Moonlight filtered through the cicada-wing gauze, casting soft shadows over the man’s snow-white, ink-patterned robe.

The intermittent sound of water from the bathing room pierced through the door, lingering in his ears with vivid clarity. At times, it sounded like pearls dropping onto a jade plate; at others, like a deep, surging undercurrent. He could even judge what she was doing based on those minute sounds, imagining the warm water flowing over her supple skin, flushing her snowy complexion a deep rose…

Yan Xuecuī’s knuckles tightened around his teacup until the tea had gone completely cold. He tilted his head back and drained it in a single gulp.

Yet, the unfamiliar, searing agitation within him did not subside. He pressed his fingers to the space between his brows, the rationality he had maintained for years nearly shattered by the sound of that trickling water.

* * *

Chi Ying lingered in the bathing room for a long time. Auntie Fangchun simply assumed she wanted to be extra clean for her first night and teased her with a smile, “If the Princess keeps scrubbing like this, she’ll rub her skin raw.”

Chi Ying’s pale cheeks were flushed crimson from the steam. She pursed her lips and finally rose. “Help me dress and dry my hair.”

She specifically chose a set of sleepwear made of thicker fabric. Having just finished her bath, she felt hot all over, and the flush on her face refused to fade. She looked like a crabapple blossom in full bloom, breathtakingly vibrant. Droplets of water from her damp hair fell onto her tender skin, resembling dew condensing on a red petal.

Auntie Fangchun studied her closely, her heart filled with emotion. If only the Prince could see his bride; he would surely be stunned by her beauty.

When Chi Ying returned to the bedroom, she learned that Prince Zhao had gone to another room to bathe. Since he had not yet arrived, she could not go to sleep; it was against etiquette. She thought about taking out her unfinished sachet to do a few more stitches, but then she saw Auntie Fangchun entering with a collection of manuals.

Chi Ying’s face turned bright red. “I haven’t even used the ones from last time. How could I possibly learn so much…?”

Auntie Fangchun smiled. “These few books today are rare on the market. This servant had people search many places in secret to buy them. Why doesn’t the Princess take another look?”

Chi Ying had no choice but to take them.

After flipping through just two pages, the vivid, lifelike scenes made her pupils shrink. She finally understood why Auntie Fangchun said these manuals were hard to find—the man in the drawings was also blindfolded.

However, his blindfold was not due to an injury, but a pursuit of variety in the “pleasures of fish and water,” enjoying the ultimate experience brought by the heightening of other senses when vision was blocked.

Chi Ying stared at a scene involving a lingering touch of the tongue. A surge of heat rushed from her spine straight to her head. Her cheeks burned instantly, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on her forehead.

Perhaps the sleepwear really is too thick.

Fangchun hadn’t expected her to choose this set tonight. This fabric was meant for the depths of winter. Now that the weather was warming up, this silk should have been put away.

“Perhaps… we should switch to the rouge-red silk gown?”

Chi Ying had worn that gown before. It was made of top-quality silk from Nanchong—soft, thin as a whisper, and clinging perfectly to every curve of the body. Her waist and hips would be left with no secrets.

How is that any different from being naked before him…?

Prince Zhao might be unable to see, but he could feel.

Chi Ying didn’t dare think further. She shook her head and refused.

Auntie Fangchun could tell that beneath her shyness lay a very real resistance. She couldn’t blame the Princess; the Prince’s reputation over the last few years had indeed been poor. The young ladies of the capital avoided the Zhao estate like the plague.

Though the imperial court appeared calm on the surface, the schemes and struggles between the princes never ceased. Prince Xuan, Prince Qing, and Prince Rui were none of them simple men. A man as brilliant as Prince Ding had been murdered by traitors, and Prince Zhao had lost his eyes, losing all hope for the throne… The entire estate was harboring a suppressed rage. How could they not hate?

But they were only women of the inner chambers. They could not interfere in the grand affairs of state, let alone seek vengeance for Prince Ding.

Now that Consort Zhuang only had this one son left, the servants were naturally loyal to the death. Having finally seen the Prince marry, they were full of anticipation for a young master’s birth. For Consort Zhuang and for the servants, it would be the ultimate consolation.

