Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 102: Only you

102. Only You

"Li’er..." Upon hearing this, Hua Tianxiang paused, biting her red lips as she gazed at the watery sheen in Ye Li’s usually bright eyes. She knew Ye Li was in a dilemma. The Emperor had handed full authority over such a significant matter to the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. While it appeared to be a vote of confidence, it was actually pushing the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion into the eye of the storm. Ye Li’s ready agreement to Princess Changle’s request filled Hua Tianxiang with both joy and apprehension.

Ye Li reached out, gently patted the hand that was tightly clutching her sleeve, and smiled. "One’s heart is always somewhat biased. Besides, since it’s a matter of offending people either way, why can’t I choose what makes me feel a little more at ease?"

Princess Changle couldn’t understand why this was a difficult situation. She cheerfully threw herself into Ye Li’s arms, laughing, "You really are a good person. I, this princess, like you."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled, "If I didn’t agree, would you not like me?"

Princess Changle looked at her uncertainly. After struggling for a long time, she finally said, "Uncle Prince Ding said you would agree. But... but even if you don’t, I, this princess, won’t blame you. Mother Empress said... Mother Empress said that no matter who you send for the marriage alliance, it wouldn’t be your fault. Because... because these things really don’t concern you."

Taken aback by the Empress’s words, Ye Li pinched Princess Changle’s little cheek and smiled, "Please thank Her Highness the Empress for me. She’s right, so whoever is sent for the marriage alliance, it’s not your fault, Princess. You shouldn’t feel too upset."

Princess Changle blinked and hesitated before nodding. "If I were grown up, I, this princess, would go for the marriage alliance myself."

Ye Li didn’t usually have a good impression of princesses and commandery princesses, but she didn’t expect this little princess to not only be adorable but also to have such a thought. Pinching her tender little cheeks, Ye Li smiled, "Her Highness the Empress and the Emperor would be loath for you to go for a marriage alliance. Besides... do you know what a marriage alliance is? Living in another country is not as comfortable as living in Great Chu."

Princess Changle grinned at Ye Li. She grabbed Ye Li’s hand, which was ’tormenting’ her cheek, and said sullenly, "I know! Mother Empress told me that although princesses enjoy opulence, their marriage is out of their control – even Mother Empress doesn’t have a say. If Father Emperor chooses Changle for a marriage alliance in the future, Changle cannot behave recklessly. Because this is the duty of a princess."

Upon hearing Princess Changle’s words, Ye Li and Hua Tianxiang could only sigh in their hearts.

The palace wasn’t a good place to talk. Even though the three of them had hidden themselves, they couldn’t avoid the throngs of palace maids and eunuchs searching everywhere. Ye Li pulled Princess Changle up. "We’ve finished talking. Let’s go out." Stepping out on their own would look better than being discovered. It’s not very dignified for the distinguished Princess Consort Ding to be found hiding among the rockeries with a little princess. If seen, they would lose all dignity and face.

Princess Changle had naturally also heard the calls, which were drawing nearer. Her delicate eyebrows knitted together. "Mother Empress wouldn’t always keep me cooped up like this. These people are the worst, acting as if they’re afraid I, this princess, might say one extra word to someone."

Ye Li descended from the rockery first, then turned and reached out to lift Princess Changle down, before finally helping Hua Tianxiang.

Seeing the palace attendants rushing towards them, Hua Tianxiang smiled helplessly, "It’s not convenient for me to visit you these days. I thought we could talk for a bit, but it seems the palace truly isn’t a place for a quiet conversation."

Ye Li smiled, "What’s inconvenient about it? If you have time, feel free to come and see me."

Hua Tianxiang thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Perhaps it’s better not to. I know you hardly have any free time to relax these days."

I’ve only been back for two or three days, and I really am incredibly busy, Ye Li thought. She said with a helpless smile, "I’ve been away from the Capital City for too long, so it’s natural that I have more things to do. I haven’t even seen Sister Zheng’er yet."

Hua Tianxiang pouted. "You two will be family sooner or later. Zheng’er is kept at home by her mother to prepare for the wedding. You might not even see her if you want to."

Glancing at the palace maids who were almost upon them, Ye Li chuckled softly, "If you hadn’t been so picky, you would have settled your marriage long ago, and then there’d be nothing to worry about, right?"

