She could not help urging him, “Your Highness—”
Mist swiftly welled in her eyes, leaving those beautiful peach-blossom eyes glistening with tears.
Cui Yu lifted his head from beneath her undergarment and looked at her, his voice low and husky. “Slowly. We mustn’t hurt the child.”
Then he kissed the damp corners of her eyes, catching each tear that was about to fall.
“Be good,” he murmured, before lifting her entirely into his arms.
The next moment, he eased himself into her jade pool.
Cui Yu’s body was taut as he paused for a moment, allowing them both to adjust to this closeness they had gone without for so long.
They had never taken things so slowly before... yet it had a flavor all its own, letting them feel each other’s presence with perfect clarity.
Outside the door, Dongyi, who was keeping watch through the night, felt her face burn crimson. Her mistress’s sounds were enough to make even a maid like her feel her heart tremble...
After an unknown length of time, Shen Yanshui let out a long sigh. Just as she was about to speak, her body was suddenly turned over.
Dazed, she found herself facing away from the Crown Prince, her hands braced against a soft pillow as she knelt over the bed.
The change in position had come so abruptly that she had no time to react. Her body gave a violent shudder, and the bedding beneath her was soaked through.
Shen Yanshui froze, her cheeks burning with embarrassment—yet, deep down, she found herself anticipating even more.
Kneeling behind her, Cui Yu caught sight of the lotus blossom between her legs, opening and closing faintly toward him, and gave a low laugh.
Shen Yanshui: “...”
Weren’t the two of them equally shameless? What was he laughing for?!
The next instant, her waist was gripped tightly. A fiery dragon swiftly wound its way through layer upon layer of petals, retreating only to begin moving again.
By the end, the newly laid mattress seemed as though it had been soaked in water. Shen Yanshui was so blissfully languid that she could not be bothered to move even a finger. She nudged the Crown Prince with the tips of her toes, her voice slightly hoarse.
“Your Highness, go to the wardrobe and get fresh bedding.”
She certainly did not want Chunping and the others to see the sheets in the state the two of them had left them in... Her skin was not nearly that thick.
Cui Yu caught her ankle, parted her legs, and leaned in to inspect her. His brow furrowed slightly, his voice rough. “It’s a little swollen... Does it hurt?”
He had lost control for a moment earlier...
Shen Yanshui looked at him with sparkling eyes, her face flushed as she said shyly, “It doesn’t hurt. Your Highness is so formidable~”
Cui Yu cleared his throat. “...I’ll apply some medicine.” His voice was composed as he accepted her praise with complete ease.
Seeing how he could barely suppress the curve of his lips, Shen Yanshui nearly burst out laughing.
Ah, as expected—regardless of their status, there was no man who did not care about such things.
After the two of them had briefly washed once more in the bath, Cui Yu carefully applied the ointment, thoroughly and attentively.
When he finally looked up, he found that A-Yan had already fallen asleep with her eyes closed...
The corners of his lips lifted slightly. Setting the ointment aside, he drew her gently and carefully into his arms, then slowly let out a breath. He lowered his head to kiss the bridge of her delicate nose before closing his eyes as well.
The following morning.
When Shen Yanshui opened her eyes, it was already broad daylight. Sunlight streamed through the lattice window, scattering a wash of pale gold across the bed.
She blinked and turned her head. The Crown Prince was still asleep.
It was rare to see him sleep so deeply.
She did not move, merely lying on her side and watching him quietly.
Morning light fell across his face, throwing his already striking features into sharper relief. His sword-like brows slanted toward his temples; his lashes were thick and long, casting faint shadows beneath his eyes. His nose was high and straight. Even in sleep, his brow was slightly furrowed—perhaps his injuries still hurt.
Carefully, she sat up without waking him.
He had sparred with someone during the day yesterday, and they had been at it for quite some time that night. He ought to sleep as long as he could.
Shen Yanshui slipped on an outer robe and climbed down from the bed. She spotted the leftover ointment from last night beside the soft pillows, as well as two unopened jars on the small table nearby.
Taking the ointment, she returned to the bedside and sat on its edge. Gently, she lifted the thin blanket covering the Crown Prince, revealing the alarming bruises across his shoulders, chest, and abdomen.
