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Chapter 14: Tempting Kiss
While the two were lost in each other, they failed to notice a face appearing at the window…

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Yu Mingyao and Yu Jinnian had just exited the study room. Pei Bizhu was bouncing along behind them, chirping that she wanted to watch Sister Yao triumph gloriously.

Once they left, the already sparsely populated study room became even more empty.

Only Pei Shang and Xie Zhuoguang remained.

Pei Shang looked dejected. He threw the fan in his hand onto the desk and wailed toward the figure standing calmly amid the earlier noise, unaffected by it all.

“What do I have to do to change her mind? We’ve barely been classmates a few days and now they’re returning to Suzhou? It makes it look like our Pei family isn’t hospitable.”

His lips drooped, his eyes so gloomy they looked like they could hang an oil pot.

Though Xie Zhuoguang appeared calm and unaffected, he was far from tranquil inside.

His curiosity was burning stronger by the day. After years of dedicated study and immersion in political affairs, he had managed to outshine his peers in policy essays.

But what kind of mind and heart lay beneath that delicate, graceful exterior?

He lowered his eyes for a while, thick black lashes trembling like butterflies, making his half-lowered face look like a luminous pearl in the deep sea—quiet on the outside, but shimmering within.

Waves surged in his chest. For the first time, Xie Zhuoguang felt the same stirring curiosity as an ordinary student.

He sat in silence, unmoved even as Pei Shang wailed behind him. Yet, he couldn’t ignore the wildfire of desire spreading rapidly in his heart.

Pei Shang, still slumped over the desk, not knowing what to do, saw his good friend suddenly rise with such force that his sleeve snagged on the desk corner.

“What are you doing?”

Just as he asked, he saw Xie Zhuoguang wave at Cheng Qing, who had been waiting outside. But before the servant could come in, Xie Zhuoguang said,

“Never mind, I’ll go myself.”

“Where are you going?”

Pei Shang grew more confused, but it was like his friend had gone deaf. Without a word in response, he walked away resolutely.

“These people, sigh…”

Pei Shang raised his hand and dropped it again. He stared at Yu Mingyao’s desk for so long he nearly bored a hole into it. Just then, the heavens finally rewarded his persistence—he had an idea!

His brows lifted with a smile as radiant as spring peach blossoms. He waved to Li Qing, who was waiting outside.

“You first… then… and don’t let anyone see you.”

He deliberately lowered his voice, unable to hide the joy on his face.

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Within just a few days, the blooming apricot blossoms on the brown branches had mostly fallen.

Yu Mingyao had just left Master Fan’s room when she saw a scene of fallen blossoms and a green-robed youth sweeping them up.

Beside her, Yu Jinnian was in high spirits. After greeting her, he said he was off to thank the breeze, then dashed away.

That left Yu Mingyao standing alone under the corridor.

It was already late morning, and the spring heat bathed her warmly. A breeze rustled the leaves, sending apricot petals swirling down.

Pei Academy was square in shape. Upon entering, one encountered a large open space where students usually trained.

On the west side of the courtyard was a board displaying examination results, modeled after the imperial exams. Students crowded beneath it.

Normally, Yu Mingyao wouldn’t have cared for such a scene.

But when she caught sight of a figure in blue, standing tall like bamboo, her heart ached.

From now on, they would never meet again. In her previous life, the stories of Lady Yao and Xie Liu Lang, once plagued by rumors, would fade into dust and light—forgotten by all.

Love and hate would vanish without a trace.

Yu Mingyao didn’t want to dwell on what had already been decided. But ten years of memories weighed on her—from an innocent girl to a woman seasoned by life’s warmth and coldness.

She couldn’t forget the nervousness of their first meeting, the way he took all the blame after the tea incident with such calm nobility.

She couldn’t forget the joy and shyness of being held in his arms in wedding robes.

She had touched his frame as it grew from slender to strong.

She had left scratch marks on his back, bitten him in anger, teased him in frustration.

She had never imagined an ending that wasn’t growing old together.

Under the broad daylight, her eyes turned red. Hurriedly, she pulled out a handkerchief, unwilling to let anyone see her like this.

But of all people, Xie Zhuoguang was especially attuned to others’ gazes—and hers was searing.

When he turned, what he saw was a beautiful woman shedding tears.

Dressed in plain clothes, her posture elegant and alluring, her reddened eyes pained his heart even from a distance.

Xie Zhuoguang suddenly lost all interest in the exam papers.

After being looked at multiple times with such sorrow, he thought even a monk would feel his heart stir.

Why was she looking at him like this?

Was it admiration, or… admiration?

A bitter smile curled his lips. This question might never be answered.

She was leaving.

And maybe that was for the best. He could marry a virtuous woman, gentle and modest like a white lotus.

A man with ambitions could not afford a wife who drew too much attention.

Under his sleeve embroidered with bamboo leaves, a slender hand clenched slightly.

He again pictured that pale face with two red cuts, blood slowly seeping from them.

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Class was dismissed. For once, students lingered, reluctant to leave.

One who had previously doubted Yu Mingyao came forward after much hesitation and apologized.

“I underestimated you before, Sister Yu. I apologize.”

