Chapter 56: Rainy Night Sword Dance

Cui Wangshu curved her lips slightly and chuckled lightly. “Awake?”

Jiang Chenbi stared blankly for a moment before pursing her lips. “When did you arrive?”

Cui Wangshu replied, “Not long ago. I just got here.”

Jiang Chenbi said nothing, her gaze drifting toward the window where the moon had already climbed high into the treetops.

Cui Wangshu helped her sit up and asked, “Shall I bathe you?”

Jiang Chenbi, still groggy from sleep, glanced down at the bloodstains on her clothes, frowned, and nodded.

Bath Palace.

Cui Wangshu poured water over Jiang Chenbi’s shoulder. Rose petals clung to her skin, and Cui Wangshu leaned down to nip one away with her lips, brushing against the soft flesh and sending a shiver through Jiang Chenbi.

Cui Wangshu’s kisses trailed to Jiang Chenbi’s neck. Jiang Chenbi trembled, but Cui Wangshu held her steady as the kisses wandered to her earlobe. Cui Wangshu took it between her lips, her muffled voice husky. “Wang Lao said… we shouldn’t share a bed for the next month…”

Jiang Chenbi let out a soft laugh and gently caressed Cui Wangshu’s face, helpless. “Then what are you doing?”

Cui Wangshu nuzzled into her palm, captured her hand, and pressed a kiss to its center.

She pulled Jiang Chenbi into her arms from behind and murmured, “I just couldn’t help wanting to be close to you. Nothing more.”

Jiang Chenbi turned to look at her. Those usually intimidating black eyes now held a hint of grievance, like a dog abandoned by its owner.

Unable to resist, Jiang Chenbi leaned in for a kiss. Cui Wangshu’s breath hitched, and she instinctively reached to deepen it, but Jiang Chenbi dodged aside.

Amused, Jiang Chenbi teased, “Are you sure you can hold back later?”

Cui Wangshu pursed her lips, a touch guilty. “Then don’t tempt me.”

Jiang Chenbi feigned innocence with an “Ah?” and asked, “When have I ever tempted you? Every time, you can’t hold back before I even do anything.”

Cui Wangshu: “…”

Grinding her teeth, Cui Wangshu narrowed her eyes. “Every single move.”

“Little Cui, aren’t you a bit too pure?” Jiang Chenbi turned to face her, lifting her gaze. “Do you know… what it really looks like when I tempt someone?”

No other actions were needed—just that upward glance made half of Cui Wangshu’s body go numb. Her voice hoarse, she asked, “What?”

Jiang Chenbi stared at her, a brilliant smile tugging at her lips. She reached out to wipe a water droplet from Cui Wangshu’s lips, then brought her finger close. Gazing straight into Cui Wangshu’s eyes, her tongue darted out to lick it away.

She arched her waist slightly, like a python gliding through water, and pressed close. Her hand climbed Cui Wangshu’s shoulder, her breath hot.

Her eyes hooked onto Cui Wangshu’s like a lure, her lips mere inches away—a mere lean forward would claim them.

Cui Wangshu couldn’t hold back and dipped her head slightly.

Their lips met, soft and light.

Almost the instant they touched, Jiang Chenbi pulled back hastily, touching her lips shyly. Her eyes flickered with fluster, like a startled little rabbit.

Innocence mingled with lingering temptation on that alluring face. Anyone who saw it would hold their breath.

How could such a face, born both ethereal and seductive, wear such a naive, pure expression?

It felt like a lofty mistress teasing you out of wicked amusement, only to blush at your boldness—her fluster an encouragement, a hint that you truly had the right to take further liberties.

Cui Wangshu stared at Jiang Chenbi in a daze, her breathing stilled. What burned in her eyes was no longer mere desire, but a craving to profane a goddess.

Seeing Cui Wangshu utterly ensnared, Jiang Chenbi laughed softly. “How about that, Little Cui?”

Cui Wangshu’s pupils contracted. She snapped back, her lashes trembling as she whipped her head away, refusing to look at Jiang Chenbi.

Stunned by the sudden move, Jiang Chenbi hesitated. “W-What’s wrong?”

She reached out to touch Cui Wangshu’s shoulder, concerned.

Cui Wangshu recoiled as if startled. After a long moment, her voice came out hoarse and low. “Don’t come closer…”

Jiang Chenbi caught the glimpse of her eyes—roiling with overwhelming desire, suppressed but churning, reddening even the corners.

Realizing she’d narrowly escaped, Jiang Chenbi laughed nervously. “I-I’ll head back first. Calm yourself down.”

Cui Wangshu said nothing, turning her head so her loose hair veiled her face.

Time passed. Rain began pattering outside. Jiang Chenbi waited in her room, but Cui Wangshu didn’t return. Frowning, she went out to search.

Before spotting anyone, she heard fierce, rapid swishes from the nearby bamboo grove—”whoosh—whoosh—”

At this hour, Yellow Path Palace rules kept Palace Council members from training outdoors. Guessing the culprit, Jiang Chenbi approached the grove quietly.

Under the moonlight, a woman’s movements flowed like water. She wielded a sword, weaving through the rain curtain. Wet strands clung to her face, yet she looked anything but disheveled.

