Chapter 15: A Night’s Unexpected Turn

“Your Highness, do you think Lord Xiyue might do something rash?”

Shangguan Yun’s face was etched with worry as she cast a sidelong glance at the Princess, who was serenely sipping tea beside her.

The Princess gently shook her head, a soft smile gracing her lips, and spoke in a tender voice:

“Yun’er, you underestimate Xiyue. He is not so fragile as to act in such a way.”

No sooner had the Princess finished speaking than the dormitory door slowly creaked open.

Ouyang Xiyue stood there, his expression composed and relaxed, a stark contrast to the furious figure who had slammed the door shut earlier.

“Xiyue, you’re back. What have you decided about the matter?”

Ling’er’s eyes sparkled with concern as she looked at Ouyang Xiyue.

“It’s alright, Ling’er. I lost my temper earlier. My issue has been resolved, so there’s no need for you to worry.”

Having said his piece, Ouyang Xiyue turned and headed towards the kitchen.

Just as he reached the kitchen door, Ling’er, who had silently crept up behind him, suddenly reached out and pinned him against the door in a swift, unexpected ‘kabedon’ (TL Note: A Japanese term where one person pins another against a wall with an arm, often used in romantic or dramatic contexts).

“You rascal! Don’t tell me not to worry! Confess honestly, how did you resolve a matter of seventeen million gold coins in such a short time? Did you sell yourself? Or were you taken in by some pretty boy? Or perhaps…”

As Ling’er held Ouyang Xiyue against the door, her mind raced with wild conjectures.

“Wait, I’ve been wronged, Ling’er! Let me explain!”

Ouyang Xiyue pleaded urgently.

He knew in his heart that Ling’er was worried he might have fallen into bad company, but he certainly couldn’t tell her he’d become a maid for someone.

Consequently, he lied, claiming he had joined a demon-hunting squad and would spend every weekend hunting magical beasts in the Demon Beast Forest for remuneration.

Although Ling’er remained concerned, knowing his capabilities and receiving his repeated assurances finally put her slightly at ease.

Life soon returned to its tranquil rhythm.

In the afternoon, Ouyang Xiyue attended classes as usual, only to find himself once again surrounded by layers of classmates, who barraged him with an endless stream of questions.

As the busy day drew to a close, Ouyang Xiyue was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally, with only one thought occupying his mind: return to the dormitory, wash up, and collapse into sleep.

As for food, he had completely lost his appetite.

Reality, however, often delighted in thwarting pleasant expectations.

The moment he returned to his dormitory and pushed open the door, he froze.

“Ling’er?! You’re still here?”

Ouyang Xiyue watched Ling’er gracefully emerge from the kitchen, sighing helplessly, before his gaze fell upon the steaming dishes she carried.

“What’s wrong, Xiyue? You seem eager for me to leave. Oh, I see! Do you have feelings for Yun’er? Or are you…”

Ling’er’s lips curved into a teasing smile.

“Stop, stop, stop! My dear lady, I was wrong. Please, have mercy on me. It’s so late; if you don’t go back, Uncle will worry. I assure you, I have no improper thoughts! Don’t let your imagination run wild and accuse me unfairly!”

Ouyang Xiyue closed the dormitory door with a wry smile, then glanced around the room.

“Hmm? Why isn’t Shangguan Yun back yet?”

“Oh, she said she had something to do tonight and wouldn’t be returning.”

“Oh, I see.”

Ouyang Xiyue didn’t give it much thought.

Yet, after being coerced into eating the meal, he assumed Ling’er would depart, but…

“Ling’er, aren’t you leaving yet?”

“Hmm? Leave? Where would I go? It’s so late; how could you bear to let a delicate girl like me walk back alone? Aren’t you afraid I might encounter trouble?”

Ling’er blinked her sparkling eyes, feigning indignation.

gazing at the golden-haired, golden-eyed Princess of the continent, whose beauty could topple nations, Ouyang Xiyue secretly mused that it would indeed be unsettling to let Ling’er return alone at such a late hour.

Since Shangguan Yun wasn’t coming back tonight and her bed was empty, this arrangement seemed to be the only option.

“Honestly, Xiyue, you pervert! Why are you staring so intently? You’ll make me shy. Surely you don’t have any impure thoughts, do you?”

Ling’er feigned fear, covering her chest with her hands.

Ouyang Xiyue shook his head in resignation and walked straight to the bathroom.

After he had finished bathing, changed into his pajamas, and was about to fall into a deep sleep, the gentle sound of running water from the bathroom shattered his drowsiness, causing his mind to wander.

‘Hmm, what am I thinking? Sleep, sleep.’

Just as he was once again drifting off to sleep, he suddenly felt someone gently embrace him from behind, a soft mass pressing against his back.

Ouyang Xiyue’s eyes snapped open.

Just as he was about to struggle free, he heard Ling’er’s gentle voice:

“Xiyue, don’t move. Just let me hold you for a little while.”

Hearing her words, Ouyang Xiyue quieted down like a well-behaved child, his earlier restlessness gradually subsiding.

After a while, hearing the steady rhythm of breathing behind him, an almost imperceptible smile touched his lips, and he drifted off to sleep, feeling at peace.

However, his sweet dreams were short-lived.

In his sleep, Ouyang Xiyue suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

Drowsily, he felt as if two soft masses were pressing tightly against him.

Instinctively, he raised his hand and grasped the “culprit” that was suffocating him.

Coupled with his severe morning grumpiness, he pushed with considerable force.

“Ah! Ouyang Xiyue, you pervert! I truly misjudged you!”

Ling’er’s face was flushed with shame and indignation as she raised her hand and delivered a resounding slap across Ouyang Xiyue’s face.

The crisp sound of the slap and Ouyang Xiyue’s yelp of pain echoed through the room.

“Ling’er, I’m sorry! I really didn’t mean to. I didn’t realize those were your…”

Ouyang Xiyue stammered in a panic.

“Shut up! You pervert! Lecher! You took advantage and now you’re trying to argue!”

Ling’er glared furiously.

This series of unexpected events so early in the morning only worsened Ouyang Xiyue’s already irritable mood.

‘Ah! My damned wandering hand, why did it have to touch *there*? But then again, were those a girl’s breasts? So soft, so elastic… Ehh, Ouyang Xiyue, what are you thinking?’

As he thought this, Ouyang Xiyue’s face flushed crimson, and he shook his head, then slapped his own cheeks.

Due to the morning’s events, Ouyang Xiyue attended his entire morning of classes in a state of utter distraction.