Moreover, perhaps because her body had grown hot after drinking, Xiao Minghuang unconsciously loosened the clothes wrapped around her body.
That is to say.
Xiao Minghuang now had only a thin layer of snow-white gauze over her entire upper body. It was as light as a cicada's wing, setting off her flushed skin after drinking and making her naturally alluring, impossible to look away from.
Such a sight left Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu somewhat dazed.
They knew Xiao Minghuang was beautiful, but that was the Xiao Minghuang who appeared before the public—the Ninth Princess of Great Xia.
Before everyone, Xiao Minghuang was beautiful and dignified, graceful and generous, noble and ethereal, capable of toppling kingdoms with her beauty. Like stars in the night sky, she could be admired but never reached.
Yet now, drunk and lying upon the bed, the faint fragrance of orchids intertwined with the rich scent of fruit wine, creating a marvelous aroma that was hard to resist.
That scent intoxicated the heart, giving people the courage to brave the world's condemnation and reach out sinful hands toward this noble, elegant woman, as ethereal as an exiled immortal.
Or rather, two pairs of hands.
Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu moved almost at the same time, one from each side, as fast as lightning. In the next instant, they were already on the bed.
Though their reactions were evenly matched, Lin Wanqiu had cultivated for many years and possessed abundant combat experience—far beyond what Ye Ruoshui could compare with.
Moreover, Ye Ruoshui's combat techniques had originally been taught by Lin Wanqiu. She was even less capable of competing with Lin Wanqiu for the best position.
Having seized the best spot, Lin Wanqiu's lips curved slightly as she said with a clever smile:
"Ruoshui, I taught you all your combat skills, so don't display your skill before an expert here. Her Highness is thirsty. Hurry and bring some water."
"You go. I want to stay here and watch over Her Highness!"
Ye Ruoshui was simple by nature, stubborn and unyielding, her eyes brimming with refusal to admit defeat.
"You are Her Highness's maid. Serving her is what you ought to do, so why haven't you gone yet?"
Lin Wanqiu narrowed her beautiful eyes and spoke slowly.
Ye Ruoshui heard her words, but neither argued further nor left. Clearly, she had made up her mind to remain deadlocked here until there was a victor.
Or until Xiao Minghuang sobered up.
At about that moment.
Xiao Minghuang, lying on the bed, stirred once more.
"Mm... so thirsty..."
Her voice was alluring, like a young girl coquettishly pleading with the one she loved.
Upon hearing that voice, Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu could no longer remain composed.
Lin Wanqiu was the first to compromise. She knew that if they continued their standoff, neither of them would be able to spend the night with Xiao Minghuang. Instead, they would let this splendid opportunity slip away, a loss far outweighing any gain.
It would be far too foolish to miss such a good chance over a momentary clash of pride.
With that in mind.
Lin Wanqiu stepped down from the bed and onto the floor, looking at Ye Ruoshui's wary yet puzzled gaze.
"Ruoshui, how about we discuss some terms?"
Half a quarter-hour later.
Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu entered together from outside.
Ye Ruoshui carried a pot of warm tea in her hand.
Lin Wanqiu walked to the bedside, removed her shoes and socks, then took off her outer robe, leaving only a thin inner garment before lifting the covers.
She gently raised Xiao Minghuang's soft, delicate body, rested Xiao Minghuang's head upon her thighs, and gathered her into her embrace.
At that moment.
Ye Ruoshui arrived carrying a cup of tea.
Her movements were much like Lin Wanqiu's. She removed her shoes and socks, took off her outer robe, then sat beneath the covers beside Lin Wanqiu.
Only, her cheeks were redder, her movements more awkward, and her eyes filled with shyness.
Seeing her expression, Lin Wanqiu turned slightly, leaned close to Ye Ruoshui's ear, and whispered:
"Ruoshui, you're already embarrassed?"
Feeling warm, moist breaths drift into her ear, Ye Ruoshui immediately stiffened. An unnatural flush appeared on her face, and she seemed even shyer than before.
"Of course not!"
Ye Ruoshui puffed out her soft cheeks and said indignantly.
Lin Wanqiu smiled softly. After making mutual compromises and concessions, they had reached terms both sides could accept.
That was, before Xiao Minghuang, they would maintain a stable relationship and ensure equal benefits, sharing favor evenly.
This was their first cooperation, and it would also determine whether this agreement could endure.
If it succeeded, everyone would be happy.
If it failed, their relationship would inevitably return to the point of drawn swords and hostile glares.
In truth, neither of them wished to see that outcome.
If one day Xiao Minghuang discovered that the two most important people by her side were like fire and water, utterly unable to coexist, how heartbroken would she be?
On this point, Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu shared the same goal.
Seeing Ye Ruoshui's little expression, Lin Wanqiu gave a light laugh, raised her delicate brows, and said:
"According to our agreement, little sister Ruoshui, you go first!"
"Mm..."
At that moment.
Xiao Minghuang twisted her soft body again and even tried to turn over, only for Lin Wanqiu to hold her shoulder down.
Lin Wanqiu looked at Ye Ruoshui, her voice somewhat urgent.
"Ruoshui, go quickly! Don't hesitate!"
