Consort Hui took a box from a palace maid behind her and placed it in Xie Yao’s hands.
“This was something Her Majesty entrusted to me, asking that I one day give it to her future daughter-in-law. I have safeguarded it on her behalf for many years. Now, at last, it can be returned to its rightful owner.”
Xie Yao’s first instinct was to glance at Gu Changze.
As naturally as could be, Gu Changze took her hand and stepped forward with her to accept the box together. “Thank you, Mother Consort Hui.”
Only then did Xie Yao graciously offer her thanks as well.
After they had paid their respects to the Emperor and Empress, the Emperor gave them a few more words of advice before smiling and waving them away.
“You may all return now. Yesterday’s wedding must have exhausted you both. Go back and get some proper rest today.”
The two of them thanked him and took their leave. They had barely stepped out of the main hall when they encountered a court official coming the other way.
As the official bowed and began speaking with Gu Changze, Xie Yao naturally moved aside to wait for him.
The flowers outside Qianqing Palace were in full bloom. Bathed in the warm spring sunlight, she enjoyed a rare moment of peace. Then hurried footsteps sounded behind her. Before she could even turn around, the Noble Consort had already arrived before her.
“Seeing how affectionate the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are in their newlywed bliss, one can only assume your days are passing quite comfortably. I just wonder whether, once you enter Cining Palace, the Crown Princess will still be quite so pleased with herself.”
The Noble Consort was only in her early thirties and had kept herself in excellent shape. Beautiful and striking, she lifted a finely arched brow and cast Xie Yao a mocking glance.
Not understanding what she meant, and having no desire to start a quarrel outside Qianqing Palace, Xie Yao merely dipped into a slight curtsy and prepared to leave.
The Noble Consort showed no sign of anger. She casually adjusted the ornamental nail guards on her fingers and, leaning on a maid’s arm, stepped closer.
“Oh, I’ve nearly forgotten. The Crown Princess returned to the Eastern Palace early last night, so I suppose you still don’t know, do you?
“At the second quarter of the Xu hour last night, Young Master Xiao left the Eastern Palace looking rather unhappy. He spent the entire way drinking, carrying a jug of wine. By the time he became thoroughly drunk, he was staggering along hugging a wine jar and calling out something about ‘Yao’er.’
“As he passed through the Imperial Garden, he happened to run into the Empress Dowager, who was passing through the area that evening. The Empress Dowager was so startled that she lost her footing and twisted her ankle. The physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy spent the entire night on standby at Cining Palace.”
Xie Yao’s heart tightened at once. She immediately looked up at the Noble Consort, unable to tell whether her words were true or not.
The Noble Consort covered her lips with a smile. “I do wonder why, on such a joyous occasion, Young Master Xiao behaved so strangely. First, he blocked the Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s path in the main hall. Then he disappeared alone into the Eastern Palace for a while. When he came out, everyone saw that he looked utterly distraught. Now people outside are all speculating. They wonder whether Young Master Xiao is still unable to forget his former attachment to the Crown Princess and is therefore unwilling to let go.”
Xie Yao frowned. “Your Ladyship should mind your words.”
Setting aside whatever had happened with Xiao Min or the matter of the Empress Dowager’s injured ankle, the Noble Consort’s remarks were clearly inappropriate and certainly not something to spread around casually.
“Oh, those aren’t my words.” The Noble Consort rested a hand on her maid’s arm and looked down at Xie Yao. “If the Crown Princess wishes to blame someone, it shouldn’t be me. Everyone saw Young Master Xiao’s condition yesterday. And Yao’er is the Crown Princess’s personal name. I’m afraid the rumors circulating outside may not be entirely baseless.”
She paused before continuing: “The Empress Dowager was badly frightened last night. After returning, she developed a high fever. Young Master Xiao and Chancellor Xiao are currently outside Cining Palace asking forgiveness for their offense. The Crown Princess will most likely see them when she goes there. As for whether the Empress Dowager might draw certain conclusions from Young Master Xiao’s drunken words… well, that I cannot say.” With that, the Noble Consort swept away.
