Counterattack of the Cannon Fodder Chambermaid

by Usui Takumii

not mine, Princess Capture Plan. Total: 177 chapters and 12 epilogue so 189 chapters .

8. 71 to 80

71

The snow in the western pavilion was very easy to handle. Everything was cleared after around two hours of busy labor.

The courtyard floor glistened with moisture after the snow was cleared. The snow was piled under various trees to water them.1

Su Yan reported to the western pavilion's palace maids before taking her group of low-ranked palace maids back to the sweeper area. After they returned, they first ate their lunch. Because they didn't have any work in the afternoon, Qiao Lian returned to rest in the palace maids' room.

There were four people to a room. The others were all there, but none of them spoke with Qiao Lian. Qiao Lian was already used to it, and minded her own business as she lay on her bed.

She touched the object in her sleeve and her mind was a mess.

After a while, another low-ranked palace maid from the sweeper area walked into the room. "Qiao Lian, there's someone looking for you outside."

Qiao Lian's brows rose subconsciously. She endured a little but still ended up saying "got it" before walking outside.

"Why are you here again?" Outside the doors of the sweeper area, Qiao Lian saw the unfamiliar palace maid whom she only met twice before and couldn't help but frown and say.

"How is your task coming along?"

"You're the one who's asking me to help, what are you rushing me for?!"

Qiao Lian's tone had never been good. That ordinary looking palace maid spent a lot of effort before suppressing the fire in her heart. She said in a low voice: "Don't you want to change jobs? You know very well how hard working in the sweeper area is. If you complete your task, someone will help you change jobs."

Qiao Lian sneered a little, "Do I need you to tell me this?"

"Then did you do it today?"

When this was mentioned, Qiao Lian revealed hint of hesitation in her expression, and then spoke in an extremely ugly tone: "How can it be that quick? There were people all around, there wasn't any opportunity today."

That palace maid's face revealed some disappointment.

"Just who is your master? Stop speaking half-truths! Also, I don't even know you, why would you trust me to do this?" Qiao Lian said with raised eyebrows.

"All you have to know is that we have a common enemy." That palace maid didn't give a straight answer.

Enemy?

Qiao Lian's expression was complicated and she sneered in her heart.

Seeing Qiao Lian not respond, that palace maid spoke: "Could it be that you don't hate that person? Aren't you jealous? She's the same as you, but why were you assigned to the sweeper area while she became someone above others in a single leap…"

Qiao Lian's face immediately twisted, saying impatiently: "Stop speaking, how annoying!" She gave the person a side glance, "You can leave. I will keep the task in mind, so stop seeking me out for no reason."

After speaking, Qiao Lian turned and left.

That palace maid stared angrily at her back, secretly plotting in her heart: Just wait, wait until the task is complete. I'll come back and deal with this hateful thing.

Chun Cao kept Ding Xiang's words in mind.

She kept in mind her task to keep a close eye on the other low-ranked palace maids in the room.

When Chun Cao got serious, she would be extremely diligent, and often when night after night without sleeping. It was Ding Xiang who realized something was wrong with her. After finding out the reason, she let her take naps inside the residence during work hours.

Chun Cao would often reminisce and be deeply moved about that day when madam said the words 'Am I such an unreasonable person? Hurry and go eat' along with her extremely natural attitude, seemingly unchanged from her time at the Hall of Splendor. She didn't truly understand, but she knew that madam's situation was very difficult. She was determined to put in more effort to help.

It was already late at night. Chun Cao who had gotten used to staying up lay on her bed. She looked to be asleep, but her eyes were actually open.

After a long, long time, around what Chun Cao thought to be past midnight based on her habit these last few days, she heard a very quiet noise.

"Chun Lan."

Someone was calling Chun Lan with a very quiet voice. Chun Cao could tell it was Chun Zhu's voice.

Her heart froze and she didn't move. After another while, she heard someone get off their bed over by Chun Zhu's side before heading outside the door. She heard a 'creak' before the door was shut again.

Chun Cao's eyes gleamed brightly in the dark. She pulled on her jacket and lightly got out of bed and followed.

The moon outside was very bright, illuminating the snow in the distance and making it possible to see the situation outside. Chun Cao followed the sounds, slowly creeping over as she saw Chun Zhu kneeling by the hallway flowerbed doing something.

"What are you doing?"

Chun Cao's voice wasn't loud, but it rang like a clap of thunder in Chun Zhu's ears. She was nervous to begin with, and fell over in shock.

"Chun, Chun Cao." Under the nightscape illuminated by the snow, Chun Zhu's pale face was faintly visible.

"What are you doing?" Chun Cao looked at the small pit dug in the soil, "What are you trying to bury?"

"Nothing, it's just something of mine. I didn't want it anymore so I decided to bury it…."

"Who are you trying to fool? Running over here to bury something in the middle of the night. Come, follow me to see big sis Ding Xiang."

Chun Zhu was frightened to tears, "Chun Cao, please spare me. I was just momentarily confused….if Ding Xiang finds out about it, she'll definitely not let me off…."

The constantly stern Ding Xiang seemed capable of warding off ghosts in the eyes of these low ranked palace maids.

"You still dared to do it despite knowing the consequences would be severe."

Ding Lan and Ding Xiang had already heard the commotion on this side and gotten up.

Ding Lan and Chun Cao dragged the limp Chun Zhu over into a room on the side. The other three low-ranked palace maids had also heard and gotten up, their faces bewildered as they stood staring at Chun Zhu who was paralyzed on the floor.

Chun Cao summarized the situation, and placed the pouch she picked up onto the table.

"This was the thing, though I don't know what it is."

Ding Xiang grabbed it and took a look, and her face instantly turned dark.

"Speak. Just who was it that had you bury such harmful things in the courtyard." Ding Xiang was extremely gloomy.

Chun Zhu still tried to quibble. Ding Lan walked up and gave her a huge slap.

"Speak honestly. Don't force us to use any means to make you talk, or it wouldn't be good for you."

Chun Zhu's face was full of snot and tears. She was young after all, and it was her first time doing something like this. Her heart was already shaken to begin with, and being scared like this in succession she was already frightened out of her mind, and spilled everything in great detail.

Chun Zhu actually didn't know who it was that wanted her to bury this thing. Someone had given her silver to perform this task. The amount of silver was large, and in a moment of obsession she had agreed.

As for who it was that gave her the silver, she didn't recognize the person. It was someone dressed as a palace maid. She was first given twenty taels of silver for the task. Afterwards, she was told that they knew where her family lived and who was part of it. If she took the money without doing the task, they would suffer the consequences.

Chun Zhu had already mounted the tiger and couldn't get off. She hesitated for many days before deciding to wake up in the middle of the night and follow that person's instructions to bury it in the hallway's flowerbed. Who knew she would get caught by Chun Cao who was keeping an eye out for rats.

The scheme wasn't really brilliant. First they used incentives and then they used threats. Towards the astute Ding Xiang such schemes naturally wouldn't work, but towards Chun Zhu who was only fifteen it was more than sufficient.

"We'll wait for madam to wake up tomorrow, and have her decide your fate."

Ding Xiang had the few palace maids tie Chun Zhu up and threw her back into their room. It was cold, and if they left her outside she would freeze to death overnight.

Ding Xiang wasn't that ruthless, but she didn't plan on letting Chun Zhu off. Especially since the pouch contained nothing good, making her grit her teeth in anger.

Those in the room with Chun Zhu couldn't sleep the entire night. They really couldn't believe Chun Zhu would be so daring. Ding Xiang also didn't sleep. She was pondering how to deal with this traitorous low-ranked palace maid during this sensitive time.

The next day, Ding Xiang reported what had happened the night before to Xiao Hua after getting back from paying respects.

As for what was in the pouch, according to Ding Xiang's investigation it seemed to be one of the palace's shameful medicines but she wasn't completely certain. To be on the safe side, she didn't take it out for Xiao Hua to see.

Chun Zhu had been tied up for the entire night, and her face had long turned pale. Her appearance was a mess, seeming all sorts of pitiful.

"Just what on earth is that thing? Ding Xiang, do you know?"

Ding Xiang hesitated a little and spoke: "This servant isn't familiar with it. Regardless, it's nothing good. It looks like some sort of harmful medicine."

Xiao Hua's face instantly darkened.

Great, really great!

Although the scheme wasn't brilliant, the materials used were all of high quality. What sort of medicine could harm others just by being buried in the dirt?! If Qiao-Shi in her past life had such things, Xiao Hua reckoned she wouldn't have even known how she died.

Her heart suddenly felt restless, filled with an inexplicable sense of vexation.

"Madam, how do you want to deal with Chun Zhu?"

Hearing these words, Chun Zhu cried for mercy, "Madam, spare this servant. This servant was just briefly muddled, and didn't know this thing was harmful. If I knew I definitely wouldn't have done it. She used my family to threaten me….my parents are both old, my younger brother is only a few years old…."

Xiao Hua didn't respond to Chun Zhu's cries, and muttered irresolutely to Ding Xiang, "How does the estate usually deal with such matters?"

"Madam, there are two ways of dealing with traitorous servants like this. One is to directly have her beaten to death. Another is to hand her over to the office of education."

Seeing Xiao Hua's confusion, Ding Xiang spoke again: "The office of education isn't only for training newly entered palace maids. It also handles palace maids who have broken the rules. You don't have to worry. Handing her over to the office of education is definitely not a better outcome for her than being beaten to death. After all, death is a form of release, but after entering the office of education it would be hard for her to die even if she wanted to."

Ding Xiang's expression and tone were both dull, but her words made others shiver all over. Even the few low-ranked palace maids on the side were scared pale, let alone Chun Zhu who was shaking uncontrollably on the floor.

"Madam, please spare this servant. This servant won't dare to do it again…."

If Xiao Hua spared her, who would spare Xiao Hua?

Xiao Hua looked at the extremely pitiful Chun Zhu on the floor before moving her gaze away.

"You really won't dare anymore?"

Chun Zhu seemed to catch a glimpse of hope in Xiao Hua's attitude, and knelt on the floor kowtowing with all her might.

"Madam, this servant really wouldn't dare do it again. This servant was just momentarily misguided. I beg madam to be magnanimous. I beg madam to be magnanimous."

After these kowtows, Chun Zhu's head was already bruised. She had clearly used all her strength.

"Ding Xiang, do you know how to write?"

Ding Xiang blanked out for a bit, "Yes, madam."

"Write down what she did, and have her sign it. We'll observe her behavior for now, and decided her fate later."

Ding Xiang immediately understood madam's intentions. They didn't have time to deal with so many things at the moment. If they got rid of Chun Zhu, according to the estate's rules someone new would be sent over. They would still have to keep a close watch on the new person, so they might as well let Chun Zhu remain for now.

Saying they would observe her behavior was just putting the thought in her head that just because her punishment was postponed, it didn't mean they would let her off.

Seeing Chun Zhu kneeling there expressing her thanks with a grateful expression, Ding Xiang let out a sigh. She thought this was for the best, and was very appropriate.

Of course, this type of person couldn't be allowed to stay for long. But it had to wait until they had more time on their hands.

…..

It was the middle of the night, but Xiao Hua had trouble falling asleep.

Ding Xiang was on night duty and sat on a small couch outside the palanquin bed. The room was very silent.

"Ding Xiang, do you have an understanding of the situation in the estate?"

Xiao Hua had never taken the initiative to ask Ding Xiang about these things, but her mind was recently a little chaotic. She inexplicably felt a sense of crisis, making her restless for no apparent reason.

"What sort of situation is madam referring to?" Ding Xiang's voice came through the canopy curtains.

"For example, his highness and the consort's situation, as well as his highness's attitude towards the rear court, those kinds of things." The Jing Prince's thoughts were too hard to see through, making Xiao Hua feel restless.

After a moment of silence, Ding Xiang's voice faintly sounded from outside.

"This servant doesn't really understand much." She paused and continued: "Despite being by Auntie Qi's side since coming to the Jing Prince Estate, this servant has never been to the Hall of Splendor before. The Jing Prince is used to going straight back to the Hall of Splendor after returning from the front court, and would rarely go anywhere else. Therefore, apart from those old fellows, others are also not clear about his highness's personality."

Xiao Hua heard this and sighed countless of times in her heart.

That's right, the period of time she spent in the Hall of Splendor wasn't short, but she still knew very little about his highness. She only understood a little of his daily habits, or some superficial things.

"As for his highness's relationship with the consort or the rear court, how should I put it, it's a sort of disregard. He doesn't pay attention to it and he doesn't ask about it. When the estate first opened, his highness ruled that internal affairs would be handled by Eunuch Fu and Auntie Qi. No one else could interfere. Normally Auntie Qi handles the majority of the affairs, and she put forth a very thorough system which she follows rigorously. She didn't really encounter any setbacks doing things in this manner. Auntie Qi is a—"

Ding Xiang paused for a second before finding the right adjective, "Very smart person. She only manages internal affairs within her jurisdiction. Things that she shouldn't interfere in she never touches. On the surface, the consort is the estate's mistress. She is given the prestige she should possess…..nothing had occurred before on Senior Concubine Qiao and the Madams Yu's sides either….."

Saying it was one thing, but these people had all been floating underwater in the past. The moment she arrived, they all surfaced.

Was she lucky or unlucky?

Not asking made her feel restless, but after asking she felt even more restless.

Xiao Hua sighed, "Let's sleep, it's quite late."

Author's note:

Just as Eunuch Fu once described Xiao Hua: this low-ranked palace maid is good in all aspects, but she's too reserved with her words and actions. To put it plainly, she's too cautious and too aware of her own situation. This author wants to add one more thing: Hua Hua, Repressed Jing isn't as bad as you think he is.

Does it work like that?

72

"Little sis Hua, you are the one who caught his highness's eye the most out of all of us. Are you still willing to put up with this?"

Today, they were once again left hanging for half the day as they came to pay respects. After they walked out the door, Yu Jiao spoke with a peculiar tone.

Xiao Hua didn't make a sound as she allowed Ding Lan to help her put on her cloak.

Yu Jiao also felt a little dull after she spoke.

Everyone was clear about the Jing Prince's personality. Not only did he rarely come to the rear court, he never interacted with any of his harem. As long as the Jing Prince continued his disregard, and didn't care or ask about things, the Jing Consort had the highest status in the rear court as the main concubine. Her giving the lower ranked concubines a hard time or an attitude was par for the course.

Everyone understood this reasoning. Xiao Hua understood it as well. This is also why despite knowing Chun Zhu had to have been bribed by one of the Jing Consort's people, she didn't plan to lay it out in the open. Especially since the Jing Prince had also not stopped by her place in several days.

"If Madam Yu isn't willing to come pay respects, you can go tell his highness yourself. Perhaps his highness will exempt you from it. Regardless, this servant concubine doesn't have the face to do so."

After throwing out these words Xiao Hua walked away, leaving behind a sputtering Yu Jiao.

Senior Concubine Qiao chuckled a little and also left.

Xiao Hua returned to the western pavilion, changed her clothes and sat on the warm kiln.

The situation with Chun Zhu and the Jing Consort's weirdness made Xiao Hua feel extremely on edge, but she didn't know how to solve any of these problems.

She felt very repressed, as though there was a rock weighing on her heart. When she was alone, she would even have a sort of suffocating feeling.

Chun Mei came over to report that a low-ranked palace maid from the sweeper area wanted to meet the madam, saying that she knew Madam Hua in the past and had something to report.

"Chun Cao, go see who it is."

After a moment, Chun Cao returned saying the person who came was Qiao Lian.

Qiao Lian? Qiao Lian returned to the sweeper area?

Xiao Hua thought about it a little before having Chun Cao bring the person in.

Qiao Lian's appearance wasn't much different from before, but because the work in the sweeper area was not easy in the winter, she appeared thin and haggard, cutting a sorry figure. Yet despite this, her attitude was just as impertinent as before while containing a thick layer of jealousy.

Especially after entering the room and seeing Xiao Hua who was sitting in the main seat with a half frown on her face that couldn't cover her beauty, the jealousy in her eyes seemed as if it were about to burst out.

"Still not saluting after seeing the madam?" Ding Lan spoke to the side.

Qiao Lian froze a little, and performed a salute with a face full of unwillingness.

Seeing Qiao Lian like this, Xiao Hua felt a little like laughing. She felt that this person hadn't changed at all since the beginning. Didn't she know that acting this way would easily stir up trouble and easily offend others?

"Speak, what is it?" Xiao Hua spoke indifferently.

Qiao Lian choked up with anger at Xiao Hua's attitude. She wanted to lose her temper but she also knew that she couldn't afford to offend the person in front of her. She gave a glare, and without beating about the bush, took out a small pouch from her robes and threw it onto the nearby table.

"Someone asked me to harm you, wanting me to find a chance while working to bury this in the ground. I'm guessing they wanted to use me because they saw my personality was bad. I'm not going to let others make a fool out of me, so I came to tell you this."

Seeing that pouch, Ding Xiang froze. She went over to take a look and returned to whisper a few words in Xiao Hua's ear. After speaking, she used a handkerchief to wrap up the pouch and went to deal with it.

Xiao Hua's expression was frozen at first before becoming calm again.

Only after a long time did she look at Qiao Lian with a complicated expression and say: "Your temper still hasn't changed." Her tone carried a faint hint of exasperation and reminiscence.

Qiao Lian was choked up once again. She turned her face away and didn't say anything.

Seeing Qiao Lian acting this way, Xiao Hua felt very unpleasant in her heart. She had always disliked this person, but she didn't think that she would do something so outside of her expectations.

