Through the sheer silk fabric, Baoying touched a soft, springy object.
Before she could even register its shape, Zong Duo's body suddenly tensed, his legs snapping shut.
Baoying was kneeling between his legs, and when his long, powerful thighs clamped down on her, she winced in pain and instinctively grabbed hold of the only thing within reach.
Zong Duo let out a sharp hiss, cold sweat beading instantly at the tip of his nose.
"What's wrong? Is something the matter?" Grand Secretary Xu asked immediately upon noticing.
"It's nothing."
Zong Duo suppressed the urge to kick the person under the desk away, lest Grand Secretary Xu discover her presence.
Yet his forbearance only emboldened her further.
Seeing that he showed no reaction, Baoying grew bolder, covering the object with her entire palm and giving it a gentle squeeze.
She had to admit, the feel of it was quite nice. But gradually, she sensed something amiss—the soft, springy mass in her hand began to swell, rising proudly as if trying to burst through the fabric and spring straight into her face.
The silk could not contain the heat radiating from it. It felt like holding a burning coal rod in her hand. At a loss, Baoying released her grip, but it didn't settle down—still constrained by the cloth, it quivered with its head raised high.
How… how did it become like this?
She suddenly recalled her father saying that when people die, their bodies stiffen, and some even swell several times in size. Could it be… could it be that she had played with it to death?
Baoying was startled by this thought.
She heard Grand Secretary Xu ask, "Your Highness, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Somewhat uncomfortable." Zong Duo struggled to suppress the blood rushing downward, his voice low and hoarse. "Please return for now. Once I've drafted the proposal, I'll summon Mr. Mu and the others to discuss it together."
Grand Secretary Xu eyed him suspiciously, noticing a thin sheen of sweat on his nose bridge and a suspicious flush spreading from his ears to his cheeks.
But no matter how he speculated, he could never have imagined someone hiding under the desk. He simply assumed it was the stuffy weather and said, "This matter is of great importance and cannot be delayed. Since I happen to be here today, let's settle the proposal first. Supporting Muli requires considerable provisions, troops, and expenses—where are we to find such a large sum of silver?"
Zong Duo steadied his mind and said, "Grandfather, have you forgotten? The appointment of the Salt Inspector for the fifth month should be coming through soon. Once we secure that post, hmm…"
His expression suddenly changed drastically, and he let out a pained grunt.
It turned out that Baoying, believing she had broken it, was now panicking, terrified that Zong Duo would hold her accountable. She pressed down on it with both hands, trying desperately to make it soften.
At this moment, Zong Duo wanted nothing more than to kill someone, but with Grand Secretary Xu present, he held himself back.
Grand Secretary Xu was somewhat displeased by his distraction and said sternly, "Your Highness! What is wrong with you today? Supporting Muli is no trivial matter. If you haven't made up your mind, then don't waste this old man's time!"
His words were blunt, but Zong Duo, his mind thoroughly disturbed by Baoying under the desk, couldn't spare the attention to placate Grand Secretary Xu. He followed along with his words: "I need to think it over. Grandfather, please return for now!"
Grand Secretary Xu was deeply disappointed and stormed off in a huff, his sleeves fluttering.
The moment the door closed, Zong Duo yanked the troublemaker out from under the desk.
"Shi Baoying!" He glared at her, furious beyond measure. "Who gave you the nerve!"
Baoying stumbled and fell to the ground, rubbing her arm where he had grabbed her. Guilty and frightened, she said, "I didn't know it would turn out like this. I—I didn't mean to!"
Zong Duo sneered: "Didn't mean to? Your hands are attached to your own body—was someone holding them for you?"
Baoying stole a guilty glance at the tented fabric, then mumbled, "I was just… just too curious…"
"Curious?" Zong Duo cut her off, his handsome face flushed red with anger. "Do you have any idea what kind of occasion this is?"
Knowing she was in the wrong, Baoying still tried to defend herself: "But—but who told you to guard against me like I'm a thief? The more you wouldn't let me touch, the more curious I naturally became."
"How many times have I told you that I don't like physical contact with people? Didn't your parents teach you any sense of shame—that you can't just go around touching a man's body?"
Baoying stared at him in disbelief, tears already welling up in her almond-shaped eyes: "How can you say that to me? We're husband and wife!"
"Who is husband and wife with you?"
Zong Duo's member ached with swelling, and looking at the culprit who wore such an innocent, pitiful expression, he felt even more irritated and agitated.
Anyone with half a brain, upon being made to sleep separately from him, would have recognized their place by now. But this one understood neither social graces nor how to stop flattering herself—she was practically no different from a beast that had just gained sentience!
"Fine, let me make things clear to you today. This prince has absolutely zero interest in a dull-witted little beast like you. The only reason I married you is that your Phoenix Destiny Birth Chart is coming due. Just behave yourself and be a decorative ornament—stop flattering yourself. Do you understand?"
"Stupid and clumsy?" Baoying looked at him in disbelief. "Are you talking about me?"
"Who else would I be talking about?" Zong Duo looked at her tearful, clear apricot-shaped eyes and felt even more irritated. He hardened his tone. "From now on, just do your job as a good-luck charm. Don't try to meddle in my affairs. Also, you're forbidden from coming to Yunhui Hall from now on. Get out!"
It took Baoying a moment to process what he meant.
She was utterly shocked. She had been living comfortably as the young miss of her household—why should she come here to be his good-luck charm? Had he even asked her opinion before marrying her?
The more Baoying thought about it, the angrier she became.
