Chapter 67

*Aftermath*
Bai Shuzhou had always slept lightly. Her schedule, precise to the second, was a custom-made perfect shackle—never much deviation.
Whenever the surroundings shifted even slightly, she noticed at once.
Today was strange. The sun climbed high and the silent room still had not stirred.
Physicians made two rounds, hesitating—they should do the daily check—but the snow leopard knight had to block them outside.
After all, the internal line had last shown “Rest” at three in the morning. By custom, no one disturbed the Princess during rest.
Besides, Zhu Yu was inside. Bai Shuzhou had ordered she not be stopped; here she had entry without announcement.
Only the snow leopard knight knew that secret. For security they could not say. It was maddening.
During Zhu Yu’s day-and-night disappearance everyone had felt terrifying low pressure.
The Princess still maintained perfect courtesy, thanking staff warmly—but bone-deep chill made everyone’s skin crawl.
She waited silently for something to walk into her net, even if what she caught might be muddy unknown.
Even favored White Bird was moved to special care for tutoring. It hugged a doll at the door, pitifully looking out—no softening from Bai Shuzhou.
At first people thought she worried about Zhu Yu, or raged at Zhu Zhao’s offense to royalty.
Until Zhu Yu’s whereabouts appeared—at Imperial Star’s most famous pleasure club. And Bai Shuzhou seemed to have known all along.
That famous money pit: floor minimum five digits at a booth—far from Zhu Yu’s public image of clean integrity and devoted wife.
From height, rumors about her had never been few. But Zhu Yu appearing there so openly shocked many into sleepless nights, wracking brains over what it meant.
*Does she want to die?*
However unhappy with decisions from above, she could not provoke so openly—her wife was imperial princess!
To look less guilty Zhu Yu had walked head high, chest out—supplying many runway-arrogant photos.
At once political risk fermented into lurid peach-colored crisis.
Before that, military and Imperial Royal Academy had met specially, fearing extreme action from Zhu Yu.
The other party Zhu Zhao arrogantly refused attendance—nothing they could do. High officials raged helplessly: *Same blood, same lawlessness.*
In the emergency war room atmosphere dripped water. Holo screens replayed Zhu Yu’s route again and again.
Her network was too wide. Worst-case strategic maps already had her fleeing with military secrets, colluding with the Federation, breaking the line—interstellar war imminent!
Emperor absent; Bai Shuzhou was Zhu Yu’s partner. Military urgently recalled General Yzelia from campaign as precaution.
Yzelia rushed in dusty, stepping into the grave meeting just as intelligence reported.
She had not even sat—grabbed a cup, gulped hard.
Zhu Yu was someone Yzelia had dug from the ranks. Public or private, she did not want to believe betrayal.
She looked up. Among solemn data the big screen suddenly jumped to Zhu Yu strolling from the golden club, clothes covered in little animal fuzz balls, smiling and waving at reception. Her good rapport worked even there.
Yzelia froze, choked, coughed hard—fine special tea sprayed out.
*So many nobles gathered all night, analysis, ordering me back a thousand li—just to witness Zhu Yu cheating?!*
*But… Zhu Yu, your day came. How dare you?*
“Imperial dignity must not be insulted!” Yzelia’s face was iron. She was Bai Shuzhou’s closest childhood friend—should speak first. One fist smashed the rosewood table—a terrifying dent. “Fine. I’ll kill that reckless thing.”
“…!” The turn was too fast—no need for such haste. Everyone startled, scrambling to hold the killing god back.
The club’s secrecy was extreme. If Zhu Yu had not walked out the front door openly, she might never have been found.
No hard proof of affair yet—but heartbroken straight to comfort, her practiced ease clearly not the first time.
“Could… Her Highness have indulged her too much? Emperor away—she got ideas she shouldn’t?” someone ventured uneasily. “Talent high, but still Omega—hormones, lose reason…”
“Her Highness has favored Zhu Yu lately—special car, bought lab—will she be fooled by sweet talk again?”
“If this continues it’s dangerous. Even if Zhu Yu does something extreme the Princess will shield her?”
Step by step testing limits. Step by step pushing further.
Everyone present was sharp. That speech clearly shadowed Bai Shuzhou too.
“Shut up!” Yzelia wiped shining shoulder boards; cold light flashed in her eyes. “What are you to discuss the Princess?”
