Chapter 45 I vaguely saw her eyes

Consort Zhuang now understands that in order to cover up the fact that he had lost his sight, he had shrouded the entire Shouchun Hall in a web of lies, deceiving her for two whole years.

For example, the fabricated Ministry of War assignment, the lively wedding ceremony Qionglin described, the patrolling of garrisons, the heavy official duties—now that I think about it, not a single word of it was true.

She no longer trusts anyone's words. "I think you all think I'm confused and are conspiring to fool me."

Qionglin smiled apologetically, "His Highness was afraid you would worry, so he instructed us to keep it a secret. We thought that his eyes would be healed before you found out, wouldn't that be a happy ending for everyone? Is it really filial of you to tell you every little detail and make you worry every day?"

Some things should be kept secret. When Consort Zhuang had a hysterical episode before, she even injured Prince Zhao several times. She can't know these things, otherwise her condition will relapse.

As for whether they consummated their marriage, Qionglin can assure you: "Your Highness and the Princess Consort share a room every day, and the attendants keep records. You can send someone to ask them, and the daily records will clearly show it."

Of course, this record was not as rigorous and detailed as that of the Imperial Household Department. It was only because King Zhao was blind and had many inconveniences in bed, and assassins often took advantage of the night to commit crimes, that his subordinates inevitably paid extra attention. The record was just something done on the spur of the moment, so that there would be a basis for the Queen's future pregnancy.

Chi Ying had no idea that this was also recorded, and she immediately became uneasy and awkward.

When Consort Zhuang saw the blush on her face, she understood a little. But then she thought of how everyone had been telling her how loving the young couple was, but Qi Lang was blind and couldn't even see his wife's beautiful face. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

Consort Zhuang did not keep Chi Ying for long before sending her back to rest. She then summoned Yuan De and inquired in detail about Yan Xue Cui's life over the past two years.

Yuan De reassured her, "Your Highness takes care of most of the washing, meals, changing clothes, and bathing herself. The servants only lend a hand occasionally."

While relieved, Consort Zhuang couldn't help but feel sad.

Born into an imperial family, Qilang was second to none in poetry, literature, horsemanship, and archery. He was naturally flamboyant and proud, and would never show his vulnerability to others.

Blindness is no ordinary injury from swords or knives. How could he be as calm and composed as he claims? It is nothing more than repeated breaking and rebuilding in the darkness, and countless hardships, that have earned him the claim of being able to move normally.

Qionglin knew that the Empress would be deeply saddened upon hearing this news, and no amount of comforting would help.

Seeing that she was still upset, she had no choice but to order someone to bring the record of their intimate relations and present it to Consort Zhuang: "Your Majesty, please see, did I lie to you?"

Consort Zhuang flipped through the records from March of this year, and was particularly astonished by the duration and frequency of the events. "This...this is definitely Qilang?"

Qionglin nodded and smiled, "Your Highness is at the prime of your life. If you were truly heartbroken because of your blindness, how could you and the Princess be so harmonious and inseparable?"

Consort Zhuang flipped through the pages a few times, thinking that the more exaggerated and astonishing it was, the more likely it was to be true. Qionglin was the most prudent person, and even if he was just trying to please her, he wouldn't dare to make up such absurd claims as five times a day. This record was most likely true.

Qi Lang was pleased, and Consort Zhuang was naturally gratified, but this was just too... too excessive indulgence.

No wonder his daughter-in-law blushes whenever she talks about it. Several times when she came to pay her respects, her legs seemed unable to support her. Her slender body could hardly withstand his unrestrained torment.

After much deliberation, Consort Zhuang sent a large amount of tonics to Shuyu Zhai and instructed Chi Ying to take good care of herself.

Chi Ying had been preoccupied with worries these past few days and was already feeling unwell. Taking advantage of the fact that King Zhao was busy with official duties and did not return home all night, she simply rested for two days.

Fortunately, all was calm outside. Neither the Chi family nor her mother's side reported any incidents. The entire Prince Zhao's mansion treated her with respect and courtesy, and everything was as usual.

As life gradually became more stable, she planned to find an opportunity to visit Liu Mian Lane. However, fearing that she would be discovered, she first sent Xiangqin to Ruyi Zhai under the pretext of buying snacks and passing by Liu Mian Lane to check on the situation.

The news Xiangqin brought back reassured her a little. "I didn't go in, I just glanced at it from outside the door. There were indeed people living in the house. White smoke was coming out of the chimney, I could hear people talking, and I could smell the fragrance of medicine."

