At the break of dawn, the entire residence was already brightly lit, with the servants orderly and methodically preparing everything needed for the Prince Consort’s return to his natal family.
Although it was a man who had married into the royal family as the Prince Consort, failing to treat the occasion with sufficient importance would amount to disrespect toward the imperial household. A return to one’s family after marriage was a major event and naturally, everything had to be arranged as grandly and ceremoniously as possible.
The Marchioness of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, Madam Zheng, personally took charge of the elaborate banquet. She had been busy for half a day and by the time she realized it, it was already past the Hour of the Snake yet despite waiting and waiting at the entrance of the residence, there was still no sign of anyone arriving.
In the capital, no one had ever returned to their natal family at a time that coincided with the noon meal.
The hot tea in the front hall had already gone cold two or three times.
Dressed in an elegant dark green robe, Madam Zheng paced back and forth, anxiously twisting the handkerchief in her hands. “Marquis, everything for the return visit has already been arranged. It will soon be noon yet there is still no word from the Prince’s Residence. I fear the Marquis’s Residence… will become the laughingstock of the capital.”
Marquis Chu Jing held his teacup and gave a cold laugh. “Ever since the imperial edict granting the marriage was issued, the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s Residence has already become the laughingstock of the entire capital. We can hardly become any more of a joke because of this one occasion.”
Madam Zheng could not conceal her anxiety. “But the rumors in the capital have still been discussing Chu Zhaojiang these past few days. Could something have happened?”
Chu Jing lowered his eyes to the tea leaves floating in his cup and said nothing.
The news that Prince Jing had regained consciousness on his wedding night had already spread through every street and alley. The entire capital had been lamenting the fact that the God of Death had failed to die, complaining that Heaven truly had no eyes.
During the period when Ji Xun had been unconscious, many people had believed that he was on the verge of death and had been unable to wait to kick him while he was down. Now that he had come back to his senses, judging by the disposition and usual conduct of the man known as the “Mad Dog,” he would inevitably go mad and cause trouble all over again.
Yet the Prince Jing’s Residence had been eerily peaceful over the past two days. Not the slightest bit of news had come out.
In order to protect Chu Zhaojiang, the plan of “substituting the bride” had been an all or nothing gamble from the beginning and it had been riddled with flaws. Chu Jing had already anticipated the likely outcome.
Either the “assassination” and the “substitute marriage” would be exposed on the wedding night, resulting in Chu Zhaohuai being killed;
or Chu Zhaohuai would be clever enough to understand the situation and, in order to save his own life, would not expose the truth about the substitute marriage.
If it were the former, it would still be manageable. What Chu Jing feared was…
Just as he was thinking this, a servant hurriedly came to report, “Marquis, the carriage from Prince Jing’s Residence has arrived.”
Chu Jing’s hand trembled and several drops of tea spilled from his cup. He closed his eyes slightly and drank down most of the cold tea, his five viscera and six bowels seeming to be frozen through by the chill.
…It seemed it was the latter after all.
The procession from Prince Jing’s Residence hardly looked like a carriage returning to a bride’s natal family. It looked more like an army setting out to conquer an enemy and intimidate all who stood in its way. Although the common people along the entire street were afraid of the God of Death, they could not conceal their curiosity. They hid along the roadside, watching from a distance.
The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the gates of the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s Residence.
…..
Once the carriage had stopped securely, Chu Zhaohuai gathered the hem of his robe and prepared to get down but when he glanced sideways, he saw that Ji Xun was still lazily leaning against the carriage wall, his eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
Chu Zhaohuai whispered, “Your Highness? Your Highness.”
Ji Xun did not move. He merely responded with a lazy “Mm,” indicating that he was still barely alive.
Chu Zhaohuai was something of a bumpkin and did not understand the rules of the capital very well. He reminded him, “We’ve arrived.”
Sunlight filtered through the carriage curtains and fell across Ji Xun’s languid features. His voice carried a casual, unhurried gentleness as he said lazily, “Mm, we’ve arrived. Wait until I finish catching a nap and then I’ll get off the carriage with the Prince Consort. We’ll make three bows and nine prostrations before entering the Marquis’s Residence to pay our respects to my father in law, then kneel there without getting up as we thank the Marquis for making this wonderful marriage possible.”
Chu Zhaohuai: “…”
Ji Xun was quite easy to get along with under ordinary circumstances but every now and then, he would suddenly throw out a sarcastic remark. The impact of those words was astonishingly sharp.
