Chapter 129: A Kiss Seals Their Love

The streets bustled with carts and horses streaming by, but Wu Wei felt as if everything had frozen in place, as though she could gaze into eternity with a single glance.

For more than twenty years, Wu Wei’s emotional life had been a blank slate. She had once felt the faint stirrings of young love, but perhaps because she had encountered forensic knowledge so early in life, it had granted her a maturity far beyond her years. She disliked relationships without a future. Once she saw the inevitable parting ahead, Wu Wei chose calm detachment.

The girl before her eyes was different.

In Embroider Maiden, Wu Wei saw a quality that promised lifelong fidelity to one person alone. Hundreds of days and nights spent together, caring for each other, drawing strength from shared hardship—their bond had quietly taken root without a word.

She clutched the silver ingot in her hand, not large in denomination but heavy with worth. Suddenly, a soft pop echoed in Wu Wei’s chest. It was as if the bottle labeled “love”—corked tight with her cool rationality—had finally been uncorked.

This was Wu Wei’s secret inner sanctum, a pure holy ground no one had ever set foot in. She had guarded this forbidden zone with such meticulous care.

Perhaps even Wu Wei herself hadn’t realized how stubbornly devoted she was to matters of the heart—stubborn to the point of conservatism. Better to cling to the fragrant branches until old age than dance with the autumn leaves.

Love now nourished Wu Wei’s heart, burgeoning wildly and vigorously.

Embroider Maiden’s cheeks burned red from the heat, a few beads of sweat dotting her forehead. She gazed quietly at Wu Wei.

Wu Wei took Embroider Maiden’s hand and strode briskly toward the inn.

“Weiwei?”

“Let’s go back.”

“Alright.”

Embroider Maiden sensed Wu Wei’s unusual state, but Weiwei was Weiwei. If she wanted to return, then they would return.

…

Back at the inn, Wu Wei locked the door behind them. She tossed the silver ingot and copper coins she’d been gripping onto the table with a loud thud. The ingot rolled a few times across the surface before clattering to the floor.

Embroider Maiden moved to pick it up, but Wu Wei caught her arm and drew her into her embrace.

“Weiwei?”

“Third Sister~”

Wu Wei’s body burned hot; Embroider Maiden could feel it even through their clothes. For some reason, Embroider Maiden felt nervous too, her tension laced with emotions she couldn’t quite name.

Weiwei calling her “Third Sister”—she’d heard those words countless times over the years, yet hearing them from Weiwei’s lips now sent an inexplicable flutter through her heart.

“W-What’s wrong? Did you walk too fast? Let me fetch a cloth and wipe your face.”

“Third Sister, don’t move. Listen to me.” Wu Wei tightened her arms, resting her chin on Embroider Maiden’s shoulder. She feared Embroider Maiden might slip away, and she dreaded glimpsing her eyes by accident.

What if the emotions there weren’t what she hoped?

“Alright, I won’t move. Lean on me and rest.” Embroider Maiden hugged Wu Wei in return, gently stroking her back as she spoke softly.

“Third Sister, do you know? Actually… women and women can stay together forever, for a lifetime.” Wu Wei mustered her courage to say it, but no reply came. She bit her lower lip in frustration, wondering if she should try a different approach.

Wu Wei’s words exploded like thunder in Embroider Maiden’s ears. What Wu Wei didn’t know was that Embroider Maiden had secretly pondered this question countless times. She often asked herself: Could two women be together like a married couple?

Sadly, there was no answer. No one could give Embroider Maiden one. She dared not ask anyone else, contenting herself with wild imaginings.

Sometimes, watching Wu Wei sleep peacefully filled her with such satisfaction. If life could go on like this forever, it would be the greatest happiness she could ever know.

As for how other couples lived, Embroider Maiden had no real insight. Surely it was much like this: sharing a kang, going out and coming home together, eating and sleeping side by side, supporting each other. Just seeing her each day made even idle moments bearable.

Wasn’t it?

“Third Sister? Do you… hate me now?”

Embroider Maiden’s jumbled thoughts cleared instantly at the aggrieved tone in Wu Wei’s voice. She shook her head vigorously, hugging tighter as she stammered, “No, I wouldn’t—I could never hate Weiwei!”

Moments ago, Wu Wei’s heart had plummeted; now it soared on the wings of those simple words.

“Third Sister, I like you. Not as a friend or family, but like a husband likes a wife. The way a woman likes another woman. And you? Do you… like me even a little?”

Embroider Maiden felt dizzy. What had Weiwei just said?

She… liked her like a spouse?

“…Is it true?” Embroider Maiden’s eyes grew misty as she murmured.

“True. I like you so much. Actually, I’ve… liked you for a long time now. I just…”

“…Me too.”

“Really?” Wu Wei straightened up at once, pulling back to lock eyes with Embroider Maiden, unblinking.

Embroider Maiden’s cheeks flushed like ripe forbidden fruit, utterly alluring. Meeting Wu Wei’s burning gaze, she shyly lowered her eyes, but her hands clutched tightly at the fabric of Wu Wei’s sleeve.

“Third Sister, you mean it? You like me too?”

