The Prince's Theory of "Compensation" and the Sisters' Tea Party

Qin Yuti's "gentle suppression" policy towards Zhao Jingyi was remarkably effective, and His Highness Prince Yi began a regular (painful) and fulfilling (torturous) life. However, the devil is always one step ahead, or rather, the princess is always one step ahead, and the prince always finds another way to "stir things up."

Recently, the hottest topic of conversation in the capital, besides the married lives of the two princes, is the upcoming wedding of the Crown Prince. As the wedding date approaches, the four close friends finally have the opportunity to get together more frequently.

That day, Qin Yuti dressed up early, preparing to go out. Zhao Jingyi rubbed his wrist, which was sore from copying the Tao Te Ching the night before, and asked casually, "Going out again? Who are you going to see today?"

Qin Yuti, admiring herself in the mirror and adorning herself with flowers, said in a light tone, "Sister Nianchu summoned us to the East Palace to talk, and Anci and Mianying will also go." Although Xu Nianchu has not yet been formally married, her status as the Crown Princess has been established, and she is often invited to the East Palace to familiarize herself with affairs.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jingyi's brows furrowed. It was them again! Ever since these women started hanging out together, his princess's outings had increased dramatically! Today it's tea tasting, tomorrow flower viewing, the day after music appreciation… what about him, her legitimate husband?!

He said sourly, "You women are always together, what do you have to say? You talk more than you do when you're with me!"

Qin Yuti glanced at him in the mirror, finding his jealousy utterly unreasonable, even a little amusing: "Your Highness, sisters naturally have endless private conversations. Do you really want me to stay cooped up in the mansion all day, sighing and complaining to you?"

"That doesn't mean you can go out every day!" Zhao Jingyi said unreasonably. "Look at you, all smiles in front of them, but a long face in front of me! I don't care, you're not allowed to go today!"

Qin Yuti was too lazy to argue with him. After tidying up, she got up and left, leaving only the words: "If Your Highness is bored, why not review the chapters of the Analects that I marked yesterday? I will test you after dinner."

Watching her graceful departure, Zhao Jingyi was so angry he almost fell over. Reviewing the Analects? His mind was now filled with the idea that "three women make a drama," and four women could practically tear his Prince Yi's mansion apart!

Inside the Eastern Palace, however, there was a different kind of joyful laughter.

The Crown Prince granted the sisters a waterside pavilion for their gathering. Although Xu Nianchu was beginning to display the majesty of a Crown Princess, she remained relaxed in front of her sisters. Shen Anci recounted interesting anecdotes from the borderlands and her experiences in the martial world, eliciting gasps of amazement from everyone. Liu Mianying brought newly acquired Jiangnan snacks and novelties, vividly recounting her experiences on her business journey. Listening to her sisters' sharing, Qin Yuti felt much of the pent-up frustration she had felt towards Zhao Jingyi over the past few days dissipate, and a genuine smile appeared on her face.

“Yu Ti, your complexion looks even rosier than before your marriage,” Xu Nianchu said, carefully observing her. “It seems that His Highness Prince Yi is quite good at ‘taking care’ of people.”

Qin Yuti blushed and said reproachfully, "Sister Nianchu! Please stop teasing me! That man is a real troublemaker, always finding ways to annoy me!" She briefly recounted how Zhao Jingyi complained and how she retaliated, which drew continuous laughter from her sisters.

Shen Anci clapped his hands and said, "Well done! You have to use some tricks to deal with this kind of scoundrel!"

Liu Mianying blinked her sly eyes: "Sister Yuti, having the economic lifeline in your hands is the key to victory!"

Xu Nianchu smiled and said, "It seems that Prince Yi is living a rather 'fulfilling' life."

The sisters chatted and laughed, and time flew by. When Qin Yuti returned to the Prince's Mansion, it was already evening, and a smile still lingered on her lips.

However, the smile froze instantly when he stepped into the room and saw Zhao Jingyi sitting on the couch with a dark face.

Looking at her radiant face, and then thinking about how he had spent a whole day copying the Tao Te Ching alone in his study, Zhao Jingyi felt a mixture of resentment and bitterness that fermented into a burning anger.

He said sarcastically, "Oh, so you know how to come back? I thought the princess was going to stay in the East Palace and eat and sleep with your good sister!"

Qin Yuti ignored his jealousy and said indifferently, "Your Highness is joking." Then she went to wash up.

Zhao Jingyi grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, his tone a mix of gritted teeth and roguishness: "Are you joking? I've spent the whole day alone in my empty room, unable to sleep! Shouldn't the Princess make it up to me?"

Qin Yuti struggled: "Zhao Jingyi! Let me go! In broad daylight, what kind of behavior is this!"

"Compensation?" Qin Yuti was speechless with anger. "Why should I compensate you?"

"Just because you are my queen!" Zhao Jingyi said matter-of-factly, "You have neglected your husband, so naturally you must make it up to him! My demands are not high, just make up for the time you owe me today... with interest!"

Having said that, before Qin Yuti could object, he picked her up and carried her straight to the inner room.

"Zhao Jingyi! You scoundrel! Let me go!"

"Hush—Your Highness, the spring night is too short..."

"You...you mustn't touch there! Ugh..."

That night, His Highness Prince Yi exemplified his theory of "compensation" through his actions. The curtains hung low, red candles burned brightly, and the sounds of panting and moaning mingled until the moon was high in the sky, never ceasing. Qin Yuti initially struggled and cursed, but eventually only broken sobs and pleas for mercy remained.

Zhao Jingyi whispered triumphantly in her ear in a hoarse voice, "Let's see if you dare to neglect me again... dare to stay out for so long again... Tell me, which is more important, your sisters or your husband? Hmm?"

Qin Yuxuan was both angry and ashamed, her whole body went limp, and she didn't even have the strength to bite him. She could only mumble, "You bastard...you scoundrel..."

Only when the sky began to lighten did the prince finally settle down, satisfied. Qin Yuti was too lazy to even move her fingertips; in her drowsy state, she felt the culprit lean closer, whispering in her ear, eager to take credit:

"My beloved consort, are you satisfied with my 'compensation'? If not... I can do more..."

Qin Yuti used her last bit of strength to kick him away, then wrapped herself tightly in the blanket and rolled to the inside of the bed, leaving him with only an angry back of her head.

Satisfied my foot! Zhao Jingyi, you jealous beast reincarnated!

After eating and drinking his fill, Prince Yi looked at the princess's back, which even seemed exceptionally alluring when she was angry, and stroked his chin smugly.

It seems this tactic is much more effective than complaining or arguing!

If the princess disobeys again, we'll use this trick to "discipline" her!

Thus, in his long and arduous journey of marital strife, Prince Yi seems to have stumbled upon a wicked path to "victory." This has undoubtedly increased the indescribable difficulty of Princess Yi's "counterattack" efforts.