Chu Zhaohuai had been thoroughly knocked back by the jab and muttered inwardly.
The reason this man had become the subject of so many rumors probably had a great deal to do with that dragon headed saber of a mouth of his.
Now that he had married into the imperial family, Chu Zhaohuai was the Prince Consort and therefore held a position of honor. Even though Chu Jing possessed the title of Marquis of Zhenyuan, he was ultimately still an external official. There was naturally no rule that allowed the Prince and Prince Consort to arrive at the gates without being received.
Chu Zhaohuai obediently remained seated inside the carriage, peeking outside through a gap in the curtains.
Before long, Chu Jing and Madam Zheng appeared at the entrance of the Marquis’s Residence, surrounded by a group of servants. They walked down to the steps and bowed with cupped hands toward the carriage. “We respectfully welcome Your Highness, the Prince and the Prince Consort.”
Chu Zhaohuai’s hand trembled in fright and the curtain fell back into place, blocking out the sunlight.
His own father was bowing to him. Wouldn’t that take years off his life?
Hearing the commotion, Ji Xun finally opened his eyes with the composure of an old god. Holding his dove headed cane, he lightly tapped the carriage wall.
Yin Chongshan immediately understood his command. He lowered the rear partition of the carriage diagonally to the ground and skillfully pushed the wheelchair down from the carriage.
Afraid that he might once again fail to understand the rules and receive another gentle but razor sharp remark from Ji Xun, Chu Zhaohuai had no choice but to remain beside him the entire time, saying nothing and maintaining a dignified bearing.
Chu Jing was still bent at the waist. From the corner of his eye, his gaze fell upon Chu Zhaohuai, who was wearing a veil over his eyes and his brows furrowed deeply.
Ji Xun sat languidly in his wheelchair. Even under the bright winter sunlight, there was barely any warmth to be had yet Yin Chongshan opened a bamboo ribbed umbrella with gold embellishments to shield him from the sunlight, as though afraid he might get too warm.
Chu Zhaohuai shivered slightly, becoming even more curious about what kind of terrible illness Ji Xun had.
Everyone in the entire Marquis’s Residence was still holding their bows, their waists nearly aching from remaining bent yet Ji Xun acted as though he had not noticed them at all. Instead, he looked at Chu Zhaohuai and asked gently, “Is the Prince Consort cold?”
“I’m not…”
He had barely spoken two words when he saw Ji Xun’s eyes narrow almost imperceptibly. Chu Zhaohuai’s heart gave a jolt.
Oh no. Could saying that he was not cold have violated some rule of the imperial household?
Reading Ji Xun’s expression, Chu Zhaohuai had no idea what he had said wrong but he still forcibly changed the direction of his words. “I’m not… as healthy and fiery as Your Highness, so naturally I’m cold.”
Ji Xun smiled. He casually extended a hand and Yin Chongshan, standing at his side, produced a fur coat as if by magic and draped it over his forearm.
Ji Xun said, “Bend down.”
Chu Zhaohuai was puzzled but obediently bent down.
Ji Xun raised his hand slightly. The sable fur coat, carrying the faint fragrance of incense, drifted lightly onto Chu Zhaohuai’s shoulders, catching him completely off guard and pressing his waist down several inches further.
The two of them were extremely close. Chu Zhaohuai wore a bewildered expression as he gazed at him through the black veil, even able to see clearly the faint little scar above Ji Xun’s left eyebrow.
What… was he doing?
Was he giving him the sable coat because he had noticed that he was cold?
When Ji Xun had ordered the residence to specially prepare hot food for him the day before yesterday, Chu Zhaohuai’s first reaction had still been suspicion and testing but now, after gaining a deeper understanding of the “real” God of Death, the moment the sable coat had been placed over his shoulders, his heart held nothing but a sense of being flattered beyond measure.
So considerate and attentive, how could he possibly be mad?
What utter nonsense.
Ji Xun leisurely draped the sable coat bestowed by the Emperor upon Chu Zhaohuai. Only then did he seem to remember that the people of the Marquis’s Residence were still there and he looked toward them.
“Chongshan, who is this?”
Yin Chongshan replied, “In response to Your Highness, this is Marquis Chu Jing of Zhenyuan, Marquis Chu.”
Ji Xun smiled. “So it is Brother Chu.”
Chu Jing: “…”
He had actually addressed his father in law as “brother.”
