Once she understood this point, Chi Ying’s heart actually grew calm.

She needed to fix her position.

This so-called substitute marriage was nothing more than an equal exchange. Everything was for the sake of treating her mother’s illness. Having reached this stage, there was no turning back. She needed to continue giving her time, surviving in the midst of danger, and handling things with caution, rather than letting his every move sway her emotions and make her forget why she came here in the first place.

Even if she were opening a shop to welcome guests, she would have to deal with all sorts of people, be they difficult or overbearing. How much more so when facing a notorious prince?

With this thought, Chi Ying responded calmly: “Your Highness overpraises me.”

Her fingers were still in his palm. She used the excuse of gathering her handkerchief to inconspicuously withdraw them, then busied herself with turning around to tidy the bedding.

The moisture on his knuckles evaporated, and along with it, the lingering numbness slowly faded. Yan Xuecuī’s grey eyes darkened, an unbearable restlessness rising in his heart.

He curled his palm, inexplicably wanting to seize that soft, boneless sensation once more and keep it for just a bit longer.

Chi Ying noticed none of this. She stepped lightly back into the inner side of the bed. Though she had made peace with her situation, it was still difficult to immediately perform the “rites of the Duke of Zhou” with him in a calm manner.

She stole a glance at him and brought up another topic: “Regarding the matter of Mother’s poisoning, how is Your Highness’s investigation proceeding?”

Yan Xuecuī waited for the warmth on his fingertips to dissipate before answering. When he spoke, his voice carried an unnoticeable rasp: “There are some leads.”

He clearly did not wish to say more, and Chi Ying was not one to pry. After deliberating for a moment, she said, “Auntie Fangchun mentioned the matter of entering the palace to give thanks today…” She paused before asking, “When does Your Highness intend to go? Are we to wait until the truth is fully revealed?”

A hint of interest appeared on Yan Xuecuī’s lips. “Mm. Do you wish to enter the palace early?”

Chi Ying shook her head quickly. “I was just asking. If Your Highness has arrangements, I can prepare early, so as not to… lose etiquette before Imperial Father.”

Yan Xuecuī pondered for a moment. “In late March, the palace will host the Flower Banquet. All imperial kin will be present. The Princess can accompany me then. We can take the opportunity to meet my brothers and sisters, how does that sound?”

Chi Ying was stunned. She hadn’t expected him to choose a day with a grand banquet.

The best time to offer greetings would be when only the Emperor and Empress were present, allowing her to return home immediately. That way, she wouldn’t have to worry about meeting too many people and exposing her identity. But if the princes and princesses were there… As far as she knew, Chi Yingyue had met Princess Huizhen and many noble ladies. If they met face-to-face, how could she possibly handle it?

Yan Xuecuī heard her breathing falter significantly. When she didn’t respond immediately, he asked, “What is it?”

Chi Ying’s fingers tightened involuntarily. “Nothing. I was just thinking… the Flower Banquet… won’t it be very lively?”

Yan Xuecuī smiled. “It will be very lively.”

He remembered something and suddenly asked, “Does the Princess not like crowds? I heard that before your marriage, you were a frequent guest at every grand banquet and gathering in the capital, and a VIP at the various treasure pavilions and silk manors on Chengxian Street. Yet since the wedding a month ago, even with the Shangsi Festival passing, why have I never seen the Princess go out to enjoy the flowers or stroll through the streets?”

Chi Ying was momentarily speechless. Another test…

She managed to find a reason: “It was my mother who cautioned me. The rules of the royal family are strict, unlike the freedom I enjoyed in the maiden chambers. She wanted me to strictly observe the rules and etiquette after marriage, not to act according to my whims, and certainly not to show my face in public easily.”

“Madam Yin’s intentions were good,” Yan Xuecuī said, “but I do not have so many rules here. Wherever the Princess wants to go, or whomever you want to see, there is no need to be restrained. You may leave the estate as you wish.”

He was actually being quite easy to talk to.

Chi Ying wavered. After hesitating, she said, “Then, may I return to the estate tomorrow to visit my mother?”

She added an explanation: “Last time Xiangqin returned, she said my mother… was suffering from a headache. I wish to go see her.”

She needed to see her mother’s improvement with her own eyes before deciding whether to continue this act. She also had to speak with Madam Yin personally. It was best to switch back with Chi Yingyue before the Flower Banquet.

Yan Xuecuī’s brow arched when he heard her mention Madam Yin.

He remembered the hidden guard’s report, which said Madam Yin was very dissatisfied with her and had even scolded the dowry maid. He hadn’t heard anything about Madam Yin having headaches.

However, he readily agreed, adding: “I will have Cheng Huai take a few guards along to accompany you, to avoid any accidents.”

