Chapter 56 Since you sincerely invite me, then...
Yan Xuecui gently stroked her palm, keenly sensing the change in her emotions, and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Chi Ying glanced at him furtively. His eyes were still dull and lifeless. She had confirmed it many times, but to be able to hit the bullseye every time while blind was not only impressive, but also terrifying.
On the night she returned to her parents' home, it would have been easy for him to take her life. She had a vague feeling that he had indeed considered killing her. He had long regarded her as a spy planted by someone else, and he spared her life only to see what she intended to do.
Chi Ying said in a low voice, "It's nothing, I'll go check on the mutton stewing in the pot."
She turned to leave, but was gently pulled back from behind, forced to look him in the eye.
Yan Xuecui asked firmly, "You were afraid of me just now, why?"
Chi Ying was surprised that he had noticed this, and pursed her lips, saying, "It's really nothing."
“I told you, you can tell me anything,” he said in a deep voice, “We’re husband and wife, aren’t we?”
Chi Ying could only say, "I just suddenly remembered that Your Highness's archery skills were also so superb on the night of my return visit."
Yan Xuecui's hand, which was holding her fingertips, paused slightly. Upon hearing the word "Your Highness," her heart inexplicably tightened.
Chi Ying said softly, "I didn't mean to blame Your Highness. You just suspected me of being a spy. At that time, Your Highness didn't know that we would have such a connection."
Yan Xuecui wanted to explain something, but she was unusually speechless. She was generous and understanding, and even made excuses for him, but this could not change the fact that he had repeatedly suspected and threatened her, a point he could not refute.
Before she could speak, Chi Ying said first, "Now that the fish have been brought in, and Your Highness has Qin Zheng protecting you, I will go back to the kitchen to get busy."
Chi Ying didn't want to dwell on the matter, nor was she bringing up old grievances; she only mentioned it casually because he insisted on asking.
She quickly composed herself and continued preparing dinner. Outside the courtyard, meat skewers and lamb chops were being grilled. Leg meat and lamb belly meat were being trimmed for scallion stew and clear broth. Some of the mushrooms she had picked were stewed with pheasant, some were simmered in mushroom soup, and the rest were stir-fried with mixed mushrooms. The main dish was braised rice with cured pork.
The stove was burning brightly, the oil was sizzling, and the rich aroma of stewed meat, the spicy fragrance of stir-fried ginger and scallions, the smoky aroma of cured meat, and the fresh aroma of mushrooms filled the yard.
These usually imposing and stern guards were all tempted, their eyes fixed longingly on the kitchen.
Several dishes were served one after another, and the lamb on the courtyard grill was almost done. The skewers of meat were turned over on the charcoal fire, sizzling and dripping with oil. They were evenly sprinkled with pepper and cumin, and the aroma of oil mixed with the charred fragrance of meat made one's mouth water.
Chi Ying brought the food to the table and said to Cheng Huai, "I made a lot today, so you can take the rest and divide it up."
Everyone was waiting for this, and they rushed over faster than anyone else. Who would have thought that they would be able to eat the princess's cooking in their lifetime? The soup was indeed fresh and delicious, especially the mutton. One bite and the meat juices burst out. The mushrooms were also bursting with juice, so fresh that it made your eyebrows fall off.
On Yan Xuecui's side, a table was also full of food.
Chi Ying ladled him a bowl of mutton soup and added a bowl of braised pork rice. "You eat first, I'll pick out the grilled fish."
Yan Xuecui said, "You've been busy all afternoon, eat first, don't take care of me."
Chi Ying laughed and said, "Do you think I haven't eaten? I tasted every dish first, and I'm not even hungry yet."
Watching him quietly sip his soup, Chi Ying asked softly, "Can you accept the taste of mutton? Don't you find it gamey?"
