Physician Lin still remembered that when Prince Zhao was injured before, he had specifically requested the Princess to dress his wounds and apply the medicine. Logically speaking, he shouldn’t harbor any loathing toward her.

Furthermore, for someone as cold-hearted as the Prince, despite his elegant and warm exterior, not feeling repelled was already a rare achievement.

Auntie Fangchun offered a small smile. “His Highness has always relied on you. Your words carry more weight than ours. Perhaps you could try to persuade him?”

Physician Lin felt helpless. “It’s not as if I haven’t tried. This matter can only happen if His Highness is willing.”

He truly couldn’t understand it either. Since the Prince was married and willing to be close to the Princess, why was he so reluctant to consummate the union?

* * *

Yangui Tower.

Yuan De brought in the snacks that had been tested for poison and placed them gently on the low table.

He knew his master was investigating the Princess’s background. Although it was unlikely she would brazenly poison the food, it was always better to be cautious.

Yan Xuecuī caught a whiff of the sweet, elegant scent of tea. His brow twitched slightly. “What is it?”

Yuan De bowed. “It’s Dragon Well tea crisps and peach blossom crisps made by the Princess herself. Would you like to try some?”

Yan Xuecuī seemed somewhat surprised. “She still has the heart to make these?”

Yuan De deliberated his answer. “Perhaps the Princess wishes to ease the tension in her relationship with Your Highness?”

At that moment, the hidden guard sent out to investigate returned to report.

Yan Xuecuī didn’t even lift his head. When he heard the person approach, he asked indifferently, “What have you found?”

The guard cupped his hands. “The Princess showed no unusual movement today. However, the dowry maid named Xiangqin returned to the Chi estate. She didn’t go to see her mother, Nanny Zheng, but went instead to see Madam Yin. Their conversation was very private, and Madam Yin dismissed all other servants. I only overheard that Madam Yin seemed very dissatisfied with the Princess, fearing she would anger you and implicate the entire Marquis estate. She also warned the Princess not to get close to you, lest she lose her life…”

Yan Xuecuī’s eyebrows arched. This was unexpected.

The guard paused briefly. “There was one more sentence. I clearly heard Madam Yin tell Xiangqin, ‘Do not forget who your master is.’ As for the rest, I couldn’t hear clearly.”

Yuan De smoothed his fly-whisk and weighed the information. “This Xiangqin seems more like Madam Yin’s trusted servant. The Princess, by contrast, seems like an outsider.”

“Is that so? I heard the Princess was the apple of her family’s eye, getting whatever she desired.” Yan Xuecuī’s smile faded slightly. He ordered the guard, “Continue to keep an eye on Madam Yin.”

The guard took his orders and retreated.

Beside the table, a corner of the window was propped open. A cool breeze carrying the scent of spring greenery drifted in, brushing against the snow-white gauze over Yan Xuecuī’s eyes and fluttering the ribbons behind his head. The fragrance of Dragon Well tea and peach blossoms lingered in the air.

The fingers holding his bamboo slips moved unnoticeably, but he hadn’t touched the snacks at all.

Yuan De watched as the treats slowly grew cold. As the sun dipped into the west, the outer crust of the pastries began to soften. Just as he was about to clear them away, certain his master wouldn’t eat them, Yan Xuecuī reached out. He picked up a piece of Dragon Well crisp and slowly placed it in his mouth.

The aroma of tea instantly filled his mouth. The crust was sweet but not greasy, and the filling was smooth and delicate. The tea flavor was mellow, leaving a long, lingering aftertaste.

A smile touched Yan Xuecuī’s lips. “The Princess’s skill is quite good.”

Yuan De followed up with a smile. “The Princess was very thoughtful. The tea crisps use the earliest pre-rain Dragon Well tea from this spring, and the peach blossoms were picked fresh from the garden today. I heard she even sent a portion to Shouchun Hall.”

“She was indeed thoughtful. But…” Yan Xuecuī took a handkerchief and slowly wiped his knuckles. “Does a noble daughter who has never worked a day in her life usually possess such culinary skill?”

