Yanyu could not figure out what kind of man Xiao Chengji truly was.
If one said he was bad, she didn’t feel he was truly evil. But if one said he was good, he was certainly not a good man either.
Though Yanyu hadn’t met her Shao cousins often, they were always courteous and refined in public, speaking of poetry, rites, and music. None were like Xiao Chengji—moody, unpredictable, and impossible to read. She never even knew what mistake she had made to anger him.
The carriage soon arrived at Prince Qin’s residence.
Xiao Chengji’s expression returned to normal, his aura less oppressive, and he stepped down first.
Yanyu lifted the curtain. Before the maids could help her down, Xiao Chengji extended his hand.
Yanyu hesitated, unsure if she might anger him again. After a pause, she placed her hand in his palm. He pulled her down with a bit of force.
Yanyu stumbled and fell against his chest, quickly straightening herself.
At that moment, Huo Ha stepped forward: “Your Highness, you must go to the Ministry of Justice again. On the way, word came that the culprit had been caught. The interrogation will begin shortly.”
Xiao Chengji slowly released her hand, preparing to leave with Huo Ha and the others.
Yanyu touched his collar lightly: “Your Highness, go inside to wash and change before you leave.”
The heat was unbearable, and after being outside for so long, he should change clothes before heading out again.
Huo Ha laughed: “Princess Consort, matters at the Ministry are urgent. Please let His Highness go first.”
Yanyu, raised under others’ roofs, had always been adept at reading people and situations. She could see clearly—this eunuch by Xiao Chengji’s side was not friendly toward her, deliberately slighting her again and again.
Yanyu knew the saying: *to beat the dog, look at its master.* Some dogs, emboldened by their master’s favor, grew fiercer than wolves.
But Yanyu was not one to submit meekly. If even a servant by Xiao Chengji’s side could show her disrespect, how could she survive in the Prince’s household?
But showing temper directly was not an option. The other party kept a deferential face, without overt hostility. If she were the first to demand accountability, it would seem she lacked composure.
Yanyu smiled: “Don’t think I don’t know about official matters. I can judge whether something is urgent or not. Since you are His Highness’s personal attendant, shouldn’t you care at least a little about his health? What if he suffers heatstroke? Even if His Highness has the strength of iron, he still needs proper care.”
As she spoke, Yanyu tugged at Xiao Chengji’s sleeve: “Your Highness, can’t you spare even this little time?”
Xiao Chengji glanced at Huo Ha: “I will go later.”
Huo Ha forced a smile: “Yes.”
Xiao Chengji followed Yanyu back to her Wanfu Courtyard.
Yanyu ordered the maids to prepare warm water, cloths, and fresh clothes. She lowered her head to untie Xiao Chengji’s belt. This time, the clasp wasn’t fastened tightly, and she easily loosened it. His inner garments were soaked through. Yanyu touched the fabric, unable to understand how his attendants served him. In such hot summer weather, they had dressed him in tightly woven, close-fitting clothes with no breathability. He was a prince—how could his attendants lack such basic sense?
While measuring his shoulder width with her hands, Yanyu asked softly:
“Your Highness, how many maids serve in your chambers?”
“None,” Xiao Chengji replied. “I dislike women attending me.”
Since he was twelve or thirteen, whenever the Emperor sent palace maids to serve him, some reckless ones would try to climb into his bed.
Yanyu lowered her gaze with a smile: “No wonder. Eunuchs are careless; they probably don’t look after you properly.”
Though Xiao Chengji had grown up in wealth, he had spent two years in the military camp. He was not picky in daily life and could endure hardship, unlike the Fifth Prince, who was delicate and choosy about food and clothing. His daily needs were managed by eunuchs, and he simply grew accustomed to however they served him.
Yanyu measured his shoulders, then moved to measure his waist.
Xiao Chengji seized her hand: “What are you trying to do?”
He had already noticed Yanyu touching him.
Out of consideration for her, Xiao Chengji didn’t say anything. But she grew bolder, touching his shoulders and then his waist.
Yanyu withdrew her hand: “I’ll have the maids make you a few garments. I need to know your measurements.”
Xiao Chengji lowered his gaze, staring at her: “I won’t wear clothes made by your maids.”
Yanyu replied casually: “Then I’ll make them myself.”
Xiao Chengji said nothing more, allowing her to measure his waist.
After taking his measurements, Yanyu had a clear idea.
The warm cloths were ready, but she felt embarrassed to remove his inner garments herself to wipe him down, so she was about to call the servants in.
Xiao Chengji’s face darkened. He ordered Yanyu out and did not permit anyone else to enter.
Yanyu sat outside, sipping tea and resting a little.
Huo Ha was still standing nearby. Yanyu called him over and asked his name.
After he answered, Yanyu said: “That’s quite a peculiar name.”
Huo Ha smiled: “When I entered the palace as a child, the chief eunuch gave me this name. I’ve used it ever since.”
Yanyu nodded, then continued drinking her tea, ignoring him.
Huo Ha glanced at her, feeling wary. He hadn’t expected the new Princess Consort Qin to be so beautiful—any praise of beauty would not be excessive for her. But her temperament was truly cold. Though outwardly gentle, like autumn waters, inside she was colder than the harshest winter ice. Impossible to grasp, born with an innate nobility—one could only watch her eyes and guess her thoughts.
Before long, Xiao Chengji came out.
Yanyu set down her tea, stepped forward, and rose on tiptoe to straighten his crown: “It’s getting late, Your Highness. You should go.”
Xiao Chengji glanced at the teacup nearby.
Yanyu had brewed him a cooling floral tea. She handed it to him, watched him drink, then took the cup back.
Only after Xiao Chengji left the room did Yanyu breathe a sigh of relief.
No wonder the Shao girls were reluctant to marry. Once married, they had to serve their husbands, their in-laws, and even younger sisters-in-law, while also managing countless household affairs.
Yanyu had married into the royal family, so she didn’t have to see her in-laws daily or deal with her sisters-in-law who lived in the palace. But just coping with this cold, distant husband consumed all her energy. No matter what she did, he seemed displeased.
Yanyu sat on the couch for a while, then instructed Bichun: “Go fetch a bolt of cloud-patterned gauze, and two bolts of brocade with repeating motifs.”
Though puzzled, Bichun obediently went.