Forced to Love (GL) - Chapter 39

Dim light filtered in, casting faint shadows. The darkness seemed to be missing a piece, making it hard to see clearly.

The black souls overlapped, forming a massive figure. Their evil intentions fed them, making them grow stronger, like a giant black hand covering the sky, swaying ominously in the air.

In stark contrast to this overwhelming darkness stood a woman in flowing white robes, shrouded by the shadows.

She remained still, silently gazing up at it. Her pale, slender fingers tightly gripped a jade flute that glowed faintly.

A flood of memories surged back in an instant. Lingxi’s head throbbed with unbearable pain. Suddenly, a deafening clap of thunder tore through the night, splitting the darkness with a flash of light. The black souls roared in fury, and in the next moment, the ground trembled and began to collapse.

Lingxi desperately tried to move closer to her. No matter how many cracks she leaped over or how many falling rocks she dodged, she still remained far away—like an unreachable horizon.

A loud crash erupted ahead as the black shadows came crashing down from above!

A flowing light formed an invisible barrier in front of Lingxi. She clenched her fist and struck against it, but only the echo of the impact returned—no cracks, no signs of breaking.

Lingxi could only watch helplessly as the deadly poison from her memories once again pierced into her heart. Powerlessness mixed with indescribable pain surged within her.

—God above!

Lingxi could not make a sound, but the moment her heart screamed, she suddenly saw the woman’s deep black eyes looking toward her from afar. They were calm and unwavering, yet in that brief instant, a faint mist seemed to rise within them.

But before she could hold onto that gaze any longer, the black shadows above came crashing down with the force of the heavens!

Lingxi jolted awake, her eyes snapping open to the soft glow of light filling the tent.

A dream?

Her fingers unknowingly tightened before she slowly loosened her grip. Turning her head slightly, she saw Zhao Qingsui lying beside her, her hand gently resting on Lingxi’s waist. The light had caused a small crease to form between her brows.

Lingxi reached out to shield Zhao Qingsui’s face from the light. As darkness fell over her, her features relaxed, forming a peaceful, soft silhouette.

Lingxi’s eyes traced every delicate contour of her face, memorizing each inch with care.

Thankfully, it was just a dream.

The hand at her waist tightened slightly. The next second, another hand reached over, grasping Lingxi’s hand that had been blocking the light.

“Why don’t you sleep a little longer?”

Zhao Qingsui’s eyes held a hint of wakefulness. The scattered light fell on her cheeks, forming a gentle glow that instantly brightened Lingxi’s eyes.

“I just wanted to look at you.”

The warmth of her touch spread through Lingxi’s palm, chasing away the cold lingering from the dream.

“And? What did you see?”

Zhao Qingsui smiled as she asked, her voice still carrying the huskiness of just waking up. It reminded Lingxi of last night—when Zhao Qingsui had leaned close to her ear, whispering her name in a soft breath.

At that time, Lingxi had felt trapped in a mire, unable to move. But when she looked up at Zhao Qingsui, it was as if she saw a soul behind her, shining with radiant warmth.

Lingxi hesitated for a moment, staring at her. But before she could respond, Zhao Qingsui didn’t give her the chance. A warm breath landed on her earlobe, and in just a few beats, a rising tide swallowed her whole.

A heat began to build from deep within, spreading outward. Lingxi instinctively averted her gaze. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

Zhao Qingsui raised an eyebrow, her hand tightening slightly at Lingxi’s waist. Her fingertips barely brushed against the skin there, teasingly light.

A faint ticklish sensation seeped in. Lingxi’s tense muscles froze under the subtle touch.

“Y-Your Highness.”

“Are you sure?”

Zhao Qingsui’s expression was innocent, but beneath the covers, her fingertips traced slow, deliberate circles. Gentle yet tormenting, an unbearable teasing, and yet Lingxi had nowhere to escape—nor did she want to.

“Hmm?”

A soft breath fell against her skin, and a blush immediately spread from her fair complexion.

Lingxi tensed like facing an imminent threat. Carefully, she said, “I saw something.”

“Oh? What did you see?”

Zhao Qingsui leaned closer, her gaze locking onto Lingxi’s. A burning light flickered in her eyes, reflecting Lingxi’s image within them.

Lingxi held her gaze, accepting the warmth, wrapping it carefully within herself. She leaned in slightly and smiled. “I saw how special I am to you.”

Zhao Qingsui’s brows lifted slightly, a hidden smile breaking free. She narrowed her eyes in thought. “Only just now? Did I not try ‘hard enough’ last night?”

“No, I’ve known for a long time.”

“For a long time? And yet you played coy? My consort, you’re quite bold.”

“……”

Lingxi had no words. No matter how she answered, Zhao Qingsui would always have the last word. The teasing smirk on Zhao Qingsui’s face was dangerously close. The moment their warmth intertwined, it felt like a spark igniting a wildfire.

And beneath the covers, her teasing fingers showed no intention of stopping. Instead, they slowly trailed upward, brushing over smooth skin, as if by chance—or by design.

Zhao Qingsui watched her quietly, eyes bright, lips curled in a smile. Another ember landed, setting Lingxi’s forehead ablaze with warmth.

Lingxi closed the distance, seeking the source of the fire. She shut her eyes and leaned in, resolute and unwavering.