"You don't need to thank me. Although my personality is disagreeable, I've always done things openly. You have such great fortune that my eyes are turning red from jealousy. Therefore, there's no need to for such a display."

These words instead cleared up Xiao Hua's complicated emotions a little. She smiled and said: "I know you were always jealous of me. Why else would you cut up my clothing back then?"

Without waiting for Qiao Lian to retort, she continued speaking: "You were just a little dumb. At least you are much dumber compared to Xiu Yun."

Qiao Lian was a little sluggish at first, and was then shocked by the words "Xiu Yun". She twitched her lips, wanting to sneer at first but failing and turning it instead into an extremely sorry sounding hmph. She wanted to ask Xiao Hua why she would use Xiu Yun to provoke her. Xi'er wasn't the only one who had watched Xiu Yun get beaten to death. She also wanted to say could it be that you were the only smart one….

Many words reached her lips before being swallowed again. She had long since become a different person. She used to be ignorant, then arrogant, then scared, then terrified, and finally matured in the end. Unfortunately she still didn't mature properly….

Finally, she said with a disheartened expression: "My personality was always like this, provoking others to dislike me."

"You understanding this is also a sort of progress."

"You—" Qiao Lian first glared at her before saying impatiently: "You were annoying when you never said anything. Now that you speak, you're still annoying. Enough chatting, I'm going back. Don't ask me who it was that gave me the pouch. I don't know that person." After a pause she spoke again: "In any event, it was someone who didn't like you and wanted to harm you."

After speaking, she again glanced at Xiao Hua with a jealous expression. "You really attract too many people to hate you. You were clearly the lowest rank of low-ranked palace maids, but ascended to the sky in an instant."

"Do you know how to speak properly?" Chun Cao couldn't watch any further and scolded from the side.

Xiao Hua raised a hand and stopped Chun Cao from continuing. She revealed a mysterious smile and mumbled: "That's right, I attract too much jealousy."

"You should probably give birth to a child earlier. His highness doesn't have an heir, so things will stabilize for you once you have a child." Qiao Lian said with a complicated expression.

"You even understand this?"

"Haven't I seen pigs run despite not having eaten pork before?1 The household I used to serve was much more complicated than this place."

"So you were too dumb, couldn't muddle along anymore and got sold off." This was Xiao Hua's theory. She used some tidbits of information she got in the past to make a guess. Qiao Lian was sluggish from anger once more, and said dispiritedly: "I already feel myself to be quite dislikeable, but I feel you are even more dislikeable."

Xiao Hua let out a sigh before returning to the topic at hand.

"I heard you are now working in the sweeper area. I will ask someone to change your job in a little bit. You are also clear about my current situation, so whether it will work or not is uncertain."

Qiao Lian didn't speak, turning around and leaving. If she stayed any longer, she didn't know if her head would burst from jealousy, and didn't know if she would start to regret not listening to that person and harming her.

Walking to the door, she spoke without turning around, "I feel that the sweeper area is still pretty good. At least there aren't too many things happening. With my personality I shouldn't go anywhere too nice."

"It's not too late for you to realize this. Qiao Lian—-"

Qiao Lian stopped her steps.

"I will do my best not to implicate you in this situation. If anyone asks, you can tell them you buried it."

"I know. No need for you to say it." Qiao Lian's manner of speech was as dislikeable as always, but her actions always exceeded one's expectations.

After Qiao Lian left, Xiao Hua sat for a long time staring into space.

After Ding Xiang returned, her expression was very ugly.

Having consecutively discovered two pouches of the same thing, it really wasn't clear if she should say Madam Hua's luck was good or bad.

The continuous events honestly made Xiao Hua feel overwhelmed. This sort of harmful medicine was unheard of and unfamiliar, and had far exceeded her past life's experience.

Another one popped up right after they discovered the first one. Who knew if there would be a third or a fourth….she suddenly felt very weary, and also a restlessness that almost made her go insane….

"Madam, what should we do about this?"

"Let me think about it carefully."

After speaking, Xiao Hua went to the inner room by herself and didn't let anyone else in to serve her.

Xiao Hua didn't eat lunch. Ding Xiang hesitated over and over and didn't go in to call her.

After another half an hour went by, Ding Xiang really couldn't feel at ease and entered the inner room. She saw Xiao Hua who was sitting on the warm kiln under the bedroom window.

"Madam."

Xiao Hua made a noise in response.

After a long while, she said: "Ding Xiang, do you think we should take a risk?"

Ding Xiang said quietly: "This servant doesn't understand."

Xiao Hua smiled. She probably understood, but couldn't make a decision.

She didn't say this out loud, and said instead: "The way his highness treats me, do you think it counts as doting on me?"

Ding Xiang didn't dare respond to this. Even Madam Hua herself couldn't figure out the situation clearly. No matter how smart she was, how much could she understand as a servant? Perhaps he doted on her a little, but no one knew for sure whether it was enough to make this weird prince restrict the consort for madam's sake.

"From their perspective, his highness seems to look at me in a favorable light. But why is it that I don't have any confidence?"

The room was extremely silent. Ding Xiang kept her head lowered and didn't say anything.

Xiao Hua suddenly laughed lightly, "It's really hard to just pass the days peacefully. I've been pushed until I can retreat no further." After a pause, she spoke again: "I remember you saying that Auntie Qi is responsible for internal affairs, right? Go take these two pouches and report them to Auntie Qi."

"Yes."

Since there was no more room to retreat, then she would stop retreating.

Ding Xiang acted very quickly. The small box that held the two pouches were soon placed in front of Auntie Qi.

Auntie Qi looked at the contents of the small box and her expression immediately darkened.

Ding Xiang had long since guessed that it wasn't anything good, but only after seeing Auntie Qi's expression did she know just how "not good" it was.

"Auntie, what is it?"

Auntie Qi gave Ding Xiang a glance and said heavily: "It's a kind of reprehensible medicine, one that is not often seen. If it's buried in the soil, it releases a sort of medicinal property that damages a woman's body. Pregnant women would miscarry, and those who aren't pregnant would become infertile after prolonged exposure. It's extremely harmful to a woman's yin essence."

What Auntie Qi didn't say was that this medicine was only seen in the imperial palace. Of course it was possible to obtain elsewhere, but that was extremely rare. And even in those instances, it would be related to the imperial palace.

Therefore, even without investigating, Auntie Qi knew who the biggest suspect was.

It seems she was very desperate!

The desperation of a certain person suddenly made Auntie Qi feel a certain feeling of satisfaction. This emotion was very obscured, and Ding Xiang naturally wasn't able to tell.

"I will send some people to the western pavilion in a bit just in case anything was overlooked. As for Madam Hua, she needs to get examined in case she contracted anything else. I will arrange everything, and will also report things to his highness's side. You should go back first."

Ding Xiang bowed and left.

Auntie Qi was also extremely quick in handling things. Not long after Ding Xiang returned, a group of middle aged palace maids arrived at the western pavilion. Their faces were all solemn and cold, saying they were here to help look things over.

Ding Xiang had relayed Auntie Qi's words to Xiao Hua after getting back. Xiao Hua had some lingering fears in her heart now that she had a better understanding of this reprehensible medicine, and seeing there were people here to help she naturally was more than willing to let them.

Xiao Hua went to sit in the main hall. Those palace maids were divided between Ding Xiang and Ding Lan and they went off to search the entire eastern wing. Soon they had looked the entire residence over including the storage building and all the other side buildings. To say the entire place had been overturned wouldn't be an exaggeration.

The result made one sigh in relief. There were no other suspicious items.

Chun Zhu was also taken away for questioning. Xiao Hua guessed that Qiao Lian would also be questioned. However, Qiao Lian had voluntarily reported it and should be fine. It was hard to say the same for Chun Zhu.

Since her own safety was in question, she naturally wasn't thinking about Chun Zhu. Thinking of Ding Xiang's words regarding the effects of those two pouches, Xiao Hua's body was filled with cold sweat.

Luckily Chun Cao had discovered it. It if was really buried by Chun Zhu, based on her habit of getting fresh air in the hallway every day, her outcome would have been tragic after accumulating over the days and months.

Therefore, the shred of compassion she had was also gone.

Ding Xiang had just finished sorting through the various places in the eastern wing when Doctor Hu arrived.

"Doctor Hu, I have to trouble you once again." Xiao Hua said.

"No trouble, it's part of my job."

Doctor Hu's expression didn't reveal anything, and it wasn't clear whether Auntie Qi had told him about the situation. Ding Xiang covered Xiao Hua's wrist with a handkerchief and he came up to take her pulse.

His hand had just made contact for a few seconds when it trembled and his face revealed a startled expression.

Ding Xiang's heart sank, and even Xiao Hua could tell something was wrong from his expression.

"Doctor Hu, how is our madam's situation?"

Xiao Hua's eyes looked straight at him, her heart and head both pounding heavily.

It'll be fine, everything should be fine. Chun Zhu was discovered before she buried it, and Qiao Lian reported it directly. However, Xiao Hua had a bad premonition.

"This—–"

Doctor Hu really wanted to give himself a slap. In the past he had never revealed any expressions. After having left the palace for so long, he had actually made such an error.

Trying to cover it up at this moment would only make things worse. Besides, how could this be covered up? Especially since the reason Auntie Qi had him come examine Madam Hua was precisely because she was afraid she might have fallen victim to some scheme.

He hesitated for half a second before slowly saying: "Based on madam's pulse, she seems to have been in contact with substances containing cold essence. I'm afraid, I'm afraid that…"

Ding Xiang turned pale with fight, "Impossible. That's absolutely impossible! Madam's personal items and food are all handled personally by this servant. The residence was also just thoroughly searched, and there were no suspicious objects."

Xiao Hua suddenly felt lightheaded, her head buzzing as though having been struck heavily by a club.

It seemed that the events of her past life would repeat once again. In her past life she had gotten a doctor to examine her after she felt unwell. Due to being engaged in serious struggle with Qiao-Shi at the time, she didn't even dare invite the estate's doctor and had privately invited one from outside.

She was first told that it was just a slight cold, but seeing the doctor acting a little strange, she pressed him over and over before finding out that due to consuming too much cold essence early on she had already become infertile.

At this moment, both her lives seemed to be weirdly overlapped. Xiao Hua was in a trance, her face deathly pale.

Why was she unable to escape this vicious cycle in both her lifetimes? She had avoided, hid and remained low-key, but her skill had not been up to par and she had fallen one move short of checkmate!

What was she supposed to do?

"Madam, madam…."

Xiao Hua felt herself being shaken by Ding Xiang, but wasn't able to snap out of it.

"Madam don't panic. Doctor Hu said it's still treatable. Everything is fine, everything is fine…"

Xiao Hua shook her head hard before her eyes finally became clear.

She saw Doctor Hu furrowing his brows but his expression wasn't grave. She heard him say: "…..madam please don't be too panicked. Based on this old man's observation, the period of exposure hasn't been very long. With around a year of careful treatment, it wouldn't affect your fertility in the future."

Xiao Hua's heart fell back down with a thump, and she let out a deep breath. She did her best to calm her chaotic emotions and revealed a smile that looked as if she was crying and smiling at the same time.

"It's really treatable?"

Does that mean she shouldn't yet despair?

"Madam, please trust this old man's medical skills."

"How long will it take?"

"This—-" Doctor Hu muttered for half a second, "This will depend on madam's physical condition. Perhaps up to a year."

Xiao Hua let out a sigh, and asked again: "Is Doctor Hu able to tell what it was caused by?"

"Does madam have a habit of burning incense?"

Upon hearing this, Ding Xiang immediately had Ding Lan fetch the furnace in the house that was often used to burn incense, as well as the incense itself.

Doctor Hu received it and took a look. He used his hand to pinch the ash and gave it a sniff, and then opened the case of incense and examined the contents.

After a long while, he shook his head, indicating that there was nothing wrong with the incense.

Ding Xiang also knew there wouldn't be anything wrong with it. Those middle aged palace maids were experts in investigating shameful secrets. If there was anything wrong with the incense they would have long since discovered it.

"Doctor Hu means to say that madam's problems were contracted via incense?" Ding Xiang asked.

"Based on her condition this should be the case. Furthermore, it should have been accumulated little by little. However, it hasn't been that long and therefore it hasn't caused major harm yet. Effects are always slow when using incense, but it's fortunate in this case."

Ding Xiang's expression was a little ugly and she looked at Xiao Hua.

Xiao Hua knew that she and Ding Xiang had thought of the same place. She rubbed her brows and her mind was extremely disordered.

Ding Xiang escorted Doctor Hu out and went to find Auntie Qi again.

The residence was scarily quiet. Ding Lan and Chun Cao stood silently by Xiao Hua and carefully observed her grave expression.

She had intended to bet on the Jing Prince viewing her in a favorable light and hadn't come to a conclusion regarding the Jing Consort's side yet. Now this new situation had sprung forth.

At this moment, Xiao Hua really didn't know what her best course of action would be.

"I'm going to go rest for a while."

Chun Cao carefully supported Xiao Hua to the bedroom.

"Madam, it's fine. Doctor Hu said after some treatment there won't be any lingering effects." Chun Cao said comfortingly, but her words were so ineffective that they didn't even comfort herself.

They had completely fallen out with the consort's side. Madam's condition looked bleak. His highness's favor was still in question and now there was this new situation. Although a year wasn't that long since Madam Hua was still young, a lot could happen in that time. Who knew if she would still be favored?

After all, his highness was widely known for being apathetic. Perhaps his many visits to the western pavilion were all due him suddenly feeling a period of arousal. What if this period passes?

Xiao Hua also understood this. She didn't say anything, and tiredly closed her eyes.

Author's note:

Please believe this author. Hua Hua being temporarily unable to get pregnant isn't a bad thing, and isn't bullying the female lead. Doctor Hu's words were just the worst case scenario, and in reality it won't require a year. This sort of medicine was invented by this author, so don't criticize it too much. However, there were indeed a lot of infertility medicines in ancient times. This author has done her research. However, there weren't any that could do it in one go. Normally they would have to be taken over a period of time. The medicines themselves also look all sorts of weird. Things will just about be wrapped up in the next chapter. Afterwards, the pampering will begin. Hopefully Xiao Hua will be able to handle Repressed Jing's moves…..look forward to it….

Idiom meaning one doesn't need to experience something to know about it.

73

Hearing Ding Xiang's report, the usually steady Auntie Qi was also unable to sit still any longer.

If this was really the case, Madam Hua had fallen victim when she was paying respects at the Changchun Pavilion. What about those who had gone along with her? After all, it wasn't just Madam Hua paying respects.

Auntie Qi didn't dare imagine the Jing Consort would be so daring. But the truth had shown that she was indeed this daring, her actions making others shocked and speechless.

In addition to this, the two Madams Yu's conditions were even worse. Apart from being affected by the incense scheme, they had actually consumed several items containing cold essence long ago and had already become infertile.1

At this point, all the evidence pointed towards the Jing Consort. The source of the two pouches had also been investigated, and although there wasn't concrete evidence, it still pointed to the Changchun Pavilion.

Although Auntie Qi was responsible for internal affairs, she was still a servant. Since the situation involved the Jing Consort, she couldn't make the final decision. It could only be reported to the Jing Prince before seeing how to proceed.

In the Hall of Splendor.

After Auntie Qi finished explaining the situation, Eunuch Fu's face immediately sank. Although the Jing Prince looked no different from his usual self, the tea saucer in his hands had cracked.

The air in the hall seemed to have frozen.

"She was targeting that low-ranked palace maid?"

Auntie Qi was momentarily confused by his words, but she soon understood his meaning.

"Based on the situation it appears so. Senior Concubine Qiao and the rest were also affected. Furthermore, the two madams Yu had consumed the substances long ago and have been permanently harmed. Because it happened too long ago, it's no longer possible to investigate the cause."

After a long while, Auntie Qi heard the Jing Prince's voice from his seat, "Show her the uncovered evidence."

It was evident who he was referring to.

"Yes."

Only an hour had passed before Auntie Qi returned to report.

The witnesses and evidence were all there, but the Jing Consort's side refused to own up to it.

Auntie Qi was just a managing auntie, and naturally couldn't dispute a mistress. Especially since the Jing Consort stubbornly refused to admit to it, and then fainted on the spot. Afterwards, she remained in bed and pretended to be too ill to get up. Auntie Qi clearly knew she was pretending, but as a servant she was helpless and could only report back to the Jing Prince.

"Highness, how do you think we should handle this? The consort, the consort keeps shouting about wanting to see you."

The Jing Prince sat on his seat, his gaze inexplicable gloomy.

After half a moment of silence, he spoke: "Confine the consort."

Regarding this outcome, Auntie Qi wasn't surprised. But the Jing Prince's following words made her a little surprised.

"Those who were involved, have them all beaten to death. Eunuch Fu, go."

Eunuch Fu said solemnly: "Yes."

After leaving the Hall of Splendor, Auntie Qi smiled bitterly and said: "Ai, this consort is really….."

"Is really what?" Eunuch Fu's voice was a little high pitched.

His normal voice was a baritone, not at all like the feminine voice of a eunuch. Of course there would be exceptions, like when his mood was extremely bad.

Auntie Qi naturally understood why Eunuch Fu was enraged.

"Although her means were crude, they were undeniably effective. The rear court merely has the four of them, and all were pretty much finished off by her. As I said, foolish people have their own foolish methods. Her methods were definitely cruel enough. Look at the results. Tsk tsk tsk."

Eunuch Fu's character was different from his appearance. He could flip out faster than flipping pages in a book. His personality was unpredictable. Sometimes he would be making jokes with the intention of messing around with you. Other times he would be making jokes while feeling restless in his heart and considering killing someone.

