Chapter 18: I Will Marry You

Jiang Chenbi frowned slightly, unable to understand why Cui Wangshu’s demeanor had suddenly become so off. She racked her brain, replaying her own words from moments ago, wondering what could have gone wrong.

Could Cui Wangshu mind what had happened between them?

Jiang Chenbi furrowed her brows. “If you’re unwilling, then why did you come to find me? Do you think I’d force you or something?”

A vein throbbed fiercely at Cui Wangshu’s temple. She felt a fire surging in her heart. Did this woman truly see her as one of those slim horses from the pleasure quarters?

She had completely forgotten that it was she herself who had taken the initiative that day.

Gritting her teeth, Cui Wangshu said, “Jiang Chenbi! What do you take me for?”

Jiang Chenbi was bewildered by her outburst. She struggled to break free from the restraints, not wanting to speak with this madwoman any longer.

She had come barging in late at night, clearly intending to do something, yet now she refused, spouting all sorts of nonsense. Jiang Chenbi hadn’t even complained about the disturbance to her rest.

“Let me go! I don’t want to talk to you. I’m going to bed. Please see yourself out, Minister Cui.”

Cui Wangshu’s strength was immense, but since she didn’t want to hurt Jiang Chenbi, the latter easily slipped free. She shot Cui Wangshu a glare and turned to leave.

Staring at Jiang Chenbi’s retreating back, the jealousy in Cui Wangshu’s heart intensified. But in a moment, she figured it out. Fine, if she wanted to treat her like a slim horse, so be it. Why didn’t Jiang Chenbi go find someone else?

Thinking of what she had heard during the day, Cui Wangshu pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth and adjusted her breathing. It was as if the flustered person from earlier wasn’t her at all—she was still the illustrious Minister Cui, calm and composed as a bright moon after rain.

“Miss Jiang, I was rude just now,” Cui Wangshu said in a calm voice, causing Jiang Chenbi to turn back around with a puzzled look.

Cui Wangshu was truly acting strangely tonight!

Jiang Chenbi thought for a moment. Normally, this woman wasn’t like this and had always treated her well. She pursed her lips. “Don’t do it again next time. Is there anything else? If not, go back and get some sleep.”

Jiang Chenbi assumed Cui Wangshu was just trying to smooth things over, but she didn’t expect the woman to actually have business. In two strides, Cui Wangshu closed the distance, her long legs carrying her to Jiang Chenbi’s side. Without giving her a chance to react, she pushed open the door and entered.

Jiang Chenbi followed behind and closed the door, not noticing Cui Wangshu’s position. Suddenly, she was gently pressed against the door, the woman’s body pressing tightly against her from behind—a posture heavy with implication.

“Want to…?”

The moment she heard those words, Jiang Chenbi’s eyes widened, her body tensing and trembling slightly. Hearing such an ambiguous line in Cui Wangshu’s cool, low voice was… lethal.

Cui Wangshu held Jiang Chenbi’s slender waist captive, pulling her closer into her embrace. She undid the sash, her fingers gently caressing before venturing toward the forbidden territory below.

A moist sensation transmitted from her neck as her face was gently turned backward. Only when the woman’s fragrant kiss landed on her lips did Jiang Chenbi snap back to reality.

She lightly struggled free from Cui Wangshu’s arms and turned to face her.

In one glance, Jiang Chenbi was stunned.

The Cui Wangshu before her was utterly different from the usual. She was no longer the high-and-mighty Minister Cui, strategizing from behind the scenes, nor the ethereal Cui family daughter, pure and cold as a snow lotus.

Those eyes, usually calm and profound, now burned with terrifying desire, breathtaking in its intensity.

Her lips were vividly red, the corners of her eyes flushed with excitement, her gaze brimming with shimmering tears—all a plea of desire for Jiang Chenbi, laced with a hint of grievance, as if blaming her for pushing away.

This appearance was impossibly alluring.

