Chapter 9 intertwined with her rapid, panicked heartbeat...
Chi Ying could have used her cold to avoid him for a few days, but since Prince Zhao brought up Consort Zhuang, she could no longer use any excuse to delay, lest she be criticized for disrespecting her mother-in-law.
I took the medicine every day and took good care of myself. By early March, when the weather warmed up, I had finally made a full recovery.
Chi Ying composed herself and asked Xiang Qin to help her change clothes and put on makeup.
Before the mirror, Xiangqin helped her put on the earrings sent by the Prince Zhao, and her eyes lit up immediately: "These carnelian earrings really complement the Princess's complexion."
Xiangqin had also served by Chi Yingyue's side before, and she could now see that the second and third young ladies did have some similarities in their eyebrows and eyes, but upon closer inspection, they were not entirely the same. The second young lady was as bright and flamboyant as a peony, while the third young lady was as elegant and graceful as a crabapple. Both of them were rare beauties.
If the third daughter was excessively thin and frail last year, she has become like a crabapple blossoming brightly in spring, becoming more and more stunning each day after she has been well cared for.
Xiangqin felt guilty every day as she applied powder and rouge to her face, fearing that the thick, heavy makeup would tarnish the Third Miss's pure and beautiful face.
Chi Ying stroked the chalcedony beneath her ears. In truth, when she first saw these earrings, she had only one thought in her mind—they were precious and did not match her status.
If she could pawn these earrings, they would surely be worth a fortune. With that money, she would have the confidence to escape, and she wouldn't have to worry about her mother's medicine anymore... Unfortunately, she could only dream about it.
Wearing these earrings wasn't out of fondness; these ornate pieces of jewelry were no different in her eyes. It's just that King Zhao seemed to pay special attention to her jewelry, and last time he even inquired about her broken earring. To avoid him wondering, she should just wear whatever he gives her.
After breakfast, Qingzhi entered and said, "Your Highness, His Highness has arrived and is waiting for you outside the courtyard."
Even after not seeing each other for many days, Chi Ying's body still tensed up instinctively when she heard this name.
As he rose and stepped out the door, he saw a man standing outside in a white brocade robe with ink-wash patterns, holding a black jade bamboo cane. His figure was as graceful as clouds, sun, pine, and snow, elegant and refined, like a jade tree in full bloom.
Hearing the noise, the man turned around and "looked" over, "Is the princess's health much better?"
Chi Ying forced herself to get used to the title "Princess Consort," stepped forward, and bowed. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have fully recovered, but I have been suffering from a cold for the past few days and have been unable to go to Yan Gui Lou to serve medicine or attend to my mother. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
She had been coughing for several days, and her voice was still a little hoarse, like thin snow falling from plum branches, rustling past the eardrums, as if leaving a faint fragrance.
Yan Xue swallowed hard, gripping the bamboo cane tightly. “My mother prefers quiet, and there are many servants in the mansion, so there’s no need for you to attend to her morning and evening and serve her medicine. As for me… it’s true that I haven’t seen my wife for a long time.”
He turned and walked out of the courtyard gate, saying, "It's been so long that my injuries are almost healed, and I no longer need the princess to bandage and apply medicine, or run back and forth."
Chi Ying followed cautiously, sensing an inexplicable... sarcastic tone in his words.
Yan Xuecui noticed her gaze and raised an eyebrow slightly. "What, does Your Highness wish for my recovery, or not?"
Chi Ying was slightly taken aback and hurriedly said, "I naturally hope that Your Highness will recover, but Your Highness's words just now made me feel uneasy and guilty, and I don't know how to respond for a moment."
Yan Xuecui smiled and said, "I see."
Chi Ying pursed her lips and said, "Mmm."
Although King Zhao's health was closely related to whether she could leave the palace as soon as possible, she never had the thought of hoping for something to happen to him. The person who asked her to marry in place of King Zhao was the Yin family mother and daughter.
Outside Shouchun Hall, Chi Ying glanced at him discreetly, wondering how he would conceal it from Consort Zhuang. After all, blindness was no ordinary injury; it couldn't be hidden simply by enduring or concealing it. In fact, he had kept it a secret for over a year.
Yan Xue had informed her in advance of her arrival, and Aunt Qionglin was already waiting outside the courtyard gate. Upon seeing her approach, she respectfully stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Your Highness's Consort."
Yan Xue urged her to dispense with the formalities, and then asked, "How has Mother been these days?"
Qionglin said, "Her Majesty is in good spirits, but she occasionally doesn't recognize people or remember things. The few times she is lucid, she keeps talking about you and the Princess. She woke up this morning, and the female physician is massaging her."
Yan Xuecui nodded slightly, walked to the corridor, handed the white cane to the guard beside her, and stepped into the room unhurriedly.
