He lied. His martial skills were exceptional. As long as he wanted, no one could touch him. Only his closest family knew—neither the Emperor nor the other imperial princes had any idea. They all thought he was just a monster, a wealthy playboy monster.
But he didn’t want to tell her.
Yu Jiao had a strange feeling that Chu Yin enjoyed scolding her for being foolish. She felt a little annoyed at first, but then, thinking that one scolding earned her a Tailor’s Shop, she couldn’t help but feel happy again.
She looked at him with a smile and coaxed, “PrincePrince, Prince, scold me one more time.”
Chu Yin: “……”
The corner of Chu Yin’s mouth twitched. The word “fool” was on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed it back.
She really was foolish… but in a cute way. Foolish and adorable.
Yu Jiao, having obtained the property deed, hopped and jumped with joy. Chu Yin watched, slightly helpless. Now she truly was like a little rabbit.
That night, even in her sleep, Yu Jiao didn’t stop snuggling up to Chu Yin, rubbing her head against him, murmuring how wonderful the Prince was.
Chu Yin tightened his hand around her waist and watched her sleep with a slight smile still on her lips. He couldn’t help but curl his own lips, letting his fingertips trace the curves of her face.
He let out a soft laugh: “Just that happy? You’re really easy to please.”
A strange warmth spread through him uncontrollably—a feeling subtle yet expectant, comforting yet cautious.
Everyone had heard the rumors about him, but hers were scarce. Ying Feng had said that Yu Jiao, the only daughter of the Yu family, had been timid ever since her parents disappeared. She had been bullied by Yu Ning’er’s family, weak and fearful—a pitiful little thing, it sounded. But he had no heart.
Chu Ming had only wanted to use his hands to get rid of her. After all, it was Chu Yin. Whoever he killed would be justified.
He didn’t care. At first, he had thought of keeping her for a few days to watch her cry over betrayal. Perhaps a little was also to spite Chu Ming. That was why he had left her.
But now… he truly wanted to keep her.
“Are you really Yu Jiao?” Chu Yin said, his hand brushing over her face.
Sleeping quietly, she looked obedient, her lips curved in a way that reflected her mood. Her happiness seemed simple—so simple that fulfilling it just a little was enough.
And as he looked at her, he inexplicably felt satisfied too.
His fingers twined through her long hair, winding it around his hand, playing with it—looping, loosening, then looping again.
Staring at the canopy above, he murmured to himself, “Yu Jiao, no matter who you are, this is what you stuck yourself into.”
That night, even he fell asleep with a faint smile on his lips without realizing it.
……
Yu Jiao woke up to find Chu Yin gone. Like a little cat, she stretched, pulled out the property deed from her bosom, glanced at it, then tucked it back in and chuckled to herself.
Xiu’er entered and saw this scene:
Her young lady’s clothes were loose and sloppy, both hands pressed on the bed, head tilted back, smiling foolishly. The bedding was a complete mess.
After staying at the Prince’s Mansion these past days, she realized that the Prince really was very different from the rumored Prince of Yan. At the very least, he was extremely good to her young lady.
Because he stayed in her room every night!
Yu Jiao got out of bed. Xiu’er moved to straighten the bedding, looking at her meaningfully: “Princess Consort, you worked hard last night.”
Yu Jiao paused, confused. Smiling so strangely—was sleeping really so exhausting?
She slowly ate breakfast, then suddenly put down her spoon, squinting at Xiu’er.
Today, Xiu’er wasn’t just unusual—she was very unusual.
“Xiu’er, speak. How much did the Prince bribe you? We’ll split it.”
Xiu’er was a bit stunned. Stammering, she replied, “Miss, what are you saying? What bribe?”
“If you weren’t bribed, why would you speak well of him? I eat as long as you talk,” Yu Jiao stared at her intently, staring and staring. “What exactly did he do to change your mind?”
Xiu’er blinked, a little shy and fidgety, her face reddening as she glanced at her: “Miss, you…”
“What?” Yu Jiao was even more confused. Forget it, she wouldn’t bother talking to her. She would find a time to ask Chu Yin directly.
After finishing her meal, Yu Jiao stood, patted her clothes, and stepped out. “Xiu’er, don’t follow me today.”
She didn’t want Xiu’er brainwashing her all day about how wonderful Chu Yin was. No bribe was far too unfair.
Xiu’er suddenly asked, “Princess Consort, are you going to see the Prince?”
Yu Jiao almost tripped over the threshold. She turned: “No.”
She looked at her deeply before lifting her foot.
Xiu’er held the door, craning her neck to shout: “The Prince is in the study room!”
Yu Jiao’s steps quickened. As she walked, she explained: “I already said I’m not going to see him!”
Xiu’er watched her running figure, covering her mouth to laugh. “You said not, but that’s clearly the direction of the study room.”
Yu Jiao didn’t go to find Chu Yin. She left the mansion, carrying the property deed to the Tailor’s Shop.
Most of the Yu family shops had been replaced with staff from her Second Uncle’s household, but this Tailor’s Shop still had its original employees. These people had worked with Yu Jiao’s parents since the beginning. When they heard the Yu family had taken over the shop, tears welled up in their eyes.
“Miss, you finally got back what belongs to you. You won’t be bullied anymore. When Master Madam returns, she’ll be so happy,” Shopkeeper Chen Shu said, eyes glistening with tears.
Yu Jiao didn’t mention that most of the belongings were now with Chu Yin. But since she was the Princess Consort, what belonged to him was also hers, and hers remained hers.
Now that she had become the Yu Jiao of this shop, she would protect her parents’ legacy, even if it was just a Tailor’s Shop. She would safeguard it well.
The best way to stand out among other Tailor’s Shops was to design new styles.
But changing people’s clothing habits was a problem—unless it could create a fashion trend.
Yu Jiao walked around the shop. One Madam sighed suddenly.
“Alas, everyone says the rouge from Yufang Studio is the most expensive and the best, capable of making husbands return home every night. But I’ve been using it for over a month and it’s no use.”
Another woman chimed in, “Yufang Studio isn’t the most expensive or best. The best is in the brothel. That tiny jar—people fight over it. Brothel goods are even more popular than Yufang Studio.”
“What do you mean by that?” Yu Jiao suddenly slipped between them.
“Who are you?” They scanned her from head to toe.
“I’m the owner of this shop,” Yu Jiao said, handing them two new clothing designs. “Can you both tell me more?”
……
Prince’s Mansion, study room.
Ying Feng stood with his head lowered, uneasy.
Xiu’er had clearly said that Princess Consort had rushed to find the Prince early this morning, running eagerly toward the study room. Two hours had passed, and she still hadn’t arrived.
“Prince!” Ying Jue pushed the door open, panting, as if she had hurried back.
Chu Yin lifted his eyelids lazily. “Where is she?”
Ying Jue swallowed, glancing sympathetically at Ying Feng, then lowered her head and closed her eyes in resignation. “…Green…brothel”