Auntie Fangchun sighed. “Prince Ding left us early without any heirs. The burden on Prince Zhao is heavy. Consort Zhuang has hoped for his marriage and a grandson for a very long time. In the future, I must trouble the Princess to work hard in the bedchamber. If you can bear a son soon, Her Ladyship’s heart will surely be at peace…”

Chi Ying didn’t know how to respond. Prince Ding’s death was a heavy blow to the entire Zhao estate. If this were none of her business, she would naturally wish for Consort Zhuang to enjoy the company of grandchildren. But she was using a stolen identity, already guilty of deceiving the Emperor. If she deceived Prince Zhao and bore his child, she couldn’t imagine the consequences once the truth came out. Madam Yin would surely pin all the blame on her.

However, meeting Auntie Fangchun’s earnest gaze, she could only suppress her worries and give a soft, “Mm.”

Hearing this, Fangchun was overjoyed. “This servant will be right outside tonight. If the Princess has any orders, simply call for me.”

Chi Ying felt a secret sense of relief at those words.

She had been worried that Prince Zhao might show his “wolfish” side during the act, but with Auntie Fangchun right outside, she felt a bit more secure.

Auntie Fangchun chatted with her for a while longer before taking her post on the porch.

Chi Ying wondered if it was psychological, but she felt Prince Zhao’s bath was taking an exceptionally long time. Long enough that she grew drowsy. She eventually sat on the daybed and closed her eyes to rest for a moment.

Da-da.

The faint sound of the bamboo cane approached like a rhythmic drumbeat of time. Chi Ying snapped her eyes open to see the man entering the room in a plain white, dark-patterned silk robe.

He had just come from the bathing room. His body seemed to carry a trace of warm moisture. His lapel was slightly open, and his well-defined collarbones shimmered under the light. His belt was loosely tied, emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

“I have made the Princess wait a long while.”

The man slowly approached. The scent of Galan incense was clear and pure. His voice was slightly raspy, like a hook grazing her heart.

Chi Ying’s throat felt itchy. She swallowed before speaking. “N-no, not long. Does Your Highness wish to sleep?”

“Mm.” Yan Xuecuī handed her the bamboo cane. Chi Ying hurriedly placed it on the small table by the head of the bed. She then saw him extend his arm—the signal for her to support him.

It seemed her act of rushing forward to help him at Shouchun Hall earlier today hadn’t displeased him.

Chi Ying took a deep breath and moved forward to hold his forearm.

The moment she steadied him, she seemed to hear a nearly imperceptible sigh of satisfaction from him.

Before she could figure out what it meant, he asked, “Since we have only shared a bed today, does the Princess hold a grudge against me in her heart?”

Chi Ying wouldn’t dare. If she could skip the consummation altogether, she would be more than happy. But those thoughts stayed in her heart. Her voice remained submissive and respectful. “Your Highness was heavily injured; this concubine was only afraid of disturbing you. How could I hold a grudge? On the contrary, my cold lingered for many days. I only hope Your Highness does not blame me.”

Yan Xuecuī said, “We are husband and wife. There is no need for such formality.”

As they reached the Huanghuali wood bed covered in the bright red wedding quilt, Yan Xuecuī suddenly leaned down. His fingertips brushed over the embroidery of the “Hundred Children and Thousand Grandchildren” pattern as if confirming the design.

Chi Ying’s cheeks flushed a light pink. She felt that Prince Zhao could likely tell what was there. Although the stitching was fine, it still felt different from the smooth silk. He was used to reading bamboo slips with his fingers; he would certainly know what was embroidered on the quilt.

Soon, Chi Ying saw the corners of his lips curl up slightly. It seemed intentional, a reminder that tonight was the wedding night—a night concerning the continuation of the bloodline, a night of extraordinary significance.

Chi Ying said somewhat awkwardly, “Auntie Fangchun was very thoughtful with the arrangements. However…”

She paused, and Prince Zhao asked, “However, what?”

