AFTER BEING MARRIED OFF TO A BLIND VILLIAN - CHAPTER 10

Chapter 10

Aunt Fangchun was overjoyed and hastily bowed in acceptance. "This servant will have the bedchamber properly arranged at once. Will Your Highness be dining with the Princess Consort tonight?"

Yan Xuecui noticed the breathing of the person beside him halt for a moment. He pressed his lips together. "Mm."

He was quite curious to see what this Princess Consort—who had declared she would "rather die than marry," and who had feigned illness for over half a month to avoid him—was really up to.

Chi Ying thought for a moment that she'd misheard. She stood dazed for a long while before realizing that the Prince of Zhao had actually agreed.

He was going to share a room with her?

Chi Ying's mind wandered in confusion as she returned to Shuyu Pavilion, her head heavy and feet light.

Though she'd deliberately mentioned to Xiangqin that she and the Prince of Zhao hadn't yet consummated the marriage when sending word back to the manor—hoping to pressure Lady Yin into making a quick decision—she'd never imagined she'd actually have to go through with it herself.

Her marriage into the Prince's manor was merely a transaction with Lady Yin: she would take Chi Yingyue's place in the wedding, and Lady Yin would procure medicine and physicians for her mother. The original agreement was that the Prince of Zhao's days were numbered—she might not even meet him before he passed away.

But how had things come to this...

She'd already used a cold as an excuse once; she could hardly fall ill again and again. Yet she would have to leave eventually—she couldn't possibly masquerade as Chi Yingyue for the rest of her life. Any disguise was bound to have cracks, and besides, would Lady Yin and her daughter truly allow her to live in luxury forever?

She had a vague feeling she wouldn't be staying here much longer.

It was one thing to be invisible in the manor, occasionally paying respects and making small talk—she could manage that. But to consummate the marriage with the Prince of Zhao would mean sharing a bed, becoming true husband and wife.

Remembering the册子 册Aunt Fangchun had given her—those illustrated scenes of men and women entwined, and the Prince of Zhao being blind, requiring her to take the initiative...

Just thinking about it made Chi Ying feel blood rushing to her head, her skull buzzing, her breath coming short.

Back at Shuyu Pavilion, Qingzhi, Yintiao, and the others were already bustling about with preparations.

Dragon and phoenix wedding candles, gilded curtains, mandarin duck brocade quilts—they'd even laid out bedding embroidered with the Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons pattern. In less than half a day, the bedchamber had been decorated as festively as a wedding night chamber.

Chi Ying sat in the side room, absentmindedly doing needlework. Xiangqin and Baoshan came from the main room, both looking deeply worried.

"Is Third Miss truly going to consummate the marriage with His Highness the Prince of Zhao?"

"This servant has heard that the Prince of Zhao is ruthlessly cruel—no woman has ever left his bed alive... Perhaps you should think of another way?"

Xiangqin had received Lady Yin's instructions not to let Chi Ying seduce and charm her way into favor, but when the Prince of Zhao himself proposed sharing a room, it wasn't something they could prevent.

Chi Ying sighed helplessly. "What other options do I have? I can delay for a moment, but not forever."

Though her impression of his temperament had improved somewhat over these days of contact with the Prince of Zhao, she'd never seen his bedchamber demeanor. A thread of fear crept through her heart.

The worst scenario—the Prince of Zhao using those rumored cruel and brutal methods to torment her... At this thought, Chi Ying's face turned deathly pale, her fingers clenching tight.

If it truly came to that, she would fight her way out. The Prince of Zhao tortured women merely for amusement—he surely wouldn't completely destroy a princess consort bestowed by imperial decree and properly wed.

Things had reached this point. She was like someone trapped in an invisible whirlpool, pressed from all sides, helpless. She could only take it one step at a time.

---

After midday, the manor's kitchen sprang into action. This was the first time His Highness and the Princess Consort would dine together—no one dared be negligent. By the time the sun slanted westward, meticulously prepared dishes were neatly arranged on the table.

The Prince of Zhao indeed came.

Chi Ying stood under the corridor, watching him approach in a white robe with ink-wash patterns, bamboo cane in hand. His bearing was upright, his manner composed—it dimly reminded her of poetry she'd read in childhood: "Stones piled like jade, pines arrayed like jade."

As he drew near, she bowed in greeting. Through her movement, Yan Xuecui heard the jade tassels beneath her ears sway, their sound clear and pleasant, uncommonly lovely.

There were stone steps below the corridor. Chi Ying hesitated a moment but didn't step forward to support him—Steward Yuan was right there; her help shouldn't be needed.

But Steward Yuan had assumed the Princess Consort would take the initiative to assist. When she didn't, he moved to support His Highness's arm, only to have His Highness block his hand and ascend the steps on his own.

A chill ran down Steward Yuan's spine. The very air around them seemed to freeze into ice.

Stealing a glance upward, he noticed His Highness's expression seemed... displeased.

Having served His Highness for many years, Steward Yuan had developed some skill at reading subtle signs. He actually felt this displeasure stemmed from... the Princess Consort not taking the initiative to support him?

Could His Highness truly have developed an interest in the Princess Consort? First having someone bandage her wounds and apply medicine, then sending earrings, personally agreeing to move back from Yanguei Tower to share a room with her...

Yet His Highness had also read the intelligence the shadow guards submitted. His fingers had lingered long over phrases like "arrogant and domineering" and "rather die than marry."

Was tonight's arrangement meant to test the Princess Consort's true nature?

Or had His Highness truly taken Consort Zhuang's words to heart and wanted a young prince of his own?

Steward Yuan didn't dare speculate further. Suppressing his confusion, he followed carefully to attend them.

