaning on the bridge.
When their eyes met, it was Li Qiubai who spoke first.
“Congratulations, both of you.”
Li Qiubai’s gaze fell right on Shen Lingyun and Shu Yao’s tightly interlocked hands.
Shen Lingyun’s footsteps slightly paused. When she met her teasing and scrutinizing gaze, she could not help but curve her lips and lightly replied, "Mm, I will treat you to some wine another day."
Hearing this, Li Qiubai's smile deepened. "What wine? Wedding wine?"
In their place, only the wine at a wedding banquet could be called wedding wine.
Seemingly thinking it over seriously for a moment, Shen Lingyun then responded solemnly, "If you want to drink it, I can only do my best to work hard for it."
The more they talked, the more outrageous it became. Meanwhile, Meng Chang'an listened in a daze, staring at Shu Yao and Shen Lingyun's intimate posture, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
This stinky girl who made her jealous during the day actually managed to win over her childhood friend tonight?
Winning over her childhood friend was one thing, but how could she always be so close to the Princess too...
Shu Yao, on the other hand, was unaware of Young Master Meng's unhappiness. Hearing how those two quickly moved on to discussing marriage, her face turned redder and redder. She no longer dared to ask Shen Lingyun if she could have another chance to confess.
To stop her imperial sister from continuing to tease her, Shu Yao hurriedly interrupted their conversation, clearing her throat as she asked, "When did you two get here?"
Seeing her face completely flushed, Li Qiubai could not help but tease, "What, are you shy now? Did you not say you would do anything, even be a scoundrel? Now you want to save face?"
Shu Yao froze for a moment. When she realized Li Qiubai was throwing her own words back at her, she became so flustered that she glared at her furiously. "You have been eavesdropping for this long and did not even say anything!"
Li Qiubai just smiled and didn't talk, but Young Master Meng was upset and had to say something.
"That long? But we saw you two hugging from the start!"
Shu Yao was angry but could not say anything back. Young Master Meng was happy and said, "We were not listening on purpose. You two blocked our way and did not see us, right?"
Shen Lingyun looked at them and smiled more.
Young Master Meng was still talking when Shen Lingyun asked,
"Chang'an, who bit you so hard?"
Meng Chang'an stopped. She remembered what the Princess had done in the alley. She covered her lip and hid behind the Princess. She pulled Her Highness's sleeve and said in a small voice, "It is your fault!"
"Ahem, ahem."
Li Qiubai smiled helplessly and didn't tease Shu Yao anymore. She gently squeezed Young Master Meng's hand to comfort her, then turned to the Princess and changed the topic.
"I heard the flower boats on the river are leaving soon. They will pass by here. Why do we not just wait here to watch them? Then we do not need to walk anymore."
Since the Princess wanted to "stop fighting," Shen Lingyun would not make trouble for Young Master Meng either. So, she took Shu Yao and stood beside the Princess. They leaned on the bridge together, enjoying the wind and the view.
It was a rare peaceful and beautiful moment.
But some people always like to ruin the mood.
"Oh, what a coincidence. I did not expect to see all of you here."
Li Xinyi came uninvited. She didn’t care whether they welcomed her or not. She squeezed in front of Li Qiubai and invited her.
"The wind is strong here. If Imperial Sister wants to watch the flower boats, why not come with me to the viewing pavilion nearby? The spot there is perfect for enjoying the scenery. Father is sitting there with several officials. I hope Imperial Sister can come and show some support."
Meng Chang'an felt that this person's smile didn't look like an invitation. It looked more like she came to ruin things. No matter how she looked at it, it didn't seem like she had good intentions.
Just as she was thinking about how to make this person leave, she saw the Princess had already smiled and refused.
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"There is no need. Tonight, I only want to spend time with my Prince Consort. It does not matter where we are. It does not matter if we watch the flower boats or not. It does not matter if the viewing spot is good or not. As long as the person beside me is her, then that is enough. It makes this trip worthwhile. Please help me apologize to Imperial Uncle."
If Meng Chang'an didn't know that the Princess didn’t care about Li Xinyi, she would've thought the Princess was openly declaring war against a love rival.
Since the Princess had already said this, she could only stand firm as the Prince Consort and support the Princess in front of this outsider.
She stepped forward, wrapped an arm around the Princess' waist, and openly pulled the Princess into her arms right in front of Li Xinyi. Then, imitating He Changping’s tone and voice, she mocked her without mercy.
“No need to trouble yourself, Your Highness. If my wife gets cold from the wind, I am here to shield her from it. Your Highness should take your leave.”
Luckily, she'd learned disguise techniques from the elders in her sect, so she could mimic her older brother’s voice almost perfectly.
The Young Master thought that if Li Xinyi was really as obsessed with her older brother as the rumors claimed, hearing “him” deny her any dignity like this—whether or not she got angry on the spot—she’d surely feel disappointed, aggrieved, upset, and miserable.
Yet, instead of getting angry, the woman actually laughed.
And it wasn’t a forced smile—it was a sneering chuckle filled with pure disdain.
“In that case, I will not disturb you two.”
Who’d have thought she’d be so easy to deal with this time?
Just as Meng Chang’an was about to feel relieved, she saw the woman shift her gaze from them to Shu Yao and ask with a smile, “Since Imperial Sister refuses to give me face, I wonder if my imperial younger sister would? It has been so many years—I almost did not recognize you earlier.”
Imperial younger sister???
For a moment, Meng Chang’an couldn’t process what Li Xinyi meant by those words.
Shen Lingyun's brows furrowed as she turned to Shu Yao, heavily emphasizing the keyword in Li Xinyi's sentence: "Imperial younger sister?"
Seeing her like this, Shu Yao's heart sank.
