Chapter 6 — Crown Prince Competing With Ch?

21 At dinner, Han Triet added a few new dishes, all of which I liked. He picked it up non-stop, filling a bowl for me. As for me, I couldn't eat a few bites and just stared at me. At night, after washing their faces, the two of them lay next to each other. Phu Quy squeezed in between, his hairy head rubbing my chin, breathing heavily. The candlelight was dim, no one spoke. There was only the sound of both of them breathing, along with the sound of Phu Quy smacking his lips. “Trac Tu.” He softly called me. “Huh?” “Is the bed at Phuong Nghi palace not as comfortable as Dong palace?” “…For now.” “Chef over there, isn't the breakfast as good as the one here?” “It's the same.” He didn't say anything again. A moment later, he turned around to face me. I felt his eyes fall on my face, burning hot. He just stared at me like that, not saying anything. Breathing gradually became rapid. Suddenly, a premonition came. My heart skipped a beat. Hesitating a bit, I raised my hand and gently covered Phu Quy's small head. Then, based on the feeling, lean forward slightly. Turning towards his shadowy figure, he quickly kissed him. Lips touched a warm, slightly dry patch. It seems to be misaligned, touching the corner of the mouth. I immediately withdrew, my face hot. The person next to him stiffened. Breathing completely stopped. Under the curtain, it was so quiet that you could clearly hear the small explosion from the candle wick. After a long time, he regained his breath and took a deep, loud breath. His voice trembled and he stuttered: "You... why are you kissing me?!" My face became even hotter, thinking to myself, doesn't he want to kiss me? But he tried to appear calm with his mouth and mumbled: "...If you want to kiss, just kiss." After speaking, he lay straight and pulled the blanket over half his face. 22 From that night, between me and Han Triet, it was like silently tearing a thin layer of paper. He didn't say it clearly, just chose a few times when no one would bother him. Sit down next to me, stiffen, then don't move anymore. The breathing was deliberately lighter, but also brought with it a little bit of imperceptible anticipation. I understand, they want me to "signal". At first we weren't used to it, we relied on feeling to stop by. Sometimes we kiss on the wrong chin, sometimes on the cheek. He was not satisfied: "It's wrong." "YES." I replied, fumbling with the adjustment again. As soon as his fingertips touched the corner of his lips, he couldn't help but press closer and precisely sucked my lips. Later, perhaps seeing the benefits, he switched from waiting to... attacking. I can't see it, I can't be prepared. While drinking tea, he suddenly came closer and took a quick sip, leaving a cool scent of tea on his lips. Leaning against the window listening to the rain, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. I bowed my head, warm lips fell on my neck, itching made me shrink back. Many times like that, we also begin to learn some experience. Every time he comes closer, there is always a slight movement. There was also a clean scent, very unique to him. But most of us still pretend not to know. One time, I was taking a nap, daydreaming. I felt him gently approach, his movements were very gentle, lips touching, gently caressing for a long time. Very passionate. Just as I wanted to respond, he shyly withdrew. I reflexively leaned forward a little. He gasped, immediately pressed down, kissing deeper than before. While immersed in it, his body suddenly stiffened and stopped. I was confused: "What's wrong?" His voice carried a quick breath, and a bit of embarrassment: "...Phu Quy is watching." I tilted my ear to listen, and sure enough, I heard the sound of soft breathing next to me. There was also the sound of a tail sweeping across the floor. My face is hot. Han Triet jumped up, turned towards the pile of yellow feathers on the ground, embarrassed and angrily said: "Close your eyes! Don't look nonsense, you know?!" Phu Quy “woof?” a sound, the tail wagging even more fiercely. 23 Two months of acupuncture and medicine were not wasted. At the end of autumn, the shadow before our eyes can already be distinguished in shape and color. Just in time for the harvest, Han Triet had to lead people to the suburbs to patrol, traveling for more than half a month. He was not reassured and muttered a bunch of instructions. I held Phu Quy's leg and waved: "Don't worry, I'll go back to the palace for a few days, Phu Quy and father are here." He just agreed to leave now, still looking reluctant. Perhaps my mood is relieved, my eyes are brighter. Early that morning, I woke up in my own room. Out of habit, I opened my eyes—— The light made my eyelids twitch slightly. We close it, then slowly open it. On the headboard is a carved pattern, the wood grain clearly visible. The silk curtain is blue, the morning light penetrates, gentle and warm. I suddenly sat up. My heart was pounding like it wanted to jump out of my chest. I… can see it? I turned my head to look at the dressing table by the window. In the bronze mirror, a person's silhouette is reflected, vague but distinct. ——That's me. I raised my hand and looked at each finger, each joint clearly visible. “Phu Quy?” Let's try calling. The yellow dog lying on the pedestal immediately raised its head, its black eyes looked at me, its tail "pop" hitting the floor. Truly Phu Quy. Yellow color, shiny fur, slightly drooping ears. Just as Han Triet described. Every place in this room matches the image we once felt through our fingertips and in our imagination. It turns out, the colors are so bright. The light, so clear again. When my father brought in breakfast, I was still sitting on the bed stunned. Seeing me staring at him, his hands trembled, almost spilling the bowl of porridge. "Trac Tu? You... you saw it?" His voice trembled. I nodded, my throat was tight, I couldn't speak. My father paused for a few seconds, with a "click" sound he placed the bowl of porridge on the table. He quickly walked over, hugged me, and burst into tears. A general who has fallen into hundreds of battles, now cries like a child. Having cried enough, he wiped his face, laughed and cried: "Good! Good! My daughter saw it!" Having finished speaking, he hurriedly ran out: "You must immediately go to the palace to sing!" Later, hearing what people in the palace said, my father went into the study room and cried some more with the emperor. Not long after, Aunt Lu sent someone to take me to the palace. She didn't say much, just held my hand. Carefully observe my eyes, then gently pat the back of my hand. “Go,” she said, “go for a walk in the garden.” I followed after her. For the first time, we saw clearly the Phuong Nghi Palace flower garden. Imitation mountains, streams, and flowers we could only smell or touch before. Aunt Lu gave me a flower. “Compared to just smelling it before, does it feel different?”