Chapter 37 – Throwing Flirty Glances

“Did you forget I can see you?”

She pointed to her eyes and then smiled at Pei Xuan.

Eighteen-year-old Pei Xuan, unrefined by the deliberate tempering of a past life as an emperor, was still a bit precocious but ultimately a newlywed with a pure heart. Hearing this, her fair face turned bright red, as if it could change colors. It was undeniably endearing and inexplicably captivating.

Cui Ti silently watched her, shyly untying the sash at her waist.

Her skirt fell like a large blossom, leaving Pei Little Simpleton staring, entranced by her own obliviousness.

Long legs, a waist that could be easily encircled by a hand, a curvaceous figure, full chest, straight collarbones, and long black hair cascading down her back after removing the hairpin. Cui Ti, still in her undergarments, quickly glanced at someone, too shy to fully undress: “Will you help me in?”

Falling by the bathtub due to blindness in such a scene would be too embarrassing.

Her thin skin couldn’t allow that to happen.

Pei Xuan, blushing, snapped out of her daze and carefully helped her into the half-person-high bathtub.

The bathtub was large, and before long, the steam caused a fine layer of sweat to appear on Cui Ti’s forehead.

She sat inside with a composed demeanor, back straight, her rounded shoulders catching Pei Xuan’s eye, causing her to swallow nervously.

Before meeting Cui Ti, she truly didn’t understand the allure of beauty.

Now that she had met her, she found herself irresistibly drawn in.

This feeling was quite peculiar.

Pei Xuan herself was a rare beauty, strikingly handsome in men’s clothing and breathtakingly beautiful in women’s attire. Realizing the absurdity of her actions, she gave an embarrassed smile and foolishly asked, “Can you really see me?”

“…”

She was so dazed and wooden, which delighted Cui Ti.

In her previous life, after marrying Pei Xuan, she had become accustomed to her calm and collected demeanor, always strategizing and planning. Hence, the current Pei Xuan was a precious sight. She naturally didn’t mind sharing the bath with her; she was already hers.

Cui Ti was still very nervous, her lips curving up: “Aren’t you coming over?”

Her slightly spoiled tone made people feel elated, filling their heads with thoughts of pampering her, playing with her, and indulging her whims.

Pei Xuan shakily removed her clothes, standing completely bare and exposed to Cui Ti’s clear view. Cui Ti’s ears turned crimson as if they were on fire, and she hurriedly turned her face away with a sudden exclamation.

The atmosphere was too intimate.

Even the rising steam seemed to make them blush.

Without a word, the two embraced,

Their kiss was hard to part from. After the kiss, Pei Xuan, adjusting to this unprecedented boldness, asked again in surprise, “You can see me. What about the water splashes? Can you see them?”

The warm water flowed through her fingers as Cui Ti, her voice soft and slightly hoarse from a mix of emotions, replied, “I can see them.”

“What about the bathtub?”

Pei Xuan patted the edge of the tub, very excited.

Seeing Pei Xuan happy made Cui Ti happy too. It was impossible not to throw herself into her arms when she saw her smile, wrapping her arms softly around her neck: “When you’re here, I can see. When you’re not, I can’t see.”

“Then I’ll always be here.”

She was willing to indulge in this sweet affection.

The hibiscus-colored undergarments clung tightly to her skin, soaked with water. Pei Xuan slowly released her, wanting to take a better look at that endearing figure: “Shall I help you take it off?”

Cui Ti murmured an “Mm,” letting Pei Xuan’s arms pass under her ribs.

The soaked undergarments were placed into a bamboo basket beside them. Pei Xuan widened her eyes in the dimly lit bathhouse, while Cui Ti watched her unblinkingly, finding her amusing. What Cui Ti had, Pei Xuan also had, only in different sizes. But with every additional glance, it felt like she was gaining some great advantage.

She liked this inexperienced Pei Xuan.

And she liked being cherished by her.

“You can see me, that’s wonderful. Which immortal should I thank?”

Cui Ti laughed at her silliness: “You’re making things difficult for me. An immortal is an immortal. If I knew her name, wouldn’t I ascend to the heavens?”

She stroked the soft skin at the back of Pei Xuan’s neck with her fingertip, causing her to straighten her posture, making the blush on her neck even more conspicuous.

Gentleman Pei, who had been practicing calligraphy and literature since childhood, had a pair of skillful hands. She smiled silently, enjoying this intimate time with her Niangzi. Cui Ti, teased to the point of wanting to both accommodate and evade, finally leaned on her shoulder, panting, with a touch of red at the corners of her eyes.

Learning to be good is difficult; learning to be bad is all too easy.

Not knowing which nerve she had hit, Pei Xuan pulled Cui Ti closer and kissed her underwater.

With a splash, water droplets cascaded around them. Cui Ti surfaced, gasping for breath, pink petals clinging to her hair and shoulders. She laughed and scolded, “Why are you being so sneaky?”

