Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Late at night.

When Lan Yi pushed open the door and entered, I was lying beneath the brocade quilt, quietly waiting for him.

My sister-in-law had said she would help me hide the news that I had already woken up.

Therefore, when Lan Yi propped up my shoulders, attempting to channel spiritual energy into me, I turned onto my side and leaned into his embrace.

The brocade quilt slid down with my movement, perfectly revealing that sheer gown.

The gauze shimmered faintly in the candlelight, held together only by three pink Yukou flowers. With the slightest movement, it seemed as if it might slip off.

His entire body stiffened slightly.

A moment later, he pulled up the quilt and wrapped me in it, tucking me in tightly.

Only then did I slowly open my eyes, pretending I had just woken up, and asked him, “Lan Yi… what are you doing here?”

He kept his head lowered, his expression unchanged. “Your humble servant… has come to provide spiritual energy to the Princess.”

“Oh.” I nodded, shifted to the side, and patted the space beside me. “Then come here.”

He hesitated for a moment but eventually lay down-yet he maintained a full inch of distance from me.

I moved closer and whispered, “I’m so cold.”

He leaned over slightly, his lips meeting mine as spiritual energy was gently transferred over.

Instead of pulling away, I raised my hand, threw back the quilt, and pressed my entire body against him.

He froze instantly and moved to get up, but in the process, he touched somewhere he shouldn’t have.

He didn’t dare move again.

I looked up at him and blinked, my tone extremely sincere:

“Lan Yi, I like you…”

…Your Snow Soul.

His clear eyes gazed at me, their color gradually staining with the azure blue of a deep lake.

“Is what the Princess says truly from the heart?”

I nodded. “Mhm.”

He watched me for a long time, then suddenly gave a soft laugh, his voice carrying a low, raspy tenderness:

“If so, for your humble servant… it is already a perfection I never dared to hope for in this life.”

“In that case, why don’t we just… tonight…”

Lan Yi closed his eyes, his jawline tightening. Ultimately, he still took my hand in his palm, his voice gentle:

“Princess, your humble servant must set out for the campaign tomorrow. The clash with the Human Race is extremely perilous.”

“If I can return safely to the Northern Frontier, I will surely marry the Princess with all due honor. At that time… everything belonging to your humble servant will belong entirely to the Princess.”

I thought about it. The battle at the Southern Frontier was imminent, and the Right High Priest naturally needed his complete Snow Soul to deal with it with full strength.

So, I nodded understandingly.

Lan Yi’s eyes were a deep blue, like a twilight so thick it wouldn’t dissolve.

Under such a gaze, I felt a slight twinge of guilt.

“Lan Yi, I don’t need everything you have. Just your Half Soul is enough.”

“Your humble servant’s heart and soul are one; they cannot be divided.”

“…Oh.”

If that were the case, I suppose I would have to give my heart in return as well. That would be fair.

“However…” Lan Yi’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he said slowly, “Before your humble servant departs for the campaign, could the Princess grant me a blessing?”

I asked curiously, “How do I grant a blessing?”

He suddenly leaned down, gathering me into his arms.

The scent of Rock Orchid rushed toward me, overwhelming and swallowing me whole.

The candlelight flickered, and the sheer gauze swayed.

…

The next morning, I was full of spiritual energy, my complexion rosy.

That pink garment shimmered faintly in the morning light, like a rose dampened by early dew.

Lan Yi wrapped the quilt tightly around me and looked down at me, his eyes filled with extreme tenderness.

I reached out and poked his back, whispering,

“Don’t you feel uncomfortable like this?”

“…It is no matter.”

Well then.