Chapter 7: Huai City

Sang Zhi nodded absently and said, "Oh," only belatedly realizing he meant today.

Her reaction was fierce. "T-Tai-zi Gege, that's too fast!"

Xiao Yan seemed to sense her resistance. His gaze darkened, and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Does little one not want to be the Crown Princess?"

Sang Zhi stiffened and nodded rapidly like a chick pecking at rice. "I do, I do."

"Then why can't it be today?"

As he spoke, Xiao Yan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

His deep, dark eyes fixed on her, missing no expression that crossed her face.

Sang Zhi's heart trembled. She remembered how the book described Xiao Yan: yandere, lustful, ruthless, with a nose bridge you could slide down...

The key point was that he was utterly unhinged and tolerated no one playing him.

Only after meeting the female lead did he become slightly more human.

If he found out she didn't want to marry him at all, this man would surely fly into a shameful rage—maybe even have the Emperor send her off to a foreign tribe in a marriage alliance.

Sang Zhi pinched her palm and whispered, "Yesterday Gege made a huge fuss looking for the person who climbed into your bed. If the Emperor grants the marriage today, people will talk."

Xiao Yan said lightly, "This prince does not care."

Sang Zhi looked up and glared at him. "Of course Gege doesn't care. You're not the one being criticized."

Looking into those shimmering, watery eyes, something soft in Xiao Yan's heart was suddenly poked. He melted.

True.

His little one had always cared about others' opinions since childhood.

Doing this would damage her reputation and expose her to gossip.

He hadn't thought it through.

"Then we'll wait a few more days."

He grabbed Sang Zhi's hand. His warm, broad palm enveloped her small one, idly playing with her fingers.

Sang Zhi's eyes lit up, still rejoicing over her narrow escape. She didn't notice Xiao Yan's intimate gesture. "Best to wait until after my coming-of-age ceremony."

Delay as long as possible—ideally until the male and female leads meet. By then, Xiao Yan might voluntarily give up on marrying her.

"The wedding can happen after the coming-of-age ceremony, but the date for the Summer Hunt must be set first."

As Xiao Yan spoke, he noticed the tiny dimple that inadvertently appeared at the corner of her lips. His gaze was drawn to it against his will.

This little fairy—how much nectar and jade dew had she consumed to grow up so adorable?

The Summer Hunt. Ten days from now, he could legitimately claim her.

*

At that moment.

Li Yu, a eunuch of the Eastern Palace, carried the still-steaming medicine steadily in both hands and walked softly into the inner hall.

His gaze fell on their tightly clasped hands, and his heart lurched.

Was His Highness no longer bothering to hide it?

He hurriedly lowered his eyes and presented the medicine with his head bowed. "Your Highness, the Princess Consort's medicine is ready."

Xiao Yan lifted his chin slightly, signaling him to set it on the desk.

Sang Zhi snapped back to reality. She reached for the bowl, only to realize her hand was still in Xiao Yan's grip.

His hand was broad and strong, knuckles distinct, perfectly wrapping around her palm.

She shot a quick glance at Li Yu beside them. A blush burned from her neck all the way to her cheeks.

"Gege, I need to take my medicine."

Sang Zhi felt awkward, unsure why Xiao Yan was holding her hand.

Was he treating her like a stress ball, the way he did when they were children, because her palm was soft?

The girl's voice was soft and sticky, tinged with helplessness.

A subtle flicker of desire stirred in Xiao Yan's eyes. He let go.

Only then did Sang Zhi hold the bowl and sip in small mouthfuls.

Xiao Yan sat nearby, cold white eyelids drooping, watching her movements with a blank face.

Sang Zhi's face was barely the size of a palm. Drinking medicine, she looked like a kitten lapping milk, burying her whole face in the bowl, utterly serious and focused.

The medicine looked pitch black. Xiao Yan could smell the bitterness.

But his Zhi Zhi had never cried or fussed over medicine since childhood. So obedient.

Xiao Yan's fingertips curled slightly. He deeply suppressed the urge to press her into his arms and shower her with affection.

It took a good while before Sang Zhi finished.

