That whimper was like a drop of water falling into boiling oil. Yan Xuecuī felt the blood vessels beneath his skin swell. His whole body trembled, and he wanted nothing more than to crush her into his own body.

But his remaining rationality told him she had someone else in her heart. She wanted to bewitch his mind and take his life.

The Chi estate was heavily involved with Prince Xuan, making her identity even more suspicious. Whether she was working for Prince Xuan or had other feelings in her heart, keeping her by his side was fraught with danger.

Yet Yan Xuecuī could not control his primal desire. Two contradictory forces within him struggled and tore at each other.

One clamored within his flesh to be close to her, to entwine with her tightly to soothe the agitation and emptiness in his heart.

The other force insisted on pulling him back to reality from his indulgence, saying it was all an illusion. Her submissiveness was but a needle hidden in silk, and her resistance was merely a tactic of retreating to advance.

*She is but a mere woman. You have always been composed and self-restrained, priding yourself on your intelligence. Even though you know there is an abyss ahead, will you still crave this moment of warmth?*

Chi Ying was tense all over. The numbing pain at her ear made her spine go cold, yet her cheeks were burning hot, as if she were being tormented between extreme cold and scorching heat.

Had she babbled nonsense in her sleep and been heard by him?

But she hadn’t lied; she really had dreamed of him. And as for the term “A-niang,” Chi Yingyue called Madam Yin that as well, so there was nothing improper about it.

So what was he suspicious of? Was there another “His Highness”?

“Your Highness…” she called softly.

Chi Ying only heard his extremely restrained breathing, hot and rapid as it sprayed against the side of her face. Their skin was pressed together, and she could even clearly feel the tremors beneath his suppression.

She couldn’t help but think of the “old illness” he had mentioned that night.

She had been so focused on leaving that she hadn’t asked Auntie Fangchun what the old illness actually was. But after that night, she vaguely understood that perhaps being close to someone could soothe his restless and uneasy emotions.

The red marks on her neck from the other night, the touch of his knuckles… perhaps those were all helpless actions when his old illness flared up.

Chi Ying exhaled slowly. She released her grip on the bedding and cautiously embraced the man’s slightly trembling body, trying to help him calm down.

Admittedly, the manuals showed many positions that might not be perfectly applicable, but there were also a thousand ways to bring pleasure.

But she was thin-skinned and timid. Even if she were given a hundred times the courage, she couldn’t bring herself to tease or offend him like the women in the drawings.

Chi Ying sighed inwardly. Summoning all her courage, she could only hold him clumsily like this.

The evening wind drifted through the lattice window, carrying the lingering warmth of dusk and the fragrance of plants. The flame on the candle stand danced in the breeze, and the alternating light and shadow flowed quietly over the gold-threaded curtains. The tiny dust motes floating in the air seemed to have slowed to a standstill.

The girl’s embrace was light and soft. Her gentle body heat seeped through her thin nightgown into his body, flowing like a silent rain into his barren, cracked territory.

Simply being held by her like this still did not quench the craving in his heart. The void beneath his skin yearned to be filled. He slowly pressed his face against her cheek, nestling into the side of her neck by instinct, slowly rubbing against that soft, delicate skin. It was as if he had finally found a sense of belonging; both his body and mind attained an unprecedented satisfaction.

Chi Ying found it hard to describe her feelings at this moment.

He seemed… a little attached to her.

After an unknown amount of time, the breathing of the man beside her gradually stabilized.

Chi Ying swallowed and explained softly, “I didn’t lie. I truly saw Your Highness in my dream just now.”

Yan Xuecuī leaned quietly against her neck, his face touching hers, feeling the soft voice emanating from her warm, slender throat.

After a long while, he asked faintly, “What did you dream about me?”

She couldn’t seem to make up a better answer. She pursed her lips and spoke the truth. “I dreamed… Your Highness wanted to kill me.”

His reputation was bad to begin with, so this answer was within the realm of reason.

Yan Xuecuī chuckled softly, his fingertips brushing through her hair. He pressed further, “Then do you know why I wanted to kill you?”

His tone was level, truly giving her the illusion of tenderness.

A faint bitterness washed over Chi Ying’s heart. “Perhaps it was because I did something wrong.”

Yan Xuecuī stroked the pulsing vein at the side of her neck, coaxing her. “What did you do wrong that would make me want to kill you?”

Chi Ying naturally couldn’t tell the truth.

Since she discovered the existence of the Soul-Departure Pills, she thought his opinion of her would have improved and he would no longer suspect her of intended assassination. But for some reason today, he was certain she was lying… likely, he had never fully trusted her.