This was deliberately humiliating the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s Residence in front of everyone.
Chu Jing’s expression darkened. He endured it, then endured it again, barely managing not to lose his temper.
Yin Chongshan played the good cop and hurriedly smoothed things over. “Your Highness has forgotten again. You and the Young Marquis Chu have already married and today is the third day return visit to his natal family.”
Ji Xun gave a soft “Mm,” as though he had finally remembered. “Look at my memory. I have been so busy these past few days that I forgot to take my medicine, so I have trouble recognizing people. Marquis Chu, please don’t take offense.”
Chu Jing said coldly, “Your Highness is joking. You possess the noble blood of the imperial family and a body blessed by Heaven. Even with Heaven’s protection, you should not avoid treatment out of embarrassment. If you follow the physician’s instructions and take your medicine properly, you will surely remain healthy and enjoy a smooth and peaceful life.”
Ji Xun appeared not to have heard the insult hidden within Chu Jing’s words, as though he had completely missed the implication that he was being called sick. He merely smiled and said, “Then I shall accept Marquis Chu’s good wishes.”
The two of them exchanged several remarks back and forth.
Chu Zhaohuai began to feel somewhat displeased.
On the second day after their wedding, when Eunuch Xu had come from the palace to deliver the imperial rewards, Ji Xun had also behaved as though he could not recognize anyone. Presumably, this was simply a lingering effect of his illness rather than something he was doing deliberately.
Even Eunuch Xu, the eunuch who served before His Majesty, had been forgotten and still cheerfully taken it in stride.
Yet his own father was the one pulling a long face.
He was being far too harsh.
Seeing the atmosphere stiffen, Madam Zheng cautiously stepped in to smooth things over. “Your Highness, Prince Consort, the noon banquet has already been prepared. Please enter the residence and take your seats.”
Ji Xun did not even spare her a proper glance. Instead, he turned his head slightly and asked, “Is the Prince Consort hungry?”
For a moment, Chu Zhaohuai had no idea whether he was supposed to be hungry or not. He answered cautiously, “I… am half hungry and half full… I suppose.”
Yin Chongshan: “…”
What a remarkable answer.
Half hungry and half full.
And he had even added, “I suppose.”
Ji Xun glanced at him and said indifferently, “Since the Prince Consort is hungry, then let us enter the residence.”
The servants of the Marquis’s Residence were impeccably trained. They bowed and retreated to either side of the entrance, respectfully welcoming the two of them into the residence.
When Chu Zhaohuai had been young, Chu Zhaojiang had constantly excluded him and deliberately tripped him up. After growing older and returning from Lin’an, he had still not been welcomed by anyone. He had even been forced to enter the residence through the back door, while the servants never once regarded him properly.
This was the first time Chu Zhaohuai had ever received such treatment within the Marquis’s Residence.
Standing beside Ji Xun, he felt almost as though he were borrowing the tiger’s might to intimidate others. The sensation was both strange and somewhat uncomfortable.
Besides, Chu Jing had been staring at him coldly the entire time.
Chu Zhaohuai glanced back at him.
Using him as a substitute bride and sending him off to die was one thing. Nearly half of the one hundred and twenty sets of wedding gifts had been missing and Chu Zhaohuai had not even had the time to go mad and demand that his dowry be returned.
Yet Chu Jing had the nerve to become angry first.
Where did he get the audacity?
Chu Zhaohuai cursed inwardly.
Ji Xun seemed completely unaware of the silent exchange between father and son. As Yin Chongshan pushed his wheelchair toward the main hall, his gaze happened to land on the characters written on the plaque of a small hall not far away.
【Shuiyu Hall.】
Ji Xun asked, “That is quite an unusual and elegant name. Where does it come from?”
Chu Zhaohuai glanced over and his face immediately turned pale.
Chu Jing had always been partial to Chu Zhaojiang. When Chu Zhaohuai was young, the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s Residence had not yet fallen into such decline. At the time, one of Chu Jing’s friends from court had sent two pieces of crystal clear water jade, saying that each of the young masters in the residence should have one.
Chu Jing had accepted them with a smile, only to turn around and give both pieces to Chu Zhaojiang.
Back then, Chu Zhaohuai had been too young to accept such blatant favoritism. He had cried and pleaded, wanting the water jade to play with, only for Chu Jing to lock him up for several days.
Afterward, in order to show off, Chu Zhaojiang had had both pieces of water jade engraved with his own name. He had even renamed the dining hall where they ate every day just to rub it in Chu Zhaohuai’s face.
