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Yan Xuecui walked to the couch and sat down, his low, clear voice interrupting her thoughts. "What is the Princess Consort looking at?"
Chi Ying hurriedly withdrew her gaze. "I..."
Before she could answer, Yan Xuecui suddenly asked, "Are you reading?"
Oh, so that's what he meant.
Chi Ying quietly breathed a sigh of relief and poured him tea. "Mm, I bought books at the bookshop today."
Yan Xuecui had already caught the scent of pre-Qingming Longjing tea. Since that night, Shuyu Pavilion had been keeping this tea for him.
Chi Ying watched him take a shallow sip of the hot tea. His already crimson lips seemed even more vivid.
Yan Xuecui set down the teacup and said casually, "I've heard the Princess Consort excels at the qin. Yet I've never seen you play."
Chi Ying's face paled slightly. She unconsciously gripped her sleeves tighter.
From agreeing to the substitute marriage to the wedding day, only a few months in between. The etiquette and rules of a great household lady could barely be learned, but qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting couldn't be achieved overnight. In such short time, how could she compare to Chi Yingyue's years of foundation?
Fortunately, she'd thought of an explanation beforehand. Carefully choosing her words, she replied, "I'm not afraid of Your Highness's mockery. In the past, I practiced the qin diligently only to not fall behind others and gain a good reputation. Actually, from the bottom of my heart, the qin truly isn't something I love."
"I see." Yan Xuecui couldn't help but smile. "If you don't love the qin, what other interests does the Princess Consort have?"
Chi Ying thought about it. "Cooking, needlework. Occasionally I also tend flowers and read various books."
Yan Xuecui quite approved. "Though qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting are certainly elegant, the art of cuisine is no less a part of mortal life. This is very good."
Whether his words were sincere or perfunctory, Chi Ying found them quite gratifying. Of course, these were all she knew anyway.
Though she'd been exposed to qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting in childhood, later when she went to the estate, everything had to be set aside.
Needlework and cooking were both hobbies and compelled by life. At first Mother taught her, then she figured things out herself. Gradually she started making sachets and embroidered handkerchiefs to exchange for silver. Her kitchen skills were also practiced over these years before the stove. Though life at the estate was harsh, mushrooms and wild vegetables could also be made into delicacies.
Interests like cooking perhaps didn't fit the requirements for cultivating young ladies in great families. But rare to have an opportunity to bare her heart, Chi Ying still spoke truthfully. If Prince Zhao paid attention, from now on he wouldn't use qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting to test and make things difficult for her.
This occasional unprepared probing frightened her into a cold sweat.
Hearing her fingertips brush across book pages, Yan Xuecui's interest was piqued. "What book is the Princess Consort reading?"
Chi Ying: "It's *Dream Studio Notes* by Cheng Mengchuang."
She'd only gone to the bookshop as a formality, randomly picking two famous essays and flipping through a few pages. It seemed to discuss the elegant affairs of literary scholars. Thinking that at the future flower banquet she'd inevitably have some interaction with those imperial relatives, reading them couldn't hurt. So she'd bought them on the spot.
But seeing the smile playing at his lips as her words fell, she couldn't help feeling anxious. "Has Your Highness read it? Or is there something wrong with this book?"
Yan Xuecui shook his head and smiled. "What's it about? Read it to me."
"Generally notes about Cheng Mengchuang's social circles in the capital." Chi Ying flipped to the front to see the chapter titles, reading line by line. "Burning incense and playing the qin, drinking under the moon, playing chess and tasting tea, reading by candlelight with beauty's company, pinning up hair and drawing eyebrows, reclining on the bed..."
Reading and reading, she finally sensed something wrong. This wasn't about literary elegant affairs at all, but rather...
Her cheeks flushed. Too embarrassed to continue reading, Prince Zhao directly exposed it: "I recall this book records Cheng Mengchuang's bedroom intimacies with his wife. Seems I didn't remember wrong."
Chi Ying: "..."
He clearly knew, yet made her read it aloud to embarrass herself!
Chi Ying's cheeks burned crimson. She felt like she'd exposed her own shallow learning, and there was also a sense of shame at being teased by him.
Yan Xuecui's brow moved lightly. "So the Princess Consort truly didn't know. I thought the Princess Consort deliberately bought it to discuss marital pleasures with me."
