Translator – Xiao He Lian
This is a translation hosted on KnoxT, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized. Please support the translator by reading it at KnoxT.
Chapter 150 Third Life Extra 4
The cold moon hung high, snowflakes fluttered gently.
In the city of Chang’an, crowds surged like tides. People brushed shoulders—men, women, young and old—numbering in the thousands, watching fireworks, guessing lantern riddles, enjoying acrobatics and street performances.
Music from flutes and strings filled the air. Performers in costumes paraded in long lines. Thousands of lanterns crisscrossed in a dazzling display.
Suì Yù stood on a watchtower with his hands behind his back, glancing sideways as he spoke to several strong men. “Do you see those three young ladies?”
One of them responded, “Just give the order, young master!”
Suì Yù said, “Once the stage on the southern side begins, seize the one on the far right in the chaos, and bring her to the corridor behind the temple.”
The man hesitated. “Young master, that lady has many maids with her. If any of them know martial arts, snatching her in public might alarm the local authorities.”
Suì Yù replied calmly, “It won’t happen.” Watching Shen Yao laughing happily with her sisters, he added, “She knows it’s me who’s looking for her.”
With that, he took off the jade pendant hanging from his neck.
——
The full moon glowed like icy jade, lanterns lit the land and sea, people stepped into the warmth of spring.
The bustling crowd began moving toward the stage. Suddenly, several burly men surged into the crowd.
With broad shoulders and thick waists, they maneuvered around Shen Yao. She stared at the jade pendant, slowly backing away. Turning a corner, a hand suddenly reached out from nowhere and seized her wrist.
Suì Yù dragged her under the corridor of the temple, pinning her against the wall. “Second Miss, why don’t you give me a straightforward answer?”
Shen Yao replied coolly, “What do you mean, Young Master?”
Staring at her, he said, “Shen Yao!”
Feigning a stomachache, she nudged him. “My stomach hurts. Please move aside.”
He didn’t budge, lowering his voice. “Faking illness or a fall—you’re best at that.”
Shen Yao looked at him without flinching.
She certainly wasn’t going to admit to faking anything.
After a moment, Suì Yù clenched his fists and said in a low voice, “After the results are released, I will officially propose marriage. Will you agree?”
Shen Yao turned to leave. “I should go.”
Suì Yù’s chest heaved. He grabbed her wrist again and pulled her back into his arms, then lowered his head and kissed her.
Shen Yao trembled, her eyes widening.
At first, their lips just touched—gently, softly—but gradually, Suì Yù became more forceful. His tongue slowly tested her lips. Shen Yao parted hers slightly. The soft, wet contact and sweet, fragrant breath made their hearts beat faster than the drumbeats outside.
Their souls seemed to fly away.
Suì Yù held her tightly. Shen Yao patted his shoulder. Though it was the first time for both, men always seemed to have an instinct for these things. He wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her deeply, hungrily, as if there were no tomorrow.
Her lip rouge had long been completely devoured. After a few gasps, Suì Yù finally pulled back.
“Second Miss, did you eat candy?” he teased softly.
Blushing, Shen Yao scolded, “You’ve ruined my lip rouge.”
Suì Yù took her hand and couldn’t help but embrace her again. “Yao Yao.”
Shen Yao’s face remained flushed.
He touched her nose with his own, murmuring again, “Yao Yao.”
Lightly pushing his chest, she whispered, “What are you doing…”
Suì Yù chuckled. “In the fourth month, the results will be out.”
Shen Yao placed her hand on his shoulder, tiptoeing to whisper in his ear, “I hope Brother Yù will take first place in the imperial exam.”
Suì Yù squeezed her waist and lifted her off the ground.
Shen Yao protested, “Put me down.”
Suì Yù refused. “No.”
Shen Yao threatened, “Then I’ll shout.”
Suì Yù smirked. “Scream all you want. Even if you tear your throat, no one will come.”
But Shen Yao was mischievous. Before he could finish, she shouted loudly, “Help! Help!”
Startled, Suì Yù quickly set her down.
Meeting her cunning gaze, he angrily bit her lip again. He closed his eyes, grinding gently, sucking hard, his hands slowly moving up from her waist.
Then, he suddenly grasped something soft.
Shen Yao froze, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood.
Suì Yù immediately let go. “Yao Yao, I didn’t mean to!”
Staring at his distinct fingers, she cursed, “Scoundrel!”
That bite was no joke—Suì Yù’s lip bled. He touched it, red staining his fingertips.
“Tsk.”
Shen Yao turned to leave.
Suì Yù blocked her way. “Yao Yao, then at least hit me a couple more times.”
