The Princess’ Shadow Guard – Chapter 70

Let’s meet in the next life (End)

When the three people and a tiger arrived in Shu, it was already late autumn. Along the way, they encountered numerous bandits and criminals, with Song Shuqing eventually growing tired of advising them and nailing them to trees before they even had a chance to speak.

Upon returning to Houshengtang, Cao Yun, who was sweeping at the door, respectfully bowed to the Princess before handing the broom to Song Shuqing and taking three months off to pack his bags.

In less than three days, the wealthy and bold Murong Yan waved her hand and purchased a delicate little courtyard near the teahouse, where she moved in with Ming Qin and Hu’er, leaving Song Shuqing alone to gaze at the empty teahouse, feeling pitiful and heartbroken.

Worried about the safety of her beloved woman, Ming Qin, along with her senior sister, led by Murong Yan, razed the bandits’ lair within a radius of a hundred miles overnight.

This caused the previously chaotic areas with scattered Qin buildings and Chu mansions to regain order, with the nearby public safety steadily improving, prompting the local authorities to specially create a plaque to express their gratitude.

During their leisure time, the group would often gather at the teahouse.

“Hmm… So it seems that the tea brewed by the members of the Shadow Guard Camp can actually be deadly.”

After Murong Yan couldn’t resist spitting out the tea handed to her by Song Shuqing in trepidation, she gave this deadly evaluation without any expression, “It looks like I misunderstood Ah Qin at first.”

“Oh? Is it really that bad?” Taking the teacup casually, not minding that the tea had touched the woman’s lips, Ming Qin took a sip of the tea in her hand with a serious expression, “I find it quite delicious.”

Although she usually doted on her beloved fiercely, Murong Yan just pursed her lips this time, unwilling to speak against her heart. She simply lovingly patted Ming Qin’s head.

“… Princess, please save this teahouse.”

Retrieving the account books from under the counter, Song Shuqing, who was well aware of her tea-making skills, looked pitifully at Murong Yan, “This teahouse has been running at a loss since the day it opened. If things continue like this, I, Ah Yun, and Qinqin will all go bankrupt.”

“Princess, can you bear to see us ending up on the streets?” Song Shuqing, with tears barely in her eyes, tried to muster the most endearing expression she could.

Seeing that the Princess remained unmoved by her pitiful appearance, she surreptitiously tugged at Ming Qin’s sleeve, urging her junior sister, who looked puzzled, to stand by her side as well.

Glancing at the two before her, Murong Yan elegantly took a bite of the mung bean cake on the table, pondered for a while, and then sighed.

She fed the remaining pastries to Ming Qin, looking helpless as she said, “Although it’s impossible to let Ah Qin end up on the streets… but from now on, let me handle the money.”

Seeing the person before her nodding her head as if it was only natural, Murong Yan turned contentedly and relaxedly told the eagerly awaiting Song Shuqing, “Show me the ledger and invoices.”

In less than a moment…

“I said this is spring tea, why did you buy it now?”

“Because that person said it’s better to buy it now… so…”

“Furthermore, why are such poor quality tea leaves priced so high?”

“I… I…”

Scratching her head, Ming Qin watched her beloved reprimanding her senior sister with a pained expression, and conscientiously took a broom to sweep the floor outside the shop. In the distance, she spotted a woman carrying an umbrella approaching leisurely.

“Ah! Zi Yan, long time no see!” Ming Qin greeted the beautiful courtesan with a bright smile.

“Qinqin, you’re back?”

Zi Yan smiled, tightening her grip on the paper umbrella, her eyes unconsciously drifting towards the partially open glass door of the teahouse. “Your senior sister, Master Song, did she come back with you?”

“Yes, she’s inside.” Feeling the chill outside, Ming Qin opened the shop door and said to the woman, “It’s quite cold, please come in and sit. I’ll have my senior sister make tea for you.”

As Zi Yan stepped into the teahouse after handing off her umbrella, she saw Song Shuqing sitting earnestly at a wooden table, engaged in conversation with a stunningly beautiful white-haired woman beside her. She couldn’t help but place her hand over her heart.

“Senior Sister, Zi Yan is here.” Ming Qin closed the door to block out the cold wind, took the woman’s umbrella and leaned it against the wall, then called out to those inside.

