“The auspicious hour has arrived!”

The wedding matron’s cry rang out from beyond the courtyard gates. Chi Ying’s face was obscured by a bright red bridal veil embroidered with mandarin ducks. Amidst the rising din of drums, gongs, and well-wishes, she stepped into the sedan chair.

From the Marquis of Changyuan’s estate to the Prince Zhao estate, crossing from the west of the capital to the east, it was a distance that spanned half the city. The sedan chair swayed and jolted throughout the journey, and the festive music of the suona horns seemed to take on a mournful tone in the biting winds of early spring.

Along the way, the chatter of the onlookers never ceased.

“To marry one’s own daughter to a blind madman… the Marquis of Changyuan and his wife certainly have thick skin to be smiling at their guests like that.”

“Prince Zhao is famously violent. They say his methods of torture are beyond cruel. This daughter of the Chi family is likely walking straight to her grave!”

“Maybe not. I heard Prince Zhao is heavily injured and on the verge of death. He couldn’t even show up to receive the bride today. This girl might just end up a widow immediately…”

The crowd gossiped fervently, some even placing bets on how many days she would survive in the Zhao estate.

Little did they know, the bride inside the sedan chair was not the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis, Chi Yingyue.

It was the third daughter, Chi Ying, a child of a concubine who had been raised away in the countryside manor.

The red veil swayed gently, hiding a face as delicate as a hibiscus and skin like cream.

Chi Ying sat upright in the chair, her every move maintaining the dignified poise expected of a Marquis’s daughter. However, the way her pale, jade-like fingers gripped her handkerchief betrayed her inner terror.

How could she not be terrified?

A discarded concubine’s daughter, used as a pawn by her family to secretly replace her sister and marry a notorious “God of Slaughter” who already had one foot in the grave—no one could remain calm in such a situation.

Before the wedding, her legal mother, Madam Yin, had fed her biological mother several doses of Jiji Pills. Her mother, who had been bedridden for years, showed a visible spark of recovery.

Chi Ying knew then that she had no choice but to marry.

Her mother was originally a concubine to the Marquis. Seven years ago, because Chi Ying had supposedly bumped into a pregnant Madam Yin while playing, causing a miscarriage, the Marquis had flown into a rage. He had whipped both her and her mother without mercy.

Had she really bumped into her legal mother’s belly and killed the child? She was certain she hadn’t; she hadn’t even touched the woman! But no one believed her.

Her mother had shielded her with her own body, taking forty lashes. When they were sent away to the manor, her mother was half-dead. Since then, her health had declined steadily, nearly failing completely last winter.

Chi Ying had tricked the guards to run back to the Marquis’s estate, kowtowing for medicine. Unexpectedly, when Madam Yin saw her face, the woman devised a different plan…

Chi Ying closed her eyes, her fingernails digging deep into her palms.

To this day, she and her mother were still paying the price for a crime that never happened.

…

By evening, the wedding procession slowly came to a halt outside the Prince Zhao estate.

The sound of drums and gongs faded, replaced by the rhythmic, stern footsteps of the estate guards and the cold, grating sound of clashing weapons.

Chi Ying stepped out of the sedan. She had no room left for stray thoughts. She held her breath, her heart leaping into her throat, fearing someone would expose her identity.

Fortunately, it was just a routine patrol. No one grew suspicious.

A woman soon approached, her voice warm and smiling. “Princess Consort, I am Qionglin, a servant of Consort Zhuang. I have come to welcome you.”

Chi Ying’s palms were slick with cold sweat. Hearing this, she exhaled slightly and steadied her voice. “Thank you, Auntie Qionglin.”

Qionglin said, “His Highness Prince Zhao’s injuries have not yet healed, so he could not receive you personally. Consort Zhuang is also bedridden and requires quiet rest, which is why there is no grand banquet today. I hope the Princess Consort can be understanding. His Highness and Her Ladyship will surely compensate you in the future.”

Chi Ying nodded gently, signaling her understanding.

She was a substitute bride anyway; she didn’t care about face or grandeur. In fact, she wished she could be entirely invisible.

