AFTER BEING MARRIED OFF TO A BLIND VILLIAN

Chapter 12

Chi Ying's whole body trembled, her voice nearly incoherent: "Your…Your Highness, are you unwell somewhere? I'll call someone to fetch a physician for you..."

At that moment, Yan Xuecui opened his eyes. Those originally gray, hollow pupils were now surrounded by bloodshot veins, like a caged beast, filled with suppressed agitation and violent energy pushed to the extreme.

And there was something else Chi Ying couldn't quite read, something resembling longing.

She didn't know if this was a precursor to madness. Perhaps the Prince of Zhao truly was, as street rumors claimed, a temperamental lunatic.

Chi Ying endured the pain in her wrist and was about to call out for Aunt Fangchun to enter when the man relaxed his grip at that moment, his voice somewhat weary and hoarse: "Don't call anyone in."

This utterance was like fine snow rustling against window gauze, carrying a fragmented quality that strangely dispelled some of the fear in her heart.

"Your Highness, you..."

Yan Xuecui closed his eyes, slowly calming himself.

He'd thought he wouldn't be easily swayed by this woman. But when she lay beside him on his pillow, her warm, lingering breathing echoing by his ear, the tranquil, gentle orange blossom fragrance filling his nostrils, so close yet untouchable, the restless craving surging through his bones and blood was almost uncontrollable.

Until his fingertips grasped the warm skin of her wrist, that irrepressible thirst beneath flesh and blood was slowly soothed. Light began pouring into the dark, hollow territory before his eyes, filling his barren senses.

Yet the longing in his heart was like a desolate ravine, every inch of nerve clamoring for more.

After a long while, he heard his own voice, beyond his control: "I'm sorry... may I hold you?"

Chi Ying's expression froze at these words, her heartbeat seeming to skip a beat.

Hold—hold her?

Did he mean it literally, or was he saying... he wanted to consummate the marriage again?

Yan Xuecui clearly sensed the young woman's hesitation, a self-mocking smile tugging at his lips.

"I heard that when the imperial decree of marriage first arrived at the manor, you were unwilling to marry me, you even declared you'd 'rather die than marry.' Now that you're unwilling to be close to me, I don't blame you. Rather, it's I who am forcing the issue."

Chi Ying's face immediately turned deathly pale, a chill shooting straight up her spine.

Given Chi Yingyue's temperament, she likely had indeed said such things. But now that she'd assumed Chi Yingyue's identity, she absolutely had to give the Prince of Zhao an explanation. Otherwise, this phrase "rather die than marry" was enough to condemn her for the crime of defying her superior.

Having realized this, Chi Ying's back was drenched in cold sweat. Her legs went weak, and she almost got off the bed to kneel and beg forgiveness, but he held her wrist so she couldn't move.

Left with no choice, Chi Ying could only steel herself to explain: "Your Highness, that day I listened to baseless rumors and didn't know Your Highness was such a refined and noble man. In my momentary confusion, I may have said some foolish things, but I absolutely had no intention of defying you. Through my parents' careful guidance, I've long regretted my actions and reformed completely. Now that I've married Your Highness, this heart of mine is naturally devoted entirely to Your Highness. I admire Your Highness, I adore Your Highness—my heart and eyes hold only Your Highness alone. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness..."

She choked with sobs, her voice trembling beyond recognition, clearly terrified to the extreme.

If it were anyone else speaking these words of repentance before him, he would certainly find them unbearably grating, wishing he could snap their neck so they'd never speak again.

But her voice was soft and clear, like a spring flowing over barren land—subtly nourishing, soundless yet pervasive. It actually made him want to keep listening.

Just like at the dinner table today—not knowing his rules, she'd tirelessly introduced each dish to him. Far from finding it irritating, he'd found it soft and soothing.

Yan Xuecui stroked that slender, delicate wrist, thinking of the shadow guards' previous reports.

Over the past two or three years, Countess Yin had been keeping an eye out for suitors for her daughter, frequently taking her daughter to show her face at banquets and gatherings hosted by noble ladies in the capital, hoping to find a match among high-ranking official families.

Later, when Emperor Yongcheng was selecting consorts for several princes, this young lady from the declining Earl manor wasn't qualified to be a prince's primary consort, but more than sufficient for a secondary consort position—thus she was on the list.

That day, the palace informants reported that when Emperor Yongcheng made the final decision on the Prince of Zhao's consort, both the Empress and Consort Li were present. Someone had definitely been pulling strings behind the scenes.

Emperor Yongcheng probably also considered that with his blindness, it would be unfair to marry an ordinary noble lady to him, the legitimate daughter of an Earl's manor was an excellent choice.

Compared to the other princes' consorts who came from prestigious families with illustrious backgrounds, Changyuan Earl's manor had declined. Changyuan Earl Chi Mingxiang currently held only the rank of Junior Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, fifth rank lower grade, offering no assistance whatsoever in court. This suited the other consorts and princes perfectly.

The Empress had no sons. Consort Li, however, was quite likely scheming for her son Prince Xuan, arranging for the least prominent Miss Chi to be given to him.

The covert manipulation and cultivation probably happened in the few months before the wedding. Otherwise, there was no explaining why Chi Yingyue's temperament changed so drastically after marriage, she must be harboring a mission, carefully plotting in secret.

Chapter 12 (Part 1/2)