Yan Xuecui said, "In the past, when we were on the march, we ate under the open sky and on the ground. We could eat anything that could fill our stomachs. But later, I lost my sight and my sense of taste became much more sensitive than before. Gradually, my appetite faded. The people below thought I was picky, but actually, I just didn't want to eat much."
Chi Ying felt a slight pang of sadness. It was hard to imagine his state of mind over the past two years. His world was filled with darkness, with constant swordplay and shadows, and he didn't know whether the people around him were human or ghosts. He wouldn't even tell Consort Zhuang about his eye ailment. Who could he tell about his bitterness?
After hearing her remain silent for a long time, Yan Xuecui guessed what was going on and said with a smile, "Now that you are here, everything is more interesting and enjoyable. It's very good."
Chi Ying picked out some fish meat for him in a small bowl, and her tone became lighter: "Husband, you caught this fish yourself, why don't you try it?"
The tender fish meat is complemented by a crispy outer skin, and it tastes fresh without being fishy. The fish bones are removed cleanly, which always makes people feel at ease.
“That night when I returned to my parents’ home…” He hesitated for a long time, but in the end he couldn’t exonerate himself, “It was indeed my fault for scaring you.”
Chi Ying focused intently on removing fish bones. "I'm not blaming you. His Highness was in a difficult situation, and we had never met before. It was good to be cautious..."
Besides, she wasn't the real Princess Consort of Zhao. Even if he really wanted to kill her, it should have been Chi Yingyue who died.
Yan Xuecui replied, "But you've always been afraid of me."
His long-standing suspicion and probing had made her almost like a frightened bird. Even now, as he tries his best to please her, she remains constantly on guard, fearing that this gentle knife might strike her dead one day.
Chi Ying gripped the silver chopsticks tightly in her hand and carefully replied, "Your Highness is of noble birth and is revered by your subjects. I am merely the daughter of a minor official, and I naturally feel awe and respect for Your Highness."
She smiled faintly, "Even among ordinary couples in the city, wives usually respect their husbands."
Yan Xue lowered her eyes. He had a bad reputation outside, and he killed someone in front of her when they first met. Since their marriage, he had tested her in every way. Now, no matter what he said, it would be difficult to change his image in her heart.
Let's see what he does in the future.
After the two finished their dinner, everyone continued to feast in the courtyard. The mushrooms on the plates were completely devoured, the mutton soup in the pot was drunk to the last drop, and the mutton was also swiftly eaten up, torn to pieces, leaving only the skeleton.
Upon seeing Chi Ying, everyone praised her culinary skills, exclaiming, "We never expected the Princess to have such culinary talent!"
For a chef, the greatest recognition is when all the food they cook is eaten.
Chi Ying was naturally delighted, but upon hearing this, she still flustered slightly and said, "It's something I just came up with randomly in my spare time. It's a rare opportunity to show off my skills, so I'm glad you like it."
Everyone's mouths were glistening with oil from the meal. When they saw their prince emerge from the house in his white robes, and especially when they smelled the greasy odor filling the room, he frowned slightly. Everyone quickly promised to clean the courtyard spotlessly after the meal, leaving not a trace of dirt.
Yan Xuecui nodded, took Chi Ying's hand, and walked out of the courtyard. She asked her gently, "What would you like to do tonight? Enjoy the flowers, admire the moon? Or go to the boat to watch the stars?"
Chi Ying sniffed her clothes, feeling a lingering smell of cooking oil on her. "I need to take a shower first."
Yan Xuecui suggested, "How about trying a hot spring?"
Seeing his serious expression, Chi Ying tentatively asked, "Does Your Highness wish to come along as well?"
Yan Xuecui readily agreed: "Since you sincerely invite me, then let's go together."
Chi Ying: "...I didn't say that."
Yan Xuecui held her hand: "Your body is weak, so soaking in hot springs is good for you. Judge Lin also told me that hot springs can promote detoxification and are also good for my eyes."
Chi Ying sighed helplessly, "You've already arranged everything, why are you asking me?"
