Аs if а mufflеd thunderbolt hаd struсk thе сrоwn of her heаd, Wаnwan stiffenеd all ovеr, nеаrlу lеtting оut a scrеam. How dare he usе his mоuth! Who gаve him реrmissiоn tо use his mоuth!
Furiоus аnd flustеrеd, her fаce flushed сrimsоn. "Hоw could yоu..."
A husband kissing his wifе is alwaуs а mаttеr оf соurse! Althоugh hеr baсkgrоund wаs eхtraоrdinаry, bringing status intо thе bedrоom would ruin the mоod. His faсе wаs rosу, unusually bashful. "Dоn’t bе аngry. Аs а wifе, уоu’rе bound tо bе kissed—surеly Nursе Matrоn told уоu thаt? Old rulеs аbоut mеn and women nоt touching don’t apрly betweеn husband and wifе. Resреctful distаnce is for the daytime; if we kept that up at night, where would the Heir Apparent come from?"
Wanwan was deeply frustrated. "Stop going on about the Heir Apparent—it’s not time yet."
She huffed angrily, puffing out her cheeks, her willow-leaf eyebrows raised in fury, as if her hair were standing on end. Perhaps that kiss had given her a sense of shame, as if she had been taken advantage of—but it was only her forehead! He had been afraid she would resist, so he had decided to take things step by step, only to be met with rejection.
Still, he was quite pleased—at least Xiao Duo had no chance in this lifetime. He leaned his face closer. "If Your Highness is truly upset, you can kiss me back. I’m ready."
Ready, my foot! He really thought he had it all figured out! Her face burned red. "How can you be so shameless? First you coaxed me into resting my head on your arm, then you... That treacherous sycophant in the book earlier was clearly you! How dare you even read it? The Prince truly has remarkable talent!"
He didn’t want to argue with her. After all, she was in his arms—that was the real thing. He replied calmly, "The book was found on Your Highness’s table—I didn’t bring it. Actually, it’s quite fitting when you think about it. You call me a treacherous sycophant, and the book happens to have methods for governing the treacherous. Your Highness can just govern me."
He was quick-witted, and Wanwan realized she was no match for him, growing even more furious and humiliated.
He continued to look at her with a gentle expression. "Don’t be like this. It’s not worth ruining your health over. You’re still young and probably don’t understand—when you deeply love someone, you always want to be close to them. There are so many women out there, but you’ve never seen me act recklessly. Kissing you comes from the heart—is it wrong to love my own consort? We’re husband and wife, meant to be together for a lifetime. No amount of affection is too much. If you make a fuss over this, people will laugh at you later."
Of course, matters of the bedchamber shouldn’t be made public, but it was truly infuriating. She had already suspected he was taking advantage of her youth, and now he was proving to be increasingly shameless.
She pushed him, but he was like a rock, unmoving no matter how hard she tried. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Let go. I don’t want to rest my head anymore. Everything you say is dishonest."
He nodded slowly, a hint of self-mockery in his smile. "I understand. You probably won’t believe me unless I cut my heart open. Think about the people in the palace—there must be a few who truly care about you. If they found out you weren’t doing well in the Southern Garden, would they be happy? I kissed you just now because I couldn’t help myself. If you think it was too much, pick a trustworthy Nurse Matron to come in and judge for herself."He employed a dual approach, and she indeed quieted down. Who in the palace still cared for her? After thinking it over, there were only a mere two or three. The Emperor was absurd, but he still had a heart that cherished his younger sister. The remaining ones were the Eunuch Official and Yin Lou. Yin Lou knew her secret; if she were to learn that she was struggling here, she would surely blame herself! As for calling Nurse Matron over, was he out of his mind? How could such matters be judged by others?
He pretended to get out of bed, and she hurriedly pulled him back. "Don’t go, or they’ll gossip..." With a pitiful look, she held her breath and tugged his arm, instinctively resting it under her neck. "Let’s not argue anymore. I don’t need you to bare your heart—even if you did, I wouldn’t understand. I’ve never been this close to anyone before, so it’s only natural I’m not used to it. There’s nothing wrong with that, don’t you think?"