The round table of yellow rosewood was laden with a full spread of dishes. Though Yan Xuecui couldn't see, the rich mingled fragrances of food already filled his nostrils. He could even tell that most of these dishes had been arranged according to his former preferences.

Chapter 10 (Part 2/2)

Over these years, however, he'd lost his appetite. Whether delicacies from land and sea or simple tea and plain rice—they were all merely sustenance to him, with no difference whatsoever.

Losing his sight had affected his hearing and sense of smell, and his taste as well. He could distinguish the five flavors more clearly than before, but that was all. Sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy brought him no pleasure or stimulation. Even the lack of control—not knowing what the next bite would be or how it would taste—filled him with irritation and unease.

Of course, he showed none of this irritation on his face, but Steward Yuan still keenly sensed the faintly oppressive atmosphere.

Remembering his earlier lesson, Steward Yuan handed the serving bowl, dishes, and silver chopsticks to Chi Ying with a smile plastered on his face. "Might I trouble the Princess Consort to serve His Highness?"

Chi Ying startled slightly, then reached out to accept them.

Fortunately, she'd had nothing to do that afternoon and had done some homework for this dinner. She'd inquired with the kitchen about the Prince of Zhao's preferences and memorized tonight's menu, lest he ask and she knew nothing.

She knew the Prince of Zhao had formerly enjoyed fish. Servants always helped him with his food, so even though he was now blind, the kitchen didn't specially prepare only easily chewed dishes while avoiding bony or thorny foods—they still arranged meals according to his previous preferences.

Chi Ying first ladled him a bowl of soup. "Your Highness, this tofu soup is made with chicken broth as the base, simmered with whitebait, ham, and dried scallops. The tofu is soft, tender, and flavorful. The broth is fresh but not greasy. Please try it—mind the heat."

Yan Xuecui nodded and accepted it with a smile. "Thank you."

His hand holding the chopsticks was pale, cold, and slender, as if carved from the finest white jade. His dining manner was elegant and unhurried, measured—the noble grace of imperial blood soaked into his very bones.

Chi Ying's gaze hastily shifted away from his bobbing Adam's apple. While he drank his soup, she picked up a piece of golden shredded fish and placed it on his plate. "This golden shredded bass—the bass slices are thin, translucent, and crystalline, white as jade. The golden shreds are bright orange, soft, and exceptionally delicious."

Yan Xuecui set down his soup bowl, picked up a slice of bass, and slowly savored it. Finally, the corners of his lips curved up. "Not bad."

Chi Ying continued serving him several more dishes, describing each one in detail.

Steward Yuan stood by, secretly breaking into a cold sweat. His Highness had always observed the rule of not speaking during meals. When they served food, they were accustomed to remaining silent—even the sound of silver chopsticks touching bowls and plates might provoke His Highness's displeasure. Who knew the Princess Consort would chatter on at such length? Fortunately, His Highness suppressed his temper and responded rather mildly, not erupting on the spot—at least giving the Princess Consort considerable face.

Throughout the meal, Yan Xuecui found that dining didn't seem to be such a tiresome affair after all.

That soft voice brushed past his ear, telling him each dish's name, what ingredients were used, reminding him whether it was sweet or spicy, hot or cold. As he slowly chewed, these dishes that normally failed to interest him seemed to contain a thousand flavors.

Yan Xuecui drank half a bowl of soup, set down the lotus bowl, and asked her, "How is the manor's food? Are you accustomed to it, Princess Consort?"

Chi Ying replied, "I'm quite accustomed to it. I'm not particular about food."

She wasn't fussy about food or clothing. Even the preferences she'd reported to the kitchen were actually Chi Yingyue's favorite dishes, lest Chi Yingyue enter the manor later and find inconsistencies that would create complications.

While serving the Prince of Zhao, she also ate slowly herself, thinking that serving him more food could delay things a while longer. If she dragged it out late enough, perhaps they wouldn't need to consummate the marriage tonight.

But every dinner must eventually end.

At the end of the You hour, Yan Xuecui rinsed his mouth with clear tea, and Qingze had also brought over the bamboo scrolls he regularly read.

Shuyu Pavilion had formerly been Yan Xuecui's bedchamber. Only after losing his sight had he grown accustomed to recuperating at Yangui Tower. The dungeon he frequently visited was beneath Yangui Tower, so he'd simply taken to sleeping there.

Today, with Shuyu Pavilion newly arranged, Chi Ying noticed that the curio cabinet, crescent table, bookshelf, and scroll jar had all been furnished with many of the Prince of Zhao's belongings. Her heart grew anxious and uneasy.

Did this mean he planned to reside here permanently?

Qingzhi stepped forward, saying the hot water in the bathing chamber was ready and inviting her to bathe.

As for what would happen after bathing—that went without saying.

Chi Ying glanced toward the Prince of Zhao lounging on the couch drinking tea. He clearly had no intention of leaving. Her heart sank, and she had no choice but to go bathe first.

Thinking of the two masters' first night together, aside from the complicated formalities, Aunt Fangchun, Qingzhi, and the others had all prepared as if for a wedding night.

Chi Ying looked at the baskets of fresh flower petals and the fragrant balms and oils, thought for a moment, then instructed Qingzhi: "Let's not use the petals and fragrant oils today. I've just recovered from my cold—these scents still make me uncomfortable."

Being covered in rich fragrance would inevitably make the Prince of Zhao think she was eager to please him. She needed to minimize her presence around him as much as possible—letting him neither see her appearance nor smell her scent...

That's right—she should also wear thick nightclothes to make herself feel bloated and awkward to the touch. She could simply claim she'd just recovered from her cold and feared catching a chill...

This way, how could he possibly maintain any interest?

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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