Chapter 53: The Sultry Shadowy State Preceptor Part 1

Jiang Li cleared her throat lightly. Given Lu Yihuan’s current condition, it would indeed be too much for her to leave without helping the woman get cleaned up.

“You sit here and rest for a bit first. I’ll go…” Jiang Li thought of the makeup still on her face. Though her true identity had been fully exposed to Lu Yihuan, she still needed to keep up appearances where it mattered.

“I’ll go get cleaned up,” she finished.

Lu Yihuan leaned back against the bedframe, basking in the languid afterglow. She lazily lifted her eyelids to glance at Jiang Li and let out a soft hum of acknowledgment.

Jiang Li’s throat-clearing came again, her voice growing more familiar by the moment. Lu Yihuan leaned back leisurely, content to watch and see what Jiang Li had in mind.

“Someone, prepare a bath,” she called out in a pitch-perfect imitation of Lu Yihuan’s voice.

“Impressive mimicry,” Lu Yihuan remarked.

The servants outside had apparently been replaced with new ones on duty. Jiang Li heard the response and prepared to follow them to deal with the disguise on her face.

“I’ll go ahead and clean up. In a bit, throw on an outer robe and come find me yourself.”

Lu Yihuan agreed with a murmur. She would indeed have to go there herself—otherwise, the inexplicable appearance of the Eldest Princess in her mansion would have the guards thinking they’d seen a ghost.

Your Highness had slipped into Lu Mansion right under their noses, even entering her private chambers.

The secrets on Your Highness’s person were truly plentiful. Her body was frail, yet she could evade the mansion’s guards and imitate others’ voices without any aids.

Unraveling the mysteries of Jiang Li felt like solving a puzzle—one revelation led to another, building layer upon layer on the allure she had already displayed.

She was like a pastry coated in sweet syrup; one bite revealed a salty filling inside, leaving you eager for the next.

Such a woman naturally sparked an irresistible urge to explore.

As long as the outcome remained the same—as long as Jiang Li belonged to her—Lu Yihuan was willing to spend the rest of her life uncovering those depths.

Provided, of course, that Jiang Li was hers.

Jiang Li scrubbed vigorously for a long time, only satisfied after checking her reflection in the mirror provided by 123 and confirming every trace of makeup was gone. She then dried her face.

The maids had their own protocols. After filling the bath with hot water and laying out the essentials, they withdrew from the room.

This convenient setup allowed Jiang Li’s presence to go unquestioned.

Steam rose languidly from the hot water. Jiang Li crouched by the edge of the pool, gazing down at her slightly disheveled clothes. For some inexplicable reason, she felt as though she were waiting for Lu Yihuan’s favor.

The kind where she had boldly offered herself up.

“What are you thinking about?”

Without a sound, Lu Yihuan had appeared behind her. She placed a hand on Jiang Li’s head, gently tousling the woman’s messy strands.

Lu Yihuan twisted her face toward her own and removed the silk blindfold. Her gaze lingered on Jiang Li’s features.

Today, she hadn’t gotten a proper look at Jiang Li at all.

During the day, the Emperor had hastily shooed her away. That night, Jiang Li had blindfolded her. Only now could she finally take her time to admire the woman.

It was the familiar face she knew—not the Li Ji that the woman had claimed to be earlier. Clearly, she had secretly removed her disguise.

The steam dampened her cheeks. Jiang Li wiped one with her fingertip, feeling the moisture, and shook off the hand on her head. “Nothing.”

“Get in. I checked earlier—the water the maid prepared won’t reach your chest. Just be a little careful.”

As her words fell, Jiang Li heard the rustle of robes hitting the floor. A pair of pale legs brushed past her.

Jiang Li’s peripheral glance caught them, and her ears turned red.

It wasn’t as if she hadn’t seen them before, but watching during a bath felt… intensely evocative somehow.

Steam swirled above the water, draping Lu Yihuan like a sheer veil. Her deep, serene eyes took on an ethereal haze, and Jiang Li found herself holding her breath without thinking.

So beautiful.

“Aren’t you going to help me wash?” Lu Yihuan submerged her hand quietly in the water and looked up at Jiang Li, waiting expectantly.

She had made the mess, after all. It was only right that she clean it up.

Jiang Li scooped water repeatedly into her palms, pouring it over Lu Yihuan and carefully wiping away the traces on her skin.

“Jiang Li.”

Lu Yihuan spoke suddenly. Jiang Li’s hands paused amid the rising, fragrant steam. Her earnest, obedient face hovered there as she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Her fingertips tapped against her palm. Lu Yihuan said, “Apply medicine for me.”

Jiang Li considered it, eyeing the water droplets on Lu Yihuan’s body. The bandages weren’t soaked—though she’d been careful, there was still a risk of reopening the wound. It looked fine now, thankfully.

“Alright.” With that, Jiang Li gently unwound the bandages around Lu Yihuan, her touch feather-light to avoid causing pain.