Shen Yao’s eyes widened. Suddenly, she realized that his usual aloof, noble demeanor was all an act.
Yet with her lips all swollen from his bites, she had no strength left to be angry.
Taking a deep breath, Suì Yù promised, “Before marriage, it won’t happen again.”
He added, “I promise.”
Shen Yao gave a soft snort, slipped out the door, and Suì Yù didn’t dare stop her. He looked down at his hand.
Moments later, he regretfully covered his forehead.
——
Not long after, Shen Yao returned to the street unnoticed. She quietly slipped behind Shen Shu, who was talking to the local magistrate, fanning her face with a bamboo fan.
“Sister, I’m back.”
“Yao Yao! What are you doing here!”
Seeing her, Shen Shu quickly said to Magistrate Zheng, “A false alarm, no need to trouble yourself, My Lord.”
Magistrate Zheng smiled, “No problem, as long as she’s safe.”
Shen Shu pulled her aside. Shen Yao changed the subject, “Where’s Zhen’er?”
“I went to look for you, she went back to the carriage,” Shen Shu narrowed her eyes. “Put that fan down.”
Shen Yao moved the fan away and pressed her lips together.
Staring at her mouth, Shen Shu asked, “Where did you go?!”
Shen Yao said nothing.
“Who did you meet?”
Barely audible, Shen Yao muttered, “Please don’t be mad…”
At that moment, a group of young noblemen approached—Lu Yan, heir of Duke Zhenguo, Ru Xiu, youngest son of Duke of Lu, and Suì Yù, heir of Marquis Xuanping. Suì Yù’s gaze locked on Shen Yao.
Ru Xiu teased, “Little Yù, who are you staring at? Which young lady?”
Shen Shu glared, “Suì Yu? Hmm?”
Shen Yao immediately turned her head.
The two exchanged an awkward glance, then both turned to watch the lanterns of the Lantern Festival.
Their hearts thundered.
——
One had her lip rouge smudged, the other had blood at the corner of his mouth.
Shen Shu looked at them, took a deep breath in frustration.
She dragged Shen Yao back to the carriage. As they walked, she warned, “If it happens again—”
Shen Yao grabbed her sister’s hand, quickly cutting her off, “There will definitely be no next time! I won’t worry you again!”
Once inside the carriage, Shen Zhen peeked out. “Second Sister, where did you go just now?”
Driven by survival instinct, Shen Yao changed the subject. “Zhen’er, did you make that peace lantern yourself?”
“No, Someone had hung it on our carriage,” Shen Zhen said, spinning the lantern to show them. “Who’s Rong Jing?”
Shen Yao replied, “Never heard of him.”
Shen Shu made a swallowing motion. Shen Zhen asked, “Big Sister, you don’t know him either?”
Shen Shu gave a perfect smile. “How would I know?”
——
Ice and snow melted, spring bloomed.
At dawn, Shen Yao sat up, slipped on her shoes, and with hair undone, appeared outside Shen Shu’s window.
She nudged her sister’s arm.
Shen Shu slowly opened her eyes, seeing a ghostly figure in white—Shen Yao. “What are you doing?”
Shen Yao said, “Sister, I heard the exam results are being posted today. Don’t you want to go check?”
Shen Shu sat up. “It’s so early…”
“I’m too curious,” Shen Yao said. “You know I can’t keep things to myself. I even dreamed I took the imperial exam.”
Shen Shu patted her hand. “The gates aren’t even open yet. Whether you find out a bit earlier or later, it’s the same.”
Shen Yao pulled her up and just then, the sound of drums rang from outside.
She smiled, “Sister, the gates are open.”
Shen Shu took a deep breath. She truly had no choice.
She let Shen Yao drag her out of the house.
As tradition dictated, the results were posted at the courtyard south of the Ministry of Rites. When their carriage arrived, they stepped down.
Though it was barely dawn, a large crowd had already gathered.
Shen Shu, seeing the crowd, whispered, “Yao Yao, I’ll wait here. You go look.”
“My fingers are cold, and my heart’s about to leap out. Please come with me.” Shen Yao clutched her hand and led her into the sea of people.
Moments later, a clerk from the Ministry of Rites arrived with the announcement scroll. The crowd of scholars held their breath.
The list was slowly unrolled and pasted on the wall.
Shen Yao didn’t dare start from the top. She looked from the bottom up. Her heart raced as each name passed by. When she reached the top—
She was speechless.
After a long pause, she stammered, “Sis—Sister, look! Look!”
Shen Shu raised her head.
Her eyes widened, and she took an involuntary step back—
As if she’d stepped on someone.
