No.
Rong Li held the plain note between her fingers, her fingertips slightly burning as if the mulberry paper were inscribed not with ink but with red-hot charcoal.
“Congenital deficiency of primordial yang… excessive postnatal depletion… avoidance due to neglect…” These words buzzed in her mind, flushing her from head to toe. She couldn’t help piecing together an explanation for Zhan Qin’s recent “abnormal” behavior—
Could it be that the Imperial Consort suffered from some hidden ailment?
Was that why he was always so cold and distant? When she tried to get close, he repeatedly declined, preferring to sleep on the hard, cold cot at his office rather than stay with her at the princess’s residence…
It wasn’t just anger toward her—it was… inadequacy?
An overwhelmingly complex emotion washed over Rong Li like a tidal wave.
Absurdity, sudden realization, embarrassment, and an indescribable tension, as if she had stumbled upon a monumental secret.
She even instinctively glanced around, fearing that this “secret” might be seen by others.
“Your Highness?” Fuyun noticed her changing expressions as she stared at the box of medicinal herbs and asked softly, “What’s inside the box?”
Rong Li snapped back to reality, flustered as if scalded. She hastily folded the note, stuffed it back into the bottom of the box, and snapped the lid shut, her cheeks flushed crimson as if about to bleed.
“N-nothing!” she insisted, forcing composure as she hugged the box to her chest, unaware that her voice had shifted in tone. “It’s just a new tonic prescription from Lord Tan.”
Xieyue found her behavior odd and wondered why a tonic prescription wasn’t sent directly to the pharmacy. Just as she was about to take a look, Rong Li clutched the box and rolled to the inner side of the bed. “I’m a bit tired and want to rest. You may both leave.”
Fuyun noticed the embarrassment on Rong Li’s face and, considering Physician Tan’s temperament, guessed that the box likely contained items meant for intimate use between spouses. She tugged at Xieyue, signaling her not to inquire further. After helping Rong Li freshen up, they quietly withdrew.
Silence returned to the bedchamber, but Rong Li felt no drowsiness.
She drew the bed curtains tightly, her gaze involuntarily drifting toward the medicine box she had hidden beside her pillow.
So, was Zhan Qin truly not deliberately cold toward her? Was it simply that he had no choice but to refuse her advances?
Once this thought took root, it grew wildly.
Rong Li turned over in bed.
She didn’t understand much about marital intimacy, only that the Imperial Consort’s appearance greatly appealed to her. If they could return to the harmonious relationship she remembered, even with such a hidden ailment, it wouldn’t matter.
But now, she needed yin-yang union to detoxify, and from what Physician Tan implied, it wouldn’t be achieved with just one or two encounters.
Moreover, putting herself in his shoes, such an unspeakable ailment must be tormenting both his mind and body. How much anguish must he be enduring? And today, she had pestered him relentlessly—wasn’t that like rubbing salt in his wounds?
Rong Li’s heart, long accustomed to indulgence, now swelled with guilt and pity.
Fine. Since he was unwell, the esteemed Princess would not hold his repeated refusals against him.
She had always been broad-minded and generous, and now, with her fondness for her husband, she no longer resented Zhan Qin’s aloofness. Instead, she tossed and turned all night, determined to help him overcome this hidden ailment.
The next day, as dawn's first light barely touched the sky, Rong Li, who had slept restlessly through the night, summoned Xieyue.
Xieyue was less inquisitive by nature and unlikely to pry too deeply, sparing Rong Li any potential embarrassment.
"Go to the small kitchen and personally oversee the preparation of a nourishing soup according to this recipe, along with some breakfast," Rong Li instructed, handing Xieyue a packet of medicinal herbs wrapped in mulberry bark paper. "Serve it… serve it in that warm jade tureen."
Xieyue accepted the herbs, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind. When had Her Highness taken an interest in medicinal cuisine? And why use that warm jade tureen she treasured so dearly and seldom used?
But true to her nature, she asked no questions, simply following her mistress's orders.
An hour later, a carefully simmered soup tureen was placed before Rong Li.