She should be right now lounging in a rattan chair in the Shi family courtyard, waiting for her mother to stew chicken soup for her—not here in this inexplicable prince's mansion, enduring this inexplicable humiliation!
"I hate you!" She stomped her foot hard, turned around, and ran out of Yunhui Hall.
Back in Zhaoming Hall, Baoying buried her face in her pillow and cried for a while.
Zong Duo's words were simply beyond her comprehension. She had never imagined that a man could have such a reason for taking a wife.
Zhenniang and Shi Dalu were deeply devoted to each other, and having grown up witnessing their affection, Baoying had always yearned for marriage.
Bound as husband and wife, loving each other without a shred of doubt.
She felt she had been sincere with him—even when he ignored her or scolded her, she had never taken it to heart.
But it turned out her husband had not a trace of love for her. He only saw her as a tool in his bid for the succession.
Beyond her shock, Baoying's heart shattered into pieces. She lay sobbing on her pillow, breathless.
Bailu and the others saw her state and assumed she had hit another wall with Zong Duo, so they pretended not to notice.
Only Xiaolian sat by the bed to comfort her.
"Miss, please stop crying. The master and mistress aren't here—even if you cry your eyes swollen, no one will come to soothe you."
"Wah wah wah." Baoying wouldn't listen. She just kept crying.
Seeing that this wasn't working, Xiaolian ran to the kitchen and had someone make a bowl of chilled milk custard—Baoying's favorite treat in the summer heat.
"Miss, miss! Get up and have something delicious."
Xiaolian set the agate bowl of chilled custard on the table and sighed. "Back home, we couldn't have this every day, you know! Miss, stop crying—the best revenge on the young master is to eat the prince's mansion into poverty!"
"I won't eat! Even if I starve to death, I won't touch a single thing of theirs!"
Baoying buried her face in her pillow, her voice muffled.
"But it's already made, miss. If you don't want it, shall I eat it?"
"Go ahead!"
A moment later, she sat up from the bed, wiped her tears, and said, "Leave me half a bowl."
The next morning, Baoying's eyes were swollen.
Xiaolian helped her wash up and fretted, "Oh no. When Nanny Gui comes over later, she's going to scold you again for not keeping up appearances."
Baoying gave a light snort.
Since Zong Duo didn't treat her as his wife, she wouldn't bother learning the rules for his sake.
She planned that when Nanny Gui arrived, she'd give the woman a proper show of force—let Nanny Gui know she wasn't a piece of dough to be kneaded and shaped at will!
But Nanny Gui didn't come. Instead, Nanny Sun arrived.
Seeing her swollen eyes, Nanny Sun didn't seem surprised. She simply said, "Princess Consort, His Highness said that since you don't care for restrictions, you needn't continue learning the rules with Nanny Gui from now on."
In truth, Zong Duo's original words had been "rotten wood cannot be carved"—he was thoroughly disappointed in her.
But having spent nearly half a month with her, Nanny Sun had come to understand the Princess Consort's temperament. She was a stubborn one who needed gentle handling, so naturally Nanny Sun couldn't tell her the truth. Instead, she relayed it in softer terms.
Baoying heard this and felt a twinge of regret that she couldn't have a proper blowout.
Nanny Sun continued, "Since the Princess Consort has idle time during the day, perhaps you might cultivate some hobbies—one, to pass the hours, and two, to nurture the mind. Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, tending flowers, brewing tea—which of these does the Princess Consort favor?"
"None of them!"
"Then what does the Princess Consort like?"
"Eating!" Baoying said with great enthusiasm, ticking off items like counting treasures. "In spring, peach-blossom fish relish; in summer, chilled fresh vegetables and fruits; in autumn, crab and osmanthus wine; in winter, lamb hotpot."
Nanny Sun couldn't help but laugh. "That hardly counts as a hobby. Don't mind my impertinence, Princess Consort, but you are a full-ranking prince's consort with an official first-class title. Knowing nothing at all would invite ridicule. How about I invite a qin master to teach you to play the zither?"
"No!" Baoying shook her head hastily. She had grown a beautiful set of long, slender nails like water scallions, and she had no intention of cutting them off for the sake of playing the qin.
Nanny Sun tried again. "Then how about learning to paint, Princess Consort? The art of painting can also cultivate calligraphy. In the future, when the ladies of the palace celebrate happy occasions, the Princess Consort could present a personally inscribed painting—that would not be considered a breach of propriety."
Baoying's eyes darted around as an idea struck her—a way to get back at Zong Duo. She agreed.
Nanny Sun added, "Then I'll have someone send over painting supplies. Since the Princess Consort has nothing to do during the day, you might sketch a casual painting first. Tomorrow, when the painting master comes to assess your level, he can tailor his teaching accordingly."
After she left, sure enough, a young eunuch delivered a set of brushes, ink, and painting paper.
Baoying spread the paper across the desk, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and drew a circle on the paper. With a line for the brow and a dot for the eye, she sketched a freehand human head.
"Do you know who this is?" she asked Xiaolian.
Xiaolian stared at it for a long while, then shook her head in confusion.
"You idiot!"
Baoying poked her on the forehead, thought for a moment, then drew on the figure's head the purple-gold crown that Zong Duo always wore. Next, she sketched a dog's body beneath the head.
Stinking dog! How dare you toy with your Lady Bao!
Baoying thought indignantly, and even drawing him as a dog-bodied human head wasn't enough—she added a foot beside the head and dashed off a doggerel verse:
The dog licks my foot with fervent glee,
I scorn the cur's fawning servility.
Now that he's risen, I must bide my time,
But one day I'll slaughter that dog of mine.