Yan Xuecuī never loathed her proximity.

It was a type of hidden joy that was difficult to describe, a craving and addiction born of pure instinct.

What he truly loathed was himself, specifically his lack of self-control.

That night, they slept in the same bed, and he realized that every moment he spent by her side, he longed for intimacy. That parched, burning emotion that almost scorched his lungs could only find a moment of solace when their skin touched.

Even more fatal was that during their moments of closeness that night, his bodily instincts had overcome his reason for the first time. He had pinned her beneath him, burying his face in her neck, his lips and teeth lingering on that delicate, supple skin. He had drowned in the ultimate pleasure of being enveloped by her scent, wanting to entangle with her without reservation, wanting their blood and bones to melt into one.

It was only when he pulled himself away from that gentle trap that he snapped awake. He realized he had been standing on the edge of a ten-thousand-ren abyss, only one step away from being crushed to pieces.

He knew better than anyone that if she had wanted to strike at that moment, he would likely have met a certain death.

He spent several days in quiet reflection to recover his logic, much like the day he burned the silk handkerchief to ash, attempting to incinerate her image from his burning emotions entirely.

He believed he had succeeded, but the moment her body heat pressed through his clothes against his palm at Shouchun Hall, his body reacted like parched earth receiving a long-awaited rain. He still shook and trembled with uncontrollable agitation.

So he thought to himself, ” This is fine too”.

Though she was suspicious in every way, those traces and clues had yet to be woven into concrete evidence.

Even if she harbored ill intentions, she was still his Princess Consort, his lawfully wedded wife. Since being close to her satisfied every craving of his body, why should he repeatedly defy his instincts and force a distance between them?

It was like being stuck in a quagmire; the more one struggled, the deeper one sank.

Now every move she made was under his control. If she truly wished to serve her master in the future and turn a blade toward him, he had a thousand ways to imprison her by his side, making her serve him for a lifetime.

The girl’s warm, sweet breath fell against his neck. Yan Xuecuī’s Adam’s apple rolled, those indescribable desires crawling through his veins like insects.

He lowered his head, kissing her smooth forehead before moving to the corners of her eyes, lingering there several times. His thin lips pressed against her cheek all the way down, gently sucking and nuzzling against that delicate, smooth skin of her neck.

After a long time, he finally let out a sigh of satisfaction.

Chi Ying slept unexpectedly soundly this time, even having a dream.

She dreamed of the little yellow dog she had raised at the farm. It came running toward her, wagging its tail, its furry head nuzzling her neck. It happily licked her throat, then her fingers, licking for an unknown amount of time. Consequently, when she woke up, there was still a faint sense of dampness at the side of her neck.

The spot beside her was empty; Prince Zhao had already left.

Auntie Fangchun brought people in to serve her for the morning wash. As she lifted the bed curtains, she saw something that made a smile spread across her face.

She pressed a handkerchief to her lips and laughed. “His Highness had matters to handle at Yangui Tower this morning, so he went back early. He specifically instructed Steward Liu to handle the Princess’s return to her family estate. Everything is arranged. Guard Cheng Huai has also selected several elite guards to wait outside the courtyard. You can depart once you have washed, dressed, and finished breakfast.”

Chi Ying felt helpless. “His Highness has gone to too much trouble. It is just a routine trip home; there is no need for this…”

“Oh,” Fangchun interjected, “the Prince and Princess are in perfect harmony. The more His Highness values the Princess, the less others will dare to slight you.”

Chi Ying could only nod in agreement.

She moved to sit in front of the dressing table. As she combed her hair as usual, her fingers brushed past her neck, and her gaze suddenly froze.

This… she hadn’t seen it wrong. There was a clear, light crimson mark imprinted in the hollow of her neck!

There were no mosquitoes at this time of year, nor had she bumped into anything. Given the position, could it be that Prince Zhao…

No wonder Auntie Fangchun was so full of joy; it was because of this.

Xiangqin came to help with her makeup and naturally noticed the ambiguous mark. “This is?”

Prince Zhao had stayed late at Shuyu Pavilion last night, and this morning a lingering red mark had appeared on the Princess’s neck. There was no need for detailed questions; any observant person would understand. Even if they hadn’t called for water last night, the relationship between the two was clearly more intimate than before.

Chi Ying only felt immense embarrassment. She had thought he wouldn’t go any further last night, yet he had actually done such a thing while she was asleep. No wonder she felt that damp, tingling sensation in her dreams. And her fingers… could her fingers also have…

Heat surged through Chi Ying’s body. She looked down at her hands. Though there were no obvious marks, the sensation in her dream had been so real. The more she thought about it, the more she felt a distinct dampness between her fingers, as if they had been kissed one by one.

No, impossible.

Chi Ying quickly discarded that absurd thought.

If he had uncontrollably kissed her neck as he did during his “old illness” flare-up during their last night together, that would at least be plausible. But to say he would lick and kiss her fingers? That was absolutely impossible!

He was an Imperial Prince! How could a dignified prince act in such a manner!

The mark on her neck might be him, but her fingers… that must have been A-Huang in her dream!

Qingzhi brought up a copper basin. Chi Ying soaked her hands and scrubbed them meticulously, forcing herself to banish those wild thoughts.

As for the red mark on her neck, if Madam Yin saw it today during her visit, who knew what kind of insults and scolding would follow. She had Xiangqin cover it with powder, then dressed in her finest attire, applying a rather bright and magnificent makeup look.

The vermilion carriage with its flowered canopy stopped slowly outside the courtyard gates. Behind it followed a black lacquered carriage specifically for carrying gifts.

Chi Ying thanked Steward Liu, who was waiting at the door, and boarded the carriage with Baoshan’s help.

