The First Jasmine - Chapter 102

Chapter 102 - Only You, None Other

"A-Li..." Hearing this, Hua Tianxiang froze, lightly biting her vermilion lips as she looked at Ye Li, shimmering moisture welling up in her normally bright eyes. She knew how difficult this was for Ye Li; the Emperor had thrown such a massive matter entirely into the hands of the Prince of Ding's Estate. On the surface, it appeared to be a heavy trust and an immense responsibility, but in reality, it pushed the Prince of Ding's Estate right onto the sharpest point of the storm. Ye Li's prompt agreement to Princess Changle's request left Hua Tianxiang feeling both overjoyed and deeply concerned.

Ye Li reached out to take hold of Hua Tianxiang's hand, which was tightly gripping her sleeve, patted it lightly, and smiled. "Human hearts always lean a little bit to one side. Besides, it's a matter of offending people either way; why shouldn't I choose to make myself feel a little more comfortable?"

Princess Changle had no inkling of the difficulties hidden within this, and she happily plunged into Ye Li's embrace with a laugh. "You really are a good person; this Princess likes you." Ye Li raised an eyebrow slenderly and smiled. "If I hadn't agreed, would the Princess not like me anymore?" Princess Changle looked at her with a troubled expression, wrestling with the thought for a long time before finally saying, "Uncle Ding said you would agree. But... but even if you really didn't agree, I wouldn't blame you. Royal Mother said... Royal Mother said that no matter whom you send to the matrimonial alliance, it's not your fault. Because... because these things shouldn't be your concern in the first place." Unexpectedly hearing the Empress say such things, Ye Li paused for a moment, gently pinched Princess Changle's little cheek, and smiled. "Thank the Empress on my behalf. Her Majesty is right, so whoever is sent off for the alliance is not the Princess's fault either. The Princess need not feel too sad." Princess Changle blinked her eyes, nodded hesitatingally, and said, "When I grow up, I will go on the matrimonial alliance myself."

Ye Li had never held a particularly favorable impression of imperial princesses and county princesses, but she had not expected this little princess to not only be adorable but also harbor such thoughts. Kneading her tender, pink cheeks, Ye Li smiled. "Her Majesty and the Empress would never bear to let the Princess go on a matrimonial alliance. Besides... does the Princess even know what a matrimonial alliance is? Going to another country is far less comfortable than staying in Great Chu." Princess Changle bared her teeth playfully at Ye Li, caught the hand that was squishing her cheek, and muttered, "I know. Royal Mother told me that while being a princess brings wealth and glory, one's marriage cannot be decided by oneself—not even Royal Mother's could be. If a matrimonial alliance is needed in the future and Imperial Father chooses Changle, Changle must not make a fuss. Because that is a princess's responsibility."

Hearing Princess Changle's words, Ye Li and Hua Tianxiang could only sigh inwardly.

The palace was hardly a good place for intimate conversation; even though the three of them were hiding in a secluded spot, it was inevitable that groups of palace maids and eunuchs would search everywhere. Ye Li pulled Princess Changle to her feet. "The matter is settled; let's go out." Walking out of her own accord was far more presentable than being tracked down. For the dignified Princess Consort of Ding and a little princess to be hiding among a pile of rockeries—if anyone saw them, they would lose both their face and their dignity. Princess Changle naturally heard those approaching cries as well, her delicate brows knitting into a knot. "Royal Mother never restricts me like this all the time; these people are the most annoying, acting as if they're terrified this Princess might say one extra word to someone else." Ye Li took the lead down the rockery, turned around to lift Princess Changle down, and then assisted Hua Tianxiang down as well.

Walking out and seeing the palace attendants rushing toward them, Hua Tianxiang smiled helplessly. "Now it's inconvenient for me to come find you. I originally thought we could have a proper chat, but it seems the palace truly isn't a place where one can talk in peace."

Ye Li smiled and said, "What's inconvenient about it? If you have free time, just come over to the estate and find me." Hua Tianxiang thought about it, then shook her head and said, "Better forget it. I already know how impossible it is for you to squeeze out any free time to play right now." Reflecting on the fact that she had only been back in the capital for two or three days and was indeed run off her feet, Ye Li smiled helplessly. "Having been away from the capital for too long, matters are bound to pile up a bit. I haven't even seen Sister Zheng'er yet." Hua Tianxiang curled her lips. "You two will be family sooner or later anyway; Zheng'er is being kept strictly at home by her mother to prepare for her marriage, so you might not get to see her even if you want to." Glancing at the palace maids who were already close at hand, Ye Li lowered her voice and smiled. "If you weren't so picky, wouldn't all these troubles vanish if you settled your marriage early on?"