Hua Tianxiang was taken aback, her pretty face turning red instantly. As the palace maids searching for them had already arrived, she could only shoot Ye Li a resentful glare, unable to say a word.

When they returned to the pavilion, Consort Yun and Wang Zhaorong had already left. Seeing Hua Tianxiang’s face, still faintly flushed, and Princess Changle winking at her, the Empress seemed to understand and nodded gratefully towards Ye Li. Ye Li gave a slight smile and sat down in the pavilion with Princess Changle. Only Princess Zhaoyang, Princess Zhaoren, and Commandery Princess Ronghua remained in the pavilion. The other noblewomen, even if they wished to plead for their daughters, knew the palace was not a place for casual actions and thus did not come forward to disturb them.

As soon as Ye Li sat down, she noticed two rather unfriendly gazes from the opposite side. Princess Zhaoren was as critical and disdainful as ever, while Commandery Princess Ronghua stared at Ye Li with even more resentment than her mother. Just as Ye Li lifted the lid from the teacup a palace maid had just served, Qingyu suddenly spoke from behind her, "Your Highness, you’ve been working too hard lately, and your constitution is deficient and cold. Mr. Shen has advised that Your Highness should avoid drinking green tea recently."

Ye Li’s hand paused. Holding the teacup, she took a light breath and sighed with regret, "Such fine pre-rain Longjing tea; it’s a waste of Her Highness the Empress’s good tea."

The Empress’s eyes glinted, a hint of coldness flitting across her brow. She smiled at Ye Li and said, "This Longjing is indeed good tea, but your health is more important. If you like it, I will have some sent to Prince Ding’s Mansion later."

Ye Li responded without hesitation, smiling, "Then, many thanks to Your Highness the Empress. May Your Highness not think me too greedy."

Princess Changle, who was sitting in Ye Li’s lap, blinked her clear eyes, stood up, and said, "Mother Empress, Changle is going to practice calligraphy."

Her Highness the Empress looked fondly at her daughter and nodded. "Go on then."

Once Princess Changle was out of sight, Commandery Princess Ronghua looked at Ye Li scornfully and scoffed, "Isn’t Princess Consort Ding supposed to be skilled in both literary and martial arts? When did she become so delicate that she cannot even drink a simple cup of tea?"

Ye Li looked at Commandery Princess Ronghua with a smile and said, "Commandery Princess, you jest. However, if one feels unwell, it’s natural to see a doctor promptly. Concealing an illness and avoiding treatment is hardly a good thing, wouldn’t Your Highness agree?"

Commandery Princess Ronghua raised her eyebrows arrogantly, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "I, this Commandery Princess, have never heard that one cannot drink tea when unwell."

"That’s enough, Ronghua." Seeing Commandery Princess Ronghua being so aggressive, Princess Zhaoyang frowned slightly in displeasure and said, "As an unmarried young lady, can’t you speak properly? What kind of behavior is this, being so brash and reckless?"

"I’m about to be married off to the Beirong; do I still care whether I speak well or not?" Commandery Princess Ronghua retorted angrily. With that, she glared fiercely at Ye Li; clearly, she had been holding back this remark for some time.

The marriage alliance was decided by the Emperor; what does it have to do with me? Ye Li smiled bitterly to herself. Turning, she handed the teacup to Qingyu behind her, resolved to say nothing more.

Princess Zhaoren, also growing impatient, spoke up, "Princess Consort Ding, what are your intentions regarding the candidates for the marriage alliance?"

Princess Zhaoren and Commandery Princess Ronghua really are cut from the same cloth, Ye Li thought, shaking her head inwardly. Perhaps because they were part of the imperial family and used to being haughty, even their words at a time like this carried a commanding tone. "The list of candidates favored by His Majesty was just brought back to the mansion by His Highness the Prince yesterday. I haven’t had time to look at it yet. I truly cannot answer the Princess’s question."

"Everyone knows His Majesty favors Hua Tianxiang, who doesn’t?" Commandery Princess Ronghua blurted out. "Do you think I, this Commandery Princess, don’t know that you’re saying this to exclude her?"

