In this new world, Qiu Lanxi thought she would never encounter such a person, but then she met Yan Qingli, who was simply a unique figure among those who schemed for power. So unique that Qiu Lanxi sometimes felt that this person was even more out of place in this era.
She even felt that if such a person had lived in her time, he would certainly not have faded into obscurity, and might even have become more dazzling because the restriction of "passing down the knowledge only to sons" was no longer in effect.
Qiu Lanxi couldn't help but think that such a person's existence was a stain on his life.
Yan Qingli stroked her soft hair. She was like a warm furnace, and the chill that seeped into her bones on the rainy day seemed to be lessened by her. She was not good at responding to such sweet words, so she just said, "Go to sleep."
Qiu Lanxi was actually no longer sleepy, not because of the thunder and continuous rain outside, but simply because of the bitter feeling in her heart.
She always tends to think the worst of people, but at this moment she couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted.
Subconsciously, Qiu Lanxi found it difficult to equate someone who was willing to sacrifice for others with a bad person, even though she knew perfectly well that people can change.
She hugged Yan Qingli tightly. This was the first time Qiu Lanxi had touched her body without through her clothes. This should have made her extremely uncomfortable, but at this moment, she couldn't think of anything impolite.
Yan Qingli rested her chin on the top of her head. The side-lying position was actually not very comfortable for her. In this kind of weather, she rarely slept. Most of the time, she would sit on the bed all night practicing her internal energy to heal her injuries. It was just that this time she happened to be menstruating, so she couldn't even practice her internal energy.
Qiu Lanxi was unaware of these things, but she was well aware of the pressure that lying on her side put on her spine, and Yan Qingli's wound had definitely damaged her spine.
She asked softly, "Your Highness, would you feel better if you lay down?"
Yan Qingli hesitated for a moment before speaking somewhat shyly, "It's not very comfortable with the pressure on my chest."
Qiu Lanxi thought about it and realized that she hadn't slept on her stomach since she started puberty, and that position was also quite detrimental to her spinal health.
If you want to be comfortable lying down, you can only kneel down. Qiu Lanxi used to like to stretch her limbs in that position after playing on her phone for a long time. It was fine when she did it by herself, but when there were other people around, it actually looked quite awkward.
Qiu Lanxi's mind was in a mess, and her thoughts inevitably wandered a bit. She pulled herself back and stopped talking.
Without the fabric obstructing her view, Qiu Lanxi could clearly feel the taut muscles on Yan Qingli's body. Her body did not tremble at all, as if she felt no discomfort whatsoever. But Qiu Lanxi knew that this was impossible. If she really didn't feel any discomfort, her body wouldn't be so tense.
Qiu Lanxi could sense this.
Even when Qiu Lanxi was holding her before, Yan Qingli's body was relaxed. Qiu Lanxi could feel the tension in her skin and flesh back then, but that tension was formed by long-term training, and could be felt even when she was relaxed. But now it was different. She was like a taut bowstring, stiff no matter where you touched her.
Reason told Qiu Lanxi that she could go to sleep and not worry about these things anymore. After all, Yan Qingli had always gotten through it this way before, so it didn't matter whether she was there or not.
But emotionally, Qiu Lanxi finds it hard to ignore all of this.
Qiu Lanxi was unusually annoyed at her own keen observation skills. It was strange, she was not the kind of person who couldn't bear to see others in distress, she was naturally lacking in empathy, yet she couldn't fall asleep peacefully at this moment.
This is probably because Yan Qingming clearly didn't pretend to be pitiful and tried her best to hide everything, yet people couldn't help but pay attention to her.
Moreover, no matter what, since moving into the princess's residence, eating and using her food, anyone with a conscience wouldn't be able to sleep under these circumstances.
After enduring for a long time, Qiu Lanxi finally couldn't help but sit up.
Yan Qingli couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Qiu Lanxi groped in the dark and grabbed her arm: "Your Highness, come here."
Yan Qingli: "...?"
Qiu Lanxi didn't say much. She closed her eyes with a sigh of relief, pulled Yan Qingli into her arms, and made her straddle her.
Yan Qingli has a good temper, and she didn't mind Qiu Lanxi's sudden arousal despite her physical discomfort. However, the position made her feel a little uncomfortable. Normally, she could easily stop it, but now she couldn't use her internal energy, and her strength wasn't much greater than Qiu Lanxi's.
Qiu Lanxi pulled the brocade quilt over her back to prevent Yan Qingli from catching a cold after all the commotion she had caused.
After doing all this, Qiu Lanxi reached out and cupped her face, kissing her tenderly.
Her hand, which was on Yan Qingli's waist, circled over the scar. Yan Qingli's attention was inevitably drawn to it, and the wound, which had already healed, suddenly became burning hot, and an indescribable itch suddenly spread.
Yan Qingli bit her lower lip, trying to suppress her anger, as she had originally intended to stop it all.
"Qingqing..."
"Shh." Qiu Lanxi covered her mouth with her hand, her fingers deftly circling, making the itching sensation even more pronounced, like a surging tide crashing against her again and again.