Hua Tianxiang was startled, her pretty face instantly turning crimson. With the task-driven palace maids now upon them, she could only glare viciously at Ye Li while unable to utter a single word in return.

Returning to the pavilion, Consort Yun and Consort Zhao were already gone. Seeing Hua Tianxiang's lingering flush and catching Princess Changle winking broadly at her, the Empress arrived at a silent understanding and nodded at Ye Li with a trace of gratitude. Ye Li smiled faintly, pulling Princess Changle into the pavilion to sit down. Only Princess Zhaoyang, Princess Zhaoren, and County Princess Ronghua remained in the pavilion. Even if the other noble matrons harbored the desire to plead on behalf of their daughters, they knew the palace was no casual venue and refrained from coming forward to intrude.

The moment Ye Li sat down, she sensed two unfriendly gazes shooting toward her from across the table. Princess Zhaoren still maintained her customary fault-finding and contempt, while County Princess Ronghua glared at Ye Li with a resentment that far exceeded her mother's. As Ye Li picked up the cup of tea just delivered by a palace maid and lifted the lid, Qingyu suddenly spoke up from behind her:

"Your Highness, you have been overexerting yourself lately, leaving your constitution delicate and cold. Master Shen instructed that Your Highness must avoid drinking green tea for the time being." Ye Li's hand paused. Holding the teacup, she gently inhaled its fragrance and sighed with mild regret, "Such fine Pre-Qingming Longjing, yet it's wasted Her Majesty's good tea." A flash crossed the Empress's eyes, and a trace of chill swept across her brows as she smiled at Ye Li. "This Longjing is indeed fine tea, but your health is paramount. If you like it, I'll have someone send a batch over to the Prince of Ding's Estate later."

Ye Li stood on no ceremony and smiled, "Then many thanks to the Empress. Your Majesty must not blame me for being greedy."

Princess Changle sat in Ye Li's lap, blinked her clear eyes, stood up, and said, "Royal Mother, Changle is going to go practice calligraphy."

The Empress looked at her daughter with doting eyes and nodded. "Go ahead."

Once Princess Changle had run out of sight, County Princess Ronghua cast a critical look at Ye Li, let out a cold huff, and said, "Isn't the Princess Consort of Ding capable in both civil and martial arts? How is it that your constitution is suddenly so delicate that you can't even drink a mere cup of tea?" Ye Li looked at County Princess Ronghua with a smile. "County Princess jests. Naturally, any bodily discomfort should be checked by a physician as early as possible. Allowing illness to go unchecked out of fear of treatment is never a wise course; wouldn't the County Princess agree?" County Princess Ronghua raised her chin proudly, took a sip from her teacup, and said, "This County Princess has never heard of anyone being unable to drink tea simply because they feel unwell."

"That's enough, Ronghua." Seeing County Princess Ronghua pressing so aggressively, Princess Zhaoyang frowned in displeasure and said, "As an unmarried young lady, can't you speak properly? Charging forward so blindly, what kind of behavior is that?"

"I'm about to be married off to Northern Rong; why should I care whether I speak properly or not!" County Princess Ronghua retorted angrily, glaring fiercely at Ye Li as she finished speaking—evidently, she had been bottling up these words for quite some time. Ye Li chuckled inwardly; the matrimonial alliance was a decision made by the Emperor, so what did it have to do with her? Turning to hand the teacup back to Qingyu behind her, Ye Li resolved to keep silent. Princess Zhaoren beside them could no longer hold back either, and blurted out, "Princess Consort of Ding, what are your plans regarding the candidates for the alliance?"

Ye Li shook her head inwardly; Princess Zhaoren and County Princess Ronghua shared the exact same temperament. Accustomed to the arrogance of growing up in the imperial family, even the words they spoke on an occasion like this carried a commanding tone. "The roster of candidates favored by the Emperor was just brought back to the estate by the Prince yesterday, and I haven't had the chance to look through it yet. I truly cannot answer the Princess's question."

