Chapter 3

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

The late emperor had died from severe injuries he’d received during battle, and less than six months later, the empress passed away from grief, unable to bear the loss. Their death left behind a young Xiao Lan, who wasn’t even six years old.

Her father and mother had passed away many years ago, and the wet nurse who used to comfort her during thunderstorms had also passed away just last month.

Her uncle was preoccupied with state affairs, and her aunt and older cousin had their own children and families. Xiao Lan was left alone the majority of her life, despite being surrounded by wealth and status that others envied.

However, that wealth was soaked in loneliness. It was for this reason that Xiao Lan hoped for a harmonious relationship with her prince consort. She desired a complete and loving family.

Thinking about this, Xiao Lan subconsciously tightened her grip around her husband’s waist, seeking warmth from his body to banish the coldness in her heart. His warmth flowed through her body, driving away the relentless thunderstorm outside.

As the thunder rolled on and the rain lashed against the window, Xiao Lan remained curled up against Wei Jin until the heavy downpour gradually turned into a light drizzle. Slowly, the deep-seated fear from her memories dissolved into the ground like the rain.

When all she had done came rushing back to her mind, Xiao Lan pushed herself slightly off Wei Jin and blurted out awkwardly, “…Thank you.”

“We’re husband and wife, Lan’er,” Wei Jin echoed her earlier words, “There’s no need to thank me.”

Xiao Lan’s trembling heart gradually became steady. However, after lying down for so long, her legs had gone numb, and she couldn’t get up on her own. She thought about asking her husband to help her up, but she stopped herself, thinking that this could be a perfect moment to break the ice between them.

The person beneath her spoke again, “Lan’er, don’t be afraid. I’ll always be here during thunderstorms from now on.”

Xiao Lan wasn’t sure if it was her imagination or if it was the rain playing tricks on her ears, but his voice sounded hoarser than usual, as if he were restraining something.

Xiao Lan gave a soft “mm” in response.

The candle flame flickered silently, much like the blood coursing through Wei Jin’s veins. The gentle slopes of her body pressed against him made a surge of desire rise within him. He had an aching to reach out to what was so near yet untouchable.

Xiao Lan, unaware of what she had touched, simply tried to use his body to help herself sit up. At that moment, Wei Jin swiftly moved her delicate hand away and gently laid her back down on the bed.

Though he tried to distance himself, the feelings he had buried deep inside began to invade his mind. Leaning over her with their bodies separated only by a thin layer of fabric, he realized that this small connection had already surpassed the boundaries he had long respected.

It was only then that Xiao Lan realized what she had touched, and her face instantly turned as red as a ripe cherry. Memories from the little booklets she had once read flashed through her mind, and her heart raced in her chest—because she had just confirmed one thing: the prince consort was very much… capable.

Flustered thoughts went through her mind and Xiao Lan didn’t know whether it was the anticipation of finally consumating her marriage or the deep yearning to experience the love that her parents had shared as a couple.

Wei Jin’s gaze deepened as he looked at his wife. His eyes reflected the figure of the woman he had secretly cherished for so long. He wanted nothing more than to abandon all restraint and to hold her just once without regard for anything else. But a voice in his head harshly reminded him; ‘You’re not worthy.’

The warmth of the candlelight slowly crept into the bed curtains, its warm glow mirrored Xiao Lan’s flushed cheeks as she swallowed slowly and tentatively reached out her hand to touch her prince consort.

But then…

“It’s getting late, Lan’er. You should rest. I… I still have some official duties to attend to.” Wei Jin took a deep breath in an attempt to suppress all his restless thoughts. He then quickly turned and got off the bed.

Suddenly, the weight on her body lifted, leaving her to feel a chill as the cold air from outside the bed curtains seeped in. Xiao Lan sat up in a daze, but her husband had already hurried out the door, leaving behind only the sound of his retreating footsteps. The sudden coldness and the absurdity of the moment crashed down on her, making her feel a bit suffocated.

Two days later.

Xiao Ming’s dowry finally arrived in the capital. It came in the form of twenty horse-drawn carts, with everything that had once belonged to her, untouched and carefully escorted back. She boasted that she had taken everything she could, leaving nothing behind for any other woman.

As for her two sons, she wasn’t worried about them in the least—they were the darlings of their grandparents, after all. Any concerns she had were reserved for the other sons born out of wedlock.

While the guards and maids busied themselves with unloading, Xiao Ming reclined in a high pavilion, eating pastries and watching the scene unfold. The gold-tinted sunlight bathed the pavilion, dispelling the autumn chill. She noticed that Xiao Lan, seated nearby, seemed absent-minded and frequently lost in thought.

With a casual tone, Xiao Ming decided to test the waters, “Did you two have a fight?”

After the incident that night, Xiao Lan had completely given up. Her tone was indifferent as she responded, “If we can continue the marriage, then we’ll continue. If not, we’ll part ways.”

The thought of reliving such humiliation again made her shudder. She had seen countless marriages without love. Her uncle and aunt were one such example. Clearly, love couldn’t be forced between husband and wife. Now that she had let go of her expectations, she felt strangely calm and at ease.

Xiao Lan’s disillusioned tone set off alarms in Xiao Ming’s mind. A woman’s intuition told her that her niece had been deeply hurt by her husband.

“If you’re really serious about leaving him, then you don’t need get involved. I’ll go to the palace and talk to your uncle on your behalf.”

In this dynasty, while the prince consort could hold an official title, he had no real power. Therefore, unless there was a serious offense, it was difficult for a princess to get a divorce. Otherwise, Xiao Ming wouldn’t have suffered for so long. As for herself, she didn’t care anymore, but her niece was still young. Xiao Lan must not follow in her footsteps. This declaration was firmly set in her mind.

