The Crown Princess’s Loyal Guard Dog - CPLGD Chapter 1

The caws of a few cold crows were strikingly abrupt in the snowy night, while the swaying lights of the Liuli Palace seemed to draw the winter birds closer to the branches nearest to the windows. Inside and outside the window were two different worlds: outside, the snowy trees and silver blossoms were bone-chillingly cold, while inside, the warmth from the crackling silver frost charcoal made one’s heart foster romantic thoughts.

However, Xie Sicun, the Crown Princess of Sui Kingdom, had no time for leisure at this moment. Before her was a thick stack of memorials waiting for her vermilion endorsement. In Sui Kingdom, after a girl’s fifteenth birthday, she was considered an adult.

Although she was only fifteen, this was her third year of attending court in her capacity as the Crown Princess. Emperor Xie Yun held her in high regard, granting her increasingly significant authority. The memorials had shifted from initial pleasantries and offerings of oranges and peaches to important matters concerning public welfare and water conservancy. Initially, Xie Yun would review them first, but now they were sent directly to her desk, forcing her to learn decision-making. Because of this, she had been burning the midnight oil for days.

During the winter, the northern region faced a grain shortage, and the northwestern military camp had sent in requests for grain. The Xie family, hailing from northern generals, naturally offered better treatment to their soldiers. The transportation of grain carts could not afford the slightest negligence.

The Ministry of Revenue always claimed poverty, and every day Xie Sicun devised ways to pinch grains from those crafty old foxes.

“Your Highness.” By the desk, he had been standing and waiting for a long time and finally couldn’t help but speak up to remind Xie Sicun of his presence.

It wasn’t to gain favor, but out of a heart that couldn’t bear to see it. Looking at Xie Sicun’s slender back, he felt she was shouldering too much.

“Have you bathed?” Xie Sicun, hearing him, lifted her head, her gaze soft as it turned towards Mo Shou standing by.

Just watching him, a smile began to form in her eyes.

Mo Shou stood under the palace lantern, the firelight casting a soft halo over his head, bringing a flush of rosy to his fair complexion. Mo Shou’s hair and eyes were lighter in color, which now appeared enchantingly attractive.

“Your Highness, it’s past the hour of Xu, you should rest now.”

“It’s already past Xu? Have we kept Mo Shou waiting?” Xie Sicun beckoned him closer. Mo Shou approached and crouched next to her, his face leaning against her leg, “Let this servant attend to you…”

Xie Sicun’s hand stroked his soft hair. Now, he was wearing thin night clothes, the long hair hanging behind him felt like fine satin, prompting her to stroke it a few more times.

Mo Shou’s gaze lifted slightly towards Xie Sicun.

A stir of emotion, as if a small hook had snagged her heart, made her restless.

Indeed, she had summoned him tonight for a special reason.

A month ago, their relationship had changed from that of a Crown Princess and a secret guard to that of a Crown Princess and a chamber attendant. Although merely a chamber attendant, he was the man closest to her heart, her bedside companion.

After overindulging a few days ago, Mo Shou was summoned by the emperor to the main hall for a reprimand, then made to stand in the snow for an hour. For Mo Shou, who originated from the death-defying secret guards, this wasn’t a big deal. But Xie Sicun knew it was her father’s way of warning her not to get lost in romantic affairs.

After all, her father had disapproved of choosing Mo Shou as a chamber attendant in the first place.

Just as she had distanced herself from him for a few days recently to make a point, Mo Shou did not complain. He never did, but Xie Sicun could feel his unease, softening her heart.

“Granted.” As soon as Xie Sicun spoke, a hint of joy appeared in Mo Shou’s eyes. He quickly got up, lifted Xie Sicun horizontally, and carried her back to her sleeping chamber. All the way from the study to the bedroom, there were charcoal fires, yet Mo Shou still feared he might let his princess catch a chill.

With red silk curtains hanging, Xie Sicun sat on the edge of the bed, Mo Shou took off one of her shoes, then her sock, holding her bare foot in his palm. Her foot was as delicate as a bamboo shoot, very small and white, appearing even smaller in his broad hands.

Mo Shou’s fingers gently rubbed her tender sole, a tingling sensation spreading up to her crown and through her body, softening her legs, yet she responded with a bit of firmness, pulling her foot back and then placing it between his thighs.

“Ah Shou, do you want me?”