Who would have thought that after all these years, that ridiculous name still had not been changed?
It seemed that Chu Jing truly did dote on Chu Zhaojiang.
No wonder he had been willing to carry out something as outrageous as the “substitute marriage” and “substitute death.”
Afraid that Chu Zhaohuai might say something else, Chu Jing took the initiative to answer, “The character Zhao in the Prince Consort’s name belongs to the generation associated with water, while the jade was named with the meaning of ‘a hall filled with gold and jade.’ The meaning is somewhat vulgar, I admit. I hope Your Highness will forgive the joke.”
Ji Xun smiled. “It is indeed rather vulgar. I shall have to make fun of it for a while.”
Chu Jing: “…”
Chu Zhaohuai took a deep breath.
Heh.
He really was good at making things up.
“A hall filled with gold and jade”?
Why not name it “Jade withers and fragrance fades” instead?
Chu Zhaohuai had originally intended to take one step back and let the world become wider but the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Sometimes, anger made it easy to lose one’s breath. When his mind went blank for a moment, that was precisely when something that looked calm on the surface but had already been completely insane for half a day began.
Chu Zhaohuai drew in a deep breath. In the end, he could not hold himself back and calmly picked up the conversation. “Father, speaking of this, Zhaojiang left in such a hurry when he married that he forgot to take the piece of water jade you gave me. I remember it should have been placed together with the inventory list for the one hundred and twenty sets of wedding gifts. Could I trouble you to send someone to bring both the water jade and the list to me?”
Chu Jing’s expression turned cold, though he barely managed to maintain his composure. “It is only a piece of worthless water jade…”
Chu Zhaohuai deliberately put on a sorrowful expression. “But you personally carved the characters for me onto it, Father. Zhaojiang regards it as a priceless treasure and has worn it for so many years that it has practically become his protective talisman. He has only been without it for a few days yet he already feels uncomfortable all over.”
Chu Jing: “…”
On the surface, he was asking for the water jade.
In reality, he was issuing a threat.
Chu Jing was just about to say something when Ji Xun, who had indeed been taking his time making fun of “Shuiyu Hall,” looked over and sighed with emotion. “The Prince Consort truly holds Marquis Chu in such high regard.”
Chu Jing could not openly contradict Chu Zhaohuai in front of Ji Xun. He could only take a deep breath and order someone to retrieve the water jade and the inventory list.
Chu Zhaohuai was happy.
After just a few words, the group leisurely passed through Shuiyu Hall and arrived at the main hall of the Marquis’s Residence. The entire place was spotless, without a trace of dust and the furnishings were elegant and magnificent. The banquet for the Prince Consort’s return had already been prepared.
Everyone in the capital knew that Ji Xun ate only cold food. No matter how much Chu Jing disliked him, all the dishes on the table had still been prepared according to the customs of Prince Jing’s Residence, without even the slightest trace of steam.
Although today was the occasion of the newlywed son in law returning to his natal family, the Prince’s status was naturally too distinguished for him to share a single long dining table with everyone else as they would during an ordinary family banquet. Therefore, the seats for the two of them had been arranged separately at the very front.
From childhood until now, whether he had been in the Marquis’s Residence or in Lin’an, whenever Chu Zhaohuai attended a banquet, he had generally been seated in the most remote corner, never receiving anyone’s attention.
This time, however, he had followed Ji Xun and stolen the limelight, actually taking a seat at the place of honor.
Unable to conceal his delight, Chu Zhaohuai sat down, his gaze repeatedly drifting toward the outside as he waited for the servants to bring over the water jade and the inventory list.
Ji Xun showed no awareness whatsoever that he was a guest in someone else’s home. He seemed even more at ease than he did in his own residence. Crossing one leg over the other, he said indifferently, “The Prince Consort’s health is poor and he cannot tolerate the cold. Replace half of these dishes with hot food.”
Chu Jing froze.
Ji Xun’s reputation had never been particularly good. He possessed an exceptionally handsome appearance yet was cold and heartless. Before his madness began, his conduct had been extremely capricious and arrogant. After being injured, his temperament had become even more difficult to read.
Sometimes, he would appear to be smiling warmly, gentle as water, as though he did not possess even the slightest temper. In reality, however, murderous intent had long been concealed beneath that gentle exterior, along with an overwhelming malice.
