The twilight deepened as the city’s lanterns flickered to life.
A black sandalwood carriage adorned with brocade curtains stood outside the Donghua Gate. Inside, the Crown Prince waited, a scroll in hand.
Light footsteps approached, and the carriage curtains parted. A gust of fragrant air swept in as a young woman in a crimson gold-embroidered pomegranate-patterned skirt stepped forward. Half her face was veiled by delicate golden tassels, a jade flower ornament gracing her forehead, and twin braids framing her cheeks. Her clear, dark almond eyes blinked playfully at him.
"Your Highness, you’ve waited so long."
The Crown Prince’s gaze remained composed as he withdrew his attention. "Outside the palace, address me differently."
"What should I call you, then?" Yun Kui pondered, then ventured, "My lord?"
The Crown Prince gave her a slow, unreadable glance.
Today, he wore no imperial robes. His jet-black hair was tied back with a jade crown, his striking features exuding the effortless elegance of nobility. Yet even in his moon-white robes, an air of authority clung to him—like a sheathed sword, regal and restrained, yet undeniably formidable.
Yun Kui’s cheeks warmed. "H-Husband?"
The Crown Prince replied evenly, "Mn."
Pressing her lips together, Yun Kui added, "Husband, about the next time I pass the examination… I’d like you to promise me something."
This time, she’d bring it up first—before he could preempt her with gold ingots or palace outings to silence her.
After a pause, the Crown Prince lifted his eyes. "You want it every two days?"
Yun Kui’s smile froze.
How did he know?!
Even the exact frequency she’d been hoping for!
"I-I admit it’s a bit much for me. And besides," she attempted to negotiate, "though you’re in excellent health, even you shouldn’t overexert yourself—"
"My health is my concern," the Crown Prince interrupted. "But this cannot be a reward."
"Why not?" Yun Kui pressed.
Sitting upright, he answered solemnly, "The Emperor has few heirs. You are my only consort. Diligence is our duty—if we fail to secure the dynasty’s future, we are both at fault."
Yun Kui: "…"
Every two days makes me a criminal? What a lofty excuse!
The Crown Prince continued, "Unless you’d prefer I seek companionship elsewhere?"
Yun Kui stiffened. She hadn’t considered it—or rather, hadn’t dared to.
If that day came, if he took concubines, what could she do? She’d have to feign grace, smiling as she welcomed them as sisters.
The Crown Prince frowned. "Stop overthinking."
Yun Kui snapped back to the present, startled.
How had he known her thoughts?
If taking concubines was "overthinking" to him, then…
He cut off her musings. "Aside from the bedchamber, anything reasonable and lawful, I’ll grant you."
Yun Kui pondered, then tried again, "If the frequency can’t change… could we at least shorten the duration? Say, finish within an hour? That way, I could rest sooner."
The Crown Prince was silent for a long moment. "That’s beyond my control."
Yun Kui refused to yield. "Then could you—"
Gently, he interjected, "A-Kui, don’t make things difficult for your husband, hm?"
"You—!" At the tender address, Yun Kui’s face burned beneath her veil. The soft plea at the end sent a rush of warmth through her, her eyes shimmering with flustered emotion.
Noticing the blush creeping past the delicate chains on her ears, the Crown Prince’s lips curved faintly. "Besides, don’t you enjoy it too?"
Yun Kui bit her lip, now scarlet. "Don’t be absurd."
The Crown Prince idly rubbed his fingers together. "If not, I’ll summon the imperial physician."
Yun Kui startled. "Why?"
His gaze lowered deliberately. "How many times have you drenched my sleep robes? If it’s not pleasure, then it must be an ailment—"
Before he could finish, Yun Kui clapped a hand over his mouth, silencing him.
Their eyes locked. His dark gaze burned, his warm breath fanning over her palm, sending tingling currents through her skin, electrifying every nerve.
Only when she met those smoldering eyes did she realize her impropriety. She tried to pull away, but his strong arms banded around her waist, hauling her back against him.
