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 2/2)
The one point he still hadn't figured out was how, whether it was Consort Li or Prince Xuan, Yan Yunshen—they'd managed to cultivate such a woman whose very voice and physical touch so perfectly matched his preferences.
Even he himself hadn't known before what kind of woman he'd favor. This was truly fascinating.
Yan Xuecui chuckled softly. "The Princess Consort takes it too seriously. If I wanted to pursue that day's words, why would I wait until tonight?"
Chi Ying: "..."
He'd said all the good and bad himself.
This man was always like this, appearing gentle and good-natured, yet his words invariably concealed sharp edges, catching people off guard.
Right now she was caught between advancing and retreating. Her wrist was clamped in his grip—not heavily, but she couldn't break free either. Nor did she dare try, lest it confirm her rejection and disgust toward the Prince of Zhao.
Yan Xuecui sighed deeply, closed his eyes, his voice carrying clear hoarseness: "Just now my old illness flared up, did I frighten you?"
Chi Ying immediately asked, "What old illness does Your Highness have? Should I summon Physician Lin?"
Yan Xuecui: "It's fine. I'm used to it."
He called this condition an old illness, though it could barely be considered a disease.
Physician Lin had once mentioned that in the previous dynasty's harem, there was a rather favored consort who'd initially enjoyed the late emperor's deep affection, often serving at his side with fragrant sleeves and added incense. But because she monopolized the emperor, drawing the jealousy of others in the harem, someone schemed against her. From then on, the emperor's favor was completely lost, she spent night after night alone in cold bedding, and eventually developed a mental disorder.
Physician Lin had seen that medical record before and remembered it well. The consort confessed that she didn't intentionally compete for favor—rather, she desperately craved the late emperor's embrace and touch. Even half a day without seeing him produced intense anxiety and agitation in her heart.
The late emperor had initially been deeply affectionate with her, but ultimately state affairs were pressing and he managed ten thousand matters daily, he couldn't constantly visit the harem. She thus developed a greedy, craving desire. Later, when favor ceased entirely, she wept nightly and couldn't sleep, until the disorder erupted. She suffered torment and died in melancholy.
Yan Xuecui vaguely sensed his symptoms resembled that consort's.
Long-term emotional dysregulation had left his mental state deteriorating. He knew he harbored unspeakable desires in his heart—craving warmth, craving someone by his side.
But as a prince, from birth he had faced endless struggles and power plays. Before that cold dragon throne, there was no kinship or fraternal affection to speak of. He felt only wariness and loathing toward everything around him.
Physician Lin had even boldly suggested he find a compatible woman to keep at his bedside, but he felt nearly physiological revulsion toward those calculating women who climbed into bed to curry favor.
Only before this woman could he not suppress the desire growing in his bones and blood, actually developing a wish to be close to her.
Chi Ying saw the fine sweat seeping from the man's brow and hurriedly took a brocade handkerchief to wipe it for him.
Since he was unwilling to summon a physician, she could only probe: "Is there anything I can do for Your Highness?"
Yan Xuecui's thin lips pressed slightly, as if extremely exhausted. He didn't answer.
Chi Ying suddenly recalled his earlier words, asking her to hold him... Could that actually help?
Though she was unwilling to be intimate with him, in her heart she knew—he was the mighty Prince Zhao. If he truly forced himself upon her, could she really escape?
Moreover, seeing his slightly quickened breathing and his apparent restraint and forbearance, his earlier grip on her wrist had shown no intention of further violation. And she had just sworn to heaven that she would "admire Your Highness, adore Your Highness"...
Thinking of this, Chi Ying grew increasingly flustered. Yet after repeated hesitation, she finally bent down and lightly embraced the man's waist.
At the same moment, she clearly felt his body tremble.
Her heartbeat instantly accelerated. She instinctively shrank back, thinking she might as well let go. But unexpectedly, a weight settled on her lower back as the man clasped her waist and pulled her into his embrace.
Chi Ying's mind went blank for an instant before she was caught unprepared in his arms.
