Coming from the front courtyard, the Crown Prince still carried the scent of alcohol on him, appearing rather furious. The two maidservants bowed and retreated.
He had come alone, not even bringing the eunuch responsible for prompting etiquette, let alone the ceremonial stick to lift the bridal veil or the shared nuptial wine.
Just as Liu Fuyin heard the sound and was about to rise to bow, her veil was abruptly snatched away and casually tossed to the ground. The woman’s delicate face was revealed, and a flash of admiration passed through the Crown Prince’s eyes.
With arched brows and pearly teeth, exuding a thousand charms, she had shed the innocence of her youth and become even more dazzling. Yet she bit her lip tightly, her fingers curling as if in unease.
The Crown Prince was looking at her, and Liu Fuyin was also sizing up this Crown Prince. His face was as fair as jade, handsome as Pan An, elegant and noble, with sharp features. His lips, neither too thick nor too thin, were slightly pursed, and the gaze he directed at her held a hint of displeasure.
He was quite good-looking, which put her at ease to carry out her mission. Although he was her target, if he were too ugly, she truly wouldn’t have been able to bring herself to it. Thankfully, thankfully—the imperial family was full of handsome men.
“This concubine… this concubine pays respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince.” The original formalities were entirely omitted. The overpowering scent of alcohol on the man and his casual attitude toward her filled her with panic, making her voice timid. Yet her eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope.
“Rise,” the Crown Prince’s voice was indifferent.
No matter how stunningly beautiful this Liu Family woman was, it was merely skin-deep. Could a pretty face be eaten as food? As for her reputation for beauty, any family could cultivate that.
Moreover, while the Liu woman was indeed beautiful, she was also quite scheming.
Suppressing the tremor in his heart, the Crown Prince’s expression grew stern when he wasn’t smiling, especially since he was holding back some anger. He raised his hand and pinched her chin, using considerable force.
His scrutinizing gaze swept over her, his face full of disdain as he sneered, “Liu! You certainly have skill, managing to persuade my mother to plead for you time and again! As you wished, I have married you into the Eastern Palace, but do not dare to hope for anything more!”
“Your Highness, you’re hurting me.”
The woman’s timid, murmuring voice sounded, tears welling unconsciously in her eyes, soon reddening her entire sockets.
The Crown Prince’s sharp gaze fixed on her eyes as if trying to see through her soul. Finally, he snorted lightly and released her. The woman’s delicate face was flushed red, but the man showed no trace of sympathy. “Liu, are you also accustomed to feigning pitifulness in front of my mother? Is this how you coaxed her into being utterly satisfied with you?”
The Crown Prince hated nothing more in life than being forced by others, especially in recent years when his mother had often mentioned this Liu Family woman, fueling his growing disgust.
Liu Fuyin had no intention of changing the original character’s personality. After all, everyone within a hundred miles knew that the Liu Family woman was gentle as water. She planned to follow the path of an innocent, delicate flower, taking this purity and beauty to the extreme.
Bravely holding back her tears, her frail figure swayed like a flower trembling in the wind. Her voice carried restrained grievance:
“The rumors in the capital are not wrong. This concubine does indeed admire Your Highness. Since five years ago, when my heart first stirred at the flower-viewing banquet and I laid eyes on Your Highness, this heart has been given away. But is it wrong to love someone? Especially when this marriage contract was…” The rest need not be said—everyone understood. The Crown Prince was merely taking his anger out on her.
“If my admiration and affection for Your Highness have caused you distress, I can bury these feelings deep within my heart. After all, Your Highness is so noble and handsome—I truly cannot control this fondness. In this lifetime, being able to marry Your Highness is already the fulfillment of my heart’s desire. I ask for nothing more. But does that mean Your Highness can humiliate me like this?”
Liu Fuyin’s words seemed to drip with blood, each syllable heavy with emotion, and by the end, her voice trembled with tears, sounding utterly pitiful.
Seeing the woman before him—on the verge of tears yet holding back, her clear eyes brimming with affection—the Crown Prince felt the great anger he had carried with him dissipate.
After all, before this, they had only met a few times, yet rumors had already spread throughout the capital that the Liu family was determined to marry her to him. Even as the Crown Prince, he did not believe he possessed such irresistible charm. It must have been his power and status that attracted her, especially since she had even managed to persuade the Empress Dowager—surely, she was a woman of cunning ambition.
Women in the palace were all like this, each pretending to harbor deep affection for the Emperor, only to reveal their true nature in the end, fighting tooth and nail for power and influence.
Unexpectedly, this woman’s gaze was pure, and she seemed genuinely devoted to him. Having a deep bond with the Crown Princess himself, he could understand the pain of unrequited love. However, he already had the Crown Princess. Not only could he not reciprocate her feelings, but he also had no intention of doing so. At best, he would confine her to the inner courtyard to avoid displeasing the Crown Princess.
Still, a misunderstanding was just a misunderstanding. For a concubine he did not love, the Crown Prince felt no guilt, though his attitude softened slightly. “What feelings you hold for me are of no concern to me. You need only remember your place. As long as you respect the Crown Princess and avoid causing trouble, I will not treat you unfairly.”
He was the Crown Prince. In his position, if he were to relinquish it, he would meet a grim fate. As his mother had said, to secure his position, he would inevitably have many concubines in the future.
Moreover, Wanwan’s health had been damaged, making it difficult for her to conceive again. As the heir apparent, he could not afford to be without an heir. For those concubines who remained obedient and knew their place, he might grant them a child in the future.
However, he had already assured Wanwan that no matter how many concubines he took, his feelings for her would never change. She would remain his only wife.
With the Crown Prince having spoken thus, Liu Fuyin did not press further or seek to determine right or wrong.
With a bitter smile, Liu Fuyin lowered her head, as if unwilling to let the man see her tears. She performed an elegant curtsy and said, “I understand. Whether Your Highness accepts it or not, my admiration for you is my own affair. I will not covet anything more.”
After she spoke, silence lingered between them for a long while.
The Crown Prince continued to observe Liu Fuyin. Seeing her sincere and unadorned demeanor, he realized he might have misjudged her. This woman’s thoughts seemed straightforward, requiring no guesswork. Though he was inclined to believe her, he remained somewhat suspicious and resolved to have her investigated afterward.
If her words were true and she harbored no ambition, he would consummate the marriage with her—but certainly not now.
“Let us retire. I have already informed the Crown Princess. Tonight, we will sleep separately, and I will not touch you for now. Your future treatment will depend on your conduct.”
Liu Fuyin’s eyes widened in surprise, as if she had just received the most wonderful news. She stood frozen for a moment, unable to conceal her joy.
In truth, her heart was filled with scorn. What vows of eternal devotion and exclusivity? They were nothing more than self-consolation. Did he truly think of himself as a man of deep passion?
Could physical intimacy and love be completely separated? She did not believe so.
“I am overjoyed, Your Highness. Rest assured, I will respect the Crown Princess and strive to earn her satisfaction.”
At first glance, Lady Liu’s words seemed correct, but upon closer consideration, something felt off.
Yet the joy in her eyes was unmistakable. The Crown Prince shook his head—after all, she was just an inexperienced young girl, unable to conceal her thoughts in the slightest.
Just as he was about to have another quilt prepared, the voice of his Chief Eunuch suddenly came from outside the door:
“Your Highness, someone from Guanju Hall has come to deliver a message, saying the Crown Princess is feeling unwell.”