Chapter 20

After bathing and freshening up, Xu Duanyi changed into a simple everyday outfit.

Since it was her wedding day, even her casual wear had been chosen in festive, bright colors like red. She wasn’t accustomed to wearing such vibrant hues, and it inevitably made her feel a bit uneasy.

Shiyu and Bixi, however, thought she looked stunning in this attire.

The touch of red highlighted her snowy complexion even more.

She usually wore colors like purple, yellow, or other light and elegant shades—simple yet dignified. It was rare to see her dressed this way, making it hard for anyone to look away.

Xu Duanyi lightly tugged at her sleeve, feeling uncomfortable, but eventually dismissed the thought of changing.

“What time is it?”

She walked toward the couch bed near the window and asked as she glanced at the night sky outside.

Bixi had already checked the time earlier and quickly replied, “It’s almost the Hai hour (around 9 to 11 p.m.).”

After sitting down, Xu Duanyi asked, “Is the sobering soup prepared?”

Shiyu answered this time, “Yes, it’s ready.”

Xu Duanyi gave no further instructions.

She sat on the couch bed, leaning against a pillow and flipping through a book, though her thoughts wandered, and she barely read a few lines.

The couch was near the window, offering a view of the scenery outside Linfeng Pavilion.

Outside Xie Qingya’s room grew a grove of peach trees in full bloom.

It was the perfect season—delicate pink blossoms clustered on the branches, vibrant with fresh green leaves. Even under the night sky, the blossoms stood out beautifully.

The sight made Xu Duanyi recall the time when Xie Qingya had brought her to the Wang Residence years ago.

They had been children then.

Liaodong had scarce resources, and though her father took great care of her and her mother, ensuring anything they wanted was sent from far away, Xu Duanyi had eaten peaches but had never seen them growing on trees.

Xie Qingya didn’t particularly like playing with her back then.

He only brought her along because his cousin had instructed him to.

At that age, boys preferred playing with other boys rather than babysitting a frail young girl who couldn’t run fast or keep up.

So every time Xie Qingya took her out of the palace, he would leave her in the Wang Residence and sneak away, fearing the Princess would scold him. He always left her in Linfeng Pavilion, which was his territory.

Since he had been domineering since childhood, everyone there was his person, ensuring no one would speak of it.

Each time he abandoned her at Linfeng Pavilion, he would climb back over the wall when it was time to return.

She would obediently wait in the room, reading or practicing her writing, never bothering anyone or making demands.

But one time, she became lost in thought as she gazed at the peach trees outside, unaware of when Xie Qingya returned.

“What are you staring at?”

His sudden voice startled her.

She had been sitting on the couch bed, just like now, her eyes fixed on the view outside.

The unexpected voice right by her ear made her jump.

When she turned around, she found Xie Qingya’s face mere inches from hers—his handsome profile magnified before her.

She nearly dropped the book she was holding.

At that age, she was still a bit afraid of him. She didn’t dare look him in the eye and stammered that it was nothing before turning her head back to the book he had shoved into her hands.

Then she waited until it was time for him to take her back to the palace.

She thought to herself:

If next time Xie Qingya would be willing to take her out of the palace again, she wanted to use the set of scholar’s stationery her aunt gave her.

She wanted to paint that peach tree.

But Xie Qingya seemed to have noticed something.

“Do you want to eat peaches?”

He was supposed to go change his clothes as soon as they returned, but he stood beside her and asked.

She was startled.

How did he know?

She couldn’t help but look up at him.

Meeting his bright eyes, she instinctively looked down again.

“…No.”

A person living under someone else’s roof had no right to express their preferences.

So she always denied what she wanted.

Xie Qingya didn’t speak further, and she thought that was the end of it.

She kept her head down, reading the book Xie Qingya had handed her.

The book was terribly boring. There were many words she didn’t know, but she didn’t dare tell Xie Qingya. She was afraid of annoying him…

Suddenly, there was a rustling noise in the courtyard.

She looked up in confusion and saw that Xie Qingya had somehow climbed the tree.

When she glanced up, he was already sitting in the branches, calling her to come outside.

