Chapter 25 “Tomorrow, I’m free.”

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Upon hearing the girl’s slightly urgent voice, Yuan Zheng’s hand paused abruptly on the door.

Ju Chen looked flustered and instinctively glanced toward the crack of the door. Song Mi, with no free hand to spare, didn’t let her escape — instead, he suddenly quickened the rhythm of his fingers.

Ju Chen trembled violently, biting down hard on her teeth. She was both overwhelmed and in disbelief as she looked at him.

Wasn’t he afraid of being discovered?
Then why… why wouldn’t he stop?

Yuan Zheng was still right outside. Ju Chen, afraid she would accidentally let out strange sounds, had to press her hand against Song Mi’s chest and start pushing him away.

But Song Mi didn’t budge. His fingers responded to her expressions, adjusting pressure with perfect control. Was she really this afraid of that man outside finding out?
Then he was going to make her cry out even more.

Outside the door, Yuan Zheng’s voice came again, full of concern:
“You’re still not ready?”

“…Just a little longer. Almost done.”

“Why didn’t you turn on the light?”

“Didn’t feel like it… for convenience.”

That did sound like her personality, so Yuan Zheng didn’t question it.
“Okay. Did you see the prince?”

“No, no I didn’t… ah!”

“What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing. I—I dropped an earring.”

“Do you want me to help you find it?”

“Don’t come in!”
The girl’s voice turned panicked. She had forgotten the door was locked from inside.
“I haven’t changed my clothes yet…”

Yuan Zheng paused for a moment, then went quiet for a few seconds.
“Then I’ll go back and wait for you. Hurry — Xuyang is worried.”

“Mm… okay!”

The sound of footsteps gradually receding came from outside. Song Mi, still not quite satisfied, lowered his head and bit her collarbone again.

Ju Chen bit her lip repeatedly, leaving rows of bite marks on her soft lips. Her eyes pleaded desperately — and eventually, he softened.

At last, Song Mi covered her mouth and pressed her against the door. Her gaze, trapped in his embrace, became increasingly dazed.

In her eyes, he saw his reflection — as if staring directly at his own desire.

Then, with a heavy breath, he wiped his wet fingers mischievously on her undergarment.

Ju Chen’s legs went weak, and she almost collapsed.

Song Mi held her trembling waist, reached out to brush her teary eyes, gave a silent, bitter smile — and kissed her again.

He kissed her for nearly half a stick of incense’s time. But eventually, they couldn’t stay any longer.

Song Mi stripped off her wrinkled, messy dance costume and helped her into a fresh, clean ruqun (traditional Chinese attire).

Ju Chen pressed her cool hands to her flushed cheeks to bring down the heat. She was just about to open the door when Song Mi blocked her path with both arms on either side.

She looked up in confusion. Song Mi said:
“That ceramic doll — I want one too.”

Ju Chen blinked. Then Song Mi, as smooth as flowing water, pinched her butt and added, seriously:
“Make one for me.”

The heat in Ju Chen’s cheeks, which had just subsided, quickly returned.

Just before leaving, she tugged his hand from behind, her eyes shimmering like clear waters:
“Then… can I ask you out again?”

Song Mi looked at her and replied:
“Tomorrow, I’m free.”

---

Late at night, with everything quiet, Xuyang removed her jewelry, got up from the dressing table, and walked toward the bed.

There, Ju Chen was leaning on a pillow, gently biting her thumb, her starry eyes shimmering with emotion. No one knew what she was thinking, but a silly smile played on her lips.

Xuyang had drunk a lot that night. Fearing she might get emotional or blurt out secrets while tipsy — or worse, go look for someone — she had dragged Ju Chen to sleep with her, as a form of supervision.

Unexpectedly, Ju Chen seemed even more “drunk” than her. Her cheeks were rosy like white jade stained with pigment — flushed and glowing.

Xuyang pinched her cheek and asked,
“What are you thinking about? So deep in thought?”

Ju Chen pulled the thin summer blanket over half her face — especially over her smiling mouth.
“Nothing.”

Xuyang teased,
“Not gonna tell me?”

She climbed into bed and tried to yank the blanket off her friend’s face. The two began playfully wrestling under the canopy.

Ju Chen pinned her down, forcing Xuyang to use her secret weapon — her slender fingers tickled Ju Chen’s sensitive waist.

Ju Chen immediately gave in, giggling and begging for mercy. During the struggle, her collar loosened, revealing two slender white collarbones.

Xuyang’s eyes froze.
“What happened here?”

Ju Chen stiffened.

Xuyang’s finger tapped a red mark on her collarbone and rubbed it.
“Mosquito bite? I lit mugwort incense to keep them away.”

Ju Chen reached to cover the area she had touched and made a soft sound. Her blush deepened. Fortunately, after their playful scuffle, both of them had a light sweat, which explained the heat in her face.

Xuyang jumped off the bed to find medicine and muttered,
“What kind of vicious mosquito leaves a mark this deep?”

