Bearing her lessons from the past life firmly in mind, Wuyunzhu paid special attention to her physical health in this lifetime. During her growing years, she ingested sufficient nutrients daily, coupled with diligent martial arts practice, resulting in a physique that was exceptionally superior today: tall, full-figured, and proportioned to absolute perfection.
Normally, when clad in outer robes, this was not apparent. But now, having just finished bathing, she wore only a thin layer of sheer gauze, revealing those exquisite curves to full effect.
Yingtang was still an innocent youth; when had he ever witnessed such a scorching scene? He was instantly transfixed, then suddenly felt a hot sensation in his nose as something seemed to drip down.
Before he could even react himself, Heyuzhu let out a shriek, “My master is having a nosebleed! Quickly summon the imperial physician!”
Coming to his senses at last, Yingtang hastily stopped him, “You are not allowed to summon the physician.”
Wuyunzhu also trotted over, supporting Yingtang and asking him with concern, “What is wrong with Your Highness?”
Her fragrant, soft body pressed against him stimulated Yingtang even more fiercely, causing his nosebleed to flow faster than ever.
Heyuzhu was so anxious he was practically crying. “You are bleeding so much blood, how can you not summon a physician? If something happens, how am I to answer to the Emperor?”
“I am fine! You are not allowed to summon the physician!” Yingtang said through gritted teeth.
Tonight was his wedding night, after all; if he called an imperial physician, what kind of appearance would that make? If word got out, others would assume he was lacking in that department and needed a physician to prescribe medicine to manage things. Wouldn’t that ruin his reputation? He would never allow it!
Heyuzhu refused to believe it. “If you’re fine, why would you be bleeding? I’m not bleeding.”
Yingtang cast a sidelong glance at him. “You aren’t even a man, what would you be bleeding for?”
Ah? What did this have to do with being a man or not? Heyuzhu stood there dumbfounded, feeling both bewildered and aggrieved. He cast his gaze toward Wuyunzhu, hoping the Primary Consort would persuade their master not to讳疾忌医 (conceal one’s illness for fear of treatment).
Seeing Heyuzhu stare at Wuyunzhu—though he knew a eunuch wasn’t a man—Yingtang still felt a sharp pang of jealousy, so he dismissively waved a hand to drive him out.
“Get down with you. Without my command, no one is to enter.”
Though Heyuzhu was a thousand times worried, he dared not disobey his master’s order and could only back out the door. Wuyunzhu’s maidservants followed and withdrew as well.
In the bridal chamber, only the young couple remained.
By this time, Wuyunzhu had already guessed why the Ninth Prince had a nosebleed: a “pure high school boy” seeing a sexy beauty was simply too excited. However, could an imperial prince who had already known the pleasures of the flesh still be so easily aroused?
Though she understood internally what was going on, on the outside she still needed to play the part of the pure and innocent maiden. She asked softly, “Does Your Highness truly not need to call an imperial physician?”
The meaning was still that meaning, but when asked by a beauty rather than a eunuch, it sounded much more pleasing to the ear. Yingtang’s attitude also improved considerably. “No need. It’s just easy to get overheated when the weather is too hot, things like this happen. I’ll be fine once I rest a moment.”
“I didn’t frighten you, did I?”
Wuyunzhu shook her head, then released her grip and smiled shyly, “As long as Your Highness is fine.”
Seeing her looking so shy and timid, Yingtang felt his heart grow even more restless. Yet his current appearance wouldn’t do, so he said, “Rest for a moment, I am going inside to wash up.”
Hearing the sound of splashing water from the inner room, Wuyunzhu finally sat down before the dressing table, took out a bottle of scented lotion, poured some into her palm, and gently patted it onto her face.
After finishing her skincare, she picked up a comb and slowly combed her hair. Her three thousand strands of dark, glossy hair were both soft and bright, and she was truly satisfied with them. Suddenly, a handsome face appeared in the mirror.
“Your Highness?” She was somewhat startled. Why had he come out so quickly?
The Ninth Prince let out an “hn,” continuing to stare at her with burning eyes.