"The person favored by the Emperor is Hua Tianxiang, everyone knows that!" County Princess Ronghua blurted out. "By saying that, you're clearly trying to shield her—do you think this County Princess doesn't know?"

Ye Li lowered her gaze with a smile, looked up at County Princess Ronghua, and asked in simulated confusion, "The Emperor favors Miss Hua? If that is the case, why didn't the Emperor simply issue a decree ordering Miss Hua to go on the alliance instead of having this Consort select a suitable candidate? Since that's the case... and since we are all in the palace today, why doesn't County Princess Ronghua go ask the Emperor if he truly favors Miss Hua? That way, we can avoid a situation where this Consort selects someone later on, only for it to run counter to the Emperor's wishes. County Princess Ronghua, what do you think?"

"I..." County Princess Ronghua turned pale with anger. Although she was ignorant of court politics, it did not mean she was completely clueless. Why the Emperor hadn't directly issued a decree for Hua Tianxiang to go on the alliance was something she, as a close royal relative, would have been told by others even if she couldn't figure it out herself. If she really ran up to the Emperor to ask that, she would likely end up as the sole candidate for the alliance herself. This Ye Li actually dared to scheme against her! Just like that woman Ye Ying, anyone with the surname Ye was no good!

"Princess Consort of Ding." Princess Zhaoyang cast a glance at the resentful County Princess Ronghua and sighed helplessly. Having no children of her own, and with Princess Zhaoren having only this one daughter, she inevitably spoiled Ronghua to excess, never expecting it to foster such a swaggering, overbearing temperament devoid of critical thinking. This Princess Consort of Ding had lost her mother in childhood and was half a year younger than Ronghua in age, yet just her conduct and bearing were leagues beyond what Ronghua could ever compare to. "Ronghua has a hasty temper and doesn't know how to choose her words; I trust the Princess Consort will not take offense."

Knowing that Princess Zhaoyang always doted on this niece, Ye Li didn't mind and smiled, "Your Highness speaks too seriously. In truth, although the Emperor handed the matter of the matrimonial alliance over to me to handle, as Your Highness knows, I am young and have never handled such matters before, so I am half-clued in on many fronts. That's why I dare not rush to a definitive conclusion, and consequently couldn't answer Princess Zhaoren's question just now. Please forgive me."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled. "Zhaoren only asked out of anxiety for Ronghua. The Princess Consort needn take it to heart."

"Reporting to Her Majesty, the Prince of Ding has arrived," a little palace maid announced from outside the pavilion.

The Empress turned back to look at Ye Li with a smile. "They always say the Prince of Ding and the Princess Consort are deeply devoted to each other. This palace originally doubted it, but now I truly believe it. It hasn't been long at all, and the Prince couldn't wait any longer? Have the Prince come over."

Before long, Mo Xiuyao walked in at a leisurely pace. Standing outside the pavilion, he swept a glance over the crowd within and smiled faintly. "Apologies for the intrusion, Empress."

The Empress smiled. "Is the Prince here to take the Princess Consort back?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded slightly, his eyes holding a smile as he looked at Ye Li. "A-Li and I still have matters to attend to and must return to the estate ahead of time. We came over and disturbed Her Majesty's elegant mood; I ask for Your Majesty's understanding." The Empress waved her hand with a smile. "No matter. After such a long separation, it's only natural for the Prince and Princess Consort to constantly yearn for each other. Today I merely wanted to see how the Princess Consort has been doing after so long apart. Now that I've seen her, the Prince may take her away." Mo Xiuyao offered a soft word of thanks, reached out to take Ye Li's hand, nodded toward Princess Zhaoyang, and took his leave.

The two of them strolled hand in hand through the Imperial Garden. The noble ladies enjoying the flowers wisely stepped back out of the way. Although Mo Xiuyao had recovered his physical health, the mask covering half his face still struck terror into the hearts of many. After all, rumors had once circulated that one of the Prince of Ding's former fiancées had been frightened to death by his disfigured half-face. Moreover, with the delicate political currents at court, even those who admired the Prince of Ding's demeanor and bearing would not dare step forward to strike up a conversation right here in the Imperial Garden.

