Chapter 16: Sharing the Same Bed and Pillow

Within the ample sleeve, the young ruler searched and withdrew a translucent, gleaming object. As his hand emerged, it seemed to illuminate the entire darkness. It was an exquisitely beautiful cold jade vial, its band inlaid with platinum, the surface intricately engraved with complex patterns. Even in the pitch-black void devoid of any light, the jade emitted a crystal-clear radiance, illuminating his cold, icy visage.

His sharp brows furrowed tightly, his gaze heavy and somber, and his grip on the jade vial tightened as if he might crush it. From the darkness came a whispered sigh, his voice barely audible: “You little fool… I’m sorry…”

Moonlight, like flowing water, gently bathed the small bed where the little one lay, casting silvery hues. Shadows of trees flickered dappled in the soft moonlight, producing a faint rustling sound.

On the bed, the little one slept soundly, clad in a thin undergarment. Her short, plump legs curled up like roasted shrimp, her body tilted to one side, as if peacefully cradled within a mother’s womb.

Her silky long hair flowed like water across the bed, the exposed smooth skin beneath the moonlight reflected a jade-like glow.

Beneath tightly closed eyelids, long, dense lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks. Her rosy lips parted slightly, shyly blooming like spring’s first blossom, and even the gentle breath she exhaled seemed imbued with a lingering, fragrant sweetness.

It was now summer, the heat rising, and the little one was restless in her sleep. Suddenly—a small foot mischievously kicked away the silken quilt covering her. The pale legs bore streaks of blood, sharp and vivid, stabbing at the young ruler’s eyes.

He stood by her bed as if for half the night. His gaze fixed on her jade-like feet—round, graceful, with toes arranged in a perfect arc.

Her nails gleamed translucent and smooth, tinged faintly with pink, indescribably adorable. Unable to resist, he reached out to touch her. At his touch, her foot instinctively withdrew.

Yet the soft, tender sensation beneath his hand sent a tremor through his heart. Again, he clasped her ankle gently, his other hand caressing the soft sole of her foot. Without hesitation, he opened the priceless cold jade vial, lowered his head, and with his thumb dabbed the shimmering liquid medicine onto the conspicuous blood marks, pressing and smoothing until fully absorbed.

A ticklish sensation… Ling Wei murmured in her sleep, vaguely sensing her feet were being swarmed by ants. She rolled over, her chubby, tender left foot brushing against the medicated right foot, which was firmly held down by the young ruler’s pale, strong palm. His other hand lightly pressed and rocked her left foot. The medicine quickly took effect; the little one’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed slowly, and she turned over again to resume her peaceful slumber.

The boy mischievously pinched the little one’s delicate, jade-like nose. “Mmm…” This earned him a playful slap from Ling Wei, accompanied by a teasing, “You stinky rascal…” The utterance delighted the dark-faced young ruler.

Bathed in the bright moonlight, the little one’s naturally fair face was covered with a silver glow, leaving the boy spellbound. Compelled by an unseen force, he stepped closer and closer, his once straight, pine-like posture bending until his nose touched her delicate little nose. Ling Wei’s warm, moist breath brushed his face, stirring an irresistible urge to press his lips against her soft, pink, glistening mouth.

“Meow,” a wild cat’s cry startled him suddenly. He jerked back, his face flushing as he glanced at Ling Wei’s rosy lips, then took two steps backward.

In her dream, Ling Wei murmured, “You annoying ghost… go away.” The boy, annoyed, watched her flail her arms on the small bed. In a huff, he slipped off his boots, climbed onto the bed, pulled her close, and wrapped the thin quilt over them both.