Prince Hui's tone didn't grow cold, nor did his expression noticeably change, but Yao Huang just knew he was unhappy.
Yao Huang also knew that the Prince wasn't unwilling to accompany her out; rather, he was unwilling to appear before others in a wheelchair.
For this, Yao Huang had prepared herself in advance to be rejected once, twice, or even ten or a hundred times. Everything is hard at the beginning. If the first step were truly that easy, Prince Hui wouldn't have locked himself in the Bamboo Courtyard for so long, and Yao Huang wouldn't have had to pick a place where no one recognized him to try and coax him out.
But Yao Huang could no longer pretend that nothing was wrong and simply go along with him, truly leaving the Prince behind to go strolling on her own. Because if she yielded this time, she would have no excuse to invite him the next time. Since she had made up her mind to take the Prince out, Yao Huang had to go against his wishes and play the part of a willful, bad princess consort who only wanted her husband to play with her, unable to sympathize with the bitterness and helplessness in her disabled husband's heart.
The danger of this plan was that the Prince might be so angered by her that he would scold her for being unreasonable. Yao Huang would adapt to the situation depending on how angry he got. At worst, their party would just return home in disgrace. While the Prince still lusted after her body, and being young, his desires were easily stoked, Yao Huang had a high chance of coaxing him back into a good mood with a few tricks once they returned to the capital. Then, she would obediently play the part of a sensible princess consort and never provoke him again.
Having no worries about the consequences, Yao Huang emboldened herself and made her move.
She lowered her head, putting on the pitiful appearance of someone who had just been scolded.
Zhao Sui did indeed have a ball of fire pent up in his heart, but this fire stemmed from his crippled legs and had nothing to do with the Princess Consort.
Seeing her anxiously wringing her hands, not daring to look at him or speak, and thinking of her joy and anticipation before leaving the capital, Zhao Sui didn't want to ruin her mood for the outing.
He softened his tone and said, On the night of our wedding, I told you that I don't like going out. Later, when you invited me to go horseback riding in the suburbs, I repeated myself, telling you not to think of me when you have plans to go out, lest I disappoint your good intentions every time. So just now, when you brought up wanting me to accompany you out again, my words were a bit harsh.
Yao Huang looked at her fingers and whispered, I was wrong. The Prince was right to scold me. It's all my fault for having a bad memory.
Zhao Sui: ...I didn't scold you, I...
Yao Huang turned her face away and raised a sleeve to wipe her eyes. Rest assured, Your Highness, I will remember it all. I... I ate too much at noon and am not hungry at all right now. Please eat by yourself, Your Highness.
After choking out these words, Yao Huang straightened up and ran out the door as if fleeing.
She ran with half her face covered, clearly looking like she was crying. This completely dumbfounded Feiquan, who was standing in the courtyard waiting to serve them. By the time he reacted, the Princess Consort had already gone to the backyard and was nowhere to be seen.
Feiquan's heart pounded wildly. The Princess Consort had been perfectly fine when she arrived just a moment ago. Why was she crying now?
He cautiously approached the main room, not daring to peek inside. He only guessed that the Prince must be in a terrible mood right now. Therefore, he stayed close so that the Prince wouldn't have an excuse to vent his anger on him for not hearing his call or running too slowly.
Over the past half year, the Prince had perhaps read too many Buddhist scriptures, as he hardly ever lost his temper at them. But Feiquan hadn't forgotten the time last year when the imperial physicians declared there was nothing they could do for the Prince's legs. During that period, the Prince had smashed set after set of teabowls and porcelain behind people's backs. He also hadn't forgotten the Prince's wretched figure when he first started using the handrails, lost his balance, and fell to the ground. When he and Qingai rushed in to help him up, the Prince, with veins bulging on the back of his hands and his eyes downcast, had told them to get out.
About fifteen minutes later, the Prince called for him.
Feiquan stepped into the main room with his head bowed, his line of sight rising no higher than the Prince's chest. He saw the Prince still holding a Buddhist scripture in one hand, saying in a flat tone, Just now, Madam misunderstood that I disliked her going out for a stroll. Do this: go ask Doctor Liao if there are any good restaurants in town. If there are, take Qingai and Aji, and accompany Madam out for a walk together.
Zhao Sui thought that Qingai and Feiquan were the two most useful eunuchs by his side. By having both of them accompany her out, she should surely understand that he had absolutely no intention of being angry with her.
Feiquan accepted the order and asked, Should I go to the kitchen first to bring Second Master's dinner?
Zhao Sui: Mhm.
