Chapter 23 Kissing him until he cried
[Official First Release]
This soft moan was like a drop of water falling into boiling oil. Yan Xuecui felt his blood surging beneath his skin, his whole body trembling, and he wished he could mash her into his own body.
But his remaining reason told him that she had someone else in her heart, and that she wanted to bewitch him and take his life.
The Chi family has many ties with Prince Xuan, making her identity even more suspicious. Whether she works for Prince Xuan or harbors other feelings, keeping her by one's side is fraught with danger.
However, Yan Xuecui could not control her instinctive desires, and the two conflicting forces within her body kept tearing and struggling.
A being within her flesh and blood clamors to be close to her, to entwine tightly with her, to soothe the restlessness and emptiness in her heart.
Another force insisted on pulling him back from his despair, saying that it was all an illusion, that her gentleness was nothing but a veiled attack, and that her resistance was a tactic of retreating to advance.
You are just a woman, always so reserved and self-possessed, and you pride yourself on your intelligence. Knowing that there is an abyss ahead, do you still want to indulge in this moment of tenderness?
Chi Ying's whole body was tense. The tingling pain in her earlobes made her back go cold, but her cheeks felt as hot as if they were on fire, as if she were being tormented by extreme cold and heat.
Did he hear something she was talking nonsense in her sleep?
But she wasn't lying; she did dream of him, and Chi Yingyue also called Yin Shi "Mother," so there was nothing wrong with it.
So what exactly is he suspecting? Is there another prince?
“Your Highness…” she called softly.
Chi Ying could only hear his extremely restrained breathing beside her ear, hot and rapid spraying onto her face. Their skin was pressed together, and she could even clearly feel his suppressed trembling.
I couldn't help but recall the old ailment he mentioned that night.
She was determined to leave and had never asked Aunt Fangchun what her old illness was. Only after that night did she vaguely know that perhaps being close to someone could soothe his restless emotions.
The red marks on his neck the night before, and the sensation of his knuckles, were perhaps helpless actions taken when his old ailment flared up.
Chi Ying slowly exhaled, loosened her grip on the blankets, and carefully embraced the man's slightly trembling body, trying to calm him down.
Admittedly, the picture book depicts many poses, which may not be perfectly accurate in reality, but there are countless ways to bring pleasure.
But she was thin-skinned and timid. Even if she had a hundred times the courage, she would never be able to provoke or offend him like the woman in the painting.
Chi Ying sighed inwardly, and with all her courage, she could only clumsily hold him like this. The evening breeze drifted in through the latticed window, carrying the lingering warmth of dusk and the fragrance of grass and trees. The flame on the candlestick danced in the breeze, and the alternating light and shadow quietly flowed across the gilded curtains. Even the tiny specks of light floating in the air seemed to slowly come to a standstill.
The girl's embrace was light and soft, her warm body temperature seeping through his thin nightgown and flowing silently into his barren and cracked territory.
Even being held so gently by her couldn't quell the longing in his heart. The emptiness beneath his skin desperately needed to be filled. He slowly pressed his face against her cheek, instinctively nestling against her neck, gently rubbing against her soft, delicate skin. It was as if he had finally found a sense of belonging, and his body and mind were satisfied like never before.
Chi Ying found it difficult to articulate her feelings at that moment.
He seems... a little attached to her.
After an unknown amount of time, the person beside me began to breathe steadily.
Chi Ying swallowed hard and explained softly, "I'm not lying. I did see Your Highness in my dream just now."
Yan Xuecui leaned quietly against her neck, her face close to hers, feeling the soft voice emanating from her warm, slender neck.
After a long silence, he asked calmly, "What did you dream about me?"
She seemed unable to come up with a better answer, so she pursed her lips and truthfully said, "I dreamt that His Highness wanted to kill me."
His reputation was already bad, so this answer was understandable.
Yan Xuecui chuckled softly, her fingertips tracing her hair as she pressed, "Then do you know why I want to kill you?"
His tone was calm, which gave her a genuine illusion of gentleness.
A faint bitterness welled up in Chi Ying's heart: "Maybe I did something wrong."
Yan Xuecui stroked the throbbing veins on the side of her neck, coaxing her gently: "What did you do wrong that I would want to kill you?"
Chi Ying naturally couldn't tell the truth.
Since she discovered the existence of the Soul-Separating Pill, she thought he would change his opinion of her and no longer suspect her of plotting to assassinate her. But today, for some reason, he is convinced that she is lying... Perhaps, he has never fully trusted her.
