The Princess Carry and the Peculiar Gift

“Poke~”

Moxi’s index finger prodded Feiluo’s delicate cheek, which, though yielding, possessed a surprising resilience, dimpling for a fleeting moment before springing back to its pristine form.

Feiluo’s gaze, unfocused and hollow, stared blankly into the distance, though only a coffee table occupied the space before her.

She seemed utterly disheartened, as if having suffered a humiliating losing streak in a ranked game, showing a profound disinterest in everything the world had to offer.

Even Moxi, persistently prodding her cheek, failed to stir her from her apathy.

At last, whether from weariness of the incessant poking or from the sheer boredom induced by Feiluo’s unwavering unresponsiveness, Moxi ceased her prodding and addressed Feiluo with a playful plea: “My dear disciple, won’t you offer a reaction?”

Feiluo merely shifted, turning her back to Moxi in a clear display of her disinclination to engage.

Moxi then settled on the opposite end of the sofa, positioning herself directly before Feiluo, and inquired softly, “Is my dear disciple feeling cross?”

Feiluo offered no reply, instead snatching a nearby cushion and pressing it against her face, a clear refusal to speak with Moxi any further.

Observing Feiluo’s ‘I’m socially withdrawn and don’t wish to speak with you’ demeanor, Moxi chuckled with a resigned air. “Yet, it was you who promised me earlier,” she pointed out, “that should you fail this assessment once more, I would be free to mete out any punishment I saw fit.”

“How is it that now, the situation feels as though I am the one at fault?”

“Hmph!”

A faint huff of displeasure emanated from behind the cushion.

“Alright, alright now~”

Moxi gently prodded Feiluo’s arm, which was still clamped around the cushion. “It is indeed your Master’s mistake,” she conceded, “I should never have subjected my dear disciple to such cruel and vicious ‘torture’.”

“Could my dear disciple not find it in her heart to be merciful and forgive her Master?”

“…Very well.”

Feiluo’s voice, muffled by the cushion, emerged somewhat subdued. “But Master, you must agree to one condition.”

“So this was your cunning plan all along,” Moxi mused, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “Of course, anything for my dear disciple; any condition you name is perfectly acceptable~”

“Then…”

Feiluo slowly lifted the cushion, her gaze fixed on Moxi with a fervent, hopeful intensity. “Tonight,” she declared, “I want Master to sleep with me!”

Moxi paused, taken aback.

She had fully expected Feiluo to seize this opportune moment to demand conditions such as ‘never again forcing her to study’ or ‘no punishment, even if all assessments are failed.’

It was entirely unexpected that her sole request would be to share a bed for the night.

Moxi’s eyes softened with a look of pure indulgence, her voice imbued with profound tenderness. “You’re quite a grown girl now,” she murmured, “yet you still wish for Master to accompany you to sleep.”

Feiluo tugged at Moxi’s arm, shaking it with a playful, endearing whine. “What does being an adult have to do with it?” she pouted. “What’s wrong with wanting Master to sleep by my side?”

“Moreover, Master, you explicitly promised to grant me one condition!”

“I never said I wouldn’t agree,” Moxi responded, gently ruffling Feiluo’s hair and smiling warmly. “Of course you may. My dear disciple is so affectionate with her Master; I’m overjoyed by your closeness, so how could I possibly refuse?”

“Hooray!”

Feiluo exclaimed, embracing Moxi’s waist and nuzzling against her with evident delight. “Master truly is the kindest to me!”

She then paused, a hint of bashfulness coloring her tone as she added, “Then, Master, may I bathe with you tonight?”

As if fearing Moxi’s refusal, Feiluo hastily offered, “I can even scrub your back for you, Master!”

Moxi gently stroked Feiluo’s head. “You certainly may,” she replied. “I’ll be counting on you, then.”

“Hehehe~”

Feiluo let out a slightly goofy, delighted chuckle.

“Awuu~”

With her cheek pressed intimately against her Master’s soft abdomen, Feiluo felt the comforting warmth emanating through the fabric and inhaled the subtle, elegant fragrance of Moxi’s skin.

Overcome by a sudden wave of drowsiness, she couldn’t help but yawn, a few crystalline tears welling at the corners of her eyes.