Seeing Eunuch Fu's current appearance, Auntie Qi observed a moment of silence in her heart for the Jing Consort.

Was the Jing Consort really foolish?

Perhaps.

But she also had her own confidence.

She was the currently conferred Jing Consort and from the same clan as Empress Xiao. Empress Xiao wouldn't let someone of her clan become a crippled consort. This was what she based her confidence on.

Especially since she didn't think the Jing Prince would do anything to her for the sake of a low-ranked concubine.

She had considered what problems may arise from her actions. She firstly didn't think it would get discovered, and secondly even if it did she wasn't afraid.

The Jing Prince really didn't do much to her, but there were too many instances of using a soft knife to kill others in this world.2 He didn't have to do anything to her directly to punish her.

The heavens seemed to have collapsed in the Changchun Pavilion overnight. The entire residence was filled with the Jing Consort's mournful crying.

"Let go of them. All of you let go of them…."

Seeing Eunuch Fu ordering people to drag Nana Li, Chun Xiang and the rest out in front of her, the Jing Consort didn't even bother faking her illness anymore. Without even putting on her shoes, she grabbed onto Nana Li with one hand and refused to let go while swinging at the eunuch responsible for taking her away with the other.

That eunuch merely avoided her hand, his actions firm as a rock.

"This consort wants to see his highness, let me see his highness….."

Those who weren't facing death wouldn't be able to imagine what it was like. The Jing Consort was able to repeatedly use underhanded schemes against others since they were unrelated to her. Only when she saw her own people under these circumstances did she lose her head out of fear.

"Consort, please don't make things difficult for me. This was ordered by his highness. Us servants can only obey." Eunuch Fu's face was wrinkled from smiling. His smile was clear for all to see.

Chun Xiang and the rest were crying hysterically as they lay paralyzed on the floor. The people dragged them out as though they were dragging corpses.

"Eunuch Fu spare me. Consort, save this servant…."

"This servant realizes she was wrong, spare my life…."

Nana Li wasn't actually that terrified, but her old face was still pale and her legs were weak.

Eunuch Fu turned and scolded, "What are you all delaying for. Hurry and drag them out. We'll send them on their way early. No matter what, they were serving the consort. Since they put so much effort into doing her bidding, we'll naturally give them what they were asking for."

Those palace maids and eunuchs were all experienced. Using both arms and legs, they dragged the crying group outside. Nana Li's sleeves were still gripped in the consort's hand. An expressionless eunuch saw Eunuch Fu's glance and forcibly pulled her hand away.

The Jing Consort fell back and sat on the floor. The scene was chaotic and no one stepped up to support her. She cut quite a sorry figure.

The line of people filed into the courtyard, where the tools of punishment were already prepared.

The punishment benches were neatly arranged in a row, with an appropriate amount of space in between them. Strong eunuchs held the 1.3 zhang long, 1 chi wide and 5 cun thick punishment planks and stood on the side. Those watching from the side couldn't help but feel limp.

This was Eunuch Fu's customary method: killing the chicken to warn the monkey.

Chun Xiang and the rest struggled uselessly, and was pressed down upon the benches. The strong servants raised the planks and started beating.

The Jing Consort ran out with her hair scattered and her feet bare, wanting to rush up but was held fast by a few palace maids. Her hands reached out as if they were grasping at something, crying heartbrokenly.

"Let them go. This consort orders you to let them go…."

No one paid attention to her words. Only the thudding sounds of people being beaten rang out in the courtyard, as well as the sound of muffled cries. Eunuch Fu's voice rang out clearly in the courtyard.

"…subordinates need to have some awareness while performing their jobs. They need to keep in mind things that should be done and things that shouldn't be. Masters can naturally do whatever they want. Oh, but the aftermath naturally falls upon the servants. Therefore, I'm teaching you all to behave. If the master wants to do something, do your best to convince them otherwise. Otherwise, don't complain if you die unjustly….."

Eunuch Fu's voice was extremely peculiar. Those familiar with him knew that every time he killed the chicken to warn the monkey he would put on this performance. Accompanied by the dull sounds of people being beaten and the fresh blood that was slowly seeping out, the scene was one that would frighten others into having nightmares.

Every time Auntie Qi saw this scene, she wouldn't be able to resist frowning, but all she did in the end was frown a little.

The tragic scene and Eunuch Fu's weird speech was the last straw on the camel's back for the Jing Consort's nerves and she gradually grew more and more deranged.

"Eunuch Fu you old castrate. Release them. This consort is your mistress, you dare offend me?!"

Eunuch Fu smiled conspicuously as he turned and approached her. He half bent his waist in his customary gesture and his attitude was respectful.

"Consort what you said is correct, this servant is a castrated person and you are this servant's mistress. However, his highness is also this Eunuch Fu's master. Since his highness had ordered it, this servant naturally doesn't dare to disobey. Don't be overly upset, it's just a few servants. If they die, they die. Later on the estate will naturally replace them for you, and definitely won't let you be lacking in manpower."

His attitude, tone and expression were all proper, but his words all stabbed into the Jing Consort's heart without exception.

Were all servants the same? Nana Li, Chun Xiang and the others weren't just trusted aides that came along as her dowry. They had always accompanied her and supported her.

Eunuch Fu either didn't understand these bonds, or perhaps he understood but was purposefully playing dumb?!

The Jing Consort was already on the verge of collapse. Being angered once again, she directly fell unconscious.

Seeing the Jing Consort pass out, Eunuch Fu continuously tutted with his mouth as he sighed over how pitiful she was in his heart.

The Jing Consort was pitiful, but why had she been so foolish in not realizing his highness's attitude? It was true that his highness didn't bring up her past issues and gave her the dignity a consort deserves. However, all that hinged upon her knowing her place.

Know your place. Understood?

"You bunch of shortsighted people, hurry and take the consort inside to rest!"

The few palace maids that lifted the consort were all trembling violently. They worked together to carry her inside.

Eunuch Fu straightened his waist and slowly walked over to stand up high on the steps, looking down at the crowd from above.

"Let me tell you all to watch yourselves. The Changchun Pavilion may be the consort's residence, but don't forget that the Jing Prince Estate's master is his highness. His highness isn't fond of dirty schemes and shameful trickery, so all you of better behave yourselves. Those who don't behave shouldn't blame me for not warning you."

Eunuch Fu's actions this time were extremely huge. Not only were the palace maids from the Changchun Pavilion gathered here, he had called over one personal servant from each of the eastern and western pavilions. Eunuch Fu's reputation was known to everyone within the estate, and he was also out on the Jing Prince's business. Naturally there wasn't anyone who wanted to offend him and they had all obediently let their personal servants come.

The one who came from the western pavilion was Ding Xiang. Senior Concubine Qiao had sent Die'er. Madams Yu Jiao and Yu Rong had each sent one of their personal palace maids, and everyone was watching from the side.

Ding Xiang had seen such a scene during her time in the palace before, so despite feeling a little uncomfortable she wasn't too traumatized. Die'er and the other two weren't able to handle it. Their faces grew pale as they watched and their legs grew weak as they fell to the floor.

The ones who often carried out the beatings were all very precise, just as Xiao Hua had thought back then. They could make you look heavily hurt on the surface without much internal damage, or look fine on the surface with heavy internal damage. Eunuch Fu asked for them to directly beat the people to death this time.

After the planks fell over twenty times, the people lay there twitching unconsciously. After reaching out to check, they were all indeed no longer breathing.

"General Manager Fu, they are all no longer breathing."

Eunuch Fu didn't speak, and gave them a side glance.

The people lowered their heads and trembled a little before continuing their actions. They continued beating until the benches broke apart. The people had long since been mangled and mutilated. The thick pools of blood on the floor were mixed with pieces of what could be organs or minced flesh.

Eunuch Fu nodded his head in satisfaction upon seeing this before waving his hand for them to clean up.

"Look how scared these little lasses are. Is everyone ok?" He came over to Ding Xiang and the others, his expression extremely concerned.

Killing the chicken to warn the monkey. The proverbial monkey wasn't just the Jing Consort!

The others couldn't say anything. Ding Xiang could only hang her head and say: "We're fine."

"Tsk tsk. In that case, hurry on back. I won't waste any more of your time."

They forced themselves to bow and left the Changchun Pavilion with disordered steps, as though there were ghosts chasing behind them.

Eunuch Fu swept his eyes over the surroundings, and his gaze landed on the pools of blood.

"You guys, make sure to clean up the mess on the floor. This is a mistress's pavilion, we can't leave a mess. You should all put some effort into it." He casually pointed at someone and said: "You, keep an eye on them as they clean."

"Yes." The person who was pointed out responded with a trembling, sobbing tone.

…

"Satisfied? Happy? You always enjoy using such frightening methods!" Only after leaving the Changchun Pavilion did Auntie Qi speak.

Eunuch Fu chuckled a couple of times and rubbed his nose, "It's good to scare them. Reduces the amount of problems that crop up. Otherwise the restless ones would keep coming up with schemes. How tiring would that be for you and me?" With a master that didn't pay attention, they would have to put in more effort.

Auntie Qi glared at him, but also knew what he said was true.

"Hur hur, his highness never bothered with her, making it hard for us to act. This time she truly sealed her own fate, wiping out all the people around her. Help pick out the new people for the Changchun Pavilion. Since his highness said to confine the consort, then we definitely have to thoroughly restrict her."

"I naturally understand this reasoning."

"It's just unfortunate for Madam Hua. I had thought there would soon be good news, but that idiot ended up throwing a wrench in the works. Did Doctor Hu mention how long it would take before she's cured?"

"It's said to be around a year."

Eunuch Fu didn't speak, and only furrowed his brows tightly.

Right after Eunuch Fu and Auntie Qi left the Hall of Splendor, Doctor Hu came to seek an audience.

Within the empty hall, there was only the Jing Prince and Doctor Hu.

Doctor Hu stood below and the Jing Prince sat above. The entire hall was silent.

Having interacted quite a bit with the Jing Prince, he had even seen that the Jing Prince was a kind and honest person. But every time he was face to face with him, Doctor Hu would always feel a sort of pressure. The sweat on his brows trickled down by itself. He used his sleeves to wipe his forehead.

"Highness, how should the situation at the western pavilion….."

"How long for treatment?"

The Jing Prince's suddenly rang out.

Doctor Hu's heart tightened and he answered with his head lowered: "If treated with the utmost effort, within half a year is possible."

Towards the Jing Prince his answer was no longer as vague, and he gave an exact time instead.

Things grew quiet once again.

Doctor Hu grumbled repeatedly, and could only say once again: "Highness, how should the situation at the western pavilion…."

The second half of the sentence still remained unfinished.

"You may leave."

Doctor Hu's face was filled with hardship, but he could only take his leave.

What about the regular health checkups they get? I guess Little Doctor Hu's skills aren't as divine as his father's.

Using underhanded tactics to deal with people.

74

The Jing Prince was left by himself in the spacious hall.

His expression was inexplicably dark and gloomy as he sat.

Xiao-Shi hadn't changed in both lifetimes. She still used such foolish, ignorant and vulgar schemes!

In his past life, the Jing Prince actually wasn't as removed from the rear court as he was in this life. Due to the need for an heir, he couldn't avoid spending the night with his concubines despite his apathy for feminine charms.

Three women could still put on a performance together, but with four women there was no way to avoid disputes. Unlike in this life, the Jing Prince had spent the night with Yu Jiao and Yu Rong in his past life.

Back then, the Jing Prince Estate's internal affairs had been given to the Jing Consort to handle. The Jing Consort had fawned upon him slightly with the intention of seeking forgiveness, and since she was his wife, he decided to reestablish their relationship. The Jing Consort appeared magnanimous, dignified and amicable normally, and her handling of internal affairs also distinguished clearly between reward and punishment.

Everything appeared to be peaceful and harmonious…..

The Jing Prince's heir had been born frail, and afterwards he lost two more sons. One from the Jing Consort and one from Senior Concubine Qiao. He was left with only one son and two daughters. As for Yu Jiao and Yu Rong, they had miscarried once early on and showed no more signs of development afterwards.

At that time the Jing Prince's thoughts had been simple, and was also weary from dealing with changes in the capital. As a man to begin with, how could he concern himself with internal affairs? Rich households always had the convention that the rear court was managed by the main mistress. The Jing Prince didn't plan on being an exception.

After the events occurred, he had merely comforted the various people, and didn't think to investigate the cause.

The days continued to pass until right before his death.

The Jin Emperor had bestowed upon him poisoned wine. Eunuch Fu had desperately tried to shield him but was dragged off by others.

He knew Eunuch Fu would definitely be put to death, and those old fellows who had been with him since the very beginning would also not have any good outcomes. He sat in the abandoned Hall of Splendor with a cup of poisoned wine in front of him….

Xiao-Shi came to send him off, and spoke a few words.

"…..You spent your entire life muddling along at a loss, without any accomplishments, without any ambition. You were essentially a spineless coward. You wanted peace and tranquility, but is this a peaceful world? You didn't struggle and didn't fight for things, yet this is the outcome…."

Xiao-Shi's face was eerily twisted. This woman who was supposedly his wife was suddenly extremely unfamiliar.

Luo Jing always thought he hated such contempt and disregard. In the past when he encountered this, he always felt uncomfortable despite not showing anything on the surface. Having converted to Buddhism recently, he had found inner peace. However, looking at the twisted face of the woman before him, his actually felt it was preposterous.

"….Qiao-Shi had my son killed, and in return I had hers killed. The other two fools didn't even give birth to a child…..the peaceful rear court in your mind was merely an illusion. It was all an illusion created by others…..how could there be no struggles? To not struggle is to be swallowed up. It wasn't a situation where everyone could coexist to begin with….."

Luo Jing felt extreme pain in his heart. He had thought he should appear shocked, should have suffered a huge blow, should have….but at that moment he was scarily calm. Although his heart felt like it was cut by a knife, his appearance was as like hardened cement, unable to even reveal the slightest sorrow….

"…..your prince's throne will belong to our Heng'er in the future….his majesty had said that once you are dead, everything will belong to us mother and son….stop struggling, there's no use in struggling….."

"…..You're just a mute. Leaving a mute alive is merely squandering resources…."

Luo Jing merely looked on silently. He looked at her deranged appearance.

"…..how about you drink it yourself. Don't force me to do it. His majesty has said that if you aren't willing to drink, I can personally handle it….."

Luo Jing's white jade-like yet withered hand gripped the wine cup, and drank the wine inside. He drank in the same way he normally drank wine, his posture normal, his expression normal, his gaze apathetic. Yet he continued to stare at her.

The Jing Consort's heavily made-up face was suddenly flooded with tears. She seemed to be crying and laughing at the same time. She bent over and used her hands to cover her face, but couldn't stop the stream of tears from falling.

"Luo Jing, don't blame me. I had no choice. People are selfish creatures. It was for Heng'er's sake….If you don't die my son will have to die…..I only have this one son left, I can't let him die….."

Luo Jing felt something leaking from the corner of his lips. He opened his mouth…..

He really wanted to say: you fool….

But was unable to say it out loud….

…..

When he reincarnated, the Jing Prince's mind was extremely chaotic for several month.

The world as he had known it had been shattered by Xiao-Shi and the Jin Emperor. He didn't understand why people's characters could be so unbearable. He struggled over it, grew exhausted by it, doubted it, but couldn't find an answer no matter what he did…..

He pondered over these painful experiences until he decided to get rid of it all.

Since his thoughts and knowledge wasn't able to align with this preposterous world and with the weird thoughts of certain people, then he would no longer ponder over it and act instead.

Were the thoughts of others really important? Were the thoughts of people really important? If they were, why did he still die at the Jin Emperor's hands despite spending all his efforts on trying to survive?

To put it plainly, it was due to the lack of ability! If he had shown a little more initiative in his past life, if he had not muddled along so much, if he hadn't been a mute…..how could he have ended up in a situation where he was unable to resist, retreating until he could retreat no further and had no dignity left?!

What counted as ability?

The Jing Prince started to ponder.

…

Regarding the Jing Consort, the Jing Prince's thoughts were complicated.

There was hatred, yet also a lack of hatred. He wanted revenge, but then thought about her face filled with tears before his death. He wanted to throw her far away, but had reasons for not moving her….

In the end he chose to ignore her.

Since he had never cared in the past, he would ignore her from now on.

As for the rest, he thought that since there would be struggles in the rear court it was better for him not to go. After all, in this life he didn't plan on having any heirs. Might as well just leave it at that.

….

That low-ranked palace maid was unexpected. She was someone outside of his predictions.

Environment and circumstances change a person's thoughts….

He thought that Xiao-Shi knew her place. He thought that the Jing Consort, who was a mere figurehead, would have no means to do anything. Therefore, he had followed his desires and went over to the western pavilion a few times. However, he had overlooked the fact that despite being foolish, that woman Xiao-Shi's methods were always rough….

The Jing Prince suddenly remembered what Doctor Hu just said, "…..if treated with the utmost effort, half a year would be enough."

He became a little restless for no apparent reason. He rubbed his brows and no longer thought about it.

When Ding Xiang came back and reported that the Rongxi Pavilion and Hanxiang Pavilion had both fallen victim to the scheme as well, Xiao Hua felt relieved all over.

When she first suddenly found out she had fallen victim, her emotions were a little chaotic. After thinking about it, she thought maybe it wasn't such a bad thing?!

As expected, the events that followed were not outside of her predictions. Only Eunuch Fu's means had left her a little shocked.

