Chapter 98: Chang'an, I Am Willing To Marry You
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 finishing her words, Li Qiubai left the cell without paying any attention to Shi Hongzhang's expression.
After arranging for someone to continue guarding Shi Hongzhang, Ye Wuyou quickly followed in Li Qiubai's footsteps and casually asked,
"Why let the tiger return to the mountain so easily? Are you not afraid he might come back to confront you until either the fish dies or the net breaks*?”
*fight to the death
"Would he dare?" Li Qiubai’s eyes still carried a mocking glint, and her words were filled with icy coldness. "If he truly dared to confront me until either the fish died or the net broke, I might still respect him as a man. But you just saw how much he fears death and clings to life. Besides, Lin Xingyang will be accompanying him this time, ensuring that he will have no chance to stir up trouble. There is no need to worry."
Only then did Ye Wuyou feel somewhat reassured, even finding the mood to joke with the Princess.
"Oh, you really know how to pick people. With Lin Xingyang going this time, how much trouble will that save you? Li Qiubai, oh Li Qiubai, it seems you have made full use of everyone around our Young Master. Not a single person has escaped your calculations. Everything that can be used has already been used!”
The Lin family generals were originally promoted by the Prime Minister. Outsiders do not know of the connection between the Young General Lin and Meng Chang'an, nor would they be aware of his association with the Princess. By openly placing Lin Xingyang by Shi Hongzhang's side, the Princess ensures that some people will inevitably think they are the ones gaining the advantage.
For example, the Prime Minister in the distant capital and the faction aligned with the Fourth Prince.
In this way, the Princess would face far fewer obstacles in accomplishing her goals.
Moreover, during this journey, the way Young General Lin has devoted himself tirelessly, serving the Princess with unwavering dedication, has been evident to all.
Whether or not it is because of Meng Chang'an, the Princess has ultimately gained a capable talent.
Although Ye Wuyou speaks with cold sarcasm, she cannot help but feel admiration in her heart.
Hearing what she said, Li Qiubai didn't refute, just curled her lips, and accepted Ye Wuyou's "praise" generously. Just as she was about to explain something to Ye Wuyou again, she saw a familiar figure in front of the railing at the corner of the cabin.
The bright lights of the passage clearly illuminated Young Master Meng’s face.
When their gazes met, the Princess' mocking smile froze on her face before she even had the chance to hide it.
Seeing this, Ye Wuyou immediately felt that something was wrong.
Under usual circumstances, it might not have mattered, but she had just said those words behind the Young Master Meng’s back. What if that silly girl actually believed them?
They were not far apart, merely separated by a corner. Moreover, martial artists are always sharp-eared, making it almost impossible for Ye Wuyou to convince herself that the Young Master Meng hadn’t overheard their conversation.
If the Young Master Meng misunderstood, Li Qiubai would undoubtedly skin her alive!
Ye Wuyou suppressed her guilty conscience and broke the awkward silence,
“Cough, cough, Chang'an, why are you out here catching the cold wind instead of resting properly?”
“I came to find Her Highness.”
Meng Chang'an pressed her lips together and asked in a muffled voice,
“Is it inconvenient?”
Seeing that this little ancestor did not get angry on the spot, Ye Wuyou was overjoyed and quickly replied,
“Not inconvenient at all! I will not disturb the two of you then!”
With that, Ye Wuyou fled as if she were escaping, fearing that the flames between the two might burn her.
Not only did she run off, but she also dismissed the guards stationed nearby, leaving the two with a moment to themselves.
The painted boat continued its slow journey forward. At this moment, the Princess had already withdrawn the coldness from her face. After mustering a somewhat gentle smile, she stepped forward to touch Young Master Meng's frost-reddened cheeks, scolding gently,
“Did I not tell you to wait for me obediently in the room? Why did you come out?”
No matter how hard the Princess tried to suppress it, the unease in her eyes ultimately could not escape Young Master Meng's gaze.
Young Master Meng was not foolish; she naturally understood that the more uneasy this person was, the more she cared.