Jiang Chenbi swallowed hard, forgetting that she had turned around intending to make things difficult for Cui Wangshu. There was no reason to expect sweets after throwing a tantrum.

But facing this face now, Jiang Chenbi could only think: if she could hold back, she wouldn’t be a woman.

Jiang Chenbi grabbed Cui Wangshu’s collar and sealed the woman’s crimson lips.

The fragmented sounds echoed through the Shangshu Residence once more after several days.

…

The entwined aura of the Love Gu gradually dissipated, and the clouds parted, revealing the hidden moon.

The two on the bed found a comfortable position and prepared to sleep.

Cui Wangshu gently stroked the marks she had deliberately left on Jiang Chenbi’s arm, burying her head in Jiang Chenbi’s chest. In a muffled voice, she said, “I didn’t come to you just to relieve myself…”

Jiang Chenbi patted her fluffy head, her tone laced with exasperation. “If you didn’t bury your head in my chest, I might actually believe you.”

Cui Wangshu’s ears turned red. She said nothing, nuzzling like a puppy to find a more comfortable spot, inhaling the milky fragrance filling her nose as she drifted off to sleep.

Jiang Chenbi: “…”

How had she never noticed before that Cui Wangshu had this fetish—or rather, this potential? She was like two different people in and out of bed.

It seemed the curious remark she had made upon their first meeting wasn’t unfounded.

Cui Wangshu wasn’t the type to be capricious. There must be a reason for her behavior today. As Jiang Chenbi pondered what could have triggered it, she unexpectedly fell asleep.

With something on her mind, Jiang Chenbi didn’t sleep soundly. When Cui Wangshu rose early to attend court the next morning, she woke up.

Watching the woman dress, Jiang Chenbi frowned. “What exactly happened?”

Cui Wangshu’s movements paused. After a moment, she turned and walked over.

“Li Cong likes you. Likes you a lot.”

Jealousy flared, and even “His Majesty” became the Emperor’s given name.

Jiang Chenbi raised an eyebrow. Seeing no intention to explain from her, Cui Wangshu pursed her lips and continued, “Half a year ago, the Emperor doted on you greatly…”

Her gaze drifted aside as she added, “I heard… back when he was still in the Eastern Palace, you once saved him. He fell for you at first sight. Even when he disguised himself to tour incognito for the late Emperor, he brought you along.”

Amusement flickered in Jiang Chenbi’s eyes. So it was about this. No wonder she had said such strange things yesterday. Seeing her flushed face, a teasing impulse arose in Jiang Chenbi’s heart.

Staring at Cui Wangshu’s awkward expression, Jiang Chenbi said slowly, “Yeah… I was married to him for three years. He was indeed good to me back then, and moreover… mmph…”

Before she could finish, her lips were blocked. The woman seemed furious, nibbling and biting at her lips, then licking soothingly as if distressed.

“He’s changed now. I’ll treat you well. You… aren’t allowed to think of him.” Cui Wangshu stared at Jiang Chenbi, her ear tips burning red. Saying these words had exhausted her courage.

Three years… childhood sweethearts. Cui Wangshu had no confidence, especially since they weren’t even officially together now.

The more she thought, the more anxious she grew. Suddenly, Cui Wangshu said, “Jiang Chenbi, I will marry you.”

Jiang Chenbi drew in a sharp breath. Though she had been teasing Cui Wangshu, she truly hadn’t expected her to say such a thing.

Did she know how her kneeling devoutly by the bed made Jiang Chenbi want to drag her down from the pedestal, crush her… and hide her away?

Jiang Chenbi shook her head and sighed. “Cui Wangshu, I’ll stay by your side. I’ve also promised to help you clear the obstacles and ascend the throne. But… you don’t understand love. It’s best not to say such things in the future.”

“What happened between us was me deliberately planting the Love Gu. It’s my desire for you, something we both consented to willingly. You don’t need to feel burdened.”

Jiang Chenbi’s words were like a basin of cold water. Cui Wangshu felt like a flower on the edge of a cliff, teetering on the brink.