Feiquan went to the west courtyard, told Qingai to deliver the Prince's meal, and took Aji with him to coax the Princess Consort. However, when he got there, he found that the Princess Consort had bolted the door of the east room from the inside. No matter how much he tried to clarify and explain on the Prince's behalf, nearly wearing out his lips, she refused to open the door. She ignored him completely, only letting out a few whimpers occasionally.
Aji had no idea what had happened and thought her Princess Consort had truly suffered a great grievance. Angrily, she questioned Feiquan, What exactly did Second Master do? Madam has been broad-minded since she was a child. Ordinary grievances wouldn't make her shed tears!
Feiquan finally realized that the matter wasn't as simple as the Prince had made it out to be.
But even if the Prince really had angered the Princess Consort severely, he was still the Prince. The fact that the Prince arranged for him and Qingai to come over was already tantamount to coaxing her. If the Princess Consort kept making a fuss, the losses might outweigh the gains.
Telling Aji to shut up, Feiquan pressed close to the crack of the east room's door and persuaded, Madam, no one understands our Second Master better than I do. Since he was three or four years old, he has been exceptionally observant of etiquette. When the Eldest... when the Eldest Master or Third Master took a fancy to something of his, Second Master would just give it up. He would rather suffer a loss himself than ever get angry with anyone. Second Master's words today might have been inappropriate and hurt Madam, but I guarantee he definitely didn't do it on purpose. Madam, think more about how good Second Master is to you, and don't be sad anymore, alright?
The Princess Consort's reply came from inside the room: Alright, I'm not sad. I'm just not hungry, and I'm sleepy. You all go do what you need to do. Take good care of Second Master, and go to bed early when you're done.
Feiquan, Aji: ...
Aji pushed Feiquan aside and tried to coax her herself.
Yao Huang just repeated the same words.
Qingai had already cleared away the Prince's finished dinner and come over, waiting to accompany the Princess Consort out. He hadn't expected that she wouldn't even be willing to step out of the east room's door.
After Qingai also tried to persuade her and failed, the two eunuchs had no choice but to go ask the Prince for instructions.
Zhao Sui: ...
Having cried for so long, her eyes were definitely swollen. Even if she were coaxed into a good mood, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to go out anymore.
Zhao Sui instructed Feiquan, Tell the kitchen to keep the Princess Consort's food warm.
Feiquan hurried off.
Zhao Sui then had Qingai push him to the backyard.
You all go eat first, Zhao Sui arranged, estimating that he would have to spend quite some effort himself.
Aji had no choice but to take her leave along with Qingai. With the Prince coming to coax her, he certainly wouldn't want them listening in around here.
Everyone left, leaving Prince Hui in his wheelchair alone facing the tightly shut door of the east room.
Prince Hui said in a calm tone, Open the door.
Yao Huang bit her lip, rolled over, and said toward the door, I'm really not hungry, and I've stopped crying. Second Master, please go back.
Zhao Sui: Open the door.
Yao Huang: I won't. My eyes are swollen like walnuts. I look so ugly, and I don't want you to see me.
Zhao Sui: For the last time. If you don't open the door, I'll have them come over and tear it down.
Yao Huang: Tear it down then. If you dare to tear it down, I'll bash my head against the door for you to see. Anyway, I look ugly enough right now; having a bump on my forehead won't make me look any uglier.
Zhao Sui: ...
Yao Huang got out of bed, walked to the door, leaned against one side of the door frame, and said softly, "Alright, let's not speak out of anger. I believe Second Master didn't mean to scold me. After you leave, I will also have A'ji bring dinner over. But tonight, I really don't have the face to see Second Master. Please don't force me, okay?"
Zhao Sui: "...Making such a fuss, if you and I do not sleep in the same room tonight, everyone will let their imaginations run wild."
Yao Huang laughed inwardly. Nonsense. This man simply hadn't eaten his fill at noon and wanted to take advantage of the time before her monthly cycle arrived to have a few more bites.
She twirled the sash of her skirt around her left hand several times and compromised, "Forget it. Second Master can come over when it's completely dark, and I won't light the lamps here either."
Outside the door, Zhao Sui relaxed. It was hard to talk during the day; only by holding her at night would she truly believe him.
.
Yao Huang hadn't cried at all, so her eyes were naturally fine. To ensure her act was flawless, she didn't even see A'ji. After opening the door to receive her dinner, she immediately closed it. Once she finished eating, she passed the tray back out.
Feiquan hid quietly in the courtyard. Seeing A'ji come out with the tray, he tiptoed closer, inspected it, and sighed before going to report to the Prince: "Reporting to Second Master, Madam only ate half a bowl of rice. She merely took a small bite of the three dishes, and only drank half a bowl of soup."
