Chapter 18 (Part 1/2)
After understanding this point, Chi Ying's heart actually calmed down.
She should position herself properly.
This so-called substitute marriage was nothing more than an equal exchange. Everything was for treating Mother's illness. Having reached this point, there was no turning back. She needed to continue investing time, surviving amid danger, carefully coping—not being swayed emotionally by his every move and forgetting her original path.
Even when opening doors to receive guests, one had to deal with all kinds, whether difficult or domineering guest—let alone that she faced a prince with a notorious reputation.
Thinking of this, Chi Ying responded calmly, "Your Highness is too kind."
Her fingers were still in his palm. Using the pretext of tidying the handkerchief, she imperceptibly withdrew them, then busied herself turning back to arrange the bedding.
The moisture on his knuckles dissipated, along with that tingling aftertaste slowly fading. Yan Xuecui's gray eyes darkened, unbearable restlessness rising in his heart.
He curled his palm, inexplicably wanting to hold that boneless soft touch in his grasp and keep it longer.
Chi Ying was completely unaware of this. She lay back on the inner side of the bed quietly. Though she'd thought things through in her heart, to immediately and calmly perform the rites of Zhou Gong with him was still somewhat difficult.
She secretly glanced at him and brought up another topic: "Regarding Mother Consort's poisoning, how is Your Highness's investigation progressing?"
Yan Xuecui waited for the temperature on his fingertips to completely dissipate before speaking, his voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible hoarseness: "There are some leads."
He didn't wish to say more, and Chi Ying wouldn't dig to the bottom either. After considering a moment, she said, "Today Aunt Fangchun also mentioned with me the matter of entering the palace to express gratitude..." She paused and asked, "When does Your Highness plan to enter the palace? Will it be after the truth is uncovered?"
A trace of interest appeared at Yan Xuecui's lips. "Mm, you want to enter the palace soon?"
Chi Ying quickly shook her head. "I'm just asking. If Your Highness has arrangements, I can prepare early to avoid... losing propriety before Father Emperor."
Yan Xuecui pondered for a moment. "In late March, the palace will hold the群芳宴 (Gathering of Beauties Banquet). Imperial clan members will all attend. The Princess Consort can accompany me then and take the opportunity to meet my various brothers and sisters. How about it?"
Chi Ying was stunned, she hadn't expected he'd choose the palace banquet day.
The best timing to enter the palace for respects would be to only pay respects to the Emperor and Empress, then directly return to the manor. That way, she wouldn't need to worry about meeting too many people and being exposed. But if there were also princes and princesses present... As far as she knew, Chi Yingyue had met Princess Huizhen and quite a few daughters of noble families. If she ran into them face-to-face, how could she cope?
Yan Xuecui heard her breathing clearly miss a beat and she didn't immediately respond, so he asked, "What's wrong?"
Chi Ying's fingers involuntarily clenched tight. "Nothing, I was just thinking... the Gathering of Beauties Banquet, won't it be very lively?"
Yan Xuecui chuckled. "It is very lively."
He thought of something and suddenly asked, "Does the Princess Consort not like liveliness? I heard that before marriage, the Princess Consort was a regular at various banquets and gatherings in the capital, and was a VIP at several treasure pavilions and silk shops on Chengxian Street. But after over a month of marriage, right during the Shangsi Festival, why have I never seen the Princess Consort go out to admire flowers and enjoy spring outings, or go shopping in the streets?"
Chi Ying was momentarily at a loss for words. Another test...
She reluctantly found a reason: "Mother admonished me that imperial family rules are strict, not as free as before in my maiden chambers. She told me that after marriage I must carefully observe rules and propriety, not act willfully as I please, and especially not casually show my face in public."
Yan Xuecui: "Yin Shi's pains are well-intentioned. However, I don't have so many rules here. Wherever the Princess Consort wishes to go, whomever she wishes to see, no need to be restrained. Just leave the manor as you please."
He was actually this accommodating.
Chi Ying was somewhat swayed. After hesitating a moment, she said, "Then may I... return to the manor tomorrow to visit Mother?"
After speaking, she added an explanation: "Last time Xiangqin returned to the manor, she said my mother... suffered from a headache. I want to go back to see her."
She needed to see with her own eyes that Mother was improving before deciding whether to continue cooperating in this charade. She also had to speak with Yin Shi personally, it would be best to switch back with Chi Yingyue before the Gathering of Beauties Banquet.
Hearing her mention Yin Shi, Yan Xuecui's brow arched slightly.
He still remembered the shadow guard's earlier report saying Yin Shi was quite dissatisfied with her in her words and had even scolded that dowry maid. But he hadn't heard Yin Shi had a headache.
Nevertheless, he readily agreed, then added, "Have Cheng Huai bring several guards along to avoid accidents."