What the Jing Prince's reaction was like she didn't know, but Eunuch Fu's means could be said to be completely ruthless. Not only did it carve out a chunk of the Jing Consort's heart, it also splendidly killed the chickens to warn the monkey.

After all, the monkey wasn't just the Jing Consort or the palace maids in the Changchun Pavilion, but also included both mistresses and servants in the other pavilions.

Yu Jiao and Yu Rong were completely finished. In the future, they probably wouldn't be hopping about anymore. Even if they did, they wouldn't be coming after her. Senior Concubine Qiao was someone cautious to begin with. Since she had to undergo treatment just like herself, she naturally had no time to waste on her. As for the Jing Consort….

All her personal aides had been beaten to death, and she herself was confined. The Jing Prince had only said to confine her, but not for how long. This meant that only with his highness's permission would she be released.

Xiao Hua was aware of the Jing Prince's personality. He had always been taciturn, and since there wouldn't be anyone competent by his side to remind him, only the heavens knew when he would think of the Jing Consort next.

Everything was looking well for her, except for the part where she temporarily couldn't get pregnant.

However, at this point she could be said to have found fortune in the midst of misfortune. It had already far exceeded her initial expectations. Putting it all together, Xiao Hua realized this was the best outcome for her.

If she needed to be treated she would get treated. Compared to those two unfortunate souls, her situation wasn't that bad.

After her relief, Xiao Hua finally got up after lying in bed the entire day.

Ding Lan and Chun Cao had been treading lightly all day. Only after seeing Xiao Hua's condition did they finally relax.

"Madam, you haven't eaten all day. This servant has already instructed the dining hall to leave you some food." Ding Xiang said quietly.

"You've been busy all day. Go rest properly for a while. Let Ding Lan take care of the food."

"Yes."

The Jing Prince finished his dinner and returned to read in his study.

Eunuch Fu felt it was normal, but didn't notice that the book in his hands remained on the same page.

After sitting for another while, the Jing Prince suddenly stood up and headed towards the outside.

Eunuch Fu didn't say anything and merely followed behind. Only when they turned towards the western pavilion did he realize there were going to Madam Hua's place.

When the Jing Prince arrived, Xiao Hua was in the middle of eating.

Having stayed in bed the entire afternoon and not having straightened herself up after getting up, Xiao Hua's appearance was naturally disheveled.

Seeing the table full of food, the Jing Prince left the words "you eat" before going into the western room. Xiao Hua could only sit back down and eat.

After eating, she washed up and also entered the western room.

The Jing Prince was half leaning on the warm kiln at this time. His purple clad slender firm body was nested within the pink cushions embroidered with silver lined peony trees. Accompanied with his apathetic face which was lowered in reading, it gave off a rather unharmonious feeling.

Why did this person come?!

Seeing Xiao Hua walk in, the Jing Prince gave her a glance before returning to the book in his hands.

Xiao Hua's emotions were a little complicated, but there was a little moodiness surging in her heart.

The truth was that the Jing Prince only dealt with the Jing Consort because she had gone overboard. Xiao Hua also told herself this. But having first dealt with the consort and then come over here while not saying anything, the Jing Prince's actions made Xiao Hua feel quite weird.

She approached and sat next to him, wanting to speak yet hesitating a few times without opening her mouth.

Forget it, forget it. This person was always apathetic. Perhaps he just did the logical thing, so if she opened her mouth to thank him it might make it seem like she assumed too much.

But despite thinking this, Xiao Hua's mental state was very different from the past.

The Jing Prince was a very quiet person. Having spent some time with him, Xiao Hua also knew how to entertain herself. Seeing him leisurely leaning there reading his book, she sat by his legs and practiced her needlework.

Her needlework had made some progress, and she was able to embroider flowers and grass and what not. Of course her embroidery skill couldn't be said to be good, but merely so so.

Time passed silently. The western room had been very quiet this whole time, but the atmosphere was very harmonious.

It wasn't known how much time had passed when the Jing Prince put down the book and sat up.

Seeing movement, Xiao Hua put her needlework back into the basket.

"Turn in."

The two of them went to the bedroom, washed up and lay on the bed. Xiao Hua thought the Jing Prince would do something, but unexpectedly he didn't.

She lay in the inner spot of the bed on her side, sneaking a glance at the Jing Prince who lay flat on his back. From her angle she could see his well-defined nose-bridge and side profile.

His eyes were closed, seemingly fast asleep. Xiao Hua however didn't feel sleepy in the slightest.

In the past the Jing Prince gave Xiao Hua an unapproachable feeling. His apathetic expression and taciturn personality made others feel he was a deity far above them. Although he sometimes felt quite intimate with her in bed, outside the bedroom she could never see through his thoughts.

And with all that had happened today, especially since the Jing Prince had come afterwards, it made Xiao Hua speculate a bit even if he didn't say anything.

The Jing Prince seemed to sense Xiao Hua looking at him, and suddenly turned over on his side. He stroked her hair a little, and didn't make any other moves.

Stroking the hair is a very intimate sort of action, and gave off a feeling of closeness.

The last time he stroked the hair in front of her chest, it made her feel a little weird. Unexpectedly, it was stroked this time again.

It wasn't as if he hadn't touched her hair in the past, but that was just a little gesture he did after they had done the deed. These two times actually made Xiao Hua feel a weird sense of intimacy.

Regarding this master with his weird personality, Xiao Hua's approach was always to know her place. She would occasionally feel him out a little. After all, no one liked being unable to figure out the personality of someone they were serving, especially someone whom they shared a bed with. Being unable to figure out meant being unable to understand. Being unable to understand meant there was a possibility of making mistakes.

At this time Xiao Hua's thoughts stirred and she felt him out a little once again.

That was to slowly shift herself over until she acted casually while really plucking up her courage and buried her face in his chest. She had even thought of how she should react if the Jing Prince wasn't willing.

She felt his body tense up for a second before relaxing. Seeing the Jing Prince not move, Xiao Hua felt relieved.

After a while, one of his arms crept up along her spine and lightly stroked her back.

Once, twice, and once again….

This sort of movement gave off a strong feeling of consolation and comforting. Xiao Hua didn't understand at first, but then had some idea and a feeling of grievance arose in her heart. Her eyes turned sour unwillingly. By the time she noticed it, her tears had already saturated the Jing Prince's clothes.

How could she not feel wronged? She had merely buried it deep inside. Since she had no backing and nothing to rely on, who could she go complain to if she was wronged? She merely pretended to be fine.

The Jing Prince's body turned rigid and his fingers shrank back a little before returning to stroke along her back. He felt a burning sensation in his chest that made his heart involuntarily shiver.

Xiao Hua snapped out of it, and seeing the Jing Prince not react she thought he hadn't noticed. She covered it up by rubbing her face in his chest a few times before stopping her movements.

This wasn't the first time Xiao Hua and the Jing Prince merely covered themselves with blankets and simply went to sleep, but it felt different from the other times. Exactly what was different, she temporarily couldn't tell.

She slowly closed her eyes. The night passed without any words.

75

The morning's light shone through the window and bathed the room in its glow. The lacquered, patterned palanquin bed was surrounding by verdant green curtains, within which were two people sleeping peacefully.

The Jing Prince awoke at his usual time. He opened his eyes which were still filled with the blurriness of sleep, but they soon became clear once again.

His gaze moved downwards. Her back was still snuggled up against his chest, her body curled up. One of his arms was being used as a pillow for her slender neck, and the other arm was on her waist.

The Jing Prince had a moment of discomfort because he truly was not used to such an intimate position. Furthermore, he remembered they hadn't fallen asleep in this position last night. However, he couldn't recall how they ended up this way.

She was fast asleep. From his angle, he could clearly see her appearance. Her long curly eyelashes lightly trembled along with her breathing, her cheeks had hints of red within the white, just like a ripe peach.

It gave one the urge to take a bite.

The Jing Prince continued looking at her for a long while before withdrawing his gaze and relaxing his slightly stiff body.

As he relaxed, he smelled her faintly fragrant hair. The slim softness under his hand shifted lightly, and his palms swam upwards as though it had a mind of its own.

It travelled upwards until it covered those two soft mounds, rubbing and squeezing them subconsciously a few times. The soft satiny feeling under his palm made him recall the memories of a few days ago.

The person in his arms let out a moan. His lower body stiffened as his lips slowly drew near to the slender, jade-like neck. Only after a brief pause did he intermittently give it a few kisses, his actions seeming a little clumsy.

After a while, the Jing Prince didn't want to hold it in any longer, ripping off the cord on his underwear. His palms moved back underneath the blankets.

Xiao Hua felt the abnormal movement, and before she could open her eyes she felt her own underwear being pulled aside.

The movement was a little clumsy and the motion pulled on her skin causing a little pain. Before she could figure out what was going on, here slender legs were spread from behind by his knee. After rubbing against her a few times, the breathing by her ear grew heavier and he directly buried himself inside.

Xiao Hua drew in a breath between her teeth and lightly called out, "Highness…."

Her voice still contained the hoarseness of having just woken up which added some charm.

Her neck was lightly bitten before she started getting rocked back and forth.

Xiao Hua had never experienced such a position before. Although the prince's movements were rough, it included a few hints of gentleness. It wasn't long before her grunts slowly changed to moans.

It wasn't clear how much time had passed. Only when Xiao Hua felt her waist was about to come loose from the thrusting did he grip her tightly and heavily thrust one last time before no longer moving.

Xiao Hua was extremely embarrassed. It was early in the morning and the skies were bright and clear. Although her past life wasn't lacking in sessions during the day, the Jing Prince's apathetic manner made her extremely bashful.

The person behind her held her for a long while before finally pulling back.

Xiao Hua buried her face in the blankets and played dead, not daring to raise her head out of shyness.

The Jing Prince gave her a glance, stroked her hair which was scattered over her back, put on his underwear and got up.

Outside the screen, Eunuch Fu heard the movement and asked quietly, "Highness plans to get up?"

"En."

Eunuch Fu immediately led a few low ranked eunuchs inside.

Xiao Hua had planned on getting up to help him change, but felt something flowing out between her legs moment she moved. Her mind blanked and she shrunk back into the covers out of reflex and pretended to be an ostrich.

She held her breath as she heard people outside helping the Jing Prince change and wash up. Footsteps sounded as the people left and the room was emptied out. What Xiao Hua didn't know was that the Jing Prince had glanced several times at the curtains and his lips had curled up slightly in a good mood. It just wasn't apparent.

The room finally became quiet. Xiao Hua remained buried and let her imagination run wild until a voice sounded unexpectedly.

"Madam, would you like a bath or would you rather sleep a little more?" Since the Jing Consort was confined, Xiao Hua didn't have to go pay respects at the Changchun Pavilion and could sleep in however late she wanted.

Xiao Hua heard Ding Xiang's voice and was frozen for a moment.

How did Ding Xiang know she was awake?

Thinking of the noises she had made earlier, Xiao Hua's face suddenly turned bright red.

That damn prince, who was it that let him do her bright and early in the morning? Since even Ding Xiang knew she was awake, did Eunuch Fu and the low-ranked eunuchs know as well?

At this moment Xiao Hua didn't know what to think anymore.

Only after moping about for half a second did she quietly say: "I'll take a bath."

Ding Xiang made a sound of acknowledgement and went to prepare water.

Ding Xiang finished preparing the water and came over to support Xiao Hua to the bathtub. Xiao Hua felt a cold trickle down her leg as she stood up and didn't dare look at Ding Xiang's expression. She entered the bathroom and got into the bathtub with her head lowered.

After washing up, Xiao Hua wrapped a white towel around herself and walked out, her long wet hair hung behind her back.

Ding Lan carried the steamer over to dry her hair while Ding Xiang carefully applied foundation on her face. After her hair was dried, Ding Lan brushed her hair into a flowing bun and stuck in a hairpin.

Because she didn't have to go pay respects today, the three of them chatted while getting ready and were naturally much more leisurely than before. Each of them had smiles on their faces, their mood clearly excellent. Even the usually stern Ding Xiang had a smile around her mouth.

"Madam is becoming more and more beautiful." Ding Lan sighed as she looked at the person in the mirror.

That person had an extremely exquisite little face, a sharp and pointy chin, long slender eyebrows that didn't need any liner to stand out, glistening and limpid peach blossom eyes, and a charm that didn't need any adornments. Because she was still young, her appearance carried a hint of freshness, and along with her face and eyes it created a charming yet innocent appearance that was extremely moving.

Hearing Ding Lan's words, the beauty in the mirror glared angrily and said: "Are you saying I wasn't beautiful before?"

Ding Xiang smiled on the side, "Madam was naturally beautiful before as well. It's just today you look extra beautiful."

"Today his highness seems to have gotten up late." Ding Lan said.

These words made Xiao Hua's face instantly turn red. She scolded: "You little scoundrel. How dare you make fun of this madam?" Although her words were as such, her brows didn't show any signs of anger.

Ding Lan feigned a pleading expression and said: "His highness waking up late shows how much he cherishes my madam. He had just finished handing out punishments yesterday and came to our western pavilion right away. It's clear that his highness cares about madam in his heart."

"You're still going on about it? Ding Xiang, hurry and help me deal with her…."

"Who are we dealing with? This servant is here to help." Chun Cao heard the ruckus and came in, her face also full of smiles.

"Hurry, Chun Cao. This little scoundrel Ding Lan is making fun of your madam. Help me deal with her."

Chun Cao struck a pose and rolled up her sleeves, "So, you dare make fun of the madam." She reached her hands out to tickle Ding Lan.

Ding Lan repeatedly begged for mercy, crying loudly for the madam to spare her and that she wouldn't dare do it in the future. Only then did Xiao Hua wave her hand for Chun Cao to stop.

Everyone calmed down after the round of merriment.

"His highness's personality is hard to change. This servant feels that such a result is already extremely rare." Ding Xiang said.

Xiao Hua's face was completely red, though it wasn't clear if it was from laughing earlier or from embarrassment. She rubbed her fingers and thought of the Jing Prince's clumsy attempts at comforting her last night. A faint hint of sweetness arose in her heart.

"This servant feels that although his highness doesn't clearly express it, madam still has a place in his heart. It's just his apathetic personality isn't good at expressing such things." Ding Lan said.

"Is that true? But his highness doesn't come that often." Mentioning this still made Xiao Hua feel a little apprehensive.

Chun Cao winked and put her face close to Xiao Hua's ear, "Didn't madam notice that ever since madam started serving his highness, he had never gone anywhere else?" This was something Chun Cao was very clear about. She had already been present in the Hall of Splendor at the time.

Xiao Hua's face grew even redder, but the worries about her period of treatment faded quite a bit.

Does this mean she should do her best?

If she maintained this momentum and grasped the advantage, even if the Jing Consort's restriction gets lifted she wouldn't have to be as worried as before.

Xiao Hua squeezed the hands of the people around her, "No matter what, I still have to thank the three of you. Thank you for sticking with me during my hardest times."

Chun Cao was a little moved.

Ding Xiang however lowered her face, "This is what servants should do. For those in the western pavilion, honor will be shared by everyone but setbacks are shared by everyone as well. What happened at Changchun Pavilion is the best example of this.

Chun Chao's surging emotions were shaken. She was also aware of what happened at the Changchun Pavilion, and naturally knew how "setbacks" were shared.

She also recalled something Ding Xiang had said before, "…..if any accidents occur, masters and mistresses will naturally be fine. The servants under them will be the ones dying. Serving by the mistress's side doesn't only bring prestige. You also have to assume a lot of risk….."

"Alright, you guys help madam get changed. I will go fetch food." Ding Xiang said and left.

Ding Lan and Chun Cao divided the work amongst themselves and helped Xiao Hua put on a pink light jacket with embroidered cherry-apple borders along with a brocaded pleated skirt. The three of them went to the eastern room. Xiao Hua sat for a while and drank a cup of warm water. Ding Xiang returned with breakfast.

Breakfast was a bowl of bird's nest congee, and a couple of refreshing side dishes. The starch dishes were golden fried buns, bean paste filled little buns, chestnut pastries and a small steamer basket of steamed shrimp dumplings.

Xiao Hua usually didn't eat much but today her appetite was quite good. Not only did she eat the bird's nest congee, she also ate a golden fried bun and a sweet bun each. The basket of shrimp dumplings also suited her tastes and was eaten completely.

After the dishes were cleared and her mouth was rinsed, Xiao Hua stepped outside in the walkway to stand for a while.

It had stopped snowing the last couple of days, but the snow didn't seem to be melting. It was already early February, and it should be time for things to start blooming. However, the Jing Province was still a land of ice and snow. The air was extremely fresh outside, and breathing it in resulted in a refreshing chill to the lungs.

Previously they had to go pay respects at the Changchun Pavilion daily no matter what the weather was like. Having come to the rear court for two months, this was Xiao Hua's first time feeling so idle, as though a heavy burden had been lifted.

"Ding Xiang, how long until the snow melts. It's clearly already spring, but it still feels like winter."

Ding Xiang smiled on the side and said: "Probably soon. It doesn't feel as cold these past few days."

"Have you told Auntie Qi about Qiao Lian's matter?"

"This servant has told her. Auntie Qi said she will move her to a different area and arrange things well."

"That's good."

"Madam, it's still a little cold outside. Let's go inside after standing for a bit."

"Let me stand here a little longer. These moments of enjoyment are rare." Xiao Hua said, and flashed a bright smile towards Ding Xiang. This was Ding Xiang's first time seeing Madam Hua smile so beautifully since she started serving her. It gave others a breathtaking, soul-shattering feeling.

Doctor Hu had sought out an audience with the Jing Prince the day before, but hadn't obtained a clear answer, making him fumble about in the dark.

