Whatever Your Highness Wishes
The man’s scorching body pressed heavily toward her, his handsome face drawing close.
Desire surged in those eyes, so deep and intense that it made Xia Ruochu’s heart flutter with panic and her body go weak.
Xia Ruochu knew that what he had said was true. In this world, a woman’s marriage was entirely determined by her parents’ wishes and the matchmaker’s arrangements. Performing the rites of Duke Zhou with her husband was considered perfectly natural and proper.
But she was unwilling.
She would never accept a man who constantly regarded her as his slave, no matter how handsome he was.
Almost instinctively, Xia Ruochu raised her leg and kicked at him.
Her slender ankle was instantly seized by a hand as unyielding as an iron clamp.
“You still dare to kick me?”
The corners of Xiao Chengyi’s lips curved upward. Taking advantage of the movement, he grabbed her other ankle and dragged her beneath him in one swift motion.
Like a little dove pinned down by the sharp talons of a falcon, Xia Ruochu struggled helplessly.
“This bed isn’t big enough for two people! Be careful, or it’ll collapse!”
No matter how much she thrashed about, Xiao Chengyi remained completely unmoved. His voice was languid.
“If we sleep on top of each other, there’ll be enough room.”
Xia Ruochu covered her ears.
He truly was a reckless scoundrel with no regard for anything. Here they were, before the lamps and ancient Buddha of a sacred temple, yet he dared utter such indecent words!
Both furious and anxious, she protested, “Absolutely not! This is sacred Buddhist ground. It would be a terrible act of disrespect!”
Yet he merely smiled indifferently.
“Not even the gods or Buddhas can interfere with what this prince wishes to do.”
Xia Ruochu’s mind raced as she searched for a way to escape.
“May this consort ask Your Highness for one favor?”
Xiao Chengyi replied, “No.”
“You… you…”
She was rendered speechless. Then, for reasons she could not explain, she steeled herself, wrapped both legs around his waist, and suddenly pulled him downward.
Caught completely off guard, Xiao Chengyi fell heavily toward her. However, he swiftly braced his elbows against the bed, stopping with his thin lips barely an inch from her soft, petal-like lips.
When his scorching breath washed over her face, Xia Ruochu could not help trembling slightly. Her heart pounded wildly, and her entire body burned as though engulfed in flames.
But when she saw that he had instead gone as rigid as a stone, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The ancient military texts truly had not deceived her. Catching the enemy by surprise and attacking when he was unprepared, taking a risky approach really did work!
This man was rebellious to the bone. The more she resisted, the more she would provoke his violent temper.
She had once raised an extremely intelligent but fiercely temperamental Border Collie. Even that dog had been willing to let her hold it in her arms like this. She simply had to stroke its fur in the right direction before it would become docile.
Besides, given their current position, she had already cast aside her dignity. She could only grit her teeth and see it through.
Xia Ruochu finally understood what it meant to ride a tiger and find oneself unable to dismount.
After hesitating several times, she finally bit her lower lip and gently cupped the man’s sharply defined face with both hands.
“This consort already belongs to Your Highness. I’ll do whatever Your Highness wishes.”
Her voice trembled uncontrollably, as though she were frightened, yet also terribly shy.
Xiao Chengyi did not move. Only his dark eyes gazed deeply at her, as cold as a bottomless pool.
The air inside the room grew stiflingly hot.
Outside the window, it was a cold late-autumn night, yet Xia Ruochu felt as though she were sitting inside a furnace. A fine sheen of perspiration appeared on her body, and her skin took on the faint pink hue of newly blooming peach blossoms, lustrous and smooth as fine mutton-fat jade.
She knew he was hot too.
When she raised her eyes slightly, her gaze landed on the sharply defined Adam’s apple above her. A drop of sweat rolled down its firm contours and fell into the hollow of her neck, its heat making her tremble lightly.
Her fingertips moved slightly. His skin was warm and clean, and his nose was high and straight, as though carved with a blade.
“This consort originally thought that Your Highness was so busy with official duties that you surely wouldn’t have time to concern yourself with me. A man as upright and formidable as Your Highness has the mountains, rivers, and battlefields on his mind. How could you spare a thought for the petty matters of love and affection within the inner residence?”
She gazed at him with her watery eyes and sighed resentfully.
“So this consort made a vow before Buddha. I wished to observe a full year of mourning for my deceased family members, as well as for my father-in-law and mother-in-law, whom I never had the chance to serve tea to or fulfill my filial duties toward.”
Xiao Chengyi’s brows furrowed slightly.
Xia Ruochu hurriedly softened her voice.