Wuyunzhu flushed crimson under his gaze, not daring to meet his eyes even in the reflection.
Pausing for a moment, she remembered that Yingtang had gone out to toast guests earlier and probably hadn’t eaten anything. Thinking along these lines, she asked, “Does Your Highness wish to have food served?”
At this question, Yingtang actually felt somewhat hungry, but right now no delicacies from land or sea could compare to how appetizing she was.
“No need. Has the Primary Consort partaken of her meal?”
Wuyunzhu nodded.
Then there were no remaining concerns.
“The hour is late, let us retire.”
With those words, he scooped Wuyunzhu up horizontally in his arms and strode toward the inner chambers.
The bed curtains dropped down, obscuring a room full of spring splendor.
Early the next morning.
Before Wuyunzhu had fully awakened, she felt something rubbing back and forth against her face, disrupting her sleep so that she couldn’t settle. Unable to brush it away, she opened her eyes in resignation and found a handsome face staring back at her.
Blinking her eyes to clear her mind, she finally remembered that she was already married and the person before her was her husband, so she quietly withdrew the fist she had half-raised.
She possessed a pair of rounded almond eyes. Half-asleep and half-awake, those eyes appeared exceptionally pure and cute, resembling a newborn fawn, prompting even deeper affection in anyone who looked. Unable to restrain himself, Yingtang kissed her with greater intensity, trailing downwards in deep infatuation.
As these kisses continued, passion flared once more. Yingtang grew somewhat restless and slipped his hand beneath her hem, murmuring, “Consort?”
Noticing his illicit move, Wuyunzhu immediately pinned his hand down.
She had only just married in and hadn’t even figured out the lay of the land in the Fourth Quarter yet; how could she accompany him in making a fuss? If word of gossip spread outside, she would be the very first person held accountable and made to take the blame.
However, she was not yet familiar with Yingtang’s temper and could not flatly refuse, so she had to show weakness.
“Your Highness, we still have to go pay our respects to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor later. If… I’m afraid we’ll be late, and the elders will think I am frivolous and disregard the rules.”
Hearing her put it this way, Yingtang withdrew his hand.
Today was the Primary Consort’s first appearance in the imperial palace; not the slightest mistake could be made. If her very first impression was poor, her future days would be difficult.
He couldn’t bear to let her be scolded.
“It was my oversight.”
With that, he got up and stepped out of the bed.
After washing up, the couple shared a bowl of almond milk porridge and a few bites of pastries before setting off toward the Ningshou Palace.
Passing through the Ningshou Palace garden, where the ground was paved with cobblestones, Wuyunzhu was wearing high-soled flowerpot shoes and, in a moment of inattention, nearly tripped. Fortunately, Yingtang’s hand was quick and he caught her.
Holding her small hand—which was soft and tender, feeling even more comfortable than polished jade—he couldn’t bear to let go.
Wuyunzhu, worrying that it violated etiquette and fearing gossip about being frivolous, gently reminded him, “Your Highness, there are people outside.”
Yet Yingtang remained completely fearless. “Have no fear. We are a legitimate, upright husband and wife. Husband and wife being affectionate, what is there for anyone to gossip about?”
Seeing him like this, Wuyunzhu yielded to him.
“What is the Primary Consort thinking about?”
Yingtang felt Wuyunzhu’s voice was pleasant and wanted her to speak more with him.
“I am a bit nervous, wondering if the Empress Dowager will like me…”
Yingtang declared boldly, “What is there to worry about? Imperial Grandmother is a benevolent old grandmother; she treats all of us grandsons, granddaughters, and granddaughters-in-law very well, and she won’t make things difficult for you. Even with someone like Eighth Sister-in-law, she didn’t say much, let alone someone as wonderful as you—she will certainly like you.”
Wuyunzhu smiled, not expecting Yingtang’s filter for her to be so thick. This was all the better; dedicated as she was to breaking up the Eighth-Ninth faction, she had gained a bit more confidence.
Moreover, what did he mean by “someone like Eighth Sister-in-law”? Could it be that the Eighth Primary Consort and the Ninth Prince had already experienced conflict? Had a crack already formed in the Eighth-Ninth faction? That would simply be wonderful!
