Resplendent – Chapter 511

Chapter 511 – Uninvited

Gu Ye didn’t like anyone else in the room while she slept, so she never kept anyone on night duty. Hua Hao and Yue Yuan could only sleep in the outer room.

They all knew that she was a light sleeper; if her rest was disturbed, she would have trouble falling back asleep, and her spirits the next day would be ruined. Therefore, without explicit permission, they would never enter her room lightly.

Who could have expected that the first half of the night would be so hot that fans were needed, and the second half would turn windy and chill, catching one completely off guard? 

Gu Ye was restless in her sleep. When she felt hot, she would kick off the covers; when she felt cold, she could only curl up pitifully into a small ball.

From a distance, Ling Juechen watched the little girl curl up like a tiny dumpling, her posture reminiscent of a baby in the womb, or a cat huddled against the cold wind. He couldn’t help but step lightly across the water, part the thin muslin outside the canopy, and move to her side.

He gently picked up the thin blanket and draped it over her. The little girl stretched out slightly and slept even more soundly. He sat quietly beside her, silently watching her serene and beautiful sleeping face.

Her skin was pale and smooth, her lashes long and thick, her lips a soft cherry pink. She slept without any guard, like a newborn in a mother’s arms, a faint, sweet smile tugging at the corners of her lips, lost in some pleasant dream.

Ling Juechen, almost bewitched, bent forward, bringing his lips close to her cheek, wanting to taste the milk-like softness of her skin and see if it was as delicate and fragrant as it looked.

Unexpectedly, the little girl was so alert that when his lips were still two to three inches away, she suddenly sat up as if seized by a nightmare. Off guard, her nose collided with his chin, sending a sharp pain that brought instant tears to her eyes. She covered her nose and whispered, “Ouch!”

“Did it hurt? Let me see if it’s bleeding,” Ling Juechen said in a fluster, helping her sit up. He gently moved her hand away from her nose to check. Fortunately, it was only a little red.

“Miss, what’s the matter? Do you want some water?” Hua Hao’s voice came from outside.

Gu Ye stared expressionlessly at the shameless scoundrel who had sneaked into her boudoir, wishing she could kick him straight into the water.

Instead of sleeping, did this guy come sneaking around in the middle of the night, trying to make trouble? How dare he! The medicine in her hand wasn’t something to mess with.

Hua Hao asked again and was about to push the door open when Gu Ye grumbled, her voice muffled, “No! I just had a nightmare. I dreamed that a shameless man snuck into my room, trying to do something improper, but I dosed him with medicine and ruined… that thing of his!”

Hua Hao didn’t catch what ‘that thing’ referred to, but understood that her lady had a nightmare and quickly comforted her, “It was only a dream. Miss, do you need me to come in and keep you company?”

“I’m not afraid! The one who should be afraid is that brazen, shameless scoundrel! Go sleep. It’s still a long way to morning, I’ll nap a little more,” Gu Ye said, rolling her tired eyes and shaking the small medicine bottle she had suddenly produced at Ling Juechen.

Ling Juechen put on a mock expression of fear, scooted back a bit, and in a lowered, concerned voice said, “Does your nose still hurt? I can apply some cooling ointment to relieve the pain!”

“No need!” Gu Ye snapped. “Is your Highness Prince Ning in such high spirits that you couldn’t sleep and came here in the middle of the night to enjoy the scenery?”

Fearing she would misunderstand, Ling Juechen quickly explained, “I only caught a glimpse of you earlier today, and it stuck in my mind. I couldn’t sleep, so I just wanted to see you from afar…”

“Oh? From afar? Being less than an arm’s length away counts as far?” Gu Ye’s tone carried obvious mockery.

“No. I saw you kick your blanket onto the floor and was afraid you’d catch a chill, so I came over to cover you. Who knew you were so sensitive while sleeping. You noticed me right away.” Ling Juechen fiddled with his fingers, puffing out his cheeks and putting on an innocent expression.

Gu Ye resisted the urge to pinch his handsome face and instead kept a wooden expression: “Oh? You were helping me cover up, and your mouth just happened to cover my face too? You were trying to steal a kiss but not bold enough to admit it? That’s not like you at all, War God.”

“How did you know I wanted to kiss you?” Ling Juechen shamelessly grinned at her.

Gu Ye rolled her eyes. “You definitely didn’t brush your teeth after drinking. The smell of alcohol coming off your breath could get someone drunk all over again. Stay away from me, you stink!” She pushed his approaching face aside.

Ling Juechen exhaled into his palm and sniffed. Sure enough, there was a strong scent of wine. He chuckled. “Do you have any breath-freshening potions? Could you give me a bottle?”

“You still dare ask me for something to drink? Aren’t you afraid I’ll poison you?” Gu Ye tossed him a bottle of mint–lemon breath freshener.

Ling Juechen caught it and beamed a smile more radiant than sunshine and more beautiful than flowers. “I’m not afraid. If I die by your hand, I’ll gladly accept it!” After speaking, he pulled out the stopper, poured some into his mouth, swished it around, and swallowed.

“Citrus lemon flavor, sweet and tangy, just like juice. Xiao An Ye’s potions are tasting better and better,” Ling Juechen praised, using the codename she had in his previous life, casually closing the distance between them.

“Hmph! Ice Cube, you may leave. This young lady is going to rest! Kneel and take your leave!” Gu Ye waved him off like shooing a fly, flopped back onto the low couch, and closed her eyes. Her long, curled lashes trembled slightly, like butterfly wings resting on a petal.

“Understood, Your Majesty!” Ling Juechen obediently flicked his sleeves.

A slight curve appeared on Gu Ye’s lips. Only he could catch these playful jokes from her previous life. This miraculous journey through time wouldn’t feel lonely with him by her side…

After waiting for a long while and sensing no movement nearby, she lifted her lashes slightly and peeked through. Ling Juechen was still stubbornly sitting in place, his soft gaze fixed on her. Exasperated, Gu Ye turned her back to him and said, “Didn’t I tell you to kneel and take your leave?”

“Your Majesty, allow me to stay. I can help ward off mosquitoes,” he replied. Perhaps because of his strong vitality, during summer, being near him meant Gu Ye didn’t have to worry about mosquito bites. They always went for him instead.

Whenever the group camped outdoors, he would quietly stay by her side, ensuring she could sleep peacefully through the night. Later, seeing him covered in mosquito bites after pulling several all-nighters, she brewed a potion to repel mosquitoes.

By then, it had become a habit for him. Whenever they camped, he stayed nearby, so she could always see him if she turned her head…

Recalling those early chaotic days, Gu Ye’s face softened with nostalgia. Though that time was harsh, having him by her side made it much easier to endure.