Seeing this, Shen Yanshui hurriedly slipped the red silk and moon-white gauze cross-collared robe over him.
Cui Yu held his arms raised, his eyes tightly shut, his expression seemingly rather cool and detached.
A pair of warm hands moved busily over him, tugging here and adjusting there. Now and then, her fingertips brushed his skin, sending a faint, ticklish sensation through him.
He drew a quiet breath and said nothing. Once she had finished inspecting the fit, he would take it off at once.
It was only a matter of enduring this brief moment. At least her sewing over these past days would not have gone to waste.
Shen Yanshui circled around him, front and back, occasionally rising onto her toes to reach his shoulders.
Cui Yu could feel her breath drifting nearer and farther away, carrying the faint fruity fragrance from her bath as it lingered at the tip of his nose.
Then, suddenly, that warm breath moved lower.
Something soft and fluffy brushed lightly against his waist... and then warm breath spilled over the inside of his thigh. Through the nearly weightless layer of gauze, the heat felt almost as though it were falling directly upon his skin.
Cui Yu went rigid. He opened his eyes on instinct and looked down—
Shen Yanshui was crouched before him, holding a silver chain adorned with red agate beads, carefully fastening it around his thigh...
Noticing his gaze, she tipped up her face and smiled at him. Her peach-blossom eyes shone brilliantly, filled with undisguised delight.
“Your Highness, don’t be impatient. I’ll be done in just a moment.”
As she spoke, she lowered her head again, wrapped the silver chain around his left thigh, and gently fastened it. The chain settled snugly against his leg.
Cui Yu: “............” What exactly was he supposed to be impatient about?
It was a little tight, though, and he could not help shifting his leg.
His gaze fixed on the silver chain. Why was there a chain tied around his thigh?
Shen Yanshui rose to her feet and picked up another, longer silver chain from the nearby table. It was much longer than the first, several fine silver strands intertwined and set with red agate beads.
She looked up at him, her voice coaxing. “Your Highness, lower your head a little.”
Cui Yu lowered his eyes to her, then to the silver chain in her hands. His lips moved faintly, as though he wanted to say something, but he pressed them together... In the end, he slowly bowed his head.
Shen Yanshui immediately beamed with delight. Rising onto her toes, she looped the long chain around the back of his neck, found the tiny clasps on the shoulder straps at either side of the gauze robe, and carefully secured them.
Several red agate beads fell neatly across his chest, swaying softly with her movements. The cool silver chain brushed now and then against his bare back, raising a faint chill along his skin.
Shen Yanshui moved around behind him again and checked every fastening. Only after confirming that all was in order did she nod in satisfaction.
She stepped back two paces and circled him once.
In the candlelight, the red silk and moon-white gauze robe was so thin as to be almost transparent, barely concealing the most essential areas at the front. Its side slits rose all the way to his waist, and whenever he moved... it was exceedingly eye-catching.
Several fine silver chains wound from his shoulders down across his back, trailing at his waist. Against his fair skin, they wove cool austerity together with vivid allure, creating a beauty so striking it was almost breathtaking.
As Shen Yanshui stared, she suddenly clapped a hand over her nose... Then she hurriedly looked down. Thank goodness, thank goodness—no nosebleed. That would have been far too embarrassing...
Cui Yu: “...?”
Why had A-Yan suddenly covered her nose and mouth?
Looking at the Crown Prince, Shen Yanshui could not help sighing. “Your Highness is truly beautiful...” A perfectly straightforward compliment.
Cui Yu: “...”
He felt uncomfortable all over.
The silver chains swayed gently with his breathing, occasionally brushing against his skin with an icy touch that raised goosebumps. The gauzy robe was so thin it felt as though he was wearing nothing at all; he could even feel the air moving over his skin.
This outfit...
He might as well wear nothing. It would be more decent than this.
Cui Yu did not dare look down at himself. He merely put on a displeased expression, his face cool as he frowned. “Bring me the sleepwear I usually wear.”
