Dressed As a Consort in Ancient Times - Chapter 33
In the dark and quiet room, Jiang Libai couldn’t see Gu Yun’s expression, only sensing that her voice seemed huskier than usual.
She bit her lip and prepared to pull away Gu Yun’s hand that was once again roaming over her face. “What else could it be?”
After pulling her hand down, she squeezed it hard, as if warning her not to touch her again. “Even though I trust you a lot, that doesn’t mean you can take liberties with me.”
Hearing the casual tone in the princess’s voice, Gu Yun could no longer hold back.
She firmly grasped the princess’s small hand, her other hand protecting the princess’s delicate waist, pressing her into the soft bedding.
“Princess, actually I can…”
Jiang Libai suddenly found herself lying flat on the bed, feeling Gu Yun’s warm body pressing against her.
Ever since discovering that Gu Yun was a woman, Gu Yun no longer wore a chest binder to bed.
Thus, at this moment, Gu Yun’s softness pressed tightly against her, and the slight friction between them made her breathing falter.
“You… what are you trying to do?”
The delicate girl lay beneath her, her panicked, sweet breath brushing against Gu Yun’s face with each exhale. Her throat moved slightly, and her voice dropped to a low, seductive tone. “Princess, would you like to try it again?”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Libai’s mind immediately recalled the kiss she shared with Gu Yun in the carriage.
She swallowed hard, her heart wavering.
Though she kept saying Gu Yun mustn’t approach her or get close again, and that they should both forget that kiss in the carriage… she couldn’t deny that she truly liked that kiss. She liked the softness of Gu Yun’s lips, their sweet taste, and the overwhelming sweetness and satisfaction that surged in her heart at that moment.
As Jiang Libai struggled internally, Gu Yun let out a low chuckle. Holding her small face gently, she leaned in and captured her slightly parted lips.
Their lips met, gentle and lingering.
The softness of their hair brushed together as they moved, turning and entwining.
No one knew how much time passed, but Jiang Libai, now dizzy and dazed, let out a soft sound. Her hand unconsciously rested on Gu Yun’s neck, her fingertips absentmindedly tracing over her skin.
When her fingers accidentally brushed the gland at the back of Gu Yun’s neck, Gu Yun’s whole body trembled, her breathing becoming heavier.
Suddenly, the tender kiss turned into something fiercer. Her soft tongue ventured deeper into Jiang Libai’s mouth, tangling with her smaller tongue in an intimate dance…
“Mm…”
No longer satisfied with just the kiss, Gu Yun began trailing kisses downward from the corner of the princess’s lips, landing on her elegant neck.
A shiver ran through her body, and Jiang Libai tilted her head back, bearing the passionate kisses full of desire.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze stirred from the garden flowers outside.
Jiang Libai grasped Gu Yun’s hand tightly.
“Stop…”
Panting slightly, Jiang Libai’s soft voice was laced with a spring-like charm. “That’s… enough…”
Gu Yun took a deep breath and reluctantly withdrew her hand.
She propped herself up, her narrow eyes flashing with unsatisfied longing. “Princess, don’t you want it?”
She had thought that if the princess was willing to share a night of intimacy with her again, she would confess all her secrets, telling her that the child in her womb was hers and that she could bring her happiness. She would love her well and always stay by her side.
But it seemed that the princess still held some resistance.
Jiang Libai’s face flushed, her eyes brimming with emotion. “Let go of me.”
Hearing this, Gu Yun could only roll over, lying next to the princess.
The rustling sounds from under the blanket were Jiang Libai rearranging her disheveled undergarments.
Gu Yun stared at the dense night sky, her throat moving slightly. She was already aroused, and being rejected now made her feel uncomfortable.
Once Jiang Libai had adjusted her clothes and pulled the blanket up securely around herself, she nudged Gu Yun with her foot. “You actually want to do… that kind of thing with me… You’re such a scoundrel… shameless…”
Even as she chastised Gu Yun, she also silently reproached herself.
She had always told herself not to become lost in the warmth Gu Yun offered and not to develop inappropriate feelings for her.
Yet, she couldn’t help but fall deeper…
She slowly reached out and touched her lips, which still seemed to carry the sweet taste of Gu Yun, leaving her in a daze once more.
“Princess… do you dislike me doing that to you?” Gu Yun asked, her voice tinged with regret as she tried to suppress the fire surging within her.
Jiang Libai snapped out of her thoughts and nervously licked her lips.
Saying she didn’t like it… would be a lie.
But she couldn’t admit it so easily.
She and Gu Yun couldn’t continue to develop their relationship in this way.
As her mind raced, she finally found a perfect excuse. “I… I’m pregnant. Doing that would hurt the baby.”
Hearing this, Gu Yun felt slightly relieved.
As long as the princess didn’t dislike being close to her, that was enough.