The autumn night was cool, yet Yun Kui’s face blazed. The carriage’s confined space grew warmer, suffused with the mingling scents of sandalwood and sunflower.
His calloused hand traced idle circles at the small of her back, drawing involuntary shivers from her.
The Crown Prince murmured, "I told you—instinct can’t be controlled. See? You can’t either."
Yun Kui ducked her head, muttering, "I don’t understand."
A low chuckle. "Shall I prove it here?"
Realizing his intent, Yun Kui flushed crimson. Forgetting his status, she shoved hard against his chest, scrambling off his lap.
As the carriage rolled toward the bustling streets, the noise outside gradually grew. Yun Kui lifted a corner of the curtain, letting the cool breeze soothe her heated face.
Lanterns adorned the streets, crowds swarming beneath the vibrant twilight. No wonder she’d been lured by the promise of an outing—trapped in the palace for so long, and confined at home preparing for the wedding before that, she hadn’t wandered the markets in half a year.
When the carriage halted, the Crown Prince stepped out first, offering his hand. Yun Kui gathered her skirts, placing her fingers in his palm as she descended.
Assuming he’d release her once she steadied herself, she tried to withdraw—only for his grip to tighten, just enough to keep her close.
Her pulse raced as she averted her gaze, feigning interest in the lotus lanterns drifting on the lake.
Side by side, they strolled through the lively streets—one radiant, the other peerlessly noble—drawing countless glances from passersby.
Yun Kui paid little mind. She’d always loved wandering the markets, often dressed simply to blend in. But today, her resplendent attire and the tantalizing glint of her golden veil only stoked curiosity.
The Crown Prince, however, despised crowds—especially after gaining the ability to hear thoughts. The clamor of voices and relentless inner monologues left no peace.
Now, while most onlookers merely whispered or gasped in passing, their unfiltered musings flooded his ears:
"Whose wife is this? Never seen her before."
"What a figure! I wonder what beauty lies beneath that veil."
"Is that her husband? Or a kept lover, hiding her face for secrecy…"
"Perhaps I should test it—that veil looks like it would fall with just a touch. I’d love to see what this woman really looks like!"
Yun Kui suddenly felt the large hand holding hers tighten slightly. She turned to him in confusion, "Husband?"
"So they really are married."
The Crown Prince suppressed the cold glint in his eyes and said gently, "The streets are crowded. Stay close to me."
Yun Kui nodded and was immediately pulled closer, his arm securing her waist.
Qin Ge, noticing his master’s subtle signal, quickly stepped forward.
The Crown Prince swept a cold gaze over the crowd. Those with ill intentions shrank under his dark, intimidating expression, their eyes darting away, though they grumbled inwardly. The Crown Prince, attuned to their thoughts, locked onto a few individuals and ordered Qin Ge coldly, "Take them to Shuntian Prison. Interrogate them harshly."
Yun Kui had been admiring clay figurines at a roadside stall when she overheard this. She watched as Qin Ge and the guards dragged the men away without explanation.
The street fell into uneasy silence, no one daring to ask what had happened.
Yun Kui’s chest tightened as she turned to the man beside her. "What’s going on?"
The Crown Prince shook his head, squeezing her hand. "Just dealing with a few troublemakers. Pay it no mind."
Noticing her cold palms, his tone softened. "Since we’re out for a stroll, buy whatever catches your eye."
He gave Deshun a look, and the eunuch promptly handed her a heavy purse.
Yun Kui’s eyes lit up, quickly forgetting the earlier disturbance as she wandered the lantern-lit market, buying sweets and snacks.
Spotting a hawker selling candied hawthorns, she suddenly remembered something and said to the Crown Prince, "Husband, there’s a place I’d like to visit. If you have official business, I can go alone—"
The Crown Prince cut in, "I’ll accompany you."
Yun Kui nodded, purchasing every stick of candied hawthorn from the vendor. Deshun, ever attentive, stepped forward to carry the wooden pole laden with treats.
Plucking one stick free, Yun Kui offered it to the Crown Prince. "Would you like one, husband?"