Yan Xuecuī reminded her warmly, “Have you thought of the reason? You’ve hesitated for a long time, Princess Consort.”

The man’s breath brushed past her ear, and Chi Ying’s hair stood on end instantly. “I… I don’t know either.”

Yan Xuecuī scoffed. “You don’t know?”

Chi Ying’s ear felt a bit itchy, so she tilted her head slightly to move away. Noticing his lips were tight, she was frightened into pulling her arms closer, holding him even tighter.

Perhaps because her strength suddenly increased, it tugged at his old wounds. In the moment she tightened her hold, she clearly heard a muffled groan escape the man’s throat. His breathing also trembled slightly, yet it didn’t seem to be caused purely by pain; there seemed to be a hint of indescribable… pleasure in that low groan?

She must have misheard.

With a flushed face, Chi Ying hurriedly tried to let go of him, but at that moment, she heard the man’s nearly hoarse voice.

“Don’t let go.”

Chi Ying was startled. Her released palms tightened around his waist again, and she replied dully, “Alright, I won’t let go.”

They were very close, their pulses seemingly entwining and colliding through their chests.

After a long silence, Chi Ying summoned her courage and said, “Whether Your Highness believes it or not, I have never had the slightest intention of harming you. I don’t know why you suspect me of having ill intentions. Mother Consort is kind and generous, and Your Highness is also… tender and considerate to me. Since I have married into this estate, my only wish is to live a stable life with you. I have never thought of anything else.”

Yan Xuecuī smiled. “The Princess Consort wants to live a good life with me?”

Chi Ying nodded. “Mm.”

In the past, she had the attitude of “striking the bell as long as one is a monk,” thinking of switching back with Chi Yingyue whenever she faced difficulties. But now that her path of retreat was cut off, she could only set aside those thoughts and establish herself in the Prince’s estate with caution. As for how long she would stay under this name, no one could say for sure. Perhaps in a year or two, the situation would change, or perhaps it would be indefinitely. Living well in the present was what mattered most.

Yan Xuecuī suddenly asked, “Is your mother of the same mind?”

Chi Ying was stunned, not knowing why he suddenly mentioned Madam Yin. Had her conversation with Madam Yin been overheard by the confidants he sent?

Her head buzzed, and she couldn’t help but feel anxious.

They were still in an embrace, so her uncontrolled heartbeat was naturally detected by the man.

Chi Ying’s palms sweated. She forced herself to calm down and put on a bewildered look. “Mother naturally hopes that I and Your Highness will live in harmony.”

Yan Xuecuī gave an “Mm” and said, “Madam Yin has put in much effort. Since the Princess Consort did not return last night, I imagine you were also being very filial in attending to your mother.”

Chi Ying nodded guiltily.

A strand of hair fell onto Yan Xuecuī’s neck. He lowered his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Does Madam Yin know that we have not yet consummated our marriage?”

Chi Ying froze. “She… she knows.”

Yan Xuecuī: “Did she urge you?”

Chi Ying didn’t know what he was getting at, so she replied according to common logic. “She did.”

Yan Xuecuī: “Then what do you think yourself?”

Chi Ying: “…”

She had only just returned from the Chi estate and slept for half a day, only to face this question as soon as she opened her eyes.

However, the situation was different this time. Before, she had wanted to extricate herself, so she always tried to keep her distance and avoid falling too deep. But now that she had to play the role of Chi Yingyue, consummation was inevitable. Constant delays would only arouse suspicion.

Chi Ying pursed her lips and said in a low voice, “As long as Your Highness is willing, this concubine will naturally cooperate.”

Yan Xuecuī chuckled lowly, his fingertips slowly stroking her cheek. “Outsiders all say the Princess Consort is of celestial beauty and peerless grace. Don’t you feel wronged, marrying a blind man like me?”

Chi Ying hurriedly said, “Your Highness is of imperial nobility and distinguished bearing. It is I who have climbed too high.”

His palm was warm, and his fingertips had thin calluses that felt impossible to ignore against her cheek. Suddenly, he asked, “Then why did you cry in your dream just now?”

Chi Ying stared at him blankly. Did he think she was crying in her dream because she was unwilling to marry him?

So, the feeling of her cheek being wet and being licked in her dream was also real…

He… he had licked away her tears?

At that thought, Chi Ying’s face heated up rapidly, and the blood in her body seemed to flow faster.

“I…” She thought quickly about how to respond. In the end, she truly couldn’t think of anything to say and asked cautiously, “Did I cry?”