Yan Xue Cui gently reminded her, "Have you thought about the reason? You've hesitated for a long time, Your Highness."
The man's breath brushed past her ear, and Chi Ying's hair stood on end instantly. "I...I don't know either."
Yan Xuecui scoffed, "You don't know?"
Chi Ying's ears were a little itchy, so she turned her head slightly to make way. Noticing his pursed lips, she was startled and tightened her arms around him, holding him even closer.
Perhaps it was because she tightened her grip too much, aggravating his old injuries. In the instant she tightened her grip, she clearly heard a muffled groan escape from the man's throat, his breathing trembling slightly, but it didn't seem to be purely caused by pain. There seemed to be an indescribable... tenderness in the low groan.
She must have misheard.
Chi Ying blushed and frantically tried to let go of him, but at that moment, she heard the man's almost hoarse voice.
"Don't let go."
Chi Ying was taken aback, then tightened her grip on his waist again, and stammered, "Okay, I won't let go."
They were very close to each other, their pulses seemed to intertwine and collide across their chests.
Chi Ying remained silent for a long time before mustering her courage and saying, "Whether Your Highness believes it or not, I have never had the slightest intention to harm you, and I don't know why you would suspect me of having ulterior motives. My mother is kind and generous, and Your Highness is also... gentle and considerate towards me. Now that I have married into this family, all I ask for is to live a peaceful life with you, and I have never thought of anything else."
Yan Xuecui smiled slightly: "Does the Princess want to live a good life with me?"
Chi Ying nodded: "Mm."
In the past, she would have taken a "do it one day at a time" attitude, and if she encountered difficulties, she would want to switch identities with Chi Yingyue. But now that her way out is cut off, she can only give up her thoughts and cautiously establish herself in the Prince's mansion. As for how long she can stay under her name, no one can say for sure what the future holds. Maybe it will be a year or two before the situation changes, or maybe it will be a long time. Living well in the present is the most important thing.
Yan Xue Cui suddenly asked, "Does your mother share the same idea?"
Chi Ying was taken aback, wondering why he suddenly mentioned the Yin family. Could it be that his trusted confidant had overheard her conversation with the Yin family?
Her head was buzzing, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
The two remained in an embracing position, and her uncontrollable heartbeat was easily noticed by the man.
Chi Ying's palms were sweating. She forced herself to calm down and pretended to be confused: "Mother naturally hopes that His Highness and I will live in harmony."
Yan Xuecui hummed in agreement and said, "Madam Yin has put a lot of thought into this. The Princess did not return last night, which suggests that she is extremely filial to her mother."
Chi Ying nodded guiltily.
A strand of hair fell onto Yan Xuecui's neck. He lowered his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Does Madam Yin know that we have not yet consummated our marriage?"
Chi Ying was taken aback for a moment, "I...I know."
Yan Xuecui: "Did anyone urge you?"
Chi Ying didn't know what he was trying to say, and replied in a matter-of-fact manner, "Yes, there are."
Yan Xuecui: "Then what do you think about it yourself?"
Chi Ying: "..."
She had just returned from the Chi residence and slept for half a day when she opened her eyes to face this problem again.
However, this time when she returned, the situation was different from before. Before, she always tried to distance herself from him and not let herself get too involved. But now she had to continue playing the role of Chi Yingyue, and consummating the marriage was inevitable. If she kept delaying, it would only arouse suspicion.
Chi Ying pursed her lips and said softly, "As long as Your Highness is willing, I will certainly cooperate."
Yan Xuecui chuckled softly, her fingertips gently stroking her cheek. "Outsiders all say that the princess is beautiful and unparalleled in her youth. Don't you feel wronged to marry a blind man like me?"
Chi Ying hurriedly replied, "Your Highness is of noble birth and possesses exceptional elegance; it is I who am unworthy to be worthy of your name."
His palms were warm, with calluses on his fingertips, and they had an undeniable presence on his cheeks. Suddenly, he asked, "Then why were you crying in your dream just now?"
Chi Ying stared at him in a daze. Did he think that she was crying in her dream because she didn't want to marry him?
Therefore, it's true that her cheeks were wet in her dream, and she vaguely felt like she was being licked...
He... licked away her tears?
Thinking of this, Chi Ying's face quickly heated up, and her blood seemed to flow faster throughout her body.
"I..." She quickly thought of how to respond, but when she couldn't think of anything to say, she cautiously asked, "Did I cry?"
