Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 69

69: His Highness Apologizes, Qingqing Seduces…

The kiss was on the verge of igniting, their lips and teeth entwined, the sound of water echoing distinctly in the quiet warmth of the pavilion.

The long-planned palace banquet had finally concluded. Every demand from Yu Nanqing was met with an immediate response from Xiao Qiling, not just physically but also stirring an intensely satisfying and fulfilling sensation in her heart.

“Aren’t you tired tonight?” Yu Nanqing pulled away from the reluctant kiss, catching her breath as she finally voiced her response to Xiao Qiling.

“It’s fine.” Xiao Qiling replied, her face showing no trace of fatigue. The noble and refined Prince Ning, who had never lacked for anything material, now displayed a rare look of lingering desire. Her forehead rested against Yu Nanqing’s, planting soft, fleeting kisses on her lips, concealing the predatory glint in her eyes.

Yu Nanqing, knowing she had Xiao Qiling’s soft spot in her grasp, nibbled on Xiao Qiling’s lower lip, her voice soft and teasing as she made her request: “I… I’m a little scared. You’re not allowed to move recklessly.”

Xiao Qiling, as if her lifeline had been seized, stopped the hand that was exploring Yu Nanqing’s back, her gaze meeting Yu Nanqing’s shimmering, liquid eyes.

Yu Nanqing leaned in for another kiss, pinning Xiao Qiling down to keep her still, murmuring, “Is that okay?”

At this point, both Yu Nanqing and Xiao Qiling were struggling to hold back—one from shyness, the other from stimulation.

Having been married to Yu Nanqing for nearly half a year, Xiao Qiling had frightened her during past poison flare-ups, and with the recent events surrounding Princess Rongxi, Xiao Qiling naturally agreed with a soft, “Alright.”

Yu Nanqing let out a light hum, her hands sliding slowly down from Xiao Qiling’s shoulders, brushing over her chest, noticing how Xiao Qiling’s hands suddenly clenched, as if about to pull her closer.

“I told you not to move.” Yu Nanqing said, narrowing her eyes with a slightly fierce expression, like a smug little fox lording over its prey. She teased Xiao Qiling while indulging herself, savoring the moment.

Xiao Qiling gave a helpless smile, letting Yu Nanqing have her fun.

The palace banquet had already drained Yu Nanqing considerably, leaving her with little energy. After teasing Xiao Qiling for a while, Xiao Qiling could still endure, but Yu Nanqing’s nose was beaded with sweat.

Xiao Qiling reached to wipe it away, but as her hand lifted, Yu Nanqing caught it with a kiss, causing Xiao Qiling’s hand to tremble and rest on the nape of Yu Nanqing’s neck, making her press even closer against Xiao Qiling’s chest.

The veins on the back of Xiao Qiling’s hand stood out.

Yu Nanqing released her hand, only to take it into her mouth, gently licking, finally eliciting Xiao Qiling’s uneven breaths. Yu Nanqing smirked, giving a light bite before shifting her delicate kisses from one side to the other.

Xiao Qiling let out a muffled groan, her eyes growing darker.

She had endured countless wounds during the ambush at the West Mountains hunting grounds, yet now, Yu Nanqing’s kisses felt like sparks—soft and gentle at first, but blazing into a wildfire the next moment. Xiao Qiling suppressed her heavy breathing, pinching the nape of Yu Nanqing’s neck twice.

“Qingqing…”

Yu Nanqing looked up, still not fully satisfied. Reluctantly letting go, her hands continued their teasing circles, her eyes narrowing with a playful glare. “Your Highness seemed much more spirited when your poison flared up.”

It was almost a taunt.

Xiao Qiling’s grip on Yu Nanqing’s waist tightened suddenly, pressing down with clear intent. Yu Nanqing, however, refused to fully give in, leaving some space as her hand pressed down, causing Xiao Qiling’s entire body to tense.

Xiao Qiling pressed on Yu Nanqing’s waist again, as if urging her.

Yu Nanqing’s fox-like eyes shimmered with allure, gazing at Xiao Qiling with tender affection before her hands hooked around Xiao Qiling’s neck again, her body inching closer. “Your Highness, don’t rush. I still have something to ask you.”

