cold clothes

He was on his way from the Ministry of Justice to a banquet when he unexpectedly saw her at Yanfu Palace. Overjoyed, he was almost overwhelmed, but the sheer terror in her eyes dampened his spirits.

She still loathed him. And it makes sense; ever since his true identity was revealed, the rift between them had deepened, and he was the one who caused it all.

He didn't know what to do. He even lost the courage to see her. He was ashamed to face her hateful gaze.

Logically, he should have turned and left, as Leng Yi clearly avoided him like the plague, but the sight of her standing with a strange man was still too jarring, and he couldn't help but take her away.

Throughout the journey, I could clearly sense Leng Yi's fright and wariness. Her heart felt as heavy as if a boulder was pressing down on it, and the words she wanted to say but couldn't were like sharp blades cutting into her throat.

"I don't want things to end badly every time like before, so I don't dare say another word to you."

"I thought you hated me."

As Zhao Yin spoke, he looked away from Leng Yi's gaze with a somber expression, trying to conceal his fear and unease.

Leng Yi felt a pang of sympathy; she realized that this was what Zhao Yin was thinking beneath his cold and silent exterior.

“But,” Zhao Yin looked at her again, “even though you ran away as soon as you saw me with Princess Yaojiang, I still saw your face clearly.”

Zhao Yin stared at her, a hint of pleading in his eyes, "Seeing me with Princess Yaojiang, you feel heartbroken, don't you?"

His tone was extremely humble, and his eyes seemed to be pleading. What he really wanted to ask was not whether Leng Yi felt heartbroken, but whether she still liked him.

Leng Yi's pupils trembled, and before she could think of an answer, tears fell first.

Zhao Yin was immediately flustered. Leng Yi cried uncontrollably, her makeup completely ruined. Zhao Yin went out to fetch water, and when Leng Yi saw Zhao Yin hurriedly carrying the basin of water in, she couldn't help but burst into laughter through her tears.

It's really funny to see a handsome, well-dressed prince carrying a basin of water.

“I thought you would domineeringly shout ‘Someone bring in the water,’ but you brought it yourself. You’re such a pathetic prince.”

"Everyone in the world knows that I am the most useless prince." Zhao Yin smiled, placed the copper basin on the shelf, and continued, "I don't have any palace maids here, and I've given the eunuchs a leave of absence, so don't worry, there's no one else but us."

"That's what we should be most worried about..." Leng Yi whispered.

"Ok?"

Leng Yi turned her head away without saying a word, but her cheeks quietly flushed red.

The damp, cold cotton cloth pressed against Leng Yi's face, startling her. She quickly snatched the cloth away, saying embarrassedly, "I can do it myself!"

"Ok."

Leng Yi wiped her face, and Zhao Yin stared at her intently. Suddenly, he asked, "Leng Yi, have you ever seen Song Wu?"

Leng Yi thought for a moment and realized he was talking about squirrels. Although puzzled, she still replied, "I've seen them before. What's wrong?"

"The way the pine squirrels comb their faces looks just like you."

"..." Making conversation when there was nothing to say.

After washing her face, Leng Yi started to worry again about how to explain this to Wang Yuqing. But before she could think for long, Zhao Yin pinched her face and interrupted her, forcing her to look him in the eye.

Zhao Yin's eyes held a questioning tone, yet also a hint of confusion, as if she both anticipated and feared Leng Yi's answer.

Leng Yi heard her heartbeat growing louder and louder, but her heart was filled with increasing sorrow. Speaking her true feelings felt like a compromise, even though she was on the verge of completely surrendering.

"Hey……"

A soft sigh escaped someone's lips, and the next moment their lips and tongues met, intertwining in a wet and sticky embrace, their bodies burning hot in the passionate kiss.

"No..." Zhao Yin laid her down on the bed, and Leng Yi protested with her remaining rationality.

"why not?"

"If we disappear for too long, Yuqing and the Third Prince will become suspicious."

"Is that the reason? You don't mind me touching you?"

"..."

"What about here?"

"Wait! Ugh—" As if a gasp was about to escape her mouth, Leng Yi quickly covered her mouth to prevent herself from making an embarrassing sound.

"I won't stop you from crying now."

Wait, no—Leng Yi cried out in her heart, but at this moment her body was beyond her control. A warm current flowed continuously to her limbs and bones, and her body stretched out comfortably like a young sprout, as if remembering the sweet rain of the previous spring and remembering every caress of Zhao Yin, reviving and yearning.

The pleasure of bathing cannot lie. Despite Leng Yi's best efforts to conceal and deny it, her true feelings will eventually be revealed. After exposing Zhao Yin's lies, dispelling the false illusions, and witnessing Zhao Yin's despicable side, she still loves him uncontrollably, regardless of interests or illusions.