“Mm…”

Actually, he hadn’t used much force — her skin was just too delicate. Even a slight touch left visible traces.

Ju Chen looked at Xuyang rummaging through drawers and said,
“Ranran, if you can’t find it, it’s fine. I’m okay.”

But Xuyang had already found the ointment in the dressing box.
“Ha! Found it.”
She hurried back, dipped a bit on her finger, pulled Ju Chen’s collar aside, and gently dabbed the medicine on the red mark.

The more she applied it, the more she realized — this didn’t look like a mosquito bite at all. It looked more like…

But Ah Chen wasn’t married, not even engaged. It shouldn’t be possible.

Xuyang shook her head, brushing off the wild thought — but that ambiguous mark kept bringing back images from the “pass-the-flower” game earlier tonight.

“I always thought Uncle was like a lotus emerging unstained from the mud, pure and otherworldly, restrained and self-disciplined. Who knew… he’s just like every other man in the world.”

As she closed the ointment lid, she murmured the thought aloud without meaning to.

Ju Chen’s eyes widened slightly, and after a moment of silence, she swallowed and looked like a guilty child:
“You… figured it out?”

“He was drinking, wasn’t he? Did you forget?” Xuyang pouted.
“I just told you I was curious about what he’d be like when he liked someone. Turns out he’s not that innocent anymore. I just don’t know who the other person is — who could’ve seduced him into a spring fling?”

The culprit who “corrupted” him flushed red to her ears. She lightly licked her lips, tugged Xuyang’s hand, and said softly,
“Ranran… actually, I’m not innocent either.”

Xuyang replied with a distracted “Hmm?”, not realizing what she meant at first. Then she froze — her fingers stiffened on Ju Chen’s shoulder.

“You… what did you say? Say that again.”

“I’m… not innocent anymore.”

Shockwaves rippled through Xuyang’s heart. Her eyes widened beneath Ju Chen’s sincere and honest expression.
“Who?!”

Ju Chen pressed her lips together.
“I can’t say.”

“Why not?!”

“I just can’t… It’s not time yet.”
Though she wasn’t even sure when the right time would be.

Xuyang stared at her, frustrated by her secrecy. Her brows furrowed tightly. She pressed her finger to the red mark on Ju Chen’s collarbone and asked,
“So he left that? You two… see each other often?”

“Mm.”

---

“That kind of relationship?”

“Mm…”

Xuyang gripped her shoulders tighter without realizing it and shook her head in disbelief. “You’re too bold!”

Ju Chen lowered her lashes, looking somewhat remorseful. Xuyang couldn’t help but ask, “But… did he force you?”

Clearly, before Ju Chen married Yuan Zheng, nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Could it be that man took advantage when neither of them was around? After all, with that face of hers, it wasn’t impossible — she drew too much attention.

Ju Chen quickly said, “It was voluntary.”

The sincerity in her voice was as clear as the sun and moon.

Xuyang looked at her — those slightly parted lips, those quivering eyes — and it seemed she was afraid even the slightest negative word about that man would stain his image. Xuyang couldn’t help but pinch her cheek.

“You like him?”

“Mm.”

Seeing the firmness in her eyes, Xuyang sighed deeply. “Then… is it someone I know?”

Ju Chen hesitated. “How did you know?”

“If I didn’t know him, you wouldn’t hide it from me. You’re just afraid I’ll cause trouble for him, right?”

Ju Chen immediately shook her head. “No.”

But actually… yes.

No one knew Xuyang’s temper better than Ju Chen. If Xuyang found out that the man who was entangled with her was none other than her own uncle, Song Mi, she’d definitely demand he take responsibility — maybe even report it to the Empress Dowager.

Xuyang might always cling to Ju Chen like a younger sister, but in truth, she was a year and a half older. She had always placed herself in the role of the protective elder sister — and when it came to important matters, she would do everything in her power to shield her.

Ju Chen looped her arms around her carefully, guilty that she couldn’t confess yet. Xuyang looked at her — both helpless and slightly amused — and lightly flicked her nose.

“Actually… I’m not innocent either.”

This time, Ju Chen’s eyes widened. “Who?”

Xuyang went silent for a moment. Ju Chen, suddenly suspicious, blurted out:
“Yuan Zheng?”

Though Xuyang had said nothing happened between her and Yuan Zheng after marriage, Ju Chen couldn’t help but worry. After all, she now had firsthand experience. What if something had happened before the wedding? Yuan Zheng had also been drinking tonight — and Ju Chen knew all too well where his heart lay.

Xuyang had thought Ju Chen would guess Lin Zongbai first — she never expected her to jump to the one person who seemed most unlikely.

She choked a little and avoided the question. Instead, she lifted her chin and said,
“Tell me yours first, and I’ll tell you mine.”

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The next day, Song Mi arrived at Ci You Courtyard, where Ju Chen was already waiting inside.

As dusk fell, warm amber light glowed through the room. When Song Mi pushed the door open, Ju Chen was seated at her vanity, checking her appearance in the bronze mirror.

