She rolled up the booklet and tapped her on the head. “You won’t die.”
Evening, courtyard.
Song Yaoxian came specifically to find Song Yunying.
“Third Sister, you should keep all these jewels in the courtyard properly. The Ninth Prince is noble and precious, so you can’t appear too shabby and disgrace our Song family.”
She had come solely to make sarcastic remarks.
“If you like them, Fourth Sister, feel free to pick some.”
“Who wants them?” Song Yaoxian said with a look of disdain.
“Fourth Sister’s love is as steadfast as gold, determined to marry the one she loves. Naturally, she wouldn’t care for such vulgar things. It was presumptuous of me.”
Seeing her yield, Song Yaoxian softened her tone. “Here, this is for you.”
A sachet embroidered with gold thread on cloud-patterned silk.
Song Yunying sniffed it. “It’s peach juice blended with cardamom and clove.”
“What a dog’s nose,” Song Yaoxian continued. “The Ninth Prince likes this kind of fragrance the most. I spent a fortune to find out. Take it—I’m only giving it to you because I treat you like a real sister.”
Song Yunying expressed her heartfelt thanks.
Only after Song Yaoxian left did Nainai inspect the sachet inside and out. “Would she be so kind?”
Of course not.
Song Yunying hadn’t exposed it earlier.
The Ninth Prince’s mind was weaker than an ordinary person’s, and he needed to soak in a medicinal pool for two hours daily for treatment.
Coincidentally, this pool contained a dose of powdered albizia flowers as part of the medicine. If it came into contact with cardamom, it would turn into a potent aphrodisiac.
Fortunately, she had read the medical records and knew the trick.
Song Yaoxian wanted her to follow in her footsteps—to force the issue so the Ninth Prince would have no choice but to agree.
Nainai was shocked. “Fourth Miss is too cruel! Isn’t she gambling with your chastity? If he loses his senses, your reputation would be ruined.”
“Nainai, didn’t you say the Ninth Prince is incapable of marital relations?”
“How can rumors be taken as truth?”
“That’s not a rumor.”
After reading the medical records, Song Yunying understood why her sister had been unfaithful back then.
It turned out the Ninth Prince was not only foolish but also had a hidden ailment.
Being a widow is hard, but being a living widow is even harder.
Especially when faced with such a handsome and elegant man—one could only admire from afar but never touch—it truly was a torment.
Nainai said, “If he’s really incapable, then wouldn’t there be no hope for heirs in the future?”
She tugged at Song Yunying anxiously. “Miss, let’s go find the master. Can’t we just not marry?”
At this point, was there any way out?
Song Yunying thought it wouldn’t be so bad to just treat Dugu Yu as a beautiful doll.
She herself would be spared the hardship of bearing children.
Among the imperial relatives, there were plenty of outstanding children who could be adopted.
As long as he held on and didn’t die.
Everything would be in time.
The next day, Daxun Palace.
Due to the snowy weather, they were delayed for some time.
A palace maid had been waiting there and led Song Yunying straight to the Empress’s hall to pay respects.
Upon seeing Song Yunying, the Empress inquired warmly about her well-being.
“Child, are you cold? Look at you, all dusty and rushed—your cheeks are red from the chill.”
“Come sit by Bengong.”
“Oh, your hands are so cold. Quick, go fetch a warming pot for Third Miss Song.”
Song Yunying smiled warmly and responded to each remark.
For some reason, the Empress had always liked her, just as she had in her previous life.
Although the Empress was decisive and imposing in her actions,
she showed exceptional leniency toward Song Yunying and had even personally taught her how to manage household affairs.
Back when the Ninth Prince passed away, the Empress fell into deep despair. Aside from Song Yunying, she refused to drink any medicine brought by others.
She treated this daughter-in-law from a concubine’s line with even more care than her own biological daughter-in-law.
This was also why Song Yunying was willing to marry into the palace once more.
Sometimes, finding a mother-in-law who is easy to get along with is even rarer than finding a reliable husband.
After exchanging some pleasantries, the Empress instructed a palace maid to take Song Yunying to Lanyu Dian.
Lanyu Dian was the residence of the Ninth Prince.
Today, heavy snow blanketed Huangcheng, covering the pavilions and terraces in a pristine white, creating a uniquely beautiful scene.