At that moment, even if she were to turn to ashes, she no longer cared.

Her movements were careful, like kissing a fragile treasure, handled with utmost tenderness. Yet the warmth in her breath, the rising heat of her body, and the faint blush spreading across her cheeks all served as her silent response—she, too, recognized Zhao Qingsui as special.

—

Later that day, the hunting contest was halfway through when Zhao Cong gathered the remaining people in the camp for an archery competition. Broken willow branches were planted in the ground, and participants had to shoot them while riding on horseback. The one who hit the target would win.

Lingxi mounted her horse, preparing for the contest. However, her movements were slightly less fluid than before. Zhao Cong noticed and asked when Lingxi rode near him, “Consort, did you not sleep well?”

Lingxi felt her face heat up but remained composed. Holding the reins, she bowed slightly. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Perhaps it’s because I stayed up late after hunting last night.”

Zhao Cong glanced at Zhao Qingsui, who was sitting nearby, watching Lingxi intently with a soft smile. He chuckled but said nothing.

As Zhao Cong gave the command, the competition began. Riders galloped forward, arrows flew through the air, and cheers erupted across the field…

Ling Xi pressed her legs to the horse’s sides, gave a light shout, and followed the person in front. Dust flew up from the ground. Hooves thundered across the field. The thin willow branches were now everyone’s target. Ling Xi chose a branch near the middle of the second row. Her arrow flew forward, skimming past the front row and hitting the lower part of her target.

“Good shot!”

Zhao Cong’s voice rang out from afar, followed by cheers from the watching ministers.

Ling Xi turned her head at the sound. Zhao Qingsui was smiling at her.

One round ended, then another. Finally, in the fourth round, the winner was decided. Only Ling Xi and the commander of the Imperial Guards, Gao Haoyan, were left. There was only one willow branch remaining on the field. Ling Xi rode past it with no hesitation. She found the right timing, drew her bow, and shot. The arrow flew swiftly and hit the target
as she turned her head.

More cheers came from the crowd. Ling Xi had thought there would be another round. But Commander Gao slightly shifted his angle, and his arrow missed the target.

“Thank you for letting me win.”

Ling Xi let out a quiet sigh. Her palm was sweaty as she held the reins. When she dismounted, her legs felt a bit weak.

She wiped the tip of her nose with the back of her finger. When she caught Zhao Qingsui’s eyes, she felt a sudden wave of heat.

Zhao Cong laughed loudly. “Good! A reward!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Ling Xi bowed in thanks and returned to Zhao Qingsui’s side, kneeling beside her.

“Just now, Father asked me if I didn’t let you rest well last night.”

Zhao Qingsui leaned over and used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Ling Xi’s forehead.

“…And what did you say, Your Highness?”

She was just wiping her sweat, but when her fingers brushed Ling Xi’s skin, the coolness was quickly replaced by warmth.

“And then…” Zhao Qingsui paused, a smile flashing in her eyes. She handed over a cup of tea from the table.

Ling Xi took it, blew away the floating leaves, and drank.

She didn’t expect Zhao Qingsui to suddenly lower her voice and say, “I told him I’ll let you rest well tonight.”

“Cough! Cough!”

Ling Xi choked on the tea and started coughing. Zhao Qingsui laughed and reached out to pat her back. “Drink slower.

How did the consort even manage to choke on tea?”

“Cough, cough…”

“Congratulations to His Majesty, and also to the consort for winning the contest! Truly a young hero…”

“Her Highness the Princess and the consort make a perfect pair…”

Ling Xi hadn’t even caught her breath before the officials began offering compliments. She had to stand up and reply politely.

When she sat back down, she looked around the area and then turned to the side. “Your Highness, the Prime Minister didn’t join the archery contest?”

“Mm. I sent Li Cai with him to get ready for the ‘hunt.’”

Ling Xi nodded with understanding. “Then after the banquet, I’ll go too.”

Zhao Qingsui smiled and held her hand. “Go where? With your legs like this, do you think you can?”

She looked down at Ling Xi’s knees, and her smile deepened.

Ling Xi felt a little embarrassed and said in a lower voice, “It’s not that bad.”

But soon Ling Xi noticed that more than one person was raising a toast, which forced her to stand up and sit back down several times.

Zhao Qingsui saw this and, halfway through the banquet, told Zhao Cong that Ling Xi wasn’t feeling well. She then took her back to the tent.

“Your Highness, I’m still a bit uneasy. I know Lord Li will do his best, but this matter…”

Before Ling Xi could finish, Zhao Qingsui had already pulled her to sit down.

“Mm, I know. But it’s still just the preparation phase. Don’t rush.” Her hand pressed gently on Ling Xi’s leg. “Still sore?”

Ling Xi inhaled sharply and tried to get up. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Zhao Qingsui stopped her. “If it hurts, then it hurts. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s normal to feel this way after riding a horse for so long. Just relax.”

Ling Xi placed her hand over Zhao Qingsui’s. “Your Highness, I can do it myself.”

“Does it matter?”

Ling Xi looked into Zhao Qingsui’s calm eyes and couldn’t say a word.

But then she remembered that morning—how a simple hand on her waist had ended up stirring a storm.