“It hasn’t come to that yet,” Xiao Lan replied, understanding her aunt’s good intentions. However, her aunt had only recently become widowed, and now was not the time for her to stir things up on Xiao Lan’s behalf. Xiao Lan had merely decided to distance herself from her husband, not that their marriage was truly irreparable.

At that moment, Xiao Ming’s shadow guard appeared, kneeling at the edge of the pavilion.

Xiao Lan glanced up in curiosity. Xiao Ming gave her a knowing smile, “Men’s hearts are as deep as the sea, and if they really want to hide something, you can’t find out with ordinary means.” She stopped smiling and turned to the guard, “Have you found anything?”

“Princess Lan’s prince consort, Wei Lin, has been keeping a mistress in a residence in the Tuo Luo District.”

—

A humble carriage slowly made its way through the bustling streets of the capital, weaving through the crowds and the clamor of the marketplace.

Xiao Lan had instructed her maid, Cui Zhu, to roll up the curtains and this allowed the sunlight to flood into the carriage. The warm light filling the interior was accompanied by a gentle autumn breeze and the faint fragrance of osmanthus flowers.

“You’re handling this quite calmly,” Xiao Ming fumed with righteous indignation. She recalled the unforgettable day many years ago when she was heavily pregnant and had caught her philandering husband in the act, tangled up with another woman. The memory of that scene was etched into her mind forever!

But here was Xiao Lan, who had not only switched carriages but also dressed her guards in plain clothes, still giving her husband the benefit of the doubt even at this point!

Xiao Ming sneered, “You should let the whole capital know that Wei Lin is a scoundrel! Let’s see who dares to marry their daughters into the Wei family then!”

The late Marquis Wei Wu had three brothers and a sister, and between them, there were plenty of daughters ready to be married off and sons looking for brides. The eldest son of the second branch, Wei Jue, was quite a catch and was currently in talks with Qiu He, the daughter of Duke Rong. If a scandal broke out now, it would definitely affect him.

However, taking a concubine also had its limits. The Princess had yet to bear a child, and the Prince Consort already had a mistress! This would tarnish the reputation of all the young men in the Wei family.

“Even if the marriage is to end, it should at least…” Xiao Lan’s mind flashed to the memory of the Prince Consort’s abrupt departure. The unpleasant memory, like a thorn, had lodged itself in her heart and the feeling suffocated her.

“End well,” she said, her eyes lowering as her lips curved in a resigned smile. “After all, he did save my life. I’ll just consider this as repaying a debt. In the future, we’ll owe each other nothing.”

What she didn’t want to admit was that part of her still held onto a sliver of hope that there had been some sort of mistake.

Xiao Ming opened her mouth as if to speak but then closed it again. Making a scene right now would only result in her niece’s humiliation and shame. When she was young, she hadn’t understood that hurting both sides achieved nothing.

And there was no legal basis in the Qi dynasty for punishing a Prince Consort for keeping a mistress. The most her brother, the Emperor, could do was scold Wei Jin and advise Xiao Lan to be more understanding.

Perhaps staying quiet would work to their advantage. Though her niece appeared soft on the outside, she was resilient and independent and more so stubborn when her mind was made up.

As the bustle of the marketplace slowly become quiet, the once-crowded streets suddenly gave way to rows of dilapidated, uneven-roofed houses with weathered stone walls.

Xiao Ming and Xiao Lan exchanged a short glance. They were both suspicious as they looked outside.

Xiao Ming sneered, “Are mistresses so easy to appease nowadays?”

Xiao Lan shared the same thought.

Women who chose the path of being a mistress were prepared for a long-term fight, using the pretense of deep love to secure a steady life. Without an official title, a comfortable life of luxury was essential. What kind of woman would accept being hidden away in such a poor area?

The carriage turned into a narrow alley and stopped in front of a quiet and secluded courtyard. Shaking off her thoughts, Xiao Lan and her aunt dismounted the carriage.

A guard knocked on the door, which had not been locked. With a single knock, both doors swung open.

It was a large courtyard with four wings.

The ground was spotless, and a row of perilla plants lined the walls, their leaves still glistening with droplets of water. Someone had recently watered them, and signs of daily life were everywhere.

The guards and secret agents split up to search the area, and soon the air was filled with sounds of footsteps and doors being opened and closed.

Xiao Lan and Xiao Ming sat on stone benches under a nearby tree, waiting for guards to find the woman. Cui Zhu brought over some snacks and water from the carriage.

Half an hour passed, and the sun had begun to shift westward. The shade from the trees no longer covered them, and the heat bore down on Xiao Lan’s head. She raised her hand to shield herself with her fan and asked Cui Zhu to fetch a silk parasol.

Just as Cui Zhu left, a secret agent returned. “There’s no one here, but we found these.”

He and the guards brought out several trunks and placed them on the ground, opening the lids to reveal clothing for both men and women. One of the trunks had a large, sturdy lock, which a guard was trying to pry open with an iron tool.

“This doesn’t prove that he has a mistress,” Xiao Ming picked up a few skirts and held them up. She was stunned when the hem was dragged across the ground as she raised the skirt well above her head. “Is this mistress a giant? Why is the skirt long and wide like a pillar?”

Xiao Lan picked up one of the men’s robes from one of the trunks and immediately noticed something was off.

The Prince Consort had a tall and imposing figure, but this robe was thin and small, ill-suited for someone of his stature. The robe looked like it was more fitting for a boy in his teens.