AFTER BEING MARRIED OFF TO A BLIND VILLIAN - CHAPTER 23

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As we enter this Lenten season, may this be a time of reflection, renewal, and quiet strength. May our hearts grow softer, our faith deeper, and our hope stronger as we journey toward Easter.

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Chapter 23 (Part 1/2)

That whimper was like a drop of water falling into boiling oil. Yan Xuecui felt his blood surge beneath his skin, his whole body trembling. He wanted nothing more than to crush her fiercely into himself.

Yet what remained of his reason told him, her heart belonged to another. She meant to bewitch his mind and take his life.

The Chi manor was deeply entangled with Prince Xuan. Her identity was even more suspicious. Whether she worked for Prince Xuan or harbored feelings for him in her heart, keeping her by his side was fraught with danger.

But Yan Xuecui still couldn't control his instinctive desire. Two contradictory forces within him constantly tore and struggled against each other.

One clamored in his flesh and blood, wanting to be close to her, to tangle tightly with her, to soothe the restless emptiness in his heart.

The other force insisted on pulling him back from the abyss to reality, saying this was all an illusion. Her gentleness was merely a velvet glove concealing a dagger. Her resistance was also a tactic of advancing by retreating.

She's merely a woman. You've always been composed and self-controlled, prided yourself on your cleverness. Knowing an abyss lies ahead, will you still crave this moment's tenderness?

Chi Ying's whole body tensed. The tingling pain in her ear made her spine run cold, yet her cheeks burned as if on fire, as if being tormented repeatedly between extreme cold and searing heat.

Had she spoken nonsense in her sleep that he overheard?

But she hadn't lied! She truly had dreamed of him. And as for "Mother"—Chi Yingyue also called Yin-shi that way. Nothing was amiss.

So what exactly was he suspicious of? Was there another "Your Highness"?

"Your Highness..." She called to him softly.

Chi Ying only heard the extremely restrained breathing by her ear, scorching and rapid as it spilled across her cheek. Their bodies pressed together, she could even clearly feel his suppressed trembling.

She couldn't help remembering the old illness had mentioned that night.

Intent on leaving, she had never asked Aunt Fangchun what exactly this old illness was. Only after that night did she vaguely understand, perhaps being close to someone could smooth his restless, anxious emotions.

The red mark on her neck from the other night, the sensation on her fingers, perhaps these were all helpless measures when his old illness flared up.

Chi Ying slowly released a breath. Loosening her palm that clutched the bedding, she carefully embraced the man's slightly trembling form, trying to calm him down.

True, those illustrated books showed many positions. Even if they didn't follow them precisely in practice, there were a thousand ways to bring pleasure.

But she was thin-skinned and timid. Even with a hundred times the courage, she couldn't tease him or be forward with him like the women in those pictures.

Chi Ying sighed inwardly. Mustering all her courage, she could only clumsily hold him like this.

Evening breeze stole through the latticed window, carrying dusk's lingering warmth and the fragrance of grass and trees. The candle flame on the stand danced in the gentle wind. Light and shadow alternated, quietly flowing over the gold-threaded curtains. Even the tiny specks of dust floating in the air seemed to slowly still.

The young woman's embrace was light, soft. Her gentle warmth seeped through thin nightclothes into his body, flowing soundlessly like gentle rain across his barren, cracked territory.

Just being held lightly by her like this still couldn't dispel the craving in his heart. The void beneath his skin urgently needed filling. He slowly pressed his face against her cheek, instinctively nestling against the side of her neck, gently nuzzling that soft, delicate skin, like finally finding some kind of belonging, his body and mind receiving unprecedented satisfaction.

Chi Ying found it hard to describe how she felt right now.

He seemed... somewhat attached to her.

Not knowing how much time passed, the breathing of the person beside her gradually steadied.

Chi Ying swallowed and explained softly, "I didn't lie. Just now I truly did see Your Highness in my dream."

Yan Xuecui rested quietly against her neck, face pressed to hers, feeling the soft voice that spilled from that warm, slender throat.

After a long while, he asked faintly, "What did you dream about me?"

She seemed unable to come up with a better answer. Pressing her lips together, she answered truthfully, "I dreamed that Your Highness wanted to kill me."

His reputation was already poor, this answer fell within reason.

But Yan Xuecui chuckled softly. His fingertips brushed through her temple hair as he pressed further, "Then do you know why I wanted to kill you?"

His tone was gentle, truly giving her an illusion of tenderness.

A faint bitterness spread through Chi Ying's heart. "Perhaps I did something wrong."

