Longing for Love (Twice Reborn) - Chapter 11

The moon hung heavy in the sky as the artificial mountain pond in the courtyard lay mirror-still, until a crane’s shadow swept across, shattering the reflected illusion with ripples that shimmered with faint luminescence.

Juchen brought over a violet flower stool and sat beside his desk, her slender fingers tapping rhythmically on the abacus as she meticulously examined each ledger entry with utmost concentration.

In contrast, the man beside her who had publicly declared he would burn the midnight oil tonight held a book in hand, his gaze wandering restlessly after her fingertips, his attention elsewhere.

He had long finished reviewing today’s documents. The accounting pretext had merely been a ruse to lure her here.

Yet in this moment, interrupting her would seem terribly inconsiderate.

Seizing this rare opportunity, Juchen wanted to demonstrate her talents beyond mere appearance her accounting skills, for instance.

But Song Mi didn’t seem particularly interested.

Or so she thought, until she presented the organized financial statements and received his wholehearted approval.

“A woman not yet twenty, capable of arranging court accounts with such precision you already surpass half the Ministry of Revenue’s officials,” Song Mi remarked, pressing his lips together. “Come spring, I must take these records to stimulate those bureaucrats, lest they remain oblivious to any sense of crisis.”

His praise warmed Juchen’s heart, sending heat rising to her cheeks.

As she gathered the sorted accounts and set them aside, she lifted her gaze only to meet his profound eyes. Sudden shyness made her turn toward the window.

Song Mi arched a brow, following her line of sight to the fluttering white flakes another snowfall had begun outside.

This year’s snow and rain seemed exceptionally abundant.

Juchen, recalling something, turned back with her flushed face now pale again. Seizing the moment of her accounting triumph, she made a small request with earnest expression.

She wished to assist Song Mi with minor Ministry of Revenue affairs, citing the Empress Dowager’s desire for their continued education as justification.

At year’s end, the Empress Dowager had announced new duties for female officials mostly concerning their existing responsibilities, save for the final clause: assisting the Six Ministries.

Only later did Juchen realize this was the first crack the Empress Dowager had opened for women to enter court politics.

Currently, however, none of the Six Ministries paid it any heed.

Anxiety churned in Juchen’s stomach as she braced for refusal, already preparing persuasive arguments.

Song Mi glanced at her, then at her accounting reports, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Requesting something from me requires compensation.”

Seeing his concession, Juchen brightened instantly. “What price?” she asked eagerly.

Then doubt crept in.

The Prince of Pengshan had always maintained impeccable integrity, never accepting bribes. When she had been his political opponent, she had scoured for any misconduct without success.

Was this uncharacteristic demand his subtle way of rejecting what he deemed an improper request?

Song Mi countered, “What do you think is appropriate?”

Juchen hesitated, then cautiously raised a finger. “This is all I have.”

Song Mi frowned. “Five thousand taels?”

Juchen cleared her throat. “Fifty taels.”

A derisive snort escaped Song Mi’s nose.

Juchen’s cheeks flushed like rouge had been swept across them. Left with no choice, she wielded her silver tongue, appealing to reason and emotion as she succinctly explained that her meddling wasn’t for personal gain. Everyone knew the Empress Dowager kept close watch on the imperial treasury, and with him overseeing it, the department couldn’t possibly skim any profits.

“I just want to learn and help. This department seems like good training.

Delegate some tasks to me I guarantee it’ll ease your subordinates’ burdens.”

Song Mi gave an approving hum. “But my rule is this: when people ask favors of me, I always demand payment.”

Juchen could only say, “Name your price then. I will scrape it together. I may not have much, but I do have some wealthy friends.”

Song Mi arched a brow. “You’d give me an IOU?”

With devout sincerity, Juchen replied, “I’ll repay you quickly.”

Unmoved, Song Mi frowned. “You’ll need to offer collateral. How else can I trust you won’t default?”

Juchen inhaled sharply. “What do you want?”

Suddenly, Song Mi lowered his head and kissed her.

“This should suffice as temporary collateral.”

The moment the words left his lips, Juchen’s face turned crimson, the flush spreading down her neck like ink dispersing in water. It suddenly struck her that he might have been toying with her all along.

He’d always been this infuriating.

Only now, his mischief had transformed into affection, leaving Juchen’s heart racing uncontrollably. She couldn’t tell if it was from attraction or sheer exasperation, her delicate features burning scarlet.

She exhaled deeply, gathering her thoughts before looking up in confusion.

“When I raise the funds, how will you return my collateral?”

Song Mi appeared to ponder seriously before stating with utmost gravity, “I’ll kiss you back. Or let you kiss me instead.”

Juchen: “…”

Perhaps thoroughly exasperated, Juchen fell silent for a moment before unexpectedly tilting her head up and kissing him back a fierce kiss that left him momentarily stunned.

Watching his brief daze, Juchen couldn’t help but smirk in triumph.

The next instant, the man narrowed his eyes, swiftly seizing her slender wrist. He carried her to the desk and began undoing her garments.

His sudden, lightning-fast actions made Juchen shut her eyes tightly, bracing for his advance… yet it never came.

After what felt like an eternity, she peeked through her lashes to find him holding up a green, square-collared robe, standing before her with an amused smirk. “Change into this. I’m taking you out.”