She buried her face in Qiu Lanxi's neck, furrowing her brows in restraint, and hesitated for a long time before finally placing her arms around Qiu Lanxi's neck.
Aside from her childhood, Yan Qingli had never made such a gesture towards anyone, as if she had completely surrendered herself to the other person. But under such circumstances, she did not believe that Qiu Lanxi would really act recklessly, although... it was hard for Yan Qingli not to misunderstand her actions.
Qiu Lanxi tilted her head slightly and leaned close to her, humming an unknown lullaby. Occasionally, she would lean down and kiss her.
She was averse to such contact, yet doing it now felt perfectly natural. There was no romantic intention involved; she simply knew exactly what kind of behavior could completely capture her attention.
Qiu Lanxi does know how to hypnotize, but it's not as magical as portrayed in TV dramas, and it's unlikely to work on people with strong wills. However, when combined with other techniques, it's enough to distract Yan Qingli.
Qiu Lanxi would never have done these things before. Doctors and patients should avoid developing feelings for each other, especially psychologists. This kind of dependence during treatment can be very difficult to avoid. Even if it's just for the sake of treating the illness, Yan Qingli probably wouldn't want to let her go.
As she felt Yan Qingli's tense body gradually relax, her eyebrows and eyes relaxed, and her singing became even softer.
Qiu Lanxi is not someone who closes her heart to love. Yan Qingli was actually quite good to her. She didn't want to be with him, and when she had the ability to help, she couldn't just stand by and watch him die.
He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her neck, and Qiu Lanxi couldn't help but feel a little anxious and fearful.
Even if it's for political reasons, this stain on her reputation should be erased when Yan Qingli ascends the throne. Countless people will see her as a thorn in their side, and even if Yan Qingli doesn't want to do it, he may not be able to quell the situation. Everyone has times when they are not in control of their own destiny, and emperors are no exception.
What will happen to her then?
Having already done it, Qiu Lanxi was too lazy to think about it further. Sensing that the other person had entered a deep sleep, she did not stop.
Her technique was learned from an old Chinese medicine doctor who brought his granddaughter to see a doctor. The purpose was to induce a deep sleep. Of course, this technique only involved a few acupoints. However, pressing the acupoints at the beginning would easily make Yan Qingli wary, so she could only rely on a flirtatious technique to divert her attention.
Yan Qingli was used to light sleep, and she would easily wake up again once Qiu Lanxi stopped, so she couldn't stop, and the same was true for her singing.
She created a relaxing atmosphere, and Yan Qingli could detect any slight imperfection in it with her keen senses.
Qiu Lanxi felt that this was not too troublesome for her, and she could do it. She just bit Yan Qingli with a bit of resentment.
Yan Qingli is wealthy, and the amount she has invested in Qiu Lanxi is negligible. She can easily afford to abandon her. However, Qiu Lanxi has nothing, and she feels she has lost out by even the smallest amount she has given.
For Qiu Lanxi, who originally wanted to protect herself, this was tantamount to deliberately jumping into a pit.
She crossed the line.
Qiu Lanxi has always maintained a good sense of boundaries. She doesn't care whether Yan Qingli truly likes her or not, because she can let go of him with his rationality. But once a relationship of dependence is established, it's not just Qiu Lanxi who is weak and needs protection; getting out of the situation becomes very difficult.
With mixed feelings, she thought, "It's all Yan Qingli's fault. Why didn't he sleep in a separate room from me at a time like this? That way, I wouldn't know anything."
...
…………
The heavy rain continued into the second day without stopping. It was almost time for the morning court session, and when Granny Tingchan saw that Yan Qingli still showed no sign of getting up, she couldn't help but remind her, "Your Highness, it's time to go to the morning court session."
Hearing the old woman's voice, Qiu Lanxi rested her chin on Yan Qingli's shoulder and gave her a push as if she were free.
Yan Qingli suddenly opened her eyes, her clear eyes unusually filled with a hint of confusion.
After a while, seeing Qiu Lanxi crawl back into bed, she slowly got up and said, "Come in."
Several maids immediately filed in carrying the items, and the old woman hesitated and stopped as soon as she entered the inner room.
After a moment, she took another step, glancing at the clothes that had been carelessly thrown on the ground. Not daring to look at them for long, she lowered her eyes and carefully helped Yan Qingli change.
However, while adjusting her collar, she couldn't help but whisper, "How can Your Highness be so indulgent?"
Yan Qingli: "...?"
Chapter 37
Granny Tingchan had watched Yan Qingli grow up since she was a child and treated her like her own child. Their affection was beyond what ordinary people could share, which is why she dared to utter such presumptuous words of advice.
Yan Qingli was puzzled. She looked in the mirror and could clearly see a large red mark on her neck, with half a tooth mark faintly visible in the silvery bronze mirror. Her current clothes could not cover it at all.
She couldn't help but look at Qiu Lanxi.
When Yan Qingli asked her to dress her, Qiu Lanxi actually remembered what she had done the night before. Feeling guilty, she covered half of her face with the blanket. When Yan Qingli looked at her, only her beautiful watery eyes were exposed. She smiled ingratiatingly at her gaze, her eyes almost curving into crescent shapes.