Yuan De froze, thinking it over. “The hidden guards only mentioned she was skilled in music and embroidery, but never mentioned cooking. However, while the kitchen isn’t as refined as painting, many young ladies enjoy cooking as a hobby. Having a few specialty snacks could be considered a charming addition to her character.”

Yan Xuecuī’s tone was flat. “Mm. You make a good point.”

Yuan De suddenly felt a chill down his spine. After hesitating for a long time, he finally gathered his courage to ask, “Does Your Highness suspect something is wrong with the Princess?”

Yan Xuecuī’s fingertips lightly tapped the table surface in a rhythmic pattern. He didn’t answer directly, asking instead, “She has been in the estate for nearly a month. Tell me, what kind of woman is she?”

Yuan De remembered the previous lesson and didn’t dare comment on her looks or include any personal bias. He only described what he saw. “The Princess is dignified, quiet, gentle, and cautious. She has completely abandoned her past arrogance and acts with a submissiveness that is like a breath of fresh air.”

Yan Xuecuī replied, “That’s not right.”

The smile froze on Yuan De’s face.

Not right? What was not right?

Had something happened last night? Had the Princess revealed a hidden nature in the bedchamber, showing a desire to harm the Prince?

The Prince only told half the story, leaving him itching with curiosity.

He prided himself on reading people, but he couldn’t see through the Princess, nor could he guess his master’s attitude toward her.

Last night, seeing the Prince bathe and settle in at Shuyu Pavilion, he thought he wouldn’t return to Yangui Tower. But the Prince had returned in the middle of the night, his face dark and full of gloom. He had even gone to the dungeon to interrogate two assassins, emerging covered in blood. Yuan De still felt a bit shaken by it.

If the Princess truly were a problem, she would have been the one in the dungeon last night, not those assassins. Given the Prince’s style, he would have broken her regardless of whether she were guilty or not.

Yet here he was, calmly eating the snacks she had sent…

Just then, a servant from Shuyu Pavilion came to report. The Princess had been invited to Shouchun Hall while having dinner.

“It was the maid Shuangxi who came. She said Consort Zhuang woke up and saw the snacks the Princess sent. She was confused again, forgetting that Your Highness married last month. She was eager to see the Princess. Auntie Qionglin had no choice but to have the Princess go and keep her company.”

The smile on Yan Xuecuī’s lips vanished. He inconspicuously tightened his palm.

Yuan De looked over with worry. “The last time Her Ladyship had an episode, she only started by calling a maid the wrong name. But when you went to visit, she mistook you for Prince Rong and stabbed you with a candlestick…”

Yan Xuecuī was silent for a moment. He rose and untied the gauze from his eyes, picking up his bamboo cane. “Let’s go see Mother.”

* * *

Chi Ying’s act of sending snacks to Shouchun Hall was indeed intended to curry favor, so that Prince Zhao would hear she was thinking of her mother-in-law.

She just hadn’t expected to run into one of Consort Zhuang’s hysterical episodes.

When the Consort asked for her, Chi Ying didn’t refuse. Auntie Fangchun, however, was more anxious than she was, giving her many instructions along the way. She warned that the Consort’s moods were unpredictable during episodes and that she might say nonsense. She told Chi Ying to watch the Consort’s emotions and reminded her that there were many maids and guards in the room, so she shouldn’t worry.

Chi Ying wasn’t actually that worried. A confused, kind person was nothing compared to those with truly wicked hearts. Furthermore, this was an opportunity for her. If she could soothe the Consort, she would leave a good impression on the whole household.

The porch was brightly lit. Chi Ying followed Shuangxi into the room. To her surprise, as soon as Consort Zhuang saw her, the woman sitting on the daybed stood up abruptly. Her pale, calm face twisted slightly as she pointed a finger at Chi Ying with gritted teeth. “It’s you… you dare to come here?”

Despite being prepared, Chi Ying’s heart tightened as she stared at the scene.

Auntie Qionglin immediately stepped forward to soothe her. “Your Ladyship, this is the Princess Consort! Didn’t you just say you wanted to see her?”

Consort Zhuang’s expression was full of terror. Her whole body shook like a leaf. She couldn’t hear a word. “What Princess? She is clearly Noble Consort Ning! It was her son who killed my Xueji! And now she wants to poison me!”