Just then, Gu Changze finished speaking with the official and walked over.
Xie Yao immediately asked, “Last night, Grandmother Empress Dowager twisted her ankle and was frightened?”
Gu Changze frowned and glanced toward the Noble Consort’s retreating figure. “She told you that?”
At once, Xie Yao knew it was true. Anxiety appeared in her eyes. “How is Grandmother Empress Dowager?”
“The imperial physicians have already examined her at Cining Palace. I only learned of it this morning as well. Grandmother Empress Dowager is not seriously harmed.” He paused before adding: “As for everything else… you needn’t listen to the Noble Consort’s nonsense.”
At Gu Changze’s words, Xie Yao’s heart eased somewhat. Whatever state Xiao Min had been in, whatever drunken nonsense he had uttered, her marriage into the Eastern Palace had been decreed by imperial edict. No one dared openly criticize it. With Gu Changze’s reassurance, she felt more at ease and accompanied him to Cining Palace. The moment they stepped inside, they saw two men kneeling upright in the courtyard center.
When Chancellor Xiao noticed the couple approaching, he immediately lowered his head even further. Xiao Min, however, saw their clasped hands, and his eyes instantly reddened. He stared fixedly at them as they drew nearer.
Following Gu Changze’s lead, Xie Yao did not spare Xiao Min a single glance from beginning to end. She simply followed the palace attendants into the inner hall. As soon as she entered, the strong scent of medicinal herbs filled her nose.
The Empress Dowager reclined against a couch, her complexion noticeably paler than the day before.
“Your granddaughter-in-law pays her respects to Grandmother Empress Dowager. May Grandmother Empress Dowager be blessed with prosperity and good fortune.” Xie Yao knelt, accepted a cup of tea from a palace servant, and respectfully offered it forward.
The Empress Dowager lowered her eyes to look at her but did not take the tea immediately. “Have you been adjusting well since entering the Eastern Palace yesterday?”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Your granddaughter-in-law is well in every respect. It is only that yesterday’s wedding ceremonies were so busy that I did not learn until this morning that Your Majesty had taken ill. I failed to come earlier to attend upon you in your sickness. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.” Keeping her head lowered, Xie Yao held the tea perfectly steady as she spoke softly and respectfully.
“These are merely old ailments. After being startled by that Xiao boy yesterday, they worsened somewhat. It is nothing serious. There was no need to trouble a newlywed couple by summoning you here. Speaking of it, that boy from the Xiao family truly was reckless. On the day of your wedding with Ze’er, it is understandable if he became overly happy and drank a few extra cups. The matter itself is neither particularly great nor particularly small. But since he created a disturbance in the palace, I cannot simply ignore palace regulations.” The Empress Dowager finally accepted the tea and lifted the lid lightly.
“So, Yao’er, tell me. How do you think that boy from the Xiao family ought to be punished?”
Xie Yao’s heart immediately tightened. She could hear the note of testing hidden within the Empress Dowager’s words. Just as she was carefully considering her response, Gu Changze suddenly raised his head and looked at the Empress Dowager.
“Grandmother, the Crown Princess and I have come all this way to offer you tea, yet all you seem concerned about is the young master of the Xiao family. The Crown Princess has only just entered the Eastern Palace. How could she possibly know how matters in the palace should be handled? You may deal with it however you see fit. At worst, send him away from the capital with a few assignments as punishment. But if troublesome questions like these wear out my Crown Princess, then I certainly won’t agree to it.”
The Empress Dowager immediately looked at him. “You do know how to dote on your wife.” Though she said so, she drank the tea properly and then lowered her gaze, smiling at Xie Yao.
“I truly am getting old and muddle-headed,” the Empress Dowager said with a smile. “I was thinking that, as the future Crown Princess, you ought to start learning how to handle such matters. Yet I forgot that you only entered the Eastern Palace yesterday. Come, get up.”
Xie Yao hurriedly thanked her and rose.