Yan Qingli helplessly withdrew her gaze. She had slept soundly last night, which was unusual for her, and had no idea what the other party had done. But under those circumstances, she didn't think the other party could really do such a thing. Even so, her face was slightly flushed, which was unusual for her.
She lowered her eyes without showing any emotion and said calmly, "Chun Su, bring the makeup powder over and see if it can cover it up."
Although Yan Qingli wanted people to think she was obsessed with handsome men, she never intended to attend court looking like that; that would be too absurd.
However, the concealing power of makeup powder in this era was really limited. No matter how good the butterfly powder, pearl powder or peach blossom powder was, it would still show a little bit of the powder. Not only could it not be ignored, but it also made people seem more hesitant because of this concealment.
Seeing Yan Qingli's furrowed brows, Qiu Lanxi said weakly, "Your Highness, why don't you ask for leave and not attend court today?"
Yan Qingli glanced at her, and although she didn't speak, she had already firmly rejected the suggestion. Was she out of her mind to skip court over such a trivial matter?
After examining her a few more times, Yan Qingli thought expressionlessly, "As long as I'm not ashamed, what can others do even if they see me? Do they dare to say anything to my face?"
Seeing that Yan Qingli disagreed, Qiu Lanxi looked at the other's straight back. It was still raining outside. Qiu Lanxi had actually noticed after she fell asleep last night, but she just pretended to be nonchalant because it is difficult to pretend when a person is asleep. She was covered in sweat in Qiu Lanxi's arms, and even occasionally her muscles would twitch from the pain.
Although the rain was lighter today, it was only relative to last night. If someone had to maintain a dignified demeanor and stand on the throne for several hours, wouldn't they have lost half their life?
Qiu Lanxi couldn't help but advise, "Your Highness, why don't you ask for leave? There's a saying that goes, 'Only the squeaky wheel gets the grease.' If you keep holding it in and don't tell anyone, who will know how you're suffering?"
In Qiu Lanxi's mind, keeping quiet is the most foolish thing to do. Even a newborn baby knows to cry when it hurts, so why do you have to keep everything bottled up inside when you grow up? It's not like you can read minds. If you don't tell anyone, who will know how hard you've worked?
In her opinion, Yan Qingli was sometimes too stubborn. If Qiu Lanxi had Yan Qingli's identity, she would definitely play the victim every day. Not only on rainy days, but even when she was comfortable, she would make herself look uncomfortable. When loving someone becomes a habit, even something like a woman ascending the throne, she would temporarily agree to it as an expedient measure in order to coax the other party.
And as long as you perform well in this process, your position can be easily secured.
Of course, Qiu Lanxi also knew that she was able to do this because she was supported by her modern psychology, which ensured that she could do it without annoying others. Others might not be able to do it as well. However, Qiu Lanxi had been living in the princess's mansion for so long, and she had never seen Chun Su and the others worry about Yan Qingli's health. This showed that she had probably been silently enduring this kind of weather for a long time.
When Granny Tingchan heard Qiu Lanxi's words, she was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Yan Qingli, who was deep in thought, and her expression changed drastically: "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
"Qingqing is always prone to exaggeration, so there's no need for you to worry, Granny," Yan Qingli said reassuringly after regaining her composure. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Dongxue, go and ask for leave for me."
She paused, then looked at Granny Tingchan and said, "I would like to trouble you to invite the old imperial physician who treated me years ago."
Listening to Zen Master's worried glance at Yan Qingli, she finally agreed.
Yan Qingli glanced at the court robes she had put on, gestured for the maid to take them off, and then lay back down.
She is not an inflexible person. The reason she has not spoken out about it is because she felt it was making a mountain out of a molehill. After all, it is inevitable that such an injury will leave some sequelae.
At first, she didn't make a fuss because she felt that her father was busy with state affairs and it wouldn't be good to bother him with such a trivial matter. Later, after so many years, she had gotten used to it. If it weren't for the unfortunate timing of the rainstorm coinciding with her period, she wouldn't have reacted so strongly.
But Qingqing's words did indeed remind her.
She should indeed show some weakness, although this wouldn't give her any advantage in the struggle for the throne. But people's emotions are limited; once they've taken a liking to someone, it's hard to show favoritism to others.
In fact, when Qiu Lanxi said this, Yan Qingli was thinking of Prince Fu. Among the adult princes, he might not be the most useless, but he was definitely in the top three. However, whenever there was a reward in the palace, he was always among the recipients. The worst punishment he ever received was being confined to his quarters.
This was not because he had a favored mother, nor because he was particularly good at flattery; it was simply because whenever Emperor Qinghe saw his limping gait, he found it hard not to be more lenient with him.
Yan Qingli had a rather so-so impression of Prince Fu. When she was still a prince, she had seen his cowardly and timid nature many times. During the most difficult days, she would crawl out through the dog hole by herself to find a way to bring back food, and she also managed to support Prince Fu and his mother.
Although her elder sister should have taken on these responsibilities, Yan Qingli never resented it. However, in her eyes, Prince Fu was indeed an incompetent person, yet he remained in good health simply because he was favored and had done things that would have led to his expulsion from the family in ordinary households.