She turned to her side, her gaze falling on the princess’s delicate face in the dark. “Princess, we’ve been married for almost two months now.”
So, the child must be three months along.
Even if they wanted to be intimate, it should still be possible. She would be gentle and wouldn’t hurt the child.
Hearing the implication in her words, Jiang Libai’s expression became complicated.
Sensing Gu Yun’s hand moving toward her again, she immediately grabbed it. “Don’t push your luck!”
“You’re a woman. If you kiss me, I’ll let it slide. But if you dare try anything more… I won’t let you set foot in my room again.”
Gu Yun paused. “Then… what if I don’t use… my hand?”
Jiang Libai didn’t understand her meaning. “???”
“Nothing is allowed. Just stop it altogether.” She swatted Gu Yun’s approaching hand away and lowered her voice.
It was absurd. They were both women. She could reluctantly accept the kissing and cuddling because of her hidden feelings, but anything more than that was out of the question.
She couldn’t cross that line.
She didn’t want to become a woman known for such proclivities.
“Alright.” Helpless, Gu Yun lay back down and began calming the turmoil within her.
“Go to sleep,” Jiang Libai whispered, moving closer to the wall to put some distance between them. Only when she no longer felt Gu Yun’s warmth did she softly say, “There’s important business tomorrow. Don’t delay.”
In the latter half of the night, Jiang Libai, who had remained alert, finally drifted into a light sleep.
As her breathing steadied, Gu Yun cautiously moved closer, carefully wrapping her arms around her and pulling her into an embrace. Pressing a soft kiss to her tender cheek, Gu Yun finally closed her eyes, satisfied, and drifted off to sleep.
—
Roughly, it was because the Seventh Princess’s consort was almost assassinated by an unknown individual in the Ministry of Justice’s prison last night. This morning, the incident became the hot topic of discussion in the capital.
Some speculated that the people of the Anyang Earl family couldn’t hold back anymore. Seeing that their scheme to frame him had failed, they decided to take drastic measures.
Others, however, guessed that the assassination was prearranged by the Seventh Princess and her consort, judging by her immediate action to take him back to the residence overnight. They suspected this was all part of a plan for an early escape.
But none of this was the focus of public attention.
What captivated people more was the Ministry of Justice’s investigation into the Anyang Earl family.
The witchcraft allegations were too sensitive for open discussion.
As a result, the revelation that Yun Yan was pregnant with the Seventh Princess’s consort’s child garnered even more interest.
After all, people were most eager to hear about scandals in the elite circles, especially ones tinged with love, hate, and entanglement—these were the stories everyone relished.
As the rumors spiraled out of control outside, Jiang Libai received the intelligence gathered by Mu Jiang.
“…After the person left the Anyang Earl house, our people followed them from a distance. But the individual was too cunning. Whether they sensed our presence or not, they took a few detours around the city and managed to shake us off…”
At this, Mu Jiang spoke with deep regret: “Our men searched the entire city throughout the night but still couldn’t locate them.”
“Failing to complete the task, I ask for your punishment, Princess.”
Jiang Libai’s expression remained unchanged.
Such an outcome had been within her expectations.
She considered for a moment and said, “Since they discovered you, there’s no point in continuing the surveillance around the An Yang Marquisate.” The person colluding with the Anyang Earl family would certainly have informed them after noticing the tail. Thus, her people wouldn’t uncover much by maintaining watch.
“Yes, I understand,” Mu Jiang accepted the order and left.
After making the necessary arrangements, Jiang Libai strolled leisurely back to her bedchamber.
That morning, she had instructed Gu Yun to stay put in the room and not take a step outside.
Pushing open the door, Jiang Libai entered the room.
Leaning on the edge of the bed, Gu Yun, seemingly discontented with being confined, was still dressed in her white undergarments. Over them, she had draped a thick outer robe, and she was holding a book without a cover in her hands.
Jiang Libai approached, intending to ask what she was reading, but suddenly panicked.
She strode quickly to the bedside, snatching the book from Gu Yun’s hands.
Gu Yun: “…” She had only wanted to pass the time by reading!
“Where did you find this?!” Jiang Libai’s face flushed red with embarrassment and anger.
Gu Yun remained silent for a moment before answering truthfully, “Under the bed.”
She had been bored and decided to look around the room, only to stumble upon a box of books beneath the bed.
She had just opened one page, barely making sense of the content, when the Seventh Princess snatched it away.
Jiang Libai’s face turned even redder. “How much did you read?!”
These were her treasures that Chunxi had helped her collect—stories filled with tales of love and passion. That alone would be fine, but some of the books explicitly depicted relationships between women… with rather bold content.
If Gu Yun found out she was reading these kinds of stories, wouldn’t it be utterly humiliating?
Gu Yun appeared puzzled. “Just the first page.”
