Yu Ji moved with graceful steps, a snow-white foot stepping into the void. Her sleeves seemed to stretch and retract at will, fluttering lightly as she danced, like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm.
No one accompanied her with music, nor did she need any. Her slender, elegant figure twirled beneath the ginkgo tree, dancing among the poppies like an ethereal spirit. The beautiful fairy seemed to emerge from a dream, lifting her wrists and lowering her brows, exuding an air of grace and charm. Her breathtaking beauty carried a hint of allure, her brow tinged with both sorrow and joy.
Suddenly, Yu Ji flipped her wrists, and two blood-red swords appeared in her hands. Her black gauze robes fluttered in the wind as she brandished the blades beneath the ginkgo tree—mysterious and noble.
As her swords danced faster and faster, fallen leaves and flowers swirled around her, making her resemble an elegant butterfly flitting among the ginkgo and blossoms. With a light step, she seemed like a fairy treading on rippling waves.
"Swift as Yi shooting down nine suns, graceful as gods astride dragons. Coming like thunder gathering rage, ending like rivers reflecting light."
At this moment, Roy finally understood the awe Du Zimei must have felt witnessing Li Shi'erniang's peerless sword dance.
Unable to restrain himself, he raised his voice in song:
"...If there be one in the mountain's embrace, clad in ivy and girded with vines..."
It was still The Nine Songs: The Mountain Spirit. Roy felt this Chu elegy suited Yu Ji best.
After a long while, Yu Ji ceased her dance. The twin swords dissolved into streams of blood, flowing back into her body. Her cheeks flushed slightly—not from exhaustion, but from the bashfulness of dancing so freely before Roy.
Unable to resist, Roy stepped forward and embraced her from behind.
Yu Ji stiffened for a moment before quickly melting into his arms, leaning back against his chest.
Roy's hand traced the smooth jade of her cheek, savoring its silken softness, before finally tilting her chin up and lowering his lips to taste her.
"Mm..."
Yu Ji let out a soft murmur, her eyes shimmering like water as she felt Roy's fingers brush against the delicate skin at her collar.
Just as passion stirred within her, Roy suddenly stilled. Yu Ji's expression cleared slightly, her lips parting as she whispered, "...My king?"
Roy simply shook his head, holding her close, his chin resting atop her fragrant hair. "...Let me just hold you like this," he murmured.
Listening to his quiet words, Yu Ji nestled her face against his chest, attuned to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
The beauty in his arms was ripe for the taking, yet Roy found himself desiring not passion, but simply this—holding her, breathing in her scent, losing himself in the fragrance of her hair.
Perhaps this was what it meant to be truly moved by love.
Yu Ji reclined against Roy's chest, and after a long while, he finally opened his eyes—only to catch sight of her delicate feet beneath the hem of her black skirt. A thought struck him, and he leaned in to whisper something in her ear.
Though he didn't need to claim her just yet, there was no harm in indulging in a little play.
Upon hearing Roy's words, Yu Meiren shot him a coquettish glance with her beautiful eyes, her gaze tinged with shyness. Although she had noticed his peculiar preferences from their first meeting, having him voice them so directly still made her blush inwardly. Yet, under Roy's coaxing, she eventually gave a slight nod, gritted her teeth, and cautiously extended her foot, allowing Roy to close his eyes once more with a sigh, savoring the delicate movements of her jade-like toes.
...
Five days later, the army set out on their campaign.
Liu Ji rode on horseback alongside Roy. Liu Ji's forces had already begun their march, and Roy had accompanied the army to see her off five miles beyond the city.
"This westward campaign—I wonder how long it will be before I see you again, General."
Liu Ji's tone was tinged with reluctance. Her fair hand tugged at her horse's mane, her expression sorrowful.
"Why the melancholy, Lord of Pei? The next time we meet will be the day the Qin dynasty falls. We are liberating the people from the tyranny of Qin—you should be rejoicing."
Roy grasped Liu Ji's fragrant shoulder, which was already bare. The moment his hand touched her skin, her face flushed crimson.
"Though the main Qin forces are in the northern Zhao territories, you needn't push yourself too hard on this westward march. Caution is paramount. Taking the Guanzhong region would be ideal, but if you can't, wait for me outside the pass. Once I defeat Zhang Han's army, we'll join forces and enter the heartland together."
In the history Roy knew, Emperor Gaozu would have been nearly fifty by this time—flawed but seasoned. Yet in this world's history, the young emperor was barely in her twenties. Roy feared her impulsiveness might lead to unforeseen consequences.
"That's exactly what I should be saying to you, General. Zhang Han's Qin troops are all elite. Though weary and locked in stalemate with the King of Zhao, they're not to be underestimated. If you can crush them in one battle, all the better. If not, I'll withdraw from Guanzhong and join you in encircling them."
Liu Ji's voice was equally anxious, her words mirroring Roy's—only the direction of their advance differed. Both were preoccupied with the other's potential failure, each worrying for the other.
"Hah! The Qin army is nothing special. But since you say so, I'll naturally proceed with caution."
Roy had no real concern for the Qin forces—he could single-handedly dismantle their armies if he wished. Yet seeing Liu Ji's worry, he couldn't afford to be too obstinate and opted for humility instead.
Seeing Roy's cautious attitude toward the Qin forces, Liu Ji finally relaxed, satisfied that her words had made an impact.
Her face brightened with a smile. "...Then let's make a wager, General. We'll see who succeeds first—you defeating Zhang Han's army, or me entering Guanzhong."
"If you're in the mood for such amusement, I've no objection. But a wager needs stakes. Have you decided on yours, Lord of Pei?"
Roy asked with a grin.
"If you win, General, Ji is yours to command."
Liu Ji's face reddened, her tone suddenly bashful.
"And if I win... well, we'll discuss that when the time comes!"
Liu Ji spurred her horse, urging it to gallop a few steps ahead to overtake Roy.
If I win, I'll let you deal with me however you want.
The thought crossed Liu Ji's mind with a roguish grin. In the eyes of many, she was nothing more than a shameless ruffian who idled around Pei County, flirting with widows and wasting her days. It was only by sheer luck that she had won Roy's favor and attained her current status as the Marquis of Wu'an. Since everyone already saw her as worthless, what harm was there in being a little more willful?
Roy reined in his horse and watched Liu Ji ride away. Around him, the army was on the march. He had already escorted her for ten miles—it was time to turn back.
He had been sitting on his horse since noon, watching the troops fade into the distance. By the time the last of the army disappeared from sight, Roy realized the sky had grown dark.
As he turned his horse around, preparing to urge Wuzhui back to Pengcheng, a sudden instinct made him glance toward the nearby woods. There, beneath a tree, he saw Yu Ji—somehow, she had already left Pengcheng and was standing there, watching him.
"Why are you here, my fair Yu? Would you care to return to Pengcheng with me?"
Yu Ji said nothing. With light, graceful steps, she crossed the distance between them in an instant, like a swallow darting into the woods, and settled sideways in front of Roy, letting him pull her onto Wuzhui's back.
Roy wrapped an arm around Yu Ji's slender waist and urged Wuzhui into a gallop. "...We've lived together in Pengcheng for months, and now I must drag you hundreds of miles north again. I've truly made you suffer."
"Wherever you go, my lord, I will follow."
Her voice was soft.
By Roy's side, Yu Ji had found the peace and quiet she longed for.
She knew true tranquility wasn't supposed to be like this, but over the past year, her thoughts had quietly shifted without her realizing it.
Roy laughed heartily at the change in her address. Ahead, Pengcheng had already come into view.