For Chi Ying, this was already the best news.

She couldn't be sure of her safety right now, so she could only wait until things calmed down before she could find an opportunity to leave the mansion and visit her mother.

...

Yan Xuecui has been keeping a close eye on the developments at Hetingyuan recently.

Zhao Qu, acting on the orders of Prince Rong, contacted his former subordinates in the court, including several generals from the Jinwu Guard and the Huben Guard, totaling nearly a hundred officials. Yan Xuecui made a list of all those who intended to secretly contact Prince Rong and participate in the planning.

That day, a secret guard reported that officials were having a private meeting at Baiwei Restaurant. He did not alert them, but instead, he wrote down the names of all the officials and their proposed strategies from behind a wall, waiting to capture them all in one fell swoop the next day.

After the drinks next door were finished, Yan Xuecui drank the last cup of tea and heard the noisy sounds of the street market downstairs.

He frowned and asked, "What's happening outside?"

Cheng Huai looked outside: "Today is the Spring Festival celebration. There's a temple fair and performances on Chengxian Street, and a flower market is being set up downstairs."

The Spring Farewell Festival in Beijing in April is a lively event every year, meant to bid farewell to spring. The streets are filled with flower goddess parades, flower markets, and acrobatic performances. After nightfall, there are thousands of lanterns and fireworks filling the sky.

Yan Xuecui remembered that he had once witnessed the magnificent splendor of the world, but now that he was blind, everything around him was as silent as fireworks, and the hustle and bustle of the world was no longer relevant to him.

He could hear the sounds of string and wind instruments playing and dancing downstairs, interspersed with the shouts of flower girls and the laughter of passersby. He suddenly thought of his queen.

She was always very careful, guarding her small courtyard of Shuyuzhai, afraid of showing her face in public or socializing with others. The few times she went out of the mansion were to visit her mother.

Before the age of nine, she was an unloved concubine's daughter. After the age of nine, she lived with her aunt and had little chance to witness such a grand and lively event.

Girls should all like that, right?

Yan Xuecui asked, "Which place in the capital offers the best view?"

When Cheng Huai first heard this, he thought he had misheard. His Highness was blind, yet he was asking which place had the best view.

Seeing the prince's growing impatience, he quickly thought for a moment and replied, "The restaurants along the lake have nice views, and you can see river lanterns and painted boats."

Yan Xuecui instructed, "Go and reserve a private room."

Cheng Huai was stunned for a moment, then quickly bowed and accepted the order.

As the sun sets in the west, dusk descends.

Chi Ying rubbed her eyes and had just finished embroidering the sachet for Consort Zhuang when Qingzhi came in from outside and said, "Your Highness, please get ready quickly. His Highness's carriage is parked outside the mansion gate. He said he wants to take you out."

Chi Ying's heart tightened. Why was she suddenly taking her out?

Fangchun guessed, "Today is the day to celebrate the Spring Festival, and Chengxian Street is the most lively. You must be taking the princess out to the street?"

But His Highness is blind, so where can the two of them go?

Without further delay, everyone hurriedly helped Chi Ying with her makeup and clothes. Since it was a rare opportunity to leave the manor, she naturally wanted to dress up brightly and beautifully. Fang Chun even took out all the pearls and jade jewelry that Prince Zhao had sent and used them to adorn and match her.

Chi Ying was adorned with a head full of pearls and jade. As she moved, her hair ornaments swayed gently, and the tinkling of her pendants created a melodious sound like pearls falling onto a jade plate with every step.

She lifted her skirt and stepped onto the carriage, where, as expected, King Zhao was already waiting.

Chi Ying bowed and was about to sit down in the side seat when she saw him reach out his hand, "A-Ying, come here."

Chi Ying had no choice but to bow forward. Just as her skirt touched the back of his hand, her waist tightened suddenly, and she was pulled into his arms.

The carriage swayed and wobbled forward, and Chi Ying awkwardly wrapped her arms around his neck, sitting on his taut, hard legs.

The tassels in her hair fell down and swayed gently in front of him. Instead of turning her head away, Yan Xue closed her eyes and let the tassels sweep across his face again and again.

Helpless, Chi Ying gently brushed it aside for him.

The girl's soft, slightly cool fingertips brushed against her cheek, stirring a secret tingling sensation. Yan Xuecui sighed deeply, suppressed the trembling in his heart, and gently kissed her temple.

