Lang Huan's fingertips brushed over the faint strawberry-colored mark blooming on Feng Yao's collarbone. A soft sigh slipped out of her before she hid her face in the crook of Feng Yao's neck, her breath warm against the princess's skin. Feng Yao felt the tiny shiver travel through her and smiled.
"Why are you sighing? Am I not satisfying you?" she murmured, her voice still hoarse with the remnants of pleasure. The rawness in her tone reminded Lang Huan just how sexy this usually-dominant woman had sounded moaning beneath her.
Lang Huan shook her head quickly. "It's not that… It's just—Sister A Li will complain again if she sees your skin like this."
She paused, lifting her head enough for their eyes to meet. "May I leave before Sister A Li comes?" she asked in a small voice.
Feng Yao tightened her hold around Lang Huan's waist. "You're not going anywhere," she said softly. She didn't want Lang Huan stepping out and running into Su Qing. "Stay."
"Hmph…" Lang Huan pouted, softening helplessly against her embrace, melting just as easily as before.
A soft knock echoed from outside. "Your Highness… it is time to prepare," A Li's calm voice came through the door.
The moment Lang Huan heard her, she dove beneath the quilt, curling into a small mound in the middle of the bed.
Feng Yao almost laughed at how quickly her bold lover turned into a kitten.
A Li entered with several maids from the Duke of Huguo's mansion following behind her. The Eldest Princess rose from the bed with A Li's support. Before any of the maids could glimpse the disheveled figure beneath the quilt, Feng Yao gave A Li a pointed look.
Understanding immediately, A Li lowered the bed curtains at once, concealing Lang Huan from sight.
Even through the veil of gauze, the maids could see the faint marks scattered along Feng Yao's collarbone and neck. They all bowed deeply, afraid of offending the princess.
They had heard the rumors—that their young master had married the Eldest Princess of Great Qi. Seeing her in person, they were awed by her beauty, yet none dared to stare for long. Her face was cold, expressionless.
Who didn't know the stories of this legendary beauty, famous for killing without a blink? Even so, standing this close, they couldn't help but think: the rumors didn't come close to capturing just how breathtaking she truly was.
After Feng Yao finished dressing, one of the maids stepped forward, intending to wake and assist the Little Duke as well. But A Li quietly raised a hand to stop them. She knew the Eldest Princess's habits better than anyone—Her Highness never allowed others to touch the person who had shared her bed.
A Li didn't know the reason; she only assumed the princess was simply a jealous person. Understanding that their mistress wanted privacy, A Li gently ushered the maids out of the room and closed the door.
Once the room fell silent again, Lang Huan slipped down from the bed, her hair tousled, her cheeks still faintly red. Feng Yao approached her with that soft smile reserved only for her, then helped dress her, combed her hair, and tied it up with a small gold crown. Wearing harmonizing colors, the two of them looked as if they were naturally meant to stand side by side.
When everything was done, Feng Yao looked up at her with clear, tender eyes. They held each other tightly, unwilling to let go. Their breaths mingled, their heartbeats settling into the same quiet rhythm as they savored the moment a little longer.
Lang Huan gently held Feng Yao's hand as they made their way toward the main hall, where the Duke of Huguo was preparing a family banquet. The atmosphere was warm—until the sudden thunder of footsteps shattered it.
A loud announcement rang from the courtyard, followed by the heavy march of armored soldiers flooding into the mansion. General Li strode in at the front, bringing an entire troop with him, their presence cold and oppressive. They had come to arrest Feng Yao on charges of rebellion and regicide.
"Your Highness, Eldest Princess," General Li declared, holding out a scroll sealed with the imperial emblem. "We bear His Majesty's decree to apprehend you."
Lang Huan's breath tightened with fury, but before she could speak, Feng Yao squeezed her hand, warning her to stay calm. The Duke of Huguo stepped forward, his expression darkening as he took in the scene. To have soldiers storm his residence so brazenly, without notice or courtesy, was an insult he would not allow to pass quietly.
"General Li," he thundered, his voice shaking the hall, "do you take this duke's mansion so lightly? Do you truly hold no regard for me?"
General Li merely snorted. "It is I who should ask you that, Duke. His Majesty commanded you to escort the Eldest Princess to the palace, yet you defied that order. And now I hear your son has married her. One might think you intend to betray His Majesty."
"How dare you spout such nonsense in my own mansion?" the Duke roared, stepping forward. "Tomorrow, the Eldest Princess and I will pay audience to His Majesty. I have full faith that Her Highness has committed neither rebellion nor regicide."
His gaze softened slightly as it fell on Feng Yao—then sharpened again when he looked back at General Li.
Feng Yao gently took Lang Huan's hand and guided it to rest over her lower abdomen. She brushed Lang Huan's fingers lightly across the spot, then looked up at her with a soft, doting smile.
Lang Huan blinked, confused at first, unsure what her wife was trying to convey. It wasn't until she glanced toward the Duke of Huguo. The old duke's eyes were locked on Feng Yao's stomach.
And then she understood.
Feng Yao had told him she was carrying her child. A bold, impossible lie… yet one that granted them an instant political shield.
Catching on quickly, Lang Huan steadied her breath and played along, tightening her hold on Feng Yao's hand as if protecting something precious.
Su Qing stood frozen. Her heart twisted painfully as she watched the scene.
Now that the Eldest Princess carried Lang Huan's flesh and blood, how could Lang Huan ever leave her? A cold, suffocating bitterness rose in Su Qing's throat.
She should have told Lang Huan the truth earlier—what Feng Yao had done—before their feeling grew too deep, before affection turned into chains.
But regardless of the consequences, Su Qing had made her decision.
Tonight, she would tell Lang Huan everything.
"I must tell him that the woman he loves, the woman now claiming to carry his child… was the very person who killed his mother."
General Li had no choice but to retreat. For now, military power rested in the Duke of Huguo's hands; acting rashly would be suicide. "Very well," he said stiffly. "I will report back to His Majesty."