Chapter 8

Luo Wushuang looked down at Shangguan Liqian, who was held tightly in her arms. As those long eyelashes trembled slightly, Luo Wushuang’s body stiffened. I’m doomed. Sister is about to wake up. Is it too late to leave now?

But she soon had no time to worry about that, as Shangguan Liqian had already opened her eyes drowzily.

Looking at Luo Wushuang holding her, Shangguan Liqian let out a yawn and asked weakly:

“Why haven’t you left yet?”

The color drained from Luo Wushuang’s face in an instant. As expected, her sister still wouldn’t allow her to stay the night.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t you have to attend the morning court?” Exhausted and weary, Shangguan Liqian could barely force her eyes open. Receiving no response from Luo Wushuang, she could only lift her head slightly to look at her.

Meeting Shangguan Liqian’s questioning gaze, Luo Wushuang felt both nervous and afraid as she stammered, “I… I woke up late today. I… I will go right away.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw her sister’s brow furrow, and her heart leaped into her throat.

She was afraid that her sister would say something that would hurt her. But clearly, her sister had said only yesterday that she wanted them to be like normal lovers. They had already consummated their relationship, so surely there was nothing wrong with sleeping together?

This was what Luo Wushuang thought and what she hoped for, yet she did not dare to voice it. She was terrified that the relationship they had finally managed to mend would become strained once more because of her actions last night.

“Are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so pale?” Shangguan Liqian’s soft, weak hand rested on Luo Wushuang’s bloodless face, her eyes filled with concern.

Luo Wushuang’s heart skipped a violent beat. Her sister didn’t blame her? Was she caring for her?

Such a scene had never even appeared in her dreams, for dreams that were too beautiful would always wake too soon.

She would rather be scolded by her sister in her dreams; although it was painful, she could at least keep looking at her.

“No, it’s nothing. I… I will leave right now.” Luo Wushuang lowered her head guiltily, frantically searching for her clothes, wanting to leave as quickly as possible.

As long as she ran fast enough, those harsh curses wouldn’t be able to catch up to her, Luo Wushuang thought, deceiving herself.

“Don’t move yet; it’s better to call for the imperial physician to take a look first.” After saying this, Shangguan Liqian forced her aching body up, attempting to rise.

With her movements, a large expanse of skin was exposed, covered in blue and purple bruises and marks. Her entire body felt incredibly sore and weak.

Recalling Luo Wushuang’s utter lack of restraint the previous night, Shangguan Liqian couldn’t help but shoot her a fierce glare.

This fellow really has no restraint at all!

Luo Wushuang, who was being glared at, wasn’t angry; instead, she grinned like a fool.

Hehe, it seemed Sister really was worried about her just now? She even wanted to summon the imperial physician…

“What are you smirking at? Did you hit your head?” Shangguan Liqian said crossly.

Luo Wushuang shook her head, her smile still looking rather foolish.

“No, there’s no need to summon the imperial physician. I am fine. You don’t need to worry, Sister.”

“Are you sure nothing’s wrong?” Shangguan Liqian asked suspiciously.

Seeing Luo Wushuang nod, Shangguan Liqian breathed a sigh of relief and lay back down. She waved a hand at Luo Wushuang, who was still holding the clothes.

“You can leave now.”

Luo Wushuang cautiously observed Shangguan Liqian’s expression. Finding that she didn’t seem inclined to lose her temper for the moment, her courage began to grow.

“Um, I… I, I’m hungry. Can I finish breakfast before I leave?”

After she spoke, Luo Wushuang stared expectantly at Shangguan Liqian, hoping for her consent—or rather, seeking to further confirm her own suspicions.

She wanted to see if her sister had truly begun to accept her.

“Mhm.” Shangguan Liqian’s voice was very soft and faint, but to Luo Wushuang’s ears, it sounded more beautiful than celestial music.

Having received her affirmation, joy spread across Luo Wushuang’s face as she grew even more emboldened:

“Sister, would you like to dine with me?”

Fortunately, the goddess of luck did not favor her indefinitely, and this request was ruthlessly rejected by Shangguan Liqian.

“No. I’m sleepy. I’m going to sleep a while longer.”

Luo Wushuang, growing bolder, began to tug at Shangguan Liqian’s arm as she bargained, “Let’s have breakfast first, then Sister can go back to sleep.”