After a night, the marks had not faded in the slightest. If anything, they looked even more frightening...
She frowned, dipped her fingertips into the ointment, and began applying it little by little.
When she reached the broad swath of purple bruising over his shoulder blade, she paused. Her fingertips rested against it, and a thought stirred in her mind.
A thread of warm breath seeped from her fingertips, so faint it was almost imperceptible, slowly sinking into the bruise.
She did not dare do too much. She merely used a small amount of the vitality in her power to repair the damaged muscle beneath the skin, enough to make the next few days easier on the Crown Prince and lessen his pain. She left the visible bruising untouched, lest anyone notice anything unusual.
After tending to his shoulders and arms, she applied ointment to the bruises on his chest and abdomen as well... By the end, both jars were empty.
She set the empty porcelain jars aside and lowered her gaze to the Crown Prince.
At some point, the faint crease between Cui Yu’s brows had eased, and his entire expression had become much more relaxed.
Her lips curved into a smile. Leaning down, she suddenly kissed his thin lips. Her gaze lingered over his sleeping face for quite a while. Just as she was about to call Chunping in to prepare for washing and dressing, she remembered that the Crown Prince was not wearing any clothes...
The ointment had only just been applied and had not fully absorbed yet. He could not be covered with the blanket, or it would all rub off.
Fortunately, it was summer. The sun was already up, so he would not catch cold without a blanket.
So she simply remained seated at the bedside, in no hurry to wash or get ready, her gaze once again settling on him.
His features were picturesque, his bearing elegant and otherworldly. His shoulders and back were broad, his waist lean, the lines of his muscles smooth and defined—not a fraction too much or too little, perfectly proportioned. From his shoulders to his waist, and then down his legs, every line was crisp, as though drawn with a single stroke.
As she watched, her gaze slowly drifted lower.
In the morning light, the little dragon was standing proudly at attention, head held high and full of spirit.
Shen Yanshui stared at it for two breaths, then suddenly reached out and lightly flicked it with a finger.
The little dragon swayed from the flick...
The Crown Prince remained asleep, not yet awake.
Then she simply lay facedown on the bed, propping up her cheek with one hand while, with the other, she idly... played with it.
After a while, the back of her hand grew warm.
Shen Yanshui froze, then lowered her eyes to look.
The dragon’s mouth opened slightly, and with a soft puff, it spat out a mouthful of milk, splashing her hand.
Before she could react, her face was suddenly splashed as well.
Shen Yanshui froze for a moment, then blankly touched her cheek, her fingertips brushing against the dampness there.
She lowered her head to look at the little dragon, which had already lain quietly back down, then at the white residue still on her fingertips.
A thought suddenly surfaced in her mind.
And once it appeared, she found it rather difficult to suppress.
After hesitating for a moment, unable to resist her curiosity, she raised the finger stained with white to her lips and gave it a tentative lick.
The flavor was faint... not exactly delicious, but not unpleasant either.
“A-Yan, what... are you doing?”
A low, hoarse voice, unmistakably shocked, suddenly came from above her.
Shen Yanshui: “............”
Slowly, she raised her head and met a pair of pitch-black phoenix eyes.
The Crown Prince had awakened at some point. Propped halfway up, he looked down at her.
Shen Yanshui: “...”
She looked at the Crown Prince, then at the quietly resting little dragon, and recalled what she had just done...
All at once, she felt like some kind of complete pervert...
Her face flushed crimson.
Her mind whirring at top speed, she promptly lowered her hand, cleared her throat, and decided to strike first by shifting the blame. With an aggrieved expression, she accused him, “Your Highness, you’re finally awake.”
Cui Yu gazed at her darkly without saying a word.
Shen Yanshui pointed at her face, then at the traces that still hadn’t been wiped clean from her hand. “Your Highness, you’re awful. I was applying medicine for you, and then you suddenly... splashed it all over my face.”
Yet as she spoke, guilt stirred in her heart, and her gaze began to wander.
Cui Yu looked at her. His eyes moved from the white streak still on her cheek, to the residue on her fingertips, and then to her shifty eyes, which were brimming with guilt.
He lowered his gaze to inspect himself.
His wounds had indeed already been treated. His shoulders and back, chest and abdomen, both arms—every injury had been evenly coated with a thin layer of ointment, carrying a faint medicinal fragrance.
