The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 135

Chapter 135: Taken Home by the Princess Part 23

The spring night breeze was chilly, especially in the open-air lakeside pavilion. Even the burning brazier couldn’t dispel the cold.

Tao Ning held Qin Yang’s hand tightly. Despite the alcohol, her hand was still cold beneath her thin clothes.

Qin Yang tried to pull her hand back, but finding it impossible, she gave up, resting her head against Tao Ning, but still insisted, “When is it not windy in the capital? I’m not cold.”

Tao Ning didn’t let go: “I am.”

Qin Yang, inexplicably annoyed, said, “Then you should go back.”

Tao Ning’s voice was laced with feigned distress: “It’s too dark, and the path is long, I’m scared, I need Your Highness to accompany me.”

Qin Yang was amused, glancing at Tao Ning.

Afraid of the dark?

The princess’s residence was brightly lit, the path clear and unobstructed, with maids stationed along the way, ready to assist. “Dark” was the last word to describe the residence tonight.

It was clearly a lie.

After a moment of silence, Qin Yang pulled away from Tao Ning’s embrace. This indulgence had to end.

Tao Ning, thinking she was angry, felt a pang of disappointment and instinctively reached out, but Qin Yang stood up and walked away.

After a few steps, she turned around and said, “Didn’t you say you were afraid of the dark? I’ll escort you back, Junior Minister.”

Tao Ning could hear the teasing in her voice and followed her.

Leaving the winding corridor, Tao Ning took the lantern from a maid and walked beside Qin Yang: “It’s dark, Your Highness, please be careful.”

Just as she spoke, Qin Yang stumbled, almost tripping over a step, caught by Tao Ning just in time.

Tao Ning’s voice was tense: “Be careful, Your Highness!”

Qin Yang’s ears burned, how could she trip in her own residence?

This scene seemed familiar. She had almost stumbled in the retreat as well, also caught by Tao Ning.

In the end, Qin Yang broke her word, unable to escort the Junior Minister back to her room, instead being escorted back to her own bedchamber by Tao Ning.

Everything was prepared in her room, and Cui Hong was about to help Qin Yang when she was waved away.

Qin Yang: “Leave, all of you.”

When the princess was determined, no one could stop her, and Cui Hong could only leave, giving Tao Ning a look, signaling her to prepare fresh clothes.

She had noticed the wine stains on Qin Yang’s robe, which would be uncomfortable to sleep in, not to mention she might catch a cold.

Tao Ning, entrusted with another important task: “…”

She touched her face, puzzled.

Did she have a trustworthy face?

Otherwise, why would both Meng Chun and Cui Hong leave the unconscious princess in her care, seemingly without any concern?

But there was no turning back now, and with a sense of familiarity, Tao Ning turned around, then froze, taking in the scene before her.

Qin Yang lay on the bed, her eyes half-closed, one hand resting on her forehead, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shimmering.

She seemed both drunk and sober, awake and asleep.

Taking advantage of someone in this state wasn’t something Tao Ning would do, but finding another sash to blindfold herself seemed excessive.

She figured this was a disadvantage of losing her sight early.

Back then, she only allowed others to read her internal cultivation manuals, history books, and encyclopedias. Even with only her hearing left, she was still knowledgeable, but she had never indulged in romance novels.

And those who read to her wouldn’t have thought of reading such books either.

This resulted in the current Tao Ning, outwardly calm, but inwardly panicking.

She was completely clueless about this.

After waiting for a while, Qin Yang, seeing no one approach, opened her eyes and looked towards the table, where Tao Ning stood, seemingly staring intently at the discarded clothes.

Couldn’t the clothes be more interesting than her? She felt a flicker of annoyance.

Qin Yang said, “There are no more sashes in this room, you won’t find any.”

Tao Ning, who had been struggling with her conscience, blushed upon hearing this, then wondered how Qin Yang knew about the sash.

Qin Yang said, “I saw you.”

Only then did Tao Ning realize she had voiced her thoughts.

She repeated stiffly, “You saw me?”

She didn’t know Qin Yang had woken up briefly, assuming she had been very careful, not disturbing the sleeping princess.

Qin Yang tugged at her collar, frowning uncomfortably: “It’s dirty, sticking to my skin.”

The alcohol finally took effect, and she felt weak, her lips pursed as she tried to pull at her collar, but the sash wouldn’t come undone, her eyes shimmering with frustration.

Then she gave up, her hands falling to her sides.