The Empress Dowager took her hand and studied her carefully for a moment before continuing, “That young man of the Xiao family does not understand propriety, but Yao’er is very sensible. You even remembered to worry about me. If he possessed even half your manners and good sense, he would not be kneeling outside asking forgiveness today.”
The remark carried a deeper meaning.
Before Xie Yao could respond, Gu Changze had already drawn her gently to his side. “Grandmother, the Crown Princess rushed over the moment she learned what had happened to you this morning. Now that you’ve accepted her tea, and seeing that you were up for half the night, I don’t want us to disturb your rest any longer. I’ll take her back now.”
“Go and bring the gift I prepared for the Crown Princess.” At the Empress Dowager’s wave, a senior maid stepped forward carrying a box.
Only then did the Empress Dowager’s tone truly soften. “Now that you’ve married into the Eastern Palace, live well with Ze’er. You are a sensible child, and I am quite fond of you. This illness of mine is hardly worth troubling young people like yourselves over. Yesterday’s wedding must have exhausted you, so go back early and get some rest.”
Inside the box was a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin, an exceptionally precious gift, even more valuable than the one the Emperor had bestowed.
Hearing the sincerity in the Empress Dowager’s words, Xie Yao immediately guessed what had been happening.
The Empress Dowager had been extraordinarily warm and kind toward her even during their previous meeting. Clearly, she genuinely doted on Gu Changze, her grandson. But after Xiao Min’s indiscretion the previous night, it was only natural that she would want to test Xie Yao’s feelings and intentions before putting her mind entirely at ease.
Together, they thanked the Empress Dowager and took their leave. As they walked out, Xiao Min was still kneeling outside. They passed by him and exited Cining Palace. A warm hand covered hers.
Gu Changze gently clasped her hand. “This matter is the result of someone else’s mistakes. You needn’t dwell on it too much. I will settle everything today.”
Since entering Cining Palace, Xie Yao had felt somewhat unsettled. His words eased her anxiety, and she pursed her lips as she looked at him. “Your Highness truly doesn’t mind…?”
“It’s someone else’s fault. What does it have to do with you?” Gu Changze’s voice remained calm and gentle. “No one knows my Crown Princess better than I do.”
Together, they returned from Cining Palace to the Eastern Palace.
After such a busy morning, Gu Changze knew she had not rested well the night before, so as soon as they returned, he told her to go and rest. He then turned and headed to his study.
The Empress Dowager had undoubtedly ordered everyone to keep silent about what had happened the previous night. Yet the Noble Consort had openly sought Xie Yao out first thing in the morning to tell her about it. Someone was likely stirring things up behind the scenes.
Standing in the study with his hands clasped behind his back, Gu Changze’s expression was hidden beneath the shadows cast by the warm spring sunlight.
“The Noble Consort has clearly had too much free time lately. The Sixth Brother’s injuries must have improved considerably if she has the leisure to concern herself with such matters.”
The guard behind him held his breath, waiting for instructions.
“Then break his other leg as well.” Gu Changze’s voice was indifferent. “Consider it a wedding gift for the Crown Princess and me.”
Gu Changze lowered his eyes. “There are also people around Grandmother Empress Dowager whose tongues are far too loose. Deal with them as well.”
“Wouldn’t acting this way be a little too conspicuous?”
“Conspicuous is exactly what I want.” With casual ease, Gu Changze snapped the flower stem in his hand. “It is only the second day of my marriage, and yet someone has already stirred up such a commotion. Naturally, I want them to understand this: Whatever mad attempts Xiao Min makes to drag others into his affairs are his own business. But no one, absolutely no one, may show the slightest disrespect toward my Crown Princess in front of me.”
Xie Yao was thoroughly exhausted. After returning, she slept for nearly two hours before slowly waking.
Qingyu had already instructed the courtyard servants to prepare lunch.
Xie Yao had only just taken her seat when an attendant’s loud announcement sounded from outside. “The Crown Prince has arrived!”
Gu Changze stepped through the doorway.