“This consort ought to have observed the proper rites and mourning customs. However, Old Madam Xiao said at the time that the political situation was unstable and Your Highness bore heavy responsibilities. She feared that delaying the continuation of the Xiao family bloodline would be unwise, so I didn’t dare disobey.”
“But who could have imagined…” Her tone was somewhere between a sigh and a coquettish complaint. “Your Highness would be so impatient.”
“Since that’s the case, this consort can no longer concern herself with all those things. Etiquette and filial duty can both be cast aside. I’m willing to go through fire and water together with Your Highness.”
Xia Ruochu had managed to speak about matters of the marriage bed with the heroic resolve of someone preparing to sacrifice herself for a righteous cause. Even her own forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat.
Although using moral pressure was hardly an honorable tactic, she had no choice but to resort to it at such a critical moment.
Besides, although she was using it as an excuse, her sincerity was genuine.
“If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, I have no way to defend myself,” Xia Ruochu said earnestly.
“Like Your Highness, I miss my loved ones deeply. By offering these sincere prayers, I only hope that their spirits in heaven can all rest in peace.”
Xiao Chengyi’s body remained tense, but his gaze became slightly distant, and a faint trace of sorrow passed through his eyes.
The subtle, cool sandalwood fragrance surrounding him was warmed by his body heat, silently enveloping her.
For a fleeting instant, she almost had the illusion that he was holding her tenderly in his arms, as though she were someone precious to him.
For some inexplicable reason, a wave of sorrow rose in Xia Ruochu’s heart.
During the days she had stayed at Grand Madam Rong’an’s residence, Old Madam Xiao had told her many things about him.
Xiao Chengyi’s mother, Wen Xin, was the daughter of a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy. She was outstanding in both beauty and talent.
At that time, Xiao Ce’s military achievements had become too distinguished. Although he was a member of the imperial clan, familial affection within the imperial family always came with an additional layer of political calculation. Thus, the imperial family arranged for him to marry this daughter of a respected civil official known for his integrity.
Everyone in the imperial court praised it as a perfect match, and Old Madam Xiao had also been extremely satisfied with the arrangement.
But who could have known that Wen Xin already had someone in her heart?
He was a gifted calligraphy and painting teacher whose family had fallen on hard times. The two had once shared a pure and refined friendship, as serene as a gentle breeze beneath the bright moon. However, the disparity between their family backgrounds was too great, and the Grand Secretary’s residence had forcibly separated them.
One was a noble young lady who had spent her days immersed in poetry and literature, proud and lofty-minded, with a heart full of romantic ideals. The other was a general tempered on the battlefield, taciturn, stern, and utterly lacking in romantic sensibility. Within just a few months of marriage, they had already become like strangers.
A year later, Xiao Chengyi was born. The cries of the infant brought new life to the courtyard, and everyone in the residence was busy and joyful.
Because of this child, the couple gradually began to interact like an ordinary husband and wife.
But those warm, peaceful days did not last long.
Someone, it was unknown who, brought news to Wen Xin that the calligraphy and painting teacher had suddenly contracted an acute illness and died.
Wen Xin became convinced that Xiao Ce had secretly arranged his death. From then on, she moved into a secluded courtyard and spent her days immersed in Buddhist scriptures. She treated her husband with coldness and distance and no longer showed the slightest affection toward her son.
Xiao Chengyi was only three years old that year.
His mother no longer wanted him.
He did not understand what had happened. He would often run across half the prince’s residence, stand on tiptoe, and knock on the door of his mother’s courtyard.
That cold hand would always push him back outside, accompanied by a single emotionless command.
“Take him back. Don’t disturb my peace.”
Xiao Ce resented his wife’s heartlessness, but he was even less willing to see his son behave in such a dependent and weak manner. He took Xiao Chengyi into the military camp and subjected him to rigorous training.
At such a young age, even the slightest lapse in effort resulted in severe punishment. If he cried or made a fuss, the military staff would strike him without mercy.
When Old Madam Xiao learned of this, she was both shocked and furious. She brought her grandson back to the residence and raised him personally, carefully overseeing his upbringing and inviting renowned teachers to instruct him in poetry, literature, etiquette, music, military strategy, and martial arts.
Xiao Chengyi was exceptionally gifted and worked extremely hard. His knowledge improved steadily, and gradually, few could rival him in horseback riding, archery, or martial arts. Later, he entered the imperial palace to study alongside the Crown Prince, and his learning, abilities, and bearing earned him the Emperor’s deep admiration.
Once, when Xiao Chengyi accompanied his father on a military campaign to the northern frontier, they encountered an ambush by a large force of barbarian troops. The left wing, where Xiao Chengyi was stationed, was scattered by the enemy’s armored cavalry and cut off from the main army in the center.