A faint smile touched Ye Li’s lips as she looked up and asked Commandery Princess Ronghua with a puzzled expression, "His Majesty favors Miss Hua? If so, why didn’t His Majesty directly decree Miss Hua to go for the marriage alliance, instead of asking this Princess Consort to select a suitable candidate? In that case... since we are all in the palace today, why doesn’t Commandery Princess Ronghua go and ask His Majesty if he truly favors Miss Hua? This would save this Princess Consort from choosing someone who might not meet His Majesty’s approval later on. Commandery Princess Ronghua, what do you think?"

"I..." Commandery Princess Ronghua’s face turned pale with anger. Although she didn’t understand political matters, it didn’t mean she knew nothing. Even if she couldn’t figure out why His Majesty didn’t directly decree Hua Tianxiang for the marriage alliance, others would tell her, being a close relative of the imperial family. If she really went and asked the Emperor, she would probably be the only candidate for the marriage alliance. This Ye Li, how dare she scheme against me! Just like that woman Ye Ying, none of those with the surname Ye are good people!

"Princess Consort Ding." Princess Zhaoyang glanced at Commandery Princess Ronghua’s resentful face and sighed helplessly. She had no children of her own, and Princess Zhaoren also had only this one daughter, so it was inevitable that Ronghua was doted on excessively. However, she hadn’t expected this indulgence to foster such an arrogant, overbearing, and thoughtless disposition. This Princess Consort Ding, who had lost her mother at a young age and was half a year younger than Ronghua, possessed a conduct and bearing that Ronghua could not compare to. "Ronghua is impetuous and speaks without thinking. I hope Princess Consort Ding won’t take offense."

Ye Li knew Princess Zhaoyang had always doted on this niece, so she wasn’t bothered and said with a smile, "Your Highness is too kind. To be honest, although His Majesty entrusted this matter to me, I am young and have never handled such things. There are many aspects I only vaguely understand, so I dare not rush to a conclusion. That’s why I couldn’t answer Princess Zhaoren’s question earlier. Please forgive me."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled, "Zhaoren was merely anxious for Ronghua, hence the extra question. Princess Consort need not take it to heart."

"Reporting to Your Highness, Prince Ding has arrived," announced the little palace maid from outside the pavilion.

The Empress turned to Ye Li and said with a smile, "It is said that Prince Ding and the Princess Consort are deeply devoted to each other. I, this Palace, didn’t quite believe it at first, but now I do. It’s only been a short while, and Prince Ding is already getting impatient? Please invite Prince Ding in."

After a short while, Mo Xiuyao approached at a leisurely pace. He stood outside the pavilion, swept his gaze over those in the pavilion, and said with a gentle smile, "Forgive my intrusion, Your Highness the Empress."

The Empress smiled and said, "Prince Ding, are you here to take the Princess Consort back?"

Mo Xiuyao gently nodded, a soft smile in his eyes as he looked at Ye Li. "Ah-Li and I have some matters to attend to and need to return to the mansion first. That’s why we’ve disturbed Your Highness the Empress’s leisure. Please forgive us, Your Highness."

The Empress waved her hand and smiled, "Very well. It’s understandable that Prince Ding and the Princess Consort are always thinking of each other, having been reunited after a long separation. Today, I also wished to see if Princess Consort Ding, whom I haven’t seen for a long time, is doing well. Now that I’ve seen her, Prince Ding may take the Princess Consort away."

Mo Xiuyao thanked her softly, reached out to take Ye Li’s hand, nodded to Princess Zhaoyang, and then they took their leave.

The couple strolled hand in hand through the Imperial Garden. The noblewomen admiring flowers in the garden all tactfully moved aside. Although Mo Xiuyao had fully recovered, the mask on half of his face still instilled fear in many. After all, there was a rumor that one of Prince Ding’s fiancées had been scared to death by his disfigured half-face. Moreover, with the delicate situation in court, even those who admired Prince Ding’s charisma and bearing would not approach him for a conversation in the Imperial Garden.

Able to leave the Imperial Palace early, Ye Li was naturally in a good mood. A faint fragrance of flowers drifted through the Imperial Garden. Ye Li walked leisurely beside Mo Xiuyao, enjoying the tranquil moment, but didn’t forget to show concern for his mood. "What’s wrong? You don’t look too happy. Did His Majesty say something?"

