Chapter 36: No Need to Think
After the banquet dispersed, Cui Miao made her way to the Eldest Princess's residence under the cover of night. She was a frequent visitor and knew the way well. Seeing her arrive, the servants in the residence knowingly led her inside.
Wei Zhi was about to remove her makeup and bathe. She glanced at Cui Miao a couple of times before turning back to take off her earrings. "So you know how to come back?"
Cui Miao obediently walked over and helped her undo the pearl and jade hairpins in her hair. "I did tell you in advance."
"I never said you couldn't go, just don't get your smell of rouge and powder all over me." Wei Zhi pushed her face away.
"What smell? Is Your Highness complaining that I didn't go out to play with you? How about I go with you next time?" Cui Miao shamelessly leaned in closer. "I never stay the night at Yuehe Hall, nor do I call for the young gentlemen. I only drink with the ladies and listen to some music."
"Hmph. Who were you with today?" Wei Zhi let down her hair and stood up, having Cui Miao help her remove the accessories on her person.
"All old friends from the Imperial Academy. Fang Linshen, Fan Wensong, them…"
Wei Zhi removed her outer robe, leaving only a thin shift, and walked toward the bath pool. Cui Miao followed behind her, chattering about trivial matters. Just as Wei Zhi was about to enter, she saw Cui Miao had followed her and stopped to look at her. "What are you following me for?"
Cui Miao smiled cheekily. "Didn't Your Highness complain that I smell of rouge and powder? I beg Your Highness to grant this subject a bath as well."
A meaningful smile appeared on Wei Zhi's face. She didn't stop her again, letting her pass through the door. Cui Miao hurried in after her, diligently helping Wei Zhi undress. After she had attended to Wei Zhi, she began to undo her own clothes. With her head down, she was caught off guard as Wei Zhi kicked her into the bath pool.
Cui Miao struggled to her feet in the water, a complete mess. Wei Zhi, however, entered the water gracefully and leaned against the side of the pool, watching Cui Miao flounder.
"Cough, cough… How could Your Highness be so cruel…"
"You asked for this reward yourself." Wei Zhi's laughter was utterly unrestrained.
Cui Miao stripped off her soaked clothes and lunged toward Wei Zhi. "Then why doesn't Your Highness reward me with something else?"
Caught off guard, Wei Zhi's lips were sealed by hers. The two bodies, soaked in the warm spring water, gradually grew hotter. The current, soft yet resilient, lapped against the pool's edge, wave after wave, raising small crests that fell back into the water. The gurgling of the water mingled with gasps that would make one blush.
When it was over, the two of them, refreshed and clear-headed, lay on the couch talking. Cui Miao embraced Wei Zhi from behind, pressing her face against her shoulder.
"I always knew Linshen was extraordinary. Now that she's accomplished something major, I'm happy for her, but for some reason, I can't help but feel she's left me far behind," Cui Miao said softly, recounting the day's events.
"Young Lord Fang has good fortune, but you're not bad either. You entered the Office of Transmission right after starting your career, which is also a department with real power. Your future is bright, so why compare yourself to others," Wei Zhi replied casually.
"That's true," Cui Miao changed the subject. "Speaking of which, Lord Dai and Lord Gao are truly brave, daring to submit such a memorial. Aren't they afraid of being beaten to death?"
Wei Zhi said, "They dared to submit it because my elder sister is backing them. Who would dare to touch them?"
"They wouldn't dare openly, they only resort to petty tricks. These past few days, the Reformist Faction has been finding all sorts of excuses to celebrate, but they haven't invited Lord Gao to a single event. The same people who once praised Lord Gao as a pillar of the state and a great talent of the nation now fall silent at the mention of her name. It's truly laughable."
"As the saying goes, petty people are always in distress. The Reformist Faction has made a comeback and gotten a bit reckless. Lord Gao is still better," Wei Zhi scoffed.
Cui Miao nodded along at first, but then she sensed a different flavor in Wei Zhi's words. She rolled over and pinned Wei Zhi down, asking hesitantly, "You… you don't like Lord Gao too, do you?"
Wei Zhi kicked her off with one foot and cursed, "Cui Xinmeng, what nonsense are you spouting? Lord Gao has been half a teacher to me. Have I lost my mind to fall for her?"
Cui Miao said sheepishly, "…Who can say for sure…"
"Wait, you said 'too'? Who likes Lord Gao?" Wei Zhi caught on.
Realizing she had let it slip, Cui Miao refused to say another word. After being pestered by Wei Zhi for a long time, she couldn't hold out any longer and finally whispered, "It's… Linshen… Don't you tell anyone…"
"Where would I go to tell anyone? Young Lord Fang is truly no ordinary person. It's only right that you can't compare to her."
"Ah, why are you looking down on me now?"
"How is this looking down on you? Let me ask you, would you dare to like Lord Gao?"
"I wouldn't dare… and I don't want to. I only like Your Highness." Cui Miao looked at Wei Zhi, her expression one of pure sincerity.
Wei Zhi's face reddened at her words, and she averted her gaze. After a quiet moment, she finally understood. She pounced, pressing down on Cui Miao's back, and said with a laugh, "Ah, Cui A'miao, were you afraid just now that I would fall for someone else?"
This time it was Cui Miao's turn to blush. She stammered, unable to speak, and after a long while, she finally managed, "Just… a little bit…"
Wei Zhi looked at the crimson tip of her ear, a mix of joy and sorrow welling up in her heart. She kissed Cui Miao's ear and said softly, "A'miao, do you want to spend your life with me?"
Cui Miao was silent for a moment before replying, "…I do."
Wei Zhi pressed her face against Cui Miao's back, her voice muffled. "A'miao, I do like you, but it's only 'like.' There are too many things between us. Setting my side aside, your mother only has you, one daughter. Would she agree?" In truth, Wei Zhi couldn't decide her own future either. She was a favored Eldest Princess, but Her Majesty would not let her do whatever she pleased.
"I… don't know…" Cui Miao's spirits sank. Wei Zhi had just bluntly pointed out the very thing she had been avoiding. This was the first time they had spoken of the future, and the topic was so heavy it nearly suffocated them.
Wei Zhi flipped her over. A fiery kiss landed on her lips, her words carried on her breath, faint and indistinct. "So don't think about the future… okay? One day at a time… one happy day at a time. That's enough, isn't it?"
"Okay…" Cui Miao kissed her back, her eyes filled with tears.
They had never been so rough with each other, as if trying to devour the other whole, to chew them up bones and all, so they could become one. They tangled and bit at each other, love and lust intertwined, both joyous and painful, sweet and bitter. It was as if by feeling pain in their bodies, the pain in their hearts would not be so severe. Again and again, they went on until they were utterly exhausted, until their minds grew hazy, unable to remember anything, only remembering to cling to each other by instinct. Until they fell into a deep sleep, they still held each other tightly, as if nothing could ever separate them.
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