Si Que felt that You Yuji’s words were incorrect.
He had long been poisoned to the bone.
His hand slid under the hot water, grazing You Yuji’s waist. He supported her lower back, pulling her into his embrace, holding her tightly. The hot water surged up between their bodies, splashing against You Yuji’s chest, which had previously been reddened by his bites. The water splashed on his chin and on her cheek. You Yuji slightly turned her face to avoid it. The excessive closeness made You Yuji feel somewhat uncomfortable. She pushed against Si Que, trying to create some distance.
You Yuji couldn’t help but doubt whether Si Que’s body was truly weak. Despite being afflicted with a cold and running a fever, she was utterly powerless, while his arms still held immense strength.
Her efforts were in vain as she couldn’t push him away even a bit. She softly asked, “Don’t you feel tired?”
“Yes, I’m tired.” Si Que lowered his head, resting his chin on You Yuji’s shoulder. He turned his face to inhale the scent of You Yuji.
“I’m going to sleep,” he said.
You Yuji was taken aback. She pushed him again, but the person holding her tightly showed no reaction.
Could he really be planning to sleep here while holding her?
You Yuji couldn’t help but laugh.
The sky had completely darkened, and it was time to rest. You Yuji listened closely and could faintly hear the sound of fireworks and firecrackers, perhaps set off by children in the city.
The events of the night were not yet over. Fang Qingyi had been sent to the prince, and the prince would undoubtedly call her to question her.
You Yuji’s thoughts wandered to other matters.
After the New Year, the You family and the Jinnan Prince’s Residence would enter the palace together to meet the Empress Dowager and publicly announce the divorce agreement she had signed with Chen Anzhi long ago.
She calculated that it was only a few days away.
Originally, she had planned to arrange for Si Que to leave before she left. Now that she knew all his previous weaknesses were feigned, he could leave whenever he wanted, without her having to worry about him.
Aside from Si Que, she also thought about the other concubines…
You Yuji planned to find an opportunity to ask Cuiyu if she wanted to leave the prince’s residence. As for Chunxing… Chunxing was too honest and simple, and You Yuji wasn’t sure if she would want to leave.
Her thoughts then turned to her mother and younger brother, and to her second brother’s visit to the capital. After the New Year, on the eighth day of the first lunar month, the Emperor would go on a campaign. Her second brother might be sent to the military by the Emperor. The battlefield was dangerous, and her father had lost his life there. She couldn’t help but worry…
The many chaotic matters weighed heavily on her mind, and she was already very tired. In the steamy bathwater, she slowly closed her eyes and eventually fell asleep.
Amid the steam, the two of them sat in the bath barrel, holding each other and falling asleep. The warm water enveloped their closely entwined bodies.
The Boshan incense burner contained the fragrance that You Yuji had personally mixed, and the night wind blowing through the window transformed the rising smoke into meandering curves.
The room was filled with warmth and a pleasant fragrance.
After a long time, You Yuji slowly opened her eyes. She woke up because of the lingering warmth in her body. She frowned, staring at the sleeping Si Que.
She vaguely felt that the medicine in the cup was not just an ordinary aphrodisiac. Maybe the dose was too small? It wasn’t causing unbearable symptoms, but it did leave a faint, lingering sensation, making her dream a difficult-to-describe fragrant dream.
You Yuji frowned. Even though she wasn’t a naive young girl, she was still reluctant to recall the dream she had just had.
Si Que’s hold on her never lessened, and the tight embrace made You Yuji start to feel uncomfortable. She reached for Si Que’s hand at her waist and carefully tried to pry his fingers off. Before she could loosen his grip, the sound of water splashing grew louder by her ear.
You Yuji lowered her gaze, looking at the gently rippling water. The reflection showed her flushed cheeks.
“Big Sister,” Si Que woke up. Lazily, he didn’t open his eyes but turned his head, resting his face on You Yuji’s shoulder.
“Big Sister,” he called again.
“Let go. I need to get out,” You Yuji said.
Si Que still didn’t release her.
You Yuji looked at him, watching as a slow smile spread across his lips. He spoke languidly, “Big Sister had a beautiful dream. Who did you dream about? Was it me?”
You Yuji paused, then smiled, “Yes, it was a beautiful dream, but it wasn’t about you.”
Si Que opened his eyes, looking into the tender depths of You Yuji’s gaze.
“Big Sister, don’t lie.”
No, she couldn’t dream of being happy with someone else.
You Yuji smiled at him silently.
Si Que stared into her eyes for a while before slowly releasing his grip.
You Yuji stood up, causing a splash of water. Crystal-clear droplets rolled down her body, one after another.
Si Que’s gaze followed a single droplet on You Yuji’s collarbone. As she moved, the droplet slid over her collarbone, down the soft curve of her chest, and quickened its pace as it descended, following the contour of her waist.
She turned around, lifting her long, straight leg to step out of the bath barrel.
Si Que could no longer see the droplet.
You Yuji stepped out of the bath and walked to the small table by the window. She picked up a clean, large cotton towel, shook it open, and draped it over her shoulders, with one end hanging down her back and the other in front. She gathered her wet long hair from the back and draped it over the towel.
Si Que’s eyes never left her, watching as she tilted her head slightly to wring the water from her hair. The large white cotton towel hung loosely around her, half covering and half revealing her.
The sound of water behind her indicated that Si Que had also stepped out of the bath barrel, but You Yuji didn’t pay attention, still focused on wringing her hair.
Si Que walked step by step towards You Yuji, stopping just half a step behind her.