Yan Xuecui stroked the pulsing rhythm at the side of her neck, coaxing gently, "What did you do wrong that I would want to kill you?"

Chi Ying naturally couldn't tell the truth.

Since she'd discovered the Soul-Severing Pills' existence, she'd thought his opinion of her might improve, that he wouldn't suspect her of attempted assassination anymore. But today, for some unknown reason, he determined she was lying... Probably, he'd never fully trusted her at all.

Yan Xuecui reminded her gently, "Have you thought of a reason? You've hesitated quite a while, Princess Consort."

The man's breath brushed past her ear. Chi Ying's hair instantly stood on end. "I... I don't know either."

Yan Xuecui sneered, "You don't know?"

Chi Ying's ear itched slightly. She tilted her head to avoid it, noticing his lips were pressed tight. Frightened, she tightened her arms, holding him even closer.

Perhaps her force suddenly increased, pulling on his old injuries. The instant she tightened her hold, she clearly heard a muffled groan escape the man's throat. His breathing also faintly trembled, yet it didn't seem purely from pain. The low hum seemed to carry a few parts of something indescribable... pleasure?

She must have heard wrong.

Face flushed, Chi Ying fumbled to release him. But at that moment, she heard the man's nearly hoarse voice.

"Don't let go."

Chi Ying froze. Her loosened palms embraced his waist again as she stammered, "Alright, I won't let go."

Pressed so close together, even their pulses seemed to wind around each other through their chests, colliding together.

Chi Ying was silent for a long while before gathering courage to say, "Whether Your Highness believes it or not, I've never had the slightest thought of harming Your Highness. I don't know why you'd suspect I harbor ill intentions. Mother Consort is kind and generous. Your Highness has also been... gentle and considerate toward me. Since I've married over, all I seek is to live peacefully with you. I've never thought of anything else."

Yan Xuecui smiled. "The Princess Consort wants to live a good life with me?"

Chi Ying nodded. "Mm."

In the past, she'd maintained the attitude of muddling through one day at a time. Whenever difficulties arose, she'd wanted to switch back identities with Chi Yingyue. But now her retreat was cut off. She could only settle her thoughts and carefully establish herself in the manor. As for how long she'd bear this name, who could say what the future held? Perhaps in a year or two, circumstances might change. Perhaps indefinitely. Living well in the present was what mattered.

But Yan Xuecui suddenly asked, "Is this your mother's intention as well?"

Chi Ying froze, not knowing why he suddenly mentioned Yin-shi. Had his trusted subordinates overheard her conversation with Yin-shi?

Her head buzzed. She couldn't help growing anxious.

The two still held each other. Naturally, the man easily detected her out-of-control heartbeat.

Chi Ying's palms broke into sweat. She forced herself to calm down, putting on a confused expression. "Mother naturally hopes Your Highness and I will treat each other with respect as equals."

Yan Xuecui hummed and said, "Yin-shi's pains are well-intentioned. The Princess Consort didn't return last night, you must be extremely filial in serving your mother."

Chi Ying nodded guiltily.

Stray hair fell against Yan Xuecui's neck. He lowered his gaze, his Adam's apple rolling. "Does Yin-shi know you and I haven't consummated the marriage yet?"

Chi Ying paused. "She... knows."

Yan Xuecui: "Did she urge you?"

Chi Ying didn't know what he was really trying to say. Following common sense, she replied, "She did, somewhat."

Yan Xuecui: "Then what do you think yourself?"

Chi Ying: "..."

She'd only just returned from the Chi manor and slept for half a day. Eyes barely open, and she had to face this question again.

But this time returning, circumstances differed from before. Previously wanting to extract herself, she'd tried to maintain distance from him as much as possible, not letting herself sink too deep. But now she had to continue playing Chi Yingyue's role. Consummation was inevitable. Constantly delaying would only arouse suspicion.

Chi Ying pressed her lips together and said softly, "As long as Your Highness is willing, I shall naturally cooperate."

Yan Xuecui chuckled low. His fingertips slowly caressed her cheek. "Others all say the Princess Consort has enchanting beauty and unparalleled splendor. Marrying a blind man like me, don't you feel wronged?"

Chi Ying quickly said, "Your Highness is of noble imperial blood with outstanding bearing. It's I who has married above my station."

His palm was warm, his fingertips calloused. When they fell on her cheek, their presence couldn't be ignored. Suddenly he asked again, "Then just now in your dream, why were you crying?"

Chi Ying stared at him blankly. Did he think she'd cried in her dream because she didn't want to marry him?