Chi Ying lowered her head, embarrassment making her grip the book corner tight.
Yan Xuecui sighed lightly. "What a pity I'm blind. I cannot draw your eyebrows or dot your forehead, nor accompany you to view flowers and appreciate scenery."
Chi Ying froze, then looked up to see the smile at his lips. A thread of sourness couldn't help rising in her heart.
She wanted to say something, but felt all words of comfort would seem pale and powerless. She could only say, "Physician Lin's medical skills are superb. Given time, Your Highness will surely recover completely."
Yan Xuecui set down his teacup, smiled as he pressed his lips together, and suddenly reached out toward her. "Come here."
Chi Ying's breathing hitched. She hesitated a moment before rising.
Not knowing what he wanted to do, she slowly shuffled over. Her fingertips had only just lightly touched his palm when without warning, the man wrapped an arm around her waist. Her hands pressed against his broad, solid chest, she barely managed to stand steady.
His slightly calloused large palm covered her lower back, scorching heat seeping through her clothing. The distance was too close, their breaths intertwining. Clear sandalwood fragrance mixed with faint tea scent swept past her nose. Chi Ying's whole face flushed red, her back breaking out in a thin layer of sweat.
She tilted her head slightly, wanting to adjust her posture. But the moment her body moved, she was immediately held even tighter.
Watching their lips now only a finger's width apart, Chi Ying's heart pounded wildly. From her ear tips to her neck, everything flushed pink.
Sensing his thin lips seemed to have approaching intentions, she gripped her fingers tight and said in panic, "Your Highness, my... my lips are a bit swollen..."
As the words fell, she regretted it.
Better not to have mentioned it. They both could have pretended nothing happened. But with these words out, she'd undoubtedly exposed those tacit secrets hidden in the dark night.
The man's slightly amused breath fell on her lips. His fingertips gently rubbed. "Swollen?"
Chi Ying immediately pressed her lips tight and held her breath.
Yan Xuecui said, "I kissed poorly. I apologize."
Chi Ying didn't know how to respond. He always said sorry, yet his attitude wasn't apologetic at all. Those two words were like a waiver—after saying them, he could do whatever he pleased.
She lowered her head and asked in a muffled voice, "That night, why did Your Highness induce me to drink wine?"
Yan Xuecui sneered. "*Induce*? I simply didn't expect your alcohol tolerance to be so poor. Three cups and you were unconscious."
Chi Ying carefully glanced up at him. Seeing his frank expression tinged with three parts mischief, she figured he probably hadn't gotten anything out of her. Otherwise she'd already be a prisoner by now.
Just as she breathed a slight sigh of relief, she heard him say, "I truly did kiss poorly. But you also bit through my tongue. Let's call it even, shall we?"
Chi Ying's face filled with shock. "You..."
She didn't believe she'd be so improper while drunk. Clearly every night after she slept, it was him acting recklessly.
Yan Xuecui: "Don't believe me? Want me to show you?"
Chi Ying nearly tied her tongue in knots. "No, no need."
But when under someone's roof, one must bow one's head. He was a prince. Since he said she bit him, then it could only be her fault.
Chi Ying had to steel herself to apologize. "If I truly injured Your Highness, I offer you my apologies."
Yan Xuecui chuckled softly. "You should apologize. It still hurts even now."
Chi Ying's fingertips went numb. She buried her head low, wishing she could find a crack to crawl into.
Even knowing he couldn't see, she still felt that with his keen perception, all her embarrassment and panic had nowhere to hide before him.
Sensing her faint retreat, Yan Xuecui's fingertips increased their pressure, pulling her tighter into his arms. Orange blossom fragrance filled his nostrils, gently wrapping around all his senses. He closed his eyes and intimately nuzzled her delicate, soft cheek.
Chi Ying pressed dazedly against his face, their breaths crossing, body heat touching. She could even feel through flesh the clear pulse beating beneath.
His heartbeat—it didn't seem any slower than hers.
Yan Xuecui nuzzled her cheek, then a gentle kiss lightly fell on her lips. Chi Ying's almond eyes widened. She instinctively gripped her sleeves tight, unable to suppress the tension in her heart.