Yan Xuecuī laughed again, this time so hard his whole body shook. Since they were already in a tight embrace, Chi Ying was held and shaken by him for a long time. She felt the embarrassment of having her thoughts exposed, but also a sense of helplessness.

He laughed until his forehead leaned against the corner of her mouth. Chi Ying was so startled she immediately pursed her lips and held her breath.

But for some reason, perhaps as a nervous reflex or because she had held her breath for too long, the moment she instinctively took a breath, her lips slightly parted and pressed against his forehead without warning.

Both of them froze instantly.

Chi Ying’s mind was in a mess, her face turning so red it looked like it might drip blood.

At the same time, she vaguely sensed something slowly rising beneath her. It had been present from the start, but she had always thought it was the jade pendant at his waist or some other accessory. But now, that strange silhouette was pressing against her with increasing clarity. Her whole body tensed, yet she didn’t dare to move.

Yan Xuecuī’s Adam’s apple rolled. The corners of his mouth curved as if he were curiously asking, “Did you kiss me?”

Chi Ying hadn’t expected him to just say it out loud. Her cheeks burned fiercely, and her heart thudded against his chest.

“I…” She was so nervous she didn’t know how to speak; her throat was so dry it felt like it was smoking.

Just then, a “gurgle” sounded from her stomach, breaking the eerie silence between them.

Chi Ying’s face flushed with shame, and she buried her head low in embarrassment.

Yan Xuecuī kept his eyelids lowered for a long time before asking, “Hungry?”

Chi Ying bit her lip. “A little. I was quite tired when I returned to the estate today and didn’t eat lunch.”

Yan Xuecuī sighed softly and finally rose from her embrace. “Have them serve the meal.”

He wasn’t so impatient as to bully a hungry Princess Consort.

Chi Ying felt as if she had been granted a great pardon and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

As she got up to change her clothes, her gaze drifted over to him. She saw him sitting on the edge of the bed with a somewhat languid air, yet beneath his robes, he was still tense—even somewhat arrogant.

She had seen the manuals, so she naturally knew what that meant.

With a mix of panic and bashfulness in her heart, she felt she had done something wrong, but she also ungenerously shirked her responsibility, having no intention of following through.

But an untimely thought popped into her head: he was blind; perhaps… perhaps he didn’t know he was like that?

After all, he couldn’t see, and it was impossible for him to… touch and confirm it in front of her.

With a sliver of hope, Chi Ying quickly changed her clothes and went to the side room to eat.

Cheng Huai had been waiting under the corridor. After bowing to the Princess Consort and seeing her enter the side room, he led the two martial maids, Lian Yun and Feng Yue, inside to report.

Cheng Huai bowed his head, trying his best to ignore the wrinkles in his master’s robes. He said seriously, “Your subordinate followed the Princess Consort back to the estate, but it was inconvenient to get close to the inner courtyard where the female relatives reside. Therefore, I had these two stay near the Princess Consort and Madam Yin to await orders. Over the past two days, they have made some discoveries.”

Yan Xuecuī took a sip of tea and asked, “What did they find?”

Lian Yun reported truthfully, “The Princess Consort ordered us to wait outside while she spoke quietly with Madam Yin inside. However, as soon as they entered, a dispute broke out. It did not seem like they were on harmonious terms as they appeared to be in public.”

***

Yan Xuecuī remembered the last time Xiangqin had returned to the Marquis’s estate; Madam Yin had given her a harsh scolding then as well.

Feng Yue reported, “This servant’s hearing is poor, so I only vaguely heard the Princess say she wanted to ‘switch back.’ Madam Yin refused, fearing Your Highness might discover something. The Princess then said she would ‘break the net’ and come back to confess everything to you.”

Yuan De was stunned. He looked at his master. “What other secrets is the Princess hiding that she intends to confess?”

Yan Xuecuī’s thoughts, however, remained fixed on that nonsensical phrase—*switch back.*

*Switch. Back.*

In an instant, countless suspicious points unfurled in his mind like a scroll.

As far as he knew, the legitimate daughter of the Chi family was Madam Yin’s only child. She had been pampered and arrogant since childhood, overbearing and sharp. Yet the woman in this estate was gentle and cautious, her body instinctively trembling whenever she spoke to him.

She was always quiet, never picky, and never lost her temper. He had never seen her berate a servant. Several times, she had used her parents’ teachings or a desire to repent as a facade to hide the change in her temperament. In truth, her current personality and her past reputation were as different as heaven and earth.

Chi Yingyue loved pearls, jade, and fine clothes. She enjoyed socializing with noble ladies. Yet, in the month since she entered the estate, she had never touched the gold or silver in the treasury, nor had she gone out for tea or strolls with old friends. Every day, she simply kept to her own small patch of land.