She really had been applying medicine to him.
But the sight that had greeted him when he opened his eyes refused to leave his mind—
Shen Yanshui had watched, wide-eyed, as the little dragon that had just lain down rose again...
Her face burned. She snatched up some unidentified piece of cloth from beside his pillow and threw it over the proudly lifted little dragon, covering it tightly.
“First thing in the morning, Your Highness, honestly—have you no shame? I’m going to wash up. You should get up soon too.”
With that, she turned and fled, moving as quickly as a rabbit as she darted out of the inner chamber.
Cui Yu sat on the bed, watching her figure vanish behind the folding screen. Drawing in a deep breath, he rose from the bed barefoot, picked up the small garment, and went into the bathing room.
Shen Yanshui was changing behind the screen. Seeing that the Crown Prince did not press her further, she let out a small sigh of relief. Otherwise...
Not long after, a faint sound drifted from the bathing room.
Shen Yanshui’s heart skipped a beat, and her ears immediately perked up.
A few more sounds drifted from the washroom, intermittent and broken. Each one seemed to scratch at her heart, making it itch with anticipation. She could not help thinking, His Highness the Crown Prince’s voice is so... alluring.
If only one day His Highness would actually cry out for her to hear.
The more she thought about it, the more wonderful the idea seemed. But on second thought, it felt impossible.
Though the Crown Prince was hardly restrained in his actions, he was remarkably tight-lipped when it came to making sounds. At most, his breathing would grow heavier. To make him cry out... that would be harder than climbing to heaven.
Just as she sighed regretfully, inspiration suddenly struck. Her eyes lit up.
Once the Crown Prince had recovered from his injuries, she could get him drunk!
When he was drunk, he was muddled but not rowdy. In fact, he was quite obedient. Most importantly... by the next day, he would have no memory of it at all!
At the thought of that scene, Shen Yanshui could not stop herself from smiling. Her mood immediately brightened. Life was becoming more and more something to look forward to.
...
By the time they had both finished getting ready, the sun was already high in the sky.
When breakfast was brought in, Shen Yanshui washed her hands and took her seat opposite the Crown Prince. She glanced over the dishes on the table and nodded in satisfaction.
Cui Yu picked up his chopsticks and swept his gaze over the meal before him. His expression paused slightly.
There was steamed sea bass, poached shrimp, chicken congee... several small plates of seasonal vegetables, a large platter of sliced fresh fruit, and two bowls of soup whose medicinal ingredients he could not identify.
He lifted his eyes and looked at Shen Yanshui.
Shen Yanshui was blowing gently on a spoonful of chicken congee. When she noticed him looking at her, she smiled, her eyes curving. “I specifically asked Eunuch Lin to prepare these for Your Highness. These foods are good for your injuries while you’re recovering.”
She pointed to the platter of fruit. “Your Highness should also eat more fresh fruit these days.”
Cui Yu looked over the dishes again, and something in his heart stirred faintly.
Quite a few of the ingredients promoted blood circulation and dispersed bruising, while others helped bones and tendons heal. A-Yan must have personally instructed the kitchen.
He picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth.
Seeing that he had begun eating, Shen Yanshui lowered her head and drank her own congee.
The night before, she had already instructed Eunuch Lin to prepare breakfast according to the plan she had written down. Most of the food was high in protein, which would help repair muscle tissue. Several kinds of fruit had been cut up to replenish vitamins, and the two bowls of soup contained plenty of medicinal herbs to promote circulation and disperse bruising.
Although she had secretly used her ability to heal some of the Crown Prince’s injuries, the outward wounds were still there. He still needed to recover properly.
The two ate breakfast in silence. As Cui Yu continued eating, he suddenly frowned slightly.
When he had woken up that morning, his body had not hurt very much at all.
From his past experience with such injuries, the second day was usually when the pain was at its worst.
But today...
He moved his shoulder. The dull ache was indeed much lighter. After considering it for a moment, he decided it must be because of A-Yan’s ointment. Her medicine had always been highly effective.
The last time she had applied it for him, his injury had healed much faster than usual as well.
Just as breakfast ended and Shen Yanshui was calling for someone to come in and clear away the dishes, Zheng Yuande’s voice sounded from outside.