“The Princess can never be wrong! If wrong—it’s because someone bewitched her!”
She swept worried or gleeful faces. Tiger pupils reflected green glow. Final word: “The Princess would never allow this! Such an Alpha doesn’t deserve her! When I have proof I’ll twist Zhu Yu’s head off myself and apologize to Her Highness!”
Applause followed—especially noble Alphas who had coveted Zhu Yu’s place. Grab a few and you had a heartbreak alliance.
“General Yzelia is right! The Princess is proud—Zhu Yu must die!”
“Status gap—couldn’t last. Good Her Highness never bore royal heir with such a one.”
“Tsk—breed? A mere D-rank Alpha—can she even? Who knows what trick bewitched the Princess. Can’t do the job—better give the seat to someone fit!”
“Useless Alpha—maybe went there to learn…”
“In my view General Yzelia suits better—talent, record, looks.”
“Maybe when Emperor returns he’ll grant you marriage with the Princess?”
In the flattery Yzelia’s righteousness and secret hope intertwined. Bright eyes already saw herself replacing Zhu Yu at Bai Shuzhou’s side.
She even rehearsed comforting lines in her head.
*Ha—your Alpha died so well—no, condolences—I mean what perfect timing she messed up… ha, ha!*
Not only Yzelia thought so.
The Princess’s spouse touched imperial succession. There really was a throne to inherit. After layers of screening, ambitious noble Alphas had high hope—then inferior civilian Zhu Yu snatched first place. Of course they hated.
Before, Zhu Yu’s guard was too strong. Rare tail showing—no one would miss the chance.
Suddenly the once-empty Royal Academy front swarmed with luxury craft. Civil affairs officers stood by—waiting one order from Her Highness to file forced divorce and separation.
Pity the Zhu Yu judged *must die, must divorce* lay in Bai Shuzhou’s bedroom, sharing a rare quiet morning.
Morning light fully drove away dark, gently outlining two figures entwined on the great bed.
Bai Shuzhou sank unusually deep in sleep. Before she had always been first awake—brow carrying untouchable distance and clarity.
Now she slept on her side without defense, cheek pressed to Zhu Yu’s neck, breath long and steady.
Signature moon-silver hair tangled freely with Zhu Yu’s ink black—as if born inseparable.
Zhu Yu slept and woke again; the exhausted woman in her arms still had not opened her eyes.
She looked down at sleeping Bai Shuzhou, body soft as cloud. Relaxation made the sapphire stud on her earlobe sharper—pain, pity, endless love nearly drowning her.
Sleep erased all cold and edge. Long lashes like resting butterflies, soft shadow under eyes.
Last night’s loss of control had drained her completely—reason not yet gone when fragile body gave out first.
Zhu Yu remembered her last blurred consciousness—mist in pale blue eyes, vulnerability and full surrender never shown before.
First time Zhu Yu led without counting cost—desperate possessiveness.
Before she always watched Bai Shuzhou’s response. Slight discomfort—slow down, gentle soothe, light kisses, grinding sensitive Omega spirit thin—then cut short.
Last night emotion ran too high. Almost on purpose she wanted sweetness with interest in grievance. Whenever Bai Shuzhou thought she would stop, Zhu Yu seized the unbearable point, layer by layer, special *attention*.
Zhu Yu carefully reached to Bai Shuzhou’s smooth forehead—afraid like after heat-period bonding she would fall ill.
Fingertips felt warm—not usual jade cool but human warmth held all night.
Bedside vitals monitor showed all stable. Only the neural excitement curve had climbed four startling peaks in the early hours.
Zhu Yu gently wiped thin sweat from her brow—guilty, and basely glad.
“I’ll take you to wash, okay?” Zhu Yu asked softly, voice morning-rough.
Special Omega maids served the Princess—but Zhu Yu wanted no one to see Bai Shuzhou like this, let alone touch.
*Caring for my wife is natural!* She had even secretly read many books on the subject.
Sleeping Bai Shuzhou nuzzled her fingertip without thinking—tiny dependence made Zhu Yu’s heartbeat miss.
She mumbled incoherent “thank you,” bit lip, buried hot face in collarbone, whispered on breath: “Wife.”
Steam filled the bath. Expensive soothing rose oil scented the air.