Being able to leave the imperial palace early put Ye Li in naturally high spirits. As the faint fragrances drifted through the Imperial Garden, Ye Li walked leisurely by Mo Xiuyao's side, enjoying the tranquil moment while also sparing a thought for his mood. "What is it? What did the Emperor say to you? You look a bit out of sorts." Mo Xiuyao turned his head to look at her and asked, "What was in that tea earlier?"

Ye Li looked at him in surprise—did he find out about what happened in the pavilion so quickly?

"Probably things like musk or safflower. Qingyu went to check; we should have results once we return." Seeing his expression was less than stellar, Ye Li shared what she knew, feeling somewhat curious as to why those things had been slipped into her tea. Those substances indeed had certain bodily effects, but for her current self, their impact was practically negligible. She truly failed to understand what use those people saw in taking the risk to slip such things into her tea; even tossing in a handful of laxatives would have been more useful than those drugs. Mo Xiuyao stopped walking, turned to look at Ye Li, and asked, "Does A-Li not know what those drugs do?"

"Collateral-clearing and blood-activating... pain-relieving..."

"A-Li, once we return to the estate, you will study pharmacology with Master Shen for a month." After a long silence, Mo Xiuyao finally spoke.

Pharmacology? Ye Li's lips twitched slightly. Fine, it wasn't as if she didn't know those two ingredients supposedly had another effect as well, but... it was also supposedly completely unreliable. Besides... it had zero impact on them anyway! Irritated as he was, Mo Xiuyao still didn't let go of Ye Li's hand, pulling her along toward the exit of the Imperial Garden. Seeing that Mo Xiuyao wasn't talking to her and just marching forward blindly, Ye Li found it somewhat novel. She had never seen Mo Xiuyao angry—or rather, she had never seen Mo Xiuyao angry with her. Tugging on the hand he was holding, she murmured, "Xiuyao..." Mo Xiuyao glanced at her sideways and still said nothing. Ye Li sighed helplessly. Fine, it was her fault for not taking it seriously enough.

"Are you really mad? It's not that I don't care, it's just... that stuff has no impact on us anyway, which is why I wasn't that worked up..." Ye Li couldn't help despising herself internally. Mo Xiuyao was merely giving her the silent treatment, so why on earth was she sitting here explaining herself? Of course she was angry about being poisoned in the palace, and she could even guess who the culprit was. She had already formulated most of her counter-retaliation. It was simply because the poisoner's choice of substance had caught her somewhat off guard that she had acted so casually. Why wasn't Mo Xiuyao mad at the person who poisoned her, and instead directing his anger at her? And more importantly, why did she feel like she was in the wrong and needed to explain herself to him like this?

"No impact?" Mo Xiuyao tilted Ye Li's delicate face up to face him, his deep gaze locking onto her somewhat troubled eyes. Unaccustomed to being in such a disadvantageous posture, Ye Li struggled uncomfortably and said, "Yes, I know that drug supposedly has that kind of effect... but we haven't done that... and besides, that claim sounds pretty unreliable anyway. Plus, I didn't even drink it." Was Mo Xiuyao seriously worried that if she ingested that drug, she would... and then fail to bear children in the future? Observing the still-heavy atmospheric pressure radiating from Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li thought belatedly.

"A-Li..."

"Prince of Ding, why is the Princess Consort here?" Just as Mo Xiuyao was about to speak, a cold, clear feminine voice cut across his words. The two of them turned simultaneously. Not far away, beneath a tree of white crabapple blossoms, Consort Liu stood in white robes like an immortal maiden of ice and snow.

Consort Liu's gaze swept indifferently past Ye Li, lingered on Mo Xiuyao for a fraction of a moment, and finally settled on their intertwined hands. Mo Xiuyao seemed indifferent to Consort Liu's gaze, nodding with detached calm. "Consort Liu. The Prince and A-Li are leaving the palace now, farewell." A fleeting, complex, and unreadable expression crossed Consort Liu's cold, aloof features. She bit her vermilion lips as she stared at Mo Xiuyao for a long moment before turning her gaze to Ye Li, frowning slightly. "Princess Consort of Ding, this palace has something she wishes to discuss alone with the Prince of Ding." Ye Li raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Shouldn't asking to speak alone with Mo Xiuyao be directed at Mo Xiuyao himself? Did Consort Liu expect her to take the initiative and step aside? Truly deserving of being the most favored imperial concubine in the palace; this aura alone was something other consorts could never hope to rival.