Yan Xuecui laughed again, this time laughing so hard his whole body was shaking. The two were already tightly embracing, and Chi Ying was rocked by him for a long time, feeling embarrassed and helpless as if her feelings had been exposed.
He laughed so hard his forehead touched the corner of her lips, and Chi Ying was so startled that she immediately pursed her lips and held her breath.
But somehow, as if responding reflexively, or perhaps because she had been holding her breath for too long and subconsciously took a breath, her lips parted slightly and then touched his forehead without warning.
The two of them froze almost simultaneously.
Chi Ying was instantly flustered, her face turning so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
At the same time, she vaguely sensed something slowly rising beneath her. In fact, she had sensed its presence from the beginning, but she had always thought it was the jade pendant on his waist or other ornaments. But now, the unfamiliar outline was pressing against her more and more clearly, and her whole body tensed up, yet she dared not move easily.
Yan Xue's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, but the corners of her lips curved into a smile, as if she were asking curiously, "You kissed me?"
Chi Ying was surprised that he actually said that. Her cheeks burned, and her heart pounded against his chest.
"I..." She was so nervous that she didn't know how to start, her throat was so dry it felt like it was on fire.
Just then, a gurgling sound came from inside their stomachs, breaking the eerie silence between them.
Chi Ying blushed deeply and lowered her head in embarrassment.
Yan Xue Cui pressed her eyelids down heavily, and after a long while asked, "Are you hungry?"
Chi Ying bit her lip: "A little. I was a bit tired when I got back to the manor today, so I didn't have lunch."
Yan Xue sighed softly and finally got up from her embrace. "Have someone serve the meal."
He wouldn't be so impatient as to bully a hungry princess.
Chi Ying felt as if she had been granted a pardon and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
As she got up to change, her gaze darted over and she saw him sitting rather languidly on the edge of the bed, yet his robes were still taut, and he even exuded a certain arrogance.
She had seen the picture book, so she naturally knew what it meant.
Feeling a mix of panic and shyness, she felt as if she had done something wrong, but she was also unethically shirking responsibility and had no intention of cleaning up the mess.
But then an untimely thought popped into his mind: he's blind, so perhaps... perhaps he doesn't even know he's like this?
After all, he couldn't see her, and he couldn't possibly touch her to confirm it in front of her.
Clinging to a sliver of hope, Chi Ying quickly changed her clothes and went to the next room for her meal.
Cheng Huai was waiting for orders in the corridor. After bowing to the Princess Consort, he saw people step into the side room and then entered with two maids, Lianyun and Fengyue, to report.
Cheng Huai bowed his head in greeting, trying to ignore the wrinkles in his prince's robes, and said solemnly, "I followed the princess back to the mansion, but it was inconvenient to get close to the women's quarters in the inner courtyard. So the two of them stayed close to the princess and Madam Yin to take orders. After two days, I have made some discoveries."
Yan Xuecui took a sip of tea and asked, "What did you find?"
Lian Yun truthfully replied, "The Princess ordered us to wait outside while she spoke quietly with Madam Yin inside. However, the two of them argued as soon as they entered, unlike their harmonious relationship outside."
Yan Xuecui remembered that when Xiangqin returned to the manor last time, Madam Yin also gave her a scolding.
Feng Yue said, "This servant's hearing is poor. I only vaguely heard the Princess say that she wanted to 'switch back,' but Madam Yin refused. Fearing that Your Highness might discover something, the Princess said, 'At worst, we'll fight to the death,' and that she would come back to confess to you."
Yuan De looked at his prince with a stunned expression: "What other secrets is the princess hiding that she is preparing to confess to you?"
Yan Xuecui's thoughts lingered on that seemingly unrelated phrase—"Change it back."
Change, return, come.
In an instant, countless questions in my mind unfolded like a scroll.
As far as he knew, the eldest daughter of the Chi family was the only daughter of the Yin family. She was spoiled and domineering from a young age, but the one in the mansion was gentle and reserved. She would even tremble unconsciously when she spoke to him.
She was always quiet, never critical, never temperamental, and never harsh on her servants. On several occasions, she used her parents' teachings and repentance as a pretext to try to cover up the fact that her nature had changed. In fact, her two temperaments were completely different.
Chi Yingyue loved fine jewelry and fine clothes and enjoyed associating with noble ladies. However, after being in the mansion for more than a month, she was never seen taking any gold or silver from the mansion's treasury, nor did she ever go out for tea or leisure with her old friends. She only tended to her small plot of land every day.