So the wetness on her cheeks in the dream, that sensation of being licked, that was real too...

He... licked away her tears?

Thinking of this, Chi Ying's whole face rapidly heated. The blood in her entire body seemed to quicken its flow.

"I..." She quickly pondered how to respond. In the end, truly unable to think what to say, she asked carefully, "Did I cry?"

Yan Xuecui laughed again. This time he laughed until his whole body shook. Already embracing each other tightly, Chi Ying was jostled by him for quite a while. She felt both the embarrassment of having her thoughts exposed and somewhat helpless.

He laughed until his forehead pressed against the corner of her lips. Chi Ying was so startled she immediately pressed her lips tight and held her breath.

But somehow, whether from reflexive neural response or perhaps from holding her breath too long and instinctively needing air—the instant her lips parted slightly, they pressed against his forehead without warning.

Both their bodies froze simultaneously.

Chi Ying's heart instantly fell into chaos, her face flushing as if about to bleed.

At the same time, she vaguely sensed something below was slowly rising. Actually it had been there from the start, but she'd always thought it was jade at his waist or some other ornament. But now that unfamiliar contour pressed more and more distinctly against her. Her whole body tensed, she didn't dare move easily.

Yan Xuecui's Adam's apple rolled subtly, yet the corners of his lips curved as if curious. "Did you kiss me?"

Chi Ying hadn't expected him to just say it outright like that. Her cheeks burned fiercely, her heartbeat pounding against his chest.

"I..." She was so nervous she didn't know how to speak. Her throat was parched.

Just then, a "gurgle" sound from her stomach broke the strange silence between them.

Chi Ying's face flushed with shame as she buried her head low in embarrassment.

Yan Xuecui's eyelids pressed heavily down. Only after a long while did he ask, "Hungry?"

Chi Ying bit her lip. "A little. Returning to the manor today was somewhat tiring. I didn't take lunch."

Yan Xuecui sighed low and finally rose from her embrace. "Have food brought, then."

He wasn't so impatient as to bully a hungry princess consort.

Chi Ying felt as if granted amnesty, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

When rising to change clothes, her gaze secretly glanced over. She saw him sitting rather languidly at the bedside, yet beneath his robes it remained taut, even somewhat audacious.

She'd seen the illustrated books. Naturally she knew what that meant.

Her heart held several parts panic, several parts shyness. She seemed to have done something wrong, yet was shamelessly evading responsibility, with no intention of dealing with the aftermath.

But another untimely thought surfaced, he was blind. Perhaps... perhaps he didn't even know he was like this?

After all, he couldn't see. And he couldn't possibly, in front of her... touch himself to confirm.

Harboring a thread of hope, Chi Ying quickly changed her clothes and went to the side room to dine.

Cheng Huai had been waiting under the corridor. He bowed in greeting to the Princess Consort. Seeing her step into the side room, only then did he enter with the two martial maids Lian Yun and Feng Yue to report.

Cheng Huai bowed his head in greeting, trying his best to ignore the wrinkles in His Highness's robes. With a serious expression he said, "This subordinate followed the Princess Consort back to the manor. But ultimately it was inconvenient to approach the women's quarters in the inner courtyard. I could only have these two remain near the Princess Consort and Yin-shi to await orders. Over these two days, there were some discoveries."

Yan Xuecui took a sip of tea and asked, "What did you discover?"

Lian Yun reported truthfully, "The Princess Consort had us wait outside while she spoke in low voices with Yin-shi inside the room. But once they entered, they quarreled, not at all like the harmony they showed in public."

Yan Xuecui remembered that when Xiangqin returned to the manor last time, Yin-shi had also scolded her.

Feng Yue said, "This servant's hearing isn't sharp. I only vaguely heard the Princess Consort say she wanted to 'switch back.' Yin-shi refused, also fearing Your Highness would discover something. The Princess Consort said 'at worst we'll both be destroyed,' that she'd return to confess everything to you, and so on."

Yuan De's face filled with shock as he looked at his master. "What other secrets is the Princess Consort hiding that she's preparing to confess to you?"

But Yan Xuecui's thoughts remained on that incomplete phrase—"switch back."

Switch. Back.

In an instant, countless doubts in his mind unfurled like a scroll.

From what he knew, the Chi family's legitimate daughter was Yin-shi's only daughter, pampered and arrogant from childhood, domineering. Yet the one in the manor had a gentle, restrained temperament. Even speaking a word to him, she would instinctively tremble.