“Mm. I just didn’t know how two women could be together. I thought about it often but couldn’t figure it out, and I didn’t dare ask.”

Embroider Maiden’s innocent, bashful expression tickled Wu Wei’s heart like a feather. Wu Wei’s smile bloomed brilliantly as she pulled her back into a tight embrace.

“That’s wonderful.”

“Mm.”

…

With their feelings confessed, Wu Wei was reluctant to let go, even though the weather was sweltering.

Wu Wei sat on the inn’s bed and guided Embroider Maiden onto her lap. The blush never left Embroider Maiden’s face. Wu Wei’s hands encircled her slender waist while one of Embroider Maiden’s hands rested on Wu Wei’s shoulder. Embroider Maiden kept her head shyly lowered, saying nothing, as Wu Wei gazed at her intently.

“Third Sister~”

“Mm?”

“Can I… kiss you?”

Embroider Maiden’s eyes flickered like a pool of autumn water. Suppressing her shyness, she nodded.

Mwah~ Wu Wei planted a kiss on Embroider Maiden’s left cheek.

Embroider Maiden bit her lip, her fingers curling to grip the fabric on Wu Wei’s shoulder.

“Third Sister~”

“Mm.”

Wu Wei grinned shamelessly. “I want to kiss you again.”

“…Mm.”

Mwah. Wu Wei kissed her right cheek this time.

Now even Embroider Maiden’s ears had turned red.

“Third Sister~~”

The familiar tone and cadence made Embroider Maiden’s head spin, her body growing limp. She steeled herself and murmured haltingly, “You… do whatever you want. Just… don’t ask me anymore.”

Wu Wei’s playful smile faded into solemnity. With a swift motion, she tumbled them both onto the bed. Embroider Maiden lay flat on her back, Wu Wei hovering gently above her.

“Third Sister, I won’t let you down.” Before Embroider Maiden could respond, Wu Wei’s lips met hers.

A soft gasp parted Embroider Maiden’s lips, muffled between them as their first kiss intertwined.

Wu Wei had a bit more experience—at least she’d seen how it was done, even if she’d never tried it herself.

Embroider Maiden felt herself on the verge of fainting, her body tingling and numb, unable to move. Like a leaf in a storm-tossed boat, she could only drift with the waves. She clung desperately to the corner of Wu Wei’s clothing, gripping it like a lifeline.

…

“Third Sister, breathe.”

Oh, right—breathe, breathe…

“Third Sister?”

“Third Sister?!”

Wu Wei’s voice reached her as if from underwater, growing fainter.

The next moment, Embroider Maiden knew nothing more.

…

…

…

Wu Wei stared in shock. She checked Embroider Maiden’s breathing and felt the steady flow of air, letting out a long sigh of relief.

Heatstroke? Or just… passed out?

Guilt and heartache flooded Wu Wei. She unfastened Embroider Maiden’s collar buttons, fetched a clean damp cloth from the basin, and gently wiped the sweat from her face and neck. Then she folded it neatly and placed it on her forehead.

She opened the window for ventilation and picked up a palm-leaf fan to fan her tenderly.

Gazing at the girl who had fainted from sheer embarrassment, Wu Wei’s heart overflowed with tenderness.

What were they now?

Girlfriends?

Wu Wei immediately dismissed the thought.

No—in this era, there was no concept of “dating.” To love without marrying was tantamount to toying with a good woman. Given the values shaped by Embroider Maiden’s environment, entrusting herself like this meant she already saw them as “spouses.”

Though Wu Wei longed to enjoy a proper romance with Embroider Maiden, it would dishonor her in a way. She abandoned the idea at once.

The three letters and six etiquettes? A grand sedan chair? Marrying her in, or having her marry Wu Wei in?

Wu Wei made a face. That would scare Old Lady Liu to death. Better not to disrupt their peaceful lives with needless obstacles.

Besides, as two women, who would marry whom?

They already lived together as one—sharing property as wives. The formal rites were just moving money from one pocket to another.

“Silly girl!” Wu Wei gently straightened Embroider Maiden’s disheveled locks, her heart aching with even greater tenderness.

In this mutual confession, Embroider Maiden had endured and sacrificed far more than she herself—a modern transplant—ever could.

As someone born and raised in ancient times, how could Embroider Maiden not know the sheer impossibility of two women being together?

How could she not realize that such a bold declaration was tantamount to an illicit affair?

Yet Embroider Maiden had thrown caution to the wind and accepted her anyway.

“I’m not going home anymore. Wherever you are is my home. In this lifetime… I will never betray you.”

…

Embroider Maiden slept for half an hour before stirring awake. She blinked in momentary confusion at the sight of Wu Wei lying beside her, then realization dawned, and a deep blush crept over her cheeks once more.

Embroider Maiden yanked the blanket over her head. Wu Wei let out a startled cry. “Oh dear, are you trying to faint again?” She tugged the blanket back down.

Refusing to let Embroider Maiden hide any longer, Wu Wei wrapped her arms around her and nuzzled into Embroider Maiden’s bosom. Her voice came out muffled. “Third Sister~, don’t hide. I’ll worry if you overheat. I promise I won’t look.”