After the entire delegation from Great Liang rested for two days, an unexpected request came from the Nanzhao court, asking for Princess Yonghe to be brought to the royal court. The auspicious day for the marriage had not yet arrived, and privately bringing the princess into the royal court was extremely against the rules. Upon hearing this, both Shen Yushu, who was in charge of the delegation, and Lu Zhao, who was assisting with the marriage procession, were visibly upset.
Normally, they would not agree to such a request, but the envoy claimed it was ordered by the King of Nanzhao and that the date was chosen by Nanzhao’s renowned diviners. They insisted that since they were in Nanzhao, they had to follow Nanzhao’s customs, or it would bring misfortune to the country. They demanded to take the new Queen back that very day.
Delaying the grand wedding ceremony until later? Once the delegation returned to Great Liang, who could guarantee the ceremony would still take place? Without the grand wedding ceremony, there would be no formal coronation as Queen. Princess Yonghe would be married off without the recognition due to a Queen, violating the marriage agreement between the two nations.
Shen Yushu was so angry that he smashed a cup on the spot. If it weren’t for the imperial orders, he might have taken his team back to Great Liang immediately.
The accompanying officials were also in a heated argument. Some believed that avoiding trouble was better, as the princess was going to marry anyway, and a few days’ difference didn’t matter. Others argued that the rituals could not be neglected, and yielding to Nanzhao’s arrogance would only encourage their disregard for Great Liang.
Amidst the chaos, Shen Yushu, rarely losing his composure, burst out in anger, “This is outrageous! How dare this small country of Nanzhao humiliate our Princess from Great Liang like this! They clearly have no respect for Great Liang! What are they trying to do? Start a war?”
He glanced at Lu Zhao, who remained expressionless, and then at the arguing officials. Pointing to the door, where the Nanzhao envoy awaited their response, he fumed, “This isn’t an invitation; it’s a kidnapping!”
In the stalemate, it was Princess Yonghe herself who stepped forward and agreed to the Nanzhao envoy’s request. Ignoring everyone’s objections, she left with them.
When Shen Qingyao heard Lu Zhao recount this incident, she was almost too shocked to speak.
Shen Qingyao knew Princess Yonghe was supposed to help Xiao Jing by marrying into Nanzhao, but Shen Qingyao hadn’t expected her to be in such a rush that she didn’t even care about potentially losing her title as Queen. Shen Qingyao sensed something was off but couldn’t pinpoint it. Now that the Princess was in the royal court, it was a done deal.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Zhao, returning from washing up, found the young woman still sitting there with a furrowed brow, not having moved an inch, and couldn’t help but find it amusing.
He walked over, his fingertips brushing her nose, then smoothing her brow. Smiling, he said, “Who is the envoy here? You look more troubled than Shen Yushu.”
Shen Qingyao glanced up at him irritably and muttered, “He’s my Eldest Brother! And…” She paused, looking at Lu Zhao’s indifferent face, then continued, “And, aren’t you partly responsible for this marriage? How can you have no reaction at all! It’s as if you knew this would happen.”
Lu Zhao smiled, pulling her up and sitting down in her place. Before she could complain, he gently tugged her onto his lap. Holding her comfortably, he said slowly, “What reaction should I have? Should I be outraged? Furious? They’re not taking you away. Why should I care?”
Shen Qingyao felt something was off but couldn’t argue. In a few words, he had distanced himself from everything except matters concerning her. Clicking her tongue, she dropped the subject, though her smile betrayed that she was pleased by his comforting words.
Lu Zhao, still fresh from his wash, carried a hint of moisture. With her nestled against him, the familiar scent warmed her. As she settled, sleepiness overcame her. She yawned softly, leaning against his chest, beginning to doze off. As she adjusted her position for comfort, she suddenly recalled the awkward scene from their arrival at the inn and woke up abruptly.
Shen Qingyao froze in her movements. After that day, she covered her face in embarrassment for a long time. Lu Zhao kept teasing her, making her so mortified that she wanted to flee back to the Lu Mansion in Lingnan overnight. For the next two days, she interacted with Lu Zhao as usual but deliberately avoided close contact with him. Today, she was so shocked by Princess Yonghe’s entrance into the royal court that she momentarily forgot about it.
She had grown accustomed to Lu Zhao’s embrace, instinctively finding the most comfortable position in his arms. She forgot that their current posture was indeed prone to accidents.
Caught in a dilemma, Shen Qingyao was at a loss, cursing herself for her lack of resolve. Why couldn’t she stop herself from liking to burrow into Lu Zhao’s arms?
Just as her neck was getting sore from the awkwardness, she heard a soft laugh above her.
The person in his arms suddenly went still like a little puppet. If Lu Zhao hadn’t noticed, it would have been strange. He didn’t need to think hard to understand why. But she had to get used to it, didn’t she?