Just as Ye Li was about to speak, Mo Xiuyao's grip on her hand tightened. Ye Li looked up to meet Mo Xiuyao's deep, wrathful eyes, and could only turn apologetically to Consort Liu. "My apologies, the Prince and I have matters to attend to and are in a rush to leave the palace. I'm afraid we have no time to chat with Your Ladyship today." Consort Liu frowned and looked toward Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao said indifferently, "Farewell."

Consort Liu's face paled, her hands gripping tightly within her sleeves. Giving Ye Li one deep look, she turned and strode away without a word.

Watching Consort Liu's resolute departure, Ye Li looked at Mo Xiuyao with some concern. "She... will she be alright?" Of course Ye Li had heard about Consort Liu's feelings for Mo Xiuyao, though to her knowledge, the two of them had apparently never met alone before. Still, she had to admit that Mo Xiuyao's unsparing rejection had improved her mood quite a bit.

"Return to the estate." Ignoring her question entirely, Mo Xiuyao pulled her along as he turned.

Exiting the palace gates and returning to the estate, Ye Li looked helplessly at Mo Xiuyao, who still wore a dark expression and refused to speak. "Are you still mad?" Were people who usually disliked getting angry this difficult to deal with once they actually did? He hadn't said a single word the entire journey back. Accustomed as she was to Mo Xiuyao's warm smiles and gentle voice, the moment he fell silent or put on a stony face instead of smiling back, Ye Li realized just how unaccustomed she was to it. "I know you were worried about me, and it was my fault for not taking it seriously enough, alright?" Ye Li reasoned with herself internally: he was throwing a tantrum, and she couldn't lower herself to the level of someone throwing a tantrum. Goodness knew she truly hadn't meant to treat the matter lightly. Mo Jingqi, you just wait!

Mo Xiuyao glanced at her indifferently, turned, and walked over to sit down.

Ye Li felt a vein throb on her forehead. She'd only ever heard of men coaxing women; how did things flip completely upside down when it came to her? Mo Xiuyao, did you really have to be this childish? Fine, Ye Li, you must be magnanimous!

"Xiuyao... you still haven't cleared your qi. Well... I'll go to the study to handle today's matters then; we can talk once your anger clears." Unskilled at coaxing people, Ye Li helplessly planned to make a strategic retreat. It wasn't that she lacked patience or courage, but rather that Mo Xiuyao's angry look made her skin crawl with discomfort. That usually gentle and refined handsome face was now completely expressionless; he didn't look like he was about to burst into rage, but rather as if he were nursing a broken heart. It made Ye Li suspect deep down whether she had genuinely committed some heinous crime, and if she stayed any longer, she might resort to desperate measures just to beg his forgiveness and cheer him up. Hence, sensing a hint of danger, Ye Li opted for a speedy retreat.

"A-Li..." One of her hands was grabbed, and with a slight exertion of force, Mo Xiuyao pulled the fleeing woman back into his lap. Ye Li realized with mortifying embarrassment that their current posture was far too ambiguous: Mo Xiuyao was seated on a stool, and she had been pulled into his embrace, left with no choice but to sit right on his lap. Though they had shared a bed for quite a few days, their relationship was strictly platonic, and this setup inevitably left Ye Li feeling somewhat flustered.

"Um... Mo Xiuyao, could you... let go of me first?" Ye Li swallowed, feeling somewhat like crying. She didn't want to look so useless; she could handle herself gracefully around anyone else, but whenever she faced Mo Xiuyao, she occasionally doubted her own IQ. Mo Xiuyao gazed at her quietly, his eyes deep and desolate. "A-Li, what kind of person do you take me for?"

"What... what kind of person?" Ye Li felt like weeping. She must have lost her mind to think Mo Xiuyao was sad. The most sensible thing for her to do right now was shake off Mo Xiuyao and make a swift exit—her special forces instincts told her that staying any longer would lead to unfavorable developments. "Um... didn't we get married ages ago? Of course I consider you my husband..." Those deep eyes blinked slightly. "Then... have we perhaps forgotten something all this time?"

"Forgot... what thing?" Ye Li asked blankly. Mo Xiuyao leaned in close to her neck, his warm breath brushing against her smooth skin, the clean, refined scent driving a wave of feverish weakness through her.