Tao Ning: “Let me help you.”

There were ways to change clothes without a blindfold.

Qin Yang lay on the bed, tilting her chin slightly, as Tao Ning’s hands reached out to untie her robe, the garment falling open with a gentle tug.

Looking at Tao Ning’s serious face and red ears, Qin Yang’s fingertip hooked onto her sash, pulling her closer.

Tao Ning caught her hand, sighing softly, thinking she needed to get used to the different sides of the princess, the difference between being formally dressed and wearing a robe.

Seeing Tao Ning’s helpless expression, Qin Yang’s lips curved into a mischievous smile.

Formal attire was a constraint, a constant reminder of her status, every word and action scrutinized.

Without it, she could be herself, revealing her playful nature.

This didn’t make Tao Ning think she was two-faced, but rather endearing.

Having indulged once, what was wrong with indulging again?

Tonight, she wasn’t the Princess Regent, but just Qin Yang, just herself.

Following her heart’s desire, Qin Yang suddenly reached out, hooking her arm around Tao Ning’s neck and pulling her down, her eyes deep and captivating.

Tao Ning, caught off guard, was pulled down, and if she hadn’t instinctively supported herself with her arm, she would have fallen onto Qin Yang.

But their current position wasn’t much better.

Their breaths mingled, their lips inches apart.

This was the first time Tao Ning had been so close to someone, but Qin Yang didn’t resist, nuzzling her warm face against Tao Ning’s, seeking a hint of coolness.

If it weren’t for Tao Ning, she would have thought she was truly cold and heartless.

Tao Ning’s arm wrapped around Qin Yang’s slender waist, her heart pounding, but her mind strangely calm, focused only on Qin Yang’s face.

A warm, intimate atmosphere filled the room, and even though they both knew there were maids waiting outside, it didn’t diminish their desire.

Qin Yang’s red lips parted slightly: “You’re not afraid of being so close to me?”

Tao Ning was puzzled: “Afraid of what?”

Qin Yang said, “They all say I’m not a good person, that I’m a demon, a power-hungry demon who wants to usurp the throne, destroy the Yu Dynasty, and be remembered as a treacherous woman.”

“Your Highness isn’t a treacherous demon.” Looking into Qin Yang’s eyes, Tao Ning thought, You’re a demon who’s seducing me.

She didn’t know if Qin Yang heard her thoughts, but she continued, “They also say I’m cold-blooded and ruthless, that a woman’s heart is the most poisonous.”

Muttering softly, Qin Yang recounted all the accusations, her voice occasionally tinged with a sadness that belied her young age.

She had heard these words countless times, and while she wasn’t impervious to them, she had no one to confide in.

Before today, she wouldn’t have imagined herself clinging to someone and complaining like this.

Tao Ning refuted each accusation: “They’re all blind, Your Highness has the kindest heart.”

Some things didn’t require instructions, just follow your heart.

Tao Ning leaned down, her lips brushing against Qin Yang’s, a tentative touch, then she kissed her, deepening the kiss.

Initially cautious, afraid of hurting her, her passion grew, and she no longer held back, the slight sting only intensifying her desire.

Soft moans echoed in the room, their breaths mingling with the sweet scent of wine, more intoxicating than any she had ever tasted.

After a long while, they reluctantly parted, their breathing ragged.

Their foreheads touching, Tao Ning said, “You’re wrong, Your Highness, you’re sweet, and I’m not poisoned.”

So the princess wasn’t the most poisonous woman.

This kind of teasing, however, was beyond Qin Yang’s tolerance, and she playfully bit Tao Ning’s collarbone.

Tao Ning let her do as she pleased, then said with a wink, “Your Highness, don’t bite too hard, we might be seen.”

Qin Yang paused, then deliberately tilted her chin and bit Tao Ning’s earlobe.

So what if I bite you? Am I some shameful secret?

This bite wasn’t light, and Tao Ning gasped softly.

Hearing her hiss, Qin Yang reluctantly released her, looking at the red mark on her earlobe, and licked it gently.

Tao Ning cupped the back of her neck, the bite not painful, but the lick sent shivers down her spine.

How could someone be so adorable?

Who would willingly bear such a heavy burden, enduring all the criticisms, if not someone with a kind heart?

Qin Yang was clearly the most soft-hearted person.

Kissing Tao Ning’s lips, Qin Yang said, “My courtesy name is Changyi.”

“Changyi,” Tao Ning repeated, “Changyi.”

