Dressed As a Consort in Ancient Times - Chapter 20

Jiang Libai carefully examined Gu Yun for a moment. Seeing that he wasn’t injured, she shifted her gaze away.  

“He tried to harm you so deliberately. What kind of punishment do you think he deserves?” Although Gu Yun hadn’t fallen into the trap, Zhou Yan’s malicious intent and actions couldn’t be forgiven easily.  

Moreover, Zhou Yan was Zhou Ran’s younger brother. Such a venomous act might also have been motivated by seeking revenge for his brother.  

“What does the princess have in mind?”  

The trace of anger in Jiang Libai’s tone wasn’t feigned, which brought a rare glimmer of joy to Gu Yun’s heart. Could it be that the Seventh Princess was feeling… protective of her?  

Jiang Libai shot a sidelong glance. “Don’t overthink it. I’m just considering that he might have been acting on behalf of his brother, using such vile means to frame you.”  

“After all, we humiliated his brother so thoroughly that day.”  

And it was solely because Gu Yun had become her prince consort that she had been dragged into this mess.  

“So, don’t read too much into it. I’m not entirely doing this for your sake.”  

Gu Yun lightly tapped the table with her fingertips, a faint smile playing at her lips. “Ah, I see. I actually thought the princess was worried about me. It seems I was overthinking it…”  

Hearing her words, Jiang Libai bit her lower lip tightly, her hand hidden within her sleeve twisting itself into knots. “I wouldn’t be worried about you! Don’t flatter yourself!”  

“Yes, of course. The princess is always right,” Gu Yun replied softly, her gaze tender as it lingered on the Seventh Princess. “But tonight… could I make the princess worry just a little? Winter is near, and if I keep sleeping on the floor, I might catch a chill.”  

This was a topic Jiang Libai had been trying to avoid, but now that Gu Yun had brought it up, she couldn’t pretend not to hear.  

The weather had grown colder, to the point that wearing a cloak was necessary even during the day. At night, the chill was even more biting.  

If Gu Yun continued to sleep on the floor, he might very well fall ill.  

However, the room only had one bed—there wasn’t even a soft couch to make do with.  

Jiang Libai wrestled with herself for a long time, torn between practicality and propriety.  

“Princess?” Gu Yun’s calm voice broke her reverie.  

Drawn by the voice, Jiang Libai instinctively turned her head. The young man’s thin lips were pursed slightly, his gaze upright and devoid of any inappropriate intent. He truly seemed only concerned about the cold.  

Thinking back to their time together over the past few days, Jiang Libai recalled how Gu Yun had always abided by proper boundaries, never overstepping. He had even overused his scent to help her feel better and had narrowly avoided being framed earlier that evening.  

With those thoughts in mind, Jiang Libai’s resolve softened.  

“…You can sleep on the bed,” she finally relented, though she still maintained a degree of caution. “But you mustn’t cross the line, face me, or touch me. Understood?”  

Gu Yun nodded leisurely. “Understood.”  

The room fell into darkness as the candles were extinguished. After some shuffling, both of them settled into the bed, Jiang Libai on the inside and Gu Yun on the outside. Silence enveloped the room once more.  

Outside, the wind howled, and the sound of rustling leaves ebbed and flowed. Pale moonlight spilled through the windows, casting a dreamlike haze over the room.  

Both of them lay with their eyes closed, though neither could fall asleep.  

Gu Yun listened to the heavy rhythm of Jiang Libai’s breathing. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she suddenly broke the silence. “Princess.”  

“Hmm?” Jiang Libai clutched the blanket tightly, trying to lull herself to sleep.  

Gu Yun’s voice was calm. “The room in the front courtyard earlier had a kind of incense—an aphrodisiac fragrance that Zhou Yan had prepared.”  

Jiang Libai immediately snapped awake. “What are you trying to say?”  

Turning slightly, Gu Yun allowed the faint moonlight to illuminate Jiang Libai’s parted lips. “I inhaled a bit of it earlier, so…”  

The warm breath brushing against her face startled Jiang Libi. She instinctively scooted farther into the bed. “Don’t even think about it!”  

“I wouldn’t harm the princess,” Gu Yun reassured her.  

“But… I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable right now.”  

Jiang Libai gripped the blanket tightly, determined to keep Gu Yun at bay. “What do you want, then?”  

Gu Yun inched closer. “Can I… hold the princess?”  

The room was plunged into an awkward silence.  

Moments later, Jiang Libai gritted her teeth and kicked Gu Yun under the blanket. “Shameless scoundrel! Dream on!”  

Seeing that Gu Yun didn’t press the matter, Jiang Libai’s confidence grew. She kicked again. “Keep spouting nonsense, and I won’t care if you freeze to death out there!”  

Gu Yun sighed softly and turned onto her back. “I’ll bear with it, then.”  

Jiang Libai: “…”  

Frustrated, she pulled the blanket over her head and began mentally convincing herself: **There’s only one person in this bed. Just me. No one else. Sleep, sleep, sleep…**  

Perhaps it was the warmth of the blanket, but soon enough, Jiang Libai drifted off into a hazy sleep.  

As her even breathing filled the room, Gu Yun slowly opened her eyes. She carefully turned to face Jiang Libai, inching closer to her.  

Indeed, she had inhaled some of the aphrodisiac incense earlier. While it hadn’t triggered her susceptibility period, her pheromones were still slightly agitated.  

For reasons she couldn’t explain, the light fragrance unique to Jiang Libai calmed her. It felt soothing, akin to the pheromones of an omega, helping to stabilize her restless state.  

Since Jiang Libai had refused her earlier request, Gu Yun didn’t dare hold her. But surely, simply being close wouldn’t cross any boundaries, right?  

The girl’s soft breathing was a comforting presence by her side. Surrounded by the faint fragrance, Gu Yun felt an unexplainable sense of peace. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep as well.  

—

**Morning.**  

Jiang Libai slowly awoke, yawning delicately as she stretched lazily on the bed.  

It had been a long time since she’d slept so soundly, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so refreshed.  

However, her foot brushed against something warm. Jolted awake, she looked down.  

The sleeping youth beside her resembled a serene forest sprite, tranquil and enchanting.  

Startled, Jiang Libai quickly withdrew her foot and belatedly remembered that she had shared a bed with Gu Yun the night before.  

The realization that her body still carried traces of Gu Yun’s warmth and scent made her cheeks flush uncontrollably.  

She wanted to get up and change, but crossing over Gu Yun seemed… improper.  

After waiting a moment and seeing no sign of Gu Yun waking, her embarrassment gradually faded. Curiosity overtook her, and she reached out to gently pat Gu Yun’s face. “Hey, wake up.”  

Gu Yun had actually woken up earlier when Jiang Libai stretched, but she had been reluctant to disturb her comfortable rest.  

Now, hearing the princess’s voice, she seized her wrist and slowly opened her eyes.  

Jiang Libai froze, her hand still on Gu Yun’s face.  

She yanked her hand away, flustered. “You shameless rogue! If you’re awake, get up already. We need to return to the capital today!”