To prevent the Princess from pursuing the matter of her disobedience and sneaking out, Meng Chang'an decided that it was better to act first.
She struggled to suppress the corners of her mouth that were almost curving upward and, pretending to be serious, asked,
“Your Highness, I heard everything Ye Wuyou said earlier... Are you not going to explain yourself?”
Li Qiubai's fingers paused slightly.
So, she did hear it after all.
Was this meant to make her explain, or was it giving her an opportunity to make excuses?
The fingertips resting on Young Master Meng's cheek gradually curled and withdrew.
“Sorry, I…”
What Ye Wuyou said was not untrue. The Princess did not want to deceive Young Master Meng about such matters. After hesitating for a moment, she steeled herself and decided to confess,
“What Wuyou said is indeed correct, I am…”
However, before the Princess could fully withdraw her hand from Young Master Meng's cheek, it was pressed back by the owner of that face. Meng Chang'an's hand covered hers, pressing it firmly back against her cold cheek.
“Shh, enough, do not say anything.”
Young Master Meng leaned into the Princess' palm, rubbing against it. Her eyes stared straight at the Princess, but her tone carried a hint of grievance as she said,
“Was it not just teasing you? Why did you show me such a pained expression? What, do you want me to feel distressed for you?”
Li Qiubai froze for a moment, unable to decipher the meaning behind her beloved's words.
Young Master Meng had already opened her cloak and, in one motion, wrapped the Princess into her embrace. She then rubbed her cheek against the Princess' once more, coaxing softly,
“Well, you have succeeded. I feel distressed for you now, so I do not need your explanation anymore.”
“Is it not just being used? It seems I still have some value to Her Highness. So, does this mean Her Highness will not dare to abandon me so easily in the future? After all, I am still somewhat useful to you, am I not?”
Though the words seemed self-deceptive, they were filled with laughter.
Li Qiubai could not help but feel both amused and helpless upon hearing this.
“How can you be so silly?”
The Princess, usually eloquent and quick-witted, found herself at a loss for words in response to the Young Master Meng's heartfelt sincerity. After a soft sigh, she buried her face into the Young Master Meng's neck.
The cloak wrapped around her still carried the lingering warmth of the Young Master Meng, not only warming the Princess' body but also heating her heart until it felt ablaze.
Whether it was the “chess piece” heard by the Young Master Meng last time or the “use” she heard this time, this person always treated such matters lightly, brushing past her despicable tactics without taking those alienating remarks to heart, and never calculating gains or losses with her.
How could she not love her?
The Princess' heart tightened slightly, and for a moment, she lost her composure. When she came back to her senses, she was startled to find her feet no longer on the deck, but hanging mid-air.
In that fleeting moment of panic, the Princess instinctively tightened her grip on the waist of the person before her, pulling herself closer.
Young Master Meng's qinggong was exceptional. In just a moment, she had carried the Princess from the deck to the rooftop of the painted boat, guiding her to sit down beside her on the roof.
“The moonlight tonight is beautiful. Shall we enjoy it together before heading back?”
Young Master Meng’s eyes shimmered, filled with anticipation.
Although the words carried a tone of inquiry, her expression made it clear that refusal was not an option.
Li Qiubai decided to indulge Young Master Meng's whims, complying as she sat beside her. She leaned against Young Master Meng in the process.
Meanwhile, Young Master Meng had already removed her cloak and draped it over both of them.
The night breeze was cool, the full moon hung high in the sky, and the stars scattered across the vast night.
“The fireworks tonight could not be enjoyed with Your Highness, so I can only reluctantly accompany you to admire the moon instead.”
Is this getting a bargain and pretending to be virtuous?
Li Qiubai could not help but let out a laugh.
To prevent the regret of missing the shared viewing of fireworks from burdening Young Master Meng, she seized the opportunity to promise,
“It is truly a grievance for our Young Master Meng. How about this—on your birthday, I will make it up to you with a display of fireworks?”
“Really?”
Meng Chang'an exclaimed in surprise. Thinking of the Princess' past habit of keeping her word, she could not help but gleefully make a request.