She was always quiet, never picky, never lost her temper, never seen berating servants. She had repeatedly used the guise of parental teachings and reformed repentance to try covering up the fact that her nature had changed. Actually, the before and after temperaments were worlds apart.

Chi Yingyue loved pearls, jade, and fine clothes, and enjoyed befriending noble ladies. Yet in over a month in the manor, she had never taken gold or silver from the treasury, never had tea or strolled about with old friends, only keeping to her own little patch of ground each day.

A noble lady whose ten fingers never touched spring water could somehow treat wounds and make various pastries, yet was never seen touching the qin she should be most skilled at.

When the imperial marriage decree came down, she'd even declared she'd "rather die than marry." Yet after entering the manor, apart from being overly timid and cautiously watching her words and actions before him, she never cried or resisted.

He had thought Changyuan Earl and his wife doted on this daughter, yet several reports from subordinates couldn't avoid the conflicts between her and Yin-shi. If she were utterly pampered, they should spare no effort supporting her, how could words like "implicating the manor" be spoken?

Perhaps it wasn't that she'd changed nature under discipline, but that from the beginning, the one who married into the manor was never the real Chi family legitimate daughter.

This way, Yin-shi's crude attitude toward this false princess consort made sense.

So who exactly was his princess consort?

And what was her relationship with Prince Xuan?

As for that Chi family daughter pregnant with Prince Xuan's child... didn't Yin-shi have only one biological daughter?

Yan Xuecui pondered a moment, then asked again, "When the Princess Consort returned to the manor, what was the household servants' attitude?"

Cheng Huai said, "Everyone in the manor was utterly respectful, welcoming the Princess Consort."

Yan Xuecui's knuckles lightly tapped the table surface, ruling out the possibility that the entire Chi manor knew the princess consort had been switched.

Paper can't wrap fire. No matter how audacious Chi Mingxiang and his wife were, they absolutely wouldn't let this matter become known throughout the manor.

The servants couldn't possibly fail to recognize their own young miss. The Chi family also wouldn't find a counterfeit whose appearance and figure were vastly different to marry over. That way, the princess consort would be exposed the moment she went out, wouldn't she?

So they should be extremely similar even in appearance and figure.

Did Prince Xuan and the Chi family deliberately find someone similar in appearance as a substitute bride?

Or were they originally twin sisters who resembled each other?

Yan Xuecui pondered a long while before instructing Cheng Huai, "Continue having people watch Changyuan Earl Manor, especially Yin-shi. Any suspicious actions, meeting any suspicious people, report immediately."

If the princess consort wasn't the Chi family's legitimate daughter, Yin-shi must have already settled her daughter properly. Dead or alive, there had to be a destination.

This one in the manor had a false identity. Perhaps the pregnant one was the real Chi Yingyue.

Just as Cheng Huai was about to acknowledge the order and withdraw, Yan Xuecui remembered something and asked again, "How is Yin-shi's headache?"

Cheng Huai carefully recalled that day. "Yin-shi was in good health, ruddy complexion. She didn't seem to have any injuries or ailments."

Yan Xuecui's lips curved in a smile.

Returning to the manor to see her mother was merely an excuse. As for having Baoshan go fetch a physician, that must have been to pass a message to Prince Xuan.

The princess consort, she seemed gentle and timid, yet everything she did trampled directly on his scales. If she feared him so desperately, how could she have the guts to collude with outsiders?

He truly couldn't figure it out.

---

After dinner, Chi Ying returned to her room, only to feel an unusually quiet atmosphere within.

The man sat alone before the couch. Moonlight streamed through the latticed window, casting uncertain shadows across his elegant, noble features. Those gray-cold eyes faintly lowered—pleasure or anger impossible to discern.

Unable to read his mood, Chi Ying's heart sank heavily, making it hard to breathe.

Just then Yuan De entered, actually carrying a pot of wine. He gently set it on the table before Prince Zhao.

Chi Ying glanced at Yuan De. He managed a respectful smile but didn't offer her a word of guidance. He simply bowed his head, filled two cups of wine, then withdrew to the side.

Chi Ying pulled back her gaze and looked toward Prince Zhao again. Her eyes unconsciously glanced downward, it seemed to have subsided there.

She quietly breathed a sigh of relief and tentatively asked, "Your Highness wishes to drink wine?"

Yan Xuecui said, "Mm. Haven't had any in a long while. Would the Princess Consort sit and join me?"

Chi Ying clutched her dress. "I... don't really know how to drink."

Why this sudden desire for wine?

Yan Xuecui said, "This is Pear Snow Wine, brewed from pear blossoms not yet fallen from branches and snow water untouched by dust in winter's cold. The taste is crisp and mellow. Even women don't easily get drunk on it. Why not try some?"

