Chapter 13 (Chapter 13) Buried deep against her neck
Yan Xuecui greedily savored the girl's soft, sweet scent, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Tonight she didn't use any incense; her own warm and pure fragrance filled his nostrils. He buried his face in her neck, feeling as if he were enveloped in a warm stream of water, which seeped into his barren heart, filling all his emptiness little by little.
The room was filled with bright red candles, their warm yellow light spilling onto the embroidered curtains. Time seemed to stretch out into the night, passing slowly and clearly.
Chi Ying felt the man's breathing become steady, and the burning heat slowly subsided. It seemed that the old ailment he mentioned had been relieved. However... he was too close. His high nose bridge was pressed against the veins on the side of her neck, and his gentle breath sprayed on her collarbone, causing waves of softness to spread through her.
Chi Ying couldn't relax at all; her nightgown clung stickily to her back, and her fingertips clenched until they turned white, barely managing to suppress the shivering in her body.
They were pressed tightly together when she suddenly felt a strange sensation on her neck. It was soft, warm, and slightly damp. When she realized what it was, Chi Ying felt a surge of heat throughout her body. The spot being licked felt like it was on fire, and a burning sensation rushed through her limbs.
Noticing the trembling of the person beneath her, Yan Xuecui suddenly awoke with a start, surprised by her own actions. She immediately stepped back, a chilling glint in her eyes.
With the distance between them increased, Chi Ying was finally able to breathe freely and finally saw the expression on his face clearly.
The man's cold, gray eyes held a hidden repression, but he eventually calmed down. His thin lips curved slightly, and his smile revealed a hint of disdain. At that moment, his cool, jade-like fingers climbed up her neck.
Even though it was just a light touch on her most sensitive and vulnerable spot, the suffocating feeling of being cut off at any moment made Chi Ying shudder violently.
Yan Xue lowered her eyes and said softly, "If the Princess Consort wants my life, now is the best time."
He seemed quite regretful, saying, "It's a pity you didn't make a move."
Chi Ying was stunned, feeling as if her blood had frozen.
"Your Highness, I don't understand what you're saying..."
Why would she want to kill him? What power did she have to take the life of a prince...?
She didn't even know why he suddenly thought that way; weren't they just holding each other tightly a moment ago?
Did they think she was an assassin sent by someone?
Just when Chi Ying thought he was going to interrogate her, King Zhao stroked her neck and said gently, "You must not miss this opportunity again next time, understand?"
Chi Ying felt a chill run through her body. She tried to comfort herself, but her voice seemed stuck in her throat, unable to utter a sound.
She watched as King Zhao rose from in front of her, fumbled for his cane beside the table, got out of bed alone to change his clothes, and left Shuyu Zhai.
Aunt Fangchun waited under the eaves, originally thinking that the two masters would be able to get things done tonight. Unexpectedly, His Highness left without saying a word. Although his expression was as usual, there was a hint of intimidation in the night.
Yuande and Qingze exchanged a glance and hurriedly followed. Aunt Fangchun had no choice but to go inside and ask the princess for the reason.
Upon entering, they found the princess standing blankly by the bed, her face showing shock and confusion.
Aunt Fangchun quickly stepped forward to help her sit down. "Your Highness, what happened? Why did His Highness leave?"
The two of them seemed to get along well during dinner.
Chi Ying shook her head, looking dejected.
King Zhao actually suspected her of harboring treacherous intentions and plotting to assassinate him. How could she bear such a grave crime as assassinating a prince?
The matter hasn't escalated yet, and King Zhao hasn't sent anyone to arrest or interrogate her. Perhaps he's waiting for her to take further action? Or perhaps he's conducting a thorough private investigation and arresting her only after the evidence is conclusive?
Chi Ying's mind was in turmoil. She didn't plan to tell Aunt Fangchun. If things got out of hand and they couldn't find out if she was an assassin, but instead exposed that she was impersonating the legitimate daughter, then there would be no way to turn things around.
Upon seeing this, Aunt Fangchun had a vague idea in her mind. Perhaps it was because her prince was blind that he had become somewhat disheartened in matters of the heart. This was a mental illness.
Chi Ying didn't sleep all night.
The next morning, he summoned Xiangqin and instructed her, "Today, I'll trouble you to go back to the manor and persuade Mother again, and ask Second Sister what she thinks."
Seeing her haggard appearance, Xiangqin couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "The marriage didn't consummate yesterday. Is it because Prince Zhao suspects your identity?"
Chi Ying was silent for a moment, then shook her head: "It's not because of that."
Last night, King Zhao left in full view of everyone. Although Xiangqin and the others dared not speak recklessly, how could they not have wild thoughts in their hearts?
Especially since King Zhao has a bad reputation, with some saying he is bloodthirsty in bed and others saying he is impotent. But the Third Miss did not suffer inhuman torture, so it can only be that she is impotent. This also explains why she left halfway through the night of their consummation.
Chi Ying was unaware that she was thinking these things. After hesitating for a long time, she still said truthfully, "Your Highness thinks that I... intended to assassinate you, and now you must be investigating my background."
Xiangqin stared in disbelief: "Assassination...?"
“I don’t know why either,” Chi Ying said helplessly, “but I have nothing to hide, I have nothing to be ashamed of. I’m just afraid that he will find out about my substitute marriage. Just in case, it would be better to switch back with my second sister as soon as possible.”
It would be better if she could return to the manor in person, but now that the Prince Zhao suspects that she has ulterior motives, leaving the manor at this moment will inevitably attract attention and make people think that she is meeting with assassins.
