Chapter 15: Sister

“You want to be sisters with me!”

Shi Yuning responded without hesitation, brimming with confidence. She let out a cheeky chuckle, feeling pretty pleased with herself for instantly grasping Xie Zhaoran’s inner thoughts.

She belched boozily, cradled the jar of wine in her hands, and clinked it hard against the one in Xie Zhaoran’s grip.

With surprising bravado, she declared, “No problem! Tonight, we’ll become sworn sisters!”

Shi Yuning grinned ear to ear, her face alight with joy. She’d always envied families with lots of sisters growing up, but unfortunately, her mother had only given birth to her.

Being on her own always felt a bit lonely.

And besides! Having a beautiful and outstanding older sister like Xie Zhaoran? Shi Yuning figured she’d wake up grinning even in her dreams!

“I’ve wanted a big sister since I was little. Hehe, sister, sister.” Shi Yuning’s mouth stretched all the way back to her ears as she wobbled to her feet.

“I never even dreamed of having such a pretty one. If Tu Chunhua found out, she’d have to praise me for pulling it off.”

Shi Yuning laughed to herself, swaying unsteadily as she turned to Xie Zhaoran, who sat unmoving beside her.

Assuming she was just shy, Shi Yuning extended the invitation with great enthusiasm. “Come on, hic, tonight, in front of the moon—let’s swear sisterhood. How about it, hic~?”

Shi Yuning was clearly far gone, her words slurring and stumbling out in fits and starts.

But that didn’t stop Xie Zhaoran from understanding perfectly. Shi Yuning actually wanted to become sisters with her…

For the first time, Xie Zhaoran felt utterly helpless in the face of another person. She was exasperated yet amused.

Shi Yuning was still tugging at Xie Zhaoran’s wrist, shaking it wildly in an attempt to pull her up for the ceremony.

Xie Zhaoran glanced at her captured wrist, then gripped the chubby hand in return. With a gentle tug, she yanked Shi Yuning back down into a seat.

“Be careful.”

They were on a rooftop, after all. Shi Yuning’s unsteady swaying was downright frightening.

Infuriating, too!

Xie Zhaoran desperately wanted to crack open this little donkey’s skull and see how she’d come up with such an idea!

“Goddamn sisters, pah! You little heartless thing—who wants to be sisters with you!”

Xie Zhaoran dropped her soft pretense, pinching Shi Yuning’s merrily grinning cheek hard.

Shi Yuning didn’t mind at all. Instead, she leaned into Xie Zhaoran’s hand, rubbing her flushed cheek against the cool palm.

It felt so good. Shi Yuning flushed hot as a boiled egg whenever she drank, and Xie Zhaoran’s chilly hand was perfect for cooling her down.

“Sister, pretty sister, my good sister.”

Shi Yuning kept calling out happily, her head slowly sliding along that cool source until it nestled against Xie Zhaoran’s shoulder.

Her warm head pressed into the crook of Xie Zhaoran’s neck. Blinking up at the Xie Zhaoran so close by, she murmured.

“Hehe, so pretty.”

Shi Yuning giggled foolishly and poked Xie Zhaoran’s slender cheek with a chubby finger. “How about it? Be my sister~”

Her movements were bold and carefree, her soft voice laced with a sultry edge from the alcohol.

She was utterly oblivious.

Xie Zhaoran’s body went rigid. She didn’t dare move a muscle, knowing that the slightest turn of her head would bring her lips brushing against the girl at her side.

Shi Yuning’s breath puffed hot and direct against her neck, sending tingles racing across her skin.

The girl beside her seemed oblivious, finding her so comfortable that she snuggled closer. Half her body was practically draped over Xie Zhaoran now.

She kept mumbling under her breath, calling “sister” over and over in the most tender, lingering tones.

Each word curled upward like a feather, lightly tickling Xie Zhaoran’s heart and leaving her unbearably itchy inside.

This was going to be the death of her. Did this little donkey have any idea what she was doing? She was like a donkey turned fox spirit.