A noble lady whose fingers had never dipped in spring water somehow knew how to treat wounds and make various pastries, yet she was never seen touching the zither, the very skill she was supposed to be best at.

When the imperial decree for the marriage arrived, she had proclaimed she would “rather die than marry.” Yet after entering the estate, aside from being overly timid and cautious in his presence, she showed no signs of crying or resistance.

He had thought the Marquis of Changyuan and his wife doted on this daughter. However, the reports from his subordinates always circled back to her conflicts with Madam Yin. If she were truly the apple of their eye, they should have done everything to support her. Why would she say something like “implicating the Marquis’s estate”?

Perhaps her nature hadn’t changed under discipline. Perhaps the person who married into the estate from the very beginning was never the true legitimate daughter of the Chi family.

If that were the case, Madam Yin’s crude attitude toward this fake Princess made perfect sense.

So, who exactly was his Princess?

And what was her relationship with Prince Xuan?

As for the Chi daughter carrying Prince Xuan’s child… Madam Yin only had one biological daughter, didn’t she?

Yan Xuecuī pondered for a moment before asking, “When the Princess returned to the estate, what was the attitude of the servants?”

Cheng Huai replied, “Everyone in the estate was exceptionally respectful as they welcomed the Princess.”

Yan Xuecuī’s knuckles tapped lightly on the desk. This ruled out the possibility that the entire Chi estate knew about the substitution.

Fire cannot be wrapped in paper. No matter how audacious Chi Mingxiang and his wife were, they would never let the entire household in on such a secret. The servants would surely recognize their own young lady; the Chi family wouldn’t find a fake whose appearance and stature were worlds apart. If they had, the Princess would be exposed the moment she stepped out the door.

Therefore, they must look very similar in both face and figure.

Had Prince Xuan and the Chi family specifically found a look-alike for the substitute marriage?

Or were the two of them biological sisters who shared a resemblance?

Yan Xuecuī fell into a long silence before instructing Cheng Huai, “Continue to have men watch the Marquis of Changyuan’s estate. Especially Madam Yin. If she does anything suspicious or meets anyone suspicious, report it immediately.”

If the Princess was not the legitimate daughter, Madam Yin must have settled her real daughter somewhere. Whether she was alive or dead, there had to be a place.

The one in the estate was a fraud. Perhaps the one who was pregnant was the real Chi Yingyue.

As Cheng Huai was about to take his leave, Yan Xuecuī remembered something and asked, “How is Madam Yin’s headache?”

Cheng Huai recalled the day in detail. “Madam Yin appeared healthy with a ruddy complexion. She did not seem to be suffering from any illness or injury.”

Yan Xuecuī’s lips curled into a cold smile.

Returning to the estate to see her mother was merely an excuse. As for sending Baoshan to fetch a physician, it must have been a way to send a message to Prince Xuan.

*My Princess… you seem so submissive and timid, yet every move you make steps right on my inverse scale. If you are truly scared to death of me, how do you have the courage to collaborate with outsiders?*

He truly could not wrap his head around it.

***

Chi Ying returned to her room after dinner, sensing an unusually quiet atmosphere.

The man sat alone by the couch. Moonlight filtered through the window frame, casting flickering shadows across his beautiful, noble face. Those cold, grey eyes were slightly lowered, making his emotions impossible to discern.

Chi Ying couldn’t gauge his mood. Her heart felt heavy, as if she were being pressed down, making it hard to breathe.

Yuan De entered at that moment, carrying a pot of wine. He placed it gently on the small table in front of Prince Zhao.

Chi Ying glanced at Yuan De. He forced a respectful smile but gave her no hint. He simply bowed, filled two cups of wine, and retreated to the side.

Chi Ying withdrew her gaze and looked at Prince Zhao again. Her eyes instinctively flickered toward his lower body; the swelling seemed to have gone down.

She let out a quiet breath of relief and asked tentatively, “Does Your Highness wish to drink?”

Yan Xuecuī replied, “Mhm. I haven’t had any in a long time. Will the Princess sit and join me?”

Chi Ying gripped her skirt. “I… I am not very good at drinking.”

*Why does he suddenly want to drink?*

Yan Xuecuī said, “This is Pear Snow Wine. It is brewed from pear blossoms that haven’t yet fallen and snow water from midwinter that hasn’t been touched by dust. It is crisp and fragrant. Even women do not get drunk easily from it. Why not try some?”

