Chi Ying used her illness as a pretext to stay behind closed doors, finally enjoying a few days of peace.

Because she was recovering from a cold, the tasks she was supposed to handle, such as managing the estate’s ledgers, personnel, and internal affairs, had to be postponed. During this time, Auntie Qionglin frequently arrived on Consort Zhuang’s orders to deliver fine silks, satins, and precious medicinal herbs. Chi Ying was overwhelmed by the attention and could only have the items stored away in the warehouse for the time being.

On this particular day, Qionglin mentioned something extra. Since the marriage was bestowed by Emperor Yongcheng, once Chi Ying’s health improved, it would be best for her and Prince Zhao to enter the palace together to offer their gratitude and fulfill the proper etiquette.

This was also Consort Zhuang’s wish. Though the Consort had developed a rift with Emperor Yongcheng due to her hysteria, Prince Zhao was still an Imperial Prince, and Chi Ying was a daughter-in-law of the royal family. According to protocol, they should have entered the palace the day after the wedding. The visit had been delayed because of Prince Zhao’s injuries, and the palace had been understanding of his blindness, sending rewards directly to the estate. However, a prolonged failure to show their gratitude would eventually be seen as a breach of etiquette.

The heart that Chi Ying had just managed to relax tightened once more.

Entering the palace to give thanks meant she would see many people: Emperor Yongcheng, the Empress, and perhaps other members of the imperial clan. She was not sure if Chi Yingyue had met these people before, and she had no idea how she should handle it.

Madam Yin had mentioned a few of Chi Yingyue’s close friends, as well as cousins and relatives from the Marquis’s side, but Chi Ying couldn’t even match the names to the faces. Chi Yingyue had shown her face at various flower viewing banquets and polo matches. Even if Chi Ying dressed the part, it would be nearly impossible to remain flawless.

After several days of excessive worry and sleepless nights, her cold did not improve; instead, it grew worse.

After much deliberation, Chi Ying decided to have Xiangqin return to the Chi estate under the guise of visiting her mother. Xiangqin was a servant born into the household, and her mother, Nanny Zheng, was a maid in Madam Yin’s courtyard. Having her go back would not arouse suspicion.

Upon returning to the estate, Xiangqin met with Madam Yin and reported Chi Ying’s message exactly as instructed.

“The Third Lady is worried that once she enters the palace to pay her respects, her identity will no longer be hidden.”

“His Highness Prince Zhao’s injuries are improving, and he is much more gentle and polite than the rumors suggested. He is certainly not the type of person who kills the innocent. The Third Lady was thinking, since she had not yet consummated the marriage with His Highness, could she and the Second Lady switch back as soon as possible?”

“The Third Lady also said that as soon as the two of them switch identities, she will take Concubine Xue far away from the capital and never return.”

It had to be said that Madam Yin was truly tempted.

The rumors of Prince Zhao’s terminal illness had been the primary reason her daughter had refused to marry him, which led Madam Yin to take the risk of substituting Chi Ying. She had originally intended to wait for Prince Zhao to pass away before planning for her daughter. Whether it was as Prince Zhao’s widow or having Chi Ying buried with him, her daughter could live on as the “Third Lady” of the Chi estate. That was far better than being tormented to death by Prince Zhao or being forced into the grave with him!

As for the rumors of his cruel and violent nature, hadn’t Chi Ying survived just fine? According to Xiangqin, she had even dressed the Prince’s wounds and served him closely, and he hadn’t twisted her neck.

Madam Yin remembered the day the girl had returned for her visit. The Zhao estate’s carriage had been so grand; the girl was dressed in fine silks and adorned with jewels. It was truly a case of a pheasant becoming a phoenix!

But all of that should have belonged to Yingyue.

Now that the situation had improved and Prince Zhao was healthy, wouldn’t Chi Ying be getting a massive bargain by continuing as the Princess Consort?

Prince Zhao was blind, so he was out of the running for the throne, but a Princess Consort was still a Princess Consort. A lifetime of wealth and glory was guaranteed. With Prince Zhao blind and Consort Zhuang mad, Yingyue could take charge of the household and manage the estate as soon as she arrived. If she had a child in the future, that would be an Imperial Grandson of Emperor Yongcheng!

With all these benefits, how could Madam Yin not be moved?

She immediately went to the Marquis of Changyuan to discuss the matter.

However, the Marquis was not so optimistic. “That is a Princess Consort! Do you think you can just swap people in and out whenever you please? Do you think the Zhao estate is run by your family?”

Madam Yin said urgently, “Prince Zhao is a blind man. He has never seen the Princess’s face. Besides, Chi Ying and Yingyue look so much alike. If we switch them secretly, who would even think of it? Even if they have doubts, where is the evidence?”

The Marquis asked, “What about the maids and servants serving them closely? Would they not recognize the difference?”