"What are you wearing today?" he asked.

"It's an apricot-pink dress with butterflies and flowers..." She then seemed a little embarrassed, as if she had dressed too elaborately. She asked in a low voice, "Is the dress too heavy, or are the tassels bothering Your Highness?"

If he could put her down and let her sit properly beside him, the tassels in her hair wouldn't keep brushing against his face.

Yan Xuecui imagined her wearing this dress, and smiled slightly: "No, you're fine no matter what."

Chi Ying pursed her lips: "Where will Your Highness take me?"

Yan Xuecui: "You'll know when you get there."

After the carriage had been traveling for about half an hour, the sounds of the bustling streets gradually came into view. Chi Ying was held in his arms, unable to reach the window curtains, and was filled with curiosity.

After the carriage came to a slow stop, the two got off one after the other, and Chi Ying saw that this place was a tavern called Cangchunlou.

The entire street outside was brightly lit, lined with stalls selling flowers, tea, and snacks. The air was filled with the rich fragrance of flowers, and the street was bustling with people.

She knew about celebrating the Spring Festival, but it was only when she was a child that she went out with her brothers and sisters from the Chi family. At that time, she was the most inconspicuous concubine's daughter and didn't dare to buy a single flower or a lamp.

Yan Xue urged, "Would you like to go upstairs to enjoy the view, or would you like to stroll around for a while?"

Chi Ying came to her senses and, remembering that he was blind, decided not to squeeze into the crowd and said, "Let's go upstairs."

The private room was on the third floor, and dinner was laid out inside. Looking out the window, Chi Ying was slightly stunned to see the entire city moat at night.

The Imperial Street was bustling with pedestrians, and thousands of lanterns were strung together to form a dazzling galaxy. Lanterns on the city moat shone like stars, and the painted boats were brightly lit. You could also see the twelve flower goddesses in a parade and acrobatic performances on the stands. Shouts and children's laughter rose and fell.

She knew that celebrating the Spring Festival was a lively affair, but she had never stood at such a perfect vantage point, enjoying the cool night breeze and taking in the panoramic view of half the city's prosperity.

It wasn't until Prince Zhao stood with her by the window that Chi Ying slowly came back to her senses. "Your Highness, are you... bringing me to see the street scene?"

Yan Xuecui pursed her lips: "Hmm, it's unusually lively today, so I brought you out for a stroll. What do you think? Is it pretty?"

The man's gaze was slightly unfocused, his eyes seemingly drifting far away. His cold, dim pupils reflected scattered lights, like fireflies dancing in the abyss, conveying a sense of desolation, as if all the splendor had faded and all the splendor had turned to ashes.

Chi Ying was slightly taken aback, and a strange bitterness quietly spread from the bottom of her heart.

Suddenly, I didn't know how to respond.

His vision was completely dark, and all he could hear was the noisy commotion. He couldn't see a single ray of light, yet he brought her to what was probably the best scenic spot in the entire capital, to see the city ablaze with lights.

Is it really that beautiful? Will he feel any regret? But if I don't respond, it seems like I'm letting him down.

Thinking of this, Chi Ying said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness, I like it very much."

Yan Xue Cui curled her lips into a smile: "Are you still angry with me?"

Chi Ying looked out the window again and whispered, "I have never been angry with Your Highness."

How could she dare? After such an incident, she was afraid that he would be angry and investigate her thoroughly, so she wouldn't dare to take the initiative to cause trouble or displease him.

Yan Xuecui then said, "Since you're not angry, how about I take you out of the manor to enjoy the scenery today? Is there a reward?"

Chi Ying: "..."

This person has already revealed their true colors so quickly; they really are unwilling to compromise themselves in the slightest.

However, since it was a rare opportunity to visit a temple fair, and she was surrounded by dazzling night views that she had never seen before, she was in a pleasant mood.

Chi Ying hesitated for a moment, then finally stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gently kissed his lower lip.

Suddenly, a loud boom came from outside the window, and fireworks burst into a dazzling galaxy in the night sky, illuminating the girl's bright and beautiful face.

Yan Xuecui opened her eyes. In the familiar endless darkness, a faint white light flashed by. In the blur, she seemed to see the girl's bright, gentle, and shimmering almond eyes.

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Author's Note: We went on a date! After two years, someone finally caught a tiny glimpse of her! And the first thing he saw was his wife's eyes [sunglasses].