Chapter 39

*Secrets*
Zhu Yu had thoughtfully brought pajamas and a pillow but forgotten clothes for the next day. She had to borrow from Bai Shuzhou’s wardrobe.
Fortunately besides custom gowns the princess owned loose shirts; Zhu Yu could fit.
Silk was lavish, cool and soft like Bai Shuzhou’s skin, weightless. Zhu Yu kept touching hem and collar to confirm she wore something real.
Clothes make the person. In the mirror she seemed to pick up a trace of Bai Shuzhou’s nobility—she even spoke softer.
Maybe the cravat was too tight.
She practiced poses a long while before stepping out with a bright smile so Bai Shuzhou would see perfection first.
Bai Shuzhou on the bed looked up, surprised, and reached for her.
Heart hammering, Zhu Yu held her breath and leaned in.
She had opened the curtains; light poured from behind, gilding black hair.
Eyes closed, waiting for the goddess’s favor—
Soft lips never came. Slender fingers hooked the cravat and tugged it loose.
Zhu Yu: …!
Ears burning, she stammered, “Daytime—not really appropriate—will it affect your treatment…?”
Bai Shuzhou raised a brow. “What are you talking about?”
While Zhu Yu swallowed nervously, fingertips worked the messy knot at her chest, undid and retied it properly.
Just… a tie.
So awkward. Face redder. “Thanks.”
Before she finished, Bai Shuzhou’s pale finger lifted the pearl at the cravat’s center and pushed it down into soft cleavage.
Ah—just for looks. Stop thinking—! Zhu Yu scolded herself harshly.
Seeing Zhu Yu tense, Bai Shuzhou expressionlessly pinched again.
She had bitten Zhu Yu’s lip earlier; Zhu Yu had not matched dream passion, soon climbed up asking to borrow clothes.
Bai Shuzhou’s mild mysophobia—she never shared a wardrobe. But Zhu Yu smelled of her already; a little more seemed fine.
Youth’s magnetic voice calling an intimate nickname, then asking to wear her clothes—each step landed on her heart. Bai Shuzhou was pleased.
—Please me.
Zhu Yu had not closed the door when changing; half the gauze screen hid little. Bai Shuzhou watched, familiar with that body.
Especially the scar on her lower belly.
When she had traced that wound she had trembled too.
That night’s forced deep bond had left marks even through amnesia—empty gaps where mind should be—body and reason misaligned.
The harder to probe, the more curious.
Zhu Yu looked delicious—shy, soft, unlike other Alphas.
Watching pupils shake, unspeakable mischief grew in Bai Shuzhou. Proud lips pressed; she never lost, especially in love.
Playing hard to get? Interesting.
She let go, waiting for Zhu Yu to move first so she could counter.
The Zhu Yu she had teased flew away.
Bai Shuzhou: …?
Zhu Yu clung to dignity, tongue on palate, smiling, wanting to sprint to the hall and scream silently.
AAAA—how could Bai Shuzhou poke her so calmly with that cold beautiful face?!
Those pale blue eyes were still water; in Zhu Yu’s chest they were a tsunami. Her precious Zhou was in danger.
The colder Bai Shuzhou looked, the more Zhu Yu thought of cute her, passionate her, uncontrolled her—extreme contrast, guilt like blasphemy.
Even if a god struck first—it might be accident.
And she had once, that night, pulled her off the pedestal.
“……”
Zhu Yu hissed low, “…Zhu Yu, you’ve gone rotten. You’re a rogue!”
Feng Jiyan against the wall saw it all. Zhu Yu’s lips faintly red, in Bai Shuzhou’s clothes at Bai Shuzhou’s door—that line sounded like public boasting.
Why Bai Shuzhou’s clothes? Feng Jiyan schemed—never guessed Zhu Yu simply had nothing clean; attendants took laundry but brought no replacement. Still—bold.
“Impressive.” Feng Jiyan narrowed eyes, easy praise.
Zhu Yu jumped at Feng Jiyan merged with the wall, coughed over her mouth, pitched her voice up. “Long time! Morning, Feng Jiyan.”