Standing under her umbrella, Jiang Chenbi watched Cui Wangshu’s back. It was her first time seeing her wield a sword.

She’d seen Cui Wangshu master the Nine Dragons Profound Iron Chain and the Onyx Iron Fan with effortless grace.

But a sword—this was new. And… she wielded it so beautifully?

That tall, noble figure executed each strike with a woman’s power and supple grace, her eyes sharp as an unsheathed blade.

Her upright poise, like pine and bamboo, harmonized with the grove, shattering her excessive air of propriety and adding wildness and freedom.

Lightning flashed, thunder roared; the rain poured harder. The woman’s chest heaved—she’d been at it for who knew how long.

All her pent-up emotions vented into the storm. The rain masked the night’s disturbances. Cui Wangshu tossed her sword aside and dropped to her knees, tilting her head back and closing her eyes.

Those who clung to rules always craved a moment beyond order—that extreme weather felt like a chance to break free from the shackles bound since birth.

Jiang Chenbi watched silently as she lowered her head and knelt motionless on the ground. That ever-straight spine sagged slightly, tinged with defeat.

Jiang Chenbi shivered involuntarily, extending her hand beyond the umbrella. Her sleeve fluttered.

The wind had risen, slanting the rain and wetting her skirt hem.

She approached and held the umbrella over Cui Wangshu’s head.

Kneeling on the ground, Cui Wangshu paused, then slowly lifted her head, meeting Jiang Chenbi’s eyes.

Cui Wangshu forced a smile, her voice hoarse. “You saw it all…”

Jiang Chenbi’s lashes fluttered. She crouched slowly, cupping Cui Wangshu’s face and pressing a gentle kiss to her brow.

…

Luzhou’s weather was fickle. Though autumn’s tail loomed, a torrential downpour came anyway, thundering as if to destroy the world’s normalcy by dawn.

The sun rose, golden light spilling over Luzhou’s lands. The Luo River’s downstream shoals glittered, rippling with reflected gold.

Chen Quan paled, staring at the flooded shoals.

The Myriad Nations Conference was less than two months away. Construction had begun after the rainy season, yet freak rains battered Luzhou, wrecking progress.

Chen Quan’s knees buckled; he gripped the railing for support. Even heaven opposed them?

Cui Wangshu appeared silently beside him. “You’re afraid. You think this is heaven’s will, don’t you?”

Startled, Chen Quan steadied himself—no sign of her approach—but he composed himself. “This subordinate merely worries we won’t finish on time.”

Cui Wangshu glanced at him calmly. “It won’t rain again after a week.”

Surprise flashed in Chen Quan’s eyes. “Minister, did you divine it?”

Cui Wangshu narrowed her eyes. “Must I divine it for you to act?”

Chen Quan paled. “No, this subordinate is merely astonished by your foresight.”

Cui Wangshu sneered. “Don’t forget—I didn’t reach this point solely on Divination Chips.”

The words struck like a bell. Chen Quan awoke as if from a dream, gaining deeper respect for the woman before him.

Cui Wangshu wasn’t just Great Zhao’s youngest Minister of Rites, nor merely skilled in the Divination Chip Technique.

She was the Cui Family daughter who stirred storms in the previous dynasty, the cunning manipulator of courtiers.

Her dazzling achievements—lineage, beauty, accomplishments, methods—each made her a phoenix among people.

Before, the halo of “calculating all under heaven” overshadowed her, making the world—and him—see her as a stargazing minister propped by the Cui Family.

They’d forgotten: Cui Wangshu was an exceptionally brilliant official. With or without the Cui Family, she’d reach this height; only the time differed.

Meeting her serene gaze, Chen Quan bowed hastily. “This subordinate’s vision was too narrow. Forgive me, Minister.”

Cui Wangshu turned to the shoals. “Spare the flattery. Do your work well. I won’t see this demoralizing sight again.”

Sweat poured down Chen Quan. “Yes.”

A week later, as promised, clouds parted, and Luzhou enjoyed prolonged clear skies.

Chen Quan quashed his awe, focusing solely on advancing the Luo River diversion project.

Cui Wangshu had asked Jiang Chenbi if she’d join her in Luzhou City, allowing more time to cook meals to her taste.

Jiang Chenbi smiled and shook her head. Duties came first—Cui Wangshu had Myriad Nations Conference matters, and she needed to plan Yellow Path Palace’s next steps.

Medicine King Valley’s Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Needle truly worked wonders; her aversion to food had eased, and she ate more each day. She’d visit the merchants anyway; they’d meet.

Unable to sway her, Cui Wangshu agreed to part temporarily. Who knew that, both in Luzhou, it’d stretch over a month?

When Cui Wangshu saw Jiang Chenbi again, it was on the eve of the Myriad Nations Conference.

Yunyu Fang’s night market had run nearly a month; locals now embraced it—from initial safety fears to cheerful chatter under the streets, all peaceful.

Cui Wangshu sat in a teahouse, lips curving as she watched the bustling crowds below.

Yunyu Fang glowed with lanterns; a lantern festival would light it up for the Conference.

Following the lanterns, Cui Wangshu spotted a familiar figure on a distant overpass—dressed in costly cloud brocade, a red skirt swaying, a bright smile on her brows as she gazed back.

Cui Wangshu smiled at her and set down her teacup.