Chapter 19
Yan Xuecui never detested her closeness.
It was an indescribable secret joy, an instinctive craving and addiction.
What truly disgusted him was his inability to control himself.
That night sharing a bed, he'd realized that every moment beside her, he desperately craved intimacy. That焦渴 emotion that nearly burned through his lungs could only be soothed for a moment when their skin touched.
Even more fatal, in that night's intimate moment, bodily instinct conquered reason for the first time. He'd pressed her beneath him, buried his face in her neck, his lips and teeth lingering on that delicate, smooth throat, indulging in the ultimate bliss of being enveloped in her scent. He wanted to entwine with her without reservation, to fuse with her bone and blood.
Not until he withdrew from that tender embrace did he awaken as if from a dream, only to discover he stood at the edge of an infinite abyss—one more step and he'd be shattered to pieces.
He knew better than anyone that if she'd wanted to make her move at that moment, he would most certainly have died.
He'd spent several days in quiet introspection, recovering his rationality, like burning that handkerchief to ash that day, attempting to completely incinerate her image from his emotions.
He thought he'd succeeded admirably, but when at Shouchun Hall that day her body temperature penetrated through fabric to press against his palm, his body was like drought meeting sweet rain, still uncontrollably agitated and trembling for her.
So he thought again: this was fine too.
Though she was suspicious in every way, those spider-thread clues of doubt still couldn't be connected into concrete evidence.
Even if she harbored ill intentions, she was still his Princess Consort, his properly wedded wife. Since being close satisfied all his body's cravings, why must he repeatedly defy instinct and deliberately distance himself?
Like sinking into a quagmire—struggling only makes you sink deeper.
Now her every move was under his control. If in the future she truly wanted to serve her master and raise a blade against him, he had a thousand methods to imprison her at his side, to use her for life.
The young woman's sweet breath fell on the side of his neck. Yan Xuecui's throat rolled as those unspeakable desires crawled through his bloodstream.
He lowered his head and kissed her smooth forehead, moving to the corners of her eyes, lingering several times. His thin lips pressed against her cheek traveling downward, gently sucking and grinding against that delicate, smooth neck.
After a long while, he finally released a satisfied sigh.
---
Chi Ying unexpectedly slept deeply and had a dream.
She dreamed of the little yellow dog she'd raised at the estate, bouncing excitedly toward her. Its fluffy head nuzzled her neck hollow, happily licking her neck. After licking her neck, it licked her fingers—licking for who knows how long. Even when she woke, the side of her neck still faintly carried moisture.
The pillow beside her was empty, the Prince of Zhao had already left.
Aunt Fangchun led people in to attend to washing. Lifting the bed curtain, not knowing what she saw, smiles bloomed at the corners of her eyes and brows.
Covering her lips with a handkerchief, she smiled: "His Highness had matters to handle at Yangui Tower this morning. He specifically instructed Steward Liu to handle the Princess Consort's return to the manor. Everything is now properly arranged. Guard Cheng Huai has also selected several elite guards waiting outside the courtyard gate. They only await the Princess Consort to wash, change clothes, and finish breakfast before departing."
Chi Ying said helplessly, "His Highness is too considerate. I'm merely making an ordinary visit home, such measures aren't necessary..."
Fangchun made a sound of acknowledgement. "His Highness and the Princess Consort are harmonious as lute and zither. The more His Highness values the Princess Consort, the less others dare slight the Princess Consort."
Chi Ying could only nod in agreement.
Moving to sit before her vanity, Chi Ying combed her hair as usual. Her fingers passed by the side of her neck when her gaze suddenly froze.
This... she wasn't mistaken, clearly imprinted in the hollow of her neck was a distinct pale crimson mark!
It wasn't the season for mosquitoes yet, nor had she bumped into anything. This position on her neck, could it be Prince Zhao...
No wonder Aunt Fangchun was so delighted, it was because of this.
When Xiangqin came to do her hair and makeup, she naturally also noticed that ambiguous mark. "What's this?"
Last night the Prince Zhao stayed late at Shuyu Pavilion, and this morning such an amorous red mark appeared on the Princess Consort's neck. No need to ask in detail, any perceptive person could understand. Even if they hadn't performed the rites last night, their relationship was certainly more intimate than before.
But Chi Ying only felt extremely embarrassed. She had thought last night he wouldn't go further, never expecting he'd act this way while she slept. No wonder in her dreams she always felt that moist, tingling sensation on her neck. And her fingers—surely not her fingers too...
Chi Ying felt heat rushing through her entire body. She looked down at her hands. Though there were no obvious marks there, the sensation in her dreams had been so real. The more she thought in that direction, the more she felt distinct moisture between her fingers, as if each had been kissed...
No—no way.
Chi Ying quickly banished this absurd notion.
If he'd kissed her neck uncontrollably like when his old illness flared during their last attempt at consummation, that was still understandable. But to say he'd licked and kissed her fingers, absolutely impossible!
He was a prince! How could a prince act in such a way!
The red mark on her neck might be his doing, but her fingers... definitely the Ah Huang from her dream!
Qingzhi brought up a copper basin. Chi Ying placed her hands in to soak, washing very carefully and thoroughly, forcing herself to drive those chaotic thoughts from her mind.
As for the red mark on her neck, returning to the manor today, if Yin Shi saw it, who knew how she'd curse and berate her. So she had Xiangqin cover it with powder, then dressed elaborately and applied quite bright and gorgeous makeup.
Chapter 19 (Part 2/2)
The vermillion lacquered canopy carriage with brocade covering slowly stopped outside the courtyard gate, followed by a black lacquered carriage specially loaded with congratulatory gifts.