To preserve the main force, Xiao Ce ordered a breakout toward the southeast, leaving the left wing behind to fight to the death and hold back the enemy.
That military order was equivalent to condemning several hundred soldiers and his own biological son to death.
The surviving troops were surrounded, their arrows exhausted and their provisions depleted. Everyone believed that Xiao Chengyi had absolutely no chance of surviving.
Yet two days later, the young man returned to the main camp with a dozen or so surviving soldiers.
His entire body looked as though he had been pulled from a pool of blood. He strode into the central command tent and threw the gruesome severed head of a barbarian chieftain onto the desk before his father.
He had led his soldiers in breaking through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, then taken the few remaining warriors on a night raid against the enemy camp, burning their provisions and beheading their leader.
That year, he was fourteen.
From that day onward, the young man who had once retained a trace of warmth in his eyes died completely.
The one who survived was a cold-blooded Asura who struck terror into the hearts of the northern barbarians, the man who would later command the Imperial Guards and become the decisive and ruthless Prince Su.
Behind the imperial favor and power lay a cold, lonely life that no one ever glimpsed.
Xiao Chengyi’s relationship with his parents had always been distant. He respected and showed filial devotion to Grand Madam Rong’an, yet he had never learned the warmth and intimacy that should exist between a grandmother and grandson.
Even after his father died on the battlefield and his mother drowned, losing both parents in succession, Old Madam Xiao had never seen him shed a single tear.
He was even more resistant to romantic relationships between men and women, utterly despising those who attempted to attach themselves to him through their beauty.
As the Emperor’s own nephew, handsome and heroic, he was naturally the man of countless noble young ladies’ dreams. Yet he had always turned a blind eye to the scented handkerchiefs dropped deliberately or seemingly by accident, the inscribed fans left behind, and the flirtatious glances exchanged at palace banquets.
Every day, he left home with the morning dew and returned to his residence beneath the cover of night. The enormous Prince Su’s residence lacked even the slightest trace of ordinary domestic warmth.
Grand Madam Rong’an’s heart ached for the loneliness embedded deep within her grandson’s bones, yet there was nothing she could do.
Even recalling these events now, Xia Ruochu still felt a faint chill spread through her heart.
She felt sorrow for him.
No matter how indifferent a mother might be, she was still one’s mother. The more unattainable her affection was, the more it became an obsession.
Xia Ruochu suddenly understood a little better why Xiao Chengyi had placed such heavy resentment and hatred upon her because of Madam Xiao’s death.
But she was no longer as afraid of him as she had been in the beginning.
She remembered how he had severely punished Zhao Shu for her sake, how carefully he had applied medicine to her arm, and how he had unexpectedly appeared beside her tonight when she was overwhelmed by despair and fear.
And there was also that bright spring day years ago, when the general seated high upon his horse had looked toward the young child who had accidentally fallen onto the imperial road, a fleeting gentleness appearing in his eyes.
How wonderful it would be if he were not always as cold as ice.
He was still so young, yet his body had already been steeped in the scent of blood, and countless souls had perished beneath his swords and sabers. Had that cold, unyielding heart ever reserved even an inch of tenderness for anyone?
During the long nights on the northern frontier, had he ever experienced moments of loneliness? Had he ever longed for the presence of someone?
Xia Ruochu’s fingertips unconsciously brushed against the man’s jaw. His newly grown stubble was short and coarse, scraping lightly against her delicate palm.
Her gaze moved upward, and for the first time, she examined the old scar near his temple from such a close distance.
“How did you get this scar?”
Xiao Chengyi’s gaze shifted slightly, as though his mind had returned from somewhere far away.
He continued to look at her quietly, his dark eyes deep and still, clearly reflecting her image.
After a long moment, the corners of his lips lifted into an extremely faint smile, its emotion impossible to discern.
“A barbarian scout on the northern frontier. He lay in ambush in the snow for two hours. His curved saber sliced past my temple. Half an inch closer, and he would have sliced off the top of my skull.”
“And then?” Xia Ruochu held her breath as she listened and instinctively pressed him for more.
“Then he died.” Xiao Chengyi’s thumb brushed over the artery at the side of her neck.
“When I slit his throat, his body was still struggling. Warm blood splashed all over my face, and everything I looked at was red.”
Xia Ruochu: “…”
How terrifying. How twisted.
She shuddered.
How could he describe such a horrifying scene with such calm indifference?
“Why are you trembling? Weren’t you going to go through life and death together with me?” He leaned down, his imposing presence pressing closer. “Then be obedient.”