Mo Xiuyao turned his head to look at her and asked, "Was there anything in the tea just now?"

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

"It probably contained things like musk and safflower. Qingyu has gone to check. We should have the results after we return." Seeing his grim expression, Ye Li told him what she knew. She was also somewhat curious as to why those things were put in her tea. Those substances indeed have some effect on the body, but for her current self, the impact was truly limited. She really didn’t understand what use there was in them risking putting that kind of thing in her tea. Even a dose of laxative would be more effective than those drugs.

Mo Xiuyao stopped, turned his head to look at Ye Li, and said, "Doesn’t Ah-Li know the effects of those medicines?"

"They unblock meridians, invigorate blood circulation... and relieve pain..."

"Ah-Li, after returning home, follow Mr. Shen to learn pharmacology for a month." After a long silence, Mo Xiuyao finally spoke.

Pharmacology? Ye Li’s lips twitched slightly. Alright, it wasn’t that she didn’t know those two things were said to have another effect, but... it was also said that it wasn’t reliable at all. Besides... it had no effect on them, okay?

Mo Xiuyao was angry, but he still didn’t let go of Ye Li’s hand, pulling her towards the exit of the Imperial Garden. Seeing Mo Xiuyao walk ahead without speaking to her, Ye Li found it somewhat novel. She had never seen Mo Xiuyao angry; rather, she had never seen Mo Xiuyao angry *with her*. She tugged Mo Xiuyao’s hand that held hers. "Xiuyao..."

Mo Xiuyao glanced at her but still said nothing.

Ye Li sighed helplessly. Alright, it was her fault for appearing so nonchalant.

"Are you really angry? It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that... this has no effect on us, so I wasn’t that concerned..."

Ye Li couldn’t help but scorn herself. Mo Xiuyao was just not talking to her; why was she explaining anything? Of course, she was angry about being drugged in the palace, and she could even guess who did it. She had already thought about how to return the favor. It was just that what the other party put in was a bit unexpected, so she appeared somewhat casual. Why wasn’t Mo Xiuyao angry at the person who drugged her, but angry with her instead? And most importantly, why did she feel like she was in the wrong and had to explain to him?

"No effect?" Mo Xiuyao lifted Ye Li’s delicate face to meet his, his profound eyes locking with her somewhat troubled ones. Ye Li, unaccustomed to such a vulnerable position, struggled uncomfortably. "Yes, I know that medicine is said to have that... particular effect... but we haven’t... and that claim doesn’t seem very reliable. Besides, I didn’t even drink it."

Mo Xiuyao couldn’t really be worried that if she was given that kind of drug, she would... be unable to have children in the future, could he? Ye Li wondered belatedly, observing Mo Xiuyao’s persistently low spirits.

"Ah-Li..."

"Prince Ding, Princess Consort Ding, what brings you here?" Mo Xiuyao was about to speak when a clear, cold female voice overpowered his. They both turned around. Under a nearby stand of white begonias stood Noble Consort Liu, enrobed in white, resembling an ice-and-snow fairy.

Noble Consort Liu’s gaze lightly traced over Ye Li, briefly lingered on Mo Xiuyao, and finally settled on their clasped hands. Mo Xiuyao seemed unconcerned by Noble Consort Liu’s gaze, merely nodding calmly and saying, "Noble Consort Liu. This Prince and Ah-Li are leaving the palace now. Farewell."

A complex, unreadable emotion quickly flashed across Noble Consort Liu’s cold face. She bit her red lip, gazed at Mo Xiuyao for a long moment, then finally looked at Ye Li, her brow slightly furrowed as she said, "Princess Consort Ding, I have something to discuss privately with Prince Ding."

Ye Li was a bit surprised and raised her eyebrows. If she wanted to speak with Mo Xiuyao alone, shouldn’t she ask Mo Xiuyao? Did Noble Consort Liu mean for her to step aside voluntarily? Truly the most favored Noble Consort in the palace; her aura alone was something other palace consorts couldn’t hope to match.