She didn’t understand love?

Cui Wangshu chewed over those two words in her heart. Did she really not understand love?

But she ached when she saw Jiang Chenbi hurt.

She felt pained when she saw her close to others.

When she heard that Jiang Chenbi had once shared experiences with someone else that they now shared, she lost her reason.

She wanted to entwine with her like this for life.

Wasn’t that… love?

Just because she hadn’t experienced romance before, was she to be dismissed outright?

Seeing doubt and confusion emerge in Cui Wangshu’s eyes, Jiang Chenbi curved her lips.

She didn’t want Cui Wangshu to be inseparable from her just because of the addictive pleasure or the Love Gu’s influence.

She wanted true love.

Jiang Chenbi leaned in, leaving a soothing kiss on Cui Wangshu’s lips. In a seductive tone, she said, “Little Minister Cui, think it over slowly. You should head to court now.”

Cui Wangshu came back to herself, doubt still lingering in her eyes. But it was indeed time for court. Bitterly, she said, “Alright.”

Once Cui Wangshu left, the smile on Jiang Chenbi’s face grew even more unrestrained.

Take it slow… She had always been very patient.

At court.

Li Cong glanced at the distracted Cui Wangshu, amusement surging in his eyes.

Minister Cui was spacing out… How novel.

Li Cong hooked his lips. “Wangshu, what do you think of this matter?”

Cui Wangshu snapped awake, a chill crawling up her spine. Meeting Cui Daoyuan’s icy gaze, she swallowed and said, “This subject believes that marriage alliance is truly a poor strategy. If Great Zhao yields this time, the surrounding petty states will surely invade frequently hereafter, leaving the border people without peace.”

After speaking, cold sweat beaded on Cui Wangshu’s forehead.

The court fell utterly silent.

Li Cong lowered his gaze and chuckled lightly. “Mm… But Wangshu, don’t space out again next time.”

Cui Wangshu drew in a sharp breath. Hoarsely, she replied, “Yes.”

After court.

Facing Cui Daoyuan’s scrutinizing gaze, Cui Wangshu maintained a calm facade on the surface, but her heart roiled like a storm.

Cui Daoyuan narrowed his eyes. “Have you been unwell lately?”

Cui Wangshu lowered her gaze. “No…”

Cui Daoyuan sneered coldly. “Or is it that the woman you brought back is draining too much of your energy? Perhaps Father should teach her some manners. A country bumpkin might not understand propriety.”

Cui Wangshu smiled. “Father jests. Your daughter was just reminded earlier when Lord Li mentioned the Western Border Army’s recent unrest—it brought to mind some sounds I overheard that night when we were bound.”

Cui Daoyuan stared into Cui Wangshu’s eyes. Seeing her frank demeanor, he asked, “What did you recall?”

“Your daughter remembers that amid the carriage’s jolts that night, it seemed someone outside mentioned the Xuanji Strategy, which reminded me of the Luo River Diversion Map.”

At the mention of the Xuanji Strategy, Cui Daoyuan seemed to recall something. “Is Prince Sui searching for the Xuanji Strategy?”

“It seems so. Father should know—the legends say the Luo River Diversion Map could upend imperial authority. We’ve schemed for so long… Could it be…”

Cui Daoyuan frowned, his voice turning cold. “You said it yourself—it’s just a legend. Whether the Xuanji Strategy is real or not is uncertain.”

Though Cui Daoyuan said this, Cui Wangshu saw the grimness in his expression and knew he was certain the Xuanji Strategy existed.

Cui Daoyuan, irritated, said, “Return to the residence first. Tell me immediately if you remember anything else. Don’t think about these things in court again. You’re lucky you answered today, or the Emperor might have punished you.”

Cui Wangshu lowered her gaze. “Yes.”

On the way back to the residence, Cui Wangshu’s expression grew increasingly cold, her words icy. “Go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion.”

“Yes.”