He glanced at her, his tone indifferent. "I don’t care for sweets."
Unfazed, Yun Kui handed two sticks to Yue Xiu. "One for you, and one for Deshun."
Deshun, unable to free his hands, was surprised when Yue Xiu fed him a bite. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he stammered, "Thank you, Tai—thank you, madam!"
The Crown Prince stared ahead impassively. "Where did you want to go?"
Yun Kui replied, "The orphanage is nearby. I’d like to see the children."
She often visited with Lady Qi to provide medical care and had grown close to the children. On festive occasions, especially during lively street celebrations, the orphans were allowed free time.
The orphanage stood near Zhuque Bridge. After turning down two streets, Yun Kui heard the children’s laughter from afar. Delighted, she dashed ahead, waving. "Chuan! Little Wu!"
Under a locust tree, a dozen children—some as old as twelve, others as young as four—gathered. The older ones played kickball while the younger ones molded mud. Behind them stood a man in plain, subtly patterned robes, watching with a gentle smile.
Hearing her voice, the children looked up to see a young woman in a red dress running toward them.
Little Wu gaped. "Is that fairy calling us?"
Chuan frowned. "She sounds familiar."
Yun Kui quickly untied her veil. Recognizing her face, the children cheered, "It’s Queen Sunflower!"
A few older boys approached. "We heard you couldn’t leave the palace anymore. How’d you get here today?"
Yun Kui grinned. "I got special permission to come out tonight. How have you all been? Let me see if you’ve grown taller or chubbier."
Just then, the slender man beneath the tree stepped forward, nodding politely. "Greetings, Crown Princess."
Yun Kui blinked in surprise. "Minister Wei, you’re here too?"
The man was Wei Qian, Vice Minister of Revenue.
The orphanage fell under the Ministry of Revenue’s jurisdiction, and Wei Qian occasionally checked on the children. Yun Kui had met him a few times before.
Wei Qian’s smile was faint, his complexion pale. "I had no duties tonight, so I thought I’d spend time with them."
Yun Kui said, "That’s very kind of you, Minister. You—"
Before she could finish, the Crown Prince strolled to her side. "Vice Minister Wei, no official business tonight?"
Wei Qian bowed respectfully. "Your Highness."
After explaining his presence, the Crown Prince gave an approving nod. "If all officials were as diligent and compassionate as Vice Minister Wei, with fewer idlers in office, I could rest easy."
Yun Kui, uninterested in their bureaucratic talk, distributed the candied hawthorns from Deshun’s pole and handed each child a small silver coin from her purse. "Buy yourselves some sweets."
The children jumped for joy.
Little Wu tugged her sleeve, eyeing the stern-faced stranger. "Queen Sunflower, is this the grumpy husband you told us about?"
Yun Kui gasped, clapping a hand over his mouth.
She glanced nervously back at the Crown Prince, whose expression had darkened. Her heart sank.
On the way back to the palace, Yun Kui sidled up to him, coaxing, "Children say the darndest things. Don’t take it to heart, Your Highness."
The Crown Prince’s lips curled coldly. "So in your mind, I’m just a grump?"
Yun Kui whispered, "That was before I knew you better! I used to think you were too cold and imposing, but the kids wouldn’t understand ‘imposing,’ so I simplified it..."
The Crown Prince remained icily silent, demonstrating exactly what "cold and imposing" meant.
At Donghua Gate, as they disembarked from the carriage, Qin Ge approached with urgent news, forcing Yun Kui to return to Chengguang Hall alone.
Once she was out of earshot, Qin Ge reported quietly, "Vice Minister Wei Qian... did indeed propose to the Wuning Marquis’s household when King Moshan was pressuring them. But since Wei Qian’s parents died young and he’s often ill, the marquess feared the Crown Princess would suffer if married into his family. Thus, the marquess declined the proposal..."
A sharp crack—like knuckles tightening—cut through the air.
The Crown Prince’s face was stormy, his aura terrifying.