Chi Ying expressed her thanks to Steward Liu waiting by the gate and, supported by Baoshan, boarded the carriage.
Cheng Huai mounted his horse and led the way. Four sword-bearing guards and two martial maids rode horses flanking both sides.
The carriage rumbled westward. Chi Ying's heartbeat quickened along with it.
If this return to the manor could successfully persuade Yin Shi to switch back with Chi Yingyue, each returning to their proper place, perhaps she'd never set foot in Prince Zhao's residence again.
Today's return was sudden—Changyuan Earl Manor hadn't received advance notice. Changyuan Earl was still at the Court of State Ceremonial office. Only Yin Shi was home. The gatekeeper, seeing it was the Princess Consort of Zhao returning, hurried to the back courtyard to report.
Though there wasn't grand fanfare, Prince Zhao Manor's brocade-canopied carriage was luxurious and precious, carrying natural imperial authority. With orderly, imposing sword-bearing guards accompanying front and back, in mere moments a crowd of onlookers had gathered outside the Earl's manor.
The crowd had watched this legitimate Chi daughter marry out that day. They had thought Prince Zhao was cruel and violent, critically injured and dying. At the time, people even bet on whether this Miss Chi would be tortured to death first or whether Prince Zhao, whose days were numbered, would die first from his grave injuries. But a month had passed, not only had no funeral been announced from Prince Zhao's manor, today Miss Chi was returning home in glory, even escorted all the way by Prince Zhao's personal troops.
If she weren't quite favored, how could Prince Zhao give her such face?
On the other side, hearing Chi Ying had suddenly returned to the manor, Yin Shi inevitably felt alarmed and suspicious, not knowing what she intended today. Yet she had no choice but to personally come out to receive her.
Seeing those fully armed sword-bearing guards, Yin Shi nearly couldn't maintain her expression. She forcibly squeezed out a smile, putting on a kind mother's attitude.
Chi Ying wore a veiled hat. Everyone in the manor took her for the legitimate young miss returning home and came forward in orderly fashion to pay respects.
Chi Ying accepted these courtesies, using Chi Yingyue's voice to bid everyone rise, then gave Yin Shi a meaningful look.
Yin Shi guessed she had something to say. Though displeased in her heart by this Princess Consort's haughty manner, she could only secretly grit her teeth and swallow her anger. She had everyone in the courtyard withdraw, then courteously said to Cheng Huai and the others: "Gentlemen have traveled far by horse and carriage. Why not first dine at our humble manor? I'll have the side rooms in the front courtyard tidied for your afternoon rest."
Cheng Huai bowed. "No need to trouble yourself, Madam. We are ordered not to leave the Princess Consort's side and dare not be the slightest bit negligent in protecting her safety."
Chi Ying had to say, "Guard Cheng has worked hard all the way. Please go dine first. I happen to have some private words to speak with Mother."
Cheng Huai hesitated a moment before bowing in compliance.
Though His Highness had said not to leave her side, the back courtyard of the Chi manor was after all where the women resided, they couldn't rashly intrude. So the group remained in the side hall to dine, dispatching two martial maids to accompany the Princess Consort and Yin Shi to the back courtyard.
Chi Ying knew she couldn't shake off these two martial maids today. She had Mama Zheng arrange for them to dine first in the side room while she and Yin Shi remained in the main room of Muxi Courtyard to talk.
Once the door closed, Yin Shi's expression instantly changed. But mindful of the martial maids just a wall away, she could only suppress her voice to demand: "What exactly have you done? Why does Prince Zhao have people watching you so closely?"
Chi Ying removed her veil and looked coolly at Yin Shi. "As Mother can see, Prince Zhao is naturally suspicious with unpredictable moods. He even once considered me a spy. Though I can't say I'm walking on thin ice in the manor now, I'm constantly cautious, afraid that one day the blade will fall on my head."
Hearing these words, Yin Shi felt no sympathy. "What, you want to switch back again?"
Chi Ying spoke directly: "At the end of the month is the palace banquet. Prince Zhao wants to bring me to the palace to express gratitude. Imperial clan members will all attend. Among them, there will inevitably be Second Sister's old acquaintances. If someone notices something amiss and the crime of deceiving the emperor is exposed, it will implicate the entire Chi manor. I believe this isn't a situation Mother wants to see either."
Seeing Yin Shi wavering, Chi Ying added: "Though Prince Zhao previously harbored doubts about me, since I coincidentally helped him, he now treats me fairly well. Consort Zhuang also regards me as family. As long as Second Sister is gentle and compliant when she goes over, her situation won't be too bad."
Yin Shi stared at her with suspicion. "How could you help him?"
Chi Ying only said, "When Second Sister returns, I'll tell her everything truthfully."
Yin Shi ground her teeth hatefully. "You'd better not play tricks with me."
But in her heart she also knew, today she'd brought back an entire carriage of silks, tea, wine, gold, silver, and jade objects, and was escorted back to the manor by Prince Zhao's trusted guards. This girl's weight in his heart was evident.
Yin Shi sneered coldly. She'd truly underestimated her seductive skills!
She also blamed herself for not thoroughly investigating Prince Zhao's temperament that day. Otherwise, why would she need to take such risks bearing the crime of deceiving the emperor? Yingyue should have long been the Princess Consort of Zhao, instead, this lowly concubine daughter gained such immense fortune!
No time should be wasted. Yin Shi immediately had Mama Zheng and Xiangqin, under the pretense of going shopping, go to the separate residence to quietly bring Chi Yingyue back to the manor. The switch must be finalized today, they absolutely couldn't delay further.
But Yin Shi never anticipated that the news Mama Zheng brought back would be like a bolt from the blue, causing her to collapse into her chair, as if struck by lightning.
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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.
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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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