Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Si Yan glanced down, then abruptly clapped a hand over her collar. The tips of her ears flamed.
“Be quiet. Don’t ask!”
Only half understanding, Linghe murmured assent and made a gesture of closing her mouth.
But she could not hide the curiosity in her eyes.
Si Yan examined herself from both sides in the bronze mirror several times. Only once she was certain her collar covered everything did she leave.
She arrived a little later than usual. Everyone else was already there.
As always, Shen Mingzhu and Zhao Huaining clustered around Xue Yushu, speaking together in low voices.
The other two sat in their own places. At the sight of Si Yan, both their expressions shifted.
Plainly, those three had been discussing her before she arrived.
Si Yan greeted Xue Yushu as though nothing were wrong, then went to her seat.
What was coming would come.
If someone meant to harm you, no amount of vigilance could guard against everything.
Better to meet each attack as it came.
Today’s lesson was on the Analects. The female official’s measured, monotonous voice made her sleepy.
After being kept up so late last night, she had not slept nearly enough.
At last, lessons ended. She was thinking of going back for a nap when she heard the official mention the regular recess.
“Tomorrow and the following day are the two days of regular recess. There will be no lessons. Study companions may return to their family homes.”
Delight appeared on the young noblewomen’s faces.
They might have enjoyed fine clothes and food during their days in the palace, but it was still less comfortable than home.
Si Yan headed toward Haitang Courtyard with Linghe, walking a little faster than usual.
They needed to pack and leave before the palace gates were locked.
Did Jiang Youze know about the recess? What if he came to find her that night?
Should she send a young eunuch to the Directorate of Ceremonial with a message?
As she was thinking this, a hand reached out beside a rockery and dragged her in.
“Mi…” Linghe’s startled cry cut off the moment she recognized the scarlet dragon-patterned robe.
Then came sounds that made her face and ears burn.
Flustered, she turned and stumbled several steps away, keeping her back to the rockery as she stood watch.
Heavens above! Please, no one come this way! Her mistress would be ruined!
Si Yan thought she was ruined too. How could this man be so outrageously bold?
Broad daylight, on a path in the Imperial Garden, where palace attendants might pass at any moment!
She raised her hands to push against his shoulders and tipped her head back, trying to escape his attentions.
But he would not allow it. His arm tightened around her waist, and his kiss deepened.
She could only give up struggling and respond obediently.
She knew that if she turned away again, he would pursue her still more insistently, until he was fully satisfied.
Jiang Youze gave a low, pleased sound. Hearing it sent a tingling shiver over her scalp.
At that moment, she no longer cared that they were outside, or that she might miss the locking of the palace gates.
She only wanted to hear him make that sound again.
Winding both arms around his neck, she drew his head down and actively returned his kiss.
No longer merely accepting it, she copied him, making the kiss slow and lingering.
The result was that even when Si Yan could scarcely breathe, he would not release her.
Lack of air left her too weak to stand. Her toes barely touched the ground, and her calves trembled.
Only his arm about her waist kept her from sliding down.
When he finally let her go, her lips were numb, without feeling.
Her lower lip was slightly swollen, its color brighter than any lip rouge. Damp traces lingered at the corners of her mouth.
Her head swam. Resting her forehead on his chest, she gulped for breath.
Jiang Youze’s voice came from above her head, deeper than usual and still hoarse.
“I won’t see you for two days.”
Si Yan gave a muffled laugh and nuzzled his robe, his scent filling her nose.
So he already knew about the regular recess. That was why he had waited for her here.
She looked up and met his lowered gaze.
Once she saw the feelings in his eyes, the last of her defenses fell.
Ever since childhood, she had known he looked at other people differently from the way he looked at her.
Even after their betrothal, he had kept his feelings restrained.
Locked all that heat inside a cage called propriety.
The only time he lost control had been on their betrothal day, while she waited for him in the courtyard.
He had come through the gate and seen her standing beneath the crabapple blossoms.
Suddenly forgetting that their elders were present, he had hurried over and taken her hand, his eyes bright as stars.
When she teased him later, he said it was the greatest lapse of composure in his life.
Now, this was their first parting since they had confessed their feelings.
A brief one, only two days.
Yet the intense reluctance in his eyes would not be contained. It spilled out completely.
His usually cool, restrained face had taken on an indescribable, clinging need for her.
“Only two days.”
Si Yan rose on tiptoe and kissed his chin. When she drew back, she was smiling.
“It’ll pass quickly. It’s not as though I won’t come back.”
Jiang Youze’s hand moved to the back of her head. He bent to follow her lips.
Plainly, he had not kissed her enough and meant to resume.
Si Yan quickly reached out and covered his mouth, her palm pressed to his lips.
“No. I have to go. Any longer, and they really will lock the gates.”
Jiang Youze said nothing, but did not release her either. He only looked down at her.
He could not bear to part with her. Did not want her to go.
Si Yan lifted her hand from his mouth and moved it to the back of his neck, drawing his head down.
Jiang Youze obediently bent, accommodating her height, accommodating everything about her.
On tiptoe, she kissed his lower lip and felt his mouth open slightly.
But she deliberately did not linger. Instead, she moved up to kiss his forehead.
“Wait for me to come back.” She lowered her heels and looked up at him.
Three years ago in the imperial prison, she had said something similar: “I’ll wait for you.”
Now she was not the one waiting. She was asking him to wait for her.
Until she returned within these palace walls, to Haitang Courtyard, to his side.