Chapter 6 My Relationship with Xiao Cong
"Does Your Highness intend to take Aqu into your household today?"
I pushed his chest away, bent my knees, and looked straight at him.
The warm tent, the dim candlelight, and the intimate entanglement of people of different surnames so close together always stir one's heart.
He patiently nurtured me, this delicate flower.
But the moment I let Lin Wanru slap me to the ground, when to remove the mask was no longer entirely within his control.
"Does Aqu still want to drink that bitter and sour contraceptive soup?"
The medicine is bitter, and the heart is sour.
"Her Highness said she wouldn't make things difficult for me."
"But she slapped me."
"What has Your Highness done this time?"
I replied on his behalf: "He promised that he would not take a concubine if he had no children."
I said, "His Highness respects her and values her. Yet he only uses cold jewelry to appease Aqu."
"Has Your Highness ever put yourself in Aqu's shoes?"
I questioned him softly, trying hard not to let my tears fall.
His appearance was blurry, and I couldn't see him clearly.
"Your Highness, do you still have Aqu in your heart...?"
I lowered my head and turned my face away, as if I didn't want him to see me crying like a coward.
When she lowered her head, large tears fell, sparkling like diamonds.
When I looked up, large tears involuntarily slid down my cheeks.
He seems to have never uttered the words "I love you" or "I like you."
But his every move seemed to have touched her heart.
"Aqu~" he called me softly.
"Your Highness spared me, yet you betrayed me," I cried.
I didn't reject him; I only asked my heart.
He held the back of my head, kissed my tears, and then pressed his lips hard against mine.
It seemed they wanted to refute my accusations with their actions.
I raised my hand as he let go.
I returned the slap that Lin Wanru gave me.
I didn't use much force; I held my breath, seemingly reluctant, yet also carrying the bitterness of defeat.
All of it was complaints about him.
He wasn't angry, but my actions startled the alluring concubine who rushed in, causing her to kneel down abruptly.
The alluring concubine cried out in alarm, "Your Highness, the South Garden is on fire!"
I stalled for time, waiting for someone who could influence him to appear.
*
Tomorrow, Lin Wanru will be escorted from Nanyuan to the Prince of Yan's residence in a grand sedan chair carried by eight men.
Nanyuan was not only home to Lin Wanru, but also to Lin's relatives who had accompanied her on her marriage.
He was determined to go and help when a fire broke out in Nanyuan.
I grabbed his sleeve and said to the alluring concubine who barged in:
"Your Highness doesn't know how to put out a fire, what's the use of telling Your Highness?"
"We should notify the military patrol station to put out the fire!"
I played the role of a sparrow that couldn't escape his grasp, seizing every opportunity to carefully infiltrate out of his palm.
As I expected, he pulled away from the sleeve I was clinging to, got up, and left.
He prioritized the mission on his shoulders.
Does he like me?
There should be a little bit.
It's only a little bit, isn't it?
I walked barefoot, following his retreating figure, and spoke.
"'Thinking of you, my lord, so gentle and kind. In your humble dwelling, you stir my heart.' Your Highness, please stay."
Make a scene at the right time, cry at the right time, and plead with someone with deep affection at the right time.
He paused slightly, without turning his head.
I knew he would send an expensive apology gift soon.
*
I stood by the door, watching his figure disappear into the night.
If there is anyone in this world who could protect my innocence even when he was truly lusting after me, it would undoubtedly be Lin Wanru, who posed a significant threat to his interests.
The women in his backyard had already split into two factions.
I alone am divided into a faction.
He was blinded by his own short-sightedness, unable to see that the women in the inner quarters were secretly forming an alliance because of him.
But I can see it.
I saw it from that New Year's Eve drowning incident where the mastermind was unknown.
He angered Lin Wanru, the leader of the other faction, making her jealous and creating a sense of crisis for her.
She would do everything in her power to prevent my relationship with Xiao Cong from developing further.
"The fire in Nanyuan was brilliantly set."
I sighed as I walked past that alluring maidservant.
The alluring maidservant said to me, "Third Miss, don't be sad. Although your position in His Highness's heart is not as high as that of the future Crown Princess, His Highness still cares about you very much."
With this talking mouth.
I brewed a pot of tea using his favorite tea set, and then overturned the pot and tea leaves together.
I packed my things and went home.
At this crucial moment of Xiao Cong's wedding, no one dared to make a big fuss.
Although there were obstacles to my leaving the mansion, I still achieved my goal.
The following day, the Prince of Yan's heir was married, and the whole city was in a frenzy.
I walked alone down the long street wearing a veil, listening to the stories of how luxurious Lin Wanru's dowry was.
