AFTER BEING MARRIED OFF TO A BLIND VILLIAN - CHAPTER 7

Chapter 7

Yuan De was the first to notice something wrong with his master's expression, especially the veins faintly throbbing at his neck, clearly a sign of suppression and restraint.

Yet His Highness didn't call for a stop.

Yuan De didn't dare rashly interrupt. After the palm and forearm had been bandaged, trying to gauge His Highness's thoughts, he tentatively asked: "Consort, why not trouble yourself a bit more and treat His Highness's chest wound as well?"

Chi Ying was struck as if by a blow to the head, frozen in place, not knowing what to do.

When she had come yesterday, Qing Ze had already bandaged his chest, so she'd forgotten about that wound.

"The wound on Your Highness's chest is too severe. This consort doesn't dare..."

She looked toward Prince Zhao with difficulty, pinning her hopes on his fastidiousness and aversion to strangers. After all, the chest wasn't like the arms, propriety forbade looking. In the end, she wasn't truly his consort.

Unexpectedly, Prince Zhao smiled faintly and readily expressed his position: "No matter."

His voice like shattered jade and broken bamboo carried a trace of slight hoarseness, his enunciation somehow tinged with a bewitching quality.

Chi Ying inexplicably felt her ears grow hot. Seeing him fully dressed, she was even more at a loss.

Yan Xuecui said: "Help me remove my robe."

Chi Ying was slightly stunned.

Didn't he move freely and not need anyone to help him dress and undress daily? Could he not remove his own clothes?

After struggling internally for a moment, seeing him perfectly composed with no intention of doing it himself, Chi Ying could only steel herself and slowly move forward, stopping at a distance of barely half an arm's length from the man, then leaning down.

So close she could clearly see every intricate detail of the ornaments at his waist.

Yan Xuecui's lashes lowered slightly as he "looked" at her.

Chi Ying knew he was blind, yet couldn't ignore this extremely strong presence.

The sandalwood incense enveloped her overwhelmingly. The man's hands beneath his wide sleeves rested casually at his sides. From a certain angle, it looked as if she were being gathered into his embrace.

Chi Ying's cheeks flushed crimson, her throat tightening. Suppressing the urge to retreat, she carefully raised her eyes. The man's exquisite, beautiful face was right before her.

His jawline was clear and smooth, his lips tending toward pink, his skin very pale with a jade-like luster. Further up, his high-bridged nose was half-covered beneath the snow-white gauze. The cool, elegant woody fragrance floated shallowly with each breath.

Chi Ying stood dazed for a long while. Only when she saw his Adam's apple roll lightly did she suddenly come back to herself, trembling fingers reaching to undo his belt.

Aunt Fangchun had taught her these things, but at the time she hadn't imagined she'd have close contact with Prince Zhao. It had gone in one ear and out the other—she'd only learned the basics. Add to that being so close, the man's body heat enveloped her almost suffocatingly.

Chi Ying was so nervous her hands were shaking. After fumbling for a long time, she finally found the hidden clasp. With a "click," the jade belt buckle loosened. She breathed a sigh of relief, eyes practically closed the entire time as she steeled herself to undo the fastenings at his chest and the gauze.

But inadvertently, a strand of hair fell lightly, brushing almost imperceptibly across the man's waist and abdomen.

Before Yan Xuecui's eyes was pitch darkness. Beyond vision, all his senses were heightened manifold.

The girl's fragrance was inescapable. The soft strand of hair swept across the contours of his waist, bringing a clear tingling sensation.

She seemed very nervous. The rustling friction of fabric mixed with a drumbeat-like heartbeat. Soft fingertips rested on his chest, carefully untying the gauze knot, then slowly pushing down his left sleeve. Slender, jade-like arms circled around his waist, from shoulder and neck to back, unwinding the gauze round by round.

Despite being extremely careful, those delicate, silky-smooth fingers still brushed across his body again and again inadvertently.