“Your Highness.” Zheng Yuande stopped outside the door and announced respectfully, “His Highness the First Prince, His Highness the Second Prince, and His Highness the Sixth Prince have come to visit you. They are waiting in the front hall.”
At this, Shen Yanshui looked at Cui Yu and said softly, “Your Highness should go receive them in the front hall first.”
Cui Yu nodded. After washing his hands and changing into a fresh set of clothes, he left the room.
Shen Yanshui promptly instructed the small kitchen to prepare some food and have it sent to the front hall.
The Front Hall of Chengxin Hall.
The First Prince, Second Prince, and Sixth Prince were seated in the guest seats. Tea had already been served, and each held a cup in his hands.
The moment Cui Yu stepped into the hall, all three rose to their feet.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince.” The three bowed in salute.
Cui Yu gave a slight nod, took his seat of honor, and lifted a hand in indication. “Sit.”
The three sat down once more.
The First Prince sat in the foremost seat. He took a sip of tea, set his cup down, then picked it up again for another sip.
He opened his mouth, only to close it again.
In yesterday’s match, he had lost in the very first round, while the Crown Prince had won—splendidly, to the cheers of the entire crowd.
He could not quite put a name to what he felt. It was awkward, unpleasant, yet he could hardly stay away.
They were brothers, after all. The Crown Prince had been injured; if he failed to visit, it would not look good if word got out.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
The Second Prince glanced at his eldest brother, who looked as though he had something to say but could not bring himself to say it. With a silent sigh, he took the lead in speaking.
A concerned smile appeared on his face. “Your Highness the Crown Prince, yesterday’s victory was truly magnificent. Watching from below, my heart was in my throat.”
He looked Cui Yu over, his gaze settling on the faint bruising across the knuckles of his hand. Genuine concern entered his voice. “How are Your Highness’s injuries? What did the imperial physician say? Are they serious?”
As he spoke, he added, “This is an excellent medicinal liniment for bruises and sprains from my estate. It was presented by a merchant from the north last year, and its effects are remarkably good. Your Highness should try it and see whether it helps.”
Cui Yu glanced at him and nodded. “Second Brother is thoughtful. It is nothing serious. The imperial physician said I need only rest and recover for a while.”
The Second Prince nodded repeatedly. “That is good, then—very good. Your Highness must rest properly these next few days. Your health is what matters most.”
He spoke warmly, his tone exceptionally familiar.
The Sixth Prince sat beside him, holding his teacup. Only after the Second Prince had finished did he speak, a gentle smile on his face. “Second Brother is right. Your Highness’s performance yesterday was truly inspiring. I have always known that Crown Prince Brother is accomplished in both letters and arms, but I never imagined you could be so formidable.”
He paused, his gaze passing over the Crown Prince, his tone sincere. “Still, an injured muscle or bone takes a hundred days to heal. If there is anything you need me to do, Your Highness need only give the word.”
Cui Yu looked at him and gave a nod in acknowledgment.
The First Prince, seated to one side, listened as his second and sixth brothers spoke in turn. Then he cleared his throat. “These past few years, I had thought Your Highness’s martial skills had grown somewhat rusty. Who would have imagined they had instead improved so greatly? It was truly unexpected.”
Thinking of the Crown Prince’s rather unremarkable performances during hunts over the past few years, he could not quite suppress the resentment in his heart.
With that, he lifted his teacup again and gulped down a large mouthful.
Cui Yu’s expression remained unchanged. “I have practiced martial arts since childhood, so I’m used to it. I went hunting to clear my mind and happened to catch it in passing.”
The First Prince’s face stiffened slightly. Yet hearing this, he said nothing more. The Second Prince smoothly steered the conversation to another topic.
The atmosphere in the hall relaxed. The Second Prince changed the subject again, this time recounting details from yesterday’s match with animated enthusiasm...
As the First Prince listened, his brows gradually drew together.
He studied his second brother, and the longer he looked, the more something felt off.
What exactly had happened in the months he had been away from the imperial residence?
How had Second Brother become so close to the Crown Prince?
Previously, although Second Brother had never openly opposed the Crown Prince, he had never been this warm and familiar with him. Today, he had brought medicinal wine, showered him with praise—his affection was practically spilling over. He was acting warmer toward the Crown Prince than toward his own elder brother.