“Then I want a fireworks feast that is more brilliant and splendid than tonight's city-wide display!”
Seeing her beloved so happy, the Princess was naturally joyful as well
Li Qiubai turned her head, gently stroking the slightly curved brows and eyes of Young Master Meng, and replied with a smile,
“Alright, as you wish.”
Suddenly being indulged like this by the Princess, Young Master Meng could not help but push her luck further,
“Then I want other birthday gifts too. A mere fireworks display is hardly enough to win over this Young Master!”
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.
“As you wish, all as you wish.”
Meng Chang'an restrained her childish urge to count the days on her fingers and roughly estimated the time in her mind, only to feel somewhat aggrieved.
“But my birthday is still over half a year away… Can you not make it up to me sooner?”
It was late autumn, with winter fast approaching, yet her birthday was at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.
Seeing the Young Master Meng’s suddenly drooping gaze, Li Qiubai chuckled softly. She immediately raised her hand to wrap it around Young Master Meng’s neck, using the leverage to lift herself slightly and murmured softly into her beloved’s ear.
“Then let me try harder—how about I make it up to you with a wedding before your birthday? I promise, the fireworks at that time will be even more brilliant and splendid than tonight’s.”
Though her words were soft and gentle, they stirred Young Master Meng’s heart like thunder.
At this moment, she had no mood left to admire the moon.
As beautiful as the moonlight and stars might be, they could never compare to the Princess' promise.
Meng Chang'an struggled to conceal her excitement. After a brief silence, once her heartbeat had calmed slightly, she pretended not to understand and replied,
“What does Your Highness mean by this? I am afraid I do not understand.”
The Young Master dared not even turn her head, unaware of how focused and devout the Princess’ gaze was as it lingered beside her ear.
“Chang'an, I want to marry you.”
Those few words turned Young Master Meng’s face red.
Yet, as if that were not enough, the Princess continued her enchanting persuasion.
“I do not just want another fake wedding for the world to see like the last one. I want a real wedding—a true wedding between Li Qiubai and Meng Chang'an. However, I am still bound by the imperial family for now and cannot be as free-spirited as you. For the moment, I cannot give you what you want, and I do not know when I will succeed. Will you be willing to wait for me?”
Taking on the role of her brother to marry the Princess had always been a knot in Young Master Meng’s heart.
Even if Young Master Meng did not say it outright, the Princess understood it in her heart.
The feelings and promises that the Princess had once kept hidden deep within herself, unable to express, finally had the chance to be spoken aloud to Young Master Meng.
Hearing this, Meng Chang'an felt both shy and annoyed.
How could this person always so easily grasp her heart?
Young Master Meng bit her lip, turned her head, and glared at the Princess.
“Why should you be the one to marry me? Why can it not be this Young Master marrying you instead?”
The Princess could not help but laugh—was there really such a delightful proposal?
“Yes, I am willing.”
Under Young Master Meng’s shocked gaze, Li Qiubai cupped her beloved’s cheeks, leaned in, and kissed her lips, leaving no chance for her to take back her words.
“Chang'an, I am willing to marry you.”
Meng Chang'an never expected that her casual rebuttal would be used by the Princess to climb up the ladder.
Unfortunately, the kiss the Princess gave her this time was merely a fleeting touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
Young Master Meng raised her hand to touch her lips as if trying to preserve the lingering warmth left by the Princess. She softly responded,
“Well, with Your Highness being so forward, would it not be ungracious of me to refuse? It seems I have no choice but to reluctantly accept. But let me make one thing clear—I will not wait too long. If I am kept waiting and become unhappy, I might just change my mind.”
Though her words sounded reluctant, the faint joy hidden within them was impossible to conceal.
Li Qiubai’s eyes curved into a smile. Without hesitation, she caught the fingertips that had been resting on Young Master Meng’s lips and replaced them with her own lips.
Author's Note:
After more than two months in the gym, I successfully lost 15 pounds. Now that the weather is cold, I can relax and go home to write.