Fortunately.

Relief washed over her as she examined the wound: a horizontal gash that had split the skin and flesh but wasn’t severe. With quality ointment, it would heal quickly.

Her lashes lowered, her eyes fixed entirely on the woman before her. Lu Yihuan watched as she meticulously cleaned around her chest and applied the ointment with gentle dabs.

The familiar fragrance drew near. Delicate brows furrowed in concentration, fingers deftly working to bandage the small injury.

All her attention was on Lu Yihuan.

The slight furrow in her brow, the gentle press of her lips—in that moment, nothing else existed in her eyes. The air hung still, yet Lu Yihuan’s heart pounded wildly.

Suddenly, she understood the happiness from that night in the desert—one she hadn’t comprehended before entering court.

Before her days on the court floor, Lu Yihuan had clawed through countless battles, enduring endless tense waits.

That night had been in the vast desert.

Sand howled into her ears and lashed her body. Night winds and chill swept over them, leaving everyone freezing, yet no one uttered a complaint.

The silent company awaited the signal for their final infiltration.

Lu Yihuan glanced at the man beside her. He stared at the half-piece of jade in his hand, a smile playing on his lips as if lost in fond memories.

She was never one for idle chatter or prying into others’ affairs. But perhaps the roaring winds around them urged her to cut through the noise, by any means.

Lu Yihuan asked, “Does this jade hold special meaning for you?”

The man was startled by her sudden question but smiled back. “Yes, it was a gift from the person I love.”

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly, his face a touch awkward. “We promised that once I make a name for myself, she’ll marry me. We’ll build a house back home, raise a dog, some chickens and ducks. We’ll have a child and go out strolling together…”

It was the everyday life of Jiang Kingdom commoners, utterly ordinary. Yet the man’s face lit up with brilliant joy, full of anticipation for that future.

Lu Yihuan watched silently, her eyes unmoved.

“We’ll be very happy.” Clutching the jade tightly, the man showed a resolute expression. The endless desert wilderness couldn’t extinguish his dreams.

“So, I’ll make it back alive.”

In that instant, his conviction drew Lu Yihuan’s gaze. A flicker of puzzlement crossed her eyes.

She could sense it: his determination stemmed from the happiness he’d described, rooting a fierce will to survive in his heart.

But Lu Yihuan didn’t understand. What meaning lay in the happiness he described?

Ordinary meals for three, an extra person, unnecessary companionship—what use were they?

The man saw the indifference on her face, chuckled lowly, and simply said she would understand someday.

And now, she did.

It was a feeling of ease, free of worries—just being by this woman’s side, watching her features, immersed her body and soul in something called happiness.

The tenderness in Lu Yihuan’s eyes flowed like the Milky Way, countless specks shimmering within, captivating anyone who looked.

With the wound finally tended, Jiang Li leaned on the pool’s edge. A mere lift of her eyes caught the starry gaze before her, deepened by the steamy haze bridging the gap.

She yearned to touch that brilliance. Her hand rose gently but halted just before contact as Lu Yihuan suddenly spoke.

“Does Your Highness want to go again?”

The temptation before Jiang Li was a silent one, yet it easily ensnared the unwary.

A glint flickered in eyes that gazed at her, subtly casting a hook. Her lips curved in an ambiguous smile, tempting one to taste the flushed petal.

Soul-stealing, heart-tugging.

“It’s getting late. I-I should head back to the palace. You take care when you get up.”

Stammering out the words, Jiang Li fled without properly adjusting her clothes, nearly tripping in her haste.

Her foot twisted; she could already sense the amusement wafting from behind. Blushing fiercely anew, she bolted away.

She had to run fast, escape this vixen who toyed with souls at her whim.

She had already been swept into one wave of bliss by Lu Yihuan. Another plunge, and she couldn’t guarantee her sanity would hold.

Her retreat was utterly ignominious.

Watching her figure vanish from sight, Lu Yihuan’s eyes trembled with lingering allure before she quelled it. The steam mingled with her breath and faded into the air.

Fortunately…

With the person gone, Lu Yihuan rose from the water, grabbed a nearby cloth, and dried herself off.

She loosely donned an outer robe and departed.

As she walked, fresh droplets trailed down her skin like dew on petals. Lu Yihuan’s stride paused for a split second before she hurried back to her room.

In her heart, she was grateful—grateful she had flustered Jiang Li into fleeing just now.

To her surprise and delight, this body seemed particularly fond of Jiang Li. A mere moment of inner joy, a glance at those clear eyes, and it responded eagerly.

Or perhaps it was celebratory dew, marking how she had stained those eyes with her own desire.

Exclusive to her—her Jiang Li alone.

Against the backdrop of night, darkness swirled in Lu Yihuan’s depths. Clad in black robes against pale skin, the bold red marks of recent conquest marred her neck.

She looked every bit the alluring demon.

The prey had fled, but a sly smile tugged at Lu Yihuan’s lips.

How could she possibly escape?