Lu Zhao had noticed long ago. Although they were married, the little girl was overly dependent on him but had never truly considered what it meant to be a couple. He had always been afraid that progressing too quickly would scare her. However, spending every day together, sleeping in the same bed, he was no longer satisfied with just that. Now, with a bit of gentle urging, he wanted her to understand that they were already husband and wife.
Hearing him laugh, Shen Qingyao’s face turned red again. She shrank her neck, trying to get off Lu Zhao, but before she could move, his arm suddenly slid under her knees and lifted her entirely. Startled, Shen Qingyao let out a small cry and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.
Once he had her securely in his arms, Lu Zhao slowly walked toward the bed.
Shen Qingyao’s heart was pounding, feeling nervous. She stammered, “Um… Elder Brother Lu Zhao, what are you doing?”
Lu Zhao chuckled again and looked down at her. “What do you think I want to do?”
His smile was so bewitching that Shen Qingyao was momentarily stunned, thinking, With such beauty before me, whatever you do, I won’t mind.
The bed was not far away; within a few sentences, they had reached it. Lu Zhao gently laid her down but didn’t get up immediately. Instead, he propped himself on either side of her head, looking at her. When her body touched the soft brocade, Shen Qingyao tensed up involuntarily. She swallowed hard, realizing that even from this lying-down angle, Lu Zhao was still incredibly handsome.
Feeling his breath getting closer, Shen Qingyao nervously closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and repeatedly telling herself, It’s legal! We’re legal now!
But the expected touch didn’t come. Shen Qingyao frowned and slowly opened her eyes in confusion. She saw Lu Zhao leaning over her, his eyes full of teasing laughter. “Are you expecting me to do something?”
“No, I’m not!” Shen Qingyao clutched the brocade beneath her, not knowing if she was more embarrassed or angry. Her face was burning, and she shouted softly. Feeling it wasn’t enough, she raised a hand to push him away. “Move over! I want to sleep… mmph…”
Her small hand was easily caught by Lu Zhao. His eyes darkened as he leaned in, capturing her chattering mouth with a kiss. Her lips, like the rest of her, were sweet.
What started as a playful peck deepened. Lu Zhao sighed, sucking on her lower lip, and skillfully pried her mouth open with his tongue. One large hand slipped inside her clothes, moving slowly to her waist to gently knead.
The unfamiliar sensation on her waist made Shen Qingyao uncomfortable. She arched slightly, letting out a surprised cry, inadvertently giving him more access. Their tongues intertwined, and Shen Qingyao almost drowned in the kiss.
Finally, Lu Zhao released her while breathing heavily.
The girl beneath him now had eyes shining with moisture, lips full and bright red, cheeks flushed, hair disheveled, and her clothes loosely draped, exposing a fair and round shoulder. Nestled on the crimson quilt, her fair skin appeared even whiter than snow. Her chest rose and fell slightly due to rapid breathing, clearly showing a look of being thoroughly bullied.
With just one glance, Lu Zhao nearly lost control. Yet the girl, seemingly undeterred by the situation, called out to him without concern, her voice tender and, owing to the recent deep kiss, carrying a hint of allure: “Husband…”
This address caused Lu Zhao to hesitate in his breath, his brow twitching. He finally understood what it meant to be inflamed. Just as Shen Qingyao was about to call him for the second time, he couldn’t bear it any longer. He leaned in again aggressively, biting her lips, then swiftly turned over, pulling the blanket tightly around her. In a low voice, he commanded, “Go to sleep!”
Afterwards, he hurriedly left, seemingly heading back to the bathroom.
Shen Qingyao hid under the blanket, biting her lip. His scent lingered on her body and on her lips. Though he had clearly left, she felt as if she were still in his embrace…
She blushed so deeply that even her toes curled in excitement or embarrassment—she couldn’t tell. She only knew that this kiss seemed unlike any other before. She reached out to calm her wildly beating heart, hugged the blanket, and buried her head, smiling secretly.
When Lu Zhao returned, accompanied by the chill of water vapor, he stood hesitantly at the bedside for a moment before quietly lying down beside Shen Qingyao. But Shen Qingyao was forgetful of past lessons. As soon as she sensed Lu Zhao’s familiar presence, in a half-dream state, she instinctively turned over, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder.
But at this moment, Lu Zhao couldn’t bear her touch anymore. His entire body stiffened. Yet seeing the girl already sleeping soundly, he couldn’t bring himself to push her away.
Resigned, he adjusted her position and thought to himself that tonight’s second bath was in vain.
Shen Qingyao slept deeply, her head on his shoulder, while he remained painfully awake. She was in his arms, yet he couldn’t do anything—a happy torture indeed.
After a while, he sighed softly, gently touching her forehead with his head, and resignedly lay back, closing his eyes.
Unseen by him, Shen Qingyao, who should have been asleep, quietly curled her lips into a smile. Finally, she had managed to get the upper hand over Lu Xiaozhao!
Thanks for the chapter!!!!