Chарtеr 4: Мarrying You Wаs Nоt My Intеntion
A mоmеnt lаtеr, thе bridаl veil wаs liftеd.
Тhe instаnt Cui Jin rаised her еуes, hеr faсе, аlreаdу as rаdiаnt аs реасh blossоms, flushed with а bаshful crimson, her gazе brimming with affеctiоn.
А fliсkеr of astоnishment pаssеd thrоugh Хiaо Lin’s eуes.
Hе hаd sееn mаny bеauties, but nonе соuld соmpare tо thе wоman bеforе him.
Yet, aftеr thаt flееting moment, his ехpressiоn returned tо its usuаl соolnеss. “Zhаo’er’s old injury has flared uр. I went tо sее hеr just nоw, so I kеpt you wаiting, Prinсess Сonsоrt.”
“The Secondary Consort’s injury is of utmost importance.”
Cui Jin smiled and instructed a maid to send the finest Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus to Lin Zhao.
Xiao Lin’s gaze turned scrutinizing, laced with both testing and warning. “Marrying you was an imperial decree I could not defy, not my own wish. From now on, if you are magnanimous and tolerant, I will grant you the dignity you deserve. But as for my favor and affection… you’d best not harbor any illusions.”
Cui Jin nodded. “This concubine will be accommodating toward Secondary Consort Lin.”
“It is deference.”
Xiao Lin spoke bluntly. “Zhao’er has a reserved nature and aspires to the battlefield. She does not understand the underhanded tactics of women in the inner chambers. Do not use such methods against her. I do not wish for her to suffer any grievances.”
“This concubine has never harmed anyone and will certainly treat her with courtesy.” Cui Jin’s smile grew even gentler.
Only then did Xiao Lin nod in approval.
When the wedding matron brought the ceremonial wine for the exchange of cups, he waved her away and went out to entertain the guests.
Cui Jin’s eyes turned cold.
He wouldn’t even drink the ceremonial wine, so he certainly wouldn’t consummate the marriage… The fertility pill’s requirement for frequent intimacy would likely remain unmet for now.
However, she now understood why Cui Ruyue had failed to keep Xiao Lin on their wedding night in her previous life.
—The moment those words about deferring to Lin Zhao were spoken, Cui Ruyue would have agreed outwardly while seething inwardly. Yet, her thoughts were always written plainly on her face; she couldn’t hide even a sliver of her true feelings. How could someone as astute as Xiao Lin fail to notice?
She sat down before the dressing table. As Ru Qiu helped her remove her makeup, she remarked, “This servant noticed the Prince carried the scent of wine. He must have drunk with the Secondary Consort earlier.”
“Secondary Consort Lin Zhao…” Cui Jin recalled certain matters, her eyes narrowing slightly.
This woman was rather peculiar.
She lowered her gaze, casually brushing aside the red dates on the bed, then turned and said, “Let me bathe first.”
She soaked in the side chamber for a quarter of an hour, calculating the time—the matter of the switched marriage should soon be exposed. Cui Ruyue would undoubtedly shift all the blame onto her.
This suited her intentions perfectly.
A moment later, her ears twitched slightly. She casually tousled her hair and, wearing only a single layer of undergarments, stepped out of the side chamber.
The door was kicked open with a bang.
Xiao Lin stormed in, filled with rage, but upon seeing her, he suddenly froze.
A beauty emerging from her bath only grew more captivating.
Ru Qiu immediately covered the mouth of the Prince’s Manor maid and retreated, closing the door behind her.
Cui Jin remained unflustered, smiling faintly. “Has the Prince learned of it?”
Xiao Lin’s gaze darkened. “You offer no defense?”
“What defense is there? It was my long-planned scheme all along.”
Cui Jin walked slowly toward him, raising her hand as if to smooth the slight furrow between his brows, only to pause abruptly mid-air. Softly, she whispered, “Don’t frown, Prince. It pains this concubine’s heart.”
Xiao Lin coldly brushed her hand aside. “I married Cui Ruyue, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Cui family. How dare you switch the marriage on your own! Do you know the crime of deceiving the emperor—”
“I know.”
Cui Jin’s voice grew even softer. “Deceiving the emperor warrants execution. The Prince will not pity me. Perhaps tonight marks the end of our marital bond… All of this, I know.”
She looked at him, her eyes suddenly reddening. “But I cannot accept it.”