Fresh from kissing Bai Shuzhou, Zhu Yu floated light pheromones; woody scent pressed by rose stirred again.
Even Feng Jiyan’s honey tone lost. Fox rubbed arms—peacock display confirmed.
So the princess likes this…?
An unhappy click of the tongue.
“Fine. Not here. Come with me.”
Feng Jiyan turned cold, led her to her office.
Door shut, shield on. Last time they talked here Bai Shuzhou had just forgotten; Zhu Yu’s life hung by a thread and Feng Jiyan waited for her to beg for plans. Days later—already won?
What magic?
Bai Shuzhou was hard to court—every Alpha knew. Imperial princess, endless power, emperor’s favor, cold and proud—she lacked neither money nor love. Clever nobles who courted her all failed.
Treasures she disdained. One heir trained ballet to approach her; Bai Shuzhou glanced back and said only:
“Here. Wrong.”
Feng Jiyan stared at Zhu Yu. “How did you do it?”
“Hm?”
Still playing dumb. Feng Jiyan sneered. “How did you make the princess like you so much?”
Oh—you noticed the princess likes me. How embarrassing.
Zhu Yu smiled bright, thought seriously, spoke slow. “Probably… sincerity for sincerity.”
Who believes that. Feng Jiyan frowned. “We are allies, Zhu Yu. Remember who helped you. You should not hide things from me. Have I not been good enough?”
Zhu Yu nodded like a pecking chick—earnest, in one ear out the other.
Feng Jiyan paused. “You offended Gloriel. Days ahead will be hard.”
“She holds grudges. Her house is deep. Yesterday her pride broke—she ordered a full dirt dig on you at once.”
“Tell me now and I can cover some, find a way. If evidence lands in her hands—you’re dead.”
Fox eyes narrowed—threat.
“At least tell me how you vanished with the princess.”
She was ordered to investigate the disappearance. Key witnesses—the main culprit—were silenced. Accomplices shielded by families, silent.
Unclear case—Zhu Yu or she would pay.
She had swallowed too big a blame.
When had she lost this much to one person?
Zhu Yu said honestly, “I don’t know. I have amnesia.”
Feng Jiyan smiled. “Fine. You forgot. Princess forgot. Lovely headless case, no proof.”
“Her memory disorder—I can’t cure.”
“Doesn’t matter. You climbed into her bed again. Same either way, right?”
Zhu Yu gasped. “You’re a scientist! You can’t give up a patient from personal feeling—”
Feng Jiyan said cold, “Correction. I am not a scientist. I am a politician.”
“For memory disorder federation tech is ahead. Envoys coming soon. If you care, ask yourself.”
“Many acquaintances in the federation, yes?” Light trailing tone.
Zhu Yu remembered Bai Shuzhou’s warning, shook head hard. “Don’t know anyone. Not one.”
“Heh.” Meaningless laugh.
“About her illness I have questions too, Your Highness Zhu Yu. You have director access—look yourself. Share with me. Win-win.”
Zhu Yu looked up. “Ah—share with you? My access is higher than yours?”
Cheap shot—natural confusion stabbed Feng Jiyan. Director access she did not have!
Only child—Mother still would not delegate power.
Zhu Yu knew she misspoke and praised sincerely: “Thanks to your mother—gentle, generous. Her daughter must be so happy.”
Feng Jiyan’s face worsened.
False smile. “You’re welcome. One more reminder.”
“The princess’s room has surveillance. Don’t use shameful tricks too far.”
Word by word: “Everything can be seen.”
Tone too suggestive. Zhu Yu’s face changed; lazy-fish composure broke. She lunged and punched Feng Jiyan.
“How dare you treat Her Highness like this—you maniacs!”
Restrict freedom, spy on her life—what was that but a cage bird?
Angry—proof of guilt—Feng Jiyan pinned under her, unafraid, brow lifted, coaxing:
“Hitting me helps what? Can you fight His Majesty?”
“Use director access and look. You share my mother’s clearance—maybe see… unexpected scenes…”
Zhu Yu’s eyes reddened. She grabbed Feng Jiyan’s collar. Kill intent spilled without her knowing—aura like another person.
“Slowly. Every one of you—I won’t let go.”