Xie Yao immediately rose to greet him. Before she could even bend her knees in a proper salute, Gu Changze steadied her and stopped her. “There is no need for so many formalities within the Eastern Palace. You are my wife, and there is no need to be so ceremonious with your husband.” He led Xie Yao back to her seat.
The servants laid out the meal, and Gu Changze naturally picked up his jade chopsticks and served food into her bowl.
“You’ve only just entered the palace, and I don’t yet know what foods you prefer. These dishes were prepared by the finest chefs in the Eastern Palace. Try them. If there is anything else you like, simply tell me.”
Caught somewhat off guard by his attentiveness, Xie Yao quickly shook her head. “This is already more than enough. Thank you for thinking of me, Your Highness. I can serve myself.” As she spoke, she reached to pick up some food on her own.
Gu Changze glanced at her. “You and I are husband and wife. Between husband and wife, there is no need to concern ourselves excessively with rules and etiquette.”
Back at Prince Xie’s Manor, Xie Yao had never been especially fond of rigid formalities. Now that she had married into the Eastern Palace, whatever the future might hold, she was the Crown Princess in name and fact. The Eastern Palace was her home. She did not want to be constrained by rules even in her own home. Gu Changze’s words struck directly at her heart. If there was no need to stand on ceremony, then there was no need to remain overly polite with her husband either.
Thinking so, Xie Yao no longer stopped him from serving her food. Noticing a plate of fish near her side of the table, she picked up a piece herself. Keeping her head lowered, she carefully removed all the bones before placing the fish into Gu Changze’s bowl. “Your Highness worked hard yesterday as well. You should eat some too.”
Watching her actions, Gu Changze’s lips curved slightly. “If we’re speaking of hard work, then the one who worked hardest last night was the Crown Princess.”
Xie Yao instantly understood the implication behind his words. Her face flushed bright red. Lowering her head, she refused to respond to him again. After lunch, her energy had finally recovered somewhat.
Since Gu Changze showed no intention of leaving her courtyard, they had chairs brought beneath the covered corridor. There, they sat together in the afternoon breeze, chatting idly about one thing and another. Before they knew it, half the day had slipped quietly away.
Dinner was once again served in the main hall.
Although she had slept for quite a while at midday, Xie Yao had always been accustomed to retiring early back at the Xie residence. Not long after the Xu hour began, drowsiness overtook her once more. Yet when she turned her head, she saw Gu Changze still sitting upright at the table, a book in his hands. He was reading with a focused expression and showed no sign of leaving. Whether he intended to stay the night or return to his own quarters weighed on her mind for a moment before she finally asked: “It’s already the Xu hour. Your Highness has been busy and weary all day. Perhaps you should retire early and get some rest?”
Gu Changze looked up. Under the lamplight, the beauty before him wore a simple light-blue gown. Her features were soft and gentle as she looked at him.
Knowing exactly what she meant, Gu Changze deliberately pretended not to understand. “It’s still early. Does A-Yao intend to send me away already?”
He lowered his gaze to the book in his hands. “I rarely go to bed this early. The servants in my courtyard are probably still tidying the rooms at this hour.”
Xie Yao immediately shook her head. “Of course not. How could I possibly be trying to drive Your Highness away?”
“Since it’s still early, and this book happens to be rather interesting, if A-Yao isn’t in a hurry to sleep, why not read it with me?”
Now that he had spoken, Xie Yao could only suppress her sleepiness and go over to him. The book in his hands was a travelogue, something she would ordinarily enjoy reading. But she was simply too tired today. After a couple of pages, drowsiness returned. Resting her head on one hand, she began nodding off.
The lamplight illuminated her lovely face, now tinged with both weariness and tranquility. She resembled a quiet, beautiful kitten. Her dark hair cascaded loosely down her back, making her seem even gentler and softer.
A smile gathered in Gu Changze’s eyes. His long fingers reached out and lightly stroked her hair.
Startled awake, Xie Yao blinked at him with sleepy, confused eyes. “Your Highness?”
