After returning to the Shangshu Residence, Cui Wangshu noticed that the lights in Jiang Chenbi’s courtyard had already gone out. Considering the fatigue from the long journey, she decided not to disturb her.
As soon as Cui Wangshu entered her room and closed the door, she sensed something amiss. She whipped around, alert. “Who’s there? Show yourself!”
Under the moonlight, a woman slowly emerged from behind the bed curtains. Cui Wangshu recognized Jiang Chenbi by her figure alone and let out a sigh of relief. “Why aren’t you sleeping? Why sneak into my room like a ghost?”
Cui Wangshu didn’t notice how icy Jiang Chenbi’s expression had become. She busied herself changing clothes and only turned to look when Jiang Chenbi didn’t respond after a long moment.
Jiang Chenbi’s face wasn’t pleasant at all—her eyes were dark and cold, yet she forced a smile, twisting her features into something unnatural.
“I had no idea that Minister Cui keeps so many women around. No wonder you’re so skilled at intimate encounters.”
Cui Wangshu frowned, momentarily baffled by what Jiang Chenbi meant. Then Jiang Chenbi drew closer, her eyes simmering with suppressed anger.
She grew furious just thinking about the maid’s curious question earlier that day.
The maid had asked worshipfully how she had managed to get the Minister to bring her back to the residence. Women from Xiaoyun Pavilion had never before been allowed inside, and even those the Minister occasionally brought back could only stay one night.
She was the first to be given an entire courtyard.
Jiang Chenbi ground her teeth and said with a forced smile, “Who knows? Maybe the Minister will tire of me soon enough.”
The maid’s eyes widened. “Miss, you’re so beautiful. Maybe he won’t…”
But even the maid didn’t dare guarantee it. After all, the women around the Minister came and went in waves—occasional repeats never stayed longer than a month.
Jiang Chenbi’s brows furrowed, rage flaring in her eyes.
She hadn’t realized!
No wonder Cui Wangshu had remained unmoved and so adept in the face of her seduction—she had countless experiences under her belt.
No wonder her kissing technique was so proficient!
Jiang Chenbi exhaled softly and looked at the woman before her. She still wore that aloof, otherworldly demeanor, like the purest snow lotus in the world. But what was it really?
All just a facade she used to mask herself.
Faced with Jiang Chenbi’s fury, Cui Wangshu took a moment to catch on.
Amusement replaced the confusion in her eyes. She eyed Jiang Chenbi with keen interest, slowing her movements as she undressed, and stepped closer one pace at a time.
“So Miss Jiang knows all about it now. But your expression doesn’t look too good.”
“Could it be… jealousy?”
With that, Cui Wangshu pulled Jiang Chenbi into her arms by the waist, her hot breath brushing her neck and sending shivers down her spine.
Emotions churned in Cui Wangshu’s eyes. For some reason, she felt an overwhelming urge to get close to Jiang Chenbi that day—a perverse fire raged inside her, nearly overwhelming her reason.
Jiang Chenbi felt even more irritated. So practiced… and she didn’t even deny it. It’s all true?
She struggled free from the embrace, frowning. “Dirty.”
Cui Wangshu wasn’t offended. She chuckled lightly. “Didn’t Miss Jiang want to do it with me? There’s plenty of time today, and no one will disturb us here, no matter how you perform.”
She emphasized “perform” with heavy innuendo.
Jiang Chenbi stared at the woman before her, finding her utterly unfamiliar. She wasn’t the dignified and aloof Minister of Rites from their first meeting, nor the brave, strategic, calm, and clever Cui Wangshu from the Imperial Mausoleum.
That exquisitely beautiful face hid such a frivolous and vile personality.
Seeing Jiang Chenbi fall silent, Cui Wangshu said, “Miss Jiang, I have court tomorrow. If there’s nothing else, you should head back to rest.”
Cui Wangshu hadn’t yet figured out how to explain things to Jiang Chenbi, and she had a vague premonition.
If Jiang Chenbi stayed any longer, the fire inside her might consume her reason.
She might lose control that night…
Besides, she was tired, and thinking of dealing with all those people tomorrow exhausted her.