As he spoke, he raised a hand to undo the delicate fastening at his waist.
“Hey—” Shen Yanshui reacted quickly, catching his hand at once. “Your Highness! Don’t be in such a hurry...”
When she saw him relax his hand, she immediately smiled and took it in hers.
“Your Highness, come on. Let’s go outside.”
She tugged at his hand, intending to lead him into the outer room.
She pulled... and pulled—
He would not budge.
Cui Yu’s feet seemed to have taken root, fixed firmly in place.
Shen Yanshui turned back to look at him. His face was taut, his jaw subtly clenched, and he stood perfectly still.
She could not help laughing. Knowing he was drunk, she did not take offense. Instead, she walked around behind him, pressed both hands to his back, and pushed hard.
“Come on, Your Highness~”
Her hands rested against his bare back. Beneath her palms was warm, firm skin, the lines of his muscles sleek and solid. The fine silver chains draped from his shoulder straps and hung down his back, swaying softly as she pushed him. They brushed the hollow along his spine with the faintest of sounds.
Her gaze drifted, quite against her will, to his waist.
The Crown Prince’s waist was lean and narrow, the line tapering sharply from his broad shoulders and back into a smooth, graceful curve. The slight hollows at his waist nestled between firm muscles, carrying an indescribably... bewitching allure.
Lower still...
The slits in the gauzy robe rose all the way to his waist and concealed practically nothing. Red silk and moon-white gauze barely covered his taut, shapely backside, its contours far too clear—rounded and firm, cleanly defined, without the slightest excess.
Shen Yanshui swallowed. As if possessed, she extended one finger and lightly poked it...
Cui Yu’s body went rigid.
The silver chains hanging down his back trembled with the movement.
He spun around abruptly and seized her hand. “Insolent.” His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of embarrassed irritation.
Feigning innocence, Shen Yanshui blinked. “Your Highness, shall I paint a portrait of you?” As she spoke, she tried once more to push him toward the inner chamber.
Still, he would not move.
Cui Yu lowered his eyes to look at her but did not respond.
Shen Yanshui held up two fingers. “You only need to lie down on the bed and rest, Your Highness. I’ll draw you—I promise I won’t disturb you.”
As she spoke, she hooked her little finger around one of his and gave it a gentle sway, her voice sweet and soft. “Your Highness~ Come on, come on~ Just come out with me first. I promise that once we’re out, I’ll fetch the sleeping robes you usually wear. All right?”
When she saw his expression soften for the briefest moment, she caught hold of the silver chain at his waist and gave it a light tug.
Cui Yu looked down at her fingers hooked around the chain at his waist, then at the way she tilted her face up at him with such eager, pleading eyes. His lips pressed together, then loosened, then pressed together again.
After a long silence, he finally took a step forward.
Shen Yanshui immediately breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly took his hand, leading him toward the inner chamber.
She could not help muttering to herself: Why was the Crown Prince, after getting drunk, so attached to the sleeping robes he normally wore?
Cui Yu sat upright on the edge of the bed, perfectly still.
Already, Shen Yanshui’s mind was filling with images of the Crown Prince reclining lazily against the bed, his silver chain hanging loose, the sheer fabric half-open in all manner of poses... If she could capture them on paper, she could take them out from time to time in the future to admire and appreciate them...
With a beaming smile, she said, “Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I’ll fetch your sleeping robes at once.”
—As if.
Rather than retrieving any sleeping robes, she went into the outer room and pulled out the sketchbook she had brought with her.
She neither dared nor wanted anyone else to see the Crown Prince in this outfit.
Clutching her sketchbook, she padded back into the inner chamber in her soft-soled slippers. The moment she entered, she froze.
At some point, the Crown Prince had made his way to the wardrobe himself. He had opened it and was taking out a sleeping robe.
Shen Yanshui panicked at once. Crossing the room in three quick strides, she snatched the robe from his hands, stuffed it back into the wardrobe, and slammed the doors shut with a bang.