Just as Ye Li was about to speak, Mo Xiuyao tightened his grip on her hand. Ye Li looked up and met Mo Xiuyao’s deep, angry eyes. She had no choice but to turn to Noble Consort Liu and say apologetically, "I’m very sorry, Noble Consort. The Prince and I have urgent matters to attend to and are in a hurry to leave the palace. I’m afraid there’s no time to talk with the Noble Consort today."

Noble Consort Liu frowned and looked towards Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao said coolly, "Farewell."

Noble Consort Liu’s complexion paled, and the hand hidden beneath her sleeve clenched tightly. She shot a deep look at Ye Li and, without uttering a word, turned and departed.

Watching Noble Consort Liu’s resolute departing figure, Ye Li looked at Mo Xiuyao with some concern. "She... She’ll be alright, won’t she?" Ye Li had, of course, heard about Noble Consort Liu’s feelings for Mo Xiuyao, although as far as Ye Li knew, the two had never met alone. However, it was undeniable that Mo Xiuyao’s merciless rejection had considerably lightened her mood.

"Back to the mansion," he said, pulling her as he turned to leave, seemingly not having heard her question at all.

After leaving the palace gates and returning to the mansion, Ye Li helplessly watched Mo Xiuyao, who still had a sullen face and wouldn’t speak. She sighed, "Are you still angry?" Are people who don’t usually get angry this difficult to handle once they do? He hadn’t said a word the entire way back. Usually accustomed to Mo Xiuyao’s gentle smile and voice, Ye Li found herself very unaccustomed now that he was silent or wore a stern, unsmiling expression. "I know you’re worried about me. It was my fault; I shouldn’t have been so nonchalant, alright?"

Ye Li consoled herself inwardly: He’s throwing a tantrum; I shouldn’t lower myself to the level of someone throwing a tantrum. Heaven knows she truly didn’t mean to disregard this matter. Mo Jingqi, you just wait!

Mo Xiuyao glanced at her coolly, then turned and walked to one side to sit down.

Ye Li felt a vein throb on her forehead. She’d only ever heard of men coaxing women; how did it get reversed when it came to her? Mo Xiuyao, do you have to be so childish? Alright, Ye Li, be magnanimous!

"Xiuyao... you’re still not over your anger? Then... I’ll go to the study to deal with today’s matters. We can talk after your anger has subsided." Ye Li, who basically didn’t know how to coax people, helplessly planned to retreat. It wasn’t that she lacked patience or courage, but Mo Xiuyao’s angry demeanor truly made her feel ill at ease all over. His usually gentle and refined handsome face was now expressionless, looking not so much angry as about to be heartbroken. Watching him, Ye Li couldn’t help but wonder if she had truly done something terribly wicked. If this continued, she might end up resorting to any means necessary to beg his forgiveness and cheer him up. Therefore... sensing a hint of danger, Ye Li decided to beat a hasty retreat.

"Ah-Li..." A hand caught hers, and with a slight pull, Mo Xiuyao drew the woman attempting to flee back into his arms. Ye Li, somewhat embarrassed, found their current posture rather intimate: Mo Xiuyao was sitting on a stool, and she, pulled into his embrace, had no choice but to sit on his lap. Although they had shared a bed for many days, their relationship was absolutely innocent. The current situation couldn’t help but make Ye Li feel somewhat flustered and helpless.

"Um... Mo Xiuyao, can...can you let me go first?" Ye Li swallowed, feeling like she wanted to cry but had no tears. She didn’t want to appear so useless. She could handle anyone with ease, but when facing Mo Xiuyao, she sometimes doubted her own intelligence.

Mo Xiuyao looked at her quietly, his gaze profound and mournful. "Ah-Li, who do you consider me to be?"

"What... what person?" Ye Li felt like crying but had no tears. She must have been mad to think Mo Xiuyao was sad. The most important thing for her to do now was to break free from Mo Xiuyao and leave quickly. Her special operative’s intuition told her that something not so good would happen if she stayed any longer. "Um... didn’t we get married long ago? Of course, I consider you my husband..."

His profound eyes blinked slightly. "Then... have we been forgetting something all this time?"

"Forgotten...what?" Ye Li asked, somewhat bewildered.

Mo Xiuyao leaned close to her neck, his warm breath fanning her smooth skin. His clean, refined scent made her feel a wave of heat and weakness.

