Chi Ying felt the air growing thinner. Physiological tears filled her eyes. When she slowly opened them, she saw his slightly reddened eyes; his thick, long lashes were almost brushing against her cheek.

She was still on her tiptoes, and her legs felt as if the strength was being drained from them inch by inch. All her support came from the large hand placed on her lower back.

Not until her breath was entirely stolen and her body began to tremble uncontrollably did she instinctively struggle. Only then did the man slowly stop his assault.

Chi Ying leaned against his chest, panting heavily. Her head was still numb, as if she had lost the ability to think. Her whole body was limp, leaving only the lingering sensation of being devoured between her teeth.

Yan Xuecuī’s palm remained over the small of her back, feeling the tremor of every inch of her skin. He suddenly lowered his eyes, as if “looking” at a certain spot. “If the Princess keeps gripping like that, she’s going to tear my new robe.”

Chi Ying realized what she was doing and hurriedly let go of the fingers clutching his chest. She saw that the fabric there had been crumpled into deep wrinkles. She was instantly overcome with embarrassment.

Yan Xuecuī kindly explained, “It’s not that I won’t let you grip it. It’s just that this is the first piece of clothing the Princess has sewn for me with her own hands. I cherish it extraordinarily.”

Chi Ying turned her face away in shame.

Feeling her avoidance, Yan Xuecuī pulled her tight again. He said softly, “Let’s kiss a bit more, alright? I’ll go slower this time.”

His forehead rested against hers, his warm breath brushing her cheek. Chi Ying’s face rapidly heated up. She truly couldn’t handle this and nodded in a daze.

Yan Xuecuī slowly leaned down, comfortingly stroking the back of her head as his lips gently pressed against hers.

This kiss was incredibly long. Unlike the urgent occupation from before, every suck and grind was infinitely slowed down. He used his lips and tongue to trace the shape of her mouth, suckling step by step, as if he wanted to engrave every line of her lips into his heart.

Chi Ying tried her best to cooperate with him, learning to find gaps to breathe so she could last longer.

But the bathing room was already muggy and damp with thin air. As the kiss continued without end, she soon became lightheaded. She instinctively reached out to hug his waist, and a restless whimper began to escape her throat.

Yan Xuecuī seemed ignited by that whimper. His palm clamped around the back of her neck, and his kiss suddenly grew frantic.

Chi Ying truly couldn’t hold on anymore. She was almost slumped in his arms.

Having no other choice, she found a gap to plead, “Your Highness… didn’t you say to tell you if I felt uncomfortable? I… I really can’t catch my breath…”

Woken by her words, the man paused slightly. He slowly withdrew from his indulgence. His reason had returned, but his body still held her uncontrollably. Their chests rose and fell together, their heartbeats intertwined in chaos.

A long time later, both of them gradually calmed down.

The bathing room needed to be cleaned and the water changed, so Chi Ying had to support him as they walked out together.

When Yan Xuecuī returned to the room, he asked if she wanted to come along. Chi Ying shook her head. “I’ll get some fresh air out here and go bathe in a moment.”

Yan Xuecuī smiled. “Mn.”

He turned, thought of something, and asked with concern, “Is there any swelling today?”

Chi Ying glared at him in embarrassment, unwilling to answer such a question. She stammered, “I… I don’t know yet.”

If she said there was no swelling, he would surely push his luck and kiss her several more times. But if she said it was swollen, she would inevitably be teased by him again, and he might kiss her elsewhere.

Chi Ying aired herself out for a while, then went to another bathing room.

Just now, she had felt a slight abnormality in her lower body. She thought her monthly cycle had arrived, but when she lowered her dress and took a quiet look, she found a small patch of warm, wet traces had gathered there.

Chi Ying bit her lower lip. That intimate friction just now, mixed with his storm-like dominance and that near-suffocating feeling… she felt a lingering fear whenever she thought of it, yet she couldn’t help but feel her heart race and her face flush.

***

On the twenty-fourth day of March, the Flower Banquet arrived.

Chi Ying had been anxious for a long time, but the day had finally come.

She had originally wanted to dress modestly, preferably blending into the crowd. But then she remembered she was playing the role of Chi Yingyue, who was always draped in jewels and bright, flamboyant colors. If she encountered noble ladies familiar with her sister at the banquet, it would be easy for them to notice something was wrong.