Yu Nanqing drew nearer, and Xiao Qiling’s voice rose slightly. “Hm?”

“Listen to me first.” Yu Nanqing said, turning Xiao Qiling’s chin toward her, kissing her while interrogating.

Xiao Qiling’s hand rested on Yu Nanqing’s waist, restraining the urge to pull her closer. “Alright, I’m listening.”

“Did you already know about General Zhenyuan’s return to the capital and deliberately keep it from me?”

Xiao Qiling: …

After a brief silence, Xiao Qiling’s breath carried a hint of amusement. “Yes.”

“When?”

“A week ago.”

A week ago—that was before Yu Nanqing had obtained the booklet from Miss Mei. Had Xiao Qiling already anticipated Princess Rongxi’s palace coup?

“Explain clearly.”

Xiao Qiling’s eyes were red, her breathing unsteady. “Qingqing…”

She nibbled on Yu Nanqing’s ear. “Must you bring this up now?”

Yu Nanqing shot her a sidelong glare. “Are you going to explain or not?”

“Without that booklet, I couldn’t be certain we’d locate West Garden in just a week. The strategy I mentioned to you before was based on the possibility that Xiao Qimin might have officials connected to West Garden under his control. But that would’ve risked alerting him, and Xiao Qimin might’ve protected a few key figures.”

To thwart Princess Rongxi’s support for Xiao Qijun, Xiao Qimin could sacrifice a few insignificant officials but not all those involved with West Garden.

If the clues and evidence about West Garden had to come from Xiao Qimin’s officials, Xiao Qiling would’ve been at a disadvantage, and the outcome might not have been as successful as tonight.

“So, Your Highness should thank me, shouldn’t you?” Yu Nanqing smiled at Xiao Qiling, her face practically screaming, “Praise me, praise me, hurry and praise me!”

Xiao Qiling kissed her, her voice softening. “Yes, Qingqing is the best.”

Yu Nanqing’s ears warmed, and she said proudly, “Of course! If I hadn’t attended the banquet…”

As she said the word “banquet,” her voice spiked, tinged with a startled tremor.

Xiao Qiling caught her trailing note in her mouth, her voice laced with amusement. “Mm.”

Her tone sounded calm and composed, yet the hand pressing on Yu Nanqing’s waist pulled her down completely, their bodies melding together in an instant.

“Without Qingqing’s booklet, I wouldn’t have known what to do when confronting Princess Rongxi tonight.” Xiao Qiling said, her tone deliberately weak, though her voice remained steady.

“Any evidence I presented would likely have been denied by her.”

“The innocent people of West Garden would’ve remained wronged, slandered as ungrateful by her twisted words.”

“Even the things the Emperor did in the past would’ve stayed hidden.”

With each sentence, her voice grew softer, as if she were truly reflecting.

Yet beneath the surface of the pool, ripples spread in circles.

Xiao Qiling’s expression was endlessly gentle, her long, peach-blossom eyes gazing at Yu Nanqing with deep affection, as if expressing gratitude.

But beneath the water, Prince Ning’s dominant side was fully unleashed.

Yu Nanqing’s ears burned hotter, and she bit her lip. “Wait, I have another question for Your Highness—”

The more she spoke, the tighter her body tensed, her arms around Xiao Qiling’s neck barely able to hold on. Closing her eyes, she began mentally reciting the classics she’d memorized in her past life for the imperial exams, struggling to maintain her composure.

“Mm, ask whatever you want.” Xiao Qiling said patiently.

Yu Nanqing’s thoughts broke free from the classics, her hazy eyes widening as she stammered, “Don’t—”

As the pleasing sound of water rose again, her consciousness was swept away. “Wait, wait! I remember now.”

“You seem even more eager.” Xiao Qiling teased, raising her hips suggestively, her voice seductive. “Why don’t we talk about whatever you want to say later?”

Xiao Qiling’s voice was far steadier than Yu Nanqing’s, her face showing only a faint flush at the corners of her eyes, as if they were merely chatting casually.

