The Crown Prince's movements were abruptly halted. His usually gentle expression turned as ugly as could be.
Tang Qingwan lowered her eyes and gently pushed the Crown Prince's shoulder. Go and take a look.
Her face was cold; the previous passion and infatuation had vanished completely.
The Crown Prince furrowed his brows deeply. Where are the guards outside? Are they all dead? Tell her to get lost.
Your Highness. Nanny Chen fell to her knees at the door with a heavy thud. Your Highness, Side Consort Liu is truly feeling unwell. Please, just go and take a look at her.
The little eunuch guarding the door hurriedly tried to persuade her, Hurry up and get up, do not ruin His Highness's mood.
He was also feeling extremely helpless. He did not know why they had to hold both weddings on the exact same day. What kind of groom was like his Highness, so busy on his wedding night that he could not even consummate his marriage in peace?
Nanny Chen was so anxious that her forehead was covered in sweat. I cannot. Side Consort Liu is in too much pain.
But His Highness is not a doctor.
The two of them were deadlocked at the door. Nanny Chen simply refused to leave, constantly pleading and kowtowing, begging Xiao Chen to visit Liu Wanting.
The little eunuch did not dare to be too forceful. After all, she was from the Liu family and had the Empress backing her up, so he was also at his wit's end.
He worried even more for his master. This was only the wedding night. In the countless days and nights to come, running back and forth like this, when would it ever end?
Since the little eunuch could not forcefully drag her away, the two people inside the room were left to listen to Nanny Chen's weeping pleas.
Tang Qingwan looked at the Crown Prince above her, her tone flat. Does Your Highness still have the mood?
I...
I do not. Tang Qingwan shoved the Crown Prince away and sat up. She said nothing, only sitting cross-legged on the bed, her gaze directed toward the door.
As the Crown Princess, I am actually inferior to a mere concubine. I have truly lost all face for my Tang-Cui family.
She seemed to be smiling mockingly, her eyes dim.
Xiao Chen leaned forward. Qingwan, I have wronged you.
His eyes were full of heartache. He gently pulled Tang Qingwan into his arms to comfort her briefly, then got out of bed, draped his outer robe over his shoulders, and strode out.
Where are you going?
Xiao Chen's gaze turned cold. I am going to deal with that old woman.
Stop. With one word from Tang Qingwan, the aggressive Crown Prince immediately halted his steps. Qingwan.
Tang Qingwan also got out of bed. You cannot punish her.
She stood in front of the Crown Prince and helped him properly put on his outer robe. Even if Liu Wanting is faking it, if you do not go, it will become real tomorrow in front of the Empress and the Liu family.
On your wedding night, you stayed in the main courtyard, ignoring the life or death of Side Consort Liu, and even beat the old servant who came to deliver the message. How would the Liu family instigate the Empress, and how would they twist this matter in the royal court?
Even if it was only a minor illness, the Liu family could exaggerate it tenfold, even claiming she was on the verge of death. If the Crown Prince only cared about his wedding night and disregarded the life of the Liu family's daughter, the Liu family would definitely seize upon it to demand benefits.
Xiao Chen frowned deeply. He naturally knew that Tang Qingwan's words made sense, but he was even more displeased with Liu Wanting's actions.
So what? I am the Crown Prince. Could I be manipulated by a woman? If the Liu family harps on this, it means they have no intention of aligning with me. In that case, what is the point of my marriage with the Liu family?
Tang Qingwan shook her head. That is not how it works. It is true that the Liu family supports you, but what they want is not just a mere Side Consort position. They will not let go of any opportunity to attack me and demand power from your hands.
The Crown Prince did not speak again, his expression gloomy.
Tang Qingwan's eyes were red. She turned her head to wipe away the tears at the corners of her eyes, then gently hugged Xiao Chen's waist. I know what is in your heart, Xiao Chen. Our feelings are different from theirs. You do not need to feel torn. Everything must prioritize the great cause.
The Crown Prince was moved. He wrapped his arms around Tang Qingwan, holding her tightly in his embrace.
Alright, go quickly, Tang Qingwan let go of him and turned her back. I am not throwing a tantrum, nor will I use my family to threaten you. What are you worried about?
The Crown Prince lowered his eyes, looking at the woman's back and the slight redness at the corners of her eyes, his heart aching endlessly. Qingwan...
He had made too many promises and had no face to speak again. Wait for me to return.
Tang Qingwan nodded slightly.
Only then did the Crown Prince walk out of the main courtyard with a dark face. Nanny Chen, who was kneeling on the ground kowtowing, saw the Crown Prince come out. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately scrambled to her feet.
But before she could even stand steady, she was heavily kicked down the steps. The Crown Prince's voice was extremely cold, From now on, no one from Side Consort Liu's courtyard is allowed to step a single foot into the main courtyard.
Nanny Chen was stunned.
How could that be? In the future, living together in the Crown Prince's estate, how could they fight if they could not come to the main courtyard?
But the Crown Prince was already striding away.
At this moment, the lights in the main room were blown out. Xiao Chen paused his steps, looked back toward the room, and caught sight of that slender figure in front of the window lattice.
For him, Qingwan had yielded and compromised, suffering far too much grievance.
She knew that Liu Wanting's actions tonight were meant to keep him there. Therefore, she anticipated that he would not return, which was why she extinguished the lights.
The Crown Prince stood there for a long while before turning and walking away.
Only when he had completely left did Tang Qingwan lower her eyes and step away from the window. Mo'er.
The little maid immediately pushed the door open and entered. Crown Princess. Her eyes were slightly red, feeling deeply heartbroken for her lady.
My lady, even if you have plans, you could have executed them later. Tonight is, after all, your wedding night.