The only option left was to have Xiangqin return to the manor under the pretext of visiting her mother.
However, before Chi Yingyue's opinion could be sought, the matter was rejected by Madam Yin.
Upon hearing the news, Lady Yin was so angry that she slammed her fist on the table and cursed, "She must have said or done something, otherwise why would King Zhao suspect her for no reason?"
"She angered King Zhao herself, yet she expects Yingyue to clean up her mess? Don't even think about it!"
Xiangqin stammered, "Perhaps it's because His Highness Prince Zhao has frequently faced assassination attempts, making him suspicious by nature..."
Lady Yin angrily said, "Then Yingyue must not go! If King Zhao goes berserk, how can Yingyue survive?"
Xiangqin recalled last night and said cautiously, "Last night, His Highness did not fly into a rage, nor did he intend to imprison and interrogate the Third Miss. Once the Second Miss arrives, she only needs to be respectful and obedient to His Highness Prince Zhao..."
Madam Yin: "Shut up! Have you been bewitched by that Chi Ying? How dare you speak up for her? Don't forget who your master is!"
Xiangqin never expected that she would not only fail to persuade the madam, but also receive a severe scolding. She returned home looking dejected.
Seeing her expression, Chi Ying knew that there was no hope.
Xiangqin whispered, "Madam said that you should take care of yourself. If you cause trouble and implicate the Earl's Mansion, she will... she will stop giving Aunt Xue her medicine..."
Chi Ying collapsed to the ground as if all her strength had left her body, her face drained of all color.
She had been holding back her tears for the past few days, but now she could no longer contain her emotions, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Xiangqin sighed helplessly, patted her back gently, and whispered, "Madam asked you to take good care of this one. When Prince Zhao's attitude improves in the future, we will find a way to let you switch back with the Second Miss."
Chi Ying regretted that she hadn't thought of this sooner. King Zhao was capricious and now he suspected her of being with the assassins. How could the Yin family feel at ease sending their daughter to this dangerous place?
Xiangqin comforted her, saying, "Miss, our Second Miss is currently hiding in the villa, and everyone in the manor is keeping their mouths shut. No one dares to go out and spread rumors, so you can rest assured about that. The most important thing right now is to dispel His Highness Prince Zhao's suspicions about you."
Chi Ying's face was pale, and her clenched fingers turned white. "How could I not know? It's just..."
She still doesn't know what went wrong, why King Zhao suspected her, or when he started to suspect her.
Since her marriage, she had always been cautious and never had any contact with outsiders. The only exception was the day she returned to her parents' home, when she was kidnapped by assassins and nearly lost her life to his arrows. Later, she caught a cold and stayed at home for half a month. Just yesterday, she had paid her respects to Consort Zhuang with him, dined with him, and shared a bed with him. She almost thought that there was a new layer of intimacy between them...
Do I need to prove it myself? How can I prove something I didn't do?
Chi Ying had something on her mind, and she put down her silver chopsticks after only a few bites of lunch.
Bao Shan, unaware of the reason for the two masters' disagreement, privately suggested to Chi Ying: "How about you personally make some snacks for His Highness, or embroider a sachet and handkerchief for him and send it over? His Highness will see your thoughtfulness and all his anger will dissipate."
Xiangqin thought about it and agreed that it was a good idea. The Third Miss stayed cooped up in her room all day, and she was still suspected. It would be better to take the initiative to make amends in order to prevent the misunderstanding from getting deeper.
Actually, it seems that His Highness Prince Zhao is quite gentle and kind, but no matter what she says, the Madam and the Second Miss don't believe her.
Once the Third Miss and Prince Zhao get along well, the Second Miss can be switched back, and the Madam can rest assured.
Chi Ying sighed, slowly coming to her senses.
Regardless of whether she tries to make amends or clarify the situation, King Zhao will investigate what needs to be investigated. Now that she is in a dangerous situation, she must find a way to save herself. Simply running away will not help, but will only make people think that she has something to hide.
Making some snacks wasn't difficult, so Chi Ying went to the kitchen to prepare a few dishes to send to Yan Gui Lou, and also to Consort Zhuang, to show her filial piety.
Aunt Fangchun, however, was worried about something else entirely.
Knowing that Imperial Physician Lin would be coming today to treat His Highness's eye ailment with acupuncture, she waited outside Yan Gui Lou. Upon seeing him come out, she immediately invited him to sit aside and talk.
Seeing that she was stammering and hesitant to speak, Judge Lin said directly, "Aunt, please ask me whatever you want. I will answer everything I know."
Aunt Fangchun hesitated for a long time before finally speaking with difficulty: "His Highness has always been averse to women, especially after he lost his sight. Ordinary women are not allowed to get close to him. Yesterday, we finally managed to persuade His Highness to consummate his marriage with the Princess, but... but halfway through the marriage, His Highness left the Princess and left alone... You often come to treat His Highness, so you know his condition better than anyone else. Is His Highness suffering from a heart ailment due to blindness, or is it that... he is not satisfied with that aspect?"
After taking Yan Xuecui's pulse, Judge Lin waved his hand and said, "You can rest assured. His Highness's kidney essence is abundant and his yang energy is vigorous. He's just worried about where to release it!"
Aunt Fangchun's brows and eyes, which had been furrowed with worry, immediately relaxed.
Their prince isn't incapable; on the contrary, he's quite capable, even... to the point of being overly repressed?
A note from the author:
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King Zhao: I'm so angry! [angry] I need my wife to comfort me to calm me down, but is she going to kill me? [clown] I wisely chose to die rather than be killed.
Keep the red envelopes coming!
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