The Second Prince was speaking with great excitement when he caught sight, from the corner of his eye, of his eldest brother’s furrowed expression. At once, he understood perfectly well.
He and his eldest brother had grown up together. He could tell what his brother was thinking from the look on his face even with his eyes closed.
His eldest brother was feeling slighted.
The Second Prince did not think much of it. He smiled and continued chatting with the Crown Prince, his expression as cheerful and affectionate as ever.
He had once believed that his eldest brother at least held a slight advantage over the Crown Prince in physique and martial skill. But after yesterday’s contest, he had seen the truth clearly enough.
If even that was no match for the Crown Prince, what else was there to say?
If his eldest brother remained stubbornly determined to continue down this path, then in the future... he might very well have to rely on him for the rest of his life.
With that thought, the Second Prince felt all the more certain that he needed to cling tightly to the Crown Prince’s coattails.
Sitting to one side, the First Prince watched the smiling face of his second brother and felt increasingly disgruntled. But with the Crown Prince present, he could not say anything. He could only drink his tea in gloomy silence, his face dark as though someone owed him tens of thousands of taels of silver.
The Sixth Prince sat quietly nearby, occasionally adding a remark or two—neither too much nor too little. A gentle smile remained on his face throughout, leaving no fault to be found.
Cui Yu sat in the seat of honor, his expression placid throughout. Now and then he offered a reply or gave a nod, revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure.
After they had talked for some time, it gradually became the hour for the midday meal.
Zheng Yuande had been listening closely for the sounds within. Seizing the right moment, he entered with a beaming smile and bowed. “Your Highness, the Consort has sent someone to ask whether the princes would like to stay for lunch. The meal is already prepared; if you wish to dine, she will have it served at once.”
The Second Prince’s eyes immediately lit up. His mouth was quicker than his mind, and he blurted out, “Yes, yes, yes! Serve it!”
The First Prince had just opened his mouth, intending to say, “There’s no need,” but before the words could leave his lips, his second brother’s shout choked them back. His expression darkened at once.
Entirely oblivious, the Second Prince turned to the Crown Prince with a grin. “Your Highness, didn’t you say last time that you would treat us brothers to that spicy red-oil hot pot? Little Seventh’s injury makes it difficult for him to move about for now, but today, all of us brothers happen to be here. Why don’t we have it now?”
As he spoke, he swallowed audibly. “The last time I heard Great General Qi talk about it, I was already craving it. My princess consort tried it once at Worthy Lady Shen’s place, and when she returned, she went on and on about the taste of that spicy red-oil hotpot. It’s been tormenting me ever since…”
The First Prince glared at his own younger brother with a pair of tiger-like eyes, as though his eyeballs were about to pop out.
The Second Prince ignored him, still gazing at the Crown Prince with a genial smile.
The First Prince was seething inside.
Spicy red-oil hotpot?
Who ate hotpot in the height of summer? Was the Second Prince ill in the head?!
Only a few months had passed. Could it be that the Crown Prince had fed his brother some sort of bewitching potion? To be tempted into such a state by a mere meal—how utterly spineless!
He gave a cold snort inwardly, and some of his displeasure showed on his face, which had grown exceedingly long.
The Sixth Prince, seated nearby, smiled and spoke in a mild, cultivated tone. “Now that Second Brother has mentioned it, I too am rather curious what this spicy red-oil hotpot tastes like.”
Cui Yu glanced at them, gave a slight nod, and instructed Zheng Yuande, “Go. Have the small kitchen prepare a serving of spicy red-oil hotpot.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” Zheng Yuande promptly replied, then hurried away.
There had been extra spicy hotpot base left over from the last time it was made, stored frozen in the icehouse. Preparing it now did not require making the base from scratch; it only needed to be thawed, with the ingredients arranged.
Before long, Zheng Yuande returned with attendants carrying in the meal.
Two hotpot cauldrons were set upon the table. The one filled with red, chili-oil broth bubbled away vigorously, its bold fragrance instantly permeating the entire front hall and making everyone’s mouth water.
A second pot of clear broth, not much different from what they usually ate, had been prepared alongside it and placed precisely before the Crown Prince.
The other dishes that had already been prepared were not wasted, but served as well, filling the table.