Producing a handkerchief, Moxi tenderly dabbed away the tears from her disciple’s eyes. “Are you feeling sleepy?” she inquired softly.

“A little…awuu~”

Feiluo murmured, rubbing her eyes before succumbing to another irresistible yawn.

“If you intend to sleep, you should go to your room,” Moxi advised. “You’ll catch a chill dozing off here.”

“Alrighty then~”

Feiluo replied, detaching herself from Moxi’s embrace, her hand lingering for a moment against her Master’s soft stomach as she moved away.

“Ugh~”

The instant Feiluo pushed herself upright, a peculiar sensation of aching weakness surged from the soles of her feet.

She nearly stumbled, saved only by Moxi’s swift, perceptive hand.

“My… my legs have gone soft…” Feiluo admitted, casting an embarrassed glance at her Master.

“Allow me to assist you,” Moxi offered, lifting Feiluo effortlessly.

One hand cradled her under the knees, while the other slipped beneath her back, supporting her securely.

Feiluo instinctively wrapped her arms around the back of Moxi’s neck, only then realizing the nature of their embrace.

This was… a princess carry!

A flush crept across Feiluo’s cheeks.

Though she had frequently encountered this classic pose within the pages of novels and comics, this marked her very first personal experience.

It was utterly astonishing that Master knew how to do a princess carry.

Could she possibly have learned it from those very novels and comics?

Yet, she distinctly recalled Master having little interest in such fiction.

Had Master perhaps developed a newfound fondness for them?

On another note, it was fortunate that her own height was not excessive, measuring merely around 135 or 136 centimeters.

Given Master’s height, nearing one and a half meters, carrying her was effortlessly manageable!

While Feiluo’s mind drifted through these whimsical thoughts, Moxi had already begun to stride purposefully towards Feiluo’s room.

She quickly reined in her thoughts, tightening the embrace of her arms around Moxi’s neck.

Moxi gently settled her disciple onto the bed, ensuring she was tucked snugly beneath the covers.

As she exited the room, Moxi paused before closing the door, offering Feiluo a warm smile and a soft “Sweet dreams~”

“Mhm,” Feiluo responded.

“Click.”

The sound of the bedroom door softly closing echoed in the quiet.

Feiluo closed her eyes, consciously regulating her breath to a steady rhythm, attempting to drift into slumber.

A second passed, then two, then three, then four…

Ten minutes later.

“!”

Feiluo’s eyes snapped open.

She couldn’t sleep!

Not a wink!

For reasons unknown, all trace of drowsiness had utterly vanished the moment Master departed.

Now, she felt an overwhelming surge of energy, as though her reserves of strength were boundless.

This wouldn’t do!

Having already settled into bed, she absolutely had to get some sleep!

Ah, yes, she recalled a magazine published by Beidao that suggested counting sheep could aid in falling asleep.

Time to count!

‘One sheep, two sheep, three sheep…’

Feiluo began her silent tally.

Another ten minutes drifted by.

‘Five thousand seven hundred and thirteen sheep…’

“Utterly useless!”

Feiluo exclaimed, sitting bolt upright with a huff of exasperation. “I’m not sleeping! I’d be better off reading a novel!”

True to her word, Feiluo promptly retrieved a substantial stack of novels from her spatial artifact, a few comics interspersed among them.

“Oh? What’s this…?”

Feiluo murmured, pulling a vibrant gift box from the artifact. “This is the birthday present from Senior Sister Hua Yingyue.”

“I almost completely forgot,” Feiluo chided herself, “even though she specifically told me to open it once I returned.”

With a decisive tug, she untied the ribbon binding the gift box and lifted its lid.

Upon catching a glimpse of the contents, Feiluo’s expression initially registered confusion. “This is… a piece of cloth?” she wondered aloud. “The material certainly feels quite exquisite.”

However, as she carefully extracted the gift from the box and unfurled it before her, Feiluo’s delicate face instantly flushed a profound crimson, so deep it seemed almost to drip blood.

Not from fury, but from utter mortification!

“Damn you, Hua Yingyue, what in the world is this monstrous thing you’ve sent me!!!”