Her tone was unhurried, like a gentle, flowing stream—perhaps shaped by the environment she grew up in, lacking confidence. If you were more resolute, she would think she must be at fault.
Her purity only highlighted his lack of integrity. Yet, being too honorable at such a time would mean he might have to wait another two or three years to truly enjoy a harmonious life together. In those two or three years, who knew what changes might occur? First, there was Xiao Duo, who had left her distraught. If someone else were to interfere later, even if he held the title of Imperial Consort, it would be in name only.
Fear of being abandoned by her, anxiety and unease—this mindset of wavering between hope and fear was just like that of the imperial consorts in the palace. Indeed, the Murong Clan was accustomed to dominance; in matters of emotion, they were always the rulers.
She had resigned herself to fate. Earlier, being kissed felt like losing a piece of her flesh, but now she had calmed down, lying quietly by his side, her eyes lowered to face him, as if she had mustered the courage to face whatever came.
"Wanwan..." he sighed. "Do you not like me at all? If you truly don’t, why did you give me hope at Tanzhe Temple?"
Her heart stirred. She had asked herself this question too—whether she had ever felt anything for him.
"At the Mid-Autumn banquet, you stepped in to help, sparing me from humiliation. I was very grateful to you. That trip to Tanzhe Temple, when you risked coming to see me, was also something I never expected. As for whether I like you or not, I can’t say. I just feel you’re not unpleasant, someone worth befriending, but..."
But Yin Ge’s loose tongue had let her know that he would stop at nothing to marry a princess, and all her goodwill vanished. A shallow affection, how could it withstand such a harsh frost just as it began to sprout?
He found her hand, wrapping her five fingers tightly in his palm, his attitude sincere, his tone mournful. "I don’t want rumors to affect the feelings between us. Perhaps you don’t understand me yet, but as time passes, you’ll naturally see my heart. I’ve said before, I noticed you ten years ago—not because of your status, but because of the connection between us. Just trust me. All those superficial things are false. My devotion to you is the only truth."He did not spell it out, but every word he spoke was an explanation. Wanwan listened, her stance softening, yet still harboring doubts. For instance, he knew about Xiao Duo and Yin Lou’s affairs. Why would someone as ruthless as Xiao Duo allow him into Tanzhe Temple? This point had always troubled her. Yin Lou had said that as long as she wasn’t marrying the Prince of Nanyuan, it would be fine. After the marriage was decreed, Xiao Duo had also hinted to her to be more cautious of the Prince of Nanyuan. It was clear that in their eyes, he was not a particularly reliable person.
Wanwan’s mind was a tangled mess. If there really was something amiss, why didn’t they just tell her directly instead of speaking in riddles? Thinking this through, she couldn’t help but feel hurt. To them, she was ultimately an outsider; they were the ones who shared life and death.
She remained silent, a small frown creasing her brow, looking deeply unhappy. He shifted slightly downward, meeting her gaze at eye level. “You don’t believe me?”
She nodded, then shook her head. “I wish I could believe you. You were right earlier—once I marry into the Southern Garden, you and I will be the closest to each other. Let’s set aside past grievances and conflicts for now. From now on, please be sincere and never deceive me.”
Naturally, he had no rebuttal. The arm beneath her neck tightened, and he finally held her close. She was tall for a girl, but in his embrace, she still seemed delicate and fragile.
He kept calling her name, “Wanwan,” each utterance softening strangely on his tongue. It had been a long time since she’d heard anyone address her like this. When her parents were alive, it was commonplace, but after their passing, only her eldest brother and Second Brother called her that, and even then, it was mostly “little sister,” rarely her given name. She had thought she would resent his forced intimacy, but hearing him call her this way, she felt a long-lost sense of simplicity. So, her pursuit of happiness was just this straightforward.
