Chapter 42 (Revised) “What do I like about you?…”

His reactions defied her expectations—time and again today, they had defied them. This made her feel as though she had lost. Had she lost to such a thing? Had she lost to him?

Zhao Rongzhang’s anger grew fiercer with each ripple of water he stirred. The sound of the water was calm, and he was like a lifeless thing, yet she was seething with rage.

Who was he putting on this dumb-cat face for? Did he really think he was especially adorable?

She grabbed his head, glaring at him fiercely.

Little Mute opened his dark, round eyes, obediently gazing up at her. Zhao Rongzhang cupped his cheeks and jaw, lifting his face to bring it close to her lips. She pressed down hard, opening her mouth in retaliation to bite his lower lip.

Little Mute’s breath visibly trembled, and Zhao Rongzhang felt a surge of satisfaction—though her own breath trembled too. She ignored it, stubbornly opening her eyes to glare fiercely into his.

Little Mute was blinking, slowly, his pupils slightly unfocused, slightly dazed. He didn’t resist her sucking or biting, only remained quietly compliant.

Zhao Rongzhang sucked a few more times, and the breath from his mouth and nose grew nearly chaotic. She savored the taste and texture of his mouth, consuming his breath and consciousness. Though she had clearly won, her heart lacked the thrill of victory. Instead, there was more of a strange softness.

Zhao Rongzhang’s anger dissolved in this softness, and she released him.

Little Mute’s skin had turned pink, his eyes shimmering with moisture, utterly captivating. Zhao Rongzhang remained unmoved, scolding him, “Shameless cat.”

But Little Mute grew even more impassioned. To her surprise, he leaned in with wet lips, still wanting her to kiss him. Like a creature without thought, driven only by curiosity and desire.

The youth’s plump lips, sucked to a vivid red, were almost on the verge of breaking, like ripe fruit about to overflow with juice. Zhao Rongzhang wanted to keep tasting him, but she couldn’t understand him—and not understanding, she didn’t want to satisfy his desires.

She maintained her aloof superiority, coldly humiliating him, “Say it yourself. Are you shameless or not?”

Little Mute nodded.

Zhao Rongzhang emphasized angrily, “Repeat it yourself. You’re very shameless.”

Little Mute touched his heart, gesturing to repeat her words.

Zhao Rongzhang was furious. In her anger, she vaguely understood—Little Mute wasn’t deliberately defying her; he was simply obeying her without distinguishing between positive or negative statements. More accurately than obedience, it was agreement.

If she called him shameless, he agreed. If she accused him of deliberately seducing her, he agreed and acted on it. Hadn’t he always denied these things before? Wasn’t he hurt by her treating him this way?

Her heart pounding, Zhao Rongzhang steeled herself and tested with a phrase that had always hurt him the most: “You’re just a piece of dead meat.”

Little Mute was still gazing up at her, wanting her kiss. Hearing this, he only shook his head. “No.”

“You are.”

“No.” Little Mute denied it, his lips still leaning in, with a touch of obsession. Zhao Rongzhang lowered her gaze, staring directly at his approaching eyes and lips, remaining perfectly still. Little Mute pressed against the corner of her lips once more—lightly, his chaotic breath brushing against her mouth and nose. He didn’t know how to kiss, only how to press close, like a kitten sniffing something, nose and mouth both drawing near.

Zhao Rongzhang no longer looked into his eyes.

She liked the wanton Little Mute, enjoyed watching him overwhelmed with passion. She liked it when he showed emotion. The process of teasing someone devoid of feeling until they became emotional always brought her great pleasure. And among all his emotions, she most loved seeing his face flushed crimson, saying something, feeling utterly happy.

Little Mute hadn’t spoken of his own happiness in a long time.

Zhao Rongzhang let him cling clumsily and asked flatly, “Are you happy then?”

Little Mute’s fingertips traced patterns on her shoulder, a bit haphazard, as if casually asking, he inquired, “What is happiness?”

What is happiness?

How would she know what happiness meant to him? Wasn’t it enough to hold him, play with him, watch him being played with—wouldn’t that make him feel happy?

He squeezed her shoulder, and Zhao Rongzhang turned her gaze back to him. He was still pressing against the corner of her lips. His eyes were glistening, his fingers slender like thin bamboo, gesturing to her: “When the Princess kisses me hard, I am happy.”

Zhao Rongzhang stared into his clear, impassioned eyes, somewhat unable to decipher her own feelings. Didn’t she love seeing him like this? Why did her heart feel heavy and sour now?

Zhao Rongzhang wrapped her arm around the back of his neck again, her gaze dropping to his lips, and she lowered her lashes to kiss him.

He truly loved being kissed, becoming even more docile. Those large hands curled on her shoulders, like a tiger clumsily learning to retract its claws.

Zhao Rongzhang wasn’t skilled at kissing either, relying entirely on instinct to invade his territory, to feel everything about him, trying to push him to the brink of losing control.