Shangguan Liqian’s arm was already sore and aching, and this sudden tugging sent a sharp, stinging sensation through her, causing her to let out an involuntary cry:

“Luo Wushuang, let go of me this instant!”

Waiting anxiously outside, Leng Yu and Leng Yue exchanged another look. It was over. Miss Shangguan was awake; their master was doomed, and so were they.

Just as they were bracing themselves for the impending storm, silence fell over the room once more.

What was going on?

Surely Master hadn’t been knocked unconscious! Should they rush in to rescue her?

In truth, Master’s martial skills were not inferior to theirs, and her methods were enough to strike terror into anyone’s heart. Yet, every time she encountered Miss Shangguan, it was as if her intelligence went completely offline.

That would have been one thing, but their master not only refused to strike back or even argue, she also forbade them from showing the slightest disrespect toward Miss Shangguan. Consequently, every time their master was struck, they had to think twice before even attempting to intervene, terrified of incurring her displeasure while they handled the aftermath. In truth, they sometimes found themselves admiring Miss Shangguan. Not only did their master’s iron-fisted ruthlessness vanish without a trace whenever she encountered Miss Shangguan, but she also bestowed all her tenderness and love upon her.

It was no exaggeration to say that in their presence, their Master was a lion, a tiger—the king of all beasts.

Yet, before Miss Shangguan, their Master shed all her ferocity and bloodthirstiness, becoming like a pet cat or dog kept by Miss Shangguan.

But as it happened, Miss Shangguan didn’t like it at all. Sigh… From this perspective, Miss Shangguan was actually quite ungrateful. To be so favored by their Master—if she were only a bit more submissive, there was nothing she couldn’t have.

Yet she chose the most foolish path of all, failing to consider what kind of end awaited those who dared to defy the Master.

Just as the two outside the door were agonizing over whether or not to rush in and save Her Majesty, there was more movement from inside the room.

It seemed the Master was still conscious. Very good, very good indeed.

While Leng Yu and Leng Yue breathed a sigh of relief, Luo Wushuang was inside the room, apologizing meekly.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Let me massage it for you, Sister, alright?”

Seeing that Shangguan Liqian did not object, Luo Wushuang took the hint and stepped forward. She carefully placed her hands on her sister’s arm and began to massage it with gentle movements.

Luo Wushuang applied just the right amount of pressure, and Shangguan Liqian felt incredibly comfortable under her care.

“You can go a little harder now.” Sensing the ache in her arm subside, Shangguan Liqian spoke in a languid voice, like a lazy cat brazenly issuing orders to its master.

Having received her command, Luo Wushuang was perfectly cooperative. She carefully observed the changes in her sister’s expression, constantly adjusting the pressure of her hands.

Looking at Shangguan Liqian, who had her eyes closed in enjoyment, Luo Wushuang’s heart felt an unprecedented sense of peace. Her sister looked so sweet and tender like this that she couldn’t help but want to devour her whole, leaving nothing behind. But she couldn’t; her sister looked far too tired. She had to endure it, just a little longer…

Still unaware that the person beside her had entertained and then abandoned a wicked thought, Shangguan Liqian continued to enjoy the moment in peace, entirely oblivious to how close she had come to crying for help once again.

After a while, sensing that her arm felt much more comfortable, Shangguan Liqian reluctantly withdrew it and spoke casually to the person sitting by the bed, “Alright, go have your meal first. I want to sleep a little longer.”

She wanted to get up as well, but she was simply too exhausted.

Luo Wushuang gave a soft hum of acknowledgment but didn’t budge. She wanted to eat with her sister; eating alone would be so dull!

Sensing that the person beside her had not left, Shangguan Liqian opened her eyes helplessly:

“Fine, bring the food over. We’ll eat together.”

Having finally gotten her wish, Luo Wushuang gave a cheerful response and hurriedly finished dressing. At the same time, she called out an order toward the door, “Serve breakfast at once!”

After a brief freshening up, breakfast was laid out on the table. Luo Wushuang helped Shangguan Liqian to her seat and attended to her with great solicitousness. Luo Wushuang found the meal immensely satisfying, while Shangguan Liqian was utterly exhausted. Almost the very moment Luo Wushuang left, Shangguan Liqian fell fast asleep.

That fellow really has boundless energy!