Meeting her gaze, brimming with deep affection, Xiao Lin suddenly understood.”Three years ago, when the Prince returned triumphantly to the capital, I caught a distant glimpse of him from the tower. From that moment on, no one else could ever enter my heart. I fought for myself, but what awaited me was the imperial decree betrothing you to my elder sister… How could I bear to call you brother-in-law?”
Cui Jin’s voice was hoarse: “So I imitated my elder sister’s mannerisms, deliberately arranged to marry on the same day as her, and tricked her into switching bridal sedans… I know how despicable I am, but I couldn’t help myself.”
After speaking, she gave a self-mocking smile: “Unfortunately, I couldn’t deceive the Prince in the end. I won’t lie to you, nor will I make excuses. Regarding this marriage, and regarding you… I have indeed schemed for a long time.”
Xiao Lin’s eyes flickered slightly.
In his usually cold gaze, there was now a rare hint of other emotions.
Cui Jin bent down, preparing to kneel: “This matter was done by me alone. The Cui family and my elder sister knew nothing of it. I… submit myself to the Prince’s judgment.”
Just as her knees were about to touch the ground, a pair of hands steadied her.
She looked up in astonishment, tears suddenly rolling down.
“Cui.” Xiao Lin gripped her chin, his voice cold. “If His Majesty the Emperor decrees punishment, you will face death alone. This Prince will not protect you.”
“I know.”
Tears slid from the corners of her eyes, revealing the obsessive, all-or-nothing affection in her gaze: “If I can have the name of your wife for even one night, I would die without regret.”
The fervent, unwavering love in her eyes was almost scorching to behold.
Xiao Lin’s grip tightened slightly.
After a long pause, he finally said: “Since you are already married, do not refer to yourself as ‘your subject’s daughter’ anymore.”
Cui Jin froze, as if unable to believe it.
Only when she saw tacit approval in his eyes did she suddenly throw herself into his arms, her voice choked with sobs: “Thank you for your mercy, Prince! Thank you…”
The softness in his arms made Xiao Lin pause briefly, the scent of jasmine filling his senses.
But he did not reach out to hold her—this was his promise to Lin Zhao.
Cui Jin, however, smiled more deeply.
She made no attempt to conceal her “scheming.”
What man could remain unmoved when a beautiful woman was willing to scheme for him, betray her sister, and even risk her life, all for the sake of being called his wife for a single night?
Especially someone like Xiao Lin, who had psychological issues and lacked love.
Even if he did not love her, he would pity her.
Sure enough, his expression remained unchanged, but the anger in his eyes dissipated: “Today’s mistaken marriage was merely an accident. There is no need to mention it again. Also—I permit you to stay in the manor, but do not harbor delusions or attempt to seize what rightfully belongs to Zhao’er.”
“I understand.”
Cui Jin gave a bitter smile. Perhaps overwhelmed by joy, she held him for a long while.
Only when he gently patted her back did she snap out of it and hastily step back three paces.
Watching Xiao Lin enter the side chamber, she scattered jasmine fragrance over the soft couch while inwardly sneering.
Even if she did nothing, Xiao Lin would not punish her for deceiving the emperor, simply because the Cui family still had its uses… Yet he made it sound as though allowing her to stay in the manor was an act of grace on his part.
She was hypocritical and scheming, but he was no nobleman either.
When Xiao Lin emerged from his bath, he saw the bedding laid out on the soft couch.
Under the candlelight, Cui Jin lowered her eyes: “I have been frail since childhood and cannot sleep on a soft couch. I must ask the Prince to make do with it.”
Xiao Lin fell silent for a moment.
He had indeed promised Lin Zhao not to favor the Princess Consort, but sharing a bed was harmless. Yet being actively driven to the soft couch by Cui Jin… left him somewhat displeased.
He suddenly asked: “Will you not plead for yourself?”
“Your heart belongs to another. I seek only the title.”
Xiao Lin’s gaze deepened: “I hope you remember your words today and remain obedient and well-behaved.”
After lying down, he closed his eyes, but the scene from earlier flashed through his mind.The red candlelight cast a glow on her snow-white skin, the inner garment outlining her delicate figure, and further up… was a face radiant as fine jade, like that of the Gushe Goddess.
Like an immortal from a painting, yet vividly alive and captivating.
In the latter half of the night, a faint scent of jasmine kept unsettling him, making it hard to sleep peacefully.