Chapter 44: Painting Brows

Seeing the deep attachment in Luo Wushuang’s eyes, Shangguan Liqian let out a soft chuckle. She picked up the eyebrow charcoal and leaned in, her movements gentle as she approached the Empress’s face.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, carefully studying the contours of Wushuang’s face and the delicate arrangement of her features.

After a moment of thought, the charcoal touched skin. With just the right amount of pressure, Liqian began to trace the shape of the brows, stroke by stroke.

Wushuang sat perfectly still, feeling the warmth of her sister’s fingertips and the light travel of the charcoal. Her heart rate quickened instinctively. She stole a glance upward, catching the focused, serious expression on Liqian’s face, and couldn’t help but let the corners of her mouth curl upward.

She suddenly felt that the woman painting her brows was so beautiful, so gentle, and… looked very easy to kiss.

Soon, the arch began to take shape.

Upon closer inspection, Liqian had given Wushuang “crescent moon brows,” a style even thinner and sharper than the traditional willow leaf shape. Coupled with Wushuang’s elongated phoenix eyes, this style effectively masked their natural softness, replacing it with the sharp, intimidating majesty befitting the ruler of a nation.

Wushuang was satisfied, yet unsatisfied.

If she were heading to the morning court session or receiving foreign envoys, this would be perfect. But in a moment, she was supposed to go to the Imperial Garden with her sister.

This was supposed to be a date, wasn’t it?

Why did her sister have to paint her looking so cold and unapproachable?

She wanted a softer look—at least something that made her face appear less aggressive. Otherwise, she feared her sister wouldn’t let her get close once they were outside.

Perhaps sensing her grievance, Liqian’s hand paused. She asked softly, “Do you not like it?”

Wushuang shook her head, first offering praise. “Sister’s handiwork is beautiful. I like it very much.”

Liqian arched an eyebrow, silently waiting for the inevitable “but.”

Wushuang tilted her head back slightly, meeting Liqian’s indulgent gaze. She spoke with a hint of hesitation. “It’s just… could Sister paint willow leaf brows for me today?”

Willow leaf brows were slightly fuller than the crescent moon style; they would soften the lines of her face, making her look more delicate and charming. It was the perfect look for acting spoiled. If she paired it with a pitiful, wronged expression, her sister’s heart would surely melt.

And then…

Liqian gave a low, airy laugh. “Wushuang prefers willow leaf brows?”

Wushuang shook her head again. She had simply figured out how to make her sister’s heart soften so that she wouldn’t have the heart to refuse her requests—whether they were reasonable or not.

Having likely seen through her little scheme, Liqian gave the dishonest girl a playful, charming glare. Ultimately, however, she compromised.

With a slight flick of her wrist, Liqian went back to work. Before long, a pair of exquisite willow leaf brows appeared in the mirror.

Long and elegant, they added a layer of undeniable allure to Wushuang’s already enchanting face. She looked like a seductive fox-lily that had just reached full bloom—vivid and dripping with charm.

Wushuang looked at her reflection. Her pearly teeth bit her lower lip, and while Liqian wasn’t looking, she reached down and gave her own thigh a sharp, vicious pinch.

In an instant, the rims of her eyes flushed red. Her expression turned pitiful, radiating a vulnerability that would make anyone’s heart ache.

Liqian’s expression tightened. Just as she was about to ask what was wrong, a trembling, tearful voice reached her ears.

“Sister…”

Liqian looked down, her gaze colliding with the watery depths of Wushuang’s eyes.

“Oh, you…” Liqian let out a soft sigh. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to the tear that sat precariously on the edge of Wushuang’s lashes, threatening to fall.

In a place where Liqian couldn’t see, a look of pure triumph flashed across Wushuang’s face.

Sensing her sister’s lips move instinctively downward after kissing away the tear, Wushuang silently tilted her face up to cooperate.

She knew it. Her sister always fell for this.

As expected, she was the one who understood her sister best. Only she was a match made in heaven for her.

The kiss eventually ended.

Unsure why Wushuang had suddenly become upset or why she had suddenly cheered up, Liqian patted her back gently. “What happened? Why the sudden sadness?”

There was no sadness. There was only Wushuang’s hard work in acting miserable to get her sister’s attention. She looked back into the mirror. Her eyes were slightly red, and her lips were swollen—the clear image of someone who had been thoroughly Ravished.

Wushuang wasn’t upset in the slightest; instead, her eyes were full of joy.

“Sister paints so well. I love it.”

As she spoke, she reached out and took Liqian’s hand, shaking it gently.

Seeing Wushuang turn happy so abruptly, Liqian realized she had been tricked by that “pitiful” act. She intended to scold the girl, but her gaze fell upon Wushuang’s swollen lips, and her resolve crumbled.

“You… you save all your schemes for me, don’t you?”

Sensing her sister’s indulgence, Wushuang’s lips curved into a beautiful smile. She acted spoiled, saying, “Because I love Sister.”

Hearing this confession, the corners of Liqian’s mouth drifted upward. She asked, seemingly at random, “That much?”

Wushuang thought of something, and her charming little face flushed a soft pink. She looked up, her gaze locking with Liqian’s, and nodded without hesitation. “More than Sister can imagine.”

Liqian’s smile deepened. She slowly leaned down, bracing her arms around Wushuang, trapping her within the curve of her body. The distance between them vanished instantly.

“I love Wushuang, too.”

Liqian’s voice was as light as a feather, yet it crashed into Wushuang’s heart like a heavy stone. This wasn’t the first time she had said these words, but this time, Wushuang felt they were sincere.

Her sister was truly starting to love her…

Wushuang’s heart hammered against her ribs. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. “How much?”

Liqian tilted her head, pondering for a moment before giving her answer. “A little more than yesterday, but a little less than tomorrow.”

Wushuang blinked, pressing further. “And after that?”

Liqian smiled tenderly. “The same.”

Wushuang’s eyes lit up, and a massive grin bloomed on her face. “Sister, let’s go for our walk!”

“Alright,” Liqian replied softly, stroking Wushuang’s hair.

Wushuang stood up and grabbed Liqian’s hand, pulling her toward the door with impatient excitement. She was filled with anticipation for their date.

However, before they could even reach the Imperial Garden, a guard arrived to report. He announced that Prince An had urgent business and requested an audience.

Wushuang’s brows furrowed, and her sunny mood turned gloomy in an instant.

“I won’t see him. Tell him to get lost!”

The moment she thought about how her sister might be acquainted with the woman Prince An wanted to marry, Wushuang found even the thought of Luo Wuyan exceptionally irritating.

Liqian’s gaze swept over the group of people kneeling on the ground, trembling under the Empress’s wrath. She gently tugged on Wushuang’s sleeve to soothe her.

“If Prince An has urgent business, there is no harm in listening.”

She didn’t want the Empress to neglect state affairs because of her. They could walk in the garden anytime. Furthermore, this concerned Prince An—the one who had seized the throne in her past life. He was also the person she suspected might have been reborn just like her. Liqian felt a strange urge to make contact and test him.

She wanted to see if he truly was a regressor, and if he already harbored thoughts of rebellion.

However, knowing Wushuang’s temperament, Liqian didn’t suggest this directly. Instead, she took a step back to move forward, saying, “Should I excuse myself, or perhaps head to the Imperial Garden to wait for you first?”

Wushuang’s expression remained icy. She didn’t speak. Even though she felt her sister loved her now, she couldn’t bring herself to let her out of her sight.

“Is Prince An alone?” Wushuang asked the kneeling guard coldly.

The guard kept his head low. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Have him wait in the study,” Wushuang commanded. “I will be there shortly.”