“Since you’re tired,” Gu Changze said softly, “then go to sleep.”
He stood up; thinking he was finally about to leave, Xie Yao turned to instruct Qingyu to fetch some medicine when she heard Gu Changze call for water to be prepared. “You… aren’t leaving?”
“Where would you like me to go, A-Yao?” Gu Changze raised his brows as he looked at her. “Do not forget, Crown Princess.” He leaned down, casting a shadow over her; as Xie Yao met his deep, dark gaze, her heart raced. “The day after the wedding, it is only fitting that I stay with my wife.”
His slender fingers brushed past her ear, tucking a stray lock of hair behind it; the touch against her delicate, fair earlobe was neither too light nor too heavy, yet she instantly felt a flush of heat rise along the side of her face.
Once the servants had prepared the water, Xie Yao went to bathe first. Less than an hour later, she emerged from the bathing chamber, and Gu Changze set aside his book and went to bathe himself.
Taking advantage of the moment, Xie Yao called for Qingyu to bring the medicine. She wore only her undergarments after the bath; with the day’s ceremonial robes removed, the lingering tooth mark on her fair neck stood out starkly.
Gu Changze hadn’t bitten down hard, but her skin was so delicate that even the slightest mark showed clearly. She had managed to hide the mark with her ceremonial robes earlier that day, but she had no desire for Qingyu to look at her with a teasing glint in her eyes every morning while helping her dress—so she simply ordered her to fetch some medicine. She decided to apply some of the medicine while Gu Changze bathed.
After drying her hair and dismissing Qingyu, she sat alone before the bronze mirror and uncorked the vial.
A faint, medicinal fragrance wafted out; Xie Yao lowered the neckline of her robe slightly, revealing the small red mark. Just as she dabbed a bit of the ointment onto her fingertip—before she could even touch it to the mark—a large, warm hand reached around from behind and gently caressed her collarbone.
“Applying medicine?” His voice held a hint of huskiness; his gaze traced the graceful, slender lines of her figure before settling on the teeth marks marring her flawless, alabaster skin.
His touch brushed against her like a passing breeze, making her heart flutter and a flush of heat rise to her cheeks.
His fingertips rested upon the tooth marks, caressing the skin with a touch that hovered between a gentle stroke and a lingering rub; in the dim reflection of the bronze mirror, Xie Yao glimpsed the smoldering heat and dark intensity within his deep gaze.
Her collar had already been lowered to apply medicine, and his touch made her body tremble slightly. This subtle movement made the fabric slip further, exposing her jade-like shoulder to the cool air and prompting Xie Yao to instinctively pull her clothes back.
However, because Gu Changze’s hand was still resting against her neck, her movement trapped his hand within the folds of her garment. He lowered his head, watching his fingers enveloped by the snow-white undergarment—and, lower still, a flush of crimson on the snowy curve of her bosom. His breath hitched sharply; barely suppressing the sudden surge of heat rising within him, he spoke in a low, husky voice. “Give me the medicine.”
“I can do it myself.” Xie Yao instinctively released her hold on her collar, clutching the medicine vial tightly instead.
Gu Changze took it from her; his cool, salve-coated fingertips touched her neck. He leaned in, observing the marks on her neck via the reflection in the bronze mirror. With a look of focused intent, he let out a soft, low chuckle. “Since I left these marks, it is only fitting that I be the one to heal them.”
Gu Changze’s body was pressed close against her back as he gently applied the medicine to the marks—moving with deliberate slowness, as if terrified of causing her any further pain. His warm breath brushed against her neck, and the way he applied the medicine felt more like a caress, sending a ticklish flutter straight to her heart; Xie Yao’s eyelashes trembled, her hands clenched lightly within her sleeves, and her breathing grew ragged. “Your Highness…”
Such a gentle touch made a fine sheen of sweat break out on her forehead, and her voice wavered. “You could press a little harder.”
Those hands had held her waist with such strength the night before; time and again, whenever she couldn’t bear it and tried to pull away, he would simply scoop her back by the waist.