As usual, she showed Xiao Yan the clean bottom of the bowl, then stood and whispered,

"Tai-zi Gege, I want to go back."

A bit of medicine clung to her lips.

Xiao Yan wiped it away with his thumb, the motion as practiced as if he'd done it a thousand times.

"Let's go. This prince will walk you back."

Sang Zhi shook her head like a rattle drum. "No need. Gege must be busy."

She ran a few steps toward the door, then suddenly remembered something and turned back.

Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, falling right on her shoulders, setting off skin like ice and bone like snow.

"Tai-zi Gege." Her cheeks flushed slightly. She asked, embarrassed, "Can you... can you give me back my dudou?"

Keeping such a thing was truly undignified.

She'd burn it the moment she got back!

An obscure, dark light surged in Xiao Yan's lacquer-black pupils. He said calmly, "It's not with this prince."

He'd hidden it under his pillow.

Sang Zhi assumed Xiao Yan had disposed of it. She bowed and left without a backward glance.

Only after she was gone did Xiao Yan summon Li Yu. "Give the order. No one is to mention last night's incident."

"If Zhi Zhi hears even half a whisper of gossip, this prince will cut out that person's tongue himself."

The man's eyes were cold and thin, yet radiated an oppressive weight.

Nothing like his earlier lazy, gentle demeanor.

This was the man's true face.

Fear welled up in Li Yu's heart. "Yes."

*

Night hung heavy.

Yueli Palace.

In the bathing chamber, a faint floral scent drifted through the air.

The door pushed open. Doubao entered holding a freshly incense-scented ruqun in both hands, walking around the screen.

Catching a glimpse of the scene inside, the little maid's heart wavered.

No wonder rumors said that though the palace held countless beauties, none could compare to Ming'an Junzhu.

Her mistress truly had immortal grace and jade-like beauty—a jade nose, ruby lips, skin like white porcelain and frost-snow.

Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, loosely scattered over her shoulders, a few strands clinging to her full chest—utterly alluring.

Only, her mistress's body was a bit weaker than most.

At that thought, Doubao hurried closer, her tone concerned. "Junzhu mustn't fall asleep while bathing. You'll catch a chill."

Sang Zhi sat in the tub, hands resting on the rim, curled lashes lowered, resting quietly and obediently.

Hearing the sound, she slowly opened her beautiful watery eyes and yawned softly. "Doubao, I'm so tired."

She always felt exhausted after medicine—especially after being tossed and turned all night last night, not a wink of sleep.

Doubao smiled and scooped the delicate little Junzhu out of the tub. "Rest early tonight, Junzhu."

Sang Zhi murmured in agreement. She stood straight and turned around.

Only to find Doubao frozen in place.

"Junzhu, you..."

Sang Zhi followed her astonished gaze downward.

Cold white collarbones. Those two fair, soft places, covered in dense kiss marks.

Further down, her abdomen and inner thighs bore crimson traces, deep and shallow.

Even her slender ankle bone had a clear, distinct bite mark.

Sang Zhi puffed out her cheeks in anger and covered her chest with her hands.

They said the Crown Prince, long accustomed to high station, was ascetic and self-restrained.

Then who was it that had bitten her all over last night?

If she hadn't been tangled up with Xiao Yan herself, she never could have imagined that such an aloof, ascetic man had such a lustful, crazed side.

No wonder every inch of her ached.

Seeing the maid hesitate, Sang Zhi blushed. "Don't worry about it. A mad dog bit me."

Doubao was puzzled. Didn't they say His Highness the Crown Prince was impotent?

Why did it feel like... he was very potent?

No wonder His Highness had specially sent over fine Jade Skin Ointment today.

After a quick wash, Sang Zhi changed into a simple, thin dress and lay down on the bed, planning out what she needed to do in the coming days.

The Summer Hunt was in ten days. Before then, she had to find that person...

As she thought, drowsiness crept in. She rubbed her eyes without thinking.

By the time Doubao came in, Sang Zhi was already fast asleep.

The little maid tiptoed to lower the bed curtains and put out the lamp.

Deep in the night, all was silent.

At some point, a man's figure appeared in the room.