Chi Ying couldn't refuse again. She could only sit down and attempt a sip. Who knew the pungent wine flavor would rush straight down her throat? She choked and coughed several times, her whole face flushing red.

Yan Xuecui handed her a brocade handkerchief and asked how it tasted.

Chi Ying wiped the corners of her lips in embarrassment. She couldn't very well say she hadn't detected even a hint of pear blossom or snow water fragrance. After holding back for a long while, she finally said, "...Very good."

Yan Xuecui smiled and gestured to Yuan De, who immediately stepped forward to refill Chi Ying's cup.

Chi Ying had poor alcohol tolerance. Just as she was about to say she wouldn't drink more, she heard Prince Zhao say, "At the palace banquet in the future, you and I will need to toast Father Emperor, Mother Empress, and my several elder brothers. We might as well practice in advance today."

Chi Ying truly feared losing composure at the palace. Though she never drank, she'd heard alcohol tolerance could improve with practice. But... she looked up at him. The man was blind. If she secretly drank less, he probably wouldn't know. Yet with Yuan De watching from the side right now, she had no way to cheat. She could only follow his words and try again.

Before she knew it, three cups had gone down. Chi Ying's cheeks flushed crimson, her gaze gradually losing focus.

When her head grew heavy and light, unable to sit steady any longer, she swayed to the side and fell into a warm, solid embrace.

Yan Xuecui's palm supported her chin, letting her lean against his neck. He asked in a low voice, "What's your name?"

Chi Ying struggled to keep her eyelids open, but could only see the man's blurred outline. Dazed, she opened her mouth: "Chi... Yingyue."

The alcohol made her thinking sluggish, but when words reached her lips, the caution in her bones still made her say Chi Yingyue's name.

Yan Xuecui asked again, "What did you enter Prince Zhao's manor to do?"

Chi Ying's lashes trembled lightly as she murmured, "Marry... marry you."

Yan Xuecui's fingertips touched her throat, slowly rubbing the pulsing meridian beneath his fingertips. He continued pressing, "Who sent you here?"

Chi Ying felt somewhat uncomfortable from his pressure. Her mind was murky and confused, her warm breath spilling against the side of his neck.

Yuan De stood to the side, ears pricked to listen. But unexpectedly, His Highness's heavy voice saying "Leave" suddenly reached his ears. He jolted in alarm, glancing around, there was no one else. So this order could only be for him. He could only wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and hastily bow before withdrawing.

Xiangqin waited under the corridor. Seeing wine served inside, she couldn't help feeling anxious. She didn't know how well Third Miss held her liquor, or whether she'd say something she shouldn't when drunk.

But Aunt Fangchun was quite delighted. Newlyweds sharing a room, with wine brought in, what His Highness wanted to do was self-evident.

Inside the room.

Yan Xuecui held the person in his arms and repeated again, "Tell me, who sent you here?"

He couldn't see the expression on her face, but the disordered breathing and chaotic pulse when lying wouldn't deceive him.

In the dark prison interrogating criminals, he'd always used this method to judge where their weaknesses lay and whether they spoke truth.

When necessary, he had countless other methods. He could always make her speak.

Yan Xuecui closed his eyes. Just as his patience was about to run out, warm droplets suddenly fell on the side of his neck.

His body stiffened slightly, as if singed by tiny flames. He heard her nose twitch gently and quickly identified what it was.

"Why are you crying?" His voice was slightly hoarse when he spoke.

The woman in his arms clutched his collar, her body trembling. Clearly trying to hold back tears, yet they flowed more and more, sliding down her neck into his collar like prairie fire burning all the way to his heart.

Yan Xuecui lowered his head, thin lips pressed against the dampness beneath her eyes. He changed his question: "Did you willingly marry me?"

Chi Ying was confused and hazy. She shook her head, seeming to sense something wrong, then nodded.

Yan Xuecui chuckled low. "If you're willing, why do you always want to switch back?"

Chi Ying's brows knitted tight, her eyes red-rimmed, as if unwilling to remember.

Yan Xuecui's lips curved. Suddenly he asked out of the blue, "Do you want to kill me?"

Chi Ying's almond eyes half-closed. She slowly comprehended the meaning in his words, finally shaking her head and murmuring as if in sleep-talk, "Don't want to..."

Yan Xuecui stroked her slender neck, coaxing gently, "He didn't ask you to kill me?"

Chi Ying's long lashes hung with teardrops. She shook her head in confusion.