“What?” Gu Changze, however, didn’t seem to hear her clearly; he deliberately bent down and leaned close to her ear, his thin lips grazing her earlobe as he turned his head. Instantly, he saw her earlobe flush a deep red.
Xie Yao lifted her head, following his movement, and her eyelids fluttered as she caught sight of their two figures—heads nearly touching—reflected in the bronze mirror.
“I…” She tried to turn away, but Gu Changze held her fast, his arm encircling her waist. “Don’t move; the medicine isn’t fully applied yet.”
He continued with his unhurried movements; his gentle touch sent a tickling sensation straight to the core of Xie Yao’s heart. Though there were only two faint tooth marks, applying the medicine took as long as an incense stick burned.
By the time he finally withdrew his hand, Xie Yao felt enveloped in the medicine’s scent, and her neck flushed crimson. Just as she was about to rise and leave, she saw Gu Changze rinse his hands and walk slowly toward her.
“I am truly sorry; I lost control of myself yesterday.” He lowered his gaze to her fair neck, now treated with the medicine.
Xie Yao blushed, unsure of how to respond. It seemed that, ever since yesterday, things had slipped beyond her control.
After drinking the nuptial wine and recovering from that moment of lost composure by the daybed, she had initially felt a sense of fear regarding such intimacy. Yet Gu Changze was evidently patient and gentle, soothing her nervousness and bewilderment bit by bit. His tenderness was like a fine, intricate net that dissolved her tension; his skillful hands and lips set her reason and consciousness ablaze, and—as if under a spell—she wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to his every movement.
From the dead of night until the approach of dawn, she felt suspended between a hazy daze and lucid awareness. She remembered water being called for several times, and recalled how often she had pleaded with him. She wasn’t someone who craved such intimacy out of habit, yet she didn’t dislike it either.
Even last night, amidst the passion of the bed, as his burning lips grazed her tender skin and he repeatedly asked where Xiao Min had touched her, the Gu Changze before her seemed like a stranger; yet the marks his teeth left behind brought no pain—only a faint, budding pleasure.
Just as her thoughts reached this point, a hand pressed against the side of Xie Yao’s head; fingers grazed her earlobe as the person leaned in close.
“What are you thinking about?”
“N-nothing…”
“I forgot to mention earlier—my things have already been moved here from my own quarters.”
Xie Yao’s head snapped up. “You…”
Did this mean he intended to stay in her courtyard for the long haul?
“We are newlywed, after all. I was worried you might not adjust well, so I decided to stay here and keep you company.”
“I…”
Before Xie Yao could finish her sentence, *clack*—Gu Changze set the medicine bottle down on the table.
“Does it still hurt?” His gaze fell upon the tooth marks.
Xie Yao shook her head.
“It won’t happen again tonight.”
As he spoke, Xie Yao breathed a sigh of relief—only to feel his arm tighten around her waist. Gu Changze swept her up into his arms and carried her behind the folding screen.
“Your Highness, didn’t you say…”
“I’ll be changing locations tonight.”
Xie Yao’s startled gasp was cut short by his low murmur as he laid her down upon the bed. Her white undergarment had come slightly undone during their playful scuffle; the marks from the previous night had not yet fully faded, standing out in stark contrast against her disheveled hair as a flurry of soft, lingering kisses rained down upon her. “It’s too bright…”
Xie Yao turned away from the glaring lamp, gasping out the words in a low voice.
The next instant, a breeze swept in from the doorway, and the room was plunged into darkness.
He stripped away her flimsy nightgown effortlessly; it fell to the floor, tangled with the clothes he had cast off. His movements tonight were unusually forceful—true to his word, he left no marks on her neck, yet the skin below soon bore a dense constellation of kisses and bites.
By the dead of night, unable to bear it any longer, she pleaded with him in a low, broken voice. “Gently… Your Highness… it hurts…”
He lowered his head to kiss away the tears at the corners of her eyes, interlacing his fingers with hers as he murmured: “It hurts me, too… Almost there now—truly, this is the last time.”