Tang Qingwan's face was cold. It is precisely because it is the wedding night that we can achieve twice the result with half the effort. Have someone keep an eye on the movements over there.
My lady...
Tang Qingwan cast a faint glance at Mo'er and said in a low voice, Do not forget my instructions before the wedding.
Their love had long been slowly devoured by the game of power and shifting stances, leaving very little behind. What remained now was unwillingness and desolation...
It was the kind of torment where one could neither let go nor truly commit.
I am the Crown Princess representing the Tang-Cui family.
Tang Qingwan curled up on the edge of the bed and did not fall into a groggy sleep until dawn. And the Crown Prince, as expected, never returned.
Mo'er looked at her lady's state, shedding tears of heartache.
Her lady had always held herself up as the legitimate eldest daughter of the Tang-Cui family, wanting to support the family, assist her elders, and protect her sisters, yet she had never planned for herself.
Crown Princess, Crown Princess. Mo'er gently nudged Tang Qingwan. It is getting late. We still need to enter the palace to pay our respects to the Empress.
On the second day of the wedding, it was customary to enter the palace to pay respects.
Tang Qingwan was so exhausted that her head felt dizzy and heavy. She barely managed to open her eyelids and, under Mo'er's service, got dressed and washed up.
My lady, if not, let the two young misses help you. Seeing you fight this battle alone truly breaks my heart.
Tang Qingwan closed her eyes. When Cui Yunfeng and Cui Yunchu were mentioned, her sharp and cold features softened a bit.
What can they do? Yunchu is unreliable, and Yunfeng is too naive. Letting them stay out of trouble actually keeps me safer.
Mo'er's heavy mood was lightened by Tang Qingwan's evaluation, and she let out a chuckle. The Second Miss might not be up to it, but this servant feels that the Eldest Miss is quite capable.
Tang Qingwan glanced at Mo'er through the bronze mirror and chuckled. With her greedy and lustful nature, and her fear of death, I am afraid she would confess without even being beaten, and chase after any benefit she sees.
Mo'er's lips curved into a smile. "If the Eldest Miss knew you evaluated her like this, she would definitely demand a set of jewelry from you to comfort herself."
The master and servant both laughed, easing the heavy atmosphere a bit.
"Word has come back regarding the matter you asked to be monitored yesterday. It is said that His Highness sat in the outer room the entire time and didn't even enter the main bedroom. Side Consort Liu rolled around on the bed, crying out in sheer agony for half the night."
Tang Qingwan was somewhat surprised. "They didn't summon a doctor?"
Mo'er pulled her lips into a grin. "His Highness didn't allow it. He said calling a doctor would be useless; as long as he sat there, Side Consort Liu's illness would quickly recover."
If she was sick but called for him instead of a doctor, and he could substitute for a doctor, then what was the point of having doctors at all?
Mo'er's eyes curved with her smile. "This servant never realized before that His Highness was so humorous."
Tang Qingwan's expression remained mild. "Did he truly sit there all night?"
Mo'er nodded. "It's absolutely true. He didn't take a single step into the main room."
Tang Qingwan gave a soft murmur of acknowledgment.
He must have assumed Liu Wanting was just putting on an act to behave like that. However, Tang Qingwan knew the medicine's efficacy very well. Having forcibly endured it for half the night, Liu Wanting was probably at her last gasp by now.
Over in the side courtyard, Liu Wanting, whose stomach had finally stopped hurting, collapsed onto the bedding, drenched in sweat. Her eyes were reduced to mere slits, blurred by sweat, as she stared half-dead toward the outer room.
Her mouth hung slightly open, and her hair was a messy, tangled bird's nest from all the rolling around. Her inner garments were soaked with sweat, leaving her in an extremely wretched state.
Finally, there was movement in the outer room. A tall, slender silhouette blocked the first ray of morning sunlight, slowly pacing over until he stopped by the edge of the bed.
Liu Wanting was so weak she was rolling her eyes back, but when a cup of water was suddenly offered before her, she immediately opened her mouth and drank it down.
"Side Consort Liu told a single lie and spent the entire night trying to cover it up. You looked quite dedicated; you really went all out."
Liu Wanting stammered, "This concubine... this concubine did not. This concubine's... stomach truly hurt."
Xiao Chen looked down at her, only speaking after a moment. "Since you are feeling unwell, there is no need to enter the palace to pay your respects today. Stay in the manor and rest peacefully."
Liu Wanting actually wanted to go very much, but right now, she truly found it difficult to even lift a hand.
"Your Highness..." She reached out a hand toward the Crown Prince, but Xiao Chen suddenly turned and walked away, instructing Nanny Chen, "Take good care of your master."
Liu Wanting's hand froze in midair, her face turning an ashen gray.
Tears rained down her face. "It would have been better if he hadn't come at all."
It was more humiliating than if he hadn't shown up.
...
"Is the Crown Princess awake?" Xiao Chen asked a young eunuch at his side.
The young eunuch immediately replied, "She should be up."
He stole a glance at Xiao Chen's expression and spoke with some hesitation, "Your Highness, this old servant has something to say, though I don't know if I should."
"This old servant feels that Her Ladyship the Side Consort's commotion last night did not seem to be faked."
Xiao Chen's footsteps suddenly halted. He turned his head to look at the eunuch, his gaze cold.
The eunuch immediately lowered his head and knelt in terror. "Forgive me, Your Highness! Forgive me! It was this old servant speaking out of turn, speaking out of turn!"
"Your masters are myself and the Crown Princess," the Crown Prince's voice was very deep.
"Yes, yes, yes, this servant will remember."
By the time he arrived at the main courtyard, Xiao Chen's footsteps had become noticeably lighter. Tang Qingwan had just finished dressing and doing her makeup; seeing the Crown Prince, she offered a curtsy.