The palace maid bowed her head. "His Highness has instructed that the weather outside is cold, so the young lady should wait inside."
Song Yunying pushed open the palace gate, and layers of warmth rushed toward her.
Her entire body relaxed slightly.
There was no one inside.
Among the carved beams and painted rafters, many ink paintings hung, swaying gently like curtains as the wind blew through the hall.
She lifted a thin ink painting and peered inside. "Ninth Highness?"
Although she had been here in her past life, the thought that she was now entering the palace of her brother-in-law—a place where propriety between a sister-in-law and brother-in-law must be observed—made Song Yunying’s experienced face flush with embarrassment.
"Your Highness?"
She had always addressed him as "imperial brother" or "Ninth Brother" before, so suddenly changing her address felt somewhat awkward.
Still, there was no response.
A medicinal scent drifted from inside, and Song Yunying’s nose was sharp. Could it be that he was still soaking in the medicinal pool?
"It’s me, Song Yunying."
She stood in place.
It was better not to barge in. What if he was unclothed? That would be taking advantage of the situation.
The fragrance of silk tree flowers permeated the air. Through the gauzy curtains, she faintly saw a figure sitting in the pool.
Steam rose like mist.
The figure remained completely still, and Song Yunying couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
What if something had happened to him?
Instinctively, Song Yunying lifted the gauzy curtain.
She circled around the medicinal pool, moving from the back to the front.
There, she saw Dugu Yu with his eyes closed, soaking in the misty pool. His long hair cascaded like a waterfall, interspersed with strands of silver-white, and ripples of water gently lingered on his chest.
This face was truly handsome.
When he wasn’t ill, he was indeed a quiet and beautiful man.
If he weren’t a fool, this marriage likely wouldn’t have fallen to a daughter from a concubine’s line like her.
Song Yunying crouched down and pressed two fingers together to check his breathing.
"Oh no!"
There was no breath at all!
"No… he couldn’t really be dead, could he?"
Just as Song Yunying was about to call for help,
she met Dugu Yu’s eyes, which had slowly opened.
The steam lifted the hair on his forehead, letting it dance freely. His narrow eyes fixed squarely on her.
They were too close.
So close that she could even feel each other’s breath.
"Song… Yun… ying?"
He slowly pronounced her name.
His voice was as cold as ever.
Song Yunying tried her best not to appear too awkward. After all, she had been Taizifei in her past life and had seen her share of grand occasions.
"Your Highness, are your legs numb from sitting? If you can’t move, shall I help you out?"
She extended her hand in a friendly gesture.
He frowned. "Can’t move?"
What was this little head thinking?
Song Yunying pointed. "Your Highness, don’t misunderstand. I meant your legs."
Without a word, he extended one hand from the pool.
Just as Song Yunying was about to grasp it,
he suddenly seized her hand and pulled her directly into the pool.
Splash—
Song Yunying tumbled into the water, caught completely off guard, soaked from head to toe.
She struggled to stand up but was seized by the waist by Dugu Yu and pulled against his chest.
"Didn’t you want to marry me? Why are you hiding?"
Her eyelashes still held droplets of water. "I… I’m not hiding."
Instead, he seemed intrigued. His fingers wound around the sash at her waist and untied it.
She pressed down, "Your Highness is willing to take me now?"
"Scared?"
Scared of what?
Not to mention she had come for him in the first place.
Even if she took a step back, Dugu Yu had a hidden ailment and could hardly lay a hand on her at the moment.
This move was nothing but a bluff.
What did she have to fear?
Song Yunying simply climbed onto Dugu Yu's shoulders, turning the tables, "Your Highness, if there's any discomfort, you might as well tell me. I have some knowledge of medicine and am most skilled at the art of rejuvenation…"
She deliberately emphasized the word "spring."
You little brat, dare to be frivolous and arrogant again.
After being your imperial sister-in-law for so many years, can't I handle you?
Unexpectedly, Dugu Yu smiled and stood up directly.
Water flowed along the contours of his chest, slipping back into the pool.
Broad shoulders, narrow waist, veins bulging, and below the waist…
This didn't look at all like…
Song Yunying looked up, swallowed her saliva, and blurted out, "Your… Your Highness, aren't you supposed to be… incapable?"