Then she turned around, leaning back against the wardrobe as she looked up at him.
“Your Highness~ I had this outfit specially made for you. Do you not like it?” Her beautiful, flirtatious peach-blossom eyes gazed up at him with pitiful appeal.
“...” Cui Yu looked down at her, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily. Was he supposed to like it?
Seeing that he had stopped moving, Shen Yanshui took hold of him and turned him around, drawing him before a bronze mirror as tall as a person.
“Your Highness, look...”
Caught unprepared, Cui Yu saw his own reflection in the mirror...
His entire body jolted at once!
Standing beside him, Shen Yanshui tipped her head back to watch his profile. Seeing him squeeze his eyes tightly shut, his lashes trembling, his ears flushed so red they seemed ready to bleed, she could not help laughing aloud.
Who would have thought that the Crown Prince was so amusing when drunk?
And so shy, too...
For some reason, she found this side of him rather... adorable.
Unable to resist, she leaned closer, rose onto her tiptoes, and lightly pecked his tightly pressed lips.
Cui Yu lifted his eyelids just slightly, and the first thing he saw was her sparkling eyes.
“Your Highness,” she said with a soft, sweet smile, “it’s getting late. Time for bed. You should sleep soon—you still have court discussions before His Majesty tomorrow.”
Cui Yu: “...”
He suddenly remembered how, only yesterday, he had innocently planned to wear the clothes A-Yan had made for him to the imperial court...
A gust of night wind slipped in through a crack in the window, stirring the hem of Cui Yu’s garment.
The gauzy fabric was lifted at one corner, drifting lightly in the air.
Cui Yu felt a sudden chill below. “...!”
Shen Yanshui instinctively looked toward the mirror. Beneath the wind-tossed gauze, half-concealed and half-revealed, was a scene with quite a particular charm...
She felt that this design of hers was simply... perfect!
Unable to bear looking at it any longer, Cui Yu abruptly turned and strode toward the bed.
As he walked, he lowered his head to undo the silver chain at his waist.
Seeing this, Shen Yanshui hurried after him, just about to speak. Had it really only been that long? She had not even started sketching yet.
But the moment she approached, before she could make a sound, Cui Yu suddenly turned around. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed a hand against the back of her neck.
Shen Yanshui was forced to tilt her face up.
He lowered his head and sealed her lips with his.
The kiss came swift and hard, carrying traces of irritation and embarrassment... all of it pressed against her lips.
Shen Yanshui let out a muffled sound and struggled a little. They could kiss anytime—but she might only get to admire this outfit once! Once the Crown Prince woke up tomorrow, he might never wear it again for the rest of his life.
When Cui Yu saw that she was still trying to resist, he hesitated for only an instant before taking her hand and pressing it against his body.
Shen Yanshui’s palm landed on his chest, her fingertips brushing the cool red agate before being warmed by his body heat.
Her fingers involuntarily slid down along the contours of his muscles, over his firm abdomen, until they touched the silver chain hanging loosely around his waist...
She blinked, and stopped struggling.
She could not help sighing inwardly: this design really was incredibly convenient.
When she looked up at the Crown Prince again, the flush on his cheeks had already spread to the tips of his ears. Even the corners of his eyes were tinted a faint red, as though someone had splashed him with a cup of peach-blossom wine. He seemed drunk through and through...
Before this, whenever she touched the Crown Prince, he always wore an indifferent expression, never seeming particularly pleased.
But look at him now—after drinking, he had exposed himself, hadn’t he? Hehe...
How could this be dislike?
He clearly liked it far too much.
Cui Yu: “............”
The moment he looked down and saw her expression—sudden realization mingled with secret delight—he knew more or less what she was thinking.
Lowering his head, he kissed her again.
This time, the kiss was deep and long.
Shen Yanshui was kissed until her head spun. At some point, the sketchbook in her hand fell to the floor, but she could not spare it another thought.
...
When Cui Yu finally released her lips, both of their breathing had become unsteady.
