Chapter 48: My Only Concern Is My Sister

Cheng Guang lay on Bai Shuxuan’s bed with a clear conscience, turning on his side to look at her. He smiled with a playful glint. “Miss Bai, it’s getting late. Why don’t we rest early tonight?”

Bai Shuxuan’s expression didn’t change, her red lips pursed slightly. After a show of struggling with her modesty, she slowly rose and walked toward the bedside, speaking in a gentle, soft voice.

“As you wish, Your Lordship.”

With that, she began to undress, preparing to get into bed. But just then, Cheng Guang felt his head grow heavy, a drowsiness clouding his mind. In a flash, he understood that Bai Shuxuan must have used some trick.

Given her temperament, even getting this far was already difficult for her. To truly have her undress and climb into bed with him—perhaps that would be more torturous for her than death itself.

By putting him to sleep, she could excuse herself even if he awoke later and sensed something was amiss. She might even blame him for falling asleep so early.

A thousand thoughts flickered through Cheng Guang’s mind in an instant. He gazed at Bai Shuxuan with deep meaning, then ceased resisting and allowed himself to drift off.

Once he was asleep, his breathing became calm and even. Bai Shuxuan withdrew the jade hand she had hidden in her sleeve, having performed her secret art, and seated herself at a nearby table. Supporting her fair cheek with a delicate hand, she watched Cheng Guang sleeping on the bed, a hint of triumph curving her beautiful lips.

“So much for the noble Heir of the Duke Protector’s household,” she murmured almost inaudibly. “No matter how exalted his status, in the end, he’s still played right into my hands.”

After a moment, her brow furrowed as if another thought occurred to her. “On another note, that human wants me to help kill the Heir. Though I still have use for him, the man has helped me quite a bit.”

“He even promised that if I help kill the Heir, he’ll give me whatever I desire. In that case, I suppose it’s worth lending a hand.”

“Whether or not the Heir dies depends on his own abilities. If he lives or dies, it’s no concern of mine—as long as I achieve my aims.”

With that, Bai Shuxuan muttered to herself and closed her eyes, falling into thought.

Within the room, apart from the faint crackle of incense and the whisper of the wind, all was still.

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Time passed quietly.

As dawn approached, sunlight filtered through the eastern window, its rays scattered into mottled gold and shadow by the intricately patterned gauze curtain, falling across Cheng Guang’s brow.

Bai Shuxuan, sensing the moment was right, stepped forward and gently tapped the space beside Cheng Guang. She hesitated, but finally lay down behind him, keeping a subtle distance between them. The act had to be convincing.

Much as she disliked being close to Cheng Guang, she didn’t want him to notice anything odd in such trivial details. After all, she had personally invited him here—if she didn’t even undress or approach the bed, it would hardly seem believable.

She lay quietly by his side, waiting for the moment Cheng Guang was about to awaken before rising. Soon, Cheng Guang began to stir, his eyelids fluttering.

At once, Bai Shuxuan pretended to have just awakened and was about to get up when a warm, strong hand suddenly grasped hers. Startled, she didn’t react in time before Cheng Guang pulled her into his embrace.

A masculine scent enveloped her. Never before having been so close to a man, Bai Shuxuan felt her head spin.

Panic flickered in her eyes—how had Cheng Guang reacted so quickly? But she couldn’t struggle now; her face grew a little stiff as she managed a smile and looked at him.

“Your Lordship, you’re awake?”

Cheng Guang opened his sleepy eyes, studying Bai Shuxuan’s appearance and relishing the softness beneath him with a hint of vengeful amusement. He yawned. “I am.”

He seemed momentarily confused. “How did I fall asleep so early last night?”

Bai Shuxuan replied softly, “You must have been tired, Your Lordship. You fell asleep early, and I didn’t disturb your rest.”

Cheng Guang chuckled. “How thoughtful of you.”

Without giving Bai Shuxuan a chance to respond, he released her and sat up, showing not a trace of reluctance. With a touch of mock annoyance, he asked, “I fell asleep so early and left you alone all night—are you upset with me?”

His tone was one of teasing affection.

Bai Shuxuan detected no deeper meaning, feeling instead a faint delight. Her charm was clearly taking effect; the Heir was beginning to care about her feelings.

The discomfort of being held in his arms faded somewhat. She shook her head with a smile. “Of course not. You were only tired. I wanted you to rest and couldn’t bear to disturb you.”

“Please don’t blame yourself. If any fault lies, it’s with me.”

At the end, she feigned a shy, delicate air.

Cheng Guang’s expression matched hers, his gaze softening with apparent affection for her. “How could I blame you? I came here just for you, yet I was the first to sleep. That was my rudeness. If I have the chance, may I visit again?”

His words were markedly different from his demeanor the night before. To ask a courtesan if he might visit again was highly irregular, yet to Bai Shuxuan it seemed perfectly natural.

She nodded with a smile. “My humble abode is nothing compared to your family’s, Your Lordship, but you’re always welcome for tea.”

“If you have time, feel free to drop by.”

At this, a blush crept over her face. “You’ve been here a long while today, and I’ve come to care for you—but please, don’t linger too long, lest others gossip.”

Cheng Guang laughed, “Who would dare gossip about me? No one in the capital would risk it.”

Bai Shuxuan only said gently, “Nevertheless, it wouldn’t look good.”

Cheng Guang pretended to hesitate, then smiled and nodded, taking his leave.

As Bai Shuxuan watched him go, the smile faded from her lovely face, replaced by a derisive laugh. She said nothing, but after a moment, she lifted her sleeve and sniffed at her skin.

Caught off guard earlier when Cheng Guang pulled her into his arms, she’d briefly suspected he might have discovered something. But he’d let her go almost immediately, doing nothing further, which eased her doubts.

“After last night, his mind is already under my influence. I suspect there’s little to worry about now.”

She sniffed the lingering scent on her skin, her bright eyes flashing with distaste, then called for her maid, Hongzhu, to help her wash.

Hongzhu entered quickly and began to prepare bathwater. As steam began to rise, she assisted Bai Shuxuan with her bath, asking, “Miss, how did it go?”

Bai Shuxuan nodded. “There’s no problem anymore.” Yet her brows drew together.

“It’s just that the human supporting us from the shadows wants our help to assassinate the Heir.”

“This will take some time. My influence over him isn’t yet strong enough to make him dismiss all his guards.”

A hint of fear crept over Hongzhu’s face at these words. To assassinate the Heir—a man at the very pinnacle of power in the Great Zhou Dynasty—would throw the entire realm into chaos. This was no small matter.

“Miss, do we really have to kill him? If we do, the Duke Protector’s house—perhaps the whole dynasty—will go mad. It can’t be good for us.”

Bai Shuxuan carelessly flicked water, scrubbing her delicate skin until it reddened. “It doesn’t matter. Whether he lives or dies, it won’t affect us much.”

“As long as we achieve our aims.”

“If they fail, it’s no great concern to us. Even if suspicion falls on us, the Heir—under my influence—will speak for us.”

“Don’t worry. Worst comes to worst, we can always escape back to the demon realm.”

Her tone and expression grew nonchalant, her exquisite features taking on a detached, almost saintly air.

Hongzhu looked worried and conflicted, uncertain what more to say. She could only nod in silence.

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