Auntie Fangchun brought out a set of pomegranate-red robes with gold-threaded crabapple patterns, busying herself with helping Chi Ying dress and style her hair.

Aside from her wedding dress, Chi Ying had never worn such magnificent and expensive clothing.

Auntie Fangchun saw her stiffness and couldn’t help but smile. “Today is not only the first time you and His Highness enter the palace to offer thanks after the wedding, but it is also the Flower Banquet where all the nobles gather. The Princess is naturally beautiful; you must be properly adorned today.”

Chi Ying could only nod in agreement.

Xiangqin pinned her hair full of red gold and kingfisher feathers. Her snowy skin was accented with rouge, making her look as delicate as a crabapple. As she walked, the gold and pearl tassels of her hairpins swayed gently. The wide hem of her skirt shimmered with flowing light, as if woven from the clouds of the horizon.

Auntie Fangchun became more satisfied the more she looked. “The Princess will surely be the most beautiful of all today.”

Chi Ying didn’t want to be the most beautiful; she only prayed that she could pass the day smoothly.

The carriage stopped outside Shuyu Pavilion. Prince Zhao was already waiting for her.

Chi Ying lifted her complicated skirt and stepped onto the carriage. In an instant, Yan Xuecuī heard no less than five different sounds of pearls and gemstones clashing.

He smiled. “The Princess is dressed in her finest. It seems you are looking forward to today’s Flower Banquet.”

The dress and headpieces were quite heavy. Chi Ying straightened her skirt and said helplessly, “I only thought that since it is my first time entering the palace, it is better to be formal.”

Furthermore, he himself was rarely dressed in a red robe with a jade belt today, his black hair tied high, ornaments clinking. He looked even more noble and refined than a top scholar parading the streets with flowers in his hair.

Chi Ying looked at him, then looked down at herself. She felt something was off, as if they weren’t going to a palace banquet, but were going to get married…

The vermilion-lacquered carriage traveled all the way toward the palace gates.

The Flower Banquet was held at Fufeng Hall next to the Imperial Garden. Ordinary carriages had to stop outside Yanhe Gate, and everyone had to walk in. However, Yan Xuecuī had been granted a special favor since becoming blind; he could enter and exit the palace by carriage.

The guards at Yanhe Gate saw the emblem of the Prince Zhao estate and immediately opened the gates. The carriage traveled along the palace roads and finally stopped outside Yongshun Gate of Kunning Palace.

Yan Xuecuī said, “I have my own plans regarding the Soul-Departure Pills. When you see the Empress later, just act as if you don’t know anything.”

Chi Ying was about to face the person most likely to be the mastermind behind the attempt on Consort Zhuang’s life. She felt momentarily apprehensive.

“I understand.” Her fingertips clutching her handkerchief turned slightly pale. She asked him softly, “Will Your Highness be with me today?”

Yan Xuecuī’s somber expression softened slightly. He raised an eyebrow. “Are you willing to have me with you, or not?”

Chi Ying pursed her lips. “This is my first time in the palace, and I only know Your Highness. Naturally, I hope to be with you.”

Yan Xuecuī chuckled. “You only know me?”

Chi Ying froze, unsure if the princess Chi Yingyue knew would be there. She answered tentatively, “I have rarely met members of the imperial family. Since I stayed at the estate waiting to be married, I haven’t associated with the young ladies of the capital for a long time.”

Yan Xuecuī gave a soft “Mn.” “Then you would be out of practice.”

He then asked with a smile, “Do you truly intend to stay by my side the whole day?”

Chi Ying hesitated for a moment. “If Your Highness has important business, I can have Xiangqin accompany me.”

Yan Xuecuī reached out and took her hand. “Since you’ve asked me, how could I not agree?”

Only then did Chi Ying feel a bit more at ease.

The imperial palace was a dragon’s pool and a tiger’s den. To face those various people with knives hidden in their smiles alone… how could Chi Ying not be afraid? Although Prince Zhao’s mind was also hard to read, she was his Princess after all. With him there, she could feel somewhat secure.

Yan Xuecuī rubbed her palm and suddenly asked, “Does your hand still hurt today?”

Chi Ying was still rehearsing what to say to the Empress when she heard this. Her cheeks turned beet red in an instant.

She hadn’t expected him to last so long. Yesterday, her hand had nearly cramped from exhaustion. He had “kindly” suggested she switch hands, but since she hadn’t done farm work in a long time, her left hand wasn’t as flexible as her right. She was too slow and ended up being rejected. In her helplessness, she was forced to use her legs before she finally managed to help him finish.