Little Doctor Hu saw that his father had something on his mind, as though he had encountered a difficult problem. However, he thought about it and didn't ask.

This morning, Doctor Hu was summoned to the Hall of Splendor.

Eunuch Chang led him to the study before taking his leave. The Jing Prince sat within the study at his desk, the usual apathetic expression on his face making it hard for others to tell what he was thinking.

"Highness." Doctor Hu saluted and stood there without making a sound.

The room was extremely quiet. Only after a long while did the Jing Prince slowly say, "Do your utmost to treat things over at the western pavilion."

Doctor Hu froze a little before giving a bow.

"Yes."

"You may leave."

Doctor Hu kept his silence, bowed once again before retreating to the door and turning around to leave.

After exiting the Hall of Splendor, he walked back towards the medical center. The entire way back, he felt that one couldn't rub the head of a short monk.1

The way his highness handled things was getting weirder and weirder. Initially he had planned on performing customary treatment if he didn't hear from his highness within a few days.

The treatment would have been customary, but the difference between that and doing his utmost was extremely large. Doing his utmost meant completing treatment in around half a year. Without doing his utmost, it could possibly take an entire year. For example, Senior Concubine Qiao at the Rongxi Pavilion had already been informed the treatment would take a year.

He had taken his highness's silence for tacit approval of performing regular treatment. After all, the task he received long ago was extremely weird. Thinking of the situation all those years go, Doctor Hu couldn't help but sink into his memories….

"Calculating a woman's ovulation period?"

Doctor Hu had stood there for some time without the Jing Prince saying anything. After a long while, this question suddenly came up.

Doctor Hu wasn't unfamiliar with the prince's behavior, because in the past his highness had summoned him once before and acted the same way. But that time was….

Doctor Hu felt a chill and snapped out of it. He muttered to himself before replying: "This subordinate is naturally able to do so."

While he was still the imperial physician, he was the best women's doctor in the court. There were many women in the palace, and many of them were falling over themselves over the issue of pregnancy. Therefore, being able to calculate when a woman was most likely to get pregnant was a highly sought after skill. Being able to use this properly meant a rapid rise in status was not out of the question.

However, Imperial Physician Hu did not reveal his ability. He knew that an innocent man would become a criminal on account of his treasures. Although it was merely a skill, there were many shameful secrets within the palace. Intelligent people would avoid getting mixed into it. Of course there were other imperial physicians with this skill, although they weren't as proficient at it as he was. However, these people had still received the favor of several concubines due to this, and were naturally quite pleased with themselves.

There weren't many people who knew Doctor Hu had this skill. How did the Jing Prince come to know about it?

Doctor Hu hesitated and was a little apprehensive.

"Then you can calculate when a women wouldn't get pregnant?"

The Jing Prince's train of thought was always hard to fathom. Hearing this made Doctor Hu even more doubtful, but he didn't question it. He merely mulled it over before saying honestly: "This I can also do."

After a pause, Doctor Hu spoke again: "However, I need to personally take the pulse for it to be accurate. Furthermore, this isn't something that can be completely accurately calculated, and accidents may occur. The frequency cannot be too, too often."

The last part was spoken extremely hesitantly.

There was a long, long silence before a few words were spoken.

"Go take the pulse of the low-ranked palace maid called Xiao Hua. Don't reveal any clues when doing so."

Doctor Hu was a smart man, and listening up to this point he had pretty much figured out the Jing Prince's intentions. Although he couldn't understand the reason for doing this, he still honestly obeyed the orders and didn't make any comments.

Based on the Jing Prince's rear court, Doctor Hu could also infer some clues.

Over the years, the Jing Prince seemed unwilling to let anyone give birth from start to finish. Of course the Jing Consort was included in this as well. He was normally clear minded and abstinent, and extremely apathetic regarding matters between men and women. It was unexpected he would spend so much effort on a low-ranked palace maid.

To say it was favor was a little bit of a stretch. If it was favor he wouldn't have been summoned for such a thing. But to say it wasn't favor, why would he repeatedly send someone over for his calculated dates every month without fail?

This was his master's private business, and Doctor Hu naturally kept quiet about it. He kept it secret to the extent that he didn't even tell his own son about it.

Now that the situation with the Jing Consort occurred, Doctor Hu had thought the Jing Prince would go along with the flow. He could temporarily leave it at that and no longer had to go through the trouble as before. This was what he had theorized. Unexpectedly, the Jing Prince and his weird personality had summoned him today to have him do his utmost during treatment. This was completely opposite to his previous intentions.

He couldn't figure it out. He couldn't figure it out no matter how he pondered!

However, Doctor Hu didn't make things difficult for himself and waste anymore thoughts on guesses. If his highness said to do so then so be it. Even if he couldn't figure it out, he could tell that his highness treated that madam differently.

As for how it was different, some more time was needed before it would become clear. After all, things weren't clear at the moment and it was too early to say anything.

After Doctor Hu left, the Jing Prince sat by himself in the study for a long time without moving.

He knew what he was doing now went against his original intentions, but he still did it nonetheless. He didn't know whether it was right or wrong, but when he spoke those words out loud he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Thinking of the burning feeling in his heart from last night, he touched his chest and his gaze turned gloomy.

Idiom meaning to be at a loss.

76

When news of the two Madams Yu continuously making a ruckus was reported to internal affairs, Auntie Qi couldn't help but furrow her brows.

As she managed internal affairs, the only thing she feared was coming into contact with his highness's harem. She couldn't slight them but also couldn't give them too much weight, leaving her at a loss.

Hearing the palace maid giving her the report say that the Madams Yu wanted to see his highness, Auntie Qi was extremely speechless.

The master was someone who didn't pay attention to things. They could request to see him but even if she reported it upwards there wouldn't be any response. After thinking bitterly for half a moment, she felt that this thing should be left to Eunuch Fu that old thing. After all, Eunuch Fu "represented" his highness.

Therefore, Auntie Qi sent someone to ask General Manager Eunuch Fu.

At the Hanxiang Pavilion.

Yu Jiao had long since cried away whatever image she had. Yu Rong was a little better, but her face was also pale and listless.

Thinking of Madam Hua's actions when she went to pay respects, Yu Jiao had secretly mocked her several times and even Yu Rong had felt it was unnecessary and thought Xiao Hua was being petty.

Their current situation proved that it was still better to be more cautious after all.

But who would have expected that woman Xiao-Shi to be so contemptible. She didn't even let off these two madams who only existed in name!

"I want to get his highness to pass judgment. You guys don't get in my way….." Yu Jiao howled hysterically.

Nothing was crueler in this world than taking away a woman's ability to have a child. Even if she never had a chance to begin with, there had still been a little hope. Now even that hope was stripped away.

"Madam, this servant is begging you, don't stir things up anymore. The consort's side was already punished. The consort herself is being confined and all her people have been beaten to death….."

The two palace maids who had witnessed the killing of chickens to warn the monkey held onto Yu Jiao tightly, and repeatedly urged her. They were deeply afraid that these two mistresses would do something that would implicate everyone.

Yu Rong's face was ash grey.

It's true that punishment had already been handed out, but how could this sort of punishment satisfy them? The main culprit had only been confined, and only a few of her servants were beaten to death. How could this compare with the harm the two of them had suffered?

"What sort of punishment is confinement? I'm going to go feed her medicine to make her infertile, and then get confined as well. How about that?"

Everyone could understand what Yu Jiao was saying, but no one dared respond. The two personal palace maids really wanted to say that her status couldn't be compared to the consort's, but didn't dare open their mouths.

Right as things got chaotic, they saw Eunuch Fu and Auntie Qi walk in. The palace maids didn't notice themselves letting out a breath of relief at seeing them.

"Greetings to the two madams."

Eunuch Fu and Auntie Qi nodded their heads in salute.

Yu Rong's face was still deathly pale. She laughed bitterly and forced herself to speak: "General Manager Fu, Auntie Qi, these two servant concubines wish to see his highness. These two servant concubines are really tragic…."

Yu Jiao's expression was deranged. Her image had long been thrown out the window.

"This madam is going to see his highness. Xiao-Shi that bitch, bitch….."

One of the palace maids hurriedly covered Yu Jiao's mouth and secretly looked at Eunuch Fu and Auntie Qi to see if they had heard. Only when seeing them not reacting did she feel slightly relieved.

"Madams. His highness is busy with official business. As for the consort's side, his highness has already given orders for her to be punished. It's better not to be overly sad, you have to take care of yourselves."

Yu Rong had long guessed that this would be the outcome, but it was still hard for her to drop the matter. Only after hearing Eunuch Fu's words did she bitterly mumble: "Since we're both like this already, what's the point of taking care of ourselves?"

"Our master's business isn't something we as servants can question. You two madams should still take care of yourselves."

Eunuch Fu's meaning was already extremely clear. It meant that this matter had already been concluded, and it was best for the two of them not to make a fuss. His highness didn't plan on seeing them. They didn't hope for Yu Jiao to understand. It was fine as long as the other one understood.

He glanced around at the few palace maids, and smiled slightly, "The two madams are extremely heartbroken. As servants you guys should serve them properly with all your efforts. Don't let any accidents occur."

No one was unaware of yesterday's beating. Hearing "malevolent star" General Manager Fu's words, all the palace maids understood his meaning.

"Us servants will definitely serve with all our hearts."

Eunuch Fu turned back to Yu Jiao and Yu Rong and said: "Then us two old servants will take our leaves first."

After speaking, he left the Hanxiang Pavilion with Auntie Qi.

Behind them, Yu Jiao's mournful howls vaguely sounded out but were suppressed by the voices of the palace maids consoling her.

"Your methods are really cruel."

Eunuch Fu laughed mischievously and said: "It's fine to just go through the motions. These two are only madams in name, and were also bestowed over. Who would be willing to put on a performance for them?"

Auntie Qi shook her head and didn't say anything.

At the Rongxi Pavilion.

Senior Concubine Qiao's expression was scarily gloomy. Ever since she found out she had fallen victim to a scheme, her expression hadn't been pleasant.

But in the end she was far better off than Yu Jiao and Yu Rong. There wouldn't be any major issues after a period of treatment so she wasn't hysterical.

She was also resentful, but knew when to advance and when to retreat.

"Xiao-Shi, great, really great!"

This throwing the fishing net all over to catch a fish had gotten even her tangled up in the net. Luckily she had carefully guarded herself for so many years!

Doctor Hu received the Jing Prince's permission and came to the western pavilion after a round of preparations.

Because of the Jing Prince's words his attitude had changed a little, but due to his experience it didn't show on the surface.

After taking her pulse, Doctor Hu stroked his beard as he muttered to himself.

Although Xiao Hua comforted herself by saying if treatment was needed she would get treated, she still cared a lot about it.

"Doctor Hu, how long will it take for my body to recover?"

Yesterday Doctor Hu had said around a year and Xiao Hua hadn't asked in detail due to her disordered emotions. Around a year was too broad. It could mean over a year, or it could also mean several months. She had to know the exact time to feel at ease.

This time Doctor Hu didn't have the intention of keeping things vague, "This will depend on madam's physical condition. Based on this old man's estimate, it'll take around half a year. It won't take too long, so madam shouldn't worry."

Half a year meant six months. Thinking about it carefully, it wasn't that long.

"Then I have to thank Doctor Hu for your trouble."

Doctor Hu continued speaking: "During the treatment period, madam will have to avoid certain foods. This old man will write out a list of foods to keep away from for you to follow. Also, the medicine you should take daily will be sent over as well."

Ding Xiang spoke on the side: "Doctor Hu, how could we make you run back and forth? This servant will follow you back to the medical center. In the future if medicine is needed, this servant will come fetch it."

"That should work too." Doctor Hu didn't refuse.

Xiao Hua thought about the dietary restrictions and said hesitantly: "Doctor Hu, as you know Nana He sends nourishing soup over for this servant concubine every day. It tastes different from regular soup, and this servant concubine doesn't understand medicine. She only heard from Nana He that it's a medicinal soup. If there are restrictions, should we also inform her of it?"

"It wouldn't hurt. How about this? This old man will write down the ingredients of the medicine, and also make a second copy of the list of restricted foods. Those can be sent over to her."

"Then I really have to trouble Doctor Hu."

The following days, the Jing Prince came continuously to the western pavilion.

He wouldn't come during the day and would always arrive after dinner, leaving the next day.

Xiao Hua was surprised at the frequency of his visits.

Surprised as she was, she would naturally serve him properly when he came.

However, the Jing Prince was still weird. His words were still few, and he didn't only come to the western pavilion to do the deed. He would sometimes come just to sleep. After several times, Xiao Hua even had a weird feeling that the Jing Prince seemed to be trying to comfort her.

Thinking of what happened with the Jing Consort, thinking of the Jing Prince visiting that same night, and then thinking of his repeated visits, she really couldn't help but think this way.

But having secretly examined the Jing Prince's expression these few days, Xiao Hua couldn't see anything unusual.

Xiao Hua usually put the things she couldn't figure out to the back of her mind. She was more than happy to see the Jing Prince come every day. She was temporarily undergoing treatment and couldn't get pregnant, but him coming was better than him not coming. If he stopped coming for a long period of time, even when she was someday cured, there would be no point if he didn't come anymore. Therefore, Xiao Hua was extremely happy to see him.

The Jing Prince liked silence and didn't enjoy speaking. Xiao Hua also didn't have a talkative personality. The two of them got along quite well. Spending the mornings together and the nights in bed, it was hard to prevent affectionate feelings from developing.

Xiao Hua didn't know how the Jing Prince felt about it, but she knew that she had recently snuck more and more glances at him.

She didn't know whether it stemmed from her feelings, but sometimes when she secretly looked at him she would let out some sort of sigh. It was because the Jing Prince was an extremely good looking man.

Occasionally glancing at this divinely handsome man sitting close to her, Xiao Hua would feel a sort of absent-minded dizziness, as though everything was an illusion.

The Jing Prince opened his eyes and looked at Xiao Hua'er who was staring at him yet spacing out. He didn't speak, but his mood was strangely improved.

"Madam, it's time to drink the medicine." Ding Xiang carried a tray over. On the tray was a bowl of dark brown medicinal soup. She lifted the lid and walked over.

The Jing Prince was someone who was initially eye-catching, but after spending some time with him, his presence would be very faint. This was because he could sit on the side without moving or speaking, seeming almost nonexistent. Having served by Xiao Hua's side, Ding Xiang's initial caution had also transformed to her current disregard of the "nonexistent" person.

Xiao Hua looked at the bowl of medicine and frowned imperceptibly. There was a look of disgust on her face.

Ding Xiang sighed without sound, "Madam, the medicine's temperature is just right. If it gets any colder it cannot be drunk. This servant has prepared some honeyed fruits. Take a couple after drinking the medicine."

Xiao Hua had never been a delicate person, but drinking such bitter medicine daily, two bowls a day, would make anyone hate it. But this was what Doctor Hu had given her to treat her body, and she couldn't avoid it. Therefore she would only reveal a disgusted expression but would still drink it in the end.

She poured the medicine down her throat in one go and stuffed a honeyed fruit from the tray into her mouth. Only then did she feel a little better.

After eating four, five honeyed fruits in a row, Xiao Hua spoke: "Ding Xiang, tea."

After drinking tea, she drank a cup of water before finally feeling better. She turned and sat back onto the warm kiln and happened to meet the Jing Prince's eyes.

The Jing Prince's eyes were the very traditional sort of phoenix eyes. Long and slender with an upward tilt. The pupils were large and dark, extremely beautiful. Especially along with his usually apathetic face. It even gave others the impression that phoenix eyes should look like this to begin with, and only accompanied by such a face would it look so good.

Xiao Hua blushed a little and lowered her eyes. She dawdled by removing her shoes before putting her legs on the kiln. She looked over once again, but unexpectedly met the Jing Prince's eyes again.

Would his highness think she was sneaking glances at him? He definitely would, definitely would….

Xiao Hua's mind was filled with such thoughts.

She spied the small plate of honeyed fruits on the table and lifted it towards the Jing Prince, saying, "Highness, would you like some honeyed fruits. They're very tasty."

Yes, yes, yes. This makes it less obvious. His highness would think she just wanted to ask about the fruits.

The Jing Prince silently glanced at her and slightly nodded his head.

Xiao Hua lifted the small plate and moved closer. The Jing Prince paused for a while before picking up a piece and experimentally putting it in his mouth.

He chewed a couple times, and thought it seemed to be too cloyingly sweet. How could she eat so many without feeling it?

"Tea."

Xiao Hua lifted the tea and handed it over to him.

Only after drinking did the Jing Prince realize why she had Ding Xiang pour some tea. Turns out it was to get rid of the cloying sensation.

After Ding Xiang left, the room fell silent once again.

The Jing Prince sat leisurely in Xiao Hua's comfortable spot. Xiao Hua could only sit next to him, leaning against another cushion behind her back.

The two of them each held a book.

Xiao Hua's book was one the Jing Prince had left behind. Once while the Jing Prince was present, Xiao Hua was really too bored and didn't feel like doing needlework at night under the lamplight. She thus picked up a travel log and accompanied the Jing Prince in reading.

Seeing the Jing Prince not say anything, Xiao Hua was no longer reserved about it.

Although the Jing Prince didn't say anything, he had "accidentally left behind" a couple more books, allowing Xiao Hua to pass quite a bit of time reading.

The book she currently held was one he had left behind. Every time she picked this book up, she would feel a strange sense of sweetness in her heart.

Eunuch Fu walked in and stood by the kiln.

"Highness," He only said one word before giving Xiao Hua a glance.