Half-held, half-embraced within his arms, Shen Yanshui had gone soft as water. Her cheeks were flushed, her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with moisture, her lips were faintly reddened from the kisses, and her chest rose and fell sharply.
She tilted her face up to look at him for a long while, insisting that he return the favor. Taking his hand, she guided it into the “jade pool” between her thighs and made him stir it about.
Cui Yu’s voice was hoarse. “A-Yan...” It was restrained, yet thick with suppressed desire.
Shen Yanshui looped her arms around his neck and hung herself against him, her lips brushing his ear as she called in a sweet, soft voice, “Your Highness...”
Cui Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed, but he still did not dare enter her. He merely lingered outside, again and again.
“Your Highness, inside~”
The veins at Cui Yu’s temples twitched. “...No.”
“...Your Highness, how can you be so heartless?” Shen Yanshui’s eyes widened at once.
She was practically crying with want. She had coaxed and pleaded, even nearly tried to force herself on him!
Yet the Crown Prince would yield to neither sweet talk nor force. Even with the arrow on the string, he refused to let it fly?!
Furious, she opened her mouth and bit his shoulder before turning away and stomping back to the bed. She wrapped herself in the blanket, curling into a ball and leaving him only the round back of her head.
Cui Yu: “............”
He looked at his dripping-wet hand.
Then he glanced at the oval-shaped bite mark on his right shoulder, before lowering his gaze at himself...
He closed his eyes, removed the chain around his neck, then tore off the chains at his waist and thighs and tossed them to the foot of the bed.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Without the chains holding it in place, his gauzy robe slipped loosely down his body. He casually pulled on a sleeping robe, and only then did the sense of embarrassment ease somewhat.
With her back to him, Shen Yanshui heard him climbing onto the bed. Curled beneath the covers, she promptly wrapped even more of the blanket around herself.
Not leaving him even a corner! Hmph!
Even though she knew the Crown Prince was concerned for her well-being, she just... well, she simply wanted to throw a little tantrum.
Before long, though, she felt that she had truly brought this upon herself tonight.
She could see it, touch it, but she couldn’t have it—what was the point... Wuwuwuwu...
Wuwuwuwu... Hoo... hoo... As she mourned her misfortune, she somehow... fell asleep.
Hoo—
Listening to her breathing gradually become even, Cui Yu looked at her small figure curled into a ball and could not help letting out a helpless sigh.
A-Yan was becoming more and more demanding...
After all her teasing, every inch of him was still wide awake.
He took a quiet, deep breath and forced down those chaotic thoughts bit by bit.
He did not know how long it took, but eventually the restlessness subsided, and sleep slowly crept over him.
Cui Yu reached out and gently wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her closer to him.
Shen Yanshui turned over in his embrace. Half-asleep, she nuzzled against him, her nose rubbing lightly over his chest as though searching for a comfortable position. After a while, she finally settled down, nestling in his arms as her breathing grew long and steady once more.
Cui Yu looked down at her, pulled her closer into his embrace, rested his chin atop her hair, and closed his eyes.
*
The next morning.
Pale golden sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting soft streaks of light across the floor.
Mountain birds chirped outside the window, their calls crisp and pleasant.
Shen Yanshui slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the Crown Prince’s figure, his back turned toward her.
Cui Yu was dressing as quietly as he could. The morning light fell across his broad shoulders and back, rendering his moon-white sleeping robe faintly translucent and revealing the smooth lines of muscle beneath.
Shen Yanshui rubbed her eyes. Her voice was soft and drowsy with sleep as she mumbled, “Your Highness?”
Cui Yu’s hands paused mid-motion. He turned to glance at her, his expression unchanged, his voice calm and detached. “Go back to sleep. I still have matters to discuss in the front hall.”
Shen Yanshui gave an “Oh” and was about to close her eyes again when she suddenly remembered something. Her eyes flew open a fraction, and she secretly studied the Crown Prince’s expression.