This noble lady, who never lifts a finger, is skilled at treating wounds and making all kinds of pastries, yet she is never seen touching the zither, which she should be most proficient in.
When the imperial decree for marriage was issued, she even declared that she would "die rather than marry him." However, after entering the mansion, apart from being overly timid and cautious in her words and actions in front of him, she did not cry or resist.
He thought that the Marquis of Changyuan and his wife doted on their daughter, but the reports from their servants kept coming up with the conflict between her and Madam Yin. Since she was so beloved, they should have done everything they could to support her, so why would they say something like "implicate the Marquis's family"?
Perhaps it wasn't that she changed her nature under discipline, but rather that the woman who married into the family from the beginning was never the true legitimate daughter of the Chi family.
In this way, Lady Yin's rude attitude towards the fake princess becomes understandable.
So who exactly is his queen?
What was her relationship with King Xuan?
As for the Chi family daughter who is pregnant with the child of King Xuan... isn't Lady Yin just a biological daughter?
Yan Xuecui pondered for a moment, then asked, "When the Princess returned to the manor, what was the attitude of the servants?"
Cheng Huai said, "Everyone in the manor is extremely respectful in welcoming the Princess."
Yan Xue lightly tapped the table with her knuckles, ruling out the possibility that everyone in the Chi household knew that the Princess Consort's identity had been changed.
The truth will eventually come out. No matter how audacious Mr. and Mrs. Chi Mingxiang are, they will not let the whole family know about this matter.
The servants couldn't possibly fail to recognize the young lady of the manor, and the Chi family wouldn't choose a fake whose appearance and figure were completely different from hers to marry her off. Otherwise, wouldn't the secret be exposed once the princess went out?
Therefore, they should even be very similar in appearance and figure.
Was it a substitute bride specially found by King Xuan and the Chi family who looked similar?
Or perhaps, the two are actually twin sisters who look alike?
Yan Xuecui pondered for a long time before instructing Cheng Huai: "Continue to send people to keep an eye on the Changyuan Marquis's residence, especially the Yin family. Report immediately if they do anything suspicious or meet with any suspicious people."
If the princess were not the legitimate daughter of the Chi family, Madam Yin would surely have already made proper arrangements for her daughter; whether she lived or died, she would have somewhere to go.
The identity of the woman in the manor is fake; perhaps the one who is pregnant is the real Chi Yingyue.
Just as Cheng Huai was about to accept his orders and take his leave, Yan Xuecui remembered something and asked, "How is Madam Yin's headache?"
Cheng Huai recalled that day in detail: "Madam Yin was in good health and had a rosy complexion, and did not seem to have any injuries or illnesses."
Yan Xue smiled, her lips twitching slightly.
Returning to the mansion to see his mother was just an excuse. As for sending Baoshan to fetch a doctor, it must have been to deliver a message to Prince Xuan.
Princess, you seem docile and timid, but you always do things that provoke his wrath. You are terrified of him, so how could you have the guts to collude with outsiders?
He simply couldn't understand it.
...
After having dinner, Chi Ying returned to her room and felt an unusual tranquility in the atmosphere.
The man sat alone before the couch, moonlight streaming through the window lattice, casting flickering shadows on his handsome and refined face. His cold, grey eyes were lowered, their expression unreadable.
Chi Ying couldn't figure out his emotions; her heart felt heavy, and she felt a little breathless.
Just then, Yuan De entered, carrying a pot of wine, and gently placed it on the table in front of King Zhao.
Chi Ying glanced at Yuan De, who forced a respectful smile but didn't offer her any advice. He simply poured two glasses of wine and then stepped aside.
Chi Ying withdrew her gaze and looked at King Zhao again, her eyes subconsciously glancing down at his lower body, where the area seemed to have subsided.
She breathed a quiet sigh of relief and tentatively asked, "Would Your Highness like to drink?"
Yan Xue urged, "Hmm, it's been a long time since I've had a drink. Would Your Highness please sit down and join us?"
Chi Ying clutched her dress tightly. "I... I'm not very good at drinking."
Why do you suddenly want to drink?
Yan Xue urged, "This is Pear Snow Wine, made from pear blossoms that haven't fallen from the branches and snow water that hasn't been tainted by dust in the cold winter. It has a clear and mellow taste, and even women won't easily get drunk from it. Why don't you try it?"
