Chapter 61-Part 1

Feng Liwu had endured half a day, and now, as he inhaled the faint scent of soapberry wafting from the young tutor, it was as if a flame had been lit within him, ready to ignite in the next moment.

He leaned in close to her ear and whispered something in a low voice.

Jiang Xiurun’s eyes immediately widened, round as peeled eggs, shocked that someone could say something so shameless….especially someone as typically aloof and proud as Feng Liwu.

“Hurry, I can’t control the effects of the medicine any longer…” he murmured, his voice thick with the fog of clouded judgment.

The Crown Prince seemed overwhelmed; his senses dulled.

In their rolling about, the delicate canopy of the short couch they had recently moved in—covered with layers of sheer fabric—fell from its golden hooks and completely draped over the low couch.

It wasn’t until afterward that Jiang Xiurun began to piece things together.

The Crown Prince had married three new concubines into his household all at once, yet hadn’t even bothered to throw a banquet.

This stingy prince had clearly calculated that none of these women were worth the expense and had saved himself the cost of the banquet!

That wild night aside, as dawn approached and the air cooled, Jiang Xiurun smoothed her disheveled hair and peeked outside the curtains to check the sky.

Then, with a pale face, she turned back to the Crown Prince, who was still lying on her bed, unwilling to leave.

“Your Highness,” she said, “the sun is rising. If you stay any longer and someone sees you, there will be gossip about you.”

Feng Liwu had just taken a brief nap and was feeling quite refreshed, still savoring the softness of her hands.

Still groggy, he closed his eyes and lazily massaged her wrist, saying, “Weren’t you just complaining about sore hands? Let me massage them for a while longer.”

Jiang Xiurun, now unable to bear hearing any mention of her hands, didn’t dare to swat his hand away.

She whispered softly, “It’s better now, Your Highness. Please, get up.”

It took all her effort to finally coax Feng Liwu out of bed and off the soft goose-feather couch.

Unable to summon the maids, she quickly and deftly helped the Crown Prince dress.

The undergarments were too soiled to wear, so Jiang Xiurun dressed him in his outer clothes and thought to herself that once the Crown Prince left, she would throw the soiled clothes into the fire.

But Feng Liwu spoke up, “Wash them for me and return them.”

The Crown Prince was so stingy—he wouldn’t even waste a pair of trousers! How could the treasury of Great Qi not be overflowing with riches?

The trousers couldn’t be handled by anyone else, so she’d have to wash them herself…

Sensing Jiang Xiurun’s displeasure, Feng Liwu, while putting on his clothes, said, “I fell victim to someone’s schemes. You helped me out of a difficult situation—shouldn’t you be happy?”

It was only now that Jiang Xiurun felt she had truly fallen into someone’s trap.

While tying his sash, she muttered softly, “Your Highness, you promised me this was just a formality. But after what happened last night, if word gets out, won’t my reputation be completely ruined? How could I ever marry?”

Feng Liwu lowered his gaze to the crown of her disheveled hair, his nose tingling with coldness.

“You’ve been living in my residence disguised as a man. Your reputation is already gone. Show me any man now who would dare marry you.”

With that, he brushed her hand away and turned to leave, but, unable to suppress his anger, he turned back and added, “I never said anything about just going through the motions. You’re already on my ship—don’t think you can keep one foot in two boats. If you fall into the river, no one will be able to save you.”

Jiang Xiurun, now provoked, was angry but didn’t dare confront him directly.

She waited until he had left before muttering under her breath, “How virtuous! At dawn, you’re no longer the puppy from last night, begging me with teary eyes. If word really gets out, who would be the one embarrassed?”

On the day after the Crown Prince’s marriage ceremony, since it was only a concubine being taken in, there was no need to enter the palace to pay respects.

However, Empress Wei had decided to give Concubine Cao some face and sent word requesting the three concubines come to the palace to greet her.

By the time the sky fully brightened, the three courtyards of the Crown Prince’s residence were bustling with activity as water was drawn for washing and hairpins and flowers were being prepared for dressing.

Jiang Xiurun, having been worn out from the previous night’s chaos, had dark circles under her eyes and could only cover them with extra powder.

Since she had to appear as a woman during daylight, she was attended by the maidservant Taohua, who was quick and capable.

She swiftly styled Jiang Xiurun’s hair, and just as she was about to bring out some hair ornaments, Jiang Xiurun said, “We’re going to meet the Empress. Keep it simple—just pick a plain hairpin.”

Taohua agreed and, once Jiang Xiurun was ready, went to the front hall to wait for the carriages.

While waiting, Taohua brought over freshly steamed pastries to help Jiang Xiurun regain her strength. But Jiang Xiurun’s hands were sore, trembling even as she held the pastry, so she had Taohua feed it to her, taking small bites along with sips of goat’s milk, regaining a bit of her energy.

Concubine Cao and Concubine Tian soon arrived in the front hall, both dressed in their finest attire.

Concubine Cao, having spent the night alone, seemed to have cried all night; the corners of her eyes were still red, and not even her powder could conceal it.

As she entered the hall and saw Concubine Yao eating and drinking without a care in the world, she felt a surge of resentment—this woman was useless and clearly couldn’t be relied upon.

With that thought, she couldn’t be bothered to exchange more words with the pampered Concubine Yao and simply sat down, waiting for the carriages in silence.

Meanwhile, Tian Ying entered, looking bashful and delicate, as though her waist was still sore.

Supported by her maid, Jiaoyue, she slowly made her way into the hall.

Seeing her arrive, Concubine Cao’s expression grew colder, and she could hardly stop herself from strangling her.

Tian Ying, known for her ability to provoke without consequence, exchanged a look with her maid Jiaoyue, who, catching on, spoke loudly, “Lady Tian, after serving His Highness all night, you didn’t rest until just before dawn. Should I fetch some cushions for you so you can sit more comfortably in the carriage? We wouldn’t want your back to ache…”

At these words, the corners of Concubine Cao’s eyes twitched with anger, and her lips pressed into a tight line, as if she were about to burst into tears.