Jiang Chenbi bit her lip and finally said, “I don’t care what you did before, but now that you’re afflicted with the Love Gu, if you keep messing around… it will cost you your life.”
She had wanted to offer help if needed but held back, feeling it would make her seem too cheap.
Seeing Cui Wangshu lost in thought with no response, Jiang Chenbi turned to leave.
Cui Wangshu grabbed her wrist and smirked. “Miss Jiang, you haven’t bathed yet, have you? Why don’t we go together?”
If Jiang Chenbi had looked closely, she would have seen the loss of control in Cui Wangshu’s eyes—the Love Gu had already overtaken her mind…
But seeing the desire surging there only fueled Jiang Chenbi’s anger.
Beast!
In the end, Jiang Chenbi went with Cui Wangshu to the Bath Palace in the residence.
The Cui Family was truly extravagant. The Shangshu Residence’s furnishings were all luxurious, and even the bathing facilities had a dedicated Bath Palace, rivaling the imperial palace in scale.
While bathing, Cui Wangshu dismissed the serving maids. She looked at Jiang Chenbi sitting on the other side, her face screaming “strangers not welcome,” and couldn’t help but smile.
The Love Gu flared intermittently, sometimes overwhelming her, sometimes receding…
Realizing her odd behavior that day, Cui Wangshu understood.
Her thin lips parted. “Miss Jiang, after leaving the Imperial Mausoleum, some red spots appeared on my body. I don’t know what they are—could you take a look?”
Jiang Chenbi took a deep breath, reluctant, but worried about something from the mausoleum. After a moment’s thought, she swam over.
With a cold little face, she asked, “Where?”
Amusement filled Cui Wangshu’s eyes. She extended her arm and pointed to the spot of the Virgin Mark. “Here.”
Jiang Chenbi blinked, choking. “You…”
A clear, cold laugh came from the woman beside her. The next second, she was pulled into an embrace, her lips pried open and invaded roughly.
Rough.
Terrible kissing skills.
Not good at all!
Jiang Chenbi pushed against Cui Wangshu’s shoulders, breathing lightly ragged. She arched a brow. “Care to explain?”
Looking at Cui Wangshu’s damp eyes and brows, an answer formed slowly in her mind.
Cui Wangshu feigned ignorance. “What are you talking about, Miss Jiang?”
Jiang Chenbi narrowed her eyes, realizing she’d been tricked. She wasn’t sure if she felt happy or angry.
They had finished bathing anyway, so Jiang Chenbi pursed her lips, preparing to leave.
In that instant, the woman’s voluptuous curves pressed against her back, her voice husky. “Be good. I have court tomorrow. It’ll be gentle… quick…”
Whatever Jiang Chenbi wanted to say was swallowed up, but she knew Cui Wangshu had tricked her again.
This “quick” definitely didn’t mean time.
……
Jiang Chenbi sank into the soft bedding, her neck and collarbone covered in bruises. Hidden spots bore fingerprint marks everywhere.
A maid knocked. “Miss, time to wash up?”
Jiang Chenbi frowned, waking from her dream. Her throat was hoarse as she croaked, “What time is it?”
The maid blushed hearing Miss Jiang’s voice. “Time for lunch.”
Jiang Chenbi shifted her legs. Though clean, they felt terribly uncomfortable.
That damn woman, tricking me again…
Seeing the marks while dressing made her ears redden.
Last night… neither of them had realized the Love Gu had acted up.
Only upon waking did Jiang Chenbi sense something off. They had both been strange yesterday…
Their actions were like a battle between left and right brain.
Recalling the night before.
Jiang Chenbi had been too angry to notice, but Cui Wangshu had been mostly lucid—and yet so unrestrained.
She remembered the woman whispering from behind, “The entire Cui Family is watching me. I need to give them something to feel at ease about, make them think I’m no different from those noble sons.”
“I haven’t touched anyone.”
Jiang Chenbi pursed her lips, a smile curving them.
……
In the following days, Cui Wangshu rarely returned but sent her letters, citing piled-up work and the complexities of the Mid-Autumn sacrificial rites.
Jiang Chenbi pouted, figuring the Love Gu had worn off and Cui Wangshu felt awkward. She ignored it and focused on her own affairs.