Chi Ying couldn't refuse any longer, so she sat down and tried taking a sip. To her surprise, the spicy taste of the alcohol hit her throat, and she coughed several times, her face turning red.
Yan Xuecui handed her a handkerchief and asked how it tasted.
Chi Ying awkwardly wiped her lips. It wasn't that she couldn't taste the fragrance of pear blossoms and snow water at all. After a long pause, she finally said, "...It's very delicious."
Yan Xuecui smiled and gestured to Yuan De, who immediately stepped forward to refill Chi Ying's cup.
Chi Ying, who was not a strong drinker, was about to say that she would not drink anymore when she heard King Zhao say, "At the palace banquet tomorrow, you and I will have to toast our father, mother and brothers. Why don't we practice beforehand today?"
Chi Ying was indeed afraid of losing her composure in the palace. Although she never drank alcohol, she had heard that one's alcohol tolerance could improve with practice. However... she looked up at him. The man was blind, and if she secretly drank a little less, he probably wouldn't know. But Yuan De was watching her right now, so she had no chance of fooling him. She had no choice but to do as he said and try again.
Before she knew it, she had drunk three cups of wine. Chi Ying's cheeks were flushed and her eyes gradually lost focus.
When you feel dizzy and lightheaded and can't sit still, just lean to the side and you'll fall into a warm and solid embrace.
Yan Xuecui cupped her chin in her hand, letting her lean against her neck, and asked softly, "What's your name?"
Chi Ying forced her eyelids open, but could only make out the man's blurry outline. She opened her mouth blankly and said, "Chi... Yingyue."
The alcohol made her thoughts sluggish, but when the words were on the tip of her tongue, her inherent caution still led her to say Chi Yingyue's name.
Yan Xuecui asked again, "What do you want to do at Prince Zhao's residence?"
Chi Ying's eyelashes trembled slightly as she murmured, "I...I'll marry you."
Yan Xuecui ran her fingertips over her neck, gently stroking the throbbing veins beneath her fingertips, and continued to press, "Who sent you?"
Chi Ying felt a little uncomfortable from his pressure, her mind was in a daze, and her warm breath was on his neck.
Yuan De stood to the side, listening intently, but unexpectedly, His Highness's deep "Go down" suddenly reached his ears. He was startled and looked around. There was no one else there, so the order must have been directed at him. He could only wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and quickly bowed and retreated.
Xiangqin waited under the eaves. When she saw the wine being served inside, she couldn't help but feel flustered and uneasy. She wondered how much the Third Miss could drink and whether she would say something she shouldn't have when she was drunk.
Aunt Fangchun was overjoyed. The newlyweds were together in one room, and wine was served. It was obvious what His Highness wanted to do.
inside the house.
Yan Xue pulled the person in her arms closer and repeated, "Tell me, who sent you?"
He couldn't see her facial expression, but the disordered breathing and erratic pulse when lying didn't lie.
He used this method to interrogate prisoners in the dark dungeon, determining their weaknesses and whether they were telling the truth.
If necessary, he has countless methods to get her to talk.
As Yan Xuecui closed her eyes, just as her patience was about to run out, a warm drop of water suddenly fell down her neck.
His body stiffened slightly, as if he had been scalded by a tiny flame. He heard her nostrils flare slightly and quickly recognized what it was.
"Why are you crying?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse.
The woman in his arms clutched his clothes tightly, her body trembling. She tried to hold back her tears, but they flowed more and more, sliding down his neck and into his clothes, burning like wildfire all the way to his heart.
Yan Xue lowered her head, her thin lips brushing against the moisture in her eyes, and asked in a different phrasing: "Are you willingly marrying me?"
Chi Ying was dazed and shook her head, then nodded as if she realized something was wrong.
Yan Xuecui chuckled softly: "Since you're doing this willingly, why do you always want to switch back?"
Chi Ying frowned, her eyes red-rimmed, as if she didn't want to recall the past.
Yan Xue's lips curled into a smile, and she suddenly asked, "Do you want to kill me?"
Chi Ying's almond-shaped eyes were half-closed as she slowly grasped the meaning behind his words. Finally, she shook her head and murmured, "I don't want to..."
Yan Xue gently stroked her slender neck, coaxing her, "He didn't ask you to kill me?"
Tears welled in Chi Ying's long eyelashes as she shook her head in confusion.
Yan Xuecui was somewhat surprised, "Then what are you going to tell me?"