Already dressed and groomed, Rong Li stared at the tureen as if facing a formidable enemy. She took a deep breath, as though steeling herself for a great resolve: "Prepare the carriage. We are going to the Jinwu Guard headquarters."
If she sent anyone else to deliver this medicine, Zhan Qin would surely grow suspicious. It was better for her to deliver it personally.
After all, she had brought Sushan yesterday. Bringing breakfast and nourishing soup today would not arouse undue suspicion.
Arriving once more at the Jinwu Guard headquarters, Rong Li's state of mind was entirely different from the day before.
Yesterday, she had come with a heart full of stifled resentment, seeking reconciliation. Today, she carried a monumental secret within her, all her anger dissipated, leaving only a trace of tender concern.
Carrying the food box containing the soup tureen and breakfast, she was escorted toward Zhan Qin's study where he handled official duties. Each step she took was cautious and deliberate, as if she held not soup but a fragile, crystalline heart that might shutter at the slightest touch.
Today, she had specifically inquired with the guards on duty, confirming that no one else was currently in the study, avoiding a repeat of the previous day's awkward situation.
Just as she was about to arrive, a young man suddenly appeared beside her, startling Rong Li.
The young man was well-mannered, performing his salute and greetings flawlessly. After introducing himself, Rong Li remembered him as Shen Zijin, the youngest son of Minister Shen of Works, now serving as a junior officer in the Jinwu Guard. He had also been in the study yesterday, handling official duties alongside Zhan Qin.
"Young General Shen, please rise," Rong Li said, her gaze inquiring about his purpose.
Shen Zijin had approached with confidence, but standing before Rong Li, met with her clear, luminous eyes, he suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
He scratched his head, his cheeks inexplicably flushing, and stammered out the reason for his visit.
It turned out that his mother at home had been ill for a long time, with little appetite, growing thinner by the day, causing great worry to his family. Coincidentally, when he finished his duty yesterday, he had received the Sushan and soup bestowed by Rong Li and brought them home. Unexpectedly, his mother had enjoyed them. Seeing a rare smile on his mother's sickly face, Shen Zijin had mustered his courage to come and ask Rong Li if he might obtain the recipes for the Sushan and the soup.
Rong Li had never been able to bear witnessing such familial hardships. Coupled with Shen Zijin mentioning that the physicians had said his mother's time was limited, her own eyes grew slightly moist at the corners. She spoke to him carefully and thoroughly: "This princess will have the recipes sent to your residence. However, some of the preparation methods differ from those of ordinary cooks. This princess will dispatch a chef to your home to provide instruction. Please ensure your family's chefs learn diligently."
Shen Zijin had naturally heard rumors of the Eldest Princess's aloof and unapproachable demeanor. Today, driven solely by his love for his mother, he had steeled himself to make this request. He had not expected Rong Li to be so considerate and generous, not only gifting the recipes but even willing to send an imperial chef to guide their preparation.
He wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve, utterly unconcerned with his appearance, and even seemed ready to kneel in gratitude. Rong Li quickly had someone help him up, then thoughtfully recalled which renowned physician in the capital specialized in treating women's ailments and shared the information with him.
However, as Rong Li spoke, she felt a prickling sensation on her back, as if someone’s gaze was fixed on her, making her quite uneasy.
Yet when she turned to look, she saw no one. Instead, her eyes fell on the study door not far away, where Zhan Qin stood sideways before the desk, reviewing official documents. Morning light filtered through the window lattice, casting a soft glow on his sharply defined profile, cool and clear as jade.
At the sight of Zhan Qin, a smile bloomed on her cheeks. Shen Zijin followed her gaze and finally realized why Her Highness the Princess had come to the government office, promptly excusing himself.
Rong Li paused at the doorway before stepping inside, carrying a soup tureen, trying to sound light and natural: "Imperial Consort."
Hearing her voice, Zhan Qin looked up. Seeing it was her, his eyes remained unruffled: "Why has Your Highness come, and when did you arrive?"
His gaze swept over the obvious food container in her hands, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly.