Through two layers of underclothes, they could feel each other’s bodies. This step was indeed a big one, and she still hadn’t quite grasped how it had come to this. She was nervous, afraid he might take things too far. His chest grew increasingly warm, as if cradling a brazier, ready to ignite at any moment. Men always carried a certain aggression, like the tigers and leopards she had seen in the Western Garden’s leopard enclosure—full of strength, poised to strike at any moment. She didn’t know how other newlyweds were, but she felt timid, especially with this person who was neither a stranger nor truly familiar. Being held like this in his arms, she felt genuinely afraid.
Yet the two of them experienced entirely different sensations. Warm jade and fragrant scent—only the dead could remain unmoved. Outside the window, a fierce wind howled, while inside, the heat felt like a steamer. He hadn’t expected to fall so deeply, to yearn so intensely that it became an obsession, etched into his bones, an ulcer that would persist until death.
His self-control had always been his pride, but now it was stretched to its limit, his mind nearly delirious. With one hand, he gently patted her back to soothe her. “Don’t be afraid, don’t fear me…” Yet somehow, as if guided by a ghost, in a daze, he found himself on top of her.
She stared at him in horror, her eyes widening with fear, her lips trembling as she asked, “What are you doing?”
He couldn’t even control his own breathing, and to her, he likely seemed like a beast ready to devour her. He said, “I’m sorry. I don’t know either.”He lowered his head to kiss her, but she turned her face away, causing his lips to land by her ear. She sobbed loudly out of fear, her chest heaving rapidly. Her slender neck could hardly bear such intense breathing, making her appear pitiful.
He was momentarily dazed, but she, with unexpected strength, suddenly pushed him off and quickly jumped out of bed. Barefoot, she rushed out of the bedroom.
Tong Huan and Xiao You were still awake. Since their services were not needed in the Main Chamber, they sat idly under the lamplight, sketching patterns and sewing shoe soles. Suddenly, the door was flung open with a sharp crash, startling both of them. They hurriedly stood up to look and saw the Princess Royal enter from outside, disheveled and tear-stained. Tong Huan was shocked. "What happened, Your Highness?"
Her lips trembled, her teeth chattering audibly. It took her a long time to speak. "Have a carriage prepared. I want to return to the Eldest Princess Residence."
In such a state, there was clearly no need to ask further. Tong Huan signaled Xiao You to go out and make preparations while she fetched a cloak to wrap around her. She led her to sit on the couch, poured water to calm her nerves.
Wanwan choked with sobs, shaking her head as she said, "I still can't do it. I truly can't. I never want to come to this Princely Mansion again. I want to go back..."
Her thin shoulders trembled violently, so Tong Huan had to embrace her, murmuring comforting words. "Alright, alright, we'll go back now. Don't cry. What's so terrible? You were prepared before you went, yet now you're so frightened." As she spoke, she examined her carefully. "Did the Prince of Nanyuan hurt you? Did he harm you?"
She said no, unwilling to revisit what had just happened. She only urged repeatedly, asking if everything outside was ready and when they could leave.
It was so late at night, and with heavy rain pouring, the Princess Royal's departure naturally stirred the entire Princely Mansion. By the time the Imperial Concubine heard the news and arrived, the Princess had already left. Seeing her son sitting there sullenly, she couldn't help but question him.
"What exactly happened? Couldn't you even wait until dawn, making her leave in the middle of such a rainy night?"
His face was pale, his fingers interlocked and pressed against his mouth and nose, leaving only his eyes filled with helplessness.
Unable to get an answer, the Imperial Concubine grew anxious and scolded loudly. "Why aren't you speaking? Did you argue? Or did you do something improper that angered her? You know she's delicate and precious, so you should be more considerate. After going to such lengths to marry her, you cause such a scene on the second day of the wedding. Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you? With such heavy rain, letting her leave in this weather—and you're sitting here slumped over, how can you bear it? Go after her now! Apologize if you must, admit your mistakes if needed. Between husband and wife, tongues and teeth clash, but you still expect to spend a lifetime together!"
The Imperial Concubine was impartial. In her view, if a woman was upset, it was always the man's fault. So without asking for details, she began with a harsh scolding.
Sitting in the armchair, he hung his head, powerless to refute. He sighed and said, "I can't go now. It would only add fuel to the fire."