The person in his arms seemed to be caught in pain and avoidance again, desperately trying to hide their secret.
Yan Xuecui smiled nonchalantly: "To be honest, you're not Chi Yingyue?"
Upon hearing this in her dazed state, Chi Ying's body trembled involuntarily, and her breathing suddenly became rapid.
The answer is self-evident.
Yan Xuecui asked with great interest, "You don't want to marry me, but you want to marry Prince Xuan?"
Chi Ying's head was spinning. She could hear every word, but she couldn't understand what they meant when put together. Plus, she was drunk and couldn't hold on any longer. She buried her face in his neck and fell into a deep sleep.
Yan Xuecui was plunged into darkness. The girl's warm breath fell into his clothes and scratched at his heart.
He was fairly certain that she hadn't come to kill him.
No competent spy would be so unguarded as to get drunk in front of their target.
King Xuan wouldn't be so short-sighted as to place a woman who is powerless to even kill a chicken by his side.
He was willing to let her come, yet he took her earring.
Yan Xuecui scoffed. If the princess and Chi Yingyue were truly sisters, then his imperial brother's quirks could be considered a direct inheritance from their father.
It seems that only by bringing her to the palace to meet Prince Xuan at the banquet for all the beauties can she give him an answer.
Yan Xue picked the person up and gently placed him on the bed.
The young girl's breath was light and clear, mingled with a faint aroma of wine that lingered around her nose.
Yan Xue Cui suddenly remembered the warm, moist touch he felt when he traced her features with his fingertips on her lips and tongue that day, and he also recalled the sweet and soft touch on his forehead that moment on the bed today.
His heart began to flutter inexplicably, as if a worm was slowly gnawing at it. He could no longer hold back. He lowered his head, cupped her face in his hands, and tremblingly found her soft lips to kiss.
The aroma of orange blossom, mingled with the scent of wine, fills the mouth, creating a sensation like a stone thrown into a calm lake.
It was a completely different sensation from kissing earlobes or fingers. He could clearly feel the blood surging beneath his skin, as if countless things were exploding in an instant, and countless gaps were being filled.
The girl's lips were full and soft like flower buds. He held them in his mouth, forcing them to bloom. His tongue swept over her pearly teeth, and the electric-like tingling sensation extended all the way to the tips of his fingers, making him tremble uncontrollably.
He forced her to bite his tongue. The moment her tongue broke and she tasted the sweet, metallic taste of his blood, pain and pleasure throbbed wildly in her nerve endings, like a beast breaking free of its shackles in a gladiatorial arena, devouring its prey. It was a kind of visceral greed and excitement.
Yan Xue's throat bobbed rapidly, her eyes were bloodshot, and unfamiliar, scalding tears welled up in her eyes, silently dripping onto her face and lips.
He paused, remained silent for a long time, and accepted this absurd fact.
For thousands of days and nights, he had always been restrained and reserved, never allowing himself to show any excessive emotions or vulnerability in front of others. No matter how painful or embarrassing the situation, he never let himself shed a tear.
When the emptiness in one's heart is fully satisfied and comforted, even the hardest heart becomes like a mortal being.
So he can cry too.
Yan Xue lowered her head and licked the damp trail clean, bit by bit.
Chi Ying slept very soundly.
Even when she was half-asleep and in a daze, she felt like she was suffocating for a long time, which she thought was caused by pressure on her heart when she slept on her side.
To my surprise, as soon as I opened my mouth after waking up, I felt a slight swelling, pain, and numbness on my lips.
Chi Ying subconsciously touched her lips and found that they seemed swollen. She then asked Xiang Qin to bring her a mirror to look at them. Sure enough, her lips were much redder than before, and at first glance, they looked even more vibrant than if she had applied rouge.
The prestigious Prince Zhao's residence, Shuyu Zhai, would certainly not have any poisonous insects that bite.
Then it can only be him.
Chi Ying only remembered that he had persuaded her to drink a few glasses of wine last night, after which she lost consciousness. She never expected that he would take advantage of her while she was asleep to do such a thing.
Recalling the strange oppressive and suffocating feeling in her dream, Chi Ying's cheeks flushed and her breath became hot.
If he directly tells her that his old illness has relapsed and he needs her company, or even directly asks to consummate their marriage, she will not go against his wishes.
But this man always does his thing after she falls asleep. He gets intimate with her, but he doesn't know how to restrain himself and always leaves marks on her face!