"Consummating our marriage," Mo Xiuyao whispered in her ear.

BOOM!

It was as if a massive explosion went off in Ye Li’s mind, leaving it instantly blank. But Mo Xiuyao didn’t intend to give her time to think. He gently tilted up her small chin and lowered his head to cover those soft, fragrant lips.

"Mo... Mo Xiuyao..." Compared to the kiss outside Broken Snow Pass last time, Mo Xiuyao was much gentler this time. But it was this very gentleness that made it even harder for Ye Li to resist. They were probably the only couple married for a year who hadn’t consummated their marriage. Ye Li knew very well that Mo Xiuyao was giving her time to prepare herself mentally. It was just that she... Ye Li didn’t know if she was truly ready to accept Mo Xiuyao. Or rather, had she... actually fallen in love with Mo Xiuyao...

"Ah-Li..." His soft kisses lingered around Ye Li’s lips, brushed across her jade-like cheeks, and intimately touched her small earlobes and elegant neck. "Ah-Li..."

Perhaps it was the intimate, entangled atmosphere in the room, perhaps it was Mo Xiuyao’s low, melodious calls, or perhaps it was those lingering, soft kisses. Ye Li hated how she always seemed to be in a weaker position when facing Mo Xiuyao. So, she made a bold decision. She sat up, wrapped her arms around Mo Xiuyao’s neck, and then proactively offered her crimson lips. "Mo Xiuyao...do you like me?"

Mo Xiuyao paused slightly, then smiled candidly, "Yes, hasn’t Ah-Li known that for a long time?"

Ye Li tilted her head, looking at him with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling like they were filled with starlight. "Since that’s the case, I, this Princess Consort, permit you to like me."

With a dizzying spin, Ye Li, somewhat dazed, found they had left the table from before and were now lying on the bed. Mo Xiuyao, resting on her shoulder, chuckled lowly. After a long while, he lifted his head to look down at her from above. "Ah-Li, just liking isn’t enough."

Ye Li’s heart stirred, and a stunning smile bloomed on her lips. She raised her hand to hook Mo Xiuyao’s shoulder, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Then I, this Princess Consort, allow you to love me."

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

Ye Li was taken aback for a moment. "Forever... perhaps. Then, likewise, you will belong only to me?" Ye Li asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Then... I love you. Ah-Li... As you wish, in this life, only Ah-Li..." He lowered his head, once again possessing those fragrant lips that belonged solely to him. It seemed as if all passion ignited in an instant. Within the light gauze bed-curtains, crimson waves tossed and turned. The embroidered curtains hung low, red candles burned brightly. The maidservant waiting outside the door cleverly closed the chamber door for her master and mistress, then departed with a smile.

Much later, the storm subsided. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Mo Xiuyao leaned sideways on the bed, gazing at the woman beside him, still deeply asleep. Faint marks were visible on her exposed, fragrant shoulder. Her usually gentle or bright, beautiful face, still flushed with a lingering blush, appeared exceptionally serene and captivating. Mo Xiuyao raised his hand, gently caressing the woman’s small cheek, then lowered his head and lightly placed a kiss. The gloom and sorrow that usually clouded his brow seemed to have completely dissipated. The spirited air in Mo Xiuyao’s gentle eyes revealed his current joyful mood.

"Ah-Li... Ah-Li...." Remembering their recent passionate intimacy, Mo Xiuyao couldn’t help but lower his head and lightly kiss the woman’s sleeping face. His Ah-Li, finally... was his. For countless days and nights, how many times had he resented the injustice of the heavens, resented his enemies. His damaged body had made him afraid to touch this one-of-a-kind person in the world. Now, he could finally possess her completely. For this, he was willing to sacrifice everything...

"Hmm... Xiuyao..." Ye Li opened her eyes groggily. The recent lovemaking had drained too much of her energy. Half-asleep, half-awake, she gazed at the man before her and murmured.

Mo Xiuyao gently placed a kiss on her lips. "It’s alright, go back to sleep. We’ll talk about anything after you’ve woken up."

"Mm-hmm." Ye Li nodded vaguely, snuggled into his cool embrace, and drifted back to sleep.

"Ah-Li, in this life, only you..."