Yan Xuecui was somewhat surprised. "Then what do you want to confess to me?"

The person in his arms seemed to fall once more into pain and avoidance, desperately concealing her secrets.

Yan Xuecui smiled lightly. "Confess that you're not Chi Yingyue?"

Hearing this through her daze, Chi Ying's body instinctively jerked violently, her breathing suddenly becoming rapid.

The answer lay in silence.

Yan Xuecui asked with interest, "You didn't want to marry me, did you want to marry Prince Xuan?"

Chi Ying's head was dizzy and heavy. Though each word entered her ears, strung together she couldn't understand the meaning. Combined with the drunkenness overtaking her, she truly couldn't hold on. Her small face buried into his neck, and she fell deeply asleep just like that.

Darkness stretched before Yan Xuecui's eyes. The young woman's warm breath fell into his collar, scratching at his heart beat by beat.

He could basically confirm, she wasn't here to kill him.

Any qualified spy couldn't possibly be so unguarded as to let themselves get drunk before their assassination target.

And Prince Xuan wouldn't be so desperate as to place a powerless woman by his side.

Willing to let her come, yet also picking up her earring.

Yan Xuecui sneered. If the princess consort and that Chi Yingyue were truly blood sisters, this imperial brother of his had inherited Father Emperor's proclivities.

It seemed only by bringing her to the palace at the Gathering of Beauties banquet for a meeting with Prince Xuan would he get his answer.

Yan Xuecui picked her up and gently laid her on the bed.

The young woman's orchid breath was light, mixed with faint wine fragrance swirling at his nose.

Yan Xuecui suddenly remembered, that day when his fingertips traced her features and landed on her lips and tongue, that warm, moist sensation. He thought again of today on the bed, that instant of fragrant sweetness and softness that fell on his forehead.

His heart began pounding inexplicably, like being gnawed inch by inch by a parasitic worm. He could no longer endure it. He lowered his head, cupped her face, and trembling, found those two soft petals and kissed down.

Orange blossom fragrance wrapped in wine scent rolled into his mouth, like a single stone stirring up a thousand waves.

This was a completely different sensation from kissing earlobes or fingers. He could clearly feel blood surging beneath flesh. Countless things exploded in an instant, and countless gaps were filled to overflowing.

The young woman's lips were full and soft like flower buds. Holding them in his mouth, forcing them to bloom, his tongue swept over shell-like teeth. That electric tingling extended all the way to his fingertips, making his whole body tremble uncontrollably.

He made her bite his tongue. The moment his tongue tip was cut and he tasted the sweet, fishy blood, pain and pleasure danced wildly at his nerve endings, like a beast in the gladiatorial arena breaking free of shackles to devour prey. It was a visceral greed and excitement.

Yan Xuecui's throat rolled rapidly, his eyes blood-red. An unfamiliar, scorching moisture surged from his eyes, silently dripping onto her face, her lips.

He paused, silent for a long while, accepting this absurd fact.

Throughout countless days and nights past, he'd always been restrained and composed, never permitting himself a moment of excessive emotion before others or displaying weakness. No matter how much pain or how wretched he felt, he'd never let himself shed tears.

Turned out when the emptiness in his heart received ultimate comfort and satisfaction, even the coldest, hardest heart became mere mortal flesh.

Turned out he could cry too.

Yan Xuecui lowered his head and licked clean that moist trail, bit by bit.

---

Chi Ying slept very deeply.

Even half-dreaming, half-awake, sinking into a long, nearly suffocating sensation, she assumed it was pressure on her heart from sleeping on her side.

Who knew that when she woke and barely opened her mouth, a slight swollen numbness came from her lips.

Chi Ying instinctively reached up to touch her lips—they seemed swollen. She had Xiangqin fetch a bronze mirror to look. Sure enough, her lips were much redder than usual, at first glance even more vivid than if she'd applied rouge.

In the grand Shuyu Pavilion of Prince Zhao's manor, there couldn't possibly be venomous biting insects.

Then it could only be him.

Chi Ying only remembered being persuaded to drink a few cups of wine last night. After that, she'd lost consciousness. She hadn't expected him to once again take advantage of her sleep to... act like this.

Thinking of the strange oppressive and suffocating sensations in her dreams, Chi Ying's cheeks warmed and flushed, even her breathing began to heat up.

If he'd directly said his old illness had flared up and he needed her company, or simply stated outright he wanted to consummate the marriage, she wouldn't have defied him.

Yet this person always acted after she fell asleep. Intimacy was intimacy, but he had to be so unrestrained, deliberately leaving marks!