If he didn’t mention it, it would be fine, but once he did, Chi Ying’s entire face and neck turned red. Even after stepping into Kunning Palace, the heat on her face hadn’t entirely faded.

The head eunuch of Kunning Palace was already waiting outside the hall. Seeing them, he immediately bowed low. “This servant greets Your Highness and the Princess. His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress are both in the hall, waiting for the two of you.”

Chi Ying’s heart suddenly leaped into her throat. She hadn’t expected Emperor Yongcheng to be there as well. Thinking that the two most honorable people in Great Jin were inside, her legs felt a bit weak.

Just as her palms were breaking into a cold sweat, a warm, large hand suddenly reached over and gently took hers.

Prince Zhao held his bamboo cane in one hand and interlaced his fingers with hers with the other.

Chi Ying looked up at him in a daze, then realized he probably wanted her to support him as they entered. After all, this was Kunning Palace, not as familiar as their own estate. It wouldn’t be good to lose composure before the Emperor.

However, with his warm hand tightly clasped with hers, she felt inexplicably more at peace.

The two entered the inner hall. On the golden seats above, Emperor Yongcheng in his bright yellow dragon robes and the Empress in her phoenix crown and formal attire looked at them with smiles on their faces.

Chi Ying tried her best to suppress her panic. She let go of the fingers she had interlaced with Prince Zhao’s, as a reminder to him that it was time to bow.

Yan Xuecuī handed his bamboo cane to a nearby palace servant. The two of them bowed together to the Emperor and Empress to offer their thanks.

Emperor Yongcheng raised his hand and said kindly, “You may both rise.”

Out of consideration for Prince Zhao’s eye ailment, Emperor Yongcheng granted them both seats.

This was also the first time the Empress had seen them since Prince Zhao’s wedding. Thinking about how Prince Zhao’s temperament had grown increasingly cold and solitary over the years, and how he was now blind and had gained a reputation for violence—and having heard reports that he was injured before the wedding, meaning the couple hadn’t even performed the rites or consummated the marriage—she had thought the Princess would just be a decoration. She hadn’t expected that seeing them today, they would be surprisingly harmonious. They looked quite well-matched.

The Princess Consort was as beautiful as the moon, radiant and bright. And Prince Zhao in his red robes actually looked like the high-spirited man he had been five years ago.

The Empress observed them for a moment, a warm smile on her face. “It is rare for you to enter the palace. Your Imperial Father is always thinking of you. Seeing the two of you so loving and harmonious today, This Palace and His Majesty can finally rest easy.”

***
After saying this, the Empress looked at her head palace maid, signaling her to bring out the prepared gift. “These red gold kingfisher flower hairpins are a meeting gift from this palace. I hope you and Xuecuī will respect and love each other, living in perfect harmony like the lute and the zither.”

Chi Ying hurried to her feet. “This concubine thanks the Empress and will keep your words in her heart.”

Since entering the hall, Chi Ying had strictly followed etiquette and had not dared to look directly at the Emperor. Only now did she venture a glance.

The Emperor and Empress were slightly different from what she had imagined.

Emperor Yongcheng was dignified and handsome. Although he was in his forties, he remained radiant, exuding imperial majesty and appearing much younger than his actual years.

The Empress had a gentle and dignified countenance, but perhaps due to the years of managing the harem’s affairs, her figure was somewhat thin, and a faint cloud of sorrow seemed to linger between her brows.

Recalling the origin of those Soul-Departure Pills, Chi Ying did not dare to look for long. After a single glance, she respectfully lowered her eyes.

Emperor Yongcheng turned his gaze toward Yan Xuecuī. “I heard you were injured some days ago. Have you fully recovered?”

Yan Xuecuī replied, “Thank you for your concern, Imperial Father. It is no longer a major issue.”

He concealed the fact that Consort Zhuang’s madness had caused the injury. Naturally, Emperor Yongcheng would only suspect his other sons.

The princes had been engaged in open and secret struggles for years, a fact Emperor Yongcheng knew all too well. However, they were cautious enough that their plots against their brothers never left a trace.

Emperor Yongcheng pondered for a moment before saying, “Let me think on it. I will have other arrangements for you in a few days.”

Yan Xuecuī bowed his head. “Yes.”

Emperor Yongcheng asked again, “How has your mother consort been lately?”

