Chapter 85: Love Must Be Spoken Aloud!

She had thought snapping the stem would be easy, but a sharp, sudden sting pierced the tip of her finger where it pressed against the back of the branch.

A moment later, a round, crimson bead of blood welled up, instantly staining the thorn.

From Shangguan Liqian’s perspective, the rose—now tinged with her own blood—seemed to grow even more enchanting and vivid.

The lead palace maid immediately stepped forward and offered a silk towel. Catching sight of the jarring red spot on the pristine white fabric, the maid’s eyes tightened. she bowed her head hurriedly and asked, “Miss, should we summon the Imperial Physician…?”

Liqian was momentarily stunned. She cut the maid off before she could finish.

“There is no need!”

It wasn’t a major injury, so why summon a physician? What was he supposed to do? Examine the wound once it had already healed?

After speaking, Liqian leaned forward slightly, carefully avoiding the thorns this time, and reached down again to pluck the flower.

The rose branch that had pricked her only moments ago now lay quietly in her palm.

She brushed her thumb over the soft, delicate petals, a faint, graceful smile playing on her lips.

So, this rose is just like Wushuang—proud and thorny, with a penchant for pricking people.

But once the thorns are removed, only softness and tenderness remain. This… is quite nice.

While Liqian quietly admired the de-thorned rose, the servants following her had turned deathly pale.

Every servant working in the Empress’s bedchamber knew exactly how much this “Miss Shangguan”—the future Empress Consort—meant to Her Majesty. If she returned injured after such a short walk, their lives would likely be forfeit.

Liqian caught the look on their faces and realized what they were fearing. She sighed inwardly and said, “There is no need to inform Her Majesty of this.”

Since she was fine, there was no reason to throw everyone into a panic.

“Understood!” the maids replied, though their expressions didn’t brighten much.

Whether Liqian knew it or not, they certainly did: the palace maids weren’t the only ones following her. There were countless eyes hidden in the shadows. Hiding anything from the Empress Regnant was an impossible feat.

They were grateful that Liqian was trying to protect them from punishment, but they knew their own lot was bitter. Their Empress didn’t care for excuses; she only cared for results, and she was quick to punish.

Seeing their reaction, Liqian lost the desire to keep wandering.

“Let’s head back.”

If she stayed out any longer, these people might actually collapse from anxiety. Besides, she was feeling a bit tired. She had the flower she promised Wushuang, so it was time to return.

The accompanying servants let out a visible sigh of relief when they heard her command.

Liqian rubbed her temples, feeling a bit helpless. However, remembering Wushuang’s usual overwhelming majesty and authority, she could understand the servants’ trepidation.

Then… the moment she stepped through the doors of the bedchamber, she saw Luo Wushuang—who was supposed to be reviewing memorials—striding toward her with long, purposeful steps.

Liqian spotted Ling Feng standing behind the Empress, unable to retreat in time. In that instant, she understood everything.

As expected, her every move was under Wushuang’s watchful eye.

In her past life, she would have felt like her freedom was being stifled. Even now, she still found the woman overbearing, but she had learned to tolerate and even understand Wushuang’s possessiveness and need for control.

Being loved by someone like this brought a strange sense of security despite the lack of freedom. This person cared about her at every moment; this person needed her.

The feeling wasn’t half bad.

While Liqian was lost in thought, Luo Wushuang reached her and carefully took her hand in hers.

“Where did Sister get pricked? Quick, let me see.”

Wushuang’s voice was laced with worry, and the urgency in her eyes hadn’t faded.

Seeing her so flustered, Liqian felt moved, but also found it somewhat comical. To someone who didn’t know the situation, it would look like she had suffered a grievous wound.

She cooperated, extending the pricked finger toward Wushuang’s face. A mischievous glint flashed in Liqian’s eyes.

“Yes, look quickly. If you wait any longer, you won’t even be able to find the mark.”

“Does it hurt? Let me blow on it for you.”

Wushuang was far too consumed by heartache to register the teasing.

Liqian, however, was in high spirits. While Wushuang was focused on her finger, Liqian used her injured hand to quickly poke the Empress’s cheek. Then, she spoke with mock seriousness.

“It hurts a little if I press down.”

Wushuang looked at her with an expression of betrayal, then worriedly squeezed the tip of Liqian’s finger to check it one last time. Only then did she finally relax.

Seeing that the woman was about to start lecturing her, Liqian put the rose in her other hand to good use.

From the servants’ perspective, their wise and divine Empress Regnant had just opened her mouth to speak when someone expertly stuffed a flower into it.

A beautiful rose.

A beauty paired with a flower was as pleasing to the eye as a hero paired with a legendary sword.

Taking advantage of Wushuang’s stunned silence, Liqian said with a smile in her eyes, “A gift for you. Is it pretty?”

Wushuang pulled the flower from her mouth, looking utterly aggrieved. “What kind of person gives a flower by stuffing it into someone’s mouth…?”

Hearing that, Liqian felt a bit embarrassed. She looked at the sulking Empress and suggested, “How about I give it to you again properly?”

Luo Wushuang: “…”

Though she was speechless, Wushuang was in a great mood simply because Liqian had returned so soon.

After ordering a servant to bring a vase and carefully arranging the flower her sister had gifted her, Wushuang pulled Liqian down to sit beside her. She then asked, feigning ignorance, “Why did Sister give me a rose?”

Meeting Wushuang’s curious gaze, Liqian subconsciously ignored the fact that they had recently read a romance novel together which stated that roses symbolized love.

She averted her eyes from Wushuang’s burning gaze and replied, “No reason. I just felt that roses suited you better than other flowers.”

And it’s the most suitable flower for me to give you right now…

“Oh,” Wushuang murmured, her expression flickering with a hint of disappointment.

Liqian realized a moment too late that they had indeed read that romance novel together. If she had seen it, Wushuang certainly had too.

So… what Wushuang wanted to hear was a direct confession of affection, not a subtle gesture hidden behind a thin veil of shyness.

However…

Liqian’s gaze swept over the palace maids standing nearby, who were respectfully keeping their heads down. She felt conflicted. She wasn’t like Luo Wushuang; she wasn’t used to declaring her feelings or marking her territory at any given moment.

Wushuang followed her gaze and waved a hand at the rows of bowed heads.

Quickly, only the two of them remained in the hall.

“Sister can say it now.”

Meeting the expectation and joy in Wushuang’s eyes, Liqian was touched by her thoughtfulness but also slightly annoyed by her persistence.

This woman was simply too bossy. Who on earth forced someone to confess? Probably only this person in the entire world.

Yet, looking at the deep yearning in Wushuang’s eyes, it was hard for Liqian not to soften. However, her tone remained a bit sharp.

“Don’t you already know? Do you really have to hear me say it out loud?”

Her feigned anger failed to intimidate the Empress; instead, it only confirmed Wushuang’s suspicions.

Her phoenix eyes lit up instantly. Pressing her advantage, Wushuang clung to her and pleaded, “Say it, say it! I want to hear Sister say it!”