Only then did Chi Ying realize that Consort Zhuang had mistaken her for Consort Ning, the mother of Prince Rong.

Qionglin gave Chi Ying an apologetic look and signaled Fangchun to take the Princess out to prevent her from being hurt.

Chi Ying didn’t leave immediately. She steadied her mind and walked closer to the Consort, speaking softly. “Mother, it’s me, Yingyue. Have you forgotten? I just married in last month. I even came to visit you with His Highness yesterday.”

Hatred surged in Consort Zhuang’s bloodshot eyes. She let out a piercing, ragged scream. “Lies! You are that venomous woman, Ning Qinghe! My son defended the borders and protected the people, shedding blood and risking his life! You sat in the capital enjoying the peace, yet for your own selfish gains, you drove your own flesh and blood to his death! you slaughtered heroes and murdered soldiers! You are nothing but wolves and thieves! Treacherous villains! You are less than dogs and pigs!”

Chi Ying knew the woman was suffering from the loss of her son and could only let her vent her agony.

Reaching the peak of her pain, Consort Zhuang lunged forward to strike. She was held back by Qionglin and two tall, agile martial maids. However, given her high status and frail health, the maids didn’t dare use too much force for fear of injuring her.

Consort Zhuang was consumed by hatred and had lost all reason. In the struggle, she knocked over the nearby flower stands and lamp stands. Vases, porcelain, and glass lamps shattered across the floor. She then grabbed everything from the dressing table and side tables, hurling them at Chi Ying.

Supported by Fangchun, Chi Ying had no choice but to retreat several steps.

Qionglin asked anxiously, “Is the Princess injured?”

Chi Ying shook her head. With the martial maids protecting her and the Consort throwing things blindly, the jewelry, teacups, and chess pieces mostly missed her. Only a tea lid had struck her ankle, causing a dull ache.

She wanted to suggest Qionglin move the Consort further away to avoid the broken porcelain, but at that moment, Consort Zhuang hurled a heavy, ornate sandalwood box inlaid with gold. With a pata sound, the box cracked open as it hit the floor right at Chi Ying’s feet. Out rolled a string of prayer beads the Consort usually carried. Chi Ying recognized them and was about to bend down to pick them up when a hand suddenly gripped her wrist.

She looked up to see Prince Zhao’s refined face. Chi Ying’s heart skipped a beat. Memories of the previous night gave her a heavy, complicated feeling.

Yan Xuecuī lowered his gaze to “look” at her. “Are you alright?”

Chi Ying bit her lip and whispered, “I’m fine.”

Yan Xuecuī gave a faint nod. Hearing the Consort’s voice weaken and the sound of breaking things stop, he ordered Qionglin, “Help Mother back to bed. Physician Lin is already on his way.”

Qionglin hurried to obey.

The veins on Consort Zhuang’s forehead were bulging, and her face was flushed with an unusual heat. She had finally fainted from exhaustion.

After Qionglin wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, the two martial maids helped her back to the bed.

The maids hurried to clean up the mess. Only then did Chi Ying bend down to pick up the prayer beads to keep them from getting dirty. Unintentionally, she noticed several small, pitch-black pills the size of mung beans that had rolled out from the cracked joints of the wooden box.

Curious, Chi Ying picked up two of the pills and brought them to her nose. Perhaps because they had been there for a long time, they only smelled of sandalwood. She couldn’t detect anything special.

Yan Xuecuī heard her nose twitching as if she were sniffing something. “What is it?”

Chi Ying handed the pills to him.

The girl’s soft fingertips accidentally brushed his palm. It felt as if a thin current of electricity had surged through him. A vein on the back of Yan Xuecuī’s hand jumped, and the searing memories of the night rushed back into his mind.

NOTES

Longjing Tea Crisps (龙井茶酥): A traditional snack using Dragon Well tea.

Peach Blossom Crisps (桃花酥): A seasonal floral pastry.

Pre-rain Dragon Well (明前龙井 – Mingqian Longjing): The highest quality green tea, harvested before the Qingming Festival.

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