The Cold Minister and the Substitute Bride novel · Chapter 6 of 24
Chapter 6: The Hunting Camp
The imperial tent was made of yellow canvas stretched on poles, and every sound passed through it.
Zhiruo heard Gao's servant cough in the next tent nearby.
She heard a guard's spear scrape the ground just outside the flap.
She heard her own heart, which was louder than either.
"Three nights," Biyan said, very low.
She stood in the middle of the tent with her back to the lantern, still in her hunting robe.
She had not touched the single wide bedroll since they came in.
"Three nights of being listened to," Zhiruo agreed, and sat on the edge of it.
"I will sleep on the carpet."
"On the cold ground, in autumn, with a Censor watching the shadows on the canvas?" Zhiruo patted the blanket. "He will wonder why the new husband sleeps on the floor."
Biyan came and sat beside her.
They both stared at the lantern.
Outside, a horse snorted, and far off, the court musicians were playing something slow on a flute.
Zhiruo moved first.
She laid her head against Biyan's shoulder, lightly, as a wife would.
Biyan's whole body went tight.
Then, slowly, it eased, a little at a time, and her arm came round Zhiruo's back and drew her in.
"I have been thinking about the study," Biyan said.
Her voice was barely louder than breath.
"I have thought about nothing else since. I did my work. I stood in court. I heard a man talk about grain prices for an hour and I was thinking about your mouth."
Zhiruo turned her face up.
"Then say so."
"I want you," Biyan said.
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