She explored his mouth, licking and sucking his palate. His breath trembled softly from his throat, carrying the crisp, cool fragrance unique to him. She swallowed it all. After familiarizing herself with the shape and texture of his palate, she tasted his tongue. Moist, soft, and richly layered, it was more delicious than any pastry she had ever eaten. By this point, he was already producing too much saliva, almost more than she could swallow. He let her taste him, let her bring him every sensation. The breathy sounds vibrated in his trachea, nasal cavity, and mouth, trembling with fragility.

The charm of a mute lay in how his body spoke more eloquently than his mouth, making him seem all the more wanton.

It was strenuous work, but it stirred her interest. Little Mute was completely lost in it too, though his eyes remained dazedly open, gazing obediently at her.

She kissed him hard and long, her fingers gripping his hair roots, kneading his scalp, which made him even more aroused, his breathing rough and erratic. Zhao Rongzhang suspected that if he could make a sound, he would already be whimpering softly.

Kissing was truly exhausting, and Zhao Rongzhang finally stopped: “Are you happy now?”

Little Mute swallowed, his breathing still irregular. He moved his fingers, writing on her shoulder: “Almost dead.”

Zhao Rongzhang stroked his black hair. Almost dead from this? How pitiful. And how strange she was. Just moments ago, she had been angry, and now she felt sorry for him.

It seemed as if the whole world consisted only of his breathing and heartbeat, as if he were the only thing left in existence.

But a few restrained knocks on the door shattered this tranquility.

Zhao Rongzhang caressed Little Mute’s back and hair as Shuang An’s voice came from outside: “Your Highness, I’ve arranged for the purchase of several male prostitutes with excellent looks and demeanor. Shall I have them come in?”

He was still damp, nestled in her embrace, breathing quietly on his own. Zhao Rongzhang glanced sideways at him and asked casually, “Tell me, how many should I pick?”

Little Mute curled up obediently, like a creature that truly couldn’t understand human speech.

Zhao Rongzhang had grown tired of getting angry. She began to suspect that he was simply a dull and foolish thing, and she couldn’t expect him to have the reactions she desired. Those reactions belonged to humans, not cats.

Her tone was resigned, carrying a tolerance she herself hardly noticed. “If I pick a few, would you really not care at all?”

Little Mute still didn’t speak, breathing steadily against her shoulder, blinking his slightly damp eyelashes. He seemed completely immersed in his own world.

Zhao Rongzhang felt displeased on her own behalf. Since she liked the reactions only humans could have, why didn’t she just play with real people? Why did she have to enjoy playing with him? And why did she insist on him showing those emotions and reactions?

After a long silence without a response, Shuang An, feeling he had overstepped, nervously apologized from outside. “I spoke out of turn, I was only worried about Your Highness’s health… I’ve disturbed Your Highness’s enjoyment. I’ll take them away now.”

“Since they’re already here, let them stay,” the Princess’s voice drifted out calmly.

She shouldn’t get angry over such trivial matters meant for entertainment. He was the one who should be emotional. He should know she wasn’t bound to play with him.

Footsteps halted outside the screen. Seven or eight men greeted her in unison, their voices distinct and pleasant in their own ways.

Zhao Rongzhang asked Little Mute, “Will you help me pick?”

Without turning his head, Little Mute curved his eyes and wrote on her shoulder, “I’m the best.”

Little Mute could actually smile, different from that sudden laugh before. Was he this confident? She scoffed lightly, “What’s so good about you? They can all speak, but you can’t.”

Little Mute repeated the earlier gesture: “I’m seductive.”

“Is being seductive good?” Silly cat.

Little Mute nodded.

“Did you hear their backgrounds? Each of them is a seasoned veteran of the pleasure quarters. In terms of seduction, you can’t compare to them.”

Little Mute buried his face in her shoulder, then nuzzled affectionately against her neck and cheek. He took her arm, which was wrapped around his back, held her wrist, and pressed her hand against his chest.

Zhao Rongzhang heard the sticky sound of saliva in his mouth, as if he wanted to speak. But he knew he was mute, so his soft, damp lips only pressed against her cheek without forcing a sound. On her arm, he wrote, “Your Highness can treat me roughly.”

He began to invite, to entice, gazing up at her with moist eyes as he pressed close. He knew his eyes were beautiful, knew she liked to look at them, so he deliberately watched her this way. Even the breath he exhaled was seductive, tempting her to bully him or cherish him.

Zhao Rongzhang glanced at him disdainfully, neither refusing nor responding, only guiding him with a question: “What should we do with those others?”

Little Mute nuzzled and rubbed against her, replying, “To heighten the mood.”

Little Mute led her, guiding her to press him down onto the bed.

…

Zhao Rongzhang was captivated by all his passionate reactions when he slept, but now, her desire was unexpectedly weaker than usual. Could it be that she truly had a problem—desperately wanting what she couldn’t have, only to lose interest once she obtained it?

Little Mute’s eyes held a faint, clear smile as he gazed up at her.