Xiao Hua put the book down, put on her shoes and left the room.

Eunuch Fu quietly spoke a few words. The Jing Prince sat up and with Eunuch Fu's help put on his shoes and got off the kiln.

Xiao Hua had already noticed the movement from outside, and really wanted to ask where he was going so late at night. However, she couldn't open her mouth no matter how she tried.

She ordered Ding Xiang to fetch the Jing Prince's cloak, and personally helped him put it on.

The Jing Prince raised his foot about to leave before pausing and saying quietly: "There's official business."

Before his voice fell, he had already left.

Xiao Hua was a little shocked by his words. After thinking carefully, she couldn't help but lower her head and smile.

77

The days became peaceful as expected.

It became so peaceful that Xiao Hua felt it to be a little inconceivable. Even though this was what she had dreamed of in the past, the sudden peace still made her a little surprised.

Having truly become idle, Xiao Hua felt her days were being spent eating and sleeping. She was a little bored.

But for women in the rear court, there really wasn't much to do for entertainment. Apart from struggling here and there, the rest of the time could only be spent idling away.

If there had been a garden within the estate, she could have passed some of the time wandering amongst the flowers. However, the Jing Prince Estate didn't have such an elaborate trifle and Xiao Hua also didn't want to leave the residence. She could only drop the thought.

The palace maids below tried to find ways to alleviate their mistress's boredom. Xiao Hua also found something to do: making a piece of clothing.

She had constantly been practicing her embroidery, and as of today her needlework was pretty good. She could even embroider basic patterns. Due to being weary from dealing with the Jing Consort's side, she hadn't found time to try it out in the past.

Now that she was idle, she wanted to try making clothes for Nana He.

She had always taken Nana He's care of her to heart. She didn't have much gold or silver, and besides gifting this would be a sort of insult. She could only use her efforts to show her gratitude.

Although she was a little ashamed of her skills, she remembered that the first thing she made was also given to Nana He and she seemed to have liked it a lot. Therefore this shame didn't last too long.

Having had the thought, Xiao Hua put her hands to it.

She had Ding Xiang bring over the cloth and started cutting and sewing. Although her movements were slow, it kept her entertained in its own way.

Ding Xiang wouldn't let her work too long, saying that it was harmful for the eyes. There were several times when she wanted to take over, but Xiao Hua wouldn't let her. She worked like this for several days and the main structure was completed. All that was left was to add some embroidered edges for decoration.

Because it was spring, Xiao Hua was making a spring outfit. Once the weather warmed up it could be worn. As for Ding Xiang and the rest, they also busied themselves making spring outfits for Xiao Hua. Therefore, there was a lot of hustle and bustle in the western pavilion these days.

The Jing Prince had also been coming to the western pavilion, but not as frequently as before. He seemed to be extremely busy, but would always come by once every couple of days. It was way better than before.

Seeing this, Xiao Hua was naturally very happy.

Although he still spoke very little and his attitude hadn't changed, their interactions seemed to contain a hint of tenderness.

Xiao Hua wasn't sure why there would be such a change. Perhaps his highness really cared about her a little?

But seeing the Jing Prince's apathetic as usual expression and his unchanging taciturn nature, she would always feel a little discouraged. However, she knew that maintaining this situation was still extremely beneficial for herself.

This day the Jing Prince came to the western pavilion again.

He had come a little early and Xiao Hua hadn't eaten dinner yet. Seeing the Jing Prince arrive at this time, she asked if he had eaten yet. His answer was no, thus the two ate dinner together.

This didn't happen often, but it had happened before. Therefore Xiao Hua didn't feel too unused to it.

Having served him for so long, Xiao Hua was already quite familiar with his daily habits.

The Jing Prince ate a vegetarian diet. He didn't avoid eating meat entirely, but merely ate very little of it. Furthermore, he didn't enjoy eating things that were too greasy or heavily flavored. He liked lighter foods.

As for Xiao Hua, despite having had a rough childhood which often included starvation, she didn't place any importance on eating good food. Her appetite wasn't huge and she wasn't a picky eater.

Normally she did enjoy eating spicy foods, but she was fine without it as well. After eating with the Jing Prince a few times, she had gotten used to eating lighter flavors but would also not refuse heavier foods when he wasn't there.

It was still early after they finished dinner. Since it was too early to sleep, they naturally had to find something to do to pass the time.

Overall, the Jing Prince could be said to have a relatively uninteresting and dull personality. In his free time he would at most read some books or some imperial bulletins. This Xiao Hua had known long ago.

Her cozy spot on the kiln had been taken over by the Jing Prince. Seeing him sitting comfortable and snug, she couldn't exactly have him get off and let her sit instead. She sat on the side and busied herself with needlework.

One half-leaned on the cushions leisurely flipping through a book, his elbow resting on the kiln. The other sat next to a weaving basket as she focused on her needlework with her head lowered.

The air was filled with quiet contentment. Ding Xiang and the others were all gentle and cautious when entering and leaving the room, but their faces were filled with smiles. Their madam was favored and there weren't any struggles in the rear court recently. Everyone was naturally in a good mood.

Even Eunuch Fu was all smiles.

The Jing Prince's books were all randomly chosen. Sometimes he would read the Four Books1 and the Five Classics2, or similar ancient books or records. Sometimes he would do some light reading such as travel logs, folk tales, and popular legends and so on to pass the time.

Today the book he held was a volume he had searched a long time for, and was brought back by Eunuch Su from the south.

Eunuch Su knew this master's personality. During his time outside, apart from collecting various rarities, he would place utmost importance on gathering volumes of ancient texts and send them back every once in a while.

The Jing Prince had wanted to read this book for a while now, but didn't have any idle time recently. Today he was able to steal half a day's worth of leisure time. He had planned on reading for a while after dinner, but at this time he no longer felt like it.

His eyes were on the page but would subconsciously move onto the person by his side.

He knew she was learning embroidery, and would always see her take out a small piece of cloth during her free time to stitch and sew. Today he saw her holding a piece of clothing. The colors shouldn't be colors she liked, but the clothes seemed to be female clothing, not male.

The Jing Prince's heart contained a hint of unhappiness that even he couldn't detect.

As for Xiao Hua, she would be focused on whatever she was doing. She wasn't good at embroidery, and was afraid she would mess it up so she was even more focused. After embroidering for a while, she felt a little tired and put down the clothing in her hands. She stretched her neck and accidentally met the gaze of the person next to her.

The slanted phoenix eyes contained the same old apathy, but today there seemed to be something else hidden within.

At that instant Xiao Hua also couldn't tell what it was.

She let out a smile and put down the things in her hands.

"Does highness want some tea?" She thought the Jing Prince was thirsty.

Having spent a few days with him, Xiao Hua realized that this person was too uncommunicative. Sometimes when he wanted to drink tea, he would refuse to speak and merely look at you until you understood and passed the tea to him. Only then would he hold it nonchalantly and drink up.

It made one feel a little twisted, but also couldn't avoid seeming a little like a child's tantrum.

Xiao Hua handed over the teacup to him as she spoke.

However, the Jing Prince didn't receive it, and didn't speak, turning his eyes back on the book.

Xiao Hua blinked her eyes and didn't understand his meaning. She was also a little restless.

She had been trying to understand the Jing Prince recently, and every time she felt herself making progress he would nonchalantly give her another critical hit. It was as though he was telling her that this humble prince's personality was just this difficult to figure out, and would change regularly like the weather.

Although the Jing Prince's eyes were on the book, he paid close attention to the side out of the corner of his eyes.

Seeing her blink her eyes and look a little annoyed, he inexplicably felt a little satisfaction in his heart. This emotion was very fleeting, and before he could feel it his eyes landed on the light purple red clothing to the side.

Immediately his repressed grumpiness surfaced again and he no longer felt like reading.

He threw the book in his hands down and said with a rigid face, "Turn in."

He got off the kiln, put his shoes on and left.

Xiao Hua vaguely heard the annoyance in the Jing Prince's voice, but since she couldn't accurately grasp it she didn't think too much about it. She ordered Ding Xiang to put the clothing away. She would continue working on it tomorrow.

When she entered the western room, she saw the Jing Prince sitting on the bedside looking at her with an inexplicably dark and gloomy face.

She felt that he seemed to really be angry and suddenly felt a little helpless.

After some thought, she still opened her mouth and asked: "Highness, what's wrong?"

She walked a little closer with a smile on her face, her attitude a little cajoling.

This sort of cajoling didn't make one feel like she was trying to ingratiate herself. Instead, it seemed rather pleasing and agreeable. At least, this was what the Jing Prince was thinking at the moment.

He didn't say anything, only giving her a side glance before pulling her close. As he turned to press her down, his other hand pulled down the curtains around the bed.

Compared to his normal self, the Jing Prince was much less rigid when he was in bed.

He was still taciturn, but did relatively more in terms of action.

Kissing was a good way to build up intimacy. Ever since Xiao Hua taught the Jing Prince, he would never be stingy in this regard. If he thought of kissing anyone else he would feel repulsed. However, he didn't mind doing it with this dainty little flower.3

Furthermore, he gradually learned to do some foreplay. This was because every time he did this, this little flower would reveal an extremely alluring and attractive appearance, making him feel satisfied all over.

But today the Jing Prince differed from his usual state. He merely kissed her half-heartedly a couple of times before leaping to the main event.

Xiao Hua sucked in a breath in discomfort and glared repeatedly at him. She seriously wondered whether he was exacting some petty revenge.

She angrily shoved him a little, but he seemed not to notice and continued doing his own thing.

Xiao Hua squinted her eyes and looked at his dark pupils. His gaze was still apathetic as usual, but she still felt that she saw the words "doing it on purpose" within his eyes.

With a little anger in her heart, she let out a charming smile and lightly lifted her right hand, placing it on the Jing Prince's shoulder. Under his gaze, she slowly moved her hand from his shoulder until it reached the front of his shirt.

She tightened her hand and pulled him close.

"Highness, always doing it like this is too boring. How about we try something else?"

The Jing Prince's movements faltered a little. Xiao Hua didn't wait for him to respond before flipping over and pushing the Jing Prince down in front of her.

… …

Actually Xiao Hua had started regretting by the time she moved closer.

She could only blame herself for letting things get to her head. But seeing his calm, unperturbed expression as he lay in front of her, the vexation got to her head once again.

As she used all sorts of moves, she teased the person to the point where he wanted to stop but couldn't. The normally apathetic, bodhisattva-like person was flushed with excitement, the veins on his neck becoming visible and his breathing extremely rough.

Seeing his reddened eyes and protruding veins, Xiao Hua felt a little apprehensive, and felt she had made too big of a play. Her mouth involuntarily tightened and due to the momentary lapse in concentration, her mouth was suddenly overflowing.

There was a lot of warm fluid, so much so that it even spilled out the corner of her mouth.

Xiao Hua was rigid for a moment before using the underwear next to her to cover her mouth. She didn't dare look at his expression, and used the opportunity as he was spacing out to scurry out of bed. On the way to the bathroom, she grabbed several teacups and didn't even dare call for Ding Xiang.

She dillied and dallied for a long while before finally coming out, her lowered face bright red. Her lips were moistened and slightly swollen, looking extremely alluring.

She didn't dare look at the situation on the bed, and naturally didn't see the Jing Prince's embarrassed yet satisfied weird expression. She carefully climbed back on the bed, hoping that the other person had already fallen asleep.

Unfortunately, anyone would know this was a pipe dream.

Xiao Hua buried her face in the blankets and even wanted to whip herself to death.

How could she have been so impetuous! That was really dumb!

This sort of move was learned in her past life from the 4th young master's hidden collection of fire warding paintings.4 Although she had learned it, she did not allow it despite the 4th young master pestering her several times.

Because she felt it was dirty.

Although she never said it out loud, she always felt that the 4th young master's part was dirty. Very dirty. She wasn't willing to do it.

Today she didn't know what nerve she pulled and ended up using it on his highness.

What was she thinking earlier?

She probably saw that her previous methods hadn't gotten the expected results. That person was still unaffected, his expression unchanged. She had suddenly recalled the 4th young master's face eager with anticipation, and also knew that this move was a favorite for men, and ended up using it…..

She didn't know if his highness would think she was very lewd, very disgusting. Would he have her dragged out and beaten to death, would he….

At that moment, her emotions were a mess.

Xiao Hua promised that if she could get a do-over, she definitely wouldn't do something so foolish.

An arm reached over from under the blankets and pulled her close. The Jing Prince turned on his side and half lowered his head, looking at the person playing dead in the blankets.

Lightly coughing, the Jing Prince quietly asked: "This move, um, what is it called?"

Xiao Hua couldn't believe her ears, and raised her eyes to look at him. His expression was normal and his eyes were apathetic again, but he ended up saying something so disgusting.

She really didn't know how to respond, and her eyes remained sluggish.

"This humble prince felt very good." After speaking, he even nodded his head a couple of times for emphasis.

Xiao Hua blinked her eyes, a little unable to react.

She didn't get beaten to death, she didn't get yelled at, and he even said it felt good?

That means he must have liked it!

Xiao Hua's gaze became profound as she glanced at the Jing Prince's jade-like handsome face. His expression was unperturbed, his gaze apathetic, and there was a lingering flush on his face that added some alluring, forbidden beauty.

This face and his earlier words made Xiao Hua's breathing suddenly speed up.

Her voice was low and seductive, "Did highness like it?"

There was no response.

However, Xiao Hua saw that the tips of his ears had turned faintly red. Her butt was suddenly grabbed under the blankets.

The Jing Prince's behavior really exceeded her expectations more and more. How should she say it, it seemed a little like a scoundrel. Without mentioning anything else, just this action of groping her butt made Xiao Hua feel like the Jing Prince was teasing her.

Therefore she involuntarily asked the same question again as she moved close to his flushed ear and have it a light lick, "Then did highness like it?"

The Jing Prince's face flushed and his eyes turned deep.

He still didn't have much of an expression on his face, but his breathing became slightly rushed.

Xiao Hua moved a little, and felt the "little Jing Prince" pressed against her stomach rapidly turn hard, making her shiver in her heart. Her thoughts moved and she flipped over and sat on top of him. Her hands moved around his upper half and her slender waist and butt lightly gyrated in a circular motion.

The Jing Prince panted and suddenly closed his eyes. Xiao Hua however really enjoyed his helpless appearance.

She moved up and bit his lip, using her flexible waist to continue moving below. Only when she forced the Jing Prince to the point where his veins protruded once more and his hands clumsily tore at her underwear did she slightly raise her waist, and after a show of resistance give him what he wanted.

Author's notes:

This chapter has omissions, and can only be replaced by other words. Don't blame me.

Translators notes:

Don't worry I "un-omitted" those parts, but for some reason it feels like I'm translating 50 shades of gray or something…

This can't be what you guys are here for, right? Look, I also translated what the author replaced those parts with below:

"…there was once a mountain. On that mountain was a temple. Inside the temple, an old monk was telling a young monk a story. What was the story? The story talked about how there was once a mountain. On that mountain was a temple. Inside the temple, an old monk was telling a young monk a story. What was the story? The story talked about how there was once a mountain. On that mountain was a temple. Inside the temple, an old monk was telling a young monk a story…."

And

"Lalalalalalalalalalalalalalala~~~~~~"

Wouldn't you guys much rather read the censored version instead?

Interestingly enough, the way the host website knows which chapters need censoring is based on a user reporting system, where readers get points for reporting inappropriate chapters. In the comments you'll see many readers saying things like "Who reported it! Step up! This daddy promises not to beat you to death!" and "What are the people who report thinking, no one is forcing you to read it. You can go watch Pleasant Sheep (TV series for children)."

Referring to the four great works: The Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean, the Analects of Confucius and Mencius.

Referring to the Five Classics of Confucianism: the Book of Songs, the Book of History, the Classic of Rites, the Book of Changes, the Spring and Autumn Annals.

Reminder that Xiao Hua means flower. In this case it's preceded by the word used in counting flowers, so I translated it as flower instead of Xiao Hua'er.

The erotic images that supposedly prevent fire by keeping the maiden fire goddess away.

78

As expected, when she woke up the next day Xiao Hua didn't see the Jing Prince.

Thinking of the craziness of last night, she couldn't help but blush again and lay in bed for a long time without moving.

Outside the curtains, Ding Lan heard movement and said quietly: "Madam, are you getting up?"

Xiao Hua grunted in acknowledgement, and forced herself to look nonchalant as she sat up.

Ding Lan hung the curtains up and helped Xiao Hua put on something to cover herself as she supported her over to the bathroom.

After a bath, she brushed her teeth with powdered salt. Only then did she come out with her hair hanging loose.

"What does Madam want for breakfast?" Ding Xiang asked on the side.

"You decide."

Others had a lot of opinions regarding food, or they were otherwise very picky eaters. In Madam Hua's case however, she would usually have her personal palace maids decide. Xiao Hua liked to simplify matters, but it actually gave Ding Xiang who was responsible for the food a headache since she had to figure out what to order.

Madam liked eating spicy foods, but Ding Xiang wasn't willing to let madam eat too much of it. Although madam would eat whatever she brought, Ding Xiang wasn't someone who would neglect her duties. She had to figure out how to arrange madam's meals, understand what she enjoyed eating while making sure she remained healthy.

Ding Xiang left to fetch the food while Ding Lan and Chun Cao helped Xiao Hua put on makeup, brush her hair and change her clothes.

Once everything was done, Xiao Hua went outside to the walkway to breathe in the fresh morning air.

The snow had melted by now, and the courtyard's trees and flower beds were gradually showing hints of green. It seemed that spring had come all of a sudden. The golden sunlight shone onto the courtyard, inevitably improving one's mood.

