Free Web NovelChapter 13: An alliance
Princess Lin Yuexin’s chamber was dead silent when Ru Yi walked in. All her personal maids left immediately after Ru Yi arrived to give her report.
There was a candle on the table, the flame casting a soft glow across the room.
Ru Yi turned when she heard movement behind the screen at the far end of the room.
"Ru Yi," Princess Lin Yuexin called in a soft voice. "Is that you?"
"Yes, your highness." Ru Yi stood there, unsure of what to do.
"There’s a robe on the bed, bring it to me."
Ru Yi found it, crossing the room to the screen that stood between both of them.
"Here..." she stretched her hand out, gasping when she felt Princess Lin Yuexin’s icy touch on her wrist. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"Thank you," the princess replied, her hand still on Ru Yi. "I heard what happened with Bai He. Sit at the table and I’ll look at the injury for you."
Ru Yi was almost sure Princess Lin Yuexin could hear her heartbeat from miles away.
"Ssss...sure," she stuttered, gently pulling away.
She could hear Princess Lin Yuexin’s soft laughter as she went to sit at the table.
Ru Yi’s cheeks flushed a deep red when she remembered how she’d stripped in front of the princess.
Even now her skin warmed up in anticipation when she remembered Princess Lin Yuexin’s tender touch.
Princess Lin Yuexin came out from behind the screen wearing her jade silk robe. It was tied loose around her waist, the neckline dipping to reveal pale smooth skin.
Ru Yi swallowed hard. "The Empress plans to—"
"Let me tend to you first. Remove your clothes."
Ru Yi felt something flutter beneath her ribs. She wished the Princess would stop talking in that manner so she wouldn’t get the wrong idea.
"Good heavens!" Princess Lin Yuexin exclaimed when she saw Ru Yi’s back. "How could someone be cruel?"
Ru Yi forced out a nervous laugh. "It just looks worse than—"
Princess Lin Yuexin put her palm over Ru Yi’s mouth. "Don’t stand here and try to tell me it doesn’t hurt."
Ru Yi could barely hear her over the blood pounding in her ears. If she was permitted, she’d like to thrust her tongue out and taste the softness of Princess Lin Yuexin’s palm.
"Lie down on the bed with your back to me. I can help stabilize your meridians and reinforce your roots so qi can circulate properly."
As though in a trance, Ru Yi pulled away and laid down on the bed. Her breasts brushed against the velvet covering of Lin Yuexin’s bed, making her shiver.
At least her lower body was covered.
Princess Lin Yuexin touched Ru Yi’s wrist, closing her eyes.
Ru Yi was startled when something started to slip into her through her wrist. It was controlled, her breath hitching when the chaos inside her was finally forced into place.
"If you leave your roots like this they’ll collapse," Princess Lin Yuexin whispered against the shell of Ru Yi’s ear.
She moved forward, hovering over Ru yi while keeping contact with her wrist.
The foreign qi pressed deeper into Ru Yi. She felt her insides finally settle into a slow rhythm for the first time since Bai He flogged her.
Even her breathing turned even. Her roots weren’t completely healed, but she finally felt calm.
"I’ll apply salve to ease the ache." Princess Lin Yuexin released Ru Yi’s wrist and pulled away. "It’ll ease the ache."
Ru Yi was about to stand up when she felt Princess Lin Yuexin’s hand on her shoulder, pressing her into the bed.
Moments later her long elegant fingers applied the salve softly on Ru Yi’s back.
Each stroke sent a burst of energy down Ru Yi’s stomach. She pressed her thighs together, finally exhaling in relief when Princess Lin Yuexin was done.
Ru Yi scrambled off the bed. "About the Empress..."
Princess Lin Yuexin gestured to the table. "Come sit with me."
Ru Yi obeyed. "I overheard her telling a maid to serve the Emperor a particular tea." She leaned in, "I think it’s poison."
She expected disbelief from the princess but all Lin Yuexin did was sigh in worry. "Looks like my biggest fear is happening. I knew something was wrong when the Emperor stopped coming to court. I just didn’t think she’d make a move now."
"But she has no reason to want the Emperor dead. Her son is already the crown prince and only heir to the throne."
Princess Lin Yuexin shook her head, suddenly looking tired. "The Empress is ambitious, and I have a feeling she’s not alone in her plan to take over."
Ru Yi wanted to comfort the princess. "Why don’t you focus on the wedding, there’s nothing much you can do. And about the permit to leave the palace...I already gave you enough information."
Princess Lin Yuexin grabbed her hands from across the table. "We need to figure this out together. You can’t leave the palace yet."
"But..."
"We have to find out who else the Empress is meeting. What’s about to happen is bigger than the both of us." She held Ru Yi’s gaze with her sharp ones. "You need to help me."
Ru Yi sucked in a breath.
How could she refuse the princess when she was looking at her like she was a divine being that was here to save her?
"I think the Empress will wait till after the wedding to strike. She needs an alliance with my family."
"It’s not like we can stop her," Ru Yi groaned. "And you’re still protected if you marry the crown prince."
Princess Lin Yuexin continued like she didn’t hear her. "The Empress doesn’t stand to gain much if the Emperor dies. There has to be someone behind her."
Ru Yi sighed in her head. "Do you think it’s the triplets?"
Lin Yuexin laughed at that. "The three wolves have a long history with the Empress. Not even the throne will make them join forces with the Empress."
That would make sense considering the Empress only came into power after their mother died. And in the book they’d fought to the end for the throne.
"It’s getting late, you should get some rest." Princess Lin Yuexin stood up. "Thank you for everything Ru Yi."
"I’m doing this so I can leave the palace."
Princess Lin Yuexin laughed at that. "You’re quite funny. As for the other part of your reward..." she pulled Ru Yi close. "You can have it now."
