Xie Wangze paused in his steps, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. “What happened to you, Your Highness?”
Compared to the exaggerated Pei Ji, Xie Wangze dressed normally in a single azure robe, his posture elegant as he walked over slowly. Each step carried its own rhythm, refined and graceful.
This was worlds apart from Pei Ji last night, who had snuck in furtively, as if climbing over a wall for a stolen moment of pleasure or charging into battle prepared to die.
His voice differed from Pei Ji’s jumpy outbursts too. It remained like a soothing breeze caressing the face, as if it blew away some of her stale work smell.
Chu Yunge looked at him and touched her face. “Nothing.”
The terror of overtime was such that after just half a day, she reeked of work. When she had checked the mirror earlier, she felt her beauty had dropped at least three levels.
Chu Yunge mustered her energy to wait for Xie Wangze’s arrival precisely so she could explain things clearly.
She pointed to the empty spot beside her on the bed. “You should have asked Pei Ji already today. I didn’t do anything last night—just held down his hand to maximize contact area for detoxification. Rest assured, it’ll be the same tonight.”
“Of course, if you really don’t want to touch This Princess, This Princess won’t force you. You’ll just suffer more when the poison flares up.”
Chu Yunge didn’t believe Xie Wangze hadn’t questioned Pei Ji; otherwise, Pei Ji wouldn’t have come specifically to warn her.
For this scheming prince consort who had once harbored murderous intent toward her and whom she had thoroughly offended, she couldn’t relax around him like she did with Pei Ji. If possible, she didn’t want to share a bed with him at all, fearing he might grow increasingly angry in the middle of the night and smother her to death.
But without detoxification, that wasn’t an option either. In the end, she left the choice to Xie Wangze.
Xie Wangze fell silent for a moment. He and Qingchen had indeed asked Pei Ji, but… Pei Ji hadn’t mentioned that they had held hands.
No wonder Pei Ji had stared at his hand.
Xie Wangze rubbed his fingers inside his sleeve and gave a deep look at Chu Yunge, whose eyes held clear wariness.
She wasn’t just wary of him—she seemed to hope he would refuse.
For some inexplicable reason, Xie Wangze spoke up. “We’ll do it just like Pei Ji’s detoxification method.”
Chu Yunge let out a slightly disappointed “oh” and forced herself to rally, shifting the quilt to the middle. “Pei Ji said I don’t sleep honestly, so we’ll use the quilt as a barrier. That way, my hands and feet won’t end up on you.”
Pei Ji might gripe a bit at most, but what if Xie Wangze snapped in anger and twisted or chopped off her limbs?
Of course, the Shadow Guards would definitely protect her, but safety first.
This was the second time Xie Wangze heard Pei Ji’s name, and considering the content, the corner of his mouth twitched. “I see.”
No wonder Pei Ji had acted so strangely.
Then Chu Yunge spoke again. “Also, it’s hot, and I’m really not used to sleeping with silk stockings on. Please bear with it, Young Master Xie.”
Xie Wangze felt baffled and reflexively glanced over.
Chu Yunge sat on the bed with one foot tucked under her behind and the other exposed outside.
Seeing Chu Yunge’s fair, jade-like, delicate and smooth—but also quite plump—dainty foot, Xie Wangze shifted his gaze away as if scalded.
He had never paid attention before, but he hadn’t expected… it to look like a child’s, and so very plump.
Seeing Xie Wangze avert his eyes, Chu Yunge gritted her teeth.
“I washed it—it’s not smelly. Also, next time if Young Master Xie has something to say, you can tell me yourself instead of having Pei Ji relay it specially.”
Xie Wangze paused. “Relay it specially?”
He shook his head. “Your Highness misunderstands. I didn’t ask Pei Ji to pass along any message.”
So Pei Ji had been doing these bizarre things under his name?
If the princess hadn’t said it today, he might have remained in the dark forever.
That Little Marquis really knew how to stir up emotions effortlessly.
“Really?” Chu Yunge looked at him full of suspicion. “He said you wouldn’t be used to it.”