Chi Ying followed closely behind, her eyes fixed on his every step, afraid that something might happen.
Fortunately, the brocade felt inside the house was laid out very smoothly, and the lampstands, incense burners, drum stools and other decorations had all been put in place in advance, so there was no obstruction.
Yan Xue stepped inside slowly and steadily, stopping just before the black lacquered longevity couch in which Consort Zhuang lay half-reclined, adorned with five bats. She bowed her head in greeting and called out softly, "Mother Consort."
Chi Ying followed suit and bowed to him.
Consort Zhuang had always regretted not being able to attend the young couple's wedding ceremony. Now, seeing her son and daughter-in-law, a perfect couple, she was overjoyed. She then pretended to be angry and looked at Yan Xuecui: "You, a noble lady, are so busy. It's one thing that you don't come to see your mother, but you don't even have time to accompany the new bride to serve tea?"
Chi Ying pursed her lips, a wave of indescribable shame washing over her.
On both occasions when she visited Shouchun Hall, Consort Zhuang was in a clear-headed state, treating her as her daughter-in-law and a younger person worthy of her care. During Consort Zhuang's cold, Consort Zhuang even sent people to deliver tonics, clothes, and jewelry. Consort Zhuang was a gentle and loving elder.
It's hard to imagine what she looked like when she had a hysterical episode and swung a knife at her own son, or how much pain she would feel if she knew what she had done in the future.
Thinking of this, Chi Ying raised her eyes to look at King Zhao.
His deep gray eyes held a hint of a smile as he calmly replied to Consort Zhuang, "The Ministry of War is busy with affairs and is preparing for this year's martial arts examination in the spring. I hope Mother will understand."
According to the established rules of the Great Jin Dynasty, when a prince reaches the age of fifteen, he will be assigned to various departments in the court to gain experience, so as to become familiar with the operation of the government and assist in the affairs of various departments. The cabinet, the six ministries, and the five temples are all included. On the surface, this is to cultivate his abilities, but secretly it is also a way for the princes to make friends with court officials and build up their power.
Prince Ding, Yan Xueji, had previously gone to the Ministry of Personnel. After Yan Xueji made military achievements in the northern frontier, he naturally went to the Ministry of War upon returning to the capital.
What Consort Zhuang didn't know was that he hadn't been supervising the Ministry of War for a year since he went blind.
She assumed he was engrossed in his official duties and had no time for his family. "Whether your mother is understanding or not is not important. You should ask your new wife if she is willing to be understanding."
Chi Ying was caught off guard when the mother and son suddenly brought her into the conversation.
Yan Xuecui looked over with a smile, seemingly asking deliberately, "Would the Princess be willing to understand?"
Chi Ying's cheeks flushed red. "I...I understand."
Yan Xuecui: "Mother, look."
Consort Zhuang glared at him: "You."
Yan Xuecui just smiled.
Consort Zhuang lowered her eyes, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over his bandaged hand. She immediately frowned and asked, "How did this happen?"
Chi Ying's heart tightened suddenly. Anyone with eyes could see that Consort Zhuang was looking at his hand, but Prince Zhao was unaware of it.
Fortunately, King Zhao quickly recovered, stretched his joints, and casually said, "I sustained some minor injuries during a competition while inspecting the garrison."
Consort Zhuang sighed helplessly: "It's one thing that you've been fond of martial arts since you were a child, but now that you're married, can't you be a little more composed?"
Yan Xuecui didn't argue and readily admitted her mistake.
Chi Ying watched the mother and son quietly from the side.
King Zhao's eyes... unless you look closely or think about his blindness, it's actually hard to notice the faint emptiness hidden beneath those gray eyes. Moreover, he speaks and laughs in front of Consort Zhuang, without any of the sensitivity, restraint, or tension of a blind person. He has excellent hearing and can adjust his gaze in time according to the voices of Consort Zhuang and Aunt Qionglin. His voice is gentle and clear, his eyebrows and eyes are relaxed, and he is very at ease.
No wonder Aunt Fangchun always said he was a kind person. It was only in front of the women of the Prince's mansion that his gentleness concealed his sharp edge.
Even in Consort Zhuang's eyes, he was still a troublesome child.
The unpleasant rumors outside did not reach Consort Zhuang's ears. Shouchun Hall was like a secluded paradise, far removed from all the sword fights and gossip.
Thinking this to herself, she found herself staring at him in a daze. Unexpectedly, King Zhao suddenly "looked" at her, startling her so much that she instinctively looked away from his gaze.
The chalcedony earrings made a crisp sound as they clattered together. When she came to her senses, Chi Ying realized that she had lost her composure.
He's blind, why is she hiding?
Yan Xue smiled and asked softly, "Your Highness?"
Consort Zhuang also looked over, only to see her daughter-in-law blushing under Qi Lang's gaze, her face full of shy sweetness—the newlyweds.
