The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 71

Bai Hongmo’s voice was soft as she cupped Chu Yingbai’s chin, slowly leaning down to kiss her tightly pursed lips.

After a long while, their breaths grew rapid, and they parted.

Chu Yingbai slowly opened her eyes, meeting a pair of clear eyes filled with intense, burning emotions, as if brimming with deep affection.

Her breath hitched again, her voice so light it seemed it could drift away with the wind: “You… what do you mean by this?”

Bai Hongmo gently kissed the corner of her eye: “What do I mean by what?”

This person was so innocent and gullible, she couldn’t help but want to tease her like this forever, for a lifetime, an entire lifetime.

Chu Yingbai’s eyelashes fluttered lightly: “You’ve already… done such intimate things with me.”

Bai Hongmo leaned closer to her ear: “What have I done to you, hmm?”

Chu Yingbai closed her eyes, her voice growing even softer: “Since you’ve taken liberties with me, what exactly are your intentions?”

Bai Hongmo twirled a strand of hair around her finger and chuckled: “When did I take liberties with you, sister? Besides, how can it be considered taking liberties between two women?”

She patiently tested the boundaries, like a cunning hunter holding an irresistible bait, luring her prey step by step into a sweet trap.

She was willing to spend her entire life weaving this sweet trap for the two of them.

Chu Yingbai, seeing Bai Hongmo’s seemingly indifferent expression, felt a sudden pang in her heart. She turned her head away, her voice trembling slightly: “It’s getting late, I should return home.”

Bai Hongmo gently turned her face back, and upon seeing the faint redness in her eyes, felt both heartache and amusement: “Sister, are you just going to let this go? How can it not be considered taking liberties between women, unless you’re willing? Were you willing just now?”

Chu Yingbai remained silent, still turned away. She wasn’t sure herself, perhaps unwilling, or perhaps willing.

Bai Hongmo turned her face back again, and with just one glance, her heart ached.

Chu Yingbai’s eyes were misty, her expression uneasy yet tinged with a hint of grievance, like the waning moon in autumn, adorned with frost, cool and alluring.

“Sister, I’ve longed for you, I’ve dreamed of you day and night, and I’ve had less than honorable thoughts about you, because I want to do the most intimate things with you, I want to monopolize all your goodness…”

Bai Hongmo whispered into her ear, wishing she could pour out all the sweet words in the world.

Chu Yingbai pursed her lips, though she said nothing, her eyes were filled with tender affection. Perhaps she was willing after all, she thought to herself.

“Miss, someone from the Prime Minister’s residence is here to take Miss Chu home.” A maid’s voice accompanied by a knock came from outside.

Bai Hongmo rolled over, her tone tinged with disappointment: “I should have sent someone to inform your family.”

Chu Yingbai sat up, straightening her clothes, and said softly: “Father says a woman must not stay out overnight before marriage.” She had to go back.

Bai Hongmo also sat up, reaching out to tidy Chu Yingbai’s slightly disheveled hair, and smiled: “Yes, sister must not stay out overnight, so how about I go home with you?”

She was simply too clever, if you won’t come, then I’ll go.

Chu Yingbai took a deep breath, hesitation flickering in her eyes, but ultimately reason prevailed: “I’ll go back first, next time… next time you can come with me.”

What had happened between them was too fast, so fast it felt unreal, like a reflection of the moon in water, beautiful and enchanting yet faintly illusory.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Bai Hongmo escorted her all the way to the gate, watching as the carriage slowly started to move.

As the carriage was about to turn the corner, the curtain lifted slightly, and Chu Yingbai peeked out, seemingly unable to resist looking back.

Bai Hongmo immediately waved with a smile, the curtain fell back, and gradually disappeared from sight.

The spring breeze was warm, but Prime Minister Chu had been feeling somewhat down these past few days. For several days in a row when he returned home, his daughter was not there, saying she had made plans to eat out with someone.

His wife had passed away early, leaving him with only a son and a daughter.

Prime Minister Chu usually didn’t interfere with his children’s private affairs, but with his daughter about to marry, he couldn’t help but worry that she might not recognize people’s true intentions, always fearing that she might be taken advantage of by some scoundrel.

On this day off, seeing his daughter going out early in the morning for another appointment, he couldn’t help but speak up: “Ahem…”

“Father, what’s wrong?” Chu Yingbai, hearing her father’s cough, quickly asked with concern.

Prime Minister Chu cleared his throat, steadying his tone: “Who are you meeting with today? I haven’t had lunch with you for several days.”

Chu Yingbai’s eyes flickered, relieved to know her father was fine.

But regarding the matter with Bai Hongmo, she didn’t know where to start.

Prime Minister Chu, seeing her hesitation, felt a pang in his heart. His daughter was usually steady and straightforward in everything she did; this rare indecision seemed to indicate something.

“Which family’s young man is it?” His voice couldn’t help but deepen.

Chu Yingbai sighed inwardly, her tone calm: “It’s not a young man from any family, it’s a young lady.”

A young lady she also fancied.

But facing her father’s questioning, she couldn’t help but feel a bit flustered. If her father didn’t agree, she would just kneel and beg.