Chi Ying only regretted that she couldn't hold her liquor and had gotten drunk last night... Wait, suddenly thinking of something, Chi Ying was terrified almost instantly, her clenched nails digging deep into her palms.
What was his intention in suddenly enticing her to drink?
Xiangqin was also filled with lingering fear. "Miss, why did His Highness suddenly offer you wine last night?"
Chi Ying's face turned pale: "I don't know either."
Xiangqin asked, "Did he say anything or ask anything?"
Chi Ying felt that the pear blossom wine was stronger than she had imagined, and shook her head, saying, "I can't remember... Did His Highness look anything unusual when he left this morning?"
Xiangqin thought for a moment, "No, His Highness seems to be in a fairly good mood."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xiangqin subconsciously glanced at her swollen lips. Chi Ying lowered her head, her overly red and full lips like rouge spreading, staining her cheeks and neck with a blush.
She was too ashamed to face anyone in this state, so she could only have Xiangqin apply a light rouge to the area around her lips to visually reduce the redness and swelling.
She comforted herself, knowing that since he left in a good mood, it meant that he had tasted the sweetness of success. If he had really gotten something out of her while she was drunk, he would have questioned her and dealt with her, and things would not have been so peaceful.
After breakfast, Chi Ying went to the storeroom and picked out several rather substantial gold ornaments from the Chi family's dowry. She instructed Bao Shan to go out of the mansion, secretly melt down the gold to buy Jiji Dan (a type of elixir), and then ask the real estate agent if there were any secluded and elegant private residences in the capital.
One pill of Jiji Dan costs ten taels of silver, while one tael of gold can be exchanged for ten taels of silver. Melting down gold jewelry to get money will not leave any trace on the market.
The gold ornaments taken out today are enough for Mother to take Jiji Pills for a while; this is what Madam Yin owes to them, mother and daughter.
She usually uses Xiangqin, but Xiangqin is Zheng Mama's daughter after all, so there are some things she finds difficult to do.
On the contrary, Bao Shan was able to invite Doctor Hu from Huichuntang to examine her mother's pulse last time, which was something she hadn't expected.
Although Bao Shan might not necessarily side with her, it was enough that she wouldn't cause trouble for her and her mother because of Lady Yin. Chi Ying felt at ease leaving the matter to her.
Bao Shan went out to run errands in the morning and didn't return until dark. She then recounted her day's gains to Bao Shan in detail.
"I exchanged the gold jewelry for thirty Jiji pills and have already returned to the manor to deliver them to Chunliu Garden. Fortunately, the Earl was on duty today and the Madam was not at the manor, so it went smoothly."
Chi Ying nodded. "Thank you for your hard work today."
Baoshan then brought up the matter of the houses, "Time is tight, so I only went with the broker to look at two houses. One is located in Caiyi Lane on Changqing Street. It is a courtyard house with one entrance. Although the location is remote, it is spacious and quiet. The rent is twenty taels of silver a year. The other one is in Liumian Lane in the east of the city, which is closer to the Prince's Mansion. It was previously occupied by a seventh-rank official. The rent was thirty taels a year."
Chi Ying hadn't expected that her trip would yield such detailed information, and that she would even find two suitable residences for her, thus saving her a lot of trouble.
Without delay, early the next morning, Chi Ying went out under the pretext of going to the market, hoping to finalize the house as soon as possible so that she could clean the courtyard and bring her mother out of the Chi residence.
Lianyun and Fengyue, two female martial arts maids, returned from the Chi residence and were ordered to protect the princess's safety. Naturally, they accompanied her on this trip.
Seeing that she couldn't shake off the two women, Chi Ying had to think of another way. Fortunately, Bao Shan remembered the location of Liu Mian Lane and instructed the driver to take a shortcut to Ruyi Zhai.
Bao Shan said in a low voice, "Liu Mian Lane is not far south of Ruyi Zhai. You can pass by it by going this way. Miss, you can take a look first."
Chi Ying nodded hurriedly, lifted a corner of the curtain, and the carriage turned a corner and drove into Liu Mian Lane, where a row of houses with black tiles and green walls came into view.
Bao Shan stared out the window, and when they arrived at the location, she immediately reminded her, "This is the room."
Looking out the car window, Chi Ying saw that spring was in full bloom. The courtyard gate was quite old, with peeling paint and a shiny brass door knocker. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, warming the lush green vines on the brick wall.
The carriage only flashed by, but Chi Ying felt cheerful as she listened to the laughter of women and children in the alley.