Pei Xuan’s smile was charming and mischievous. She was so young, having spent many years being serious, surrounded only by rowdy boys, never having been this close to a girl. Let alone pulling someone underwater for such playful intimacy.

She felt a great sense of accomplishment, and despite Cui Ti’s playful complaints, she couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

The word “immature” had been far removed from Master Pei, but today, at this moment, Cui Ti truly experienced it firsthand.

“Niangzi, don’t you think this is fun?”

Cui Ti covered her face, and her submerged leg kicked Pei Xuan lightly.

The kick was neither painful nor itchy; Pei Xuan took it as a playful gesture. “Niangzi? Niangzi?”

“Stop calling me that,” Cui Ti released her hand, noticing that Pei Xuan still had her clothes on, and felt dissatisfied. Seeing herself being so easily teased, she softened her tone: “Xingguang…”

Another piece of clothing, embroidered with magnolia flowers, was added to the bamboo basket.

Cui Ti widened her eyes, observing her “Fujun,” her hand brushing over a certain part, feeling concerned: “Luckily, it hasn’t been stifled.”

Her hands were restless. Initially, she could bear it, but after a while, someone, she didn’t know who started it again, and they began to play around.

Fortunately, the bathtub was sturdy and could withstand their antics.

Half an hour later, Young Madam Pei’s voice filled with pleas for mercy. Pei Xuan, still enthusiastic, teased, “You’re giving up already?”

She was taking advantage and still pretending to be innocent, earning a coy glance in return.

Late at night, the backyard was deserted. Bai Tang, Haozhong, Raoliang, and the others were nowhere to be seen. Pei Xuan carried her delicate Niangzi out of the bathhouse, wrapping her tightly in a large cloak. Cui Ti was extremely embarrassed, burying her face in her Fujun’s chest, her body under the cloak trembling slightly.

The bathhouse was close to the bedroom. Once back in bed, Cui Ti quickly grabbed the brocade quilt, revealing only her cute little head. Pei Xuan was momentarily speechless at the sight.

They stared at each other for a while before Young Madam Pei, still blushing, loosened her grip on the quilt’s corner and invited her in.

“Niangzi, tell me about that dream again.”

Pei Xuan held Cui Ti close, and for a fleeting moment, Cui Ti found herself lost in the warmth of Pei Xuan’s embrace. The dream was not a mere dream; it was a vivid recollection of her past life, where she had truly died once. She didn’t know where to begin.

A kiss landed on her earlobe, and the passion that had just been sated began to stir again.

She quickly collected herself, refusing to be swayed by the person behind her. She turned to face Pei Xuan directly. “Do you really want to know that much?”

“Mhm.” Pei Xuan kissed her eyelid. “I want to know how I wronged you in your dream so that I can avoid making the same mistakes.”

Cui Ti closed her eyes, her heart feeling soothed and warm. She wrapped her arms around Pei Xuan’s slender waist. “Once, you came home drunk…”

As the night deepened, the storyteller drifted off to sleep. Pei Xuan gently stroked her wife’s beautiful back, listening to her calm breathing.

In Titi’s dream, she was also a drunkard.

Could such coincidences truly exist in this world?

Was it a fantastical dream or a reflection of a past reality?

During the day, Pei Xuan perused books in the library of the Hanlin Academy, finding that the legends and strange tales recorded in them were not all mere fabrications of the past.

Yet, the one who had harmed Titi had not yet shown themselves. Pei Xuan resolved to protect her precious treasure with all her heart.

…

“See that? From now on, she is your miss. When I’m not home, you must protect her well and ensure she is never in danger.”

The dark-clad girl, with a sword hanging at her waist, cast her gaze towards the distant figure of the Young Madam in a white dress. The Young Madam was beautiful, a perfect match for the gentleman. However, the Young Madam was born with an eye condition and could not see.

From today onwards, she would be the sharpest blade standing before the Young Madam!

She nodded solemnly. “Rest assured, gentleman.”

Pei Xuan patted her on the shoulder. “Little Wolf, I’m entrusting my ‘life’ to you.”

The girl named “Little Wolf” felt a jolt in her heart. Not good with words, she pressed her lips together. “Mhm!”

Swearing by the name of the Wolf King, she would never let anyone harm the Young Madam!

“With you around, I can finally set my mind at ease.”

Little Wolf gave her a direct look before disappearing into the wind.

Four years ago, Pei Xuan had rescued her from deep within a hunting ground. Perhaps she couldn’t be called human; she was more of a wolf child. Pei Xuan had saved her, becoming a presence more dazzling than the Wolf King. Her commands were ironclad orders to be followed to the death!

But Pei Xuan never expected that within less than half a month of assigning Little Wolf to secretly protect Cui Ti, Little Wolf would bring her an unexpected surprise.