Her father had always doted on her; if she knelt and begged, it should be alright, she thought uncertainly.

Prime Minister Chu noticed his daughter’s uneasy eyes, pondered for a moment, then smiled: “Which family’s young lady is it? Is she willing to marry into our family? When should I go and propose on your behalf?”

Chu Yingbai was startled, feeling both moved and delighted: “Perhaps it’s me who will marry into her family.”

Prime Minister Chu’s smile faded. He had thought it was about gaining a daughter-in-law, but it turned out his daughter was to marry out. He said earnestly: “You are both women, there’s no question of who marries into whose family. How about each living in the other’s residence for half a month?”

If possible, it would be best to have that young lady live in the Prime Minister’s residence every day.

Chu Yingbai nodded: “I’ll discuss it with her, it should be possible.”

Prime Minister Chu felt relieved and said slowly: “Now can you tell me which family’s young lady it is?”

“General Bai’s residence, Bai Hongmo.”

Chu Yingbai’s eyes were tender, her heart softening every time she mentioned her beloved.

Prime Minister Chu frowned slightly: “What are her intentions? General Bai is no ordinary man. If she also fancies you, it’s best to settle the marriage soon.”

The Bai family, by General Bai’s generation, seemed to be on a decline, especially with recent actions that looked like they were trying to gain favor with the third prince.

Little did they know, the third prince was ruthless and not someone easily controlled.

He looked at his daughter, hoping only for her to live a peaceful and smooth life, and if he were to be greedy, for her to have a bit more happiness.

It seemed he needed to pay more attention to this matter.

Chu Yingbai seemed to understand his worries and quickly comforted him: “I’ll go find her now, father, please wait at ease for me to return.”

In the study at the back of Lou Shang Lou, Bai Hongmo listened to Chu Yingbai’s words and smiled helplessly: “Yingbai, don’t worry, I have no intention of marrying the third prince. How could father force me? Tonight, when I return home, I’ll bring up our matter with him.”

She was fearless.

However, Bai Hongmo had not anticipated that her father and brother would not only pressure her but also resort to underhanded tactics.

As soon as she returned home and mentioned her relationship with Chu Yingbai, her furious father locked her up.

“Two women together is preposterous, don’t bring it up again. The third prince is about to succeed, you stay home and wait to be made a consort.”

Old General Bai gave his son a look, and Bai Shu understood that no matter what, his younger sister had to agree.

His younger sister had been quite lively as a child, but as she grew older, she became more obedient and should be easy to persuade.

Bai Shu had thought of how to persuade her in his heart, but when he walked to Bai Hongmo’s room, he saw the maids bringing out the meals, clearly untouched.

“What’s going on?”

“Miss told us to take them away.”

Bai Shu frowned; it seemed things were not as he had expected. It appeared that at necessary times, some extraordinary measures would have to be taken.

“Knock knock knock”

Bai Shu knocked on the door: “Little sister, it’s big brother, can I come in?”

There was silence inside.

His brow furrowed, and he pushed the door open directly.

Bai Hongmo sat at the table, her expression indifferent, glanced at him, and ignored him.

Bai Shu sighed, sat down, and said: “The third prince is a dragon among men, father is doing this for your own good, little sister, you need to understand father’s painstaking efforts.”

The Bai family had done so much, they were just one step away. If his little sister became the empress, and later bore a royal child, with the Bai family’s full support, they could surely place that child on the throne.

At that time, the Bai family would be second to none, above ten thousand people.

Bai Hongmo let out a cold laugh: “I have no interest in the third prince, big brother, don’t say anymore, I won’t change my mind.”

She knew her father and brother too well, they were already blinded by power, but she hadn’t expected that for power, they would disregard her wishes.

Bai Shu’s face darkened, suddenly not recognizing the little sister before him. His little sister had always been obedient, rarely going against his and their father’s wishes.

This time was somewhat unexpected, was it because of that Miss Chu from the Chu family?

Was she really such a troublemaker, did that woman have such great charm?

His pupils contracted, and he had an idea in his heart: “Since little sister can’t understand, then think about it for a few more days, I hope you won’t force big brother to do something out of necessity.”

With a plan in mind, Bai Shu was no longer in a hurry. At worst, at the final step, he didn’t believe his little sister wouldn’t obediently listen.

“What do you mean?” Bai Hongmo’s eyes sharpened, as if trying to see through his intentions.

Bai Shu raised an eyebrow meaningfully and turned to leave.

Bai Hongmo’s heart turned cold. Just now, she had seen no trace of sibling affection in Bai Shu’s eyes, only calculation, only interest. She seemed to have overestimated her position in this family.

Meanwhile, after returning to the Prime Minister’s residence, Chu Yingbai explained Bai Hongmo’s intentions to her father.

Prime Minister Chu nodded with relief: “The Bai family’s lady is indeed rare and wise, not like her father and brother.”

Chu Yingbai curved her lips, her face full of pride: “Hongmo has always been an extremely wise and intelligent woman.”

Prime Minister Chu laughed heartily upon seeing this: “Good, from now on, I will have two wise daughters.”