"This place is really nice. How did you find it?" Chi Ying asked, turning around.
Bao Shan smiled and said, "I just stumbled upon a reliable brokerage by chance. The broker probably saw that I was dressed as a maid from a wealthy family, so he didn't dare to cheat me."
Chi Ying nodded, no longer hesitating, and immediately decided to rent the house.
Money is not a problem, and there's no need to bother looking at the other place. Willow Lane is closer to Prince Zhao's Mansion, and we'll find a chance to visit Mother in the future.
He immediately instructed Baoshan on all matters related to renting the house and purchasing servants, and then took out a bag of silver for her. "Rent the house for a year first, and then buy two good maids to serve Mother. You can prepare the furniture, bedding, oil, salt, rice and flour. Once this place is cleaned up, I will find a way to bring Mother out of the Chi Mansion."
At this point, Chi Ying sighed. She had been focused on taking her mother out of the manor and hadn't thought about all this. Only when she actually started making preparations did she realize how many trivial matters there were inside and outside the manor. In particular, she had to avoid the eyes and ears of the Prince Zhao's manor in everything she did. Right now, she had no one else to rely on, so she could only entrust this matter to Bao Shan.
Feeling a little guilty, Chi Ying gave her two more silver ingots as a reward. "You've worked so hard these past few days, running around everywhere. If it weren't for you, I don't know how much effort it would have taken. When we return to the manor, I'm afraid Mother will blame you."
Bao Shan accepted the reward money and said with a smile, "Both the Princess and the Madam are my masters. It is only right that I do things for you."
The carriage stopped outside Ruyi Zhai. Chi Ying picked out a few snacks to take back, then went to the bookstore next door to choose a few books. She symbolically browsed a few shops, and then, under the pretext of going to a gold shop to buy jewelry, she instructed Bao Shan to go out and do some errands.
The two maids exchanged a glance after Bao Shan left, but their expressions remained unchanged.
On the carriage back to the mansion, Chi Ying opened the food box from Ruyi Zhai, picked up a jujube paste pastry, took a bite, and the aroma of the baked pastry mixed with the aroma of jujube paste instantly filled her mouth. It was soft, sweet, and made her mouth water.
It tasted just like it did many years ago. She remembered that year when Yin Cheng, the nephew of the Yin family, came to the mansion and bought a box of jujube paste pastries for Chi Yingyue. But Chi Yingyue was sulking for some reason and didn't want his pastries, so Yin Cheng gave them to her. She had never eaten such good things before, and she was naturally happy. But after only two bites, Chi Yingyue ran out of the house again, raised her hand and slapped the pastry box out of her arms. The delicate, flower-like pastries instantly shattered all over the floor...
She never ate it again after that.
Although she can now make them herself and doesn't have a strong craving for food anymore, she still wants to taste these pastries when she sees them.
Sure enough, sweets do make people feel happy.
After returning to her residence, Chi Ying took some snacks to visit Consort Zhuang.
Consort Zhuang was in good spirits and even basked in the sun in the courtyard for a while in the afternoon. Her complexion showed a rare rosy glow, which reassured Chi Ying.
Back at Shuyuzhai, after dinner and a bath, Chi Ying was about to take out the books she had bought and flip through a couple of pages when a servant came in to announce that Prince Zhao had arrived.
The familiar sound of bamboo canes tapping the ground grew closer and closer, as if each tap was striking my heart.
Chi Ying pursed her lips tightly; the redness and swelling there hadn't completely subsided, and the lingering sensation seemed to remind her—
How could he have sucked, nibbled, and kissed so relentlessly to leave such vivid marks?
Before I could react, the man had already stepped through the door.
He wore a plain white robe with landscape patterns, his black hair loosely tied up with a mutton-fat jade hairpin, and the snow-white robe swayed with his steps, with silver patterns surging as he rolled, as if he were bathed in the clear moonlight. He stood tall and elegant, with a remarkable demeanor.
Chi Ying's gaze, however, was uncontrollably drawn to his lips.
His lips were usually pale, but today they were a rare, vibrant crimson, even with a hint of brilliance.
Chi Ying watched him walk towards her step by step, her breath suddenly tightened, and her heart skipped a beat for no reason.
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Author's Note: The chapters after the VIP chapters have a super high amount of male and female lead content! I hope you all continue to support me. I'll be giving away 100 red envelopes randomly in the comments section! Also, please add this to your favorites. Thank you all for your support! [Please][Please][Please][Please][Please]
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