What was this little demon up to?

Xie Zhaoran felt the breath on her neck growing hotter, closer. The heat source inched nearer.

Suddenly, all sounds ceased. Even the wind seemed to still.

A soft touch brushed gently against the skin just below Xie Zhaoran’s ear.

From that spark, flames ignited through her entire body, scorching her mind into a haze.

She… kissed me?

She kissed me!

Xie Zhaoran’s limbs stiffened in jerks. She didn’t dare turn her head or glance sideways. Carefully, she set her wine jar aside before managing to ask.

“What… are you doing?”

“Hm?”

“Why did you kiss me?”

Xie Zhaoran sat straight, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the drifting clouds seemed frozen.

Tonight’s moonlight was hazy, tinting even the clouds with color.

She waited a moment, but got no reply from the person beside her.

Xie Zhaoran called softly, “Miss Shi?”

Still no response.

“Shi Yuning?”

“Yu… ning…?”

Xie Zhaoran held her breath, waiting. What answered was the deepening, steady rhythm of breath against her neck.

Stiffening her neck, she slowly turned her head to look.

Seeing Shi Yuning slumped motionless against her neck, Xie Zhaoran reached over and gently lifted the girl’s head a bit.

The sight made her huff out a laugh in exasperation.

Shi Yuning’s unpainted lips were parted and rosy, her eyes tightly shut, her breathing even. She had fallen asleep.

Xie Zhaoran let out a heavy sigh and released her hold, allowing the head to flop back into her neck.

“What kind of little sister is this? More like an ancestor.”

Xie Zhaoran carefully pried the teetering wine jar from Shi Yuning’s grasp. Feeling its weight, she realized the girl had drunk nearly half. No wonder she was out cold—this wine had a fierce kick.

She set the jar next to her own, supported Shi Yuning with one arm, and scooped under her knees with the other, lifting her securely.

Glancing at the row of empty jars gleaming in the moonlight, Xie Zhaoran chuckled softly, her lips curving up. With a few leaps, she descended from the rooftop.

Along the way, Xie Zhaoran fended off Shi Yuning’s occasional flailing grabs while dodging stray cats and dogs, finally delivering her home without a sound.

By the time she settled Shi Yuning onto that flashy, garish bed in her boudoir, Xie Zhaoran’s inner shirt was soaked through.

Watching Shi Yuning lie there oblivious, instinctively tugging at the quilt, Xie Zhaoran briefly wondered if she was faking it.

She stood by the bed for a good while before confirming the girl was truly asleep.

The quilt only covered her upper body, leaving her rear exposed.

Xie Zhaoran snorted a laugh and gave it a light pat.

“Little stupid donkey.”

She tugged the quilt free from Shi Yuning’s chubby grip, tucked her in fully, and smoothed the edges.

Listening to the girl’s soft, contented snores, Xie Zhaoran slowly leaned down.

She brushed aside the strands of hair falling over Shi Yuning’s ear.

Then, gently, she kissed her.

The next day, Shi Yuning woke to a barrage of complaints.

“Miss, you can’t stay in bed any longer. You skipped breakfast—don’t tell me you’ll skip lunch too.”

Shi Yuning scratched her neck and yanked the quilt over her head to block out the nagging.

Suddenly, her head and body went cold.

She forced her eyes open. Xiao Liuer had stripped the quilt away entirely, leaving her exposed on the bed.

Shi Yuning snapped awake—not from the chill, but from fright.

She hurriedly checked her body. She remembered going out with Xie Zhaoran in night clothes. Had she slept without changing?

If so, Xiao Liuer would have seen.

Eyes wide, she blinked hard and saw she was in her usual sleepwear. What happened?

Trying to recall made her head throb. What had gone down last night?

She only remembered heading out with Xie Zhaoran.

Xiao Liuer saw Shi Yuning clutching her head and feared she was ill. She reached to check her forehead and, finding no fever, breathed a sigh of relief.