Yu Nanqing’s toes curled, and she slipped slightly against the smooth pool wall, making it easier for Xiao Qiling to maneuver her. Xiao Qiling’s low laughter echoed in her ears, and Yu Nanqing’s head spun as a familiar sensation surged. Gritting her teeth, she insisted, “No, what I have to say is important—”

Before she could finish the word “important,” Yu Nanqing gasped sharply, her fox-like eyes brimming with tears. It took her a long moment to recover from the overwhelming sensation, a single tear sliding from the corner of her eye, accentuating her unfocused gaze, utterly captivating.

Xiao Qiling was also nearing her limit. She leaned in to kiss Yu Nanqing’s eyes, intending to wait for her to regain her senses before continuing.

After a moment, Yu Nanqing’s rigid body went limp, collapsing into Xiao Qiling’s arms with little strength left, finally coming back to herself.

But her expression was stiff, her lips pressed tightly together.

The first time could be excused as an accident, but to lose control so quickly this time…

How embarrassing!

Her thoughts, now unusually clear after the release, pinned all the blame on Xiao Qiling. Within moments, she reconciled with herself.

Lying in Xiao Qiling’s arms, Yu Nanqing gritted her teeth and hissed, “Your Highness hasn’t even heard what I wanted to say.”

Xiao Qiling’s eyes were misty, her cool gaze tinged with desire, teetering on the edge of losing control. At this moment, she would agree to anything Yu Nanqing asked.

With utmost patience, she said, “Ask away.”

Yu Nanqing lifted her gaze, her eyes turning cold. “At the banquet, what did Princess Rongxi mean by ‘knowing it was a gu poison and still daring to swallow it’?”

Xiao Qiling’s pupils contracted sharply.

No explanation was needed; Yu Nanqing understood.

If Xiao Qiling had known about the gu poison in advance, how could she not have prepared countermeasures? No wonder the mansion’s physicians and hidden guards hadn’t seemed overly anxious when Xiao Qiling’s poison flared up.

It wasn’t that the physicians were accustomed to it—it was that the poison in Xiao Qiling’s body was something else entirely!

Yu Nanqing was furious, intending to settle the score with Xiao Qiling for concealing both the poison and General Zhenyuan’s return.

But Xiao Qiling held her tightly, leaving her no room to break free. Unable to fight back directly, Yu Nanqing could only glare at her weakly. “We’ll settle this tomorrow after I speak with the mansion’s physician.”

“Are you angry, Qingqing?” Xiao Qiling’s tone carried a hint of guilt, though her hand on Yu Nanqing’s waist seemed ready to continue.

“Not really,” Yu Nanqing replied, her eyes flickering as she beckoned Xiao Qiling closer. “Come here.”

Xiao Qiling leaned in, their bodies pressing together completely. Yu Nanqing’s emotions, which had just calmed, were stirred again. She took a deep breath, ignoring the aching softness, and wrapped her arms around Xiao Qiling’s shoulders, her lips brushing against Xiao Qiling’s ear. “It’s too much, I don’t want to continue. How about I serve Your Highness instead?”

Xiao Qiling’s gaze wavered, catching the suggestive way Yu Nanqing licked her lips. “Like that night when I was drugged, and Your Highness took care of me.”

A trace of conflict flashed across Xiao Qiling’s face. “You don’t have to go that far.”

But Yu Nanqing kept gazing at her, a charming smile on her lips. “Can’t I just want to make Your Highness happy?”

“…Really?”

“If you don’t want it, forget it.” Yu Nanqing’s cheeks flushed.

Xiao Qiling, who had never experienced such a sensation, took Yu Nanqing’s claim of it being “too much” literally, assuming she couldn’t handle it. She lifted Yu Nanqing off her, careful not to let her choke in the water, and stepped out of the pool.

Their clothes, already loosened from their earlier antics, clung loosely to their waists, barely covering the essentials.

Xiao Qiling’s gaze lingered unabashedly on Yu Nanqing as she emerged from the water, tracing the curve of her slender waist, her hands still tingling with the memory of its feel.