Cheng Huai flipped onto his horse and led the way. Four sword-wielding guards and two martial maids flanked the carriage on horseback.

The carriage rumbled westward, and Chi Ying’s heartbeat quickened.

If she could successfully convince Madam Yin during this visit to have her and Chi Yingyue return to their original positions, perhaps she would never have to set foot in this Zhao estate again.

The return was sudden, and the Marquis of Changyuan’s estate had received no prior notice. The Marquis was still at the Court of State Ceremonial, so only Madam Yin was home. When the gatekeeper saw the Princess Consort had returned, he hurried to the back courtyard to report.

Even without a massive fanfare, the Zhao estate’s carriage was luxurious and heavy, carrying the natural majesty of the imperial family. Combined with the stern and powerful guards following along, a crowd of curious commoners soon gathered outside the Marquis’s estate.

Everyone had watched the Chi family’s daughter get married that day. They had assumed Prince Zhao was a violent, dying man. Back then, people even placed bets on whether the Chi girl would be tormented to death first or if the Prince would succumb to his injuries first. Yet a month had passed, and not only had there been no funeral at the Zhao estate, but the Chi girl had returned today in glory, escorted by the Prince’s own personal troops.

If she weren’t deeply favored, how could Prince Zhao give her such face?

Inside, Madam Yin was shocked and suspicious to hear of Chi Ying’s sudden return. She didn’t know what the girl’s intentions were today, but she had no choice but to come out and welcome her personally.

Seeing the guards in full gear, Madam Yin nearly lost her composure. She forced out a smile, putting on the act of a loving mother.

Chi Ying wore a veiled hat. The people in the estate simply assumed the legitimate young lady had returned and came forward in an orderly fashion to pay their respects.

Chi Ying accepted the greetings, using Chi Yingyue’s voice to tell everyone to rise, and then caught Madam Yin’s eye.

Madam Yin guessed she had something to say. Though she disliked the girl’s aloof “Princess Consort” attitude, she could only grit her teeth and swallow her anger. She dismissed the people in the courtyard and spoke politely to Cheng Huai and the others: “The officers have traveled a long way. Why not have a meal in our humble estate first? I will have the side rooms in the front courtyard prepared for you to rest.”

Cheng Huai bowed. “We would not trouble the Madam. We are under orders to guard the Princess’s safety every step of the way. We dare not be negligent.”

Chi Ying had no choice but to say, “Officer Cheng and the others have worked hard. Go and eat first. It just so happens I have some private words for my mother.”

Cheng Huai hesitated for a moment before bowing in agreement.

His Highness had said “every step,” but the back courtyard of the Chi estate was a residence for female family members. It wasn’t appropriate for them to barge in. Thus, the group stayed in the side hall to eat, sending the two martial maids to accompany the Princess and Madam Yin to the back.

Chi Ying knew she couldn’t shake these two martial maids today, so she had Nanny Zheng arrange for them to eat in the side room first. She then went into the main room of the Osmanthus Court to speak with Madam Yin.

The moment the door closed, Madam Yin’s face changed. Glancing at the wall separating them from the martial maids, she lowered her voice to a hiss: “What exactly did you do that Prince Zhao has people guarding you like this?”

Chi Ying removed her veil and looked at Madam Yin calmly. “As Mother can see, Prince Zhao is suspicious by nature and unpredictable in his moods. He once even viewed me as a spy. Though my life in the estate isn’t exactly difficult, I must be cautious at every turn, fearing the day a blade falls on my head.”

Madam Yin listened to this with indifference. “So? You want to switch back again?”

Chi Ying spoke directly: “At the end of the month, Prince Zhao is taking me to the palace to give thanks. All the imperial kin will be present. Among them, there will inevitably be old acquaintances of Second Sister. If someone notices a discrepancy and the crime of deceiving the Emperor is exposed, the entire Chi estate will be implicated. I believe this is not a situation Mother wishes to see.”

Seeing Madam Yin wavering, Chi Ying continued: “Although Prince Zhao was suspicious of me before, since I accidentally gave him a helping hand, he treats me quite well now. Consort Zhuang also views me as family. If Second Sister goes over and acts submissively, her situation won’t be bad.”

Madam Yin stared at her with suspicion. “What could you possibly have helped him with?”

Chi Ying only replied: “When Second Sister returns, I will naturally tell her everything.”

Madam Yin gritted her teeth. “You had better not play tricks with me.”

But in her heart, she knew the girl had brought back a whole carriage of silks, tea, wine, gold, silver, and jade. Being escorted by the Prince’s confidants was proof enough of her weight in his heart.

Madam Yin curled her lips coldly. She had truly underestimated the girl’s seductive abilities!

She also blamed herself for not investigating Prince Zhao’s temperament properly back then. Otherwise, why would she have risked such a crime? Yingyue should have been the Princess Consort all along, yet she had let this lowly concubine’s daughter enjoy this immense wealth!

Without delay, Madam Yin immediately ordered Nanny Zheng and Xiangqin to head to the villa under the guise of going to the market. They were to secretly bring Chi Yingyue back. The switch had to be finalized today; it could not wait.

However, Madam Yin never expected that the news Nanny Zheng brought back would be like a thunderclap, leaving her paralyzed in her chair as if struck by lightning.

***

Footnotes:

TN1
Shangsi Festival (上巳节): Also known as the Double Third Festival, a traditional day for outings, spring cleansing, and romantic encounters.

TN2
Court of State Ceremonial (鸿胪寺): An office responsible for imperial receptions and ceremonies involving foreign guests or high officials.

Translator’s Note: It looks like our MC might be stuck in the Zhao estate longer than she bargained for. Enjoy, and drop feedback.

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