Chi Ying could no longer refuse. She sat down and tried to take a sip. Unexpectedly, the spicy sting of the alcohol rushed straight down her throat. She was caught off guard, coughing several times as her face turned bright red.

Yan Xuecuī handed her a silk handkerchief and asked how it tasted.

Chi Ying wiped the corners of her mouth in embarrassment. She couldn’t say she hadn’t tasted a hint of pear blossoms or snow. After a long pause, she managed, “…It is very good.”

Yan Xuecuī smiled and gestured to Yuan De. Yuan De immediately stepped forward and refilled Chi Ying’s cup.

Chi Ying had no tolerance for alcohol. She was about to say she wouldn’t drink anymore when Prince Zhao spoke. “When the palace banquet comes, you and I will have to toast the Emperor, the Empress, and my elder brothers. We might as well practice a bit today.”

Chi Ying was indeed afraid of losing her composure in the palace. Though she never drank, she had heard that one’s tolerance could be built through practice. However… she looked up at him. The man was blind. If she quietly drank less, he probably wouldn’t know. But with Yuan De watching from the side, she had no way to cheat. She could only follow his lead and try again.

Before she knew it, three cups had gone down. Chi Ying’s cheeks were flushed crimson, and her vision began to lose focus.

When she felt lightheaded and unable to sit straight, her body tilted to the side and fell into a warm, solid embrace.

Yan Xuecuī’s palm cupped her chin, pulling her against the side of his neck. He asked in a low voice, “What is your name?”

Chi Ying forced her eyelids open, but she could only see the man’s blurred silhouette. She opened her mouth blankly. “Chi… Yingyue.”

The alcohol had dulled her thinking, but when the words reached her lips, the caution ingrained in her bones still made her speak Chi Yingyue’s name.

Yan Xuecuī asked again, “What did you come to the Prince Zhao estate to do?”

Chi Ying’s eyelashes fluttered. she murmured, “To… to marry you.”

Yan Xuecuī’s fingertips brushed against her neck, slowly stroking the pulsing meridian beneath his thumb. He continued his questioning. “Who sent you?”

Chi Ying felt a bit uncomfortable from his touch. Her mind was a chaotic mess, and her warm breath fanned against the side of his neck.

Yuan De stood to the side, ears pricked to listen. Unexpectedly, his master’s deep command of “Leave” suddenly reached his ears. He jumped in fright. Glancing around and seeing no one else, he realized the order was for him. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurried to bow and retreat.

Xiangqin waited in the corridor. Seeing wine being brought inside, she couldn’t help but feel anxious. She didn’t know the Third Lady’s tolerance; she feared her mistress might say something she shouldn’t after getting drunk.

Auntie Fangchun, however, was delighted. A newlywed couple alone in a room with wine—what the Prince intended to do was self-evident.

Inside the room.

Yan Xuecuī pulled the person in his arms closer and repeated, “Tell me, who sent you?”

He couldn’t see the expression on her face, but the erratic breathing and irregular pulse that came with lying would not deceive him. This was how he interrogated prisoners in the dungeon, judging their weaknesses and whether they spoke the truth. If necessary, he had countless other methods to make her speak.

Yan Xuecuī closed his eyes. Just as his patience was about to run out, a warm drop of water suddenly fell onto his neck.

His body stiffened slightly, as if he had been burned by a tiny flame. He heard her nose twitching softly and quickly identified what it was.

“Why are you crying?” he asked, his voice slightly hoarse.

The woman in his arms gripped his lapels tightly, her body shivering. Though she was clearly trying to hold back her tears, they only flowed faster, sliding down his neck and into his collar. It felt like a prairie fire scorching all the way to his heart.

Yan Xuecuī lowered his head, his thin lips pressing against the dampness beneath her eyes. He changed his question. “Did you marry me of your own free will?”

Chi Ying was dazed. She shook her head, then seemed to realize something was wrong and nodded.

Yan Xuecuī gave a low laugh. “If it was of your own free will, why do you always want to switch back?”

Chi Ying furrowed her brows, her eyes red as if she were unwilling to remember.

The corners of Yan Xuecuī’s lips curved up. Suddenly, he asked, “Do you want to kill me?”

Chi Ying’s almond eyes were half-closed. She slowly processed the meaning of his words and finally shook her head. She spoke in a sleep-like mumble, “I don’t…”

Yan Xuecuī stroked her slender neck, coaxing her further. “He didn’t order you to kill me?”

Tears hung from Chi Ying’s long lashes as she shook her head in confusion.

Yan Xuecuī was somewhat surprised. “Then what do you want to confess to me?”