“Miss, no more sleeping. Madam said you could laze till lunchtime at most. Hurry and wash up—we can serve lunch then.”

Xiao Liu, whom Shi Yuning had bought back to the estate, wasn’t treated as a mere servant. She adored Shi Yuning more than she feared her.

Knowing her mistress loved sleeping in—and with no one in the household scolding her for it—lunch was the limit, or it would harm her health.

Xiao Liuer never indulged Shi Yuning on this. She hauled her out of bed and plopped her in front of the vanity.

As she helped with the washing and dressing, she chattered about Madam’s morning visit.

“Oh, what’s this?”

Shi Yuning had her eyes closed, trying to piece together yesterday’s events. She had vague impressions, but nothing clear.

Xiao Liuer’s exclamation interrupted her again.

“What’s wrong?”

Xiao Liuer peered closely at the spot behind Shi Yuning’s ear and asked doubtfully, “Miss, were there mosquitoes last night?”

Shi Yuning shook her head. “Didn’t feel any, and it’s only just turning warm—too early for mosquitoes.”

Xiao Liuer agreed it was unlikely and gently prodded the reddened skin behind her ear. “This looks like a mosquito bite. Does it itch?”

Shi Yuning was baffled. She scratched it—no itch.

“Maybe some other bug got you.”

Xiao Liuer nodded and moved on, deftly finishing the grooming.

Shi Yuning’s mind was a muddled mess as she strained to remember. She recalled Xie Zhaoran taking her to Prince Yu’s Mansion, where they’d beaten him up.

“Right, Xiao Liuer—any hot gossip on the streets today?”

Xiao Liuer kept braiding her hair, grinning. “Actually, yes—a big one!”

“That infamous Prince Yu got attacked by thugs last night. They say his leg got smashed.”

“The folks in the streets are thrilled, like it’s New Year’s. They’re calling the attackers not thugs, but heroes out to punish evil.”

Shi Yuning straightened up, pride gleaming in her eyes.

“What else? What are people saying?”

Xiao Liuer lowered her voice. “Don’t bring it up anymore, Miss. The capital’s crawling with searches. Madam told us not to gossip.”

“She specifically said to keep you inside these days—no outings.”

Shi Yuning felt a pang of disappointment but planned to sneak out and hear the chatter for herself.

In the Eastern Palace, Peaceful Elm Hall—which had been closed for ages—welcomed a distinguished guest today.

The Eldest Princess, still clad in her silver armor without time to change, rushed straight to the Eastern Palace. Upon seeing Xie Zhaoran, she blurted without preamble, “That was you, wasn’t it?”

Xie Zhaoran immediately understood and didn’t deny it.

“Yes, it was me. So what?”

The Eldest Princess frowned slightly. “Why be so reckless? That’s not like you—you’re not one to lose your cool.”

“I just didn’t feel like holding back. Don’t worry, Imperial Sister. It won’t affect our plans.”

The Eldest Princess wasn’t there to scold anyway. She was just concerned for Xie Zhaoran. Seeing she had it under control, she let it drop and turned to what really piqued her interest.

“Where’s that sweetheart of yours? Why not bring her to meet me?”

Xie Zhaoran leaned back against the gold-embroidered pillow with a smile, picking up a longan from the blue porcelain dish of fruit on the side table.

Her slender, elegant fingers peeled it slowly.

“Don’t scare her off.”

The Eldest Princess laughed as if she’d heard a joke. “If she hasn’t been scared off by you, what chance do I have?”

Xie Zhaoran popped the peeled longan into her mouth, savoring it languidly.

“I know how to play nice. I won’t scare her.”

The Eldest Princess thought that after half a year apart, Xie Zhaoran’s skin had thickened even more.

She wondered what kind of girl could catch her eye.

Sensing the genuine curiosity—and concern—Xie Zhaoran smiled faintly.

“The Dragon Boat Festival Banquet is in a couple days. You’ll see her then.”