Yan Xuecuī greedily drank in the girl’s soft, sweet fragrance, letting out a sigh of profound satisfaction.

Tonight, she hadn’t used any incense. Her own natural, warm, and pure scent filled his senses. As he buried his face in the curve of her neck, he felt as if his perception was wrapped in a stream of warm water. It seeped through every crevice of his desolate, barren heart, slowly filling the void within.

Throughout the room, the red candles burned high. Their warm yellow light spilled across the embroidered gold-threaded curtains. Time seemed to stretch in the night, flowing slowly yet clearly.

Chi Ying felt the man’s breathing steady. That searing, anxious heat gradually receded, suggesting that the “old illness” he mentioned had been soothed. However… he was simply too close. The bridge of his high nose pressed against the pulse points of her neck, and his gentle breath brushed over her collarbone, sending waves of numbness through her.

She couldn’t relax at all. Her sleepwear clung to her back, slick with sweat. Her fingertips were white from gripping the quilt as she forced herself to suppress her tremors.

As they remained held in that tight embrace, a strange sensation suddenly touched the side of her neck—soft, warm, and slightly damp. Once she realized what it was, a surge of heat rushed through Chi Ying’s body. The spot he had licked felt as if it had caught fire, the heat radiating straight to her limbs.

Sensing the girl’s trembling, Yan Xuecuī suddenly snapped back to his senses. He seemed surprised by his own actions and immediately pulled away, a trace of bone-chilling coldness flashing across his face.

With the distance finally between them, Chi Ying could breathe again. It was only then that she saw his expression clearly.

The man’s grey-cold eyes held a hint of suppressed emotion, but he had ultimately calmed down. His thin lips curled upward, and his smile held a touch of arrogance. Yet, his cool, jade-like fingers chose that moment to climb her neck.

It was her most sensitive and fragile spot. Though his touch wasn’t heavy, the sense of impending suffocation—the feeling that he could snap her neck at any moment—made Chi Ying shudder violently.

Yan Xuecuī lowered his gaze and spoke softly: “If the Princess Consort wanted my life, just now would have been the best time.”

He seemed to genuinely regret it. “What a pity you didn’t act.”

Chi Ying was stunned. For a moment, she felt as if her very blood had frozen.

“Your Highness… this concubine does not understand what you are saying…”

How could she want to kill him? What power did she have to take the life of a Prince? She didn’t even know why he had suddenly thought this. Weren’t they just holding each other tightly?

Did he think she was an assassin sent by someone?

Just as Chi Ying thought he was going to charge her with a crime, the Prince stroked her neck and said gently: “Do not miss your chance next time. Do you understand?”

Chi Ying felt cold all over. She wanted to explain herself, but her voice was stuck in her throat, unable to make a sound.

She could only watch as Prince Zhao rose from the bed, fumbled for his bamboo cane by the table, dressed himself, and left Shuyu Pavilion without another word.

* * * 

Auntie Fangchun had been waiting on the porch. She had expected the two masters to complete their union tonight, but to her shock, the Prince left in total silence. Though his expression was as calm as usual, he carried a terrifying aura in the darkness of the night.

Yuan De and Qing Ze exchanged a look and hurriedly followed him. Fangchun had no choice but to enter the room to ask the Princess what had happened.

Upon entering, she saw the Princess standing by the bed in a daze, her face filled with lingering terror and confusion.

Auntie Fangchun hurried forward to help her sit. “Princess, what happened? Why did His Highness leave?”

They had seemed so harmonious during dinner.

Chi Ying shook her head, looking utterly lost.

Prince Zhao actually suspected her of having murderous intentions. Assassinating a Prince was a capital offense—how could she ever bear such a charge?

For now, the matter hadn’t blown up. The Prince hadn’t sent anyone to arrest or interrogate her. Was he waiting for her next move? Or was he investigating her in secret to wait for solid evidence before dragging her away?

Chi Ying’s mind was a mess. She didn’t intend to tell Auntie Fangchun. If this escalated and they found out she wasn’t an assassin but a fake bride, there would be no turning back.

Seeing her like this, Fangchun had her own guesses. Perhaps the Prince, being blind, felt discouraged regarding the “matters of the room.” It was a sickness of the heart.

Chi Ying did not sleep a wink that night.

The next morning, she summoned Xiangqin and gave her orders: “Trouble yourself to return to the estate today. Try to persuade Mother again. Ask what Second Sister’s intentions are.”

Seeing her haggard face, Xiangqin couldn’t help but whisper, “The consummation failed yesterday… Does Prince Zhao suspect your identity?”

Chi Ying was silent for a moment before shaking her head. “It’s not that.”

Since Prince Zhao had left under everyone’s gaze, Xiangqin and the others couldn’t help but let their minds wander.

Prince Zhao’s reputation was poor; some said he was bloody in bed, while others whispered he was impotent. Since the Third Lady hadn’t suffered any inhuman torture, they assumed it must be impotence. That would explain why he left in the middle of the night.

Chi Ying didn’t know these thoughts were in the maid’s head. After hesitating, she told the truth: “His Highness thinks I… intend to assassinate him. He is bound to investigate my background now.”

Xiangqin was dumbfounded. “As-assassinate?”

“I don’t know why either,” Chi Ying said helplessly. “An upright heart fears no shadows, and I have a clear conscience on that front. I only fear he will discover the substitution. To be safe, it’s better to switch back with Second Sister as soon as possible.”

If she could return to the estate herself, it would be better. But now that the Prince suspected her of having an ulterior motive, leaving the estate would definitely draw attention; they would think she was meeting with a co-conspirator.