He was like a beast with endless patience. Clearly capable of killing with a single strike, he would instead hide his claws and toy with his prey, indulging in nothing more than the satisfaction and pleasure of having a person completely under his control.
Only after the prey had thoroughly relaxed its vigilance would he open his jaws wide, as though he had finally grown tired of playing and teasing, before sinking his fangs into it without mercy and tearing it apart.
Chu Jing had never once heard a single sensible human word come from this man’s mouth.
Much less anything considerate.
As though he had suddenly thought of something, Chu Jing abruptly looked toward Chu Zhaohuai.
Chu Zhaohuai sat quietly to one side, a veil covering his eyes. He was completely unaware of the special treatment Ji Xun was giving him. A purple robe covered his body, with a golden sable fur cloak reserved for the imperial family draped over it. People truly did rely on their clothing; dressed in such splendid and luxurious garments, even Chu Zhaohuai seemed to have acquired a trace of noble bearing.
Not to mention that face so strikingly similar to Madam Bai’s, with the beauty mark on his cheek. It was beautiful enough to make Chu Jing feel disgusted.
Suddenly, Chu Jing’s heart began pounding like a drum and a layer of cold sweat broke out across his back.
Could it be that Ji Xun…
had really taken a liking to Chu Zhaohuai?
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Substitute BrideChapter 2 · Chu ZhaojiangChapter 3 · Very safeChapter 4 · He is the prince’s manChapter 5 · It was really hard to refuse their kind invitation.Chapter 6 · Thankfully it was just poisoning.Chapter 7 · Haha, I spit on “golden and jade hall”!Chapter 8 · Are you not satisfied with the homecoming gift?Chapter 9 · You must keep your identity hidden.Chapter 10 · I like whole fish banquetChapter 11 · BankruptChapter 12 · Add some funChapter 13 · FightChapter 14 · Three taels of silverChapter 15 · Go back to restChapter 16 · They’re all spendthrifts.Chapter 17 · Enough for branches and leavesChapter 18 · Rumors can kill peopleChapter 19 · I want to get closer to the prince.Chapter 20 · Why not move in and share a room?Chapter 21 · Ha, I’m not stupid.Chapter 22 Part 1 · Liang Fang’s prescriptionChapter 22 Part 2 · Liang Fang’s prescriptionChapter 23 · Be more cautious and vigilantChapter 24 Part 1 · Don’t touch meChapter 24 Part 2 · Don’t touch meChapter 25 Part 1 · Golden NeedleChapter 25 Part 2 · Golden NeedleChapter 26 · To avoid suspicionChapter 27 · Committing numerous evil deedsChapter 28 Part 1 · May I receive the worst possible fortuneChapter 28 Part 2 · May I receive the worst possible fortuneChapter 29 · I really didn’t mean to kill youChapter 30 · Protect the prince!Chapter 31 · The bird that fell into the trapChapter 32 · Embracing someone on the couchChapter 33 · The miracle doctor is going home!Chapter 34 · I shouldn’t have wanted to hurt himChapter 35 · A bout of madnessChapter 36 · NightmareChapter 37 Part 1 · SpecialChapter 37 Part 2 · SpecialChapter 38 · Being hunted downChapter 39 · Cause and Bitter FruitChapter 40 · Is he honest and kind?Chapter 41 · I am flattered and overwhelmed.Chapter 42 · No, I want to buy.Chapter 43 Part 1 · When the city gate catches fireChapter 43 Part 2 · When the city gate catches fireChapter 44 · It’s the face of a notorious thiefChapter 45 · Are you trying to comfort me?Chapter 46 · Thank you, Your Highness!Chapter 47 · Thank you, Your Highness!Chapter 48 · It’s delicious!Chapter 49 · SeducingChapter 50 · By imperial decreeChapter 51 Part 1 · Potent MedicineChapter 51 Part 2 · Potent MedicineChapter 52 · Wasn’t it impotence?Chapter 53 · I’m not busy todayChapter 54 Part 1 · Break his legs directlyChapter 54 Part 2 · Break his legs directlyChapter 55 · I really didn’t mean to mess with youChapter 56 · Don’t play the victim when you’re having a medical episodeChapter 57 · Let’s do it one more time!Chapter 58 Part 1 · I’ve got you!Chapter 58 Part 2 · I’ve got you!Chapter 59 · A doctor’s dutyChapter 60 Part 1 · Are you at peace with yourself?Chapter 60 Part 2 · Are you at peace with yourself?