The man's breath was heavy and scorching. Even through her not-so-thin nightclothes, she could clearly feel the violent rise and fall of his chest, burning heat rising between them.
Chi Ying's face flushed crimson, her whole body tense, each breath accompanied by drum-like heartbeats.
Lying against the man's excessively firm and powerful chest, she had nowhere to put her hands and feet, only able to grip the bedding tightly. This position was truly uncomfortable, and she was so hot she could barely breathe. She tried to shift slightly.
The man seemed to realize this and relaxed his palm's grip somewhat. Chi Ying sensed a slight gap opening before her. Thinking he no longer needed her, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Her body had barely moved when the man suddenly pressed her shoulder. Before she could react, his heavy, burning body had already turned over and pressed down upon her.
Chi Ying's tense back pressed against the bed, her slender, thick lashes trembling rapidly.
The man buried his face in the side of
her neck, his scalding, rapid breathing spilling against her ear, exciting tremors through her entire body, her limbs going weak as mud.
TRANSLATOR: Guys, i just realized this book is rated 18, and i cannot continue posting it on my website. i am still trying to figure out what to do when we get to those chapters.
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GLOSSARY
Characters
Chi Ying (池萤) - Female protagonist; concubine-born third daughter who substitutes for her legitimate elder sister in marriage to the Prince of Zhao
Yan Xuecui / Prince of Zhao (晏雪摧 / 昭王) - Male protagonist; blind prince with a dark reputation, suffers from touch-starvation condition
Chi Yingyue (池颖月) - Chi Ying's legitimate elder sister who was originally supposed to marry the Prince of Zhao
Countess Yin / Yin-shi (殷氏)- Chi Yingyue's mother; the legitimate wife who arranged the substitute marriage
Aunt Xue / Xue Yiniang (薛姨娘) - Chi Ying's mother; a concubine in poor health
Consort Zhuang (庄妃) - The Prince of Zhao's mother
Prince Ding (定王) - The deceased elder brother of Prince of Zhao
Emperor Yongcheng (永成帝) - The current emperor
Servants & Attendants
Xiangqin (香琴) - Chi Ying's maid, originally serving Lady Yin's interests
Baoshan (宝扇) - Chi Ying's maid
Aunt Fangchun (芳春姑姑) - Senior servant managing household affairs
Steward Yuan / Yuan-de (元德) - The Prince of Zhao's chief steward
Qingzhi (青芝) & Yintiao (银翘) - Maids at the manor
Qingze (青泽) - The Prince of Zhao's attendant
Physician Lin (林院判) - The physician treating the Prince of Zhao
Locations
Prince of Zhao's Manor (昭王府) - The prince's residence
Shuyu Pavilion (漱玉斋) - Chi Ying's residence, formerly the Prince of Zhao's chamber
Yangui Tower (雁归楼)- The Prince of Zhao's current residence with a dungeon beneath
Shouchun Hall (寿春堂)- Consort Zhuang's residence
Changyuan Earl Manor (昌远伯府)- Chi family's declining noble household
Titles & Terms
Wang/Prince (王)- Imperial prince title
Wangfei/Princess Consort (王妃) - Wife of a prince
Dianxia/Your Highness (殿下) - Formal address for a prince
Niangniang/Your Ladyship (娘娘) - Formal address for an imperial consort
Di (嫡) - Legitimate-born (from legal wife)
Shu (庶) - Concubine-born
Substitute marriage (替嫁)- Marrying in place of another
Consummation/Yuan fang (圆房) - Completing the marriage ceremony through intercourse
Returning home visit/Hui men (回门) - Traditional bride's first visit to natal home after marriage
Cultural Items
Bamboo cane/scrolls (竹杖/竹简) - The prince uses these for mobility and reading
Incense (熏香) - Various types used for ambiance
Dragon and phoenix candles (龙凤喜烛) - Wedding candles
Phoenix seal (鳳印)- Symbol of empress status
Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons pattern (百子千孙图) - Auspicious bedding embroidery symbolizing fertility
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