Not hearing any sound from behind, You Yuji casually said, “There are towels on the table for drying off.”
Si Que still didn’t move.
Surprised, You Yuji turned her head, only for Si Que to suddenly press her shoulder. She was momentarily stunned, then pushed forward by his strength until she was pinned against the wall two steps ahead.
The wall was wet and the moisture clung to You Yuji’s body. Before she could step back, Si Que had already pressed up against her from behind, trapping her between his body and the wall. The wall in front of her was hard and damp, just like the person behind her.
You Yuji was about to speak when she heard Si Que’s voice from behind.
“Big Sister,” he called, his voice low and tinged with the hoarseness of illness.
Without pausing, he called again, “Big Sister.”
You Yuji knew what he wanted to do. When Si Que’s hand slid down along her waistline, she did not stop him.
“Big Sister,” Si Que called out again, not needing a response, just repeating the call each time he moved.
Si Que leaned in and bit You Yuji’s shoulder. No matter who you dream about, outside your dreams, it will only be me. He lifted his hand to grasp You Yuji’s chin, turning her face towards him to kiss her. In contrast to his strength, his kiss was filled with a different kind of gentle intensity.
Involuntarily, You Yuji remembered the dream she had just had.
In the steamy bathhouse, she couldn’t distinguish between reality and dream. Both inside and outside the dream, it was an experience of ultimate bliss.
Prince Jinnan learned that You Yuji had sent Fang Qingyi over. He left the princess’s room and quickly walked into the front hall.
Fang Qingyi sat weakly in a chair, her head hanging down, looking dispirited. Her hands dangled at her sides, and there was blood on the sleeve of her left arm.
Prince Jinnan walked up to her quickly, raised his hand, and pointed at her for a moment, swallowing his words. Finally, he turned and left without saying a word, fearing that if he stayed any longer, he might kill this heartless woman in a fit of rage.
He stepped outside, standing under the eaves, letting the cool night breeze blow across his face to force himself to calm down.
Chang Ping walked quickly along the corridor, reporting, “Your Highness, after using some persuasion, the maid beside Concubine Fang has confessed everything.”
Lvshu was not a particularly brave maid, nor did she have any steadfast loyalty. With a little pressure from Chang Ping, she confessed everything she knew.
Prince Jinnan exhaled deeply, restraining his anger, and asked, “Has the young master woken up?”
“Not yet. The imperial physician has already seen him and prescribed strong medicine. The physician said he should wake up soon. The knife wound on his abdomen is not deep and did not hit any vital organs, so it’s not serious. However, the burns on the young master’s hands and chest are more troublesome.”
Prince Jinnan forced himself to remain calm and asked, “Will his hands be usable in the future?”
“The burns on the young master’s left hand are not severe, but the right hand is quite badly injured. According to the physician, whether he will regain normal use of it still needs to be observed for some time,” Chang Ping reported.
Prince Jinnan sighed and said, “When the young master wakes up, bring him to the front hall. Also, go to Tanxiang Yingyue and invite the young mistress over.”
The life of Fang Qingyi alone was not important. If such a heavy price today could make Chen Anzhi come to his senses, it might be worth it.
Prince Jinnan sent someone to Anxiang Courtyard to invite You Yuji to the front courtyard for a conversation. At that time, You Yuji was still in the bathhouse.
Zhenxu stood outside the bathhouse, knocking on the door to relay the message.
You Yuji, sitting at the table, tried to steady her trembling voice, speaking as normally as possible, “Got it. I’ll be there in a moment.”
“Yes.” Zhenxu turned and went to the small room to prepare a white fox fur coat for You Yuji. It was late, and the night wind was cold. Madam was still ill, so she needed to dress warmly.
You Yuji kicked at Si Que, but he caught her ankle.
“Stop messing around…” You Yuji frowned, lowering her voice.
“I’m not messing around.” Si Que leaned in, kissing the red mole on You Yuji’s ankle. He looked up and smiled slowly at her.
Taking advantage of his distraction, You Yuji pulled her foot back and kicked his shoulder. She warned him softly, “If you keep fooling around regardless of the situation, I will find a more obedient little lover!”
She stepped down from the table to get dressed.
Before she could touch the clothes on the table, Si Que grabbed her wrist. With a firm pull, he brought her back into his arms.
You Yuji glared at him with a hint of annoyance, truly getting angry.
Si Que, however, said innocently, “I just wanted to help you get dressed.”
“Why don’t you dress yourself first,” You Yuji said, pausing before adding, “You look quite unsightly.”
Si Que was stunned. Unsightly? What was unsightly? Where was it unsightly?
You Yuji laughed and pushed him away, turning to put on her clothes. Before she could finish dressing, Zhenxu came back from the small room with the white fox fur coat.
“Madam, let me help you…” Zhenxu naturally pushed the door open.
You Yuji’s expression changed instantly as she saw the door open a crack. She immediately shouted, “Get out!”
Zhenxu, who hadn’t seen anything, was startled. Her hand shook, and she stepped back. She let go of the door, which closed again. She stood there, staring at the door, puzzled by Madam’s sudden outburst.
“Heh.” Si Que suddenly chuckled.
You Yuji, still shaken, let out a long sigh of relief, then heard Si Que’s low laughter behind her. She frowned, looking back to see his amused face.
You Yuji bit her lip, realizing she had overreacted. She threw the item in her hand at Si Que in frustration, speaking quickly and quietly, “Get dressed!”
Si Que caught the item and unfolded it, examining it closely.
It was only then that You Yuji realized she had thrown her intimate undergarment.