The person in his arms seemed to fall back into a state of pain and avoidance, desperately hiding her secret.

Yan Xuecuī smiled nonchalantly. “Confess that you aren’t Chi Yingyue?”

Hearing this in her stupor, Chi Ying’s body instinctively jolted. Her breathing suddenly became rapid.

The answer was clear without words.

Yan Xuecuī asked with great interest, “You don’t want to marry me because you want to marry Prince Xuan?”

Chi Ying’s head was heavy. Every word entered her ears, but she couldn’t piece together their meaning. Added to the rising drunkenness, she truly couldn’t hold on. She buried her small face into his neck and fell into a deep sleep.

Everything before Yan Xuecuī was darkness. The young woman’s warm breath fell into his collar, scratching at his heart again and again.

***

He could be fairly certain she hadn’t come to kill him. No qualified spy would be so defenseless as to get drunk in front of their target. And Prince Xuan wouldn’t be so desperate as to place a defenseless woman by his side.

He was willing to send her here, yet he had picked up her earring.

Yan Xuecuī sneered. If the Princess and that Chi Yingyue were truly biological sisters, then his imperial brother’s tastes were inherited from their father.

It seemed that only by taking her to the Flower Banquet to meet Prince Xuan would he get his answer.

Yan Xuecuī picked her up and placed her gently on the bed.

The girl’s breath was shallow and sweet, mingling with the faint scent of wine around his nose.

Yan Xuecuī suddenly remembered the day his fingertips had traced her features, the warm and moist sensation on her lips and tongue. He also thought of the moment today on the bed when that fragrant, soft sweetness had touched his forehead.

His heart began to throb for no reason, as if it were being gnawed away inch by inch by Gu-worms. He no longer restrained himself. He lowered his head, cupped her face, and tremblingly found those two soft petals to kiss them.

The scent of neroli wrapped in the aroma of wine flooded his mouth, like a stone stirring up a thousand waves.

It was a completely different physical sensation from kissing her earlobe or fingers. He could clearly feel the blood surging beneath her skin. Countless things seemed to explode in an instant, while countless voids were filled.

The girl’s lips were as full and soft as flower buds. He took them into his mouth, forcing her to bloom. His tongue swept over her pearly teeth, and a numbing, electric current extended all the way to his fingertips, making his entire body shudder.

He forced her to bite his tongue. The moment the tip of his tongue was cut and he tasted the metallic sweetness of blood, pain and pleasure throbbed wildly at his nerve endings. It was like a beast in an arena breaking its chains to devour its prey—a kind of raw, physical greed and excitement.

Yan Xuecuī’s throat moved rapidly. His eyes were bloodshot. A strange, scalding moisture welled up in his eyes, silently dripping onto her face and lips.

He paused and remained silent for a long time, accepting this ridiculous fact.

In the thousands of days and nights past, he had always been restrained and introverted. He never allowed himself to show excessive emotion or vulnerability in front of others. No matter how painful or wretched things became, he had never let himself cry.

It turned out that when the void in one’s heart reached the peak of comfort and satisfaction, even the coldest, hardest heart became mortal flesh.

It turned out he could cry, too.

Yan Xuecuī lowered his head and followed the damp trails, licking them clean bit by bit.

Chi Ying slept very deeply.

Even when she fell into a long, suffocating sensation between dreams and wakefulness, she only thought it was caused by the pressure on her heart from sleeping on her side.

Who would have thought that upon waking and opening her mouth, a slight swelling and numbness would come from her lips?

Chi Ying instinctively reached out to touch her lips; they actually felt swollen. She asked Xiangqin to bring a rhombic mirror for her to see. Sure enough, her lips were much redder than usual. At first glance, they looked more vivid than if she had applied a layer of rouge.

This was the Shuyu Pavilion of the grand Prince Zhao estate; there would certainly be no poisonous insects that bit people.

Then it could only be him.

Chi Ying only remembered being coaxed into drinking a few cups of wine last night before losing consciousness. She hadn’t expected him to… act like this while she was asleep.

Thinking of the strange pressure and suffocation in her dreams, Chi Ying’s cheeks heated up and turned red. Even her breath felt hot.

If he had just said his old illness had flared up and he needed her company, or even if he had just been direct about consummation, she wouldn’t have disobeyed him. But this man always acted after she fell asleep. If he wanted to be close, he should be close, yet he was so lacking in restraint that he had to leave marks!

Chi Ying only hated that her tolerance was so poor that she had just drifted off like that last night… Wait. Something suddenly occurred to her. Chi Ying felt a chill run down her spine. Her clenched fingernails dug deep into her palms.

