Chen Wanjun was somewhat shocked. She had originally prepared herself to take action against this seductive woman, but soon her face was filled with sweetness—her husband truly loved her after all.
Thinking this, her expression softened considerably as she looked at Liu Fuyin. Feigning surprise, she said, “Last night, it was I who persuaded His Highness to go to your place, sister. I just never imagined he would treat you that way.”
Liu Fuyin shook her head, stood up, and performed a half-curtsey. “Rumors in the capital claim that I adore His Highness, but in truth, how could I defy the imperial favor bestowed upon me? To me, His Highness is merely my master. Whatever His Highness does, I naturally must accept it. As the Crown Princess, sister, I will also respect and honor you.”
This was clearly an intention to befriend her. To be honest, such a tactful concubine was far better than those with deep, scheming minds. Yet, Chen Wanjun felt vigilant and uneasy just looking at her.
She wasn’t sure whether the Crown Prince would be bewitched by her in the future, nor did she want to live in constant fear day after day.
So how could the two of them possibly become friends? Concubines had always been enemies to those in the position of the principal wife, let alone an Honored Concubine with both beauty and high family status. This undoubtedly posed a threat to her own position.
Thinking of this, Chen Wanjun suddenly felt that this Liu woman was somewhat hypocritical. Whether in looks or status, the Crown Prince was an object of pursuit for women in the capital. Out of a woman’s intuition, she didn’t believe that a concubine who had already entered the household would have no thoughts at all.
In truth, it all came down to Chen Wanjun competing with her in her heart, especially after comparing and realizing that she fell short in both family background and appearance. The other woman was genuinely gentle and kind, which by contrast made her seem malicious.
Chen Wanjun would never admit to being the villain, so she projected the worst intentions onto others.
Though she thought this way, her expression naturally did not show it. “If you have nothing to do, sister, you may come and sit with me more often.”
“I thank you, sister,” Liu Fuyin replied, then looked at her with sparkling eyes. That innocent and beautiful appearance even made Chen Wanjun marvel inwardly, and her jealousy unconsciously grew a little stronger.
That day, after court adjourned, the Crown Prince came to Chen Wanjun’s quarters for no other reason than to express his affection once more. After hearing him out, the smile on Chen Wanjun’s face deepened.
“Anlang, I know it all. Your feelings for me are witnessed by heaven and earth—how could I ever doubt them!” Chen Wanjun excitedly threw herself into his arms. This was the address she had used back in Jiangzhou, but after returning to the capital, with its many rituals, she feared making a mistake in public and had switched to calling him Your Highness.
For a moment, the Crown Prince felt a pang of guilt, but he only dodged the topic, saying, “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard you call me that. I rather miss it.”
“Then from now on, when it’s just the two of us, shall I always call you that?”
The Crown Prince nodded.
After a moment of tenderness, the Crown Prince went to his study. He had indeed been quite busy these days. His father, the Emperor, was growing old but unwilling to relinquish power, relentlessly suppressing him, the Crown Prince, which left him mentally exhausted all day.
However, that evening, he still went to Guanju Hall. First, he played with his daughter for a while before retiring for the night.
Perhaps it was the unease of a new bride entering the Eastern Palace, but even Chen Wanjun, who was not usually very enthusiastic about such matters, took the initiative, which had a unique charm of its own.
If it had been before, the Crown Prince would have been pleasantly surprised. But having just tasted the bewitching allure of Liu Fuyin the previous night, being with Chen Wanjun now left him with much to ponder.
Of course, the Crown Prince would not admit to himself that he had fallen in love with that Liu woman because of this. His arrogant and conceited nature led him to believe he could clearly separate lust from love. It was just that he had recently tasted something new, which left him feeling as though something was missing, never quite at ease.
To put it plainly, he simply felt that Liu Fuyin was exceptionally compatible with him. If Liu Fuyin were to hear this, she would undoubtedly mock him inwardly—how could they not be compatible? She had deliberately learned to be so!
The more he thought about it, the more dissatisfied he grew, especially since Chen Wanjun had injured her body during childbirth years ago and could no longer withstand his wild and unrestrained desires.
Chen Wanjun had no idea what was going through the Crown Prince’s mind. She merely thought that her own initiative had stirred his passion. While she was pleased, she could hardly bear it any longer. Yet, to avoid dampening his mood, she had no choice but to endure.
Before long, Chen Wanjun fell into a deep sleep. Only then did the Crown Prince realize his own impropriety, growing increasingly guilty and remorseful. He quickly called for water and had servants come in to clean her up, then went outside himself to cool off in the chilly breeze.
For seven consecutive days, this pattern continued, and the Crown Prince found himself thinking of Liu Fuyin more and more. He even summoned the Imperial Physician several times. If not for the physician’s assurance that he was simply full of vigor, he might have suspected he had been drugged.
As for Liu Fuyin, she took Chen Wanjun’s polite words at face value and visited her every day during this period, even running into the Crown Prince on several occasions.
If not for the fact that Liangdi Liu would find excuses to leave whenever the Crown Prince was present, Chen Wanjun might have suspected that Liangdi Liu was doing it on purpose!
Occasionally, Liu Fuyin would exchange glances with the Crown Prince behind Chen Wanjun’s back. When he mentioned the flood control efforts from years ago, she would gaze at him with admiration, sometimes even secretly brushing her hand against his. The thrill of sneaking around right under the principal wife’s nose was undeniable.
Beyond this, the two would occasionally cross paths during the day. Apart from showing her wounds to evoke pity, she would also let the scent she wore affect the Crown Prince, amplifying his desires without allowing release. This only fueled his growing dissatisfaction in that regard.
One day, the Crown Prince returned from court with a dark expression and ordered, “Go, summon Liu Fuyin here!”
Tian Zhongshun had followed the Crown Prince into the palace early that morning. From the moment court adjourned, the Crown Prince’s mood had been foul. Rumor had it that he had clashed with Shizhong during the morning court session, though the specifics were unclear.
Poor Liangdi Liu—already not favored by the Crown Prince, and now with her own father and husband at odds, her days were bound to be difficult. Being summoned at such a critical moment surely meant nothing good.
In truth, the Crown Prince was simply plagued by unfulfilled desires. That morning, on his way to court through the dew-laden air, he had run into Liu Fuyin picking flowers outside. Already longing for her these past few days, the scent she wore had left him utterly distracted throughout the entire court session.
As for the dispute with Minister Liu, it was all an act the two of them had put on. After all, although the Emperor had named him Crown Prince, his heart still leaned toward Noble Consort Li and her son. Moreover, the Emperor, unwilling to accept his advancing age, grew wary of the young and vigorous Crown Prince.
Minister Liu was one of the Emperor’s close advisors, yet his daughter had entered the Eastern Palace. This marriage had been agreed upon verbally long ago, so there was no choice but to proceed. To reassure the Emperor, they deliberately staged a scene of discord—the Crown Prince showing dissatisfaction with the Liu Family’s daughter, and Minister Liu looking down on him, culminating in a heated argument in court.
After all, a Crown Prince and his ministers should not grow too close, especially those in the Emperor’s inner circle. Otherwise, how could the Emperor sleep peacefully at night?
“I pay my morning greetings to Your Highness.” Liu Fuyin obediently performed the courtesy, looking up to see the Crown Prince’s darkened face.
The Crown Prince waved his hand, dismissing everyone in the study, then strode over to Liu Fuyin. “Rise.”
“Has Your Highness summoned me for some matter?”
The Crown Prince deliberately tried to frighten her, his voice as cold as ice: “Does Lady Liu know that the Shizhong, displeased with you, has impeached me in court today!”