Chapter 44 Jealousy

“The Empress Dowager is truly kind.”

After patrolling the imperial city, the Yulin Army rested in the same room. The night patrol was uninterrupted, with one team seamlessly connecting with another upon return.

However, tonight was their last rotation. Everyone took off their bamboo hats and straw raincoats, hanging their soaked outer garments on the rack beneath their armor.

Steaming hot soup to ward off the cold was already set on the table before their return. The warm steam rose, and the frozen Yulin soldiers eagerly drank large gulps.

With the hot soup down their throats, the night’s chill was immediately dispelled.

One soldier licked her lips with satisfaction: “The palace’s warming soup is truly different, incomparably better than what’s outside. I’ll have to make my husband learn how to make it when I get back.”

Another teased: “Come on, how can our commoner skills compare to the imperial kitchen’s master chefs?”

“Exactly, just look at these ingredients. They’re clearly extraordinary.”

Qiu Shuzhi silently moved to her own room and closed the door, instantly muffling the lively voices.

It was already past midnight, with heavy rain pouring outside in pitch darkness. She removed her armor and took out the handkerchief from her drenched collar.

Pure white silk, with a ‘Qing’ character embroidered in one corner. The soft texture felt weightless in her hand, slowly releasing a familiar sandalwood scent that seemed to conjure Qin Qing’s tender gaze in the heavy rain.

“My lady—” Ji Mei pushed open the door.

Qiu Shuzhi was startled, almost dropping the handkerchief.

She hastily stuffed it back into her sleeve and turned around with a composed expression: “Why didn’t you knock?”

Ji Mei held a still-steaming bowl of warming soup: “My lady, please drink some soup to ward off the cold. If you don’t, those women will finish it all.”

Her hand hidden in her sleeve tightly clutched the handkerchief, afraid its edge might peek out and arouse Ji Mei’s suspicion. “Put it down,” she said coolly. “You’ve all been busy all night. Get some rest early.”

“Yes.” Ji Mei placed the warming soup on the table and closed the door as she left.

Qiu Shuzhi sighed in relief, holding the handkerchief like a hot potato.

Handkerchiefs were intimate possessions for men in ancient times. It was improper for her to keep it, and could potentially cause trouble.

But if she didn’t keep it, where could she put it? Return it to Qin Qing? He certainly wouldn’t take it back.

Throw it away? What if Qin Qing asked about it someday? How could she say she’d discarded it like trash?

Sigh—

She sighed, caught in a dilemma.

The voices next door gradually quieted down, with faint snoring now audible. They must have gone to sleep.

Qiu Shuzhi temporarily set aside her worries. Her long hair was still dripping, and without modern hairdryers, she could only roughly dry it with a towel before sleeping.

As for the handkerchief, she didn’t dare leave it anywhere carelessly, fearing someone might discover it. She even kept it in the sleeve of her undergarments while sleeping.

But she tossed and turned in bed, the sandalwood scent constantly lingering around her, invisibly teasing every nerve, making sleep impossible.

The rain grew heavier, with several thunderous roars from the sky. Lightning flashed across the night, momentarily illuminating the pitch-black windows, revealing a figure’s silhouette.

“Who’s there!” Qiu Shuzhi exclaimed sharply, having keenly sensed the presence.

The figure wavered and fled hastily.

Qiu Shuzhi threw on some clothes, drew her sword, and gave chase.

The figure moved with light, nimble steps and excellent qinggong, their black cloak blending into the night.

“Stop!” Qiu Shuzhi chased them to a nearby rockery, leaping forward with her sword at their neck.

The black figure immediately halted.

“Who dares to trespass in the imperial palace?” she demanded in a low voice.

Faint footsteps of the Yulin Army could be heard in the distance; the patrol must be approaching. “Remove your cloak!” she commanded.

The figure slowly turned, a pair of slender, distinct hands reaching up to remove the cloak. In the rain-soaked night, a face of unparalleled beauty in the capital was gradually revealed.

“Your Highness, it’s you.” Qiu Shuzhi withdrew her sword, shocked.

Yue Guanyi stood in the rain, allowing the downpour to soak through his clothes. He had always favored white garments; as the rain fell on him, the fabric seemed to melt and become translucent like fine snow meeting rain. The thin cloth clung to his body, revealing the contours of his masculine figure.

Raindrops clung to his thick, crow-black eyelashes, then fell from the corners of his eyes. In the misty rain, they resembled glistening tears.

The footsteps of the Yulin Army were now close by, about to arrive. But Yue Guanyi’s thinly-clad appearance absolutely could not be seen by them.

As the footsteps drew nearer, in a moment of urgency, Qiu Shuzhi pulled Yue Guanyi to hide in the nearby rockery.

“Qiu—” Yue Guanyi began to speak.

“Shh—” A slender, fair finger pressed against his thin, cool lips. “Don’t speak. Wait for them to pass.”

The fragrance from her fingertip nearly intoxicated him. His wet eyelashes trembled slightly as he pursed his lips, carefully extending the tip of his tongue to lick where she had touched. His hand hidden in his sleeve clenched tightly—so sweet.

The space inside the rockery was small, barely able to contain two people. Their wet bodies pressed tightly together, yet burning hot. Even the rise and fall of their chests pressed against each other, their breaths low and warm, creating a secretive and ambiguous atmosphere in the pervasive moisture.

The footsteps of the Yulin Army passed almost right by them, less than a meter away, causing her to hold her breath involuntarily.

Only when they had gradually moved away did Qiu Shuzhi finally exhale in relief. Fortunately, they hadn’t been discovered.

She looked down at Yue Guanyi’s flushed face, his disheveled long hair soaked by the rain, wet strands clinging to his cheeks. He blinked somewhat uncomfortably.

She asked in a low voice: “Why did Your Highness appear in the Yulin Army’s quarters?”

His eyes trembled, showing slight unease: “I wanted to see you.”

Chang’an had firmly blocked him, reminding him to mind propriety between men and women.

But he couldn’t do it. His reputation was already ruined; he didn’t care about such things anymore. However, he feared his wanton behavior might tarnish Qiu Shuzhi’s reputation.

He sat restlessly in Fengyang Palace as the rain outside grew heavier, seeming endless.

The palace servants guarding the door were half-soaked by the splashing rain. What about Qiu Shuzhi?

Useless, useless. Those straw raincoats he had sent out were of no use at all. They couldn’t block the wind or stop the rain. The cold would seep through the gaps into the icy armor and penetrate her body.