Xia Ruochu abruptly froze.
A large hand reached toward her from the side and touched the sash tied around her waist.
Her entire body tensed, leaving her unable to move. She instinctively clenched her fists and squeezed her eyes tightly shut.
Yet after a long while, nothing happened.
“Heh.”
A soft chuckle filled with teasing sounded beside her ear.
“And that’s all the courage you have.”
The heavy pressure bearing down on her suddenly disappeared. Cool air rushed into her lungs, and Xia Ruochu gasped for breath. Only then did she realize that she had been holding her breath the entire time.
Her heart was still pounding loudly in her ears. Belatedly, her face flushed bright red.
It seemed she had been thoroughly teased.
She could not help widening her almond-shaped eyes, her cheeks puffing out slightly.
Xiao Chengyi watched her for a moment, then pulled the quilt over her, wrapping her tightly from head to toe. He pushed her toward the inner side of the bed like a rolled spring roll, then turned over and lay down on the outer side.
“This prince has no interest in touching you.” His voice returned to its usual cold indifference. “I’ll allow you to observe the mourning period.”
“Really?” Xia Ruochu struggled inside the rolled-up quilt for quite some time before finally managing to poke out her tousled head.
“This is Liandeng Temple. The gods are watching from just three feet above our heads. Your Highness must keep your word.”
Xiao Chengyi gave a faint hum without opening his eyes.
“You’re not to overstep your bounds and interfere with this prince again. And you’re forbidden from bringing up the matter of taking concubines.”
“All right, I won’t mention it. I won’t mention it.” Xia Ruochu finally felt relieved.
But after lying down for only a short while, she began to feel uncomfortable all over.
The bed was truly narrow. She lay curled on her side against the inner edge, her back pressed against the wall, while her front was tightly pressed against the man’s firm arm.
“Your Highness, this bed is too small. How am I supposed to sleep when we’re squeezed together like this? Aren’t you uncomfortable?”
She had made herself perfectly clear. Surely he would take the hint and move to another room?
“You can sleep on the floor.” Xiao Chengyi could not even be bothered to lift his eyelids.
Xia Ruochu desperately wanted to sink her teeth into that arm.
On such a cold night, he was actually heartless enough to suggest that she sleep on the floor. He had absolutely no idea how to cherish a delicate woman.
But even if she were willing, the circumstances would not allow it. There was only one set of bedding in the room, not even enough to make a bed on the floor.
Since he did not mind the cramped space, she might as well treat him as a ready-made, oversized warmer.
…His body really was very warm.
Drowsiness gradually washed over her. Suddenly, she remembered that important matter. Xiao Chengyi still had not given her a definite answer.
Her eyelids were too heavy to open. She merely reached out a finger in a daze and poked his muscular arm.
“Your Highness…” Her voice was soft and indistinct with sleepiness. “About Yangyi Hall, please just agree to what I asked. I’ve been obedient.”
“Xia Ruochu, acting spoiled and making unreasonable demands won’t work on this prince.”
The calming ingredients in the medicinal decoction were taking effect. Her consciousness grew increasingly hazy, and her forehead gradually nestled against his shoulder. Yet she stubbornly refused to give up.
“Please… Your Highness~~”
Her voice was as soft and sweet as though dipped in honey, sending faint ripples through the silence of the night.
After a long while, a very quiet sound came from above her head.
“Mm.”
The taut string within her finally relaxed, and Xia Ruochu allowed herself to drift into sleep.
The room fell silent.
With her gentle, peaceful breathing so close beside him, Xiao Chengyi opened his eyes and stared at the bed curtains overhead.
Only when half his body had gone numb did he carefully, little by little, withdraw the arm she had been hugging.
He looked toward her in the dim light.
The young woman slept without the slightest trace of wariness. Her cloudlike black hair spread across the pillow, and the corners of her lips curved slightly upward. Who knew what sweet, comforting thing she was dreaming about? She resembled a crabapple blossom unfolding peacefully in the night mist.
Xiao Chengyi rose, took his cloak, fastened it around himself, and pushed open the door, stepping out into the cold night.
At the hour of Yin, before the first light of dawn.
Inside the Mahavira Hall, sandalwood incense drifted faintly through the air, and the eternal lamps illuminated an enormous gilded Buddha statue.
A figure dressed in black entered the hall, bringing the chill of the night with him. He stopped before a prayer cushion and quietly waited for the eminent monk who was about to begin his morning prayers.
“Forgive me for disturbing your spiritual cultivation, Master.” Xiao Chengyi pressed his palms together in greeting.