She had no idea what he was up to.

But she obediently went out.

Standing beneath the tree, she looked up.

There was no one else around.

The servants had all left.

Seeing how high he had climbed, she nervously clenched the hem of her dress, afraid he might fall, and anxiously asked him to come down.

It was the first time she had ever made a request of Xie Qingya.

But back then, it wasn’t because she feared for his safety.

She feared that if something happened to him, she would be blamed.

“Xie Qingya, come down now.”

“Tsk, why are you crying?”

When his voice came from above, she realized she had started crying.

She didn’t know how to explain her fear. How could Xie Qingya understand?

He came from a privileged family, with loving parents and a protective older brother.

He wasn’t even afraid of princes.

How could he possibly comprehend her worries and fears?

Then his voice came again from the branches—

“Xu Duanyi, catch!”

She didn’t know what she was supposed to catch. Through tear-filled eyes, she raised her head and saw a peach falling from above.

Her body reacted faster than her mind, and she instinctively caught it.

The peach was fuzzy, a sensation unfamiliar to her hands.

It felt strange and ticklish, and her first instinct was to throw it away.

But she didn’t dare.

She stood there, stiff and bewildered.

Later, she realized that Xie Qingya had been picking peaches for her.

“Xu Duanyi, if you want something, just say it.”

“If you don’t speak up, how would I know what you want?”

That day, Xie Qingya filled an entire basket with peaches for her, and as he escorted her back to the palace, he said those words.

She didn’t reply at the time, but silently refuted him in her heart.

But he knew, didn’t he?

Even though she never said anything, he still knew what she wanted, didn’t he?

Xu Duanyi’s side profile, under the soft glow of the candlelight, appeared slightly blurred, but the gentleness in her gaze as she looked out the window was unmistakable.

Bixi, however, didn’t notice her expression.

Seeing her looking out for so long, she assumed her mistress was wondering when the Prince of Nanan would return. After some hesitation, she asked softly, “My lady, should I go outside to check?”

“Hmm?”

Her words broke Xu Duanyi’s reverie.

Turning her head, she asked with a puzzled look, “Check what?”

Bixi lowered her voice. “It’s about time. The Prince of Nanan should be back soon… Shall I see when he’ll return?”

Xu Duanyi made a light sound.

“No need.”

She declined.

In truth, she wasn’t sure if Xie Qingya would return.

But he probably would.

Even if he didn’t want to come back, Aunt Deng wouldn’t allow him to avoid it—otherwise, how could the Prince of Nanan’s household explain it to her aunt?

But Xu Duanyi didn’t want to force Xie Qingya.

She had no idea how this night would end…

Normally, as a newlywed bride, she should have felt shy. But perhaps because she already anticipated the outcome, she felt none of the bashfulness expected of a new wife.

Her gaze fell on the two cups meant for their shared wedding drink.

This was the final step in their wedding ritual—waiting for Xie Qingya to return and complete it together.

But she thought, for the two of them, those cups would probably remain untouched.

Speak of the devil.

Suddenly, the sound of commotion came from outside.

Bixi and Shiyu immediately turned toward the door, while the thoughts about the night still lingered in Xu Duanyi’s mind. She tightened her grip on her book upon hearing the noise.

But it only lasted for a moment. She put down the book and rose.

The three of them went to the entrance together.

At the door, two young men dressed in black carried Xie Qingya, supporting him on either side.

Xie Qingya’s head was lowered, his face indistinct, and his speech slurred—he was clearly drunk.

“Princess.”

Chan Feng and Lingji greeted her, but with their hands full, they couldn’t bow, making them appear awkward.

Xu Duanyi didn’t mind. She glanced at Xie Qingya, her brows knitting slightly.

“How much did he drink to be in this state?”

Xu Duanyi instructed Shiyu to call someone from the kitchen to bring the hangover soup that had been prepared earlier. She then stepped aside, allowing the two attendants to help Xie Qingya inside.

The two attendants dared not disobey.

While supporting the prince, they spoke to Xu Duanyi, who followed behind them, “There were too many guests today. His Highness was forced to drink quite a bit.”