Xie Wangze shook his head gently. “I never said that.”
Why had Pei Ji lied to her and warned her in his name specifically? Because he didn’t want Xie Wangze to see Chu Yunge’s jade… plump foot? And why wouldn’t Pei Ji want him to see it?
“Oh.” Chu Yunge uttered an “oh,” seemingly not believing him.
Xie Wangze’s eyes darkened a touch. It seemed the princess trusted Pei Ji more than him.
He lowered his gaze to the cloud patterns on his sleeve, thinking it was only natural. After all, they had been engaged for ten years. He was merely a stand-in groom she had hastily chosen in a fit of anger.
Seeing Xie Wangze’s reaction, Chu Yunge paused before adding, “Looks like he was talking nonsense. Don’t mind it—just rest for now.”
She was exhausted.
Chu Yunge lay down first and let out a satisfied breath. Beds were still the best.
If only… she didn’t need to detoxify.
Xie Wangze stood by the bed and didn’t move for a moment.
Unlike with Pei Ji, Chu Yunge didn’t directly pull him over. She just lay there, neither refusing nor inviting, as if oblivious to his stiffness.
In her heart, she prayed he couldn’t accept sharing a bed with her and they would end up sleeping separately.
Unexpectedly, after standing for a moment, Xie Wangze calmly got onto the bed and lay down beside Chu Yunge.
Chu Yunge: “…”
So awkward—far more than last night.
“Well then, Young Master Xie, I’ll be rude and hold your hand now.” In the end, Chu Yunge broke the silence. She wanted to sleep.
Xie Wangze turned his head to look at her and let out an “mm.”
With his response, he reached out first, extending past the quilt barrier to gently grasp the hand Chu Yunge had stretched over.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
After taking hold of Chu Yunge’s hand, Xie Wangze closed his fingers lightly without gripping tightly, thanking her with a loose hold.
Chu Yunge turned her head to look at Xie Wangze, her eyes full of surprise. Not only had Xie Wangze not refused—he had taken the initiative to hold her hand?
Yes, it was for detoxification, but his initiative was still strange.
Looking at Chu Yunge’s wide eyes, clear and bright, as if untouched by worldly dust.
This was worlds apart from the princess’s earlier gaze, tinged with madness.
A glint of scrutiny flashed in Xie Wangze’s eyes. Could a person’s gaze… change so drastically?
“Ever since the princess said on the night before last that she was moved by Master Qingchen, she really seems to have changed a lot.”
Chu Yunge gave a smile. “This Princess has had quite a few realizations.”
As expected, her changes hadn’t escaped this old fox’s notice. This black-bellied hostage, in the story, ended up wearing the emperor’s crown and returning to the Chen State to ascend the throne.
The competition for the throne in the Chen State was far fiercer than in the Chu State.
The Chen royal family had always been prolific, and after nearly facing extinction, they bred even more desperately. Xie Wangze already had over twenty—nearly thirty—younger brothers.
Yet he, a hostage raised in the Chu State with no support, successfully claimed the throne. One could glimpse his terrifying scheming from that.
The more she said, the more mistakes she might make. She couldn’t keep pretending to be the princess forever, so Chu Yunge fell silent, ready to sleep directly.
But Xie Wangze spoke again. “Does Your Highness have another headache? Shall I read to ease it?”
Chu Yunge’s head did ache, and she was tempted but refused. “No need.”
She looked as if eager to avoid him.
After saying that, a fragment suddenly flashed in Chu Yunge’s mind. It was also on this bed, but back then the room had been all red—the wedding night.
Xie Wangze had refused to consummate the marriage to death. The princess, furious, said she couldn’t lose that face. If no consummation, fine, but they couldn’t let outsiders laugh. In the end, she demanded he make consummation sounds.
Yes, the princess made him produce those sounds to fool the outsiders.
Normally, in such an era, it would be the man demanding that of the woman, but… the princess had righteously made the demand, saying his voice was pleasant and if he called out nicely, perhaps she’d forgive his disrespect in a good mood.
Chu Yunge: “…”