Gazing at Xiao Minghuang, whose gown had come half undone, whose cheeks were faintly flushed, and whose cherry lips were pink and moist, Ye Ruoshui could not help swallowing. She licked her slightly dry lips, drank a mouthful of tea, then bent down until she was close before Xiao Minghuang's face.
The nearer she drew to Xiao Minghuang's cheek, the more her shyness multiplied. When they were only a finger's breadth apart, waves of orchid and fruit-wine fragrance surged into her nose like seawater, spreading through her mind until her thoughts went blank and she froze in place.
At that moment.
A gentle yet forceful pressure suddenly descended upon the top of her head, practically pressing her head down by force.
In the blink of an eye.
Lips met lips.
Two soft, full lips pressed together, bringing an unimaginable sweetness without end. It was like a small boat drifting upon a sea lashed by torrential rain, where the storm continually raised monstrous waves, each tide higher than the last, each wave surpassing the one before.
Xiao Minghuang sensed this long-lost sweetness, and her appetite stirred. Unconsciously, she wanted to continue tasting that sweet, luscious spring water.
She even pried with her oar, stirring up a storm, wanting to keep this entire spring within her mouth.
But just as she exerted herself, that pool of spring water recoiled like an ebbing tide and withdrew completely from her.
You wouldn't want Her Highness to know about this, would you?
Xiao Minghuang murmured unconsciously.
"I want more!"
Ye Ruoshui straightened up and wiped away the moisture that was about to run down to her collarbone, only to hear Xiao Minghuang's alluring voice.
That lovely voice made her delicate body tremble, and all the bones in her body seemed to turn soft.
She was just about to bend down and continue what she had been doing...
When suddenly.
Lin Wanqiu's voice rang out:
"Little Ruoshui, one mustn't be too greedy!"
The instant she heard that voice, Ye Ruoshui abruptly came to her senses, her expression darkening. How she wished Xiao Minghuang had only her by her side.
But she knew that was impossible.
Someone like her Highness was destined to shine with ten thousand rays of light, illuminating the boundless river of stars.
And she would be satisfied as long as she could follow at her Highness's side.
Or rather, that had been her original intention.
Next.
Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu switched places.
Xiao Minghuang rested her head upon Ye Ruoshui's soft, full, resilient thighs, while Lin Wanqiu reclined at her side.
In her sleep, Xiao Minghuang sensed that sweet and mellow spring water appear again, though it was slightly different this time.
The spring water from before had been clear and sweet, soft and delicate upon the tongue, with a faint fragrance of tea. Yet it had been overly unpracticed and restrained, lacking passion and abandon. Though she had drunk quite a bit, she was still left wanting more.
But this spring water was like wind and snow treading over frost, like rain and dew clinging to flowers and leaves—never parting, never separating, entwined in longing. Like surging waves and tides, again and again, until she felt slightly short of breath before it gradually retreated.
When the second tasting of tea ended, Lin Wanqiu straightened up and swallowed all the saliva in her mouth, her eyes brimming with irrepressible allure.
That gaze was far too ensnaring. The moment Ye Ruoshui met it, even her heart rippled.
"This woman really is a vixen!"
Seeing Ye Ruoshui looking at her, Lin Wanqiu licked her lower lip. Her eyes flowed with charm as she smiled lightly.
"Little Ruoshui, do you want to learn?"
Ye Ruoshui's first instinct upon hearing that was to refuse. After all, kissing was something she only wished to do with Her Highness.
But on second thought.
She had just kissed Her Highness.
Then Lin Wanqiu had kissed Her Highness.
Didn't that mean she had indirectly kissed Lin Wanqiu?
At that thought, a strange feeling suddenly arose in Ye Ruoshui's heart.
"I actually indirectly kissed that vixen Lin Wanqiu?"
Leaving aside this so-called indirect kiss, when Lin Wanqiu had pressed close to Xiao Minghuang just now, that lingering tenderness and reluctance to part were far beyond anything Ye Ruoshui's kiss could compare to.
After pondering for a moment, Ye Ruoshui asked hesitantly:
"Are you really willing to teach me?"
"Aren't we allies?"
Lin Wanqiu curled her lips in a smile that birthed a hundred charms, leaving even Ye Ruoshui momentarily distracted.
"That vixen really knows how to seduce people!"
Ye Ruoshui cursed inwardly as her thoughts raced.
She knew Lin Wanqiu had been born in the same year as her Highness, so how had she become so skilled at kissing at such a young age?
At that thought, Ye Ruoshui's heart filled with doubts.
If Lin Wanqiu had learned her kissing techniques from some improper person, that would be an extremely terrible matter for Her Highness!
"Lin Wanqiu, where did you learn these kissing skills?"
Ye Ruoshui swept her gaze over Lin Wanqiu from head to toe. The girl's skin was as delicate and fair as jade, her figure slender and exquisite, her appearance soft and beautiful, without the slightest flaw.
Under that gaze, Lin Wanqiu's fine brows furrowed slightly. She sensed a trace of suspicion in Ye Ruoshui's eyes, though she had no idea where it came from.
"I enjoy reading. I learned all this from books."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Ye Ruoshui still looked suspicious. She and Lin Wanqiu had known each other for only a month, and she could not yet fully understand what sort of person Lin Wanqiu was.
Before you continue