Lingering a moment, then taking her lips to suck lightly, his tone so matter-of-fact it was as if only confirming the degree of swelling. "Indeed a bit swollen."
Chi Ying nodded hurriedly. "Mm."
But then she heard his slightly hoarse tone: "Then today I'll kiss elsewhere instead. May I?"
A buzzing sound filled Chi Ying's mind, as if all thought had been drained away. She didn't know how a blind man could manage this, but by the time awareness returned, she'd already been placed on the bed by him.
A warm palm supported the nape of her neck. The slightly cool thumb ring traced almost imperceptibly across the side of her throat.
Chi Ying's body went rigid. Everything around her seemed to blur, only where the man's thin lips passed did sensation magnify infinitely.
He leaned very, very close. Nearly every part of his body pressed tight against hers. Gentle yet unrefusable kisses fell on her forehead, slowly traveling downward, lingering and grinding tenderly. His high-bridged nose nuzzled her nose tip, slowly sweeping past her cheek, then nuzzling her neck. Everywhere he passed was like wildfire. Heat rose throughout Chi Ying's entire body, her back long since damp with sweat.
He kissed the side of her neck. When moving further down, he paused slightly to ask, "Me doing this, are you willing?"
Chi Ying tilted her head back, breathing lightly. Things had reached this point—she didn't want to struggle anymore. Yet he always asked her if she was willing at these critical moments. She truly was... too ashamed to answer.
"I..." She bit her lip. "Whatever Your Highness wishes."
Yan Xuecui: "That's good then."
He rubbed the slender bones beneath his fingertips and suddenly chuckled. "Princess Consort, you needn't be so tense. Relax a little."
Chi Ying was extremely embarrassed. Unable to control her heartbeat, she could only try to maintain steady breathing.
She was too nervous. Her already delicate collarbones sank deeply like two exquisite jade bridges. Even without seeing them with his own eyes, he could sense those lines were smooth and graceful, yet pitifully fragile and frail.
Yan Xuecui suddenly thought, if he poured Pear Snow Wine there, it could probably hold a full cup.
His palm stroked the back of her neck, as if to soothe her as he made conversation. "What color nightclothes are you wearing today?"
Chi Ying lowered her head. Considerate of his blindness, she still answered gently, "Crabapple red."
Yan Xuecui kissed open her collar. "Crabapple red—must be very beautiful."
As the weather warmed, the nightclothes sent from the embroidery room grew increasingly thin. The collar opened easily. The man's scorching breath spilled across the skin below her collarbone. His thin lips kissed downward. Chi Ying gripped the bedding tightly, trembling uncontrollably all over.
Yan Xuecui slowly kissed and sucked along that delicate, burning soft flesh, using lips and teeth to feel skin as soft and tender as peeled lychee. He kissed her chaotic heartbeat, kissed her body trembling out of control.
Scalding breath fell on her skin, his voice seeming to come from within her very heart. "Here... what color is it?"
Chi Ying turned her face away, biting her lips tight, unwilling to answer—afraid that if she opened her mouth, shamefully unbearable sounds would emerge.
Yan Xuecui sighed lightly. "Princess Consort, you know I can't see. All my perception of you can only come from your voice and touch. So please, give me some response, won't you?"
How could anyone answer this...
Watching him brazenly speak these words while doing such indecent, shameful things, deep embarrassment and helplessness surged in Chi Ying's heart.
Her vocabulary was limited, she truly couldn't describe it. Only after a long while did she manage to squeeze out: "Just... about the same as the nightclothes."
Yan Xuecui kissed her with satisfaction. "Then it must also be very beautiful."
Chi Ying's face flushed red as dripping blood, even her toes curling.
Yan Xuecui stroked that place, saying gently, "So whether it's too painful, too itchy, or too comfortable, you must tell me aloud. If you don't make a sound, and I'm blind... in the future if the princess consort beside my pillow were switched with someone else, I'd have no way of knowing, would I?"
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**Author's Note:** How hateful—don't scare Ying-bao anymore!
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
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
———–—————————————
Vote and leave a review for this series' translation here!
Appreciate the translator's hard work by Supporting us!
———–—————————————
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
———–—————————————
Vote and leave a review for this series' translation here!
Appreciate the translator's hard work by Supporting us!
———–—————————————
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