After arranging the dishes, Zheng Yuande said with a smile, “Worthy Lady Shen said that she did not know whether Your Highnesses would be accustomed to the flavor of the spicy red-oil hotpot, or whether it would suit your tastes. Therefore, the dishes prepared earlier have also been served.”
Having said this, he leaned closer to the Crown Prince and lowered his voice. “Your Highness, Worthy Lady Shen asked this servant to tell you that, given your present condition, you must avoid spicy food. You are not to eat the red-oil hotpot and may only have the clear broth.”
At those words, the Second Prince’s gaze swept over the Crown Prince, amusement flickering in his eyes. Still, he said nothing.
Had it been any other woman, he might have teased her a little. She was not even the principal wife, after all, so it would hardly have mattered. Yet during their time at the imperial retreat, anyone with eyes and ears could see how highly the Crown Prince regarded Worthy Lady Shen. The Second Prince was not so tactless as to make light of her.
Cui Yu’s expression did not change. He simply nodded.
Zheng Yuande withdrew.
Looking at the table overflowing with dishes, the First Prince suddenly frowned. “Where is the wine?”
He had always enjoyed drinking with his meals. It was nearly time for lunch, and he was indeed hungry, so he no longer put on airs and simply waited for the wine to be brought.
Zheng Yuande gave another order. Before long, when the wine was brought in, it was Chunping who entered carrying two jars of it.
After setting down the two jars of wine, Chunping respectfully approached the Crown Prince, lowered his head, and said, “Your Highness, my mistress says that in your current condition, you should not drink alcohol. Otherwise, it may worsen your injuries, slow your recovery, and make the bruising beneath your skin more severe.”
The eldest prince’s brow immediately furrowed so deeply it could have crushed a fly.
He gave a cold snort, his tone edged with displeasure. “His Highness the Crown Prince is far too indulgent toward Worthy Lady Shen. She is not even the Crown Princess, yet she presumes to meddle in His Highness’s affairs?”
Chunping’s expression shifted slightly.
Cui Yu’s brows drew together faintly. He raised his eyes toward his eldest brother, his voice calm. “Worthy Lady Shen is concerned for my health. Has Elder Brother never had anyone worry over him?”
“???”
The eldest prince stared at the Crown Prince in disbelief.
Was the Crown Prince mocking him for having no woman other than his consort who cared about him?
The second prince smiled and stepped in to smooth things over. “Eat, eat. Hurry and eat. I’ve never had hot pot this fragrant before.”
The eldest prince opened his mouth, but in the end swallowed the words that had risen to his lips. With a disgruntled huff, he poured himself a cup of wine and drank it in one gulp, saying no more.
Cui Yu’s expression remained composed as he picked up his chopsticks.
Only after he began eating did the other three follow suit.
The second prince had been waiting impatiently. The moment he saw the Crown Prince lift his chopsticks, he swiftly picked up his own and took a thin slice of lamb, carefully lowering it into the vigorously bubbling red-oil hot pot.
The crimson broth rolled and churned, enveloping the pale pink lamb. In mere moments, it changed color.
A palace attendant waiting nearby hurried forward, intending to serve him, but the second prince waved him off. He personally lifted the cooked slice of lamb from the pot, blew on it, and put it into his mouth.
The instant the meat touched his tongue, his eyes flew wide open.
First came the heat—like a burst of flame exploding across his tongue. Then the numbing sensation swept in, the fragrance of Sichuan peppercorns blooming between his lips and teeth. His tongue tingled faintly, yet the rich flavor of the meat and the mellow fullness of the oil wrapped around it all, surging through his mouth without end.
Spicy, fragrant, numbing.
The three flavors tangled together, bold enough to brook no refusal, yet so irresistible that he could not bear to spit it out.
After chewing twice, the second prince swallowed. A wave of warmth rushed from his throat straight into his stomach, heating his whole body. A fine sheen of sweat even appeared on his brow.
He exclaimed “Excellent!” three times in a row, his eyes shining brightly. “This is far too delicious!”
As he spoke, he hurriedly picked up a piece of beef tripe and swished it up and down through the red-oil broth seven or eight times—just as his consort had told him while boasting about it—before putting it into his mouth. In the next instant, his face was filled with utter satisfaction.