"Consummation." Mo Xiuyao uttered two soft syllables right against her ear.

Boom!

Ye Li's mind experienced a massive explosion, going completely blank for an instant. But Mo Xiuyao had no intention of giving her time to think. He gently tilted up her delicate chin and lowered his head to cover those soft, fragrant lips.

"Mo... Mo Xiuyao..." Compared to their kiss outside Suiyue Pass, Mo Xiuyao was far gentler this time. Yet it was precisely this gentleness that completely stripped Ye Li of any will to resist. A husband and wife who hadn't consummated their marriage after an entire year probably numbered only the two of them. Ye Li knew very well that Mo Xiuyao was doing it to give her time to mentally prepare herself. It was just that she herself... Ye Li didn't even know if she was truly ready to accept Mo Xiuyao. Or rather, whether she... actually loved Mo Xiuyao...

"A-Li..." Fragmentary kisses lingered at the corners of Ye Li's lips, sweeping across her jade-like cheeks to intimately brush her delicate earlobes and graceful neck. "A-Li..."

Perhaps it was the ambiguous, tangled atmosphere in the room; perhaps it was Mo Xiuyao's low, melodious, and seductive calling; or perhaps it was those lingering, scattered light kisses. Ye Li hated feeling like she was always the weaker party when facing Mo Xiuyao, so she made a bold decision. She sat up straight, looped her arms around Mo Xiuyao's neck, and took the initiative to offer her vermilion lips. "Mo Xiuyao... do you like me?"

Mo Xiuyao paused slightly, then smiled candidly. "Of course, didn't A-Li know that long ago?"

Ye Li tilted her head to look at him, blooming into a radiant smile as stars seemed to scatter across her eyes. "In that case, this Princess permits you to like me."

With a sudden spin of the world, Ye Li found herself dazedly realizing they had left the table and were now lying on the bed. Mo Xiuyao leaned over her shoulder, letting out a low chuckle before finally lifting his head to gaze down at her from above. "A-Li, just liking is not enough." A ripple stirred in Ye Li's heart as a breathtaking smile blossomed at the corners of her lips. She hooked a hand around Mo Xiuyao's shoulder and arched an eyebrow. "Then this Princess permits you to love me."

"If the price is that you can never leave me, do you permit that too, A-Li?" Mo Xiuyao asked in a low voice.

Ye Li froze for a moment. "Forever... perhaps I can. Then by the same token, do you belong solely to me?" Ye Li challenged with an arched brow.

"Then... I love you. A-Li... As you wish, this lifetime belongs to A-Li alone..." He lowered his head to recapture that patch of lips belonging exclusively to him. It was as if all their passion was ignited in a single instant, turning the light gauze canopy upside down in a tumbling sea of red waves. Soft moans and gasps spilled from behind heavy curtains, and the maid guarding outside wisely pulled the doors shut for her master and departed with a smile.

Long afterward, the storm subsided.

Mo Xiuyao leaned sideways on the bed, looking at the woman fast asleep beside him. Faint marks were visible on her slightly exposed shoulders, and her delicate face—normally either gentle or bright—was still flushed with a lingering warmth, making her look exceptionally serene and captivating. Mo Xiuyao raised a hand, gently stroking the woman's delicate cheek, and leaned down to press a light kiss to her lips. The gloom and desolation that usually lingered between his brows seemed completely dispersed; the lively energy dancing in Mo Xiuyao's gentle eyes and brows betrayed his joyful mood at that moment.

"A-Li... A-Li..." Recalling the lingering tenderness of just moments before, Mo Xiuyao couldn't help lowering his head to lightly kiss the sleeping woman's face. His A-Li... was finally his. For so many days and nights, for so many times, he had cursed the injustice of the heavens and resented his enemies. His broken body had made him dare not touch this one-of-a-kind person in the world. Now, he finally possessed her completely. For this, he was willing to pay any price...

"Mmm... Xiuyao..." Ye Li fluttered her eyes open, the earlier bout of lovemaking having drained too much of her physical strength. Half-asleep, she murmured to the man before her.

Mo Xiuyao pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "It's nothing, go back to sleep. We'll talk about everything else after you wake up."

"Mmm." Ye Li nodded vaguely, snuggled into his cool embrace, and drifted back into dreamland.

"A-Li, this lifetime, only you, none other..."