Song Shuqing, upon hearing the voice, casually waved her hand to signal Zi Yan to wait. It was Murong Yan who seemed to react to the name, suddenly lifting her head to gaze at the graceful woman at the door, involuntarily squinting as she scrutinized her.

“Yanyan, this is Zi Yan, the courtesan I told you about before, the one who plays the guqin beautifully!” Ming Qin introduced as she placed the teacup and teapot in front of Murong Yan.

“And Zi Yan… this is Princess Chongwen, um, the one who I love…” she scratched her nose, unintentionally smiling foolishly.

Upon hearing the noble identity of the woman, Zi Yan’s initial apprehension quickly turned into fear, as she lowered her eyes and kneeled, “This humble one greets the Princess…”

“No need for formalities, you are Ah Qin’s friend…” Murong Yan picked up the teapot, lowered her eyes, and in a calm tone said, “Please, have a seat. Let’s have tea together.”

Song Shuqing, who had finished organizing the account books, also raised her head at this moment, set down what she was holding, and greeted the newcomer, “Hey, Zi Yan, you’re here.”

Offering her chair to Ming Qin, Song Shuqing sat beside the anxious courtesan and whispered in her ear, “Don’t be too nervous. I know she may seem intimidating, but just think of her as Qinqin’s wife.”

“Okay…” Even the experienced courtesan felt a bit at a loss at this moment, unsure if it was due to the sudden intimacy or the presence of a noblewoman.

“Hey, your hands are so cold.” Song Shuqing reached out and held Zi Yan’s hand, which was tightly gripping her sleeve, patting it reassuringly. “Wait here, I’ll go fetch some charcoal.”

“I’ve got it, I’ve got it!”

Ming Qin, bustling under the counter, carried two handwarmers, handing one to Song Shuqing and tucking the other into the embrace of Murong Yan, who was brewing tea. With a cheerful smile, she reminded Zi Yan, “It’s getting colder, don’t catch a cold.”

“Thank you…” Zi Yan shyly thanked the two as she accepted the handwarmer from Song Shuqing’s hands.

That lingering gaze on the courtesan’s face when she looked at Song Shuqing didn’t escape Murong Yan’s eyes. The beautiful woman with white hair suddenly brightened up, a hint of a smile forming at the corner of her lips.

As she brewed tea for Zi Yan, she sighed as if indicating something, “It seems not everyone has such good taste, no need to worry…”

(Senior Sister: I’m sorry if I offended you…)

“Hmm? Yanyan? What’s bothering you?” Ming Qin, munching on pastries tilted her head in confusion, looking puzzled, only to earn a fond kiss from Murong Yan.

Watching the scene of blushing and heartbeats in front of her, Song Shuqing felt speechless, turning to glance at Zi Yan, muttering, “Don’t stare at impropriety, don’t stare at impropriety…”, causing even the beautiful courtesan to blush.

The usually quiet small building unexpectedly became lively in this autumn.

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Under the iron-fisted governance of Murong Yan, the once deserted teahouse thrived, renowned in the Shu for its exceptional tea quality and meticulous tea brewing, making the humble Houshengtang a well-known teahouse.

Despite the bustling atmosphere, Song Shuqing was content and prosperous, with a spring in her step and a smile on her face every day. The return of Cao Yun from his travels allowed her to steal some moments to listen to music with Zi Yan.

As for the main contributor, Murong Yan, after the business stabilized, she used the excuse of the cold winter and limited her outings, spending every day and night in the courtyard with Ming Qin.

Song Shuqing, with keen eyes, observed the visible marks of their affection beneath their clothes every time they met – on wrists, necks, even extending below the collarbone. She tactfully refrained from intruding, feeling some sympathy for the neglected Hu’er.

When the season of blooming flowers returned, one day, Ming Qin returned from the teahouse with a bamboo basket and a horse, mysteriously taking Murong Yan out of the city.

“Ah Qin, where are we going?” Although never doubting the person behind her, Murong Yan couldn’t help but feel curious.

“Wait a moment, we’re almost there, just a little longer.” Giving a kiss to the woman’s temple, Ming Qin tried to contain her inner excitement and reassure her.

After riding for two to three miles, the two arrived at a hill. They walked along a shaded path, with only the sound of hooves and the chirping of birds in the forest.

Suddenly, the view opened up, revealing a vast green meadow before them.