*He suddenly induced me to drink. What exactly was his intention?*

Xiangqin was also terrified. “Lady, why did the Prince suddenly give you wine last night?”

Chi Ying’s face turned pale. “I don’t know either.”

Xiangqin asked, “Did he say anything or ask anything?”

Chi Ying felt that the Pear Snow Wine was stronger than she had imagined. She shook her head. “I can’t remember clearly… Did you see any abnormality on the Prince’s face when he left this morning?”

Xiangqin thought about it. “No, the Prince seemed to be in a fairly pleasant mood.”

As she finished speaking, Xiangqin instinctively looked at her swollen lips. Chi Ying lowered her head. Her overly red, full lips were like smudged rouge, dyeing her cheeks and neck with a flush of crimson.

Looking like this, she couldn’t see anyone. She could only have Xiangqin use a light-colored rouge to blur the edges of her lips, visually softening the swelling.

She comforted herself. Since he had left in a good mood, it meant… he had gotten what he wanted. If he had truly asked something while she was drunk, he would have surely punished or interrogated her by now. He wouldn’t be this peaceful.

After breakfast, Chi Ying went to the storeroom. She picked out several substantial gold ornaments from her dowry and instructed Baoshan to leave the estate. She was to quietly have the gold melted to buy Jiji Pills and then ask the property agents if there were any secluded and elegant civilian houses in the capital.

A Jiji Pill cost ten taels of silver, and one tael of gold could be exchanged for ten taels of silver. Melting the gold ornaments for money wouldn’t leave a trace on the market.

The gold ornaments she took out today were enough to buy Jiji Pills for her mother for a while. This was what Madam Yin owed them.

Usually, she relied on Xiangqin, but Xiangqin was Nanny Zheng’s daughter, after all. There were some things that would be difficult for her.

On the contrary, it was Baoshan who had actually managed to invite Physician Hu from Huichun Hall to check her mother’s pulse last time. This had been unexpected. Although Baoshan might not necessarily be on her side, she wouldn’t make things difficult for her and her mother because of Madam Yin. That was enough. Chi Ying felt at ease leaving the matter to her.

Baoshan went out in the morning and didn’t return until dark. she reported the day’s gains in detail.

“This servant exchanged the gold ornaments for thirty Jiji Pills and has already delivered them to Spring Willow Court. It happened that the Marquis was on duty today and the Madam was not in the estate, so it went quite smoothly.”

Chi Ying nodded. “You worked hard today.”

Baoshan then spoke about the house. “Time was tight, so I only looked at two courtyards with the agent. One is located in Caiyi Alley on Changqing Street. It is a one-entry courtyard. Although the location is remote, it is spacious and quiet. The annual rent is twenty taels of silver. The other is in Willow Cotton Lane in the east of the city, closer to the Prince’s estate. A rank 7 official lived there previously. The annual rent is thirty taels.”

Chi Ying hadn’t expected her to gather such detailed information and even filter out two suitable courtyards in one trip. This saved her a lot of trouble.

There was no time to lose. Early the next morning, Chi Ying used the excuse of going to the market to head out. She wanted to finalize the house as soon as possible so she could clean it and bring her mother out of the Chi estate.

Lian Yun and Feng Yue, the two martial maids, had been ordered to protect the Princess’s safety since returning from the Chi estate. They naturally accompanied her on this outing.

Seeing that she couldn’t shake them off, Chi Ying had to find another way. Fortunately, Baoshan remembered the location of Willow Cotton Lane. She instructed the driver to take a shortcut to Ruyi Pavilion.

Baoshan whispered, “Willow Cotton Lane is not far south of Ruyi Pavilion. Passing through this road will take us right past it. You can take a look first, My Lady.”

Chi Ying nodded quickly. She lifted a corner of the curtain. The carriage turned a corner and entered Willow Cotton Lane. A row of courtyards with black tiles and green walls came into view.

Baoshan stared out the window. When they reached the spot, she immediately reminded her, “It’s this one.”

Chi Ying looked out. She saw the spring air was thick outside the window. The courtyard gate was quite old, with peeling paint and brass door rings polished bright. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, making the lush green vines on the brick walls look warm and soft.

The carriage only flashed past, but hearing the laughter of women and children in the small alley, Chi Ying’s mood brightened.

“This place is truly good. How did you find it?” Chi Ying turned to ask.

Baoshan smiled. “I just stumbled upon it. I found a reliable agency. The agent probably saw that I was dressed as a maid from a wealthy family and didn’t dare to be perfunctory or deceptive.”