Rong Li felt a pang of guilt under his scrutiny, her palms growing slightly damp with sweat.
Forcing herself to remain calm, she placed the jade tureen on a corner of the desk, careful to avoid the documents he was reviewing, her voice tightening slightly: "It’s nothing urgent. It’s just… I noticed you’ve been busy with official duties lately and must be exhausted, so I specially had some nourishing soup prepared, along with some breakfast from the princess’s residence, all for you."
Zhan Qin lowered his gaze: "Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness, but I have already had breakfast."
This was within Rong Li’s expectations—the breakfast was merely a decoy. So she smoothly pushed the soup tureen toward Zhan Qin: "In that case, have this soup instead. It’s good for your health."
"My health is fine; I require no additional nourishment. The office is busy with official duties, and I fear I have no time to savor it slowly. Your Highness should take it back." Zhan Qin remained as cold and detached as ever.
Rong Li was still racking her brains for something to say to coax him into drinking the soup when she heard him remark: "To make the best use of things, perhaps Young General Shen could take it back to nourish Lady Shen."
He wanted none of it. Expecting to hear Rong Li’s protests, he was surprised when not a sound came.
Was Her Highness angry?
Zhan Qin paused his brushstroke and was about to turn his head to look at her when, unexpectedly, a small face leaned in close to his.
Author’s Note:
Upcoming story in the same series, "After Tempting the Aloof Imperial Brother," a sweet tale of sibling tension. Click below to go directly, seeking collections.
A seemingly perfect but inwardly ruthless Heir Apparent x a timid, stuttering princess fighting for survival
Ji Yue
Ji Ning’s life was truly difficult.
Her mother died early, she received no favor from her father, and as a hostage in a foreign land, she endured endless cold treatment, growing into a pitiful, soft-spoken stutterer.
At the age of fifteen, her homeland brought her back only to send her off to marry a tyrant who took pleasure in killing.
Ji Ning did not want to die.
She had no choice but to grasp at a lifeline.
She chose her elder brother, the crown prince praised by the court and revered for his integrity and brilliance—Ji Yue.
Crown Prince Ji Yue, disciplined and virtuous, extraordinarily talented, like a bright moon in the clouds, was hailed by all six states as the future wise ruler.
At the palace banquet upon her return, Ji Ning had glimpsed him from afar, seated high above, his demeanor peerless.
She thought, if she could secure even a sliver of his protection, perhaps she could carve out a chance for survival.
It was just a pity that the Crown Prince was gentle and proper, always politely accepting the pastries and sachets Ji Ning sent over, yet never giving any response afterward.
Her wedding date was drawing closer. Since her imperial brother had no intention of helping, she had to find another way. She began trying to learn about the temperament of that tyrant, studying some techniques to please him, hoping to beg for a sliver of a chance to survive.
That night, exhausted, she returned to her palace, only to be horrified to see someone sitting by her bed, lightly sniffing her undergarments.
Seeing her return, the Heir Apparent, who had always been dignified and elegant, lifted his gaze. The warmth in his eyes had completely vanished, leaving only a deep, shadowy darkness.
"Ningning has been clever since childhood," he said softly, yet with an unmistakable obsession. His cool fingertips touched her cheek, pressing into the plumpness of her lips, igniting a continuous fire. "Could you let your imperial brother see what exactly Ningning has learned?"
When they first met as children, Ji Yue held her hand, patiently listening to her stammering whispers: "A… A-xiong."
Years later, Ji Yue intertwined his fingers with hers amidst the red waves of the spring bed, waiting for her soft, breathless cries: "A-xiong…"
She only wanted to seek a shelter, but he had long been insatiable.
① Double C, pure and pseudo-incest, essentially extremely sweet. Welcome, sweet-toothed babies, to feast!
② This man is truly full of contrasts, extremely two-faced—a restrained, green-tea, obsessive madman.
③ Imperial brother is just imperial brother, after all. Imperial brother cannot become a husband… (forgot the middle part)… Anyway, imperial brother is the husband!