Juchen: “…”

Late at night, when all was quiet and most lanterns in the courtyard had been extinguished, Li Wanyu suddenly appeared outside Juchen’s chamber.

Ming Luan, keeping watch inside, heard the knocking. She quickly drew the bed curtains in the inner chamber, then feigned grogginess as she reluctantly opened the door.

“Second Young Miss?” Ming Luan yawned. “What brings you here so late?”

Li Wanyu cleared her throat haughtily. “Has Elder Sister returned?”

Her eyes darted toward the inner room, where the draped bed curtains concealed a slight mound under the covers.

Ming Luan blocked both her view and her entry, raising a finger to her lips.

“Shh. The Eldest Young Lady retired long ago.”

Li Wanyu let out a relieved sigh, fiddling with her sleeve cuffs as her gaze drifted momentarily. “Did she mention what the Prince of Pengshan discussed with her?”

“How would this servant possibly know that?”

“You’re as close as sisters how could you not know?”

Ming Luan scratched the back of her head with a sheepish grin. “Even if the Ministry of Revenue’s accounts were explained to me, I wouldn’t understand them.”

“…Nothing else?”

“What does Second Young Miss hope there was?” Ming Luan’s expression remained utterly guileless.

“Of course I hope…” She hoped there had been nothing at all.

Li Wanyu bit her lower lip, unsure what else to ask.

Noticing snowflakes beginning to fall, Ming Luan suddenly exclaimed in concern. Eager to prevent her mistress from catching cold, she hastily ushered her back to her own quarters.

Finally seeing off this troublesome guest, Ming Luan’s tense shoulders relaxed as she closed the door with a sigh.

Approaching the bed, she listlessly turned back the covers only to reveal another soft brocade quilt lying beneath.

Ming Luan pursed her lips.

Who knew where her dear young mistress had gone with that scoundrel to “review accounts.”

At the summit of Mount Li stood the Huaqing Palace, accessible only to direct descendants of the imperial family.

Juchen had always heard whispers of it but never visited.

In her previous life, she could have gone. She could have bypassed even the imperial family, yet she never did.

Now before Huaqing Palace, twelve palace maids stood in two rows holding lanterns to light the way.

The Prince of Pengshan seemed to have made a sudden decision, ordering the palace gates opened.

A young eunuch attendant followed behind him, only emerging from Song Mi’s shadow after all other servants had dispersed revealing a youth with jade like features, ruby lips and pearly teeth.

In last night’s dream, Song Mi had seen Juchen disguised as a man. With deft movements, she had slipped into the long robe, her every gesture perfectly convincing.

This time too, no one detected anything amiss.

Song Mi finally seized the chance to ask, “How did you acquire such skill?”

Juchen adjusted the soft wings of her headdress, smiling like a radiant young scholar. “Because Mother always wanted a son when I was little. To cheer her up, I learned to play the part.”

After a pause, her curved lips straightened. “But it didn’t make her happy.”

In the brief silence that followed, Juchen gave a dry chuckle, lightly flicking her sleeves as if dispelling gathering gloom. Rallying, she looked around, increasingly awed by the palace’s extravagant splendor.

Perched atop this mist-wreathed peak, it resembled a celestial abode.

Gazing at the luminous pearl illuminating the corner as large as her head Juchen clicked her tongue in amazement. Turning back with playful remark, she said, “Your family is truly wealthy.”

Only to find Song Mi’s unwavering gaze fixed upon her. For reasons unknown, he suddenly reached out and patted her head.

The man sighed above her, “I shouldn’t have let you wear this disguise.”

In his most recent dream the previous night, it was this very skill that had saved his life during their official travels together.

Yet both being quick with jests, even after brushing shoulders with death, they’d still teased each other about surviving.

He had always owed her his thanks.

Only later did he realize like confessions, gratitude too has its expiration.

Song Mi had originally planned to bring her to the hot springs to make up for the regrets of her past life, as a belated repayment for those years.

Of course, he didn’t deny that having her wear such an outfit was also because he found her appearance in the dream rather unique he simply wanted to see it again.

But now, he was starting to regret it.

Juchen froze for a moment before spreading her hands and smiling nonchalantly, “But my disguise worked perfectly. The maids and guards at the entrance didn’t notice a thing.”

Song Mi fell silent briefly, then curled his lips, staring at her intently.

“It did work very well.”

Juchen, seeing his unwavering gaze, met his eyes defiantly. But as the moment stretched on, it was she who ended up blushing furiously.

Song Mi let out a soft chuckle, stepped forward, and scooped her up into his arms.

Juchen instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, half expecting him to do something more.

But Song Mi only stripped her down to a thin undergarment before placing her into the hot spring. “The water here can ward off the cold. Your hands and feet are always icy soak for a while.”

Juchen hesitated briefly before obediently sinking into the water.

At first, that really had been his intention.

But the moment she submerged, her figure became impossible to conceal.

He had thought leaving her that one layer would be enough, yet now, with the fabric clinging to her damp skin, every curve was accentuated, half-hidden yet tantalizingly visible. The longer he looked, the tighter his chest grew.

In the end, he could not resist pulling her into his embrace, lowering his head to claim her lips.