Afterwards, the two of them left the flower hall and returned to the bedroom. Si Que remained silent, his mood somewhat downcast.
You Yuji empathized with him, thinking that if she were Si Que, a man who had to dress as a woman every day, not only as a concubine but also the object of men’s desires, she would certainly feel both wronged and angry, along with sadness.
And Si Que was such a sensitive and fragile