Perhaps because her attitude was so nonchalant, Qionglin took an extra look at this new bride.

She had assumed that even if the girl’s family rank wasn’t the highest, she was still a pampered daughter of a Marquis. Given the Prince’s current state, most young ladies of high-ranking families would either be weeping or complaining about the estate’s lack of etiquette. She hadn’t expected the bride to accept everything so calmly. Her voice was soft and gentle, appearing as though she possessed no temper at all.

This was quite different from the rumors they had heard.

When the Emperor bestowed the marriage last year, Consort Zhuang had sent people to investigate the Chi family’s eldest daughter. Everyone said she was arrogant and domineering. However, she had lived in seclusion for the past few months while preparing for the wedding, so there was no news. It was likely the Marquis had hired someone to discipline her, changing her temperament.

In any case, a submissive nature was a good thing.

“Princess, mind your step. Please, come inside.”

Chi Ying nodded and, supported by the wedding matron, entered the estate. She followed the procedures mechanically—stepping over the saddle, crossing the brazier—and moved into the inner chambers.

With that, the wedding ceremony was over.

There were no bows to the ancestors, no guests, and no complicated rituals like the “bed-scattering” or the “sharing of the nuptial wine.”

There wasn’t even a groom.

The matron removed her veil. Chi Ying looked at the empty wedding bed and actually felt a secret sense of relief.

Qionglin entered from behind the screen and was met with a face as bright as spring blossoms.

The bride’s brows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn ripples. Her waist was as slender as white silk, and her ears were adorned with bright moon pearls. Her full, rosy lips were even more alluring than the crimson wedding veil. She was truly graceful and enchanting.

Even as someone who had spent over twenty years in the deep palace and seen countless beauties, Qionglin was momentarily stunned.

Following Chi Ying’s gaze toward the empty room, Qionglin hurried to explain, “This is the Shuyu Pavilion. The Princess shall stay here for now. His Highness is currently recovering at the Yangui Tower to the east. Once his injuries improve, he will surely consummate the marriage with you.”

Chi Ying nodded. “Thank you for your trouble, Auntie.”

Noticing the faint surprise on Qionglin’s face, she realized she might be acting too calm.

Not only did she seem indifferent to the marriage, but she also appeared unconcerned about Prince Zhao’s health. Since she was currently holding the identity of Chi Yingyue, she couldn’t appear completely detached from her “husband.”

Chi Ying hesitated for a moment before speaking with forced concern. “Is… His Highness, alright? Does anyone know who injured him?”

Qionglin hesitated, sighing. “It is a long story.”

Chi Ying could guess some of it.

She had lived at the countryside manor with her mother, Concubine Xue, for years. She was far removed from the affairs of the capital. It wasn’t until the eve of the wedding that her father and Madam Yin gave her a brief overview of the situation at the Prince Zhao estate to ensure she wouldn’t appear ignorant.

It all started with Prince Zhao’s brother, Prince Ding, Yan Xueji, who had died in battle.

Prince Ding was the eldest son, a man of letters and martial prowess with a reputation for virtue. Five years ago, during an expedition to the Western Regions, he died under a hail of arrows. Consort Zhuang could not handle the loss of her son and fell into a state of hysteria.

After Prince Zhao reached adulthood and moved out of the palace, Emperor Chongning allowed Consort Zhuang to leave the palace to recover. Mother and son lived together in the Zhao estate.

But last year, the truth behind Prince Ding’s death surfaced. It turned out that Prince Rong had conspired with one of Prince Ding’s generals to lead him into an ambush. Thus, the strongest contender for the throne was eliminated.

It was during the investigation into his brother’s death that Prince Zhao was hunted by Prince Rong’s men, resulting in the loss of his eyes.

Prince Zhao was blind and heavily injured; Consort Zhuang was half-mad. And she, Chi Ying, happened to look seventy percent similar to her sister, Chi Yingyue. This was exactly why a struggling Marquis estate dared to deceive the Emperor right under his nose.