It was at this moment that she noticed the chalcedony earrings swaying gently under Chi Ying's ears. She naturally recognized the piece of jewelry and raised an eyebrow at Yan Xuecui, asking, "Did you pick out these earrings yourself?"
Yan Xuecui pursed her lips, "I'm sorry to have made Mother laugh."
Consort Zhuang smiled and said, "I knew you had a good eye. In the past, Grand Secretary Liu loved porcelain, and you, at such a young age, could tell that the crackling was not done properly. Minister Shen loved jade, and you could also describe the texture, luster, and carving in detail. For Princess Yuxi's birthday, the eight-treasure necklace you gave her was her favorite... These earrings also suit the Princess very well. She has fair skin, and they look beautiful on her."
Chi Ying silently watched the man in front of her, who was chatting and laughing as if nothing was wrong, and a pang of sadness welled up in her heart.
Just as a cook loses his sense of taste, a musician goes deaf, and a general is crippled, he cannot see the world, so he can no longer be carefree and unrestrained, nor can he see the scenery of the four seasons. The finest treasures and objects, in his hands, become nothing more than a gray and cold shell.
Everyone has a sense of regret for the imperfections of beautiful things, and Chi Ying is no exception.
Consort Zhuang then remembered something and asked with concern, "Yingyue, has your cold recovered?"
Upon hearing this address, Chi Ying immediately snapped out of her daze and responded as calmly as possible, "I have fully recovered. I am sorry for causing you so much worry, Mother. It is my fault."
Consort Zhuang: "We don't talk about these things as family."
She smiled as she looked at the young couple in front of her. "You've been married for less than a month. You should put aside your official duties a bit. You can always leave work on time, right? Spend more time with Yingyue. Our house has been quiet for years. It's time to liven things up a bit."
Chi Ying understood the meaning of those words.
Although she knew that King Zhao had no interest in romantic love and would not share a bed with her, and that she would not stay in the palace for long and would eventually have to leave, she still blushed with shame upon hearing such teasing.
Aunt Qionglin chimed in, "Your Highness, look, even the Princess is blushing."
Chi Ying felt completely lost, but considering Consort Zhuang's illness, she had no choice but to keep up the conversation for a while.
Fortunately, it wasn't long before Consort Zhuang looked tired. Seeing that Prince Zhao got up to take his leave, Chi Ying secretly breathed a sigh of relief and helped Consort Zhuang back to bed.
Turning around, she realized with a start that the drum stool they had just been sitting on was located directly to the left and slightly in front of Prince Zhao. He needed to carefully navigate around the stool to avoid tripping, and seeing that Prince Zhao was about to bump into it, Chi Ying's heart tightened, and almost instinctively she stepped forward to support his arm, "Your Highness..."
Still shaken, she whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Watch your step."
Yan Xuecui remained silent for a moment, feeling the warmth and tightness of the palm covering his arm. He closed his eyes and suppressed the surging desires beneath his skin.
Chi Ying didn't notice the slight change in his expression, but she seemed to feel a strong pulse in his wrist.
It intertwined with her rapid, panicked heartbeat.
Even though it was just a forced contact in a moment of panic, she still felt deeply embarrassed. She helped him around the drum stool, then promptly let go of his hand and carefully followed beside him.
Yan Xuecui felt the touch on her arm slowly disappear, and the slight warmth that had seeped into her clothes through her palm also slowly dissipated.
His brows were slightly lowered, as if something had been removed from his eyes, and a subtle sense of emptiness spread through his heart like a spider web.
Chi Ying walked to the corridor and waited for the cool breeze to blow away the dryness on her face. Only then did her mood slowly calm down. She wanted to explain herself for her abruptness just now, and she also wanted to tell him not to take Consort Zhuang's words to heart and that there was no rush to consummate the marriage, but she did not know how to start the conversation.
The guards waited at the bottom of the stone steps, and when they saw King Zhao come out, they immediately handed him the bamboo staff.
Aunt Fangchun, who was standing by his side, seized the opportunity to step forward and said, "Your Highness, now that the Princess Consort's cold has healed and Your Highness's injuries have also greatly improved, why not return to Shuyu Zhai as soon as possible? Consort Zhuang is hoping that you and the Princess Consort will be married soon. If this continues, I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain to Her Highness..."
Chi Ying's heart skipped a beat. Seeing that Prince Zhao had stopped, she quickly said, "Your Highness is very busy with official duties. This consummation ceremony..."
"The wedding ceremony," King Zhao pressed his fingertip against the black jade inlaid on the head of his staff, and readily turned to Fangchun, "Let's proceed with the preparations as you wish."
A note from the author:
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Thank you for the nutrient solution, babies! Here are 30 random little red envelopes! [cat emoji][cat emoji][cat emoji]
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