Yan Xuecuī’s tone was calm, devoid of emotion. “The same as always. Her mind remains unclear.”

Emperor Yongcheng sighed. “After all these years, she still cannot let go.”

Consort Zhuang had borne him two sons, and Emperor Yongcheng had originally treated her with deep affection. After their eldest son died, he sympathized with her pain and felt great pity. Even when her madness flared and she spoke out of turn, offending his imperial dignity, he did not hold it against her and continued to send the best imperial physicians to treat her.

However, Consort Zhuang was too deeply mired in the grief of losing her son. In her daily delusions, she mistook the Emperor for the enemy who had murdered her eldest child. She would point at his nose and curse him, even attempting assassination. How could Emperor Yongcheng endure such things?

Imperial majesty could not be violated. Yet, ultimately mindful of her grief and her frail health, he had bestowed upon her the grace of leaving the palace to recuperate. He had also reminded Prince Zhao that she must not be allowed to spread her mad ramblings outside, or there would be no leniency.

Five years had passed since then. Consort Zhuang had not stepped out of the estate gates, and Emperor Yongcheng had not summoned her again.

Yan Xuecuī spoke intentionally, “When Mother Consort is lucid, she feels regret for her mistakes. She often chants sutras and prays for Imperial Father’s blessings.”

Emperor Yongcheng was silent for a moment. “When her health improves, I will go visit her.”

Yan Xuecuī bowed. “Thank you, Imperial Father.”

The Empress spoke up at this time as well. “Your mother consort is physically weak and mentally exhausted. Do not let her overwork herself. The importance of praying to Buddha lies in sincerity. His Majesty can feel her heart; there is no need for her to force her sickly body to kneel before the altar.”

Emperor Yongcheng added, “The Empress is correct. With her constitution, she should rest more.”

Yan Xuecuī curled his lips imperceptibly. “Yes.”

Chi Ying’s heart grew increasingly confused. If the Empress intended to poison Consort Zhuang, why would she say such things today?

As she was pondering, a flurry of light footsteps came from outside the hall. Chi Ying looked out to see a charming young woman in a pink skirt and gold hairpins stepping inside. She first greeted the Emperor and Empress, then turned to Prince Zhao and Chi Ying, her voice crisp and sweet. “Yuxi greets Brother Zhao and wishes Sister-in-Law peace.”

Chi Ying realized this was Princess Yuxi and hurried to return the bow.

Princess Yuxi studied her closely, her eyes lighting up. “Sister-in-Law’s appearance is truly outstanding. You and Brother Zhao are indeed a match made in heaven, a perfect pair of jade and pearl.”

Chi Ying pressed her lips together. “The Princess overpraises me.” She then signaled Xiangqin to present the prepared meeting gift.

Princess Yuxi opened the brocade box and saw a collection of large, rare Night-Luminous Pearls. She was instantly delighted. “Thank you, Sister-in-Law! I love these shiny things. From now on, I won’t even need to light candles in the Luhua Hall at night!”

Chi Ying was merely “presenting Buddha with borrowed flowers,” but seeing the Princess’s beaming face, she felt a bit of that joy herself. “As long as the Princess likes them.”

The Empress and Emperor exchanged a smile. The Empress said to them, “Today, the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. You young people should go together. Prince Xuan and Prince Rui should have arrived by now. Yingyue should go and get to know everyone.”

Chi Ying bowed in acceptance, and the three of them withdrew from the hall.

Since Prince Zhao could not see, Chi Ying naturally supported him. Princess Yuxi loved excitement and was naturally friendly, so she took the lead as their guide through the palace, chatting all the way to the Imperial Garden.

“Before I came, I thought Sister-in-Law was just a beauty who might be difficult to get along with. I didn’t expect you to be so gentle and kind. I like you!”

Chi Ying responded with a smile. Although she was used to people saying she didn’t match the rumors, she still felt a faint sense of unease. She feared that if someone with ulterior motives heard this, they might become suspicious and dig into her background.

Fortunately, Prince Zhao still looked as if he were taking a leisurely stroll, seemingly unbothered.

“Oh, right!” Princess Yuxi leaned in, looking at them with excitement. “Did Brother and Sister-in-Law dress like this on purpose today? Although I didn’t get to see you perform the wedding rites, your outfits today make it look exactly like a grand wedding.”

Princess Yuxi had no filter on her speech. The nanny beside her nudged her several times in warning, but she didn’t notice.