Naturally, they were eager to speak favorably on behalf of their prince, hoping the new princess wouldn’t think he drank excessively on purpose.

…Though that was precisely the case.

“I had asked my sister-in-law and cousin to…” Xu Duanyi began, frowning.

The words reached her lips but were left unspoken. It seemed pointless to bring it up now.

She watched as Xie Qingya was helped onto the bed.

His crimson wedding robe hung loosely, revealing the white undergarment beneath. His brows were furrowed, clearly uncomfortable as he lay there.

Glancing at the crown on his head, Xu Duanyi realized it was the source of his discomfort. She moved forward, intending to remove it to ease his rest.

But as she took a small step forward, she stopped again and asked the two attendants, “Where are the servants who usually attend to His Highness?”

Chang Feng and Lingji exchanged a glance, puzzled by the princess’s question, but Chang Feng answered cautiously, “His Highness does not usually allow anyone to serve him closely.”

Xu Duanyi didn’t know if this was the truth or if they were withholding information out of fear she might be upset.

Speculating about it seemed pointless at the moment.

“I’ll have hot water brought in. You can help His Highness freshen up and change into something comfortable,” she instructed before leaving to have Bixi call for hot water.

Xu Duanyi didn’t notice that not long after she exited, Xie Qingya, who had appeared thoroughly drunk, suddenly opened his eyes. They were sharp and clear, without the slightest hint of intoxication.

Hearing the noise behind them, Changfeng and Lingji turned to see their prince sitting up. Just as they were about to call someone, Xie Qingya raised a hand to stop them.

They quickly fell silent.

After a moment of stillness, when faint sounds could be heard from outside, Chang Feng lowered his voice and asked, “Your Highness, what now?”

Xie Qingya paused before replying, “Do as she says.”

They dared not defy his wishes.

Later, when hot water was brought in, Chang Feng and Lingji assisted with preparations. Xie Qingya cleaned up and changed himself before sending them away.

During this time, Xu Duanyi remained seated outside, never entering the room.

After a while, Chang Feng and Lingji exited upon receiving their orders.

Xu Duanyi, still seated on a low couch, holding a book, turned her head at the sound. “Is everything done?”

“Yes,” Chang Feng, the elder of the two, answered.

“His Highness drank quite a lot today. I’m afraid even the hangover soup won’t be of much use…” He trailed off before offering an explanation. “It was an unusual situation. Minister Li Wengao of the Hanlin Academy kept toasting His Highness for some reason.”

“Since a guest must be treated well, His Highness couldn’t refuse.”

“Li Wengao?” Xu Duanyi found the name familiar.

Thinking back for a moment, she recalled something her cousin had mentioned last winter.

She had assumed Xie Qingya had drunk intentionally. Now it seemed she was partly to blame for the situation.

Xu Duanyi sighed quietly.

“I understand. I’ll take care of His Highness from here,” she said. “It’s late. You may go and rest now. Thank you for your efforts.”

Chang Feng and Lingji dared not accept the thanks and, mindful of propriety, left without delay after bowing respectfully.

Once they were gone, Xu Duanyi spoke to Bixi and Shiyu, “You may go as well. There’s no need to keep watch tonight.”

Normally, someone would stay overnight as a precaution, but given the current circumstances, nothing untoward would happen.

Bixi and Shiyu, unwilling to go against her wishes, nodded in agreement. Before leaving, they closed the room’s windows.

Moments later, they bowed and left, shutting the door from the outside.

The room fell into silence.

It seemed as though every sound had vanished—or perhaps every sound was amplified.

Xu Duanyi could hear the frogs croaking faintly outside, distant and unclear.

She sat rigidly, clutching her book. It was unclear how much time passed before she lowered her gaze, placed the book aside, and rose to enter the inner room.

All movements froze in that moment.

She stood motionless outside the canopy bed, her eyes still fixed on Xie Qingya.

Her body, which had been leaning slightly toward him, gradually straightened up again.

Even though Xie Qingya was sound asleep, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t wake up halfway.