However, Chi Ying couldn’t understand one thing: Prince Zhao was blind and completely out of the running for the throne, and Consort Zhuang had lost the Emperor’s favor due to her erratic behavior. Who was still trying to drive them to a dead end?

Seeing Qionglin’s silence, Chi Ying didn’t press further. Showing concern was enough.

Qionglin waved toward the door, and a female servant, accompanied by four maids, stepped forward and bowed.

The lead servant was nearly forty, with narrow brows and round eyes, dressed in a green silk jacket. She moved with practiced efficiency. The four maids behind her had identical hairstyles and outfits, looking neat and capable.

Qionglin introduced them. “This is Auntie Fangchun. She will serve by the Princess’s side and assist in managing the inner household. These four are Qingzhi, Yinqiao, Sangzhi, and Peilan. They will handle your daily needs.”

Auntie Fangchun stepped forward with a curtsy, and the four maids followed suit.

Chi Ying nodded and softly told them to rise.

In truth, she had brought two maids of her own, but she knew Madam Yin had sent them to spy on her. Now that five more had arrived, she couldn’t refuse them.

She glanced over these people, unsure which side was more dangerous.

From now on, she had to stay alert. She couldn’t afford a single mistake. Otherwise, not only would the Marquis’s estate fall for the crime of deceiving the Emperor, but she and her mother would certainly meet a miserable end.

In the evening, the maids Xiangqin and Baoshan helped her remove her makeup, followed by dinner and a bath.

Chi Ying was still very uncomfortable with being waited on. For years, she and her mother had lived on the farm with only one old woman to cook and clean. Her mother had difficulty moving, so Chi Ying was the one doing the hard work of feeding and washing her. But now, in the eyes of outsiders, she was the pampered daughter of a Marquis. Even if she felt awkward, she had to restrain her impulse to do things herself and let them serve her.

After bathing, Chi Ying sat on the daybed to rest. Auntie Fangchun walked in holding a manual. “Princess Consort.”

Chi Ying took the manual. When she saw the drawings of a man and woman entwined in passion, her cheeks instantly turned crimson.

Under the lamp, Auntie Fangchun looked at the beauty. In the warm yellow glow, Chi Ying’s snowy skin seemed to emit a soft light, like fresh snow under the moon. Without her heavy makeup, she looked like a pure lotus, making ordinary cosmetics seem vulgar.

After a moment of being dazed, Fangchun said warmly, “I’m sure the Marchioness already instructed you on the rules of the wedding night. However, His Highness’s situation is special. Consort Zhuang specifically told me to give you a few pointers before you share a bed, to help you and His Highness succeed as soon as possible.”

Chi Ying suppressed her embarrassment and nodded slightly.

In fact, Madam Yin hadn’t taught her anything. Hearing that Prince Zhao was dying, the woman likely assumed he was already impotent, so she hadn’t bothered to waste time teaching Chi Ying about such matters.

Fangchun continued, “Although His Highness is blind, he does not like people serving him closely. He handles his own dressing and washing, moving almost like a sighted person. However, he has no experience in matters of the bed. He has never had concubines or bed-warmers before. Coupled with his blindness, the Princess Consort will need to be more proactive.”

Chi Ying lowered her eyes even further. She didn’t know how to do it herself, so how could she be proactive…?

Fangchun saw her shyness and said softly, “Because His Highness is blind, he cannot experience pleasure the way others do. The Princess needs to use methods like stroking, kissing, and the riding position to please him and stir his interest. If His Highness is willing to explore on his own, please cooperate and help him find the right place…”

Fangchun then showed her several positions that were said to aid in conception.

The page Chi Ying happened to flip to was the riding position. The visual impact was too great; her fingers trembled, and the blush spread from her ears down to her snowy neck.

Footnotes:

Jiji Pills (既济丹): “Jiji” implies completion or crossing a river; here it’s a potent tonic used to temporarily boost a patient’s vitality.

Concubine-born daughter (庶女 – Shu nu): In a polygamous household, the children of the primary wife have “legitimate” status, while children of concubines are lower in status and often discarded or used as pawns.

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