Chi Ying only hated her poor alcohol tolerance, to have gotten drunk like that last night... Wait. Suddenly thinking of something, Chi Ying's hair instantly stood on end, her clenched nails digging deep into her palms.

His sudden inducement to drink—what exactly was his intention?

Xiangqin's heart was also filled with belated fear. "Miss, why did His Highness suddenly give you wine last night?"

Chi Ying's face paled. "I don't know either."

Xiangqin said, "Then did he say anything, ask anything?"

Chi Ying felt that Pear Snow Wine was more potent than imagined. Shaking her head, she said, "I can't remember clearly... When His Highness left this morning, did you notice anything unusual about his expression?"

Xiangqin thought about it. "Not really. His Highness seemed in fairly good spirits."

As the words fell, Xiangqin unconsciously glanced at her swollen lips. Chi Ying lowered her head. The excessively crimson, full lips were like smudged rouge, dyeing her cheeks and neck with a trace of rosy beauty.

Looking like this, she couldn't very well see people. She could only have Xiangqin apply light-colored rouge around her lips to visually reduce the swelling somewhat.

She consoled herself, since he'd left in good spirits, it meant... he'd gotten a taste of sweetness. If he'd truly gotten answers from her while drunk, he'd surely be summoning her for interrogation, not leaving things so peaceful.

After breakfast, Chi Ying went to the storeroom and selected several weighty gold ornaments from the Chi manor dowry. She instructed Baoshan to leave the manor, quietly have the gold melted down to buy Jiji Pills, then ask at a property broker's if there were any secluded, elegant private residences in the capital.

Jiji Pills cost ten taels of silver each, while one tael of gold could exchange for ten taels of silver. Melting down gold ornaments for money wouldn't leave traces in the market.

The gold ornaments taken out today were enough for Mother to take Jiji Pills for quite some time. This was what Yin-shi owed their mother and daughter.

Normally she used Xiangqin more, but Xiangqin was ultimately Mama Zheng's daughter, some things were difficult for her.

Baoshan, on the other hand, last time she haqd actually been able to invite Physician Hu from Huichun Hall to take Mother's pulse. Chi Ying hadn't expected that.

Though Baoshan might not necessarily side with her, she wouldn't trip up her and Mother on Yin-shi's behalf. That was enough. Entrusting matters to her, Chi Ying felt at ease.

Baoshan left in the morning to handle affairs, not returning until dark. She explained today's harvest to her in detail.

"This servant took the gold ornaments and exchanged them for thirty Jiji Pills. I've already returned to the manor and delivered them to Chunliu Courtyard. It happened that the Earl was on duty today and Madam wasn't at the manor either, so things went fairly smoothly."

Chi Ying nodded. "You worked hard today."

Baoshan then brought up the matter of residences. "Time was tight, so this servant only followed the property broker to see two courtyards. One is located in Caiyi Alley on Changqing Street—a four-section courtyard. Though the location is remote, it's spacious and quiet. Annual rent is twenty taels of silver. There's another on Liumian Alley in the eastern district, closer to the manor. Previously occupied by a seventh-rank official. Annual rent is thirty taels."

Chi Ying hadn't expected that in one trip out, she could investigate in such detail and even screen out two suitable residences. This saved much effort.

No time to waste. Early the next morning, Chi Ying left the manor under the pretext of shopping at the market, hoping to settle on a residence as soon as possible so she could sweep and clean the courtyard and bring Mother out of the Chi manor.

The two martial maids Lian Yun and Feng Yue had returned from the Chi manor and been ordered to personally protect the Princess Consort's safety. Naturally they accompanied her on this outing.

Seeing she couldn't shake these two off, Chi Ying could only think of another way. Fortunately Baoshan remembered the location of Liumian Alley. She instructed the driver to take a shortcut to Ruyi Studio.

Baoshan said in a low voice, "Liumian Alley isn't far south of Ruyi Studio. This road passes right by it. Miss can take a look first."

Chi Ying quickly nodded and lifted a corner of the curtain. The carriage turned a corner into Liumian Alley. A row of residences with black tiles and blue-gray walls came into view.

Baoshan watched outside the window. When they reached the place, she immediately reminded her, "This is the one."

Chi Ying looked outward. Outside the carriage window, spring was abundant. The courtyard gate showed some age, paint mottled and peeling, the brass door ring polished bright. Sunlight filtered through gaps in tree branches, warmly illuminating the verdant vines on the brick wall.

The carriage only passed in a flash, but hearing the cheerful laughter of women and children in the small alley, Chi Ying's mood lifted.