The Imperial Concubine tucked her hands into her sleeves, frowning as she looked at him. "What exactly did you do to upset her, making her return to the Eldest Princess Residence in the middle of the night with such a commotion..." Then, as if realizing something, she asked, "Did you act rashly? Did you offend her?"
His pale face gradually flushed red. At his age, having his mother worry about such matters made him feel utterly humiliated and stripped of all dignity.The Imperial Concubine tilted her head to examine him. "Son, you're twenty-four now, old enough to understand things. How many deals can succeed by forcing an ox to drink water? It's not that E'nie is criticizing you, but ever since you were little, when your Ama trained you brothers—waking you in the dead of night with a gong from the Main Chamber—you were always the fastest to run out because you stayed alert, knowing exactly what you should do. Now that you're grown, an adult, you've actually regressed... She's a young lady who traveled a long way here, hasn't even figured out how many noses and eyes you have, and you already want to get close. What do you think is going through her mind? In this regard, you're not as good as your Ama. When I married into the Southern Garden, I didn't conceive you until two years later. Was your Ama not anxious? Yet he never acted like you." Her voice then lowered to a mutter. "Your son is already so big; in another three to five years, he'll be taking people into his own chambers. Yet here you are, a father still acting like a reckless youth. I'm embarrassed for you. What now? The matter's been exposed—do you still have the face to go see her? Is staying stuck like this a solution? Do you just want the title of Imperial Son-in-Law, or do you actually need a wife to settle down with?"
He felt utterly humiliated by the scolding. "My head is already full of troubles—please don't rub salt in my wounds. I know I miscalculated and regret it bitterly. What's the use of just blaming me?"
What's the use? Naturally, venting her anger first before thinking of a solution. Men, after all, aren't as meticulous as women—why else do so many lose control after drinking? Women are different; they're thoughtful and discerning, not just anyone can get along with them. Don't think that just because she married you, you're her man and can do whatever you please. Between husband and wife, mutual willingness is essential. Forcing the issue might work with ordinary women, but with the Golden Branch and Jade Leaf of the imperial family, it falls far short.
Mother and son sat apart, the situation grave as if facing a formidable enemy.
Madam Tala and Madam Chen arrived one after another. Seeing the heavy atmosphere in the hall, neither dared to speak.
After a long while, the Imperial Concubine sighed. "Here's what we'll do: tomorrow, have Lan Zhou and Lanting get up early and go serve over there. If it works, let them establish a foothold first, and you can benefit from your sons' efforts—slowly drawing closer is best." She then looked at Lan Zhou. "It's time for you to show your skills. Your grandmother (Manchu bannermen in old Beijing called their mothers 'Nainai' and their grandmothers 'Taitai') sees you as clever. Winning over your E'nie is up to you and your brother. Make sure to coax her well so she doesn't send you away. We'll deal with the rest later. Understood?"
Lan Zhou blinked his large eyes, sleeves hanging down, and replied, "I'll follow Taitai's instructions."
The Imperial Concubine felt somewhat reassured—at least there was one she could rely on. Although the Princess Royal was furious, she might still harbor some affection for children. Sending the children would be more effective than their father. Lan Zhou was clever and knew how to adapt, while Lanting needed to be warned not to cause trouble. That little bandit incarnate never rested from the moment he opened his eyes. The men of the Yuwen Clan were all refined and courteous, yet he turned out to be the rebel, hardly a day passing without him getting a beating."Where is Ting'er?" Imperial Concubine looked around but couldn't find him. Glancing at the group of women, she noticed even Madam Zhou was absent, shaking her head in disapproval. "What a wretched pair—mother and son cut from the same cloth, as if the sky falling wouldn't concern them. They eat their father's food, sleep in their mother's bed, and act as if missing a moment's rest would kill them."
It was Lan Zhou who stepped forward, clasping his hands respectfully. "Ting'er is still young and tends to get drowsy in warm weather. Please don't blame him, Grandmother. Tomorrow, I'll take him with me—we brothers will go together. I have my own ways to ensure he stays, so you need not worry."
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