Hearing this, Jiang Libai let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness! Gu Yun hadn’t reached the later parts. This particular book was a risqué story she cherished, detailing all sorts of intimate interactions between women.
This must never be revealed!
“Don’t ever rummage through my things again,” Jiang Libai scolded while stashing the book away. She turned to glare at Gu Yun. “Everything in this room, you can look at, but don’t touch. Understood?”
Gu Yun hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from the Princess. Spreading her hands, she replied, “Alright, I understand.”
Then she wrapped herself more tightly in the blanket. “But Princess, since I have to feign serious illness and can’t go out, how am I supposed to pass the time?”
Jiang Libai wouldn’t stay with her in the room, leaving her bored out of her mind.
Jiang Libai studied her for a moment and asked, “Reading books helps you pass the time?”
Recalling that she had some relatively tame love stories—ones appropriate for public reading—Jiang Libai searched through her collection.
She eventually pulled out two books devoid of any inappropriate content and tossed them onto the bed. “Here, you can read these two. The others are off-limits.”
Gu Yun picked up the books and glanced at their titles: *The Tyrant Prince’s Love Is Overwhelming* and *My Husband’s Wild Passion Every Night*… The bold lettering on the covers made Gu Yun’s temples twitch. She looked up at Jiang Libai with a raised brow.
“How about… another selection?”
Jiang Libai frowned at her apparent dissatisfaction. “These are the only ones you can read. The others aren’t suitable.”
Absolutely not—she couldn’t risk Gu Yun discovering the bold content of her other books.
Gu Yun flipped through a few pages and eventually gave up on insisting. “Alright then.”
“Take good care of them. Don’t damage them.”
Having already witnessed the Seventh Princess’s obsession with her books, Gu Yun naturally wouldn’t dare ruin them. She gave a slight nod in agreement.
“Knock, knock—” A knock on the door disrupted the odd atmosphere in the room.
“Princess, Ming Tao has sent a message that the Noble Consort wishes to see you immediately.” It was Chunxi’s voice.
Jiang Libai pinched her leg, letting the pain bring tears to her eyes. Then, adopting a mournful expression, she warned Gu Yun again: “Remember, no snooping.”
With that, she left, her face painted with sorrow.
—
All the way to the Changchun Palace, Jiang Libai’s tears didn’t stop flowing.
“Mother…” Entering the hall, the sorrowful Seventh Princess threw herself into Noble Consort Yuan’s arms, crying her heart out.
The little palace maids exchanged glances but didn’t dare utter a word.
“Alright, all of you leave,” Noble Consort Yuan gently patted the princess’s back and instructed Ming Tao to lead everyone out of the hall.
Once only the mother and daughter were left in the room, Jiang Libai finally left her mother’s embrace while sobbing. She wiped her tear-streaked eyes, her red-rimmed gaze fixed on her mother. “The prince consort… he was harmed. Someone must dislike him and wants his life…”
“Mother, I fear that someone covets the power of my maternal family, and that’s why they’re targeting him so fiercely.”
Hearing this, Noble Consort Yuan paused briefly as she wiped her daughter’s tears.
Her tone was tinged with helplessness. “Why would you think that?”
Jiang Libai knew her mother didn’t want her to get involved in such matters, but at this moment, she couldn’t hold back anymore.
“The prince consort lived a hard life before but was never harmed. But ever since we married, the people of the Anyang Earl’s household seem to have targeted him constantly,” she said, her tone carrying a trace of guilt. “From relentless slander to attempts on his life… I can’t help but think these people see him as an obstacle and are trying to remove him.”
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Jiang Libai bit her lip and continued, “Mother, you’ve always forbidden me from meddling in these matters, but I was born into the royal family. How can I remain uninvolved? Moreover, now that they’re targeting my prince consort, how can I stand by and do nothing?”
Her father, the Emperor, was nearing fifty, and her elder brothers, all grown, were becoming increasingly ambitious for the throne. How could she not see it?
Yet because her mother didn’t want her to be entangled in such struggles, Jiang Libai had always maintained an appropriate distance from her brothers—neither too close nor too estranged.
Noble Consort Yuan hadn’t expected her daughter to grow up and so firmly demand to involve herself in these affairs.
“Jia Ning, I only have one daughter. I want nothing more than for you to grow up safely. But precisely because you are my only daughter, others may harbor ill intentions.”
Since the late Empress died in childbirth, leaving behind the Fifth Prince, Noble Consort Yuan had been the highest-ranking consort in the palace.
Moreover, her family was one of military distinction and unparalleled honor.
Now, her father, General Zhao, commanded 300,000 troops stationed at the northern border. Such power was something any prince vying for the throne would seek to win over.
After all, Noble Consort Yuan had no sons to compete for the throne, only a single daughter.
“This morning, after court, your father came to see me,” Noble Consort Yuan stroked Jiang Libai’s head. “When this matter is resolved, he won’t allow you and Gu Yun to divorce. As for the rest… you know I don’t want you involved in these affairs, and your father shares my sentiment.”