Ding Xiang had come back and laid out the food. She came out to call her, "Madam, come eat."

Xiao Hua nodded and went inside.

After eating breakfast, Xiao Hua went to the courtyard to take a walk before returning. She took out the clothing for Nana He and started embroidering. As she did so, she suddenly thought of the events last night and her face turned red…..

The Jing Prince had left early in the morning.

On the way to the martial training grounds, he kept hearing the words "did highness like it" in his mind.

He had refused to answer, but he did like it a lot in his heart. Even thinking about it made him embarrassed, let alone saying it out loud.

Having grown until now, he had long since forgotten what it felt like to be embarrassed. However, he had experienced it plenty last night. He didn't think about it last night, but thinking about it now, he felt the little purposeful intent in her actions.

He was a little indignant in his heart, though he couldn't really be said to be angry. Regardless, his feelings were very complicated.

Therefore, there were often mistakes today in what should have been a very familiar set of fist techniques. However, the Jing Prince didn't notice and continued his training rhythm.

Master Yan was the Jing Prince's martial arts instructor, and had taught him for many years. He would watch on the side every morning as the Jing Prince practiced, and would occasionally give a few pointers.

Barbarian Yan was thick and sturdy with a face full of unkempt hair. His body was truly built like a bear. He stood there this morning, watching the abnormal Jing Prince with a strange expression on his face.

He nudged Eunuch Fu who was standing next to him with his elbow and asked quietly, "Old Fu, what's wrong with his highness today?"

Eunuch Fu hated being called old, but was helpless against this Barbarian Yan who would always poke at his sore spot without any qualms.

Was he doing it on purpose? Perhaps. But everyone knew that this barbarian was never restrained with his words.

Regarding his unrestrained speech, since even the Jing Prince never bothered with it how could others do so? Therefore, Eunuch Fu could only roll his eyes impatiently and say: "How should I know?"

Barbarian Yan put his arm around Eunuch Fu's shoulder and said with an indecent expression: "Aren't you with his highness all the time? Since you even try to eavesdrop during his nightly escapades, would there be anything you didn't know?"

Talking with crude people really vexes one's heart. Eunuch Fu impatiently shook off the arm around his shoulder, "Piss off! You're the eavesdropper." His old face was red with anger but he couldn't do anything about it.

"Oh, right. Let me ask you something." The bearish face leaned close to Eunuch Fu, his smile especially vulgar.

"What?"

"It's said that our highness's mundane heart has undergone great waves, and that there's a new favored little madam in the rear court."

This wasn't some sort of secret. Although the estate was vast, all the house militia and estate guards lived within the walls. The comings and goings had long since stirred up rumors. They just weren't clear on the details. The militia quarters were quite far from the rear court after all. This barbarian had never been decent and took delight in mischief. He also had an exuberant sense of curiosity and thus sought out the "knowledgeable one", Eunuch Fu, to make some inquiries.

After all, everyone knew the Jing Prince was clear hearted and unmoved by desires. In the eyes of this barbarian who loved flowers and was prone to lust, the prince was basically the reincarnation of an immortal. Normally he couldn't understand him to the extreme. Now that this abstinent god seemed to be changing his nature, he was naturally extremely curious.

Eunuch Fu gave him a side glance, put on a disdainful appearance and said in a righteous manner: "How can a servant speak about his master's business to outsiders?"

The barbarian whispered, "Don't try to act decent you old thing. We're two birds of a feather." He tutted a couple times, "Who was it that asked about what men liked in a woman before? How was it, did you find yourself a nice girl?"

Although Eunuch Fu was a eunuch, there were many differences between eunuchs. In the imperial palace there were eunuchs who would find someone to pair up with and study coupling. As the Jing Prince Estate's general manager, and also as the Jing Prince's trusted aide, there were naturally many palace maids who wanted to use him to climb the ranks and would throw themselves at him. The barbarian was also aware of this, which was why he would say something like that.

Eunuch Fu's expression darkened at the mention of this.

At that time when he asked about "what kind of women do men like", he had asked Barbarian Yan. This coarse fellow not only described it extremely vulgarly, he also went and told everyone. This made many of the estate's militia give him an "understanding" look whenever they saw him, and would come over to "exchange experiences". This made the old eunuch who had always been clear hearted and unmoved by desires truly restless for a while.

For the sake of his highness's intimate affairs, Eunuch Fu had not only thrown away his dignity, but also his reputation. He even got the damned reputation of an old man with a young heart, and made some of the palace maids within the estate look at him with meaningful gazes every time they saw him.

"Piss off, you vulgar buffoon."

Barbarian Yan laughed loudly and scratched his head, "This daddy is called Barbarian Yan, so I'm naturally a barbarian. As for being vulgar, hehe, at least this daddy doesn't try to cover it up unlike somebody."

These words made Eunuch Fu fall over himself with anger.

"Ai, why don't you tell me what our highness is like when his mundane heart is being moved. Don't you love crouching in the corner and eavesdropping? Come on and tell me."

Eunuch Fu didn't take the bait, "The master's business isn't something us servants can discuss. If you're curious why don't you try asking his highness?"

Barbarian Yan put on a "don't try and trick me" appearance.

But he truly was curious. His rough fingers had only rubbed his beard for less than a second before he walked over to the Jing Prince who had just started practicing archery.

Eunuch Fu eyes widened and he became speechless.

Did this barbaric fellow really plan on asking his highness? Thinking of this really made cold sweat run down his back, but he also didn't dare to go prevent it. He was afraid that coarse fellow with his unrestrained words would mention that he had given "permission" for him to go ask.

The Jing Prince held the bow in one hand as he seriously aimed towards the target fifty meters away. Next to him stood a low-ranked eunuch holding a quiver.

The Jing Prince had practiced archery for several years, and his accuracy had always been good. Today however, he wasn't able to hit the bullseye for some reason.

Barbarian Yan sidled over and pushed the low-ranked eunuch away, taking the quiver into his own hands. The Jing Prince thought he was here to give him some pointers in shooting, and was a little embarrassed although he didn't show it.

"Highness, it's said that you've recently added a favored little madam. What, is your mundane heart finally making great waves?" Barbarian Yan's manner of speech could always stun a person until they couldn't tell which way was north.

Barbarian Yan wasn't actually his real name. His name was Yan Qing, which was a very elegant name. Unfortunately it was matched with this big and sturdy, unkempt, bear-like appearance. Although this person was a little unrefined, and was never restrained with his words, his martial skills were indeed very outstanding.

Let's put it this way. Out of the entire estate's militia and guards, none were his match. The Jing Prince wanted to learn martial arts at that time and naturally looked for someone who was outstanding in this aspect and thus ended up with him.

Barbarian Yan refused to change his personality no matter where he went. He said whatever came to his mind. Although the Jing Prince was a little helpless, he liked his frankness. Besides, this was his own martial arts instructor, and he had also saved his life before. He was quite tolerant with him normally.

Hearing these words, the Jing Prince didn't show anything on his face but his hands shook. The arrow he sent out went flying and didn't even touch the target.

The Jing Prince looked dark and gloomily at Barbarian Yan who was laughing extremely vulgarly. He looked back at the target in the distance, drew another arrow from the quiver, and aimed it down the bow's sights.

Those who were close with the Jing Prince all understood his personality, and were all experts at talking to themselves.

Barbarian Yan laughed vulgarly a couple of times, leaned in close and continued speaking: "How is it, how is it? Wasn't it divinely enjoyable?"

As if these words weren't enough, he opened his mouth to complain: "I had told you that you weren't thinking straight. Such a magnificent Jing Prince who refused to approach women normally. Old Fu, that old thing had been spinning in circles with panic. Women are such fine creatures, fragrant and soft. Hugging one to sleep at night would get rid of all your worries."

No one responded to him, but the arrow in the Jing Prince's hand had yet to be released.

"Hehe, Old Fu that old thing thought we didn't know. But who wouldn't have realized that when he asked that thing, he was choosing women for you." Barbarian Yan winked and nudged the Jing Prince with his elbow, and smiled vulgarly, "Were the ones he chose for you all…." As he spoke he used his hands to illustrate, "Hehe, all men like those kinds. You don't have to be too grateful to your master."

In theory, if someone else had heard these words they would be embarrassed and angry. The Jing Prince's thoughts were a little different from others. Hearing these words, apart from feeling a little awkward, a thought automatically flashed through his mind:

Pretty good, they were indeed getting bigger and bigger.

A fallen immortal was a fallen immortal because he was removed from the mundane world and hadn't been touched by feminine charm. He was apathetic and cold. However, now that this fallen immortal had experienced feminine charms, in Barbarian Yan's eyes he was no longer an immortal and had become an overly repressed man instead.

Since he was human and male just like himself, they would naturally have to talk about some male topics when they were together. Furthermore, Barbarian Yan seriously doubted whether this fallen immortal Jing Prince knew how to do the deed. He wouldn't have been unable to find the way in, right?

Of course, such thoughts were complete nonsense. After all, the Jing Prince also had a harem. It could only be blamed on his apathetic and abstinent character. No wonder Barbarian Yan, whose thoughts were a little abnormal, would think this way.

If he thought it he would say it. This was Barbarian Yan's personality.

"Highness, speaking of which, do you know how?" He gave the Jing Prince a doubtful glance, and spoke quite earnestly, "If you don't know you must definitely speak up. If you don't know you can learn. Master will teach you."

The Jing Prince's "innocent" mind could already no longer keep up with Barbarian Yan's words, but he still understood one thing: Barbarian Yan was saying he didn't know how.

At this moment, even if Barbarian Yan was simple he could still tell the Jing Prince was displeased.

He gave a hollow laugh and explained: "Isn't this also for the sake of your and that little madam's happiness? Let me tell you, men cannot be lacking in that aspect or they would be looked down upon by their house's woman….if the man is good at it, he would be the one pressing the woman down, but if he isn't good, then the woman would be pressing him down…."

He used his own experience with the tigress in his own home to explain things to the Jing Prince. Who would have guessed that his words had unintentionally hit the mark, making the Jing Prince's face directly turn dark.

The expression on this side turned colder and colder while Barbarian Yan continued chattering on the other side.

Eunuch Fu had been eavesdropping from the side and couldn't hold it in any longer, scolding: "Do you think everyone is the same as you, raising a tigress at home? Don't use your filthy words to pollute his highness's ears…." He then spoke to the Jing Prince: "Highness, it's time to head to the front court. How about we call it a day for the training?"

The Jing Prince didn't speak. He gave Barbarian Yan a glare, handed the bow to the low-ranked eunuch and left with hurried steps.

Barbarian Yan was still blindly following along to the side, saying with his mouth: "Old Fu, putting it that way is too damaging to my self-esteem as a man. What I feel towards her isn't fear, it's respect, OK? OK?"

Having a shrew back home had always been a sore subject for Barbarian Yan. The person who had loved indulging in flowers and lust in the past could now only run his mouth for enjoyment. Eunuch Fu's words happened to prick his sore spot, making him hop about in anger.

Eunuch Fu snorted, gave him a very disdainful look and didn't bother responding.

"Telling an old thing like you isn't any use." Barbarian Yan waved his hand to gloss things over, and still wanted to chase after the Jing Prince but was repeatedly forced away by Eunuch Fu. He could only yell from behind: "Highness, tomorrow I will gift you something good. When you have time we should have a good discussion."

The distant Jing Prince's footsteps imperceptibly quickened a little.

…..

The Jing Prince didn't show it, but Barbarian Yan's words remained in his mind.

If you were good, you would press the woman down. If you weren't you would be pressed down by the woman.

Due to what happened last night, the Jing Prince didn't say a single word all day.

No matter how innocent he was, he still knew that last night he was the one being pressed down for the most part. Barbarian Yan's words about being looked down upon by the woman especially stabbed at the Jing Prince's heart.

Unfortunately the Jing Prince had always repressed his emotions. Even if he was thinking about something, he would never show it on the surface. Those around him naturally weren't aware of his little depression.

Coming back from the front court that night, he initially didn't plan on going to the western pavilion. However, his steps involuntarily turned towards its direction.

79

Xiao Hua felt the Jing Prince had been acting strange the entire night, but she couldn't tell exactly how.

That face was still without expression and that gaze was still apathetic. But Xiao Hua still felt something was off.

"Highness, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

Being glanced at continuously, Xiao Hua wasn't in the mood to do needlework anymore. She put it to the side and sat next to the Jing Prince.

The Jing Prince glanced at that piece of clothing and felt even more stuffed up in his heart.

He tossed the book in his hands away without blinking, got off the kiln and went to the eastern room.

The Jing Prince's actions weren't actually much different from his usual self, but putting everything together Xiao Hua could tell that he seemed a little angry.

What on earth was he angry about?!

Could it be that she angered him? Xiao Hua did her best to think where she could have offended the Jing Prince, but couldn't figure it out no matter how hard she thought. She followed him into the eastern room and saw the Jing Prince sitting by the bed looking at her dimly.

Xiao Hua felt a little wronged but didn't want to anger this weird tempered man. She moved a little closer.

"Highness, was this servant concubine bad at something?"

Hearing these words, the Jing Prince turned his face away, not even looking at her anymore.

Having spent a lot of time with him, Xiao Hua had grown a lot bolder. Seeing the Jing Prince throwing a tantrum for no reason two days in a row, she was also a little angry in her heart but couldn't vent it. She could only climb into her spot in bed and lie down with a rigid face.

She got angrier the more she thought about it, and turned her back to the Jing Prince.

Well, looks like both of them were angry now.

Seeing Xiao Hua clearly turning her back on him, the Jing Prince froze. He didn't really understand why she was angry. Only after replaying the situation just now in his head did he understand she was angry because of him.

This Xiao Hua'er has a lot of guts!

The Jing Prince got even angrier. He lay down and also turned his back to Xiao Hua.

Actually Xiao Hua had felt a little regret the moment she put her back to him. She told herself that she wasn't being cautious enough. How could she start acting spoiled due to the Jing Prince's ambiguous attitude these past few days? He was his highness, he was the master. She should be clinging tightly to his leg.

But she had felt aggrieved in her heart. What was she to do?

At this moment, her mind had cleared up a bit. She carefully shifted backwards until she felt the Jing Prince's back.

Her heart froze a little and she knew he had gotten angrier.

She sighed and stroked her face a little before turning around and carefully pressing against him.

"Highness, it's all this servant concubine's fault for making you angry."

Forget it, forget it. A little madam was supposed to properly flatter this Jing Prince highness. No matter who was being unreasonable, it was better to apologize and be lenient first.

The soft and tender voice from behind him caused the Jing Prince's back to turn rigid.

After she got the first words out, the following words were much easier to say. After all, since she had put aside her dignity there wasn't anything else to be embarrassed about.

Xiao Hua wasn't good at apologizing and asking for forgiveness. Therefore she could only use the methods she used against the 4th young master in her past life whenever she accidentally upset him.

She snuggled against the Jing Prince's back and shook him gently, saying in a pampered tone: "Highness, forgive this servant concubine, ok?"

The lovable tone made the rigid-faced Jing Prince's heart melt. He also felt a little pleased, but he thought of that clothing and how he was "pressed down" last night and immediately sank into depression again.

Xiao Hua felt the Jing Prince's tiny movement. After all, since they were pressed together, the slightest movements could be felt. She slithered up like a snake and carefully climbed over him, flipping over to the spot in front of him.

Seeing the Jing Prince remain still and not stopping her, she grew bolder and climbed into his arms.

"Highness, punish this servant concubine. She won't dare do it anymore in the future." As she spoke, she grabbed the Jing Prince's hand and put it on her butt, saying pitifully: "Hit this servant concubine."

No man could endure such a lovable little beauty acting pampered in his arms, and even offering herself up for punishment. Especially since this punishment was extremely alluring. How could the clumsy Jing Prince endure this?

His expression remained unchanged but his gaze grew deeper and deeper.

The Jing Prince's appearance made Xiao Hua's heart settle down, and she was extremely satisfied with her own performance.

Actually, Xiao Hua had quite a good understanding of these creatures called men.

Regarding men, don't be fooled by their normally upright appearance, their righteous words and their virtuous act. Things changed the moment the battlefield turned to the bed. Some flattery, some soft and delicate requests for pampering and a few small tricks would make many major issues turn into tiny issues. Of course, this requires the man to be willing to receive your moves.

Seeing the Jing Prince receive her moves, Xiao Hua felt extremely relieved.

Although Xiao Hua still felt wrongly accused, she had benefited quite a bit. At least she now knew how to handle this weird tempered man. If she really made a mistake in the future, she would better know how to "ask for forgiveness".

"Seems like highness intends to forgive this servant concubine." The pinnacle of speaking to oneself is to be able to decide on an outcome by oneself.

The Jing Prince didn't speak, and didn't reveal any other expression. Xiao Hua's eyes flashed and continued acting like a snake and intertwined him as she moved her face close to his, "Then shouldn't highness tell this servant concubine what she did wrong?"

This question still needed to be answered to avoid the same thing from reoccurring.

The Jing Prince's expression was extremely rigid, and he once again thought of Barbarian Yan's theory of "being pushed down". He didn't want to respond to her and wanted to calm himself down. But being rubbed against by the bothersome Xiao Hua made him heat up.

He flipped over and pressed Xiao Hua underneath him, using both hands and feet to remove their clothing. After a couple of simple kisses, he thrust himself inside.

Xiao Hua frowned and simply wanted to beat the person on top of her to death.

Of course she didn't dare beat him to death, and could only use a roundabout method to take back the initiative.

