The pale blue gel in the simulation pod slowly receded, and the pod cover opened gradually.
Qin Yu supported herself on the pod as she stood up. She felt so, so tired. Although she hadn’t moved much, her mental exhaustion was immense.
Outside the room’s window, it was already pitch black—night had fallen.
“Take it easy…” Luo Shangyu had already left her own pod and was now standing outside Qin Yu’s, steadying her.
“Mm…” Qin Yu stepped out of the pod, her feet leaving a sticky footprint on the floor.
“Put on some shoes.” Luo Shangyu brought Qin Yu a pair of fuzzy slippers. “Let’s go take a bath first.”
The two of them draped themselves in the bathrobes that had been prepared earlier and pushed open the door to leave the room. Outside the door, the technicians and maids had been waiting for some time.
“Go clean up in there, and take our clothes to be washed.” Luo Shangyu instructed the maids.
“Let’s go.” Luo Shangyu took Qin Yu’s hand and led her toward the East Palace’s bathing chamber.
They had been in the virtual machine for a long time, but in the Phantom World, it had only been less than a day. As Qin Yu walked, her legs trembled uncontrollably from prolonged disuse.
The bathing chamber was already prepared. The enormous pool was filled with hot water, flames flickered in the lamps around the edges, and the scent of incense mingled with the steam.
Qin Yu slowly stepped into the water, every cell of her body rejoicing at the warmth.
The remaining pale blue gel dissolved into the water and quickly disappeared. Qin Yu lightly rubbed her skin—it no longer felt slippery.
Luo Shangyu came up behind Qin Yu and wrapped her arms around her from behind. “I accidentally hurt you earlier. I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Qin Yu placed her hand over Luo Shangyu’s arm. “After all, no one expected Chen Yufei to act like that!”
“Does it hurt?”
“Hurt?” Qin Yu hesitated, recalling the sensation. “I felt the same level of pain as in the Phantom World. It was very realistic.”
“I’m sorry.” Luo Shangyu whispered again softly in Qin Yu’s ear.
“I said it’s fine…” Luo Shangyu’s gesture made her shy, and she slipped out of Luo Shangyu’s embrace.
…
The two finished bathing and put on the clean clothes the maids had just brought.
Although they hadn’t eaten anything in the simulation pod, thanks to the mysterious gel, Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu didn’t feel hungry.
Even so, when they saw the table laden with food, they couldn’t help but want to feast.
Just as they were sitting down at the table, a maid suddenly came with an urgent report—someone wished to see Qin Yu.
“Who could it be?” Qin Yu was puzzled and told the maid to bring that person in.
“Hello!” A familiar voice came. Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu turned around—it was Chen Yufei!
“Hello.” Qin Yu was a bit reserved. She lowered her head, feeling embarrassed to respond.
“Have you eaten?” Luo Shangyu, on the other hand, showed no discomfort at all. “If not, join us!”
“Okay.” Chen Yufei agreed without the slightest hesitation.
“I came here mainly to formally introduce myself to you two Highnesses.” As Chen Yufei spoke, she respectfully bowed to Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu.
“I am the Governor of the Jingji West Circuit, concurrently holding the offices of Minister of War and Secretariat Director, and granted the title Marquis of Wangjing.”
Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu immediately stood up and respectfully returned the bow.
As a high-ranking regional official stationed near the Capital City, Chen Yufei’s status was self-evident. Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu dared not offend her lightly.
Just then, the maids brought a special chair and tableware for Chen Yufei, and she sat down at the table.
The dining table was rectangular. Qin Yu sat in the seat of honor, while Luo Shangyu and Chen Yufei sat on opposite sides of Qin Yu, facing each other.
“I didn’t expect Luo Shangyu to be so skilled in martial arts that she could actually injure me.” Chen Yufei broke the silence first.
“That was just luck.” Luo Shangyu replied. She wasn’t being modest—her strength lay in magic, and in wielding a spear or staff, she was no match for Chen Yufei, who had spent years on the battlefield.
“I wonder when we can have another bout?” Chen Yufei said with some anticipation. “It’s rare for me to meet someone who can injure me. I must spar with you more.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, your command skills in battle are truly superb!” Chen Yufei then turned to Qin Yu.
“That’s right, but my dear minister, your command talent is also top-notch!” Qin Yu patted Chen Yufei on the back. “If we lord and subject work together wholeheartedly, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish!”
Qin Yu felt this was a good opportunity to win over Chen Yufei. If she could use this military exercise to bring them closer, then the Chen Family would be more supportive of her, and the obstacles after her enthronement would be much fewer.
The three of them ate and chatted, enjoying a harmonious atmosphere, and their relationship quickly grew closer.
After the meal, Qin Yu asked Chen Yufei, “Would you like to come sit in my bedroom for a while?”
“Sure!” Chen Yufei readily agreed.
Being allowed into Qin Yu’s bedroom was a great honor—how could Chen Yufei refuse?
Moreover, deep in her heart, she harbored even grander ambitions. Getting close contact with Qin Yu was exactly what she sought.
“So, you two really do sleep together?” Chen Yufei asked, looking at the two sets of pajamas carelessly tossed on the bed.
Qin Yu had specifically instructed the maids not to enter her room without permission, so the room still looked as it had that morning.
“‘So’? ‘Really do’? Why would you say that?” Luo Shangyu noticed something strange in Chen Yufei’s words.
“Why?” Chen Yufei was taken aback, then she cautiously asked, “Do you not know the rumors going around the city now?”
Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu shook their heads.
“Now the whole country is buzzing that Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu are inseparable and have a very close relationship. Some even say Luo Shangyu is the future Empress!” Chen Yufei lowered her voice and whispered.
“Huh?” Both Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu were shocked. They had never known that their relationship was so widely known.
Inseparable was true, but Empress… wasn’t that a bit far-fetched?
“The whole country?” Qin Yu was stunned. “Is it that obvious?”
“Isn’t it that obvious?” Chen Yufei put her arms around both Qin Yu’s and Luo Shangyu’s necks and pulled them together. “So… is it true or not?”
“Well…” Qin Yu hurriedly defended herself. “Becoming Empress or whatever… I haven’t considered it yet. What do you think, Luo Shangyu?”
Chen Yufei stared into Luo Shangyu’s eyes, waiting for her answer.
“I think it’s a pretty good idea, isn’t it?” Luo Shangyu grinned mischievously, staring into Qin Yu’s eyes.
“Huh?” Qin Yu froze. Something didn’t seem right!
“You… didn’t you say you didn’t like women?”
“But didn’t you forget that I also said, ‘If it’s Qin Yu, I could consider it’?”
“Uh…” Qin Yu lowered her eyes, afraid to meet Luo Shangyu’s gaze—because she remembered that Luo Shangyu had indeed said that!