Chi Ying nodded. She no longer hesitated and decided to rent the house on the spot. Silver was not an issue. There was no need to waste effort looking at the other one. Willow Cotton Lane was closer to the Prince Zhao estate; she would always be able to find opportunities to visit her mother in the future.

She immediately handed over the matters of leasing the courtyard and hiring servants to Baoshan. She took out a bag of silver and gave it to her. “Rent the courtyard for a year first. Then buy two reliable girls to serve my mother. You look into the furniture, bedding, oil, salt, rice, and flour. Once it’s cleaned up, I will find a way to get my mother out of the Chi estate.”

Speaking of this, Chi Ying sighed. Previously, she had only thought about taking her mother out. She hadn’t considered so many details. Only when she truly started preparing did she realize there were so many trivial matters. Most importantly, everything had to avoid the eyes and ears of the Prince Zhao estate. Currently, she had no one else to use, so she could only leave this to Baoshan.

Chi Ying felt a bit bad, so she took out two more silver ingots to reward her. “You’ve been running around these past few days. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how much more trouble it would be. When we return to the estate, I fear Madam Yin will blame you.”

Baoshan took the reward and smiled. “Both the Princess and the Madam are my masters. It is only right for me to handle matters for you.”

The carriage stopped outside Ruyi Pavilion. Chi Ying picked out several kinds of pastries to take back. She also went to the bookstore next door to choose a few books. After symbolically visiting a few shops, she used the excuse of going to a gold shop to commission jewelry to send Baoshan off to handle the business.

The two martial maids saw Baoshan leave and exchanged a glance, but their faces showed nothing unusual.

On the carriage back to the estate, Chi Ying opened the food box from Ruyi Pavilion. She pinched a jujube pastry and took a bite. The aroma of the baked crust mixed with the scent of the jujube paste instantly filled her mouth—soft, sweet, and mouth-watering.

It was a taste from many years ago. She still remembered the year Madam Yin’s nephew, Yin Cheng, had come to the estate. He had bought a box of jujube pastries for Chi Yingyue. But Chi Yingyue was sulking for some reason and didn’t want his snacks. Yin Cheng had then given the snacks to her. At that time, she had never eaten such good things and was naturally happy. But after just two bites, Chi Yingyue had run out of the room and slapped the snack box out of her arms. Those pastries, as delicate as flowers, had instantly shattered all over the ground…

Later, she never ate them again.

Even though she could make them herself now and didn’t have much of a craving for food, looking at these pastries, she still wanted to taste them.

***
As expected, sweet treats truly did make one’s mood more pleasant.

Upon returning to the estate, Chi Ying took some pastries to visit Consort Zhuang.

Consort Zhuang was in good spirits, having spent some time basking in the afternoon sun in the courtyard. Her complexion showed a rare, healthy flush, which greatly relieved Chi Ying.

After returning to Shuyu Pavilion and finishing her evening meal and bath, Chi Ying was about to take out the books she had purchased to flip through a few pages when a servant entered to announce that Prince Zhao had arrived.

The familiar sound of a bamboo cane tapping against the ground drew nearer, each strike seeming to thrum against her very heart.

Chi Ying pressed her lips together. The swelling there had not yet fully subsided, and the lingering sensation served as a vivid reminder.

She remembered how he had sucked and ground against them without restraint, and just how long he had lingered in that shifting kiss to leave such a distinct mark.

While she was lost in thought, the man had already stepped through the door.

He wore a plain white robe patterned with mountain and water motifs, his ink-black hair held loosely by a suet-white jade hairpin. The snow-white hem of his robe swayed with his steps, silver hidden threads surging like rolling waves. He looked as if he were draped in the clear radiance of the moonlight, standing tall and elegant, his bearing peerless.

Chi Ying’s gaze, however, fell uncontrollably upon his lips.

In the past, his lip color was always somewhat pale; today, they appeared with a rare, gorgeous crimson, even carrying a hint of seductive brilliance.

Watching him approach step by step, Chi Ying’s breath suddenly tightened, and her heart skipped a beat for no reason.

***

Footnotes:
TN1: A-niang (阿娘): An affectionate term for mother.
TN2: Adultery (通奸): In this context, it refers to Chi Yingyue’s illicit pregnancy while being technically “married” (through the substitute) to Prince Zhao.
TN3: Inverse scale (逆鳞): Refers to a scale on a dragon’s neck that, if touched, provokes its wrath. Used metaphorically for a person’s most sensitive or forbidden subject.
TN4: Rhombic mirror (菱花镜): A traditional bronze mirror, often decorated with water chestnut patterns.