Zhu Yu carried Bai Shuzhou into warm spring water. Water wrapped the jade-pale body and clearly showed last night’s ambiguous red marks from collarbone to hidden places—interwoven with floating crimson petals, a startling picture.
Zhu Yu’s ears burned. She forced her gaze away and wiped carefully with soft cloth.
Not her first time bathing her—but sensation worlds apart. Facing marks she had left, she felt oddly guilty.
Fingertips sometimes slid over smooth spine, narrow waist—sleeping Bai Shuzhou gave unconscious cat-like hums.
Zhu Yu rubbed burning ears, nearly unable to hold on.
Bai Shuzhou’s skin was too delicate—any mark looked shocking, like patterns carved on finest white porcelain. Last night Zhu Yu had been too rough, opening fine cracks winding into water.
Her motions grew gentler, almost reverent.
Pale gold light flowed beneath petals too, fingertip by fingertip soothing the violence she had done.
*She’s young—life force should be strong. Just this much—no problem!*
Light squeezed more until nearly solid. For love Zhu Yu never stinted.
When training callus on her pad accidentally brushed obvious swelling, Bai Shuzhou lightly furrowed brow. Moments later pale blue eyes wet with steam opened slowly.
Zhu Yu sat slightly lower. Unbound black hair loose. Blood scratch at eye corner from the brooch added wild beauty to her focused calm face.
The dazzling sapphire stud hung on thin earlobe—seemed heavy.
Whether from the noble accessory or some inner change after last night, lowered-eyes Zhu Yu now hovered between green girl and mature woman—steady, focused aura that stirred the heart.
Infinitely close to the shining civilian star on propaganda posters—sharp, calm, spirited.
Yet looking at Bai Shuzhou she showed unstoppable clumsy adoration—as if she had fought herself fiercely and tiredly made peace.
If Zhu Yu had a tail it would spin like a propeller now.
Bai Shuzhou disliked others’ close service. Rare moments of full relax she always dismissed staff and washed alone.
But seeing Zhu Yu’s want-to-touch-but-afraid conflict, faint amusement flickered deep in her eyes. Chest shook suppressing laugh—ripples spreading.
She simply leaned back sore neck and enjoyed Zhu Yu’s perfect wash and massage.
Time lost itself in steam.
Half a day passed—still silence in the bedchamber. Bedside internal line unanswered.
Outside Yzelia’s patience was gone. She paced like caged beast, grilling the snow leopard knight: “If the Princess is alone and something happens—you responsible?!”
The knight buckled a little, mild: “She is not alone.”
Yzelia: “Who else?”
Who else? The knight looked up quietly.
Yzelia understood at once: “…”
“You let Zhu Yu and the Princess alone like this?! She’s *dirty*—something happens, you responsible?!”
“Emperor told you to care for the Princess—this is how? If Her Highness is hurt one bit, when Emperor returns you all wait for death!”
The knight coughed lightly, looked away. “Monitors all normal. Without proper cause no one disturbs Her Highness’s rest.”
Yzelia furious—grabbed shoulders and turned her. “What’s that look?! Want to fight? Don’t think Emperor’s appointment makes you special—I have one too!”
The knight frowned, stressing each word: “I said—no—pro—per—cause—”
Yzelia’s green eyes widened—flash of inspiration—thick tiger tail lifted. “I have urgent military business for the Princess!”
“Very well. I will announce to Her Highness.” The knight knocked elegantly.
Yzelia’s powerful frame squeezed through the door the instant access opened. Empty bed—face changed. Sharp shout: “Where is the Princess?!”
“Zhu Yu you damned bastard—if you disrespect Her Highness I’ll kill you myself and twist off your head!”
Sudden roar like thunder in quiet spring bath.
Because Bai Shuzhou was often ill, the bathroom door stayed half open—could not lock.
Zhu Yu applying soothing ointment to her wife jumped—finger slipped deeper by accident.
“Mm…” A suppressed cold sound of pain and something else escaped lips that had been feigning sleep.
Extreme pleasure and pain share subtle kinship.
Soft Omega body—mottled red not yet faded, more vivid after spring wash—anyone would pity and suspect harm.
Zhu Yu could not bear waking Bai Shuzhou. She covered soft lips instinctively, arms around her, sinking slightly together.
She hid them carefully—outside the noisy world, submerged in ripples and petals.