Wildflowers of various colors bloomed, with colorful butterflies fluttering among them, dancing in the air with their wings.

“We’re here!”

Swiftly dismounting the horse, Ming Qin laid out an oilcloth on the ground, smiling cheerfully as she lifted the woman off the horse and loosened Murong Yan’s hair bun.

Kneeling down, Ming Qin lifted the woman’s skirt, clumsily removing her shoes and socks, revealing her delicate feet.

“Ah Qin?” Murong Yan, sitting on the ground, looked surprised, her cheeks blushing slightly. “Ah Qin, are you… planning to do this here? But… this is the wilderness…”

“Hmm? Is the wilderness not suitable?” Ming Qin tilted her head in confusion, neatly arranging the shoes the woman had taken off.

“As long as Ah Qin wants to, I don’t mind.”

Uncharacteristically, Murong Yan felt a bit shy, biting her lip. “It’s just… if someone were to see…”

“No one will, I’ll keep watch!” Assuring solemnly, Ming Qin then hesitated, “I’m sorry… Yanyan had told me about your wish to 『walk barefoot, roam the mountains and lakes』… I should have prepared earlier.”

“Today, Yanyan can play barefoot in this forest for now, and I’ve planned the rest of our itinerary…”

The earnest shadow guard pulled out a map from her pocket, opening it with a serious expression. “Once you’re ready, we’ll head north first. The mountains and forests there are cooler in the summer. Then we’ll head east, where I’ve heard the forests have excellent bamboo shoots. We can walk and dig for them along the way.”

“It’s just… we might have to wait a bit longer for the lakes. I… I’m still learning to swim with Senior Sister. Once I’ve learned, I’ll take you rowing on the lakes. Fifteen lakes or any number, we’ll explore them all!”

“If Yanyan wants to let her hair down and go barefoot, I’ll chase away anyone else. Yanyan can do anything she wants… Huh? Yanyan… why are you crying?”

The strong-willed shadow guard looked at her beloved woman’s eyes turning red, feeling flustered inside and not knowing how to handle the situation.

“Ah Qin…” The usually calm woman choked up, holding onto the person in front of her tightly.

Why… does Ah Qin still remember it, something she mentioned casually from long ago?

Why… despite being afraid of water, she was willing to sneak out in the dead of winter just to learn how to swim?

Why… does every word spoken resonate in her heart, crumbling the pride she had in her self-restraint?

Murong Yan couldn’t hold back anymore and pushed the person in front of her, ignoring the knee that ached where the prosthetic touched. Hot tears fell drop by drop on the scarred and uneven cheeks of Ming Qin.

“Yanyan, please don’t cry, is there something I did wrong?” Watching the tears flow from her beloved’s eyes, Ming Qin felt her heart ache uncontrollably and began to wipe them haphazardly with a handkerchief. “Tell me what needs to be improved, don’t cry.”

“Ah Qin.”

“If there were a next life, through countless lifetimes until our souls wither away, would you still be willing to stay by my side?”

Unable to contain her emotions, Murong Yan finally voiced the question she had long restrained, “Only look at me, only be loyal to me, only feel for me… Ah Qin, would you still be willing?”

Ming Qin looked at the person before her, with a bewildered expression, emotions swirling within.

She lifted her chin, cheeks slightly flushed, and whispered something softly into the woman’s ear.

In that moment, the overwhelming possessiveness was gratified to an extreme level.

As the spring breeze blew by, the rustling of branches and leaves masked their struggle to contain themselves.

Surrounded by lush greenery, even the horse quietly grazing nearby couldn’t witness their moment.

The few butterflies perched on flowers were startled by the movements of the two, fluttering their wings in surprise, dancing in the wind, their delicate patterns shining in the sunlight, resembling floating petals.

The red satin embroidered with peonies and the white outer robes scattered on the ground.

A piece of red cloth hung on the basket, vividly contrasting with the neatly arranged shoes and socks.

The large black robe belonging to the shadow guard was spread beneath them, allowing it to get wet without concern.

After all, in this world, there were only the two of them.

After all, the sunlight today was quite pleasant.

(End of the main text)

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The author has something to say:

Finally… finished writing.

I feel like I need a break (laughs).

There will be an extra chapter in a few days, so those who like Senior Sister can look forward to it~

Merry Christmas!

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LP: Re-translated on April 15, 2024

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