She could only send Xiangqin back under the guise of visiting her mother.

However, before the matter could even be presented to Chi Yingyue, it was rejected by Madam Yin.

Upon hearing the news, Madam Yin slammed the table in a rage. “She must have said or done something! Why else would Prince Zhao suddenly grow suspicious for no reason?”

“She provoked Prince Zhao herself, yet she wants Yingyue to clean up her mess? Don’t even dream of it!”

Xiangqin stammered, “Perhaps it is because His Highness is frequently targeted by assassins… he has a suspicious nature…”

Madam Yin roared, “Then Yingyue can go even less! If Prince Zhao flies into a violent rage, how will Yingyue survive?”

Recalling the previous night, Xiangqin said cautiously, “His Highness did not seem enraged last night, nor did he intend to throw the Third Lady into the dungeon. If the Second Lady goes over and acts respectfully…”

“Shut up!” Madam Yin barked. “Have you been bewitched by that Chi Ying? You’re actually speaking for her? Don’t forget who your master is!”

Xiangqin hadn’t expected to fail and receive a scolding to boot. She returned to the Zhao estate with a face full of misery.

Seeing her expression, Chi Ying knew there was no hope.

Xiangqin whispered, “Madam says you are on your own. If you cause trouble and implicate the Marquis’s estate, she will… she will cut off Concubine Xue’s medicine…”

Chi Ying collapsed into her seat, all color draining from her face.

She had endured without crying for days, but now she finally broke. Tears slid down her face uncontrollably.

Xiangqin felt helpless. She patted her back and whispered, “Madam wants you to serve this side carefully. Once Prince Zhao’s attitude improves, she will find a way to switch you and the Second Lady.”

Chi Ying only hated that she hadn’t realized this sooner. Prince Zhao was temperamental, and now he even suspected her of being with assassins. How could Madam Yin ever let her own daughter enter this dragon’s den?

Xiangqin tried to comfort her. “Lady, our Second Lady is currently hidden in the villa. The servants’ mouths are sealed; no one dares to talk. You can rest assured on that. The most important thing now is to clear the Prince’s suspicion.”

Chi Ying’s face was pale, her knuckles white. “I know that, but…”

She still didn’t know what had gone wrong. Why did the Prince suspect her, and when did it start?

She had been meticulous since the wedding, never contacting outsiders. The only time she left was her visit home, where she was taken hostage and nearly died by his arrow. Later, she had been shut in for half a month with a cold. They had just visited Consort Zhuang yesterday, eaten together, and shared a bed. she had almost believed there was a layer of intimacy between them…

Should she prove herself? How do you prove something you didn’t do?

With her heart full of worries, Chi Ying barely ate any lunch before setting down her silver chopsticks.

Baoshan, not knowing why the two masters were at odds, offered a suggestion: “Why don’t you make some snacks for His Highness yourself? Or perhaps embroider a sachet or a handkerchief to send over? Once he sees your sincerity, his anger will vanish.”

Xiangqin thought for a moment. This was feasible. If the Third Lady stayed cooped up in her room, wouldn’t she be suspected anyway? It was better to show some goodwill to prevent the misunderstanding from deepening.

In truth, Prince Zhao seemed gentle and kind so far, but no matter what she said, the Madam and the Second Lady didn’t believe her. If the Third Lady could get along well with the Prince, the Madam would be more at ease with switching them back later.

Chi Ying sighed and slowly came around to the idea.

Whether she showed goodwill or not, the Prince would investigate what he wanted to investigate. Since she was in danger, she had to find a way to save herself. Hiding wouldn’t help; it would only make people think she had a guilty conscience.

Making snacks wasn’t much trouble. Chi Ying went to the kitchen, planning to make a few items for Yangui Tower and a portion for Consort Zhuang to show her filial piety.

* * *

Meanwhile, Auntie Fangchun was worried about something else.

Knowing that Physician Lin would be coming to treat the Prince’s eyes today, she waited outside Yangui Tower. As soon as he came out, she pulled him aside.

Seeing her hesitation, Physician Lin said directly, “Just ask, Auntie. I will tell you what I can.”

After a long pause, Fangchun finally spoke with difficulty. “His Highness has always kept his distance from women, especially since losing his sight. No ordinary woman can get near him. Yesterday, I finally persuaded him to share a room with the Princess, but… but in the middle of it, he left her all alone… You treat him often, so you know his condition best. Is his heart closed off because of his blindness, or is he… not up to the task?”

Physician Lin, who had just checked Yan Xuecuī’s pulse, waved a hand dismissively. “You can set your mind at ease on that. His Highness’s kidney essence is abundant and his Yang energy is surging. He only lacks a way to release it!”

The worry on Auntie Fangchun’s face instantly vanished.

Her Prince wasn’t “incapable”; on the contrary, he was more than capable. He was just… holding it in too much?

NOTES

“What a pity you didn’t act”: Prince Zhao is testing her. His dark humor suggests he finds her “assassin” potential more interesting than her “submissive bride” persona.

“Kidney essence is abundant”: In TCM, “Kidney essence” (Shenjing) is directly linked to sexual health and vitality. Physician Lin is confirming the ML is physically healthy in that department.

An upright heart fears no shadows (身正不怕影子斜): A common proverb meaning a person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear from rumors or investigation.

Translator’s Note: NYT here. Talk about a misunderstanding! Chi Ying thinks she’s on a hit list, while Auntie Fangchun thinks the Prince has performance issues. 

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