Master Wangchen rose and returned the gesture. “I trust Your Highness has been well since we last met.”
Xiao Chengyi nodded slightly.
“Because the Princess Consort is recuperating here, the peace of this sacred Buddhist temple has been disturbed. This prince will naturally take responsibility. I’ve already arranged for elite guards to be stationed permanently at the temple. I doubt anyone will dare cause trouble again. On another day, I’ll make an additional offering to honor the Buddhist temple.”
“Buddhism embraces all and does not turn away those who suffer, nor does it blame the innocent,” Master Wangchen said with a smile.
“However, having armed soldiers stationed within the temple is hardly conducive to its peace and tranquility. Once Your Highness and the Princess Consort return to the residence, it would be best to withdraw the guards as well.”
Xiao Chengyi remained silent for a moment.
“This prince intends to leave her at the temple for some time.”
Master Wangchen was astonished. “Why is Your Highness unwilling to bring the Princess Consort back?”
Xiao Chengyi’s voice was hoarse and strained.
“The matter I’m planning has reached a critical stage. The Princess Consort has already attracted unwanted attention. I absolutely cannot allow her to create further complications.”
“Has the Princess Consort agreed?”
“She knows nothing about it.” The man’s gaze was cold and desolate. “I also ask that you refrain from telling her, Master.”
Master Wangchen sighed softly.
“Your Highness is a hero, but your familial bonds have always been weak. Now that Grand Madam Rong’an has also reached the age when she should be enjoying her remaining years in peace, why doesn’t Your Highness cherish the person before you a little more?”
“If you so easily cast aside a bond of fate, I’m afraid you may come to regret it one day, leaving yourself burdened with a debt of the heart.”
Xiao Chengyi’s expression remained cold and indifferent.
“Master, you’ve known me for many years. You should know that there is nothing the man I am today cannot bear to give up.”
“Then has Your Highness considered this? Without your protection, the Princess Consort may once again face an attempt on her life.”
The night wind swept into the hall, making the candle flames flicker violently.
The light suddenly dimmed, stretching and distorting the shadows.
“Then we’ll wait for the fish to take the bait.” Xiao Chengyi stared steadily at the flickering candlelight, his voice as cold as ice.
“I also want to know exactly who is so bold and reckless as to dare lay a hand on her. I’ll tear that person into a thousand pieces.”
“If a person is already gone, even making the culprit repay blood with blood would be useless.” The prayer beads between Master Wangchen’s fingers paused slightly.
“If Your Highness disregards the Princess Consort’s safety and something happens to her, what will you do then?”
The hall fell silent, and for a long while, no one spoke.
When Xiao Chengyi finally raised his eyes again, his voice was calm and devoid of emotion.
“Then that will be her fate.”
With those words, a trace of compassion passed through the eminent monk’s eyes.
“May Buddha have mercy. The pain of being abandoned pierces the heart and eats into the bones. Acting in this manner will also diminish Your Highness’s blessings and good karma.”
Xiao Chengyi abruptly raised his eyes.
“Is Buddha merciful?”
The flame of the eternal lamp flickered in his eyes, reflecting a deep, icy mockery.
“My father was loyal and courageous throughout his life. He was framed and died a miserable death on the frontier, yet the truth was concealed with a mere claim of natural disaster. Did Buddha ever seek justice for him?”
“My mother devoted herself wholeheartedly to Buddhism, abandoning her three-year-old child. Even until her death, she refused to acknowledge the bond between mother and son. Did Buddha ever show her the slightest compassion?”
His black robes stirred, as though all the violent resentment he had suppressed for years were being unleashed within the Buddhist hall.
“Twenty thousand soldiers fought desperately to the death, yet they had to endure hunger and starvation before being buried on the frontier, all because someone embezzled military funds to line their own pockets. Did Buddha ever open his eyes to their suffering?”
His gaze was as sharp as a sword, fixed directly upon the Buddha statue in the center of the hall.
“I don’t believe in gods or Buddhas. I don’t believe in karma. I believe only in myself.”
“If I don’t seek justice for them, there will be no one else in this world who will speak up for them.”
In the distance, the sound of a morning bell broke through the darkness, its lingering resonance drifting toward them.
The Buddha’s eyes were half-lowered, gazing compassionately down upon those below.
Master Wangchen said no more. As the Buddhist teachings said, one should not interfere with another person’s karma. In the end, those involved had to resolve matters of right and wrong themselves.
Xiao Chengyi looked toward the sky outside the hall, which was gradually turning gray.
He lowered his voice until it was very soft.
“Once everything is settled, if she’s still alive, I’ll certainly come back for her.”