Madam Yin replied, “We will have Chi Ying dismiss everyone during these days of her cold. She will stay in bed and only allow Baoshan and Xiangqin to serve her. By the time she recovers, at least half a month will have passed. Yingyue can learn her mannerisms. If her voice is different, we can say the cold damaged her throat. Those estate maids have only served her a few times. Who would dare swear that the Princess has been switched?”

The Marquis paced back and forth in the room, still afraid to make a quick decision.

“This matter cannot be delayed!” Madam Yin’s words were urgent. “Once her cold improves in a few days, she will likely have to consummate the marriage with Prince Zhao. It will be too late to switch then! Do you want Yingyue to hide forever, never able to show her face?”

Seeing that the Marquis still didn’t respond, she followed him and said, “Think about how you’ve treated that mother and daughter over the years. She has hatred in her heart. Will she be willing to help you as her father, or help her two brothers? Are you not afraid that she will throw her weight around in the future, acting like a Princess Consort and riding over our heads?”

The Marquis’s expression finally wavered.

If they swapped them back now, everything would be back on track. They wouldn’t have to worry about the substitution being exposed. Yingyue had been pampered since childhood and would naturally help the family. But Chi Ying… he had beaten Concubine Xue nearly to death. Chi Ying likely hated him to his core!

The couple made up their minds. Madam Yin immediately had the carriage prepared to head to the private villa to bring Chi Yingyue back.

Since Chi Ying had been sent as the substitute, Chi Yingyue could not show her face openly. Madam Yin had originally wanted her to use Chi Ying’s identity and live in the Spring Willow Court with Concubine Xue. They wouldn’t be in the same room, and she would have her own space with servants. But the girl had refused, saying she was afraid of catching a “sickly aura.” Madam Yin had no choice but to settle her in a quiet villa in the capital.

The food and living conditions were naturally not as luxurious as before. Madam Yin had thought her daughter would suffer, but to her surprise, Chi Yingyue hadn’t grown thin at all; instead, her body was a bit more plump than before.

In comparison, Chi Ying was much thinner and more delicate. If they hadn’t hired a physician to nourish her body last year to make her skin and figure resemble a pampered lady, that girl could have been described as skin and bones.

Chi Yingyue was sitting on the daybed, bored, embroidering a sachet. When she saw her mother arrive, her eyes lit up. She hurriedly threw the embroidery basket under the table and stood up. “Mother, why are you here? Is Prince Zhao dead?”

Madam Yin gave her a look. “Prince Zhao is alive and well. I am here to take you home. Tomorrow, we will have Chi Ying find an excuse to return to the estate, and the two of you will switch back as soon as possible.”

“Sw-switch back?” Chi Yingyue was dumbfounded, almost thinking she had heard wrong.

Madam Yin said, “The rumors of Prince Zhao’s terminal illness were false. As for his cruel nature, that was just gossip. We should switch you back before they share a bed to avoid future trouble.”

Chi Yingyue instinctively pinched her sleeves and stammered, “But… but everyone says that. Didn’t you also think the Zhao estate was a fire pit? What if Chi Ying is lying to us?”

Compared to Chi Ying, Madam Yin believed that Xiangqin would not lie. “Chi Ying has dressed Prince Zhao’s wounds multiple times. Is she not living safely?”

Chi Yingyue’s face was full of worry. She said reluctantly, “No, Mother. I… I don’t want to marry a blind man.”

Madam Yin was furious. Her daughter had been spoiled into lawlessness, still being willful even now.

“What does it matter if he is blind? Anyone with a brain knows to choose a blind Prince over a healthy commoner.”

Chi Yingyue muttered, “How do you know I will only be able to marry a commoner in the future? What if…”

“There is no ‘what if’!” Madam Yin said sharply. “If you don’t switch back, as long as Chi Ying is the Princess Consort, you will never be able to see the light of day. Do you want to hide in this villa for the rest of your life? Do you want the Marquis estate to carry the crime of deceiving the Emperor forever? The position of Princess Consort belongs to you. Are you going to let that daughter of a lowly servant have it!”

Chi Yingyue still refused to agree, racking her brain for reasons. “If being the Princess Consort were truly easy, why would Chi Ying be so willing to give it back? How about we wait and see? Rumors don’t come from nowhere. What if Prince Zhao is just pretending to be refined, but he likes to torment people in bed? I’ve heard that disabled people always have twisted hobbies. You wouldn’t want me to enter the estate only to be tormented to death, would you?”

Madam Yin was so angry she poked her daughter’s forehead hard.

But on second thought, the scenario her daughter described wasn’t impossible. If they acted too quickly out of luck, it might hurt her. Furthermore, if her daughter refused to cooperate, she would eventually be exposed even if she were tied up and forced to be the Princess Consort.

