Dugu Yueli covered her face with her hands, peeking at him through the gaps between her fingers.
Jade-green peeled shell, white and supple; spring bamboo shoots first emerge, tender as snow.
Not understanding the moonlit intent of this day, the cabbage heart awaited its proper... prodding.
Beneath the moonlight, bamboo shadows swayed.
What happened next drew the following reactions from Little Cabbage:
At first, fear.
(?д?) Brother Heng, something doesn't seem right...
Then, shock.
(?д?) Why wasn't it like what Sister Yaoyao and the others said!
Later, endurance.
(╥_╥) Wuwu...
And later still...
(?﹃?) Oh... could it be...
Two days and three nights.
On the third morning, Dugu Yueli leaned against the pillar of a stone pavilion, looking like an enlightened master who could no longer walk.
"Brother Heng! That's enough already!"
"Yeah, it seems something big is about to happen. Are you getting ready to ascend the throne?"
"Seems like it's time!" She swept up her scattered dress and wrapped it around herself. "Eh? Why are you wearing a mask?"
Lin Heng reached up to touch the distorted mask on his face and gave a sly grin.
"Of course, it's to give everyone else a surprise."
"But Little Cabbage, you can't tell them I'm here."
Dugu Yueli asked in confusion, "Why?"
"Otherwise, they might be on guard. I want to appear before everyone in a different way."
He patted his mask. "You're about to ascend the throne. Go on—Brother Heng will watch you from below."
He wrapped an arm around her waist and lowered his head to whisper by her ear.
"Once you've finished ascending the throne, remember to appoint me Regent Prince. Hehehe..."
Dugu Yueli rolled her eyes at him, straightened her attire and appearance, then turned and left.
After taking two steps, she looked back. "Brother