The Prince hadn't eaten much for dinner, which already had Madam Gao worrying. Now, seeing the Princess Consort leave so much food behind, she would definitely become a second Master Kong.
Zhao Sui knew it. The Princess Consort's claims of not crying, not complaining, and believing him were all an act. In reality, she was still feeling wronged by his "scolding."
After finishing his massage and waiting until it was completely dark, Qingai pushed His Highness Prince Hui to the backyard again.
None of the three rooms had their lamps lit. A'ji stood in the courtyard until the Princess Consort walked out of the east room and pushed the Prince inside, at which point the two servants finally breathed a sigh of relief.
In the east room, Prince Hui remained silent, and Yao Huang also didn't say a word. They got into bed one after the other.
Prince Hui lay flat and waited for a while. The Princess Consort beside him kept her back facing him, showing no sign of hugging him like she usually did.
Whoever tied the bell must untie it. Zhao Sui shifted over, turned on his side, and hugged his Princess Consort from behind.
Yao Huang tried to hide further inside, but Zhao Sui locked his arms around her waist, not allowing her to leave. With all the struggling and pushing, combined with the Princess Consort's alluring figure, the Prince's fire was ignited.
Because the Princess Consort refused to cooperate, Prince Hui had to use a bit more effort, barely managing to coax her into half-hearted compliance to finish the deed.
"If I were angry with you, I wouldn't do this." Prince Hui finally found an opportunity to comfort the Princess Consort with words.
Yao Huang leaned over and bit the arm he was using to support his body.
With that, nothing more needed to be said. Prince Hui took action and coaxed the Princess Consort until the third watch of the night before finally stopping.
A basin of cold water and a bucket of hot water had been prepared in the room. The hot water had now turned lukewarm. Yao Huang still refused to light the lamps, so the couple wiped their bodies in the dark.
Just as Prince Hui thought the Princess Consort had been completely coaxed and he could fall asleep peacefully, a few muffled sobs suddenly came from beside him.
Zhao Sui shifted over again and raised his hand to touch the Princess Consort's face, which was turned away from him. He felt a wet patch.
Zhao Sui hugged her tightly: "Still feeling wronged?"
Yao Huang sobbed, "I am wronged. Before, when Your Highness promised to accompany me here to escape the summer heat, I really thought Your Highness liked me so much that you were willing to endure the hardships of the journey for me. But after arriving here, I realized that Your Highness only likes my body. You went through all this trouble just so I could happily serve you."
Zhao Sui: "Nonsense. If it was truly only for that, even if we didn't come to escape the summer heat, would you dare give me an attitude back at the Prince's estate?"
Yao Huang: "Of course I wouldn't dare. It's just that we are newlyweds, and I have some beauty, so Your Highness is willing to dote on me a bit more. In another two years, when Your Highness's novelty wears off, your treatment of me will plummet."
Zhao Sui's head began to ache. As he wiped away her tears, he said, "I am not that kind of person. You are in a bad mood today, so I won't argue with you."
Yao Huang pushed his hand away and moved to the innermost side of the bed, saying, "How are you not? Other than in bed, when has Your Highness ever been passionate toward me? I have only been married to you for over a month, yet Your Highness is unwilling to even accompany me for a stroll. As time goes on, I might not even be able to see Your Highness's face when I go to the Bamboo Courtyard to seek an audience."
"Yes, Your Highness has given me gold ingots and an ivory mat. It seems like you treat me very well, but am I supposed to cling to gold ingots and ivory mats to live my life? What I cherish the most is Your Highness. If Your Highness is unwilling to spend time with me, it shows you don't like me at all. Then I would feel guilty keeping the gold, silver, and jewelry Your Highness rewards me with!"
Only then did Zhao Sui realize that she wasn't upset about his tone when he refused to go out that evening, but rather the fact that he refused to accompany her out at all.
Why did he refuse? Because his legs were crippled, and he didn't want to be stared at and pitied by others.
But Zhao Sui couldn't possibly say this out loud to the Princess Consort or anyone else. This was clearly something they should be able to perceive themselves.
However, the Princess Consort had always been somewhat carefree. It was understandable that she couldn't consider his difficulties.
Zhao Sui could only continue to emphasize, "I do not like going out."
Yao Huang: "And I don't like that Your Highness's certain part is so big, but haven't I endured it and slowly gotten used to it? Can't Your Highness change your preferences for me?"
Zhao Sui: "..."
