Chapter 22: Shangguan Liqian: Oh No, It Backfired!

After the two departed, Shangguan Qingyun’s furious roars behind them were of no concern.

However, the atmosphere inside the carriage on the way back to the palace was worlds apart from the journey there.

Luo Wushuang wasn’t just boldly nestling into Shangguan Liqian’s arms; apparently, even that wasn’t enough. After a moment of contemplation, Luo Wushuang sat up, only to pull Liqian directly into her own embrace, locking her in a firm hold. Only then did the Empress’s furrowed brows relax slightly.

Liqian gave a symbolic struggle for a moment before letting her have her way.

Knowing this woman was certainly feeling out of sorts because of Qingdai, Liqian tactfully avoided mentioning the maid again. She figured she would wait until they returned to the palace before making arrangements for Qingdai’s future.

Luo Wushuang’s thoughts, however, were clearly elsewhere.

“Why is Sister so quiet? Are you thinking about your maidservant?”

Looking at Luo Wushuang’s dark face—practically radiating the pungent scent of jealousy—Liqian couldn’t help but press a hand to her forehead and let out a helpless, low chuckle.

“What a heavy scent of vinegar. Let Sister see which family’s little vinegar jar has tipped over?”

Luo Wushuang didn’t show the slightest hint of a smile. On the contrary, the corners of her mouth pressed even lower.

She wasn’t jealous. How could a mere servant be worthy of her jealousy?

It was just… she hated it when Sister’s attention was snatched away by other things.

Watching Luo Wushuang’s refusal to cheer up, Liqian felt a bit of trepidation in her heart. This woman hadn’t been properly “straightened out” yet; if she wasn’t soothed before they reached the palace, Liqian feared she’d be locked up again.

Realizing her current situation might turn dire, Liqian immediately adjusted her attitude. She snuggled deeper into Luo Wushuang’s arms before speaking.

“I’m not thinking of anyone else. I’m thinking of Wushuang.”

Luo Wushuang was somewhat satisfied by Liqian’s submissive nuzzling, but her dissatisfaction returned the moment she heard those words.

“I am right in front of you. Why would you need to ‘think’ of me?”

Seeing the “you’re lying” expression written all over the Empress’s face, Liqian explained at a leisurely pace, “Sister has made Wushuang unhappy, so I was thinking of how to coax you!”

The corners of Luo Wushuang’s lips curved slightly, though she quickly regained her composure.

“Then… has Sister finished thinking?”

Seeing how Luo Wushuang was clearly eager yet pretending to be indifferent, Liqian couldn’t resist a bit of mischief. She teased, “Not yet. I’m still thinking. Don’t be in such a rush.”

Seeing Liqian close her eyes as if in deep, serious thought, the usually domineering Empress turned surprisingly obedient. She suppressed her impatience and waited honestly for her sister to coax her.

The curve of her lips didn’t drop for a long time, until…

Liqian, who had originally closed her eyes just to tease the woman, actually succumbed to the rhythmic swaying of the carriage. Without realizing it, she fell into a deep sleep while nestled in Luo Wushuang’s arms.

Luo Wushuang, whose gaze had been flickering over Liqian the entire time, watched as her sister’s breathing gradually became steady and slow. The upward curve of her lips drooped, and the joy in her eyes vanished instantly.

Sister really was lying. She wasn’t… going to coax me at all.

“Your Majesty, we have arrived.”

Through the thin curtain of the carriage, Ling Feng’s voice drifted in clearly. With a cold face, Luo Wushuang carried the sleeping woman out of the carriage and walked toward Phoenix Hall with long, vigorous strides.

The young eunuchs, who had been ordered to wait ahead of time with the dragon sedan, were stunned. They instinctively cast pleading looks toward Ling Feng.

Ling Feng simply waved a hand with an “I can’t help you” expression. She handed the carriage over to the guards and quickly followed the Empress.

The eunuchs misunderstood her gesture, thinking Ling Feng wanted them to follow with the empty dragon sedan, so they hurriedly complied.

Luo Wushuang was already irritable because Sister had promised to coax her and then failed to do so. Hearing the cluster of footsteps behind her made her even more annoyed.

However, to avoid startling the person in her arms—who wasn’t sleeping very soundly—she only suppressed her voice into a low, harsh growl.

“Begone!”

The eunuchs carrying the sedan knelt on the ground, trembling with fear. They didn’t dare get up until the Empress’s back had completely disappeared from sight.

Liqian, who had only been in a light sleep, was frozen awake by the palpable chill emanating from Luo Wushuang. By the time she opened her eyes, Luo Wushuang was already placing her down onto the dragon bed.

“Are we back at the palace already?” Liqian asked with a yawn, her voice carrying the lingering laziness of someone who had just woken up.

Luo Wushuang said nothing, simply continuing to brood in silence.

When she didn’t get a response, Liqian finally opened her eyes fully. She tugged the woman toward the bed and asked, “Wushuang, why didn’t you wake me?”

It was only when she met Luo Wushuang’s pitch-black, gloomy gaze that Liqian belatedly realized what had happened.

Oops! I played with fire and it backfired!

She remembered teasing Wushuang about coaxing her, and then… she had fallen asleep.

Waking up now…

Liqian looked at Luo Wushuang, whom she had already pulled onto the bed. Her expression sank slightly. Is it too late to run?

“Sister lied to me again…”

A grieved and gloomy voice drifted down from above. Liqian gave a guilty, somewhat awkward smile.

This time, she really had been untrustworthy. Her words had been beautiful, but she’d fallen asleep in the blink of an eye.

But it wasn’t entirely her fault, was it? Who told this woman to be so excessive last night? It was because she was exhausted that she’d fallen asleep in the carriage.

“Wushuang, are you hungry? How about I go make you something to eat?”

Liqian grabbed the first excuse she could find, trying to push Luo Wushuang away so she could escape the bed—a place that felt extremely dangerous right now.

She pushed, but the Empress didn’t budge.

“I am hungry…” Luo Wushuang replied in a low voice.

However, with a feast right in front of her, why would she look elsewhere?

“I’ll go—”

Whatever Liqian was going to say was blocked and pushed back by Luo Wushuang’s lips and tongue.

Liqian’s face flushed red. She instinctively tried to push the woman away, but her hand happened to land squarely on a soft, sensitive spot on the Empress’s chest.

Accompanying Luo Wushuang’s muffled groan, Liqian let out two light coughs and spoke up sheepishly.

“Ahem… if I said I didn’t do that on purpose, would you believe me?”

Luo Wushuang glanced at the blushing Liqian. She reached out and pinned down the hand that was trying to flee after its “misdeed.” Her aggrieved expression was replaced by something deeply meaningful.

“What do you think, Sister?”

“I…”

Liqian wanted to say more, but this time, Luo Wushuang didn’t give her the chance. She took command of the situation completely.

Soon… only intermittent sobs and whimpers remained in the bedchamber.

Surprisingly, Luo Wushuang—who usually valued Liqian’s life more than her own—didn’t feel distressed seeing the sister she loved to her core crying like this. Instead, she felt exceptionally… excited.

It wasn’t until Liqian’s voice turned hoarse that Luo Wushuang reluctantly went to the table to pour some water.

Then… ahem… she only used it to moisten the other’s throat.

Liqian’s dinner was served on the bed. Once she finished, Luo Wushuang was relentless, demanding a “late-night snack” as well.

This delicious “snack” lasted the entire night…

It wasn’t until the second watch of the morning, when the dawn light broke through the shackles of darkness, that Luo Wushuang finally let the soft, sweet pastry rest.