Chi Ying’s cheeks flushed, unsure how to respond to such enthusiasm.

Yan Xuecuī laughed. “Yuxi, your sister-in-law is thin-skinned and cannot handle teasing. She will be shy if you say such things.”

Chi Ying heard the hidden meaning in his words, and her face turned even redder.

Fortunately, as they neared the Imperial Garden, princes, princesses consort, and harem concubines began to arrive. They encountered many people along the way, and Princess Yuxi introduced them all without tiring.

Chi Ying met Prince Qing and his wife, then Concubine Wen and her daughter, Princess Chunyi. She met the Empress’s niece, the daughter of the Minister’s estate, as well as Prince Rui, his wife, and their young heir. Chi Ying had seen their portraits and with Princess Yuxi identifying them, she managed to give and return greetings with composed grace.

The concubines, princesses, and noble ladies were all familiar with one another, many being related by blood or marriage. They gathered in small groups to talk. Chi Ying was a new face and, being uncomfortable in such settings, she preferred not to squeeze into the crowds, staying close to Prince Zhao instead.

In this situation, Prince Zhao was actually the most comfortable. Since he was “blind,” he simply gave perfunctory responses to those who greeted him and ignored everyone else.

Because his reputation had been poor over the years, Chi Ying clearly felt several gazes that were either avoidant or wary.

As they reached a rockery, another couple approached from the opposite direction.

Based on their attire and the portraits she had studied, Chi Ying had an idea of who they were. Princess Yuxi whispered a reminder, “That is Brother Xuan and his Princess Consort.”

Chi Ying nodded and bowed as usual. She suddenly remembered Prince Zhao mentioning that his Brother Xuan was a “tree of jade and pearls,” a dashing and elegant man. It was indeed the man before her.

Curiosity made her steal an extra glance, but at that moment, a sharp pain flared in her knuckles.

For some reason, Prince Zhao’s grip on her hand had suddenly tightened.

Prince Xuan looked at the face before him—a face almost identical to Chi Yingyue’s—and froze for a long time. It was only when his own Princess Consort bowed in return that he snapped out of it. His gaze fell on the intertwined hands of Chi Ying and Prince Zhao. “Seventh Brother, I have yet to congratulate you on your wedding.”

Yan Xuecuī responded with a smile, “Thank you, Brother.”

Prince Xuan’s wife gave Chi Ying a soft smile and gently reminded her husband, “Your Highness, we have not yet greeted Brother Qing.”

Prince Xuan withdrew his gaze imperceptibly. “Let us go.”

Once they had left, Princess Yuxi also ran off to greet her close friends.

Only the two of them remained by the rockery. Chi Ying curled her fingers slightly and whispered, “What is wrong, Your Highness? You… you held on so tightly just now.”

Yan Xuecuī pondered for a moment, lowering his eyes. “Apologies. A sudden flare-up of my old illness.”

Chi Ying was startled. “Then what should we do? Are you alright?”

Yan Xuecuī shook his head. “I can barely endure it.”

Chi Ying said, “If it’s really that bad, we…”

Since his old illness was acting up, she didn’t want to stay here any longer. She was about to suggest they simply return to the estate when she heard him interrupt in a hoarse voice. “Can I have a hug?”

Chi Ying glanced around quickly, stunned. “Here?”

In broad daylight, and in the palace no less—hugging and clinging to each other was hardly proper.

But Yan Xuecuī said, “The rockery hides us here. No one will notice.”

Chi Ying was still hesitant. “But…”

Yan Xuecuī gave a half-smile. “Even if someone sees, so what? We are husband and wife. Why shouldn’t we?”

Chi Ying had no choice but to grit her teeth and compromise.

She had seen him when his old illness flared up and feared he might lose control in front of others. She had to step into the shade of the rockery and gently wrap her arms around his waist to soothe his emotions.

Yan Xuecuī enjoyed this immensely. He leaned in to nuzzle her cheek affectionately. Listening to the approaching footsteps nearby, his lips curled into a satisfied smile.

***
Footnotes:
TN1: *Wan* (卍): An ancient symbol used in Buddhism representing auspiciousness and the sun. In this context, it symbolizes Chi Ying’s wish for the Prince to regain his “light.”
TN2: The “using her legs” (用腿) comment refers to *paifu* or thigh sex, a common trope in historical romance to maintain a level of intimacy before full consummation.

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