Chi Ying's expression tightened. She hurriedly refused, "No—no need. I have Xiangqin and Baoshan with me. There's no need for such trouble..."
Yan Xuecui said gently, "Have you forgotten the lesson from the return visit that night? Those two dowry maids of yours are powerless, how can they protect you?"
Chapter 18 (Part 2/2)
Chi Ying's leaping heart slowly calmed, falling once more into helplessness.
If the manor guards accompanied her for protection, they'd surely watch her every move closely. She could still put on a show of maternal kindness and filial devotion before Yin Shi, but how could she go see Mother? How could she pull off a substitution under the guards' noses and escape unscathed?
Yan Xuecui silently listened to the sounds beside his pillow.
When first hearing the joyous news of returning to the manor, the young woman's delight was almost impossible to hide, even her breathing lightened with happiness. But upon hearing he'd arrange guards to accompany her, she inadvertently let slip several sighs.
She seemed very troubled.
Troubled about having no way to see Prince Xuan?
Or distressed at having delayed acting against him, with no way to report back to Prince Xuan?
These two were truly interesting.
Yan Xuecui pondered briefly. In consideration of her discovering Mother Consort's poisoning, he decided to give her one more chance.
Chi Ying was still contemplating how to avoid the guards tomorrow to go to Chunliu Courtyard when she suddenly heard the person beside her pillow speak: "I'm somewhat thirsty. Would the Princess Consort trouble herself to pour me a cup of tea?"
It was rare for him to have a request, Chi Ying naturally couldn't refuse.
Getting off the foot of the bed, seeing tea still warming on the table, she didn't disturb Aunt Fangchun. She poured a cup and walked straight to the bedside to hand it to him. "Your Highness, please drink."
Yan Xuecui sat up and reached out to accept the teacup. But hearing not the slightest panic or hesitation in her breathing—even carrying a few parts composure, he grew even more curious.
The table and bed were separated by a screen, and he couldn't see. If she had the intention to do something, she could easily brew a fresh cup of tea, or take advantage of his defenselessness to add something to it.
He'd given her the opportunity, why didn't she know to cherish it?
Chi Ying saw him stroking the cup wall without immediately drinking, thinking he disdained her tea. She said helplessly, "This is lotus seed and lily tea, it has heart-clearing and spirit-calming effects, excellent to drink before bed... However, if Your Highness wants pre-Qingming Longjing tea, I can also..."
"No need to trouble yourself." Yan Xuecui finally lifted the teacup and took a light sip. It wasn't particularly good, but the clear bitterness carried a slight sweet aftertaste—barely palatable.
He was somewhat surprised. "Does the Princess Consort usually drink this tea?"
Chi Ying pressed her lips. "Occasionally."
She could only answer this way. Chi Yingyue usually drank pu-erh tea, which she wasn't very accustomed to. She'd rather drink the dandelion and hawthorn tea she'd had at the estate.
Prince Zhao liked pre-Qingming Longjing, even rarer tribute tea. She'd rather use those tea leaves to make pastries for him and Consort Zhuang than touch them herself.
Her identity was false, she already felt guilty. She wasn't someone who craved pleasure anyway, what tea she drank didn't matter.
Yan Xuecui set down the teacup and suddenly asked, "Tomorrow when you return to the manor, will Yin Shi scold you? After all, you and I haven't consummated the marriage yet."
Chi Ying's face filled with shock and some embarrassment. "This... Mother won't. I'll explain to her myself."
Yan Xuecui considered. "Tomorrow morning I'll have Steward Liu prepare some modest gifts for you to bring back."
Chi Ying obediently thanked him, only regretting that Changyuan Earl and Yin Shi would benefit.
The two finally lay back down.
With his disruption, it was now nearly the third watch.
Her mind occupied with tomorrow's return to the manor—both anticipating and worrying, it took quite a while before drowsiness came.
But with an extra person beside the pillow, things were always different from usual. Even with distance between them, the scent and heat unique to a man constantly lingered at her side, making even the air within the curtains feel thick and sticky.
Chi Ying turned over to face the wall, curling her body up. But waves of heat from behind washed over her one after another, seeping through the thin nightgown into her skin. Her back broke out in fine sweat.
Only after a long while, confirming Prince Zhao had no intention of going further, did her breathing finally stabilize.
But Yan Xuecui couldn't sleep.
The sound of candle wicks crackling rang in his ears. The person beside his pillow breathed long and steady. Orange blossom fragrance mixed with the young woman's body temperature flowed like tides into his nose.
In the darkness, all sensations were infinitely magnified.
Restless agitation surged like tides beneath his skin. The soft, smooth sensation from tracing her face earlier bred wildly in his palm, compelling him to want to fiercely grasp something.
Suddenly, the young woman turned over. As if unconsciously seeking warmth's source in her sleep, she slowly nestled to his side, her cheek gently pressing against the hollow of his shoulder.
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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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