The Emperor’s stance remained unchanged: Jia Ning was their only daughter, and they wanted her to live without worry.
No matter who ascended the throne in the future, they would ensure her future was secure.
“But…” Jiang Li tried to argue further.
Noble Consort Yuan shook her head. “Jia Ning, the priority now is for you to take care of your pregnancy. Don’t overthink, understood? The rest, your father and I will handle.”
Hearing this, Jiang Libai reluctantly nodded.
Though she had anticipated this outcome, her heart still felt unsettled.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that her parents were hiding something from her—something they didn’t want to tell her yet.
“Gu Yun was injured in the Ministry of Justice prison. Can Li Zhongxian uncover who tried to assassinate him?” Jiang Libai asked.
After Gu Yun was attacked, Li Zhongxian had interrogated the assassin overnight. However, the assassin was a death soldier and endured all torture without uttering a single word.
Left with no choice, Li Zhongxian reported the matter to Emperor Yu that same night.
The Emperor, furious, ordered Li Zhongxian to uncover the mastermind within three days.
Now, the Ministry of Justice was wholly preoccupied with investigating the incident, setting aside the accusations against the Anyang Earl household.
Additionally, the Emperor permitted the Seventh Prince Consort to recuperate in the princess’s residence.
Noble Consort Yuan shared these details with Jiang Libai and reminded her, “As for the witchcraft accusation, as long as it can be proven that Gu Yun was not involved, your father won’t concern himself with it.”
“But the Earl of Anyang’s niece, who claims to be pregnant with Gu Yun’s child… that matter must be thoroughly investigated. If it’s left unresolved, rumors will only grow, tarnishing your reputations.”
“Your people must investigate carefully. I’ve also sent word to your grandmother, who will help with inquiries. We should have results within a few days.”
Jiang Libai finally smiled. “Thank you, Mother, for your efforts on behalf of Gu Yun and me!”
Noble Consort Yuan, seeing her daughter’s devotion to Gu Yun, shook her head with a smile. “How is your prince consort’s injury?”
At this, Jiang Libai hesitated briefly.
The truth was, she and Gu Yun had agreed the previous night to feign serious illness so Gu Yun wouldn’t be sent back to prison. Thus, she couldn’t share this with her mother.
“Gu Yun isn’t seriously injured but lost a lot of blood and will need a long period of rest.”
This was Jiang Libai’s first time lying to her mother, and it made her uneasy.
Fortunately, Noble Consort Yuan didn’t notice and only held her hand, urging her, “Since your prince consort needs to rest, you mustn’t let yourselves worry over these matters.”
Lowering her voice, she added, “You’re pregnant and can’t care for him personally. Should I send some attendants to look after him?”
Jiang Libai: “…”
Was her mother suggesting what she thought she was suggesting?
She quickly waved her hands to refuse on Gu Yun’s behalf. “There’s no need. Gu Yun has said he only loves me and doesn’t wish to have any relations with other women.”
Having lied once, Jiang Libai had calmed down enough to deliver another with a steady demeanor.
Her words moved Noble Consort Yuan deeply. She hadn’t expected Gu Yun to cherish her daughter so dearly, even vowing to stay faithful for life.
“In that case, good,” Noble Consort Yuan said, gratified. “When you insisted on marrying him, your father and I were skeptical. But it seems we underestimated him.”
Jiang Libai tilted her chin with pride, her brows relaxing. “I simply have good taste. That’s why I noticed him at first glance during the banquet.”
“Alright, it’s getting late. Stay and have lunch before returning.”
Eager to leave, Jiang Libai declined. “I’d like to head back sooner. Mother, have Father keep you company instead.”
Watching her daughter lift her skirts and walk away, Noble Consort Yuan chuckled.
Newlyweds, she mused. Clearly, they couldn’t bear to be apart, rushing to reunite at the first opportunity.
Hurrying back from the palace, Jiang Libai returned to her residence within half an hour by carriage.
As she walked toward her bedroom, she couldn’t help but wonder if that troublesome Gu Yun had followed her instructions and refrained from rummaging around.
Reaching her quarters, Jiang Libai pushed the door open and stepped inside.
By now, it was midday. Though the sun wasn’t out, the weather was pleasant.
Soft light filtered through the windows, scattering across the floor and casting dappled shadows.
Some light fell on the thin figure leaning against the bed, bathing her in a warm glow and softening her typically aloof features.
Jiang Libai paused briefly at the serene scene before clearing her throat and walking over. Glancing at the book in Gu Yun’s hands, she cautiously asked, “How far have you read?”
For this novel one Kofi is two extra chapters. I’ll be updating 3-4 chapters a week for free.
Ko-fi link: ko-fi.com/mitake55760
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