Listen to them praising how handsome the Prince of Yan's heir is.
Xiao Zuo stayed by my side every step of the way.
I cannot find a chance to leave.
I found a three-story teahouse, but because I arrived late there were no seats available, so I could only stand in a corner of the corridor and look out over the long street.
I saw him dressed in a wedding robe, riding a horse.
A gentleman as beautiful as jade, unparalleled in the world.
He deserves it.
He suddenly looked up and gazed in my direction.
I turned around and disappeared into the crowd.
I went home.
The whole city is talking about the wedding of the Prince of Yan today.
My family, however, avoids this topic at all costs.
I sat by the window all day.
My second sister made funny faces to cheer me up.
She told me about the gossip and local stories she encountered while shopping at the market.
My mother cooks my favorite dishes, even though she's not a very good cook.
Father silently chopped firewood all day.
As night fell, the sky, which had been clear for half a month, rained all night.
I leaned against the window and listened to the pattering rain.
I know Xiao Zuo is hiding in the shadows.
I want him to hear my deep affection, to know that I am still under his control.
The next day, it was Lin Wanru's head maid who knocked on our door.
She brought me an apology gift on behalf of her smug master for the slap he'd made in the past, and casually told me, with a smug grin:
"The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were inseparable, and on their wedding night they called for water three times."
I laughed: "Thank you for sending me an apology gift on the first day of your marriage, my master. I suppose His Highness gave your master some pointers last night?"
"Your Highness is really something. How could you mention someone as unpleasant as me on your master's joyous occasion?"
Anyone can be annoying.
The input was met with aversion.
*
Xiao Cong came to pick me up on the morning of the fourth day after his marriage.
I refused to go back with him.
"His Highness's decree to take a concubine has been delivered. Now come and fetch Aqu."
These words were spoken to Granny Zhao, who came to my room to deliver a message.
Granny Zhao tried to persuade me with a pained expression.
I sat by the window, head down, embroidering.
Then I heard his voice behind me: "Sweetie~"
My back is stiff.
I never expected him to personally dismount from his carriage and step across the threshold of my humble home.
He has obsessive-compulsive disorder related to cleanliness.
I raise chickens in my yard.
I could feel him getting closer to me, step by step.
Every pore on my body was repelling his scent.
But his scent still enveloped me.
The naivety of youth is washed away by the coming-of-age ceremony, and the man's unique temperament makes him more dangerous.
He took the basket from my hand: "Aqu, go back and see, I've prepared a gift for you."
“Aqu is also preparing a gift for His Highness.”
My hands kept embroidering.
He pinched my fingers that were holding the needle and put the embroidery hoop and needle into the hoop.
I got up and took two steps to create distance between myself and him.
I stood by the window, my gaze falling on Xiao Zuo, who was searching for ripe grapes under the grape trellis in the yard.
"Congratulations on your marriage, Your Highness. We hope you will soon have a legitimate son."
"Your Highness, please take Xiaozuo back with you when you leave."
Xiao Zuo, whose name was called, quickly withdrew his hand from picking grapes and stood obediently to the side.
“Aqu cannot escape His Highness’s grasp.”
He came close to me, played with my fingers, and pinched my fingertips.
He liked the moment when my fingertips turned white when I squeezed them lightly, and then quickly regained their color when I let go.
"When will my little one be willing to go back?"
“Aqu and others will receive His Highness according to the rules for taking a concubine.”
I let him play with my fingers.
He turned me around and lowered his head to kiss me.
I obediently let him kiss me, my eyes reddening with grievance, and I raised my arms to hug his waist, sobbing in his embrace.
By inserting a third party into the romance, they always manage to capture the details that showcase their own persona.
The stubborn girl gets jealous and angry, but then becomes obedient again.
What else can we do besides coaxing and spoiling them?
Xiao Cong led Xiao Zuo away.
But he wouldn't let me leave Yicheng.
After seeing him off, I locked myself inside, clutching my chest and panting.
See, as long as you persevere, success is just around the corner.
*
Next, I maintained contact with Xiao Cong while trying to find out if someone was still protecting me in secret.
I actively and deliberately planned to leave.
Lin Wanru is actively trying to help her eldest son consolidate his position as the Crown Prince's wife.
At the end of the year, news broke that Lin Wanru was four months pregnant.
Having a son makes one's back strong.
Since I was all alone, it was easier for Lin Wanru to scheme against me.
I recorded everything she did in detail.
The only one who could severely injure Lin Wanru was Xiao Cong.
I silently planted mines.
In the end, it was the bomb that Lin Wanru planted that exploded on me first.
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