Chi Ying looked at his palm, which was still wrapped in gauze. She stammered out her suggestion, “This concubine was thinking… the burn on Your Highness’s palm has only just scabbed over. I fear it is not suitable… not suitable to exert too much force. Why don’t we wait until Your Highness is fully recovered before we perform the rites of consummation?”

It took all her courage to say those words. Despite everything, she didn’t want to give up her purity and have a physical relationship with Prince Zhao. If she could delay for a few days, perhaps there was still hope of leaving…

Chi Ying waited for his answer with bated breath.

Yan Xuecuī chuckled. “I thought Auntie Fangchun would have taught you. I am blind, so naturally, there are ways that do not require me to exert too much force. Isn’t that right?”

Chi Ying’s face turned bright red. She didn’t know how to answer. In those manuals, the woman was indeed often in the superior position, so he wouldn’t need to prop himself up with his hands…

The man then sat down leisurely. “But the Princess has a point. Such matters can be intense. I cannot guarantee that in the heat of the moment, I wouldn’t use my hands.”

Chi Ying: “…”

How can he say such things… and tease me like this?

Images from the manual—of a man using his hands to knead and squeeze—flashed through her mind. A frantic buzzing rushed up her spine. Her face was impossibly red.

Yan Xuecuī heard her erratic breathing and even felt waves of heat radiating from her.

How can she be so shy?

He found it rather amusing. He said casually, “Since the Princess is thinking of me, let’s forget about it for tonight.”

Chi Ying was about to exhale in relief when she heard him say, “Does the Princess prefer to sleep on the inside or the outside?”

Chi Ying bit her lip and looked at the wide bed. She wanted to sleep on the outside so that if she noticed anything wrong with Prince Zhao, she could escape or call for help immediately.

So she made an excuse. “This concubine will sleep on the outside. It will make it easier to serve Your Highness if you need water or to rise during the night.”

Yan Xuecuī saw through her thoughts. He said intentionally, “I do not need anyone to serve me at night. The Princess should sleep on the inside, lest I disturb you when I get up.”

Chi Ying was helpless. “…”

If he already had a preference, why did he bother asking me?

On the gilded lampstand, the dragon and phoenix candles burned high, casting warm, yellow light onto the gold-threaded curtains.

According to the rules of the wedding night, the candles were meant to burn all night long. Prince Zhao was blind and likely couldn’t feel the light. To her, it didn’t matter if it was bright or dark. She ignored it and stepped lightly into the inner side of the bed. The two of them settled in.

Chi Ying leaned as far as possible toward the wall, keeping a relatively safe distance from him.

But it was her first time sharing a bed with a man; how could she not be nervous? She stared at the colorful embroidery on the canopy, trying to keep her breathing as light as possible.

Since he said ‘forget it,’ he shouldn’t go back on his word, right?

Chi Ying waited for a long time. Confirming that Prince Zhao had no intention of consummating the marriage, she finally relaxed. The heat left her body, and she gradually grew sleepy.

She had only just closed her eyes when she heard a faint, rapid panting from the man beside her. He sounded like he was trying to suppress something, and his breath carried a suppressed tremor.

Chi Ying opened her eyes in a panic. She saw that the man’s forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat. The veins in his neck were pulsing, and his hands were gripping the silk quilt as he tried to steady himself. His gasps grew heavier with every breath.

Chi Ying had never seen such a scene. Filled with terror and confusion, she reached out her hand to check if he had a fever. Without warning, the man suddenly grabbed her wrist in a tight grip.

NOTES

Cicada-wing gauze (蝉翼纱): A very thin, high-quality translucent silk fabric.

Rouge-red silk gown (胭脂红寝裙): The seductive sleepwear Chi Ying avoided.

Hundred Children and Thousand Grandchildren (百子千孙): Auspicious embroidery representing fertility.

Footnotes:

Cicada-wing Gauze (蝉翼纱): Named for its extreme thinness and transparency, this was a luxury fabric reserved for the elite.

“Pleasures of Fish and Water” (鱼水之欢): A common idiom for sexual harmony and intimacy between a couple.

Dragon and Phoenix Candles (龙凤喜烛): Special candles used during wedding nights, intended to burn until dawn to symbolize a long and bright marriage.

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