What was he smiling about? What was he so happy about?

Amidst their busy entanglement of limbs, Zhao Rongzhang brushed aside the damp black hair clinging to his cheek, her breathing ragged. “Do you think I like you?”

Little Mute still smiled, nodding.

“What do I like about you?”

“My body. Seductive.”

Zhao Rongzhang met his gaze.

She suddenly recalled something Old Man Wu had said—that the medicine would lose its effect. Could it be that he hadn’t been asleep the past few nights? That he had seen her greedy, lustful state toward his body?

So that was why he was so confident she must like his body, his seduction.

Then, thinking in reverse, was his earlier heart-wrenching sobbing, his claim that she didn’t like him, simply because he thought she didn’t like his body?

Did he only hope she would like his body?

Annoyed, Zhao Rongzhang rolled over, getting off him, and nudged his body with her foot. “Go drink the medicine.”

Little Mute looked puzzled, tugging at her sleeve. “I’m more fun than when I’m asleep.”

What illusory dream could compare to the stirring effect of her real gaze? He loved this feeling of his body being deeply cherished; he could mold himself into the shape that pleased her most.

Zhao Rongzhang looked into his clear eyes and told him the truth. “I might have a kidney deficiency. Not today.”

Little Mute’s eyes were dark and round.

Unable to come up with a more reasonable explanation, Zhao Rongzhang shooed him away. “Go drink it.”

Little Mute lowered his lashes. “Still have to drink it?”

“Yes.”

“After drinking, I won’t be clear-headed.”

“Isn’t that perfect for sleeping?”

Little Mute made a questioning gesture, meaning “why.” Why not play with him, yet still make him sleep?

This was the first time Zhao Rongzhang had seen him ask why. All these years, it had always been her giving orders, him obeying. It felt strangely fresh and endearing. Zhao Rongzhang didn’t withhold an answer. “The medicine is to treat your illness, not to play with you.”

The male prostitutes had all been sent back. Little Mute drank the medicine and lay on his side beside her. The world grew quiet again, as if only the two of them remained. Zhao Rongzhang looked at the canopy above, then outside it. The candlelight at the head and foot of the bed flickered, on the verge of extinguishing. Cicadas chirped outside. Little Mute wasn’t asleep either, watching her.

Zhao Rongzhang thought again of that pitiful Persian cat from her childhood. If it had been willing to stay obediently by her side, would it have been as endearing as he was?

She loosely embraced this big cat. The youth paused for a moment, the corners of his lips curving into a smile as he willingly nestled his head against her chest. In truth, he didn’t see any need to treat this so-called illness. His life was fragile, shorter than morning dew; he wouldn’t live long enough to truly go mad. However the Princess played with his body was only right; he harbored no resentment. This embrace, completely devoid of lust, moved him deeply.

As the medicine’s effects gradually took hold, Guan Xuan, within the soft rhythm of the Princess’s breathing and heartbeat, felt a genuine drowsiness wash over him. He tilted his head, and the Princess’s arm slackened its hold. Their breaths intertwined and coiled together in the dark, cramped confines of the bed curtain, indistinguishable as to who fell asleep first.

Following the Princess’s instructions, Shuang An relayed the message toward Jiangnan overnight. Just before dawn, she received the first confirmation, indicating the message was secure and would most likely reach Su Tan’s hands smoothly. Throughout the entire morning, Zhao Rongzhang discussed future strategies and countermeasures with her until her mouth grew parched. Only when Shuang An called for someone to bring more tea did she find a moment to ask a casual question: “Were none of the male prostitutes who came last night to your liking?”

Zhao Rongzhang set down her teacup and slowly fanned herself with the hand-held fan. Last night, she had been completely captivated by the enchanting Little Mute and hadn’t even thought to take a look at what those male prostitutes looked like, so naturally, she had no appetite for them.

“I’ve been detoxing too much these days, and I’m just not in the mood.”

Shuang An also widened her eyes in surprise.

This made Zhao Rongzhang feel uneasy. It seemed that in the eyes of others, she was already a great lecher, and they didn’t believe she could possibly have no interest.

Three days later, a second report came, saying that the message had been successfully delivered into Jiangnan territory.

Both of them felt a little more at ease.

Noticing that the Princess had been feeling drowsy and fatigued lately, Shuang An, concerned for her health, invited Old Doctor Wu over again.

“Aside from the fever, Your Ladyship’s health is indeed not in serious trouble, and there are no signs of kidney qi deficiency. However, the poison from the womb is deeply rooted, embedded in the marrow. If this continues for a long time, it will eventually drain Your Ladyship’s vital essence and blood.”

“You mean, although it won’t flare up as frequently, it will become increasingly severe?”

The Old Ginseng Spirit nodded calmly and sagely.

“Then prescribe me a remedy.”

“This remedy… I cannot prescribe it, I’m afraid… Actually, why don’t you ask that Young Master? He must have had many experiences where he wasn’t in the mood for intimacy. How did he resolve it in the end?”