Si Que poured some ointment into his palm and gently applied it to the outside of You Yuji’s leg, where the swing rope had grazed her.
“Does it hurt?” Si Que asked, frowning as he applied the ointment. The reddened graze on You Yuji’s fair leg was glaring. Si Que hadn’t noticed that the swing rope could cause such an injury to her delicate skin. Her skin was so tender, like congealed fat, that he always handled it with care, yet the rope had managed to chafe it repeatedly.
You Yuji closed her eyes and nestled in his arms. She didn’t answer, her mind drifting back to the earlier embarrassment of the evening. The creaking of the swing seemed to still echo in her ears. She let out a light sigh and said lazily, “I shouldn’t have drunk so much tonight.”
Si Que glanced at her flushed cheeks and chuckled softly, “Sister, you can’t just bully people and then use being drunk as an excuse.”
You Yuji first curled her lips before opening her eyes to look at him with amusement. She raised her hand, gently pinching Si Que’s earlobe before he could dodge. She quickly withdrew her hand, a playful smile at the corner of her eyes, and asked, “What, you don’t like being bullied by your sister?”
In response, she heard Si Que chuckle ambiguously.
Si Que turned to wash the ointment from his hands in a nearby basin, wiped them dry with a cloth, and then returned to lift You Yuji, who was sitting on his lap.
He picked her up from the couch and carried her toward the bed at the far end. As he walked, their garments gradually slipped off along the way.
Instinctively, You Yuji covered her chest with her hands, feeling that she was not covering the right place. Si Que hadn’t been looking at her, but her action caught his attention, and he began to seriously appreciate the view.
“Don’t look…”
As soon as they reached the bed, You Yuji slipped out of Si Que’s arms and pulled the neatly folded quilt from the inside of the bed, wrapping herself completely.
Si Que glanced at her tightly wrapped form and couldn’t help but find it amusing, thinking of how different she was when she was proactive. He turned and walked slowly to the side room, where he fetched a set of nightclothes for himself and another for You Yuji.
You Yuji’s gaze followed Si Que’s back.
Si Que put on You Yuji’s nightclothes in the side room, then brought another set for You Yuji. Instead of giving them to her directly, he took them to the bathroom. He then went outside to instruct Zhenxu to tidy up the bathroom for You Yuji’s use.
It was already very late, and the hot water for bathing had long been prepared. Following Si Que’s instructions, Zhenxu immediately led a few young maids into the bathroom to tidy up. After leaving the bathroom, Zhenxu glanced in the direction of the bed. The screen obscured the view, allowing only a vague silhouette of You Yuji to be seen. Zhenxu hesitated for a moment, thinking of asking if they needed anyone to stay and serve, but decided against it and quietly withdrew with the others.
Si Que returned to the bed, stood before You Yuji, and tugged at the quilt she had wrapped herself in. You Yuji held onto the quilt, refusing to let him take it.
Si Que didn’t let go, and neither did You Yuji.
Si Que applied a bit of force, and when You Yuji resisted, he slowly released his grip. As her grip on the quilt loosened slightly, he began to pull again. Unfortunately, You Yuji was quicker and secured the quilt once more.
Seeing Si Que’s furrowed brows, You Yuji couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile, finding their tug-of-war over the quilt reminiscent of childish play.
She was just about to say something when Si Que leaned down first, whispering softly in You Yuji’s ear, “Sister, if you don’t wash up soon, you’ll get the blankets all sticky and dirty.”
You Yuji was taken aback and looked up. The small safety amulet Si Que wore around his neck dangled from his collar, brushing against You Yuji’s cheek.
You Yuji couldn’t help but glance at the safety amulet.
Noticing her gaze, Si Que, somewhat disdainfully, tucked the little gold amulet back into his collar. He had always thought the design of the safety amulet was too childish. Although he wore it every day, he always kept it hidden, not letting it show.
He patted You Yuji’s head, thinking it would be nice if she got pregnant soon. That way, he would have a legitimate reason to give the amulet to their child.
Then, he could perform a little act of reluctant sacrifice.
Yes, that’s the plan.
“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. You should wash up and rest early. We need to get up early tomorrow to return to the Jinnan Prince’s Residence.” You Yuji moved to the edge of the bed, wrapped in a quilt, and got out, walking barefoot towards the door.
Si Que, displeased, said, “I want to carry you over.”
“You can’t.” You Yuji smiled back at him. Her soft red lips opened and closed slowly, “You just can’t.”
She turned and walked to the washroom herself, smiling. She wasn’t a compliant little girl who would cater to all his demands.
Si Que stood still, watching You Yuji’s back. The lotus-colored quilt wrapped around her body, trailing on the ground. Her slender, pale shoulders peeked out from the thick quilt, making her appear even more delicate. Even such a thick quilt couldn’t hide her graceful figure.
Watching You Yuji enter the washroom, Si Que snorted softly and muttered to himself, “Enchantress.”
For now, Si Que granted You Yuji’s wish and didn’t follow her into the washroom. He leisurely looked around her boudoir. He had already examined it closely before You Yuji returned. Every little item she had used attracted his attention and made him ponder.
In the center of the bookshelf was a complete set of carved walnut sculptures. Either she really liked these sculptures, or the person who gave them to her was very important.
Hanging on the wall was a calligraphy piece with only the words “wind and bones,” written in a free and flowing style. He recognized the seal in the corner as her father’s handwriting.