Qin Yang twirled a strand of Tao Ning’s hair around her finger, her voice laced with amusement: “Addressing the princess by her courtesy name is disrespectful, you’re being insolent.”

Tao Ning held her tightly, preventing her from sliding down, and tucked her restless hand into her embrace: “Even if you punish me, I’ll still call you that.”

Qin Yang thought for a moment, then chuckled: “Alright, I’ll pardon you for now, I can’t bear to punish you.”

That night, another rain fell over the princess’s residence, the gentle patter against the banana leaves, nourishing the flower buds, which slowly unfurled their petals.

As the night deepened, the rain intensified, the sounds of intimacy within the bedchamber muffled by the downpour.

Guard Li, lying on a roof beam, suddenly scratched her ear, sat up in confusion, a half-empty wine pot in her hand.

She looked around in the rainy night, but found nothing.

She lay back down, thinking, I must be drunk, why do I keep hearing what sounds like the princess crying?

The princess was a strong woman, manipulating the court officials like puppets, she never cried.

After some time, the bedchamber quieted down, the movements behind the curtains ceasing, a hand reaching out to toss a crumpled sheet aside.

The recent weather in the capital hinted at the arrival of summer, the clothing becoming lighter and more flowing.

But this was a hardship for the Dali Temple officials.

To maintain a dignified appearance, their uniforms were made of thick, heavy layers of black fabric, imposing, but also incredibly hot.

In his office, the record keeper, searching for a file, wiped the sweat from his forehead, leaning against the doorframe to catch his breath.

If it weren’t for the files needing to be protected from the elements, he would have opened all the windows to air out the musty room.

Faint voices came from the distance, and he saw Tao Ning walking past briskly, followed by a group of people, and Shi Qing, dressed in a light green dress, all walking with their heads held high.

Shi Qing, still slightly regretting not using the Ascension Incense, suddenly noticed a red mark on Tao Ning’s neck, just below her ear, and stared at it intently.

The mark wasn’t obvious, seemingly covered with powder, barely visible unless one looked closely.

Tao Ning, giving instructions to her subordinates with a serious expression, felt uncomfortable under Shi Qing’s gaze. After everyone left, she turned to look at her, exasperated.

Shi Qing: “Junior Minister, your neck…”

Tao Ning was curious what she would say.

After observing for a moment, Shi Qing said in surprise, “A mosquito bite? It seems quite venomous, even the powder can’t completely hide it, it’s quite a large bite.”

Tao Ning: “…”

Shi Qing, her eyes wide and innocent, suddenly remembered something and pulled out a jar of ointment from her medical kit: “Summer is approaching, and the mosquitoes are becoming rampant, and they’re all quite venomous. I have some unused mugwort ointment, Junior Minister, please take it.”

520 lamented, [This naive girl, still thinking it’s a mosquito bite, she’d probably ask if you and the princess became sworn sisters if she saw you embracing.]

Tao Ning’s lips twitched, thinking Shi Qing wasn’t that naive.

Shi Qing then asked, “By the way, Junior Minister, where are you living? With such venomous mosquitoes, perhaps you should move.”

She was thinking that with the case almost closed, she could help Tao Ning move if needed.

“There’s no better place, I won’t be moving.” Tao Ning took the ointment, wanting to say, I live in the princess’s residence, and I even sleep in her bed.

But that was too shocking, so she swallowed the words.

Shi Qing nodded understandingly, thinking that houses in the capital were expensive, and good locations were hard to find, so it was better not to move if the current residence was suitable.

She said considerately, “Then I’ll prepare some mosquito-repelling sachets for you, my teacher’s wife said they’re quite effective.”

Actually, her teacher’s wife had also said they were better than her teacher’s, that mosquitoes disappeared after using them.

In this aspect, Shi Qing was indeed more skilled than her teacher, not just her teacher’s wife’s bias.

Tao Ning: “…Thank you.”

Shi Qing waved her hand, carrying her medical kit as she walked out: “You’re welcome, I’ll have someone deliver them later.”

The assassination attempt from two months ago was finally coming to a close. His Majesty had issued an edict ordering the prefect of Dongping to apprehend the remnants of the previous dynasty, and good news should arrive soon.

This was a great achievement, and Tao Ning’s name was now known throughout the capital.

Tao Ning, however, didn’t care about fame, only that she finally had some free time, wondering if she should finish reading the medical books or cling to the princess.

Then she realized, why not both?