Cui Yu had already put on his outer robe and was straightening his cuffs. His movements were unhurried, his face tranquil and composed—just as dignified, aloof, and cool as ever.
Shen Yanshui cleared her throat and ventured, “Your Highness... do you remember what happened last night?”
Cui Yu’s hand stilled for an instant as he adjusted his cuff. Then, as though nothing had happened, he smoothed the crease flat, turned around, and looked at her impassively.
“What happened last night?” His tone was even. “I drank a little. After returning, I should have gone to sleep quite soon, no?”
Shen Yanshui’s eyes widened at once. “Your Highness... you don’t remember?”
Cui Yu looked at her with an air of bafflement, his brows drawing together slightly, as if trying to recall something—or perhaps recalling nothing at all. “What is it that I should remember?”
Shen Yanshui parted her lips. Seeing his earnest, bewildered expression, she swallowed the words that had reached her tongue.
She gave an awkward little laugh. “N-Nothing... Your Highness did drink rather too much yesterday. When you came back, you just... just fell asleep.”
Cui Yu responded with a composed, noncommittal “Mm.”
Shen Yanshui muttered to herself inwardly. So when the Crown Prince drank himself drunk, he actually forgot everything the next day?
Then her eyes lit up.
If he got drunk again in the future, wouldn’t she have another chance to make him wear different clothes?
All sorts of styles, all sorts of designs...
As she continued making plans, the corners of her mouth curled upward of their own accord.
Cui Yu fastened his jade pendant and turned back around.
“...A-Yan?” For some reason, a faint chill ran down his spine.
His gaze flicked toward the silver chain in the corner at the foot of the bed. His lips moved slightly. He wanted to destroy the thing at once, but somehow restrained himself.
Drawing back his gaze, he maintained his calm, detached expression. His voice was so steady that not the slightest ripple could be heard in it. “I... am leaving.”
Before Shen Yanshui could say anything, he had already gone around the folding screen and strode out.
He walked so quickly that it was as though something behind him were chasing him, his robes billowing in his wake.
Shen Yanshui watched his nearly panicked retreating figure, staring blankly for a moment before muttering under her breath, “Why is he walking so fast? It’s not as if there’s a dog chasing him...”
She lingered in bed a little longer before finally getting up at an unhurried pace.
Hearing movement from within the inner chamber, Chunping and Dongyi hurried in with a bronze washbasin, towels, and other articles to attend to her.
Shen Yanshui sat before her dressing table. Chunping combed through her hair while Dongyi, accompanied by two young palace maids, tidied the bed.
Chunping briskly shook out the bedding and replaced it with fresh linens, neatly folding everything before smoothing the pillowcase. Just as she was about to take away the changed bedding to be washed and starched, her gaze fell upon the tangle of silver chains at the foot of the bed.
She bent down to pick them up, asking in puzzlement, “My lady, when did you acquire silver chains like these among your jewelry? How is it that I don’t remember them? Oh! Why are they broken?”
Shen Yanshui was arranging her hair before the mirror. At this, she turned to look, then hurriedly rose and went over. She took the several silver chains from Chunping’s hand, carefully put them away in a small box, and only then gave a light cough.
“Don’t concern yourself with that.”
Dongyi gave an “Oh.” Though she still had her doubts, since her mistress had said so, she did not dare ask further.
She had put away that garment before anyone came in, but had momentarily forgotten about this thing.
Seeing that her mistress’s cheeks were rosy, her peach-blossom eyes shimmering with moisture, and her entire person looked as though she had been washed clean by morning dew—radiant as a peach blossom and glowing with health—Chunping could not help but smile.
“My lady, you look wonderfully well today.”
At this, Shen Yanshui looked at herself in the mirror and smiled as well.
Yet she could not help thinking that if the Crown Prince made her change clothes every day, her complexion would likely look this good every day.
The moment the thought surfaced, her smile stiffened for an instant.
Never mind, never mind... Better wait until she could truly have him before saying such things.
Once she was properly dressed and ready, breakfast was served.