Yan Xuecui: "I'll listen to you."
Chi Ying carefully considered her suggestion: "We can't soak every day. Let's separate the two. I'll go today, and you can go tomorrow?"
Yan Xue asked, "I am blind. Are you going to leave me alone in the pond?"
Chi Ying: "Don't you have a personal attendant?"
Yan Xuecui didn't say anything. He held a bamboo cane in one hand and led her out with the other. He took big strides, and Chi Ying had to walk faster to keep up.
Seeing him remain silent with his lips pursed, she felt a chill run down her spine and cautiously asked, "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
“I’m thinking,” Yan Xue said, a meaningful “look” at her, “if I haven’t miscounted, you should have called me ‘Your Highness’ sixteen times today. Do you want to accept your punishment as soon as possible, or pay off your debt slowly?”
Chi Yingxin's heart sank, her voice already trembling with tears, as she hurriedly followed, "Husband, husband..."
She really felt like she was doomed.
Especially when she was forced to sit on the hot spring water, she was like a kite floating on the water, bobbing up and down, without any strength, as if she were being pulled by a string. Once she showed any tendency to rise, the string would pull her back hard, not allowing her to escape.
Chi Ying was soaking in the water, her whole body was soaked, her black hair clung to her fair and smooth face, and her whole body glowed in the shimmering water, like the moon soaked in water, lightly spread on the surface of the water.
In this extreme contrast of black and white, Yan Xuecui vaguely realized that she could see things more clearly.
It was as if there was a thin veil in front of him, or a curtain. When he got closer, he could see her features, her cheeks flushed red from the warm water, her reddened eyes, and even the sucking marks he had left on her chest.
In the past, he could only tell whether she was comfortable or uncomfortable by her voice, but now he could also vaguely see her expression.
It turned out that she liked to keep her eyes closed, her brows were always tightly furrowed, and she would bite her lips until they were red before making a sound. The water was inevitably a bit rough, so she had to bear with it for the time being.
Chi Ying accepted the punishment twice, but said the remaining two punishments were not punishments, but just routine procedures.
When she came out of the water, she was completely limp and had no strength to argue with him.
Wrapped in a thin quilt, she was carried back by him. Yan Xuecui showed no signs of fatigue. Afraid that her wet hair would cause her headache, he took a towel and personally wrung out her hair. Only after it was completely dry did he hug her from behind and put her to sleep.
Chi Ying opened her eyes groggily, only to see the window screen faintly white. Her eyelids were half open and half closed, and she didn't have the strength to move. She nestled in his arms, found a comfortable position, and continued to sleep.
She slept soundly until the sun was high in the sky. When she got up, the person who had held her for almost two hours the night before was already sitting by the window, calmly drinking tea.
There was even a chessboard set up in front of me.
Chi Ying stood up in astonishment: "Your Highness... my husband can see?"
Yan Xue Cui casually tossed a few chess pieces onto the chessboard. "Just for fun," he said, beckoning her to come and look.
Chi Ying then noticed that the black and white chess pieces were made of different materials. The black pieces were made of dark wood, while the white pieces were made of jade. The two could be distinguished by touch. The chessboard was also covered with horizontal and vertical lines. If you really wanted to play chess, you could slowly figure it out. However, it was difficult for an ordinary person to remember the position and route of the pieces when they closed their eyes. Yet, he had already filled the entire chessboard.
Seeing the astonishment on her face, Yan Xuecui couldn't help but smile, pulled her down to sit in front of him, and gently kissed her neck.
He got up this morning, intending to try whether playing Go would help his eyesight. After playing a game, he found that he couldn't calm down at all. All he could think about was her loosely tied black hair and her fair and delicate face.
Watching a game of chess is never as enjoyable as watching a person play.
He thought he would probably never be able to leave her for the rest of his life.
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Author's Note: I'm here! What have you all been up to these past few days? Did you go out and have fun? [winking emoji][winking emoji]
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