In the past when she took the initiative, this person had been extremely receptive. But today for some reason he was extremely stubborn. The moment she moved, he would use his hand to press her down.

It didn't feel good at all and hurt like hell. Her heart was very sullen. The finally developed tenderness over the last few days had all dissipated, and was replaced by the aggrieved thought that she was still a plaything.

Her tears flowed out in a stream.

These weren't the normal teardrops from being roughly "loved". This was her clearly crying.

The Jing Prince froze and stopped moving. He was bewildered but didn't know what to do.

Seeing Xiao Hua'er cry more and more fiercely, the Jing Prince's mind dulled and he backed away, sitting to the side with a rigid face.

Xiao Hua cried for a while and glanced at the person sitting on the side. She saw that his expression was still unperturbed, but his eyes looked a little helpless. She then saw that he still wore his undershirt on top with nothing underneath, his area below still standing blankly at attention. She let out a complicated noise that seemed both like a laugh and a sob.

The Jing Prince had his head lowered and said in a depressed voice: "If you are not willing, this humble prince won't do it."

Xiao Hua's emotions were complicated. She carefully used her hands to pull at him. He didn't move. She pulled at him once again before he moved. Xiao Hua pulled him to lie down and pressed herself against him, saying quietly: "This servant concubine isn't unwilling. It's, it's the pain."

"Pain?" The voice sounded confused.

"En." Xiao Hua's face turned red.

She wanted to describe how it hurt and where it hurt, but was too embarrassed to say it.

After a while, she was flipped over and her slender legs were spread apart.

She used her hand to block, "High, highness, don't…"

"Let this humble prince take a look."

As he spoke, the Jing Prince saw that area. It was tender and delicate, yet also extremely swollen. There were also thin traces of blood on the skin.

The Jing Prince was a little frozen, and his thoughts weren't visible from his appearance. After a while, he let go with his hands and got off the bed.

Xiao Hua was embarrassed and also afraid he was angry. She remained there with complicated emotions, not daring to move.

After a while, she heard his footsteps return. Xiao Hua moved and hid herself under the blankets, and even put her head inside like an ostrich.

She felt someone moving her. Only then did Xiao Hua nervously reveal her bright red little face, her eyes wet without daring to look at that person.

"Highness…"

The Jing Prince's actions were extremely stunning, directly pulling her legs apart with a bottle of medicine in hand. Xiao Hua wanted to say she could do it herself, but he had already covered his index finger with the ointment and carefully applied it on the surface.

This experience for the Jing Prince was brand new. He had never seen that part of a woman before. But seeing this little flower, he felt that no wonder she was called Xiao Hua'er. She looked lovable and delicate like a little peach blossom, and that part also looked like the same.

As he prodded, he heard her make an "aiya" sound. It sounded like a pained cry, but also didn't sound like one. He lifted his head and looked at her eyes which were wet and dripping…

The Jing Prince's face tightened and that part of his became extremely hard.

"Highness, let this servant concubine do it herself…." The sound seemed to have been forced from her throat and the tone was quite off.

The Jing Prince didn't respond and applied some more ointment. After rubbing it in, he couldn't resist using his fingers to prod around a little.

Xiao Hua felt like dying. It was clearly just applying medicine, but why did it feel like things had gotten off topic? She felt the Jing Prince relax his hands and she swiftly withdrew into the blankets. Taking the opportunity while the Jing Prince put away the medicine, she put on her underwear under the covers.

When the Jing Prince returned, he saw Xiao Hua under the blankets with her eyes tightly shut, clearly pretending to be asleep.

He got back into bed and stroked her head. He lay back and also closed his eyes.

After a while, Xiao Hua stealthily moved over and half embraced the Jing Prince's waist.

The Jing Prince silently recited the Buddhist Mantra that he hadn't touched since reincarnating…1

There was a guard office in the southwestern corner of the Jing Prince Estate.

The guard office was an enormous area that not only included training grounds for the guards and militia, but also a large courtyard where they lived.

Those who were single and unmarried lived together in a common bunkbed area. Those of higher rank had their own room. Those who were even higher ranked had their own courtyard. As the estate's number one expert and the Jing Prince's instructor, Barbarian Yan naturally had his own courtyard.

Barbarian Yan was married, and had naturally brought along his wife to live in the Jing Prince Estate. Otherwise there wouldn't be rumors in the estate that he had a shrew back home.

Lovely Missus Qin put her daughter to sleep, and noticed that barbaric fellow hadn't returned to the room yet. He was holed up in the study doing who knows what, so she went over to investigate.

Hearing the footsteps, Barbarian Yan shivered and hurriedly pushed the box in his hands back to its original spot. His other hand stuffed a few volumes of things to one side.

When Lovely Missus Qin came into the room, she saw the big and sturdy Barbarian Yan looking at her with a foolish grin.

"What are you doing?"

Barbarian Yan saw his wife narrow her eyes in suspicion and his heart shivered. He laughed loudly a couple times and scratched his head, "Nothing, nothing."

"Darling, is our daughter sleeping?" He walked forward as he spoke, "Go, go, go, let's also go sleep."

Lovely Missus Qin still wanted to go take a look, but was lifted up in Barbarian Yan's arms. He ran his hands over her, "Darling, your breasts are getting bigger and bigger."

This barbaric fellow!

Being touched all over, Lovely Missus Qin's face blushed and her heart softened.

She clearly knew this man was trying to distract her, but since she was already being carried towards the bedroom, she could only let it be.

"Don't think I'm not aware of what you were doing. You always enjoy looking at those filthy things!" Lovely Missus Qin grabbed Barbarian Yan's ear and refused to let go, scolding with her mouth.

Barbarian Yan laughed mischievously without responding. He only leaned his shaggy face close to his wife's neck, and kissed it while walking. After a round of this, Lovely Missus Qin was limp in his arms and her hand also released his ear.

Actually Barbarian Yan was wrongly accused this time. He had merely been thinking about what happened during the day and took out his treasures to share with the Jing Prince tomorrow.

However, such words definitely couldn't be said to Lovely Missus Qin, and he could only become the scapegoat.

The night passed.

In case it's not apparent, this is done to try and resist temptation.

80

At the martial training grounds.

Today the Jing Prince arrived early. Barbarian Yan arrived early as well.

Barbarian Yan had restrained himself the entire day and tussled the entire night yesterday before running over bright and early this morning. His shrew back home had even commended him for changing his personality today, but little did she know it was for some shady business.

Seeing the Jing Prince already training two hours earlier than usual, Barbarian Yan was flabbergasted for a moment. But considering the Jing Prince's normal diligence, he didn't think too much about it. He only sighed at the Jing Prince's ability to maintain his personality in face of the soft, gentle, warm fragrance.

"Highness, so early."

Barbarian Yan looked around and was surprised to see that the bum-following beetle1 Eunuch Fu wasn't around. There were only two low-ranked eunuchs standing in the corner of the training grounds. He laughed mischievously as he approached, and took out a few books from his robes.

"Highness, look what good stuff I've brought you."

Seeing Barbarian Yan approach, the Jing Prince stopped his movements in case he accidentally injured him. Although Barbarian Yan's skills were good and even ten Jing Princes weren't his match, it was a force of habit.

"These are all good things. I've secretly collected them for a long time. I'm lending it to you, remember to return it to me in the future, ok?" As he handed it towards the Jing Prince, Barbarian Yan grimaced in pain. It was obvious how much he cared for these books.

The Jing Prince glanced at the covers and wasn't able to tell what they were. However, he had a bad premonition in his heart.

His face was rigid and he didn't receive it. However, he was a little curious in his heart.

Barbarian Yan's eyes were shrewd, and just by looking at the Jing Prince's "sanctimonious" appearance he understood the "desire" in his heart.

"Hehe, you don't want it even though I'm willing to lend it? Old Bull had asked me several times before but I never lent it to him."

Old Bull was one of the Jing Prince Estate's attending generals, and had a very "deep" friendship with Barbarian Yan. Before Barbarian Yan got married, they were partners in crime and would often exchange benefits. After his marriage, even his shrew back home wasn't able to get in the way of this relationship. However, they were no longer able to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery together.2

The Jing Prince had been depressed all night, and awoke very early this morning. At this moment, hearing Barbarian Yan chattering away, his speech filled with obscenities, he felt a little moody but also a little interested.

He glanced at the two eunuchs in the corner and waved his hand. The two of them silently took their leave.

Barbarian Yan immediately understood and smiled vulgarly at seeing this situation.

"Ha! Looks like enlightenment has dawned. Come, come, come, let's go have a good discussion."

After speaking, he pulled the Jing Prince over to a small table in the corner. He grabbed a small stool for himself and also had the Jing Prince take a seat.

Barbarian Yan thought the Jing Prince wouldn't follow along, but unexpectedly he had walked over with him and sat down beside him. After getting over his surprise, his smile grew even more lewd. He even helped the Jing Prince smooth things over by saying coarsely: "Men are all fond of these things. Don't be shy. Those with thin skin won't get any meat."

Those with thin skin won't get any meat. This was something Barbarian Yan often said in the past before he got married.

He was big and sturdy, and his body was robust. His unkempt beard made him look like an uncivilized savage. Normally when he went with Attending General Bull to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery at the brothels, all those high-end prostitutes would be unwilling to entertain him, and would surround Attending General Bull instead. But his skin was thick and he would bother them endlessly. He was generous with his money, his tool was large and vigorous. Several of the high-end ladies were into it, and there were a few who became infatuated with him.

Logically speaking, these prostitutes usually preferred Attending General Bull's scholarly and pale type. However, over time Barbarian Yan became more popular than General Bull.

General Bull was frustrated and scolded these women for not having eyes, but Barbarian Yan would always use his catchphrase to leave him choked up.

Compared to Barbarian Yan's thick skin, General Bull's skin was truly thin.

The Jing Prince didn't really understand Barbarian Yan's crude words. His brows were slightly furrowed as he pondered how to ask him about certain things.

After one spends a long time with the Jing Prince, one would be able to notice the moment his normally blank face had a trace of change. Having sensed the Jing Prince's air of "I have a question, I have something I don't understand", Barbarian Yan the expert interpreter smiled mischievously as he drew closer.

"Highness, could you have some questions regarding the affairs between man and woman? Speak up if you do. Old Yan over here will tell you all he knows without holding anything back!" After speaking, he even thumped his chest a couple of times.

The Jing Prince spoke with a rigid face and lowered voice: "Last night she cried."

Barbarian Yan's eyes glowed brightly as his beard trembled in excitement.

"Who?"

"Xiao Hua'er."

"Little madam?"

"En."

The Jing Prince glanced at Barbarian Yan. Seeing his solemn appearance, he was extremely relieved.

The martial training grounds was extremely silent for a bit before Barbarian Yan's voice sounded out again, "Where was she crying?"

The Jing Prince's face was still the same as always, but it seemed to be filled with an air of depression?

"In bed."

Barbarian smacked his lips in excitement and heavily patted the Jing Prince on his shoulder. Luckily the Jing Prince had several years of martial arts training under his belt. He would have fallen apart from this patting if it were several years ago. Even so, the Jing Prince couldn't help but frown.

"Fu–, cough…." Before he finished swearing, Barbarian Yan remembered that the person sitting in front of him wasn't Old Bull. It was the Jing Prince, his master. Turning things around extremely awkwardly, he gave a sinister smile, "Highness is really fierce, being able to make a girl cry in bed. This is talent."

As he spoke, he looked at the Jing Prince with red eyes, his face full of envy hidden behind his facial hair.

Ever since he married his wife, he hadn't been able to go visit those Xiao Jiao Jiaos, Xiao Tian Tians, Xiao Chun Chuns3 for a sweet and happy time. Forget about making a girl cry in bed. It was already good if the tigress back home didn't make him cry in bed.

He was oppressed and suffering extremely. Otherwise he wouldn't be so wickedly interested in other people's intimate affairs. He wasn't a pervert!

Actually, you definitely are a pervert!

The Jing Prince didn't light up at Barbarian Yan's words. His brows were still furrowed.

"That's not it."

"What's not it?" Barbarian Yan was a little dazed and didn't understand.

"That's not it." The Jing Prince said again.

This time Barbarian Yan understood. He used his rough fingers to stroke his chin. His highness meant that the little madam wasn't crying because he was too vigorous?

Then how did he make her cry?

Barbarian Yan pondered for a while before understanding struck!

After snapping out of it, he saw that the Jing Prince's apathetic expression contained a hint of anger from embarrassment.

"Hehehehehe." Barbarian Yan laughed drily and spoke quietly: "Then how did she end up crying? Could it be that you ended up in the wrong place?"

This barbaric fellow's thoughts were always different from those of normal people. His fellow enthusiast, the scholarly looking Old Bull would probably understand his train of thought. Unfortunately, the person in front of him was the Jing Prince.

"What?"

Barbarian Yan coughed and didn't dare expand the Jing Prince's knowledge.

"Why did she cry? Did she say anything?"

Barbarian Yan was a simple man. There was no need to play guessing games during this exchange.

The Jing Prince thought for a while, "She said it hurts." He paused, and decided not to say anything about it being swollen.

"Oh—–" Barbarian Yan nodded his head in understanding. "I understand. Highness, your skills were too lacking and ended up making her cry."

"How do I not make her cry?"

Barbarian Yan smiled vulgarly, "Come, come, come. Let me tell you….."

…..

The original hour of training was dragged on for almost two hours before it ended.

As he left, the Jing Prince brought the books from Barbarian Yan's private collection with him. Because he had come with the intent to ask for advice, the Jing Prince had sent Eunuch Fu away. Otherwise, these books would have been hard to take back.

How the Jing Prince will manage to avoid Eunuch Fu while he studied these books won't be discussed in detail at this time.

Over on Xiao Hua's side, she had finally finished making the clothing for Nana He.

The light purple red colored jacket embroidered with the five blessings surrounding the character for "age"4. It was accompanied by an eight treasures patterned silver grey traditional skirt. The colors weren't too dark but also weren't too garish. After all, Nana He was quite old. Xiao Hua didn't know how to do the five blessings embroidery and had Ding Xiang help. The rest was all done by Xiao Hua herself.

The clothes were done, and Xiao Hua had Ding Xiang bring it to the Hall of Splendor when she stopped by during lunch for the jar of soup.

It wasn't the first time Ding Xiang went to the Hall of Splendor for the soup. As she arrived at the door, someone naturally informed the small kitchen to bring out the soup.

Every time it was someone called Auntie Meng who brought the soup out. Ding Xiang gave her thanks, received the soup and handed over the packaged clothes to Auntie Meng.

"Auntie, these clothes were made by our madam for Nana He. Could I trouble you to hand it to her?"

Auntie Meng was a little surprised but she didn't say anything. She nodded and handed the package over to one of the low-ranked eunuchs guarding the door.

The Hall of Splendor's rules were very strict. Everything coming in and out needed to be inspected.

That low-ranked eunuch received the package in an experienced manner, heaped a bunch of smiles on his face and said "pardon my offense" before opening it and lightly examining the clothes.

Who in the Hall of Splendor didn't know Nana He was an old hand. Even Grandpa Fu had to call her auntie. Who didn't know that their Hall of Splendor produced a Madam Hua, who was his highness's most favored.

Outsiders wouldn't understand, but those who had served in the Hall of Splendor for some years naturally knew how favored Madam Hua was. She had hooked his highness, who only went to the rear court a couple times a year in the past, into going countless times in a month.

Both of them couldn't be offended, but rules were rules. The low-ranked eunuch could only ask for forgiveness and swiftly conducted his inspection.

"What are you guys doing?"

Eunuch Fu saw the few people standing at the doors from far away. He walked over and asked.

The one walking in front of him was naturally the Jing Prince.

The Jing Prince wore a sapphire blue light jacket today, and underneath was a silver pattern embroidered white robe. He looked very tall and confident, his pupils slightly dark and his expression apathetic as usual.

Ding Xiang gave the Jing Prince and Eunuch Fu a salute before responding: "Answering General Manager Fu's question: madam made the small kitchen's Nana He a set of clothing and asked this servant to bring it over today."

The Jing Prince glanced at the light purple red clothing that had been an eyesore over the last few days and walked away.

Eunuch Fu nodded his head and followed behind without saying anything else.

Ding Xiang fetched the food and returned. After laying out the dishes, she reported what had occurred. Xiao Hua listened and didn't think too much about it.

In the Hall of Splendor's small kitchen.

Nana He held the clothing Xiao Hua made, her face full of smiles.

"That lass still has this Nana in her heart." She seemed hesitant to part with it as she stroked the clothes in her hand. She felt it was good no matter how she looked at it.

The strict Auntie Meng let out a rare smile, "Don't you also keep her in your mind?"

"She's pleasant to my eyes and I feel she's a rare one. She clearly doesn't have the intention but was continuously pushed by Eunuch Fu from behind. She was poisoned and then suffered grievances before finally getting a status. Now this situation ended up occurring…."

Saying this, Nana He sighed. She naturally was aware of what the Jing Consort had done.

Auntie Meng said comfortingly: "It was a blessing in disguise. She was lucky after all, unlike those two madams. She also has you here to help her adjust as well as Doctor Hu's treatment. It won't take much longer."

"It's best if that were the case."

Someone who follows someone else around.

Euphemism for visiting brothels.

I guess these are typical names for those girls. Loosely translated: Little Lovely, Little Sweetie, Little Spring.

The five blessings are respectively longevity, wealth and status, health, good virtue and peaceful passing. The pattern looks like this, though there are simple and complicated versions. In the linked picture, the "age" character is surrounded by five bats due to "bat" being a homophone for fortune/blessings.