Madam Yin let out a heavy sigh. she hated that the royal family had given the Marquis estate such an honor only to marry her daughter to a blind prince with no future. She also hated that the lowly concubine’s daughter was getting a free ride.

For now, she could only wait for a better opportunity.

After Madam Yin left, Chi Yingyue took the sachet out of the embroidery basket. She stroked the python pattern embroidered with gold thread. Thinking of something, her gaze sharpened, and she clenched her fists.

The Emperor had many sons. Who said she could only marry Prince Zhao?

Chi Ying could go ahead and enjoy the “blessing” of being Prince Zhao’s wife!

…

Xiangqin didn’t return to the estate until dark. The news she brought back was quite surprising to Chi Ying.

“You mean… Second Sister is unwilling?”

“Yes,” Xiangqin nodded and spoke plainly. “The Marquis and Madam originally agreed. Madam even planned to bring the Second Lady back. But the Second Lady is likely still afraid and refuses to return. Madam had no choice but to let it go.”

The light in Chi Ying’s eyes faded, and the curve of her lips slowly disappeared.

She had already planned to tell Chi Yingyue everything that had happened with Prince Zhao in detail. But now that the other side refused and Prince Zhao was healthy, when would she be able to leave the estate? When could she take her mother away?

Xiangqin said, “Madam wants you to handle things for now. Deflect what you can. If you truly cannot refuse, you must adapt to the situation. When you go out, take Baoshan and me with you. We have followed the Madam and Second Lady to various banquets and gatherings in the capital; we have seen many noble ladies and officials. We can help you cover things up. As for going to the palace to give thanks, the Second Lady has never seen the Emperor’s face. You just need to follow Prince Zhao and keep your head down.”

As for Madam Yin’s instructions to keep an eye on Chi Ying and forbid her from “using her charms” to seduce Prince Zhao, Xiangqin decided not to say those words.

With Chi Ying’s submissive and cautious temperament, she was terrified of the Prince. Why would she ever take the initiative to seek favor? Besides, Prince Zhao was blind. Even if Chi Ying took the initiative, it would be like throwing flirtatious glances at a blind man…

Seeing Chi Ying’s somber expression, Xiangqin sighed and persuaded her, “Third Lady, for the sake of Concubine Xue, just listen to the Madam.”

A gap was left in the window for air. The night wind drifted in, and a sudden chill crawled up Chi Ying’s spine. She shivered and coughed twice into her handkerchief. Cold sweat covered her forehead, and a sickly blush appeared on her cheeks.

Her mother was her only weakness. She was isolated and had no money of her own; she still relied on Madam Yin’s money and medicine to save her mother’s life.

A thought even flashed through her mind: she could just leave and forget about Chi Yingyue’s mess. Taking a few valuable pieces of jewelry from her dowry would be enough for her mother’s medicine.

But on second thought, her mother was still ill. How could she escape the eyes of the Marquis estate and take her mother out of the capital silently? And if the estate’s warehouse was robbed, how could she, the thief, ever escape…?

Chi Ying let out a deep sigh. Right now, she had no choice but to be controlled.

…

Yangui Tower.

Yuan De presented a pair of earrings he had selected from the warehouse. “Your Highness, what do you think of this pair for the Princess Consort?”

Yan Xuecuī opened the red sandalwood box. His fingertips brushed over the long tassels, his voice carrying a hint of a smile. “Is it beautiful?”

Yuan De described the appearance in detail. “These earrings are tribute items from the Jiangnan weavers. They are crafted with gold thread into the shape of crabapple blossoms, with red carnelian hanging from the fine gold tassels. They are delicate and elegant. The Princess has snowy skin and a slender neck; these will suit her perfectly.”

Yan Xuecuī pondered for a moment before suddenly asking, “Do you also think the Princess is exceptionally beautiful?”

Yuan De felt a chill down his spine and immediately fell to his knees. “Your Highness, forgive me! This servant has spoken out of turn…”

He had been too quick with his words, actually commenting on the Princess’s appearance, especially when the Prince was blind.

The curve of Prince Zhao’s lips did not fade, but there was no laughter in his cold, grey eyes. “Rise.”

Yuan De wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurriedly stood up to thank him.

Prince Zhao toyed with the delicate, cool tassels, feeling quite satisfied.

His Princess was always so nervous in front of him. Even with a normal sentence, she would tremble slightly. The ornaments in her hair and the tassels at her ears would shake along with her. It was a clear, cold sound, like crushed gold or ripples on water, possessing a long, lingering echo. It made one want to catch it, hold it tight, and never let go.

If she wore these earrings, she would surely tremble very beautifully.

The corners of Prince Zhao’s lips curled up. He closed the box and gave an order. “Send this to Shuyu Pavilion. Also, see if the Princess’s cold has improved. If she has recovered, she will accompany me to Shouchun Hall to visit my mother.”

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