Yu Nanqing stepped closer, leaning down for a soft, wet kiss, rubbing against Xiao Qiling like a pliant little fox. “Your Highness, don’t move~”

Unaware of any trap, Xiao Qiling teased, “Is my little fox in heat?”

Yu Nanqing nodded boldly, and as she kissed Xiao Qiling again, her eyes narrowed slightly, her voice soft. “Does Your Highness remember how many times you deceived me with your poison?”

Xiao Qiling’s expression froze, sensing something amiss.

Yu Nanqing’s hand on Xiao Qiling’s shoulder gave a vengeful push.

Splash—

A massive wave surged in the pavilion.

Yin San, standing guard outside, heard the commotion and was about to inquire when the pavilion door swung open. Yu Nanqing, wrapped in a barely concealing outer robe, emerged with an irrepressible grin, ordering Yin San, “Stop His Highness from chasing me!”

Yin San: …

If she had the ability to stop Prince Ning, she’d have rebelled and left the mansion long ago rather than staying to overhear their intimate moments.

Pretending not to hear, Yin San closed the pavilion door and followed Yu Nanqing to continue her duties as a guard.

When Yu Nanqing returned to Qinfang Pavilion, she ran into Chenxiang, who was bringing her clothes.

Seeing Yu Nanqing soaked through, Chenxiang was startled, fearing she’d been mistreated at Xiao Qiling’s. But upon noticing the prince’s outer robe draped over her, Chenxiang relaxed.

“Get me a set of clean undergarments, and have someone guard the courtyard. Don’t let Prince Ning in.”

Oh, it seemed she was still upset.

Chenxiang, reading the situation, didn’t ask further. “Miss, hurry inside before you catch a cold.”

Once inside, Yu Nanqing quickly changed out of her wet clothes. When she removed her undergarments, her face, which had just calmed, flushed again.

They had been partially removed in the pool and were still damp, clinging as she peeled them off. Gritting her teeth, she tugged them down and called out, “Chenxiang, bring in a brazier!”

Chenxiang peeked from behind the screen. “Miss, are you cold? Should I fetch the physician?”

The mention of the physician reminded Yu Nanqing of Xiao Qiling’s poison.

She grew angrier.

“No need, just bring the brazier.”

Not for warmth, then for what? Chenxiang was puzzled but complied.

When the glowing brazier was brought in, Yu Nanqing, now dressed, tossed the balled-up undergarments into the flames without a second glance.

Seeing her fury, Chenxiang, even recognizing what was burning, didn’t dare ask. After Yu Nanqing climbed into bed, Chenxiang extinguished the candles and quietly left, closing the door.

Yu Nanqing’s sleep was restless.

She’d left Xiao Qiling at the height of her desire, and now she worried whether her push had caused Xiao Qiling to choke on water, while also fretting about the gu poison in Xiao Qiling’s body.

Tossing and turning for who knows how long, she finally gave up, opening her eyes to seek out the physician for answers.

But as she sat up, she glimpsed a faint figure through the bed curtains, dressed in goose-yellow robes—clearly having changed clothes.

Yu Nanqing suddenly didn’t want to get up.

She slipped back under the covers, pretending not to notice Xiao Qiling’s presence.

But as she moved, the bed curtains were abruptly pulled back by Xiao Qiling. Their eyes met, and Yu Nanqing took a deep breath, pointing at the door. “Get out. I’m going to sleep.”

Xiao Qiling didn’t take offense at the dismissal, saying gently, as always, “Chenxiang said you haven’t eaten anything since returning, and you only had two sips of soup in the pavilion. I had the kitchen prepare some porridge. Come eat a bit first.”

Showing up in the middle of the night with porridge? Definitely up to no good.

Probably waiting to feed her and then settle the pavilion score, right? She wasn’t falling for it.

Yu Nanqing refused flatly. “No, I’m not hungry.”

But as soon as she spoke, her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.

Yu Nanqing: …

Xiao Qiling’s brows lifted slightly, a faint smile in her eyes. “Not hungry?”

Caught out, Yu Nanqing glared fiercely at Xiao Qiling. “None of your business. You hid your poison from me and lied to me. Even if I starve, it’s got nothing to do with you. Get out!”