"This place is truly nice. How did you find it?" Chi Ying turned to ask.

Baoshan smiled. "This servant stumbled upon it by chance. I found a reliable broker. That property agent probably saw my well-to-do household maid's attire and didn't dare be perfunctory or deceptive."

Chi Ying nodded, no longer hesitating. She immediately decided to rent this residence.

Money wasn't a problem. No need to bother looking at the other one. Liumian Alley was closer to Prince Zhao's manor—in the future she'd always find opportunities to visit Mother.

Right then she entrusted all matters of renting the residence and purchasing servants to Baoshan, taking out a bag of silver to give her. "Rent the residence for a year first. Buy two reliable maids to attend Mother. Household furnishings, bedding, oil, salt, rice, flour—you handle the preparations. Once things are tidied up here, I'll find a way to bring Mother out of the Chi manor."

Speaking of this, Chi Ying sighed. Previously single-mindedly wanting to bring Mother out of the manor, she hadn't thought through all this. Only when actually starting preparations did she realize the countless trivial matters inside and out. Especially since everything had to avoid the eyes and ears of Prince Zhao's manor. Right now she had no one to use, she could only entrust this matter to Baoshan.

Chi Ying felt somewhat apologetic and took out two more silver ingots to reward her. "These past days you've worked hard running around everywhere. Without you, who knows how much effort it would have taken. When you return to the manor in the future, I'm afraid Mother will blame you.”

Baoshan accepted the reward silver and smiled. "The Princess Consort and Madam are both my masters. This servant handling affairs for you is only proper."

The carriage stopped outside Ruyi Studio. Chi Ying selected a few pastries to bring back, then went to the adjacent bookshop to choose several books. After symbolically browsing a few shops, she used the pretext of going to a gold shop to have jewelry made and instructed Baoshan to go handle matters.

The two martial maids watched Baoshan leave, exchanged glances, but showed nothing unusual on their faces.

On the carriage ride back to the manor, Chi Ying opened Ruyi Studio's food box and picked up a jujube paste crisp. Taking a bite, the baked pastry fragrance mixed with jujube sweetness instantly filled her mouth—crisp, soft, sweet, making her mouth water.

This was a flavor from many years ago. She still remembered, that year when Yin-shi's nephew Yin Cheng came to the manor, he'd bought Chi Yingyue a box of jujube paste crisps. But Chi Yingyue was sulking about something and didn't want his pastries. So Yin Cheng gave the pastries to her instead. How could she have eaten such fine things back then? Naturally her heart was delighted. But after only two bites, Chi Yingyue ran out of the room and with a sweep of her hand slapped the pastry box from her arms. Those exquisite flower-like crisps instantly shattered all over the ground...

After that, she never ate them again.

Though she could make them herself now and no longer had such strong food cravings, looking at these pastries still made her want to taste them.

Sure enough—sweet foods just made people feel happy.

After returning to the manor, Chi Ying brought the pastries to see Consort Zhuang.

Consort Zhuang was in good spirits. She'd even sunned herself in the courtyard for a while that afternoon, her complexion rarely showing a touch of rosiness. Seeing this, Chi Ying felt much more at ease.

Returning to Shuyu Pavilion, after dinner and bathing, Chi Ying had just thought to take out the books she'd bought and flip through a few pages when a servant came in to report that Prince Zhao had arrived.

The familiar sound of a bamboo cane tapping the ground drew closer and closer, as if striking her heart beat by beat.

Chi Ying pressed her lips tight. The swelling there hadn't completely faded yet. The lingering sensation seemed to remind her…

How unrestrained he'd been in sucking and biting, how long he'd kissed and lingered, to leave such vivid marks.

Lost in thought, the man had already stepped through the door.

He wore a plain white robe patterned with mountains and rivers, his ink-black hair loosely gathered with a mutton-fat jade hairpin. The snow-white hem of his robe swayed with his steps, silver dark patterns rippling and surging within like carrying moonlight all over his body—tall, jade-like figure, outstanding bearing.

Yet Chi Ying's gaze uncontrollably fell on his lips.

Usually his lip color was rather pale. Looking today, it was rarely crimson and gorgeous—even carrying a trace of vivid color.

Watching him walk closer step by step, Chi Ying's breathing suddenly tightened, her heart skipping a beat for no reason.

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**Author's Note:** After going premium, these past few chapters have super high male and female lead content! Hope everyone continues to support and encourage—100 random red envelopes in the comment section! Also requesting an author bookmark, thank you all for your support! [please please please] 🙏

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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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