The candlelight danced crimson over her snow-white face. She wore a light green ruqun dress today, with delicate green vine patterns embroidered along the skirt’s edge. The semi-sheer silk top made her skin look even more radiant — smooth as jade and glowing like snow. One glance was enough to make a man want to reach out, seize her fair wrist, and pull her into his arms to cherish her.

Song Mi did just that — pulling her into his embrace. He brushed his hand along her cheek and bent to kiss her, but Ju Chen suddenly raised a finger to his lips.

With wide, slightly pitiful eyes, she coughed softly. “I… it’s that time of the month.”

Song Mi: “……”

He gave her a side-eye, and the hand on her cheek squeezed her soft skin into slight puffiness.
“You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

Ju Chen’s voice turned a bit muffled from the pinch. “How could I plan something like this?”

Song Mi looked obviously disappointed. He let go of her cheek and sighed quietly.

Ju Chen stood upright in front of him and looked at him with a mixture of apology and regret.
“Then… I’ll head back.”

Song Mi’s brows furrowed. “Why?”

Ju Chen clasped her fingers nervously. “Because… we can’t do anything today.”

“So if we don’t do anything, you can’t even spend time with me?”

Ju Chen’s gaze dimmed. She lowered her voice. “You said last time… if we weren’t going to do anything, don’t come find you.”

Song Mi was momentarily stunned. Was that what he’d said?

He let out a small chuckle.
“Lord Li really holds grudges.”

“I do?”

“You do.” Song Mi said it with full conviction.

Ju Chen widened her eyes, bit her lip, and nervously fiddled with her fingers. She tried to defend herself.
“My cycle’s always been regular — I don’t know why it came early this month. I wasn’t expecting it. I found out at noon, and I wanted to send a message, but I was afraid you’d think I was making excuses again. So… I came to tell you in person.”

Seeing how sincere she was, Song Mi couldn’t help but soften. His lips curved gently.
“Did you ask the kitchen to prepare dinner?”

Ju Chen eagerly nodded. “I did! I calculated when you’d arrive and ordered in advance.”

“Then come — sit down and eat with me.”

Ju Chen hesitated.

Song Mi looked at her. “This late, everyone else should be done with their meals by now.”

Ju Chen glanced out the window at the darkening sky. “Mm…”

“You hate eating alone, don’t you?”

He remembered that?

Song Mi reached out and gently pulled her by the wrist to the dining table.

After dinner, he set down his chopsticks and saw her wince slightly as she stood, her brows faintly furrowed. One hand instinctively pressed against her lower abdomen.

At the door, Song Mi told a maid to bring a bowl of brown sugar ginger tea. Then he turned and carried Ju Chen into the inner room, settling her gently in his lap.

“Does it hurt a lot?” he asked.

Ju Chen curled closer into his embrace. “It usually doesn’t… but this time is different.”

Usually doesn’t?

Song Mi placed his large hand over her lower abdomen. His thoughts wandered — back to a moment in their past life.

Once, after an argument in court over a newly proposed tax, he had encountered her again along the palace road. She had collapsed right in front of him. He’d assumed she was faking — trying to set him up after their disagreement.

Panicked, he had picked her up and rushed her to the imperial clinic.

The female physician’s diagnosis? Her period had come with intense pain due to overwork and cold. She’d fainted from the combination.

He remembered watching her, pale and sweaty on the bed, a far cry from her strong, loud self during their argument in court.

He later heard she hadn’t slept for days, busy managing documents in the Phoenix Pavilion. He couldn’t help but sigh — when this girl pushed herself, she really pushed.

But now… she was just a low-ranked eighth-grade official. Why was she under so much stress again?

Concerned, Song Mi asked. Ju Chen stayed quiet for a long time, then said softly:
“Maybe I’ve been emotionally off lately… it’s bottled up.”

“Why?”

She didn’t answer. Instead, she leaned her head against his shoulder, her delicate nose brushing the side of his neck, quietly breathing in his clean, familiar scent.

Song Mi wanted to ask if it was because of Yuan Zheng, but the words stopped at his lips. Why make things worse for himself?

Before long, a maid knocked lightly and delivered the brown sugar ginger tea.

He fed her slowly, spoonful by spoonful. After a simple wash-up, they extinguished the lights and got into bed.

As soon as Song Mi lay down, Ju Chen instinctively shifted away — putting a bit of distance between them.

Song Mi asked, “Why are you so far away?”

“I’m afraid I smell.”

Ju Chen didn’t want to leave a bloody impression in his mind.

She hadn’t planned to stay the night — just explain things and go. Then it became dinner. Then just a little longer. And somehow… she ended up in bed.

All she had on now was a thin silk sleep shift — light as cicada wings. Naturally, she worried about unwanted odors.

Song Mi pulled her close again. His nose nestled in the hollow of her collarbone, and he breathed in deeply.

“There’s no smell. You smell lovely.”