She had thought things would quiet down for a while after that, but never expected this Crown Prince would actually climb over her wall.
At the time, the lights in Huilan Garden were already out. Liu Fuyin was drifting off to sleep when she felt a sudden weight on her body. In panic, she opened her mouth to scream, only to have it covered by a hand.
“Don’t shout. It’s me.”
“Your… Your Highness!” Liu Fuyin’s face showed a mix of shock and delight, but inwardly she was cursing this man countless times. He prided himself on being so devoted, yet in the end, he was still a creature unable to control his baser instincts!
It had only been a few days since she last poured out her grievances to him, and here he was again! Anyone unaware might think she was his true love, sneaking around for fear of being discovered and troubled by the Crown Princess!
Still, with someone delivering themselves to her doorstep, Liu Fuyin wouldn’t turn them away. She just couldn’t break character: “How did Your Highness come? If Sister finds out, she will surely be upset.” Since the Crown Prince always put Chen Wanjun first, she would simply go along with his wishes.
Her flicker of delight did not escape the Crown Prince’s notice. Knowing the woman held affection and expectations for him brought him pleasure, but hearing her following words instantly darkened his expression.
Because of what she had said last time, the Crown Prince was willing to show her some respect. Having not seen her for a while, he had even specially climbed the wall for her today. He never expected to hear such a dampening remark again. His voice carried a trace of anger: “Lady Liu, this entire Eastern Palace is mine, including you!”
When pleased with her service, she was “Yin Yin”; with one displeasing word, she became “Lady Liu.” Liu Fuyin truly wanted to curse this temperamental dog of a man!
Seeing him so harsh and severe, Liu Fuyin quickly struggled free from his embrace, knelt on the floor, and kowtowed, her forehead striking the ground with a sound. Her frail body trembled uncontrollably, her voice even tinged with fear: “This concubine spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Your Highness!”
Now it was the Crown Prince’s turn to be stunned. He had never imagined she would be afraid of him.
In the silence, the Crown Prince’s mind raced through their interactions. Aside from the first two times he had stormed into Huilan Garden in anger, later he had even forced himself upon her in the study.
She had only been bolder in that matter. But in other aspects, even when confessing her love, she had mostly been driven to tears before speaking out.
Though he had never truly regarded this concubine with any importance, seeing her like this, the Crown Prince actually found it somewhat intriguing. He quickly picked her up: “I’m not going to eat you,” then added, “Wanwan doesn’t know.”
Perhaps she had used too much force when kowtowing in fright earlier, as her forehead was now red. The Crown Prince asked where the ointment was, fetched it, and applied some for her.
At this moment, Liu Fuyin mustered her courage again and glanced at him. That little expression seemed to say, “You would.”
“Alright, no need for this. I truly won’t do anything to you. Why is your courage still so small?”
“Then Your Highness must protect this concubine more.” Liu Fuyin’s voice was very soft.
“I will.”
“But Your Highness, you were so fierce just now. This concubine was only speaking the truth.” As she said this, her voice took on a tearful tone again. Though it sounded like a complaint, there was a hint of coquettishness in it.
The Crown Prince believed he most disliked weepy women, but this woman was beautiful even when she cried, and pitiful too. Although he didn’t much care about her feelings, he also found it somewhat hard to bear seeing her like this.
His voice unconsciously softened: “What are you crying for? Seeing Yin Yin like this makes me feel I shouldn’t have come.”
With that, he even stood up, making as if to leave.
Liu Fuyin hurriedly wrapped her arms around him from behind, embracing his waist. “Your Highness, this concubine won’t cry anymore. Don’t go.”
The woman wore only a thin layer of sleepwear, her warm and soft body pressing close, exuding a delicate fragrance that stirred restless thoughts.
The Crown Prince naturally embraced her and carried her to the bed. Earlier, he had casually asked about the scent and, upon learning it was her natural fragrance, harbored no further doubts. “Yin Yin smells so fragrant.”
“Your Highness, I missed you so much. I was so afraid you were angry with me.”
“When you tearfully accused me in the study last time, why weren’t you afraid then? I never knew I appeared that way in Yin Yin’s eyes.” The Crown Prince was adept at speaking nonsense when he was interested in someone.
As if recalling the incident brought a wave of shame, Liu Fuyin’s face flushed red again.
In this silence, their eyes met once more, and the tension surged. The Crown Prince pressed her down onto the bed.
In the heat of passion, Liu Fuyin deliberately scratched several marks on his back—partly intentional, partly unable to resist, as it had been many days since their last intimacy. Today, the Crown Prince lost control and was rougher than usual.
“You’ve even learned to scratch now!” the Crown Prince teased. This was something new; Wanwan would never leave marks on him, making it all the more intriguing.
Though painful, it was exhilarating.
For Liu Fuyin, this was yet another step in her ongoing exploration—from her initial active cooperation to her deliberately seductive whispers. Now, it was time to test her limits on him.
She even gently nibbled at his throat, but the man, startled, suddenly bit her neck in return. Thus began an inexplicable contest of wills, a playful back-and-forth of scratching and biting.
“Tsk, you’ve grown bolder in bed!”
Liu Fuyin lay lazily in his arms, her voice trailing off with a seductive lilt. “I haven’t. I’ve always been timid. These are just things I read in books.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she seemed to realize her slip and instantly covered her lips.
“I never imagined my Liangdi had studied in advance. What else have you learned? Why not demonstrate them all?”
The next day, Liu Fuyin arrived at Guanju Hall for the morning greetings, radiating a charming and coquettish glow as if thoroughly nourished.
This time, she wore no powder, deliberately revealing the allure of a woman who had experienced intimacy—especially since she had guided the Crown Prince to leave red marks on her neck the night before.
She had only lightly concealed them, but upon closer inspection, the marks were still visible.
Chen Wanjun had been living too comfortably lately. It was time for some trouble—the Crown Prince’s efforts couldn’t go to waste!
“I greet my elder sister.”
Just as Chen Wanjun was about to invite Liu Fuyin to sit, she looked up and saw the other woman’s flushed, love-struck expression. Having experienced intimacy herself, Chen Wanjun’s smile instantly froze.
“You seem to be in exceptionally good spirits today, sister.”
Liu Fuyin smiled shyly. “I’ve been eating and sleeping well lately, and I’ve also been taking tonics in my spare time. I suppose I do look much better.”
As she spoke, she inadvertently revealed the red marks on her neck. Chen Wanjun, already suspicious, saw them clearly. “Are those rashes on your neck?”
Liu Fuyin lowered her head uncomfortably. “Perhaps mosquito bites.”
Ying Chun, who often attended to her mistress during baths, also thought the marks looked suspicious. Her eyes turned venomous, and she spoke without restraint. “What mosquito bites? Could it be that Liangdi Liu has been up to something unspeakable?”
Liu Fuyin immediately transformed into a delicate little white flower swaying in the wind, her face pale as she spoke: “No matter what, I am still Your Highness’s person. How could you, sister, allow those around you to speak of me in such a manner?”
“No matter what, I am still a lady from a respectable family, a Liangdi properly married into the household by Your Highness. To speak of me this way is to slander Your Highness as well. Could it be that you hold some grievance against His Highness?”