If he woke up…

Xu Duanyi had no way to explain herself and feared seeing disgust written on his face.

Just imagining his expression of disdain made her fingertips, curled up at her sides, tremble slightly beyond her control.

Her breath caught in her throat.

In the end, she did nothing.

Moving gently, she stepped back and let the bed curtains fall lightly to block the flickering dragon-and-phoenix candles from disturbing him.

Then, she searched for the calming incense she had brought from the palace, lit it, and placed it in the incense burner.

She also poured a bowl of tea in advance and set it on the high stand beside the canopy bed.

After drinking, the throat often felt dry, and if he woke up thirsty during the night, he wouldn’t need to get up and stumble around.

All of these small tasks took quite some time.

What now troubled her—

Was figuring out where she should sleep.

Sharing the bed with Xie Qingya was out of the question.

She couldn’t even dare touch him, let alone sleep beside him.

The large couch outside, meant for naps, seemed like an option. But sleeping outside could raise suspicions if someone found her there the next morning.

Bixi and Shiyu wouldn’t be a problem, but others would be.

Xu Duanyi hesitated for a long time.

Sleeping on the floor would be troublesome and too noisy.

It was only March, and the ground was still cold. She had to enter the palace soon, and falling ill would certainly upset her aunt.

Finally, her eyes landed on the lounge chair near the desk.

That must be where Xie Qingya rested while reading.

Though small, it would suffice for a night.

Having made up her mind, Xu Duanyi stopped hesitating and quietly fetched a quilt from inside.

Her movements were cautious.

She didn’t want to disturb Xie Qingya.

But her careful actions would never disturb someone sound asleep—except Xie Qingya wasn’t asleep at all.

How could he not notice?

With the curtains drawn, he couldn’t see what she was doing.

Though she moved softly, the faint rustling sounds reached his ears.

Hidden behind the drapery, Xie Qingya opened his eyes.

He made no sound, didn’t even turn his head, simply staring silently at the dark canopy above him.

What he was thinking remained unclear.

His hands rested atop the quilt as he lay silently awake.

The thick curtains blocked most of the light.

Even with the dragon-and-phoenix candles burning outside, the canopy bed remained dim.

He couldn’t make out the patterns on the fabric above.

Time passed—how much, he couldn’t tell.

Eventually, when all sounds ceased, the soft rhythm of breathing reached him.

Xie Qingya sat up.

He pulled aside the curtain.

Having adjusted to the darkness, the sudden glare of candlelight made him frown.

The light illuminated his face, causing him to turn away briefly.

Once he grew accustomed to the brightness, he looked again.

Following the sound of her breathing, his eyes found Xu Duanyi curled up on the lounge chair by the desk.

Wrapped tightly in a quilt, she had folded herself into the small space.

Even though she was smaller than him, the lounge chair was still too cramped with the thick blanket.

From his angle, she resembled a curled-up cat.

It was clear she wasn’t comfortable.

Though her brow wasn’t furrowed, her lips were pressed together.

He could tell she wasn’t sleeping soundly.

Was it expected or unexpected? His expression remained neutral, but his dark eyes quietly lingered on her.

After a while, he abruptly dropped the bed curtain.

He lay back down on the bed—the same one he had slept in alone for so many years.

Xie Qingya thought that, sleeping alone again, he would fall asleep quickly.

He was tired—physically, at least.

But whether it was the unfamiliar quilt or the presence of an extra pillow, sleep eluded him.

Irritated, he picked up the pillow next to him, intending to throw it aside.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Perhaps without it, he could finally sleep.

But as he raised the pillow, the thought of Xu Duanyi sleeping outside made him pause.

He lowered the pillow gently, his expression dark.

Without a word, he set it aside.

Now there was only one pillow left, and the bed was all his again.

Still, with his own pillow back where it belonged, Xie Qingya closed his eyes and tried once more to sleep.

But the Three Character Classic he usually recited to lull himself had long since faded from his mind, and he showed no signs of dozing off.

Turning his head,

He could still faintly catch a trace of her scent.

It was subtle,

And not unpleasant.