Chi Ying’s expression tightened as she hurriedly refused: “N-no need. I have Xiangqin and Baoshan with me. There is no need for such a grand display…”

“Have you forgotten the lesson from the night of your return?” Yan Xuecuī asked warmly. “Your two maids have no strength to even truss a chicken. How can they protect you?”

Chi Ying’s heart, which had been leaping with joy, slowly quieted down. She fell into a state of helplessness once more.

If the estate guards followed her, they would surely watch her every move. She could act out a scene of “motherly love and filial piety” in front of Madam Yin, but how could she go see her real mother? How could she switch identities under the eyes of the guards and escape unscathed?

Yan Xuecuī listened silently to the movements by his pillow.

When she first heard the news of returning home, the girl’s joy was almost impossible to hide; even her breathing grew lighter. But once he mentioned the guards, several unnoticeable sighs escaped her.

She seemed very troubled.

Troubled because she couldn’t see Prince Xuan?

Or troubled because she hadn’t made a move against him yet and couldn’t report back to Prince Xuan?

These two were truly interesting.

Yan Xuecuī pondered for a while. Considering she had discovered his mother’s poisoning, he decided to give her one more chance.

While Chi Ying was still thinking of how to avoid the guards to get to Spring Willow Court, she suddenly heard the man beside her speak: “I am a bit thirsty. Would the Princess trouble herself to pour a cup of tea?”

It was rare for him to have a request, and Chi Ying naturally would not refuse.

She climbed down from the foot of the bed. Seeing a pot of tea still warming on the table, she didn’t disturb Auntie Fangchun. She poured a cup and walked straight back to the bed to hand it to him. “Your Highness, please.”

Yan Xuecuī sat up and reached for the teacup. He heard no panic or hesitation in her breath; in fact, she seemed quite open. He grew even more curious.

The screen separated the table from the bed, and he was blind. If she intended to do something, she could have easily brewed a new pot or added something while he was defenseless.

He was giving her a chance; why did she not cherish it?

Chi Ying saw him rubbing the side of the cup without drinking immediately. Thinking he disliked her tea, she said helplessly, “This is Lotus Seed and Lily Tea. It has a calming effect and is very good before sleep… but if Your Highness wishes to drink pre-rain Dragon Well, I can…”

“No need for trouble.” Yan Xuecuī finally lifted the cup and took a small sip. It wasn’t particularly delicious, but the bitterness carried a slight sweet aftertaste. It was manageable.

He was a bit surprised. “Does the Princess usually drink this tea?”

Chi Ying bit her lip. “Occasionally.”

She could only answer that way. Chi Yingyue usually drank Pu-erh, which she couldn’t get used to. It wasn’t as good as the dandelion and hawthorn tea she drank at the manor.

Prince Zhao liked pre-rain Dragon Well, which was a rare tribute. She would rather use those leaves to make snacks for him and Consort Zhuang than touch them herself. Her identity was fake, and her heart was already full of guilt. Besides, she wasn’t someone who craved luxury; it didn’t matter what tea she drank.

Yan Xuecuī set down the teacup and suddenly asked, “When you return to the estate tomorrow, will Madam Yin scold you? After all, you and I have not yet consummated the marriage.”

Chi Ying was stunned, and then embarrassed. “This… Mother will not. I will explain it to her.”

Yan Xuecuī deliberated. “Tomorrow morning, I will have Liu Changshun prepare some small gifts for you to take back.”

Chi Ying submissively thanked him, though she hated that the Marquis and Madam Yin would benefit.

The two finally lay back down.

After this interruption, it was nearly the third watch.

Thinking of returning to the estate tomorrow, she felt both anticipation and dread. It took quite a while before sleepiness took hold.

But having someone else in the bed was always different from usual. Even with the distance between them, the unique scent and heat of the man lingered at her side, making the air inside the curtains feel thick.

Chi Ying turned around to face the wall, curling her body up. But waves of heat from behind her continued to seep through her thin sleepwear into her skin. Her back was slick with a fine sweat.

After a long time, she confirmed that Prince Zhao had no intention of doing anything further. Only then did her breathing slowly steady.

Yan Xuecuī, however, could not sleep.

The sound of the candle wick snapping echoed in his ears. The breathing of the person beside him was long and steady. The neroli scent mixed with the girl’s body heat flooded his nose like a tide.

In the darkness, all his perceptions were infinitely magnified.

The restlessness beneath his skin surged like a flood. The memory of the soft, smooth sensation from when he traced her face earlier bloomed wildly in his palm, forcing him to want to seize something tightly.

Suddenly, the girl rolled over. As if unconsciously seeking the source of warmth in her dreams, she slowly huddled toward his side, her cheek leaning gently against the curve of his shoulder.

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