Shen Yanshui had only just finished her breakfast when Chunping came in to announce, “My lady, Lady Zhang has arrived.”
Shen Yanshui immediately had her shown in.
Lady Zhang was wearing a goose-yellow robe today, with only a single green jade hairpin in her hair. Her appearance was simple and elegant. The moment she entered, she smiled warmly at Shen Yanshui. Her gaze dropped to Shen Yanshui’s belly, and her face filled with delight.
“Sister Shen—” She stepped forward and took Shen Yanshui’s hand, looking her over from head to toe. Her voice brimmed with joy. “Congratulations, Sister Shen. I never expected you to be so fortunate as to be carrying twins.”
Shen Yanshui smiled and returned her grasp. “Thank you, Sister Zhang.”
Lady Zhang examined her closely once more, then lowered her voice, her tone taking on a note of concern. “But you must be especially careful, Sister Shen. Twins are, after all, more difficult than an ordinary pregnancy. You must take extra care with your diet and daily routine.”
Warmth filled Shen Yanshui’s heart. She smiled and nodded. “Rest assured, Sister Zhang. I’ll remember.”
Only then did Lady Zhang relax. Smiling, she took an item from the embroidery basket Huixin was carrying behind her and handed it to Shen Yanshui.
“This is something I made these past few days when I had nothing else to do—a gift for the children in your womb. I did not know before that you were carrying twins, so I have only finished one. I hope you won’t mind.”
Shen Yanshui accepted it and saw that it was a baby swaddling blanket. Naturally, it was made from the finest fabric, every edge sewn with meticulous care. On each side was embroidered a cluster of qilin bearing children, while two tiny auspicious cloud motifs had been stitched along the inside of the collar...
“Sister Zhang, your embroidery is truly... These qilin look so lifelike.”
She looked up at Lady Zhang and said with a smile, “Thank you for your kindness, Sister Zhang. I’ll accept it on behalf of the two little ones in my belly.”
Seeing that she liked it, Lady Zhang smiled as well. “I’m glad you do not find it wanting, little sister.”
Shen Yanshui handed the tiny swaddling cloth to Chunping, who promptly accepted it with a smile and put it away.
Chunping could not help thinking that Lady Zhang truly was a cautious woman. A swaddling cloth conveyed intimacy without being as liable to arouse suspicion as a gift of close-fitting clothing. Her thoughtfulness was perfectly judged, leaving no room for criticism.
As the two were speaking, another announcement came from outside.
“My lady, the Princess Consort of the Second Prince and Secondary Consort Yun of the Sixth Prince have arrived.”
Shen Yanshui was momentarily taken aback. She quickly rose, smoothed her robes, and went out to greet them with a smile. Lady Zhang followed behind her.
The Princess Consort of the Second Prince entered first. She wore a lotus-purple outer robe and a red-gold hairpin set with rubies, looking dignified and gracious. Though she was inwardly astonished when she was led into the rear hall of Chengxin Hall, nothing much showed on her face. The moment she entered, she smiled and said, “Congratulations, Lady Zhang.”
Secondary Consort Yun of the Sixth Prince followed behind her. Dressed in a water-green gown and wearing a white jade magnolia hairpin, she appeared gentle and refined. With a smile, she inclined her head and said, “Congratulations on your great joy, Worthy Lady Shen.”
Yet when she saw that Worthy Lady Shen was receiving them in the rear hall of Chengxin Hall, a deep envy rose unbidden within her.
Chengxin Hall was the main hall of the Crown Prince’s residence at the imperial retreat. Ordinarily, it was where the Crown Prince lived and handled official matters.
She had heard that, even when the Crown Princess had visited the imperial retreat in previous years, she had never once shared a hall with the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince’s favor toward Worthy Lady Shen was plain for all to see—how could she not envy her?
If the occasion had been more suitable, she might even have wished to seek this Worthy Lady Shen’s advice, to learn how she had won such extraordinary favor from the Crown Prince...