Her words caught in her throat, triggering a coughing fit. Her face grew paler, and the hunger-induced weakness drained the color from her cheeks.

Xiao Qiling’s eyes flickered with concern. Realizing Yu Nanqing was truly angry, she sat on the edge of the bed, half-embracing her and gently patting her back while coaxing softly, “If you’re upset with me, at least eat something first, alright?”

Yu Nanqing’s coughing subsided, but she still gave Xiao Qiling a cold look.

The thought that Xiao Qiling’s trusted confidants all knew the truth about her gu poison while she’d been kept in the dark, foolishly tending to Xiao Qiling during her “flare-ups,” infuriated her.

“Get out and send Chenxiang in.”

Knowing she was in the wrong, Xiao Qiling poured half a bowl of porridge and offered a spoonful to Yu Nanqing’s lips.

Yu Nanqing turned her face away, intending to swat the spoon, but her hand misjudged the force and knocked the entire bowl to the floor.

The porcelain shattered into pieces.

Xiao Qiling’s brow furrowed briefly, but seeing Yu Nanqing’s evasive gaze, her heart softened. She stepped outside to give instructions to the maids.

Yu Nanqing’s ears perked up, catching Xiao Qiling’s order to bring another bowl.

When Xiao Qiling returned, Yu Nanqing leaned back quickly, saying coldly, “I told you I’m not eating. Leave.”

Xiao Qiling responded calmly, setting a stack of bowls by the bed and bringing over the porridge pot. “I was careless after my bath and didn’t hold it steady. The maids brought extra bowls, so it’s fine if one broke.” She gracefully poured another half bowl and offered it to Yu Nanqing’s lips. “Take a sip, alright? Just a little. You’ll need energy to hold me accountable, and I’ll do whatever you want.”

Yu Nanqing finally deigned to glance at Xiao Qiling.

Xiao Qiling raised the spoon slightly, coaxing gently, “Be good, just one sip.”

“One more.”

“You barely ate at dinner, and you don’t need to wake early tomorrow. Eat a bit more so you can sleep comfortably.”

“Last bowl… last sip, alright?”

With endless patience, Xiao Qiling coaxed her, and Yu Nanqing reluctantly drank two half-bowls of warm porridge. Her empty stomach eased, no longer as uncomfortable, and color returned to her face.

Xiao Qiling felt a slight relief. She hadn’t expected Princess Rongxi to reveal the truth about the poison tonight. Before that, she hadn’t known it was Princess Rongxi who had tipped her off about the poisoning years ago.

Because of that, she had allowed Princess Rongxi to die in Fengyi Palace.

But Yu Nanqing was too clever. Once she learned of this, she would surely deduce that the gu poison in Xiao Qiling’s body had been replaced, catching Xiao Qiling off guard.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Yu Nanqing—she’d simply become addicted to the thrill of those moments after her first “poison flare-up,” when she’d kissed Yu Nanqing in her clarity, breaking free of restraint.

Using the poison to gain Yu Nanqing’s sympathy was indeed a petty move.

But she didn’t regret it.

Xiao Qiling wiped Yu Nanqing’s mouth with a handkerchief, asking, “Feeling better?”

Yu Nanqing shot her a cold glance, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “How could I, an untrusted outsider, deserve Your Highness serving me like this? You’d better leave.”

Xiao Qiling: …

Not daring to provoke her further, Xiao Qiling obediently rose, drew the bed curtains closed, and sat on the chaise by the screen, seemingly planning to spend the night there.

“Go back to Lanshi Garden!” Yu Nanqing snapped. “My humble abode can’t accommodate Your Highness.”

Xiao Qiling explained, “It’s late. If I leave Qinfang Pavilion now, the whole mansion will be buzzing with gossip by morning. Are you sure you want me to go?”

Xiao Qiling waited, but Yu Nanqing remained silent. Adjusting her thin undergarments, she said, “Alright, I’ll go.”

Yu Nanqing watched Xiao Qiling’s retreating figure, her fingers tightening on the bedding. As Xiao Qiling rounded the screen, she couldn’t hold back.

“Come back.”