……
Late summer into early autumn brought sultry nights. Jiang Chenbi lay awake, lost in thought.
Fortunately, Cui Wangshu had included a pavilion when setting up her courtyard.
Reclining on the chaise lounge, she felt the stuffiness ease. The cicadas’ chirps made the night feel less oppressively quiet.
Basking in the cool night breeze, she drifted off unnoticed.
When Jiang Chenbi awoke, she saw someone sitting in a chair nearby, head propped on hand, asleep.
She thought, I didn’t even notice someone arrive.
When did I start sleeping so soundly? If an assassin came one day, I wouldn’t even have a chance to fight.
Lost in these thoughts, she missed Cui Wangshu waking up.
“Not sleeping inside because it’s too hot?” Cui Wangshu’s voice pulled Jiang Chenbi back.
Jiang Chenbi lifted her chin, not answering directly. Instead, she countered, “It’s so late. Why aren’t you sleeping in your own room? What are you doing here?”
Cui Wangshu stood, her gaze puzzled by the question. “If I stay away for days on end, won’t that raise suspicions?”
The noise that night had been loud; everyone in the residence knew. Her identity was obvious.
After all, Cui Wangshu had brought her back—it wouldn’t do for her not to visit.
Jiang Chenbi frowned. Had Cui Wangshu not come for so long already?
Cui Wangshu’s lips parted as if to speak, then closed. Unable to stand that look, Jiang Chenbi prompted, “What do you want to say?”
Cui Wangshu’s eyes lingered on Jiang Chenbi’s lips, her pupils dark as ink, voice slightly hoarse.
After a long pause, she said, “Nothing. There are mosquitoes in the courtyard. It’s not hot anymore—go inside to rest. I’ll rest out here and head to court when it’s time.”
Her words were odd. Yes, there were mosquitoes, but with Jiang Chenbi’s Poison Blood and expertise in poisons, she surely had mosquito-repellent powder.
And wasn’t Cui Wangshu swamped with Mid-Autumn rites, barely touching ground?
Coming all this way just for that?
Jiang Chenbi eyed her suspiciously. Cui Wangshu shifted uncomfortably and looked away.
Her gaze fell on Cui Wangshu’s red lips. Recalling that awkward glance, Jiang Chenbi suddenly understood the real reason for the visit.
She burst out laughing. Cui Wangshu heard it, her ears burning. Realizing her thoughts were seen through, she felt embarrassed and wanted to leave at once.
Before she could step away, the woman’s soft body pressed against her. Slender, boneless arms draped around Cui Wangshu’s neck, that familiar teasing tone entering her ears.
Jiang Chenbi tiptoed to whisper hotly by her ear, “Minister Cui, hasn’t anyone told you to seize the moment when you want something?”
Her nose trailed from Cui Wangshu’s earlobe along her cheek. Their lips hovered close, breaths mingling hot and familiar, not quite touching.
She raised her eyes, gaze flowing seductively. Her delicate hand slid from Cui Wangshu’s neck downward, gripping her slim, toned waist with intimate familiarity.
Cui Wangshu’s lashes trembled. Her expression barely changed, but her flushed ears and racing heart betrayed her.
She swallowed, reason warring with desire. Cui Wangshu herself didn’t know what she was agonizing over.
Part of her didn’t want this unclear entanglement to continue, fearing clarity would end it.
Yet she couldn’t resist the woman’s deliberate or unintentional temptations.
Unaware of Cui Wangshu’s turmoil, Jiang Chenbi assumed shyness and coaxed further. “Minister Cui, between women, mutual relief is perfectly normal.”
Cui Wangshu narrowed her eyes, gaze deepening as she stared into Jiang Chenbi’s, searching for something.
She grabbed the hand wandering at her waist and gently removed the other from her neck.
Both hands were firmly locked behind Jiang Chenbi’s back. Cui Wangshu’s eyes burned with possessive desire and control, fixed intensely on her face.
This wasn’t the atmosphere Jiang Chenbi had expected—dangerous and charged.
Cui Wangshu’s ink-black eyes surged with possession and lust. Her cool fingertips pressed against soft lips, her voice a low whisper like a lover’s. “Mutual relief? Miss Jiang, you seem awfully experienced.”