He casually opened a book she had read before, finding a dried flower marking her place. A small brass box in the corner held many such dried flower bookmarks. He wondered if she had the patience to make them herself or if her mother made them for her.
There were many types of books on the bookshelf. Si Que scanned them all and realized she didn’t just read medical books.
Si Que walked to the window and pushed it open, leaning his elbow on the windowsill and looking out. It was already past midnight, and the fireworks that had lit up the night were no longer competing for splendor, now only sporadically blooming.
Si Que squinted slightly, gazing at the distant shadows of the fireworks.
To him, celebrating the New Year was just an ordinary day. The only thing to uphold was the tradition of returning home, no matter the weather, to reunite with family.
But he had no family.
The night breeze brushed his face, bringing a slight chill. Si Que raised his hand to his chest, pressing gently to ease the pain in his chest.
He had been off his medication for quite a long time.
However, this body was decaying at a rate much slower than he had expected. Even he was surprised that, despite being off his medication for so long, his body was still in such a condition.
“Ah Que.”
You Yuji’s voice came from the washroom.
Si Que closed the window and walked toward the washroom. When he entered, he saw You Yuji lounging lazily on a chair beside the bath barrel. Water droplets slowly trailed down her smooth, snow-white skin. A small puddle of water had formed at her pale jade feet.
She rested her face on her arm, which was draped over the back of the chair, and lazily said, “I don’t have any strength left, help me.”
Clearly, before entering the washroom, You Yuji had forbidden Si Que from coming in. Now she was inviting him to help.
What a fickle enchantress.
Si Que approached her expressionlessly. He took a large cotton towel, shook it out, and draped it over You Yuji’s head, then not-so-gently began to wipe off the water.
Soon, his movements slowed, and his previously impassive face showed a faint smile.
You Yuji pulled the towel from her head, looking at him with a smile, and asked, “Reluctant to help?”
“Just making do,” Si Que paused before adding, “for the sake of the roast lamb.”
He carefully wiped the water from You Yuji’s body, from top to bottom. He knelt beside her, placing her foot on his knee, and meticulously dried the water from the soles of her feet.
“All done.” Si Que stood up, folded the towel he used to dry her, and placed it on the table.
You Yuji shifted, sitting sideways in the chair, and switched the position of her crossed legs.
Si Que stood in front of her, unmoving.
You Yuji slowly lifted her eyelashes, meeting his bright, dark eyes.
For a moment, they were silent, staring at each other.
Si Que was the first to speak, repeating, “All done.”
You Yuji was silent for a moment before slowly curving her eyes into a soft smile tinged with a blush. She extended her still-wet hand to Si Que.
“Aren’t you going to finish drying me?” Her gentle eyes held a hidden trap.
Si Que took the hand she offered, getting his own hand wet. He lowered his gaze, focusing on the hand in his palm.
You Yuji saw him slowly smile.
Si Que leaned down, his cool lips pressing against the back of You Yuji’s wet hand. The gentle kiss turned into a slow suckling, starting from her fingertips and moving up. When his lips reached the back of her hand, he slowly lifted his eyelashes, smiling at You Yuji.
You Yuji looked at him in surprise, not yet understanding his intention.
The next moment, with his lips still on the back of her hand, Si Que said, “I’m a bit thirsty.”
You Yuji was momentarily stunned but quickly understood his intent.
Her confused heart suddenly began to race.
Her lazy, slightly squinted phoenix eyes gradually opened wider, watching as Si Que, with his head lowered, earnestly kissed and leisurely moved upward.
She couldn’t tell if time was passing too slowly or if it had momentarily stopped. However, the growing tingling sensation from his ascending kisses reminded her of what was happening. Under the continuous, soft tingles reaching her heart, her initially tense arm gradually relaxed.
Si Que’s kisses had reached her shoulder.
You Yuji’s gaze followed him, and she couldn’t help but slightly turn her face to look at him.
Si Que, with his eyes lowered, suddenly looked up, meeting You Yuji’s gentle eyes. She was momentarily stunned and had no time to react as he swiftly moved from her shoulder to kiss her lips.
Instinctively, You Yuji raised her hand, not knowing whether to push against Si Que’s chest or hold onto him.
The tender kiss seemed to absorb the room’s hazy warmth. Closing her eyes, all You Yuji could see were Si Que’s exceptionally beautiful eyes. Her heart, which had been pounding like a deer’s hooves, gradually calmed down. In the gentle embrace spreading over mountains and rivers, You Yuji silently sighed—indeed, beauty can be deceiving.
A droplet of water hanging from the beam finally grew too heavy and fell with a “plop,” landing on their entwined lips.
The unexpected droplet made You Yuji open her eyes, and a moment later, Si Que also opened his eyes. In the intimate distance, their eyes, holding only the reflection of each other, gazed intently.
You Yuji belatedly realized that he was deliberately seducing her.
As they ended the kiss and pulled apart, they both looked at each other and spoke in unison—
“Enchantress.”
“Enchantress.”
You Yuji pursed her slightly reddened lips. She wasn’t surprised by Si Que calling her this; it wasn’t the first time she’d heard it from him.
Si Que, however, frowned and said unhappily, “How am I an enchantress? Don’t use such words to
describe me.”
You Yuji gently blinked at him and asked, “Why, is it not good to be the same as your sister?”
She placed her hand on the armrest, trying to get up, but Si Que pressed down on her shoulder.
How could she seduce him and then just leave?
He hadn’t yet “dried” the other side of her body.