His face flushed, and he was about to bow when Yu Jinnian pushed him aside.

“An apology’s fine, but who are you calling ‘sister’? You nobles really look down on others.”

“I might not be good at studying, but why assume my sister’s the same?”

“So just because we’re from Suzhou, we must be uncultured bumpkins?”

His indignant words left the apologizer ashamed, and others stepped in to mediate.

“Don’t be angry, Brother Jinnian. It’s our fault. Why not let us treat you to a feast on the third floor of Tianxiang Tower? No one leaves until we’re all drunk. Consider it an apology and a farewell.”

“Yes, please say yes. We’ll feel guilty otherwise.”

More and more people chimed in.

Yu Jinnian, who had only known scorn since entering the academy, was overwhelmed. He looked to Yu Mingyao for help.

Being twins, she instantly knew his thoughts.

He loved a lively scene. Being restrained lately had made him miserable.

She nodded. “Go, but just be careful not to get into trouble.”

Someone clapped his chest reassuringly.

“Don’t worry. We’re not wild. Besides, we all have family watching. Nothing will go wrong.”

Soon, with arms around each other’s shoulders, the boys left amid laughter, and Yu Jinnian followed under his sister’s encouraging gaze.

The academy quickly emptied.

Pei Bizhu usually walked home with Yu Mingyao. With Jinnian gone, she took it upon herself to protect Sister Yao from being bullied.

“Bizhu, you go too,” said Yu Mingyao calmly as she packed her books.

Bizhu wanted to stay, but Pei Lianzhu sneered.

“Some people really are like lapdogs, groveling for favor. Too bad they never notice whether the person likes it or not.”

She clicked her tongue in contempt, already packed and ready to leave.

“What are you, Pei Lianzhu? Think if I’m not nice to Sister Yao, I’ll be nice to you? Dream on.”

Bizhu tossed her bookbag, didn’t even glance at Lianzhu, exchanged a look with Yu Mingyao, and left.

Naturally, Pei Lianzhu went too, mumbling all the way.

The once-bustling classroom now had only three people.

Finally at peace, Yu Mingyao smiled and looked at Pei Shang, who was staring sideways at her.

“You’re not going? Tianxiang Tower’s pastries are great. I know someone who loves the osmanthus cake.”

Pei Shang, bored and propping his chin, blushed to the tips of his ears at her words, muttering as he turned away,

“Which gossip in the Pei family said that? I’ll make them regret it!”

“They’d better not talk nonsense again.”

“I didn’t name names, Young Master Pei~” Yu Mingyao teased.

Something about the teenage Pei Shang, so innocent and easy to read, made her want to tease him—whether to see him blush or squirm, it always amused her.

Far better than a certain someone who only made her weep.

“You! I’m not talking to you!”

With a flick of his sleeve, Pei Shang stormed out. Halfway to the door, he remembered someone else.

He stomped back without looking at her and shouted gruffly,

“Let’s go, Brother Xie! What are you dawdling for?”

Yu Mingyao smiled as Xie Zhuoguang was dragged out.

The classroom was finally empty. So clean and quiet.

She looked up at the carved window frame, now dusted with a thin layer of ash.

This dust would be blown by wind, soaked by rain, frosted in autumn, and blanketed with snow in winter.

It wouldn’t stay for anyone.

Yu Mingyao didn’t know if this dust was the same as the one present the day she withdrew in her last life.

She looked carefully around the modest classroom—no detail missed: the dying apricot blossoms outside, her new desk, and even the items Xie Zhuoguang had used.

A wave of sorrow surged again, and this time, she didn’t suppress it.

If they were truly never to meet again, she wanted to say goodbye properly.

She couldn’t touch his warmth anymore, nor those firm muscles. But touching the desk he used every day was still possible.

Xie Zhuoguang, nervous, stepped back into the classroom—only to see this:

A pale, beautiful woman lying over his desk, a single tear trailing from her red-rimmed eyes.

Her eyes were closed, but her sorrow was so intense that he dared not approach.

He held his breath, afraid to disturb her.

Time passed silently. Yu Mingyao didn’t know how long she’d been grieving.

When she finally looked up, she met Xie Zhuoguang’s eyes, full of pain and tenderness.

She had stopped crying—yet someone who usually showed no emotion now looked at her like that?

She couldn’t control herself!

If you don’t love me, why must you torment me?

If you love me, why do you never say it?

Xie Zhuoguang, how cruel you are!

I’m human too!

Yu Mingyao smiled like a dazzling red spider lily in full bloom—radiant and seductive.

She beckoned him with her finger, using the gaze that had always undone him in their past life—full of allure and surrender.

As expected, Xie Zhuoguang walked toward her step by step.

Just as he reached her, she wrapped one arm around his waist and tugged him down by his collar with the other.

Despite his composure, he still tried to be gentle with someone so fragile.

And just like that, the “fragile one” pulled him down and captured his lips in a kiss—his first, never touched by anyone before.

He froze, unsure where to place his hands, even afraid to glance down at her face.

“Close your eyes,” Yu Mingyao whispered, arms around his neck.

As they closed their eyes and became lost in the kiss, neither noticed a stunned face appearing just outside the window near Yu Mingyao’s desk.

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