Chapter 1374 - 750: Not Bitter (Two-in-One)
Short separations are like newlyweds; men and women who have been apart for days tend to be exceptionally devoted to each other. Even if previous feelings seemed thin, their hearts inevitably soften, pouring out their deepest emotions.
Yet naturally, after the brief separation, disdain creeps in.
As a Vassal King overseeing the major affairs at the Southern Border, Qin Qingluo’s inherent authority and occasional domineering manner in handling matters is sometimes hard for Chen Yi to tolerate. Like a sword or a knife, even if not lethal, it is very unpleasant.
Especially after dual cultivation with Yin Weiyin, the Princess’s attitude worsened, nitpicking at Chen Yi even when he helped with the Stop War Department’s duties.
"What kindness is there in a hundred nights of marriage? Seeing a new partner makes one forget the old..." Listening to Chen Yi’s grievances, Zhu E couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh aloud.
Chen Yi sighed helplessly, saying, "I should count as the old partner with Wei Ying, and I haven’t sought him these days anyway."
Having said this, he glanced sideways at Zhu E’s captivating beauty, reaching out to gently wrap his arm around her waist,
"Even with you, Aunt Zhu, I haven’t been able to come and find you."
"Don’t sow discord among us..."
Despite the words, the Princess still gently leaned against Chen Yi’s embrace.
Her fingertips mischievously landed in Chen Yi’s palm, caressing along his hand lines with teasingly slow strokes.
Zhu E softly whispered, her breath warm, carrying a rich fragrance, brushing against the side of Chen Yi’s neck. She raised her enchanting, soulful eyes, her voice sweet but sharp in its perceptiveness:
"You’ve been... rougher lately."
Her fingertips pressed slightly in his palm, pinching lightly as if confirming her observation.
"Surely you’re quite dissatisfied with the Prince, aren’t you?"
Chen Yi, upon hearing this, instinctively tightened his arm around her waist, then quickly relaxed. He indeed felt a simmering resentment due to Qing Luo’s recent targeting, which inevitably translated into a bit of unrest in certain matters.
While Qin Qingluo never offered complaints, sometimes she would forcefully keep up appearances through reprimands and sarcasm. Chen Yi knew the two shared a blood covenant, sensing each other’s feelings, yet hadn’t expected the Princess to detect even such details and pointedly reveal them.
Reflecting on the tent outside the Capital City, where he shamelessly indulged in chrysanthemum tea with Qin Qingluo before farewell, could it be...?
Chen Yi hesitated, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed, a momentary lust igniting fiercely within.
Feigning sincerity, he sighed, his fingertips casually twirling a strand of her hanging hair, his voice intentionally filled with pity:
"Alas... you’ve suffered, Aunt Zhu, I’ve been unable to treat you well these days."
Hearing this, Zhu E wasn’t troubled; instead she laughed enchantingly, raised her radiant face, her eyes flowing like rippling spring water:
"What are you saying, Sir...
Zhu E... does not suffer."
Having said that, she leaned forward to plant a kiss on Chen Yi’s lips, then smiled and said, "Sweet."
Chen Yi steadied himself.
These two words were like a spark thrown into a pan of oil. Even he had to admire Zhu E’s mastery, his desire was purely, tumultuously aroused.
Zhu E possessed a spiritual energy unlike Central Plains women. Among the women Chen Yi knew, most had somewhat reserved temperaments. Xiao Yin, Zhou Yitang, and Min Ning need not be mentioned. Great Yin often presented himself in a cold Daoist manner; Qin Qingluo, though bold, never actively seduced; as for Consort Dong, Chen Yi couldn’t tell if she held true feelings for him, perhaps only considering it a fleeting dalliance.
Unable to restrain the heat rising from deep within, Chen Yi’s hands unconsciously settled firmly on Zhu E’s rounded shoulders, his fingertips pressing through her thin garment. His breath quickened, his gaze darkened as he leaned in closer.
The warmth from his palms seared Zhu E, who gently exhaled without a trace of coy refusal, instead embracing him with soft, jade arms, drawing her body even closer.
Just at this impending moment,
"Daddy! Daddy!"
A crisp and innocent voice suddenly sounded.
Immediately, a small figure, like a lively little deer, sprang out from behind the garden’s flower path, Qin Yue ran adorably, her cheeks flushed pink, her large eyes aimed at Chen Yi, waving her tiny hands, continuously calling out:
"Play! Yue’er play! Daddy play with Yue’er!"
She dashed straight in front of the two, completely oblivious to the lingering tension in the air, grabbing Chen Yi’s clothing hem and shaking it vigorously.
Chen Yi froze, his hands on Zhu E’s shoulders instinctively losing strength.
Zhu E’s arms, around his neck, also paused briefly, then nonchalantly lowered, the allure on her face ebbing like a tide, transforming to a gentle and helpless smile as she looked down at the child by her legs.
The intimacy abruptly interrupted by his daughter, Chen Yi felt a bit awkward, while Qin Yue turned her head questioning his stillness.
Chen Yi took a deep breath, trying to suppress the lingering impulse, crouching to embrace his little daughter fully.
"Yes, yes, Daddy will play with Yue’er."
"Daddy, Daddy play!"
Qin Yue was overjoyed.
Zhu E stood nearby, adjusting her slightly disordered clothing, watching father and daughter with a tender smile, her gaze briefly lingering on Chen Yi’s somewhat stiff back, returning to calm, though a hint of unsatisfied longing flickered deep in her eyes.
.........
Incense was burning in the study.
The pile of endless documents seemed never-ending. Qin Qingluo clutched the vermillion pen, her snake-like eyes intensely scanning line after line of text, occasionally frowning, occasionally making notes with the pen.