She pursued the question: “Eighth Sister-in-law? What kind of person is Eighth Sister-in-law?”
Yingtang instantly regretted his loose lips, having unintentionally revealed his dissatisfaction with Eighth Sister-in-law just now. Fortunately, it was in front of his own primary consort, who surely wouldn’t go shouting about it everywhere.
Seeing him stay silent, Wuyunzhu shook his arm and coaxed, “Your Highness, do tell me. You know as well as I that I’ve just married into the palace, I’m a stranger in a strange place, and I’m terrified of doing something wrong and offending others. Won’t Your Highness display some kindness and offer me a hint?”
Hearing her soft, sweet voice, how could Yingtang possibly resist? He proceeded to recount all of the Eighth Primary Consort’s behavior since entering the palace.
After listening, Wuyunzhu was somewhat speechless. This Eighth Primary Consort really was arrogant. No sooner had she entered the palace than she beat a concubine, earning a reputation for jealousy; then, disdaining the quality of the items sent by the Imperial Household Department and feeling they degraded her, she caused a massive scene at the Department; upon meeting low-ranking imperial concubines, she failed to offer greetings, earning yet another reputation for being frivolous and overbearing.
What shocked her most was that on the day of the betrothal gifts, the Ninth Prince had gone to ask the Eighth Prince for help, only to be subjected to a round of scolding by the Eighth Primary Consort.
She couldn’t quite fathom where the Eighth Primary Consort found the audacity to lecture an imperial prince. Her maternal grandfather was Prince An, true, but her grandfather had long since turned to dust, her uncle the prince was not a direct blood relative, and her biological father was a criminal executed for gambling.
Unable to make sense of it, she let it drop.
Brewing her emotions, she raised her eyes once more to find moisture pooling in her pupils. “It was all because of me that Your Highness suffered Eighth Sister-in-law’s reprimand that day. Your Highness has been wronged.”
Originally the matter had already passed, but now seeing the little woman before her feeling distressed for him, Yingtang felt that he really had been wronged that day.
Indeed, he was a grand imperial prince, the son of a favored imperial consort, yet he had actually been pointed at and scolded right in his face by the daughter of a criminal, acting like a turtle’s grandson. If not for Eighth Brother’s sake, he would have long since…
He involuntarily clenched his palms as anger continuously welled up.
Noticing his small movement, Wuyunzhu felt a surge of triumph internally and continued, “I truly feel distressed for Your Highness. If I had been by Your Highness’s side that day, I certainly would have protected Your Highness.”
Watching her gentle and frail appearance, Yingtang recalled the Eighth Primary Consort, who looked as though her entire body bristled with thorns, and figured she’d do well not to be bullied by the Eighth Primary Consort herself. Still, curiosity compelled him to ask, “How does the Primary Consort plan to protect me?”
Wuyunzhu frowned in thought, putting on a troubled expression, before suddenly slapping her palm. “I’d shove a handkerchief into her mouth to block it. Once her mouth is plugged, she wouldn’t be able to speak those hurtful words.”
Yingtang stared wide-eyed. Th-this is also possible?
It seemed possible, indeed. It would be best to use a stinky sock—that would really vent his anger!
Thinking along those lines, he felt much more comfortable inside.
“The Primary Consort truly is a marvelous person, your method is brilliant. Why didn’t I think of that at the time~?”
Heh, if you had thought of it then, would you have dared right in front of your good Eighth Brother?
Wuyunzhu rapidly realized that this was an excellent opportunity to apply eye drops (spread malicious gossip/sow discord).
“Your Highness need not vex yourself. Eighth Brother is a sensible person; knowing you were wronged at the time, he will certainly admonish Eighth Sister-in-law when they return. Such a thing will never happen again.”
The smile on Yingtang’s face gradually faded. Would Eighth Brother admonish Eighth Sister-in-law? Then why did Eighth Sister-in-law still look down on him?
Wuyunzhu stopped while she was ahead, fearing that saying any more would yield the opposite result.