By the time the gauze was completely removed, the woman's slightly disordered breath fell unobstructed onto his chest. Yan Xuecui's Adam's apple rolled as he tensed his body once more.

He lowered his lashes but still sensed her gaze lingering, falling on him without moving an inch.

What was she looking at?

His chest, or his waist?

Yan Xuecui actually found that gaze scorching hot.

Like that flame that had licked his palm last night—clearly so soft and weak, yet forcefully branded into his flesh. That searing pain made him instinctively lose his composure.

Chi Ying's forehead was slightly damp with sweat. She only wanted to finish applying the medicine and leave quickly. But when the man's lean, powerful upper body with clearly defined muscles was exposed before her eyes, she still couldn't help but hold her breath for two beats.

The dark red scar on his chest was grotesque, flesh torn and curled. Across his undulating abdomen, those long-faded old scars crisscrossed.

Like a surface of cold jade covered in chisel marks, adding several measures of breathtaking, sharp intensity.

Chi Ying's mind went blank, her face and neck both tinged with color. She couldn't quite describe what she was feeling.

She forced herself to immediately snap out of it. The silver spoon in her hand scooped up medicine and carefully applied it to the man's chest. But perhaps because her movements were unsteady, she actually heard a muffled groan from his throat.

Chi Ying was instantly panic-stricken, the silver spoon in her hand nearly falling to the ground, the shyness on her face completely transformed into deep alarm.

Only then did she clearly see the veins bulging at his forehead. She said in a trembling voice: "This consort is clumsy and has hurt Your Highness..."

Yuan De saw she was frightened pale and couldn't figure out His Highness's purpose in insisting the consort apply medicine. Caught in a difficult position, he could only try to smooth things over: "Your Highness, the consort's complexion doesn't look very good."

Yan Xuecui imperceptibly tightened his palms.

After a long while, his clear, cool voice rang out: "If that's the case, go back and rest first."

Chi Ying immediately felt relieved. Not catching the extra hoarseness in his voice compared to usual, she said softly: "Thank you for Your Highness's understanding. This Consort takes her leave."

The restlessness in Yan Xuecui's chest gradually subsided. Hearing her light, quick footsteps retreating, a smile returned to his lips as he said kindly: "Thank you for your trouble today, Consort."

Chi Ying had already reached the doorway. Hearing this, her spine trembled violently. She stiffly turned around and bowed to take her leave once more.

Aunt Fangchun had witnessed everything. All along the way, she consoled her: "Consort, don't blame yourself. Even Qing Ze, who has served at His Highness's side for many years, inevitably has moments of carelessness. Moreover, His Highness's wound has already scabbed over. With so many people attending at Yanguī Tower, you needn't worry."

Chi Ying nodded lightly, her face still somewhat pale.

Aunt Fangchun smiled again: "Don't be afraid either. From these two encounters, you must have seen that our master isn't some savage beast. Usually he's refined and cultured, always smiling pleasantly."

Chi Ying pressed her lips together: "...Mm."

Aunt Fangchun was pleased to see His Highness and the consort getting along harmoniously. She contemplated asking His Highness to move to Shuyu Pavilion in the next few days. What newlywed couple in the world lived in separate quarters? If Consort Zhuang learned of this later, she'd worry again.

But unexpectedly, that very night the consort caught a cold. When she rose early, her face was deathly pale, her forehead covered in cold sweat.

Fangchun was badly frightened. She immediately had someone fetch a physician and sent word to Yanguī Tower that the consort was indisposed and couldn't come change the medicine today.

The dark, thick medicinal decoction was prepared and brought up. Chi Ying drank it with furrowed brows. Though her mouth was bitter, her heart felt relieved.

Perhaps long-accumulated anxiety had weighed on her heart. Last night she'd tossed and turned sleeplessly. Closing her eyes, her mind was filled entirely with Prince Zhao's blood-drenched hands, his scar-crossed chest and abdomen, and... and when her arms circled that person's waist, the man's slow, scorching breath falling on her forehead, their body heat connecting, that heat had nearly made her bones go weak... She had simply gotten up and sat by the window for a while, drinking two cups of cold tea. By the time the flush on her face subsided, she had caught a chill.

It could be considered a blessing in disguise. Though her body was uncomfortable, at least she could peacefully stay at Shuyu Pavilion for a few days. No matter what, it was far more comfortable than constantly running into Prince Zhao.

Later, Imperial Physician Lin also came to take her pulse and gave her several instructions, which Chi Ying noted one by one.

After Imperial Physician Lin left, he turned and went to report back at Yanguī Tower.

"The consort has indeed caught a cold. Fortunately, the symptoms are still mild. As long as she takes medicine on time, she should recover within half a month."

Yan Xuecui's fingertips rubbed the embossed pattern on his cup, lightly uttering an "Mm."

Imperial Physician Lin: "Just now, this subject also confirmed that the incense and powder the consort uses are all popular items among noble ladies in the capital. The incense burned in her chambers is also perfectly fine. Moreover, judging from the consort's pulse, there are no parasites or other filthy things in her body meant to bewitch people."

Seeing Prince Zhao lower his eyes in thought, Imperial Physician Lin pondered for a moment: "Your Highness cannot see and is exceptionally sensitive to scents. If the incense the consort uses displeases Your Highness, you could well ask her to change it, or no longer use such strongly scented fragrances. This subject has observed that Your Highness's pulse has been chaotic recently. The symptoms of emotional imbalance seem even more severe than before."

Ever since Prince Ding died on the battlefield, outsiders only knew that Lady Zhuang couldn't withstand the shock and overnight developed hysteria. Little did they know Prince Zhao's situation was even more difficult—constantly on edge, guarding against schemes everywhere. This led to prolonged stagnation of qi, excessive worry and little sleep, depletion of mental spirit. Later, after injuring his eyes, his five senses became even more uncontrolled, his seven emotions excessive. Yet before others he always maintained a detached composure, suppressing everything. He could only relieve it by harming others and himself. Imperial Physician Lin was now at his wit's end.

"It's not that I dislike it."

That feeling was hard to describe. Yan Xuecui said: "It's very strange."

Like a primal bodily desire driving him, he had an instinctive craving for her.

But the incense was fine, and these feelings need not be spoken to outsiders.

Yan Xuecui changed the subject, asking about Emperor Yongcheng: "How is Father Emperor's health recently?"

Imperial Physician Lin: "Still the same as before. Only now he summons the State Preceptor for an audience daily. Compared to the Imperial Medical Bureau's prescriptions, His Majesty trusts more in the elixirs refined by the State Preceptor. Those elixirs do indeed nourish essence and blood, strengthen bones and sinews. His Majesty appears to be in fairly good health."

Emperor Yongcheng had reigned for over twenty years. Now past fifty, he'd begun emulating ancient emperors, spending lavishly to recruit alchemists, seeking methods of longevity. The current State Preceptor was someone he'd invited from the Qingxu Temple on Lingtai Mountain, Dongyang Zi, known among the people as an "immortal practitioner." This person was skilled in alchemy and adept at geomancy, deeply trusted by Emperor Yongcheng.

Yan Xuecui casually sipped his tea, nodded slightly, and dismissed him.

Imperial Physician Lin bowed to take his leave. Before leaving, he still couldn't help but say: "Your Highness suffers from emotional imbalance, blazing internal fire difficult to quench. Now that you've married the consort, why not consummate the marriage soon? This would also be a method of release."

"Imperial Physician Lin speaks too much."

The smile on Yan Xuecui's lips faded slightly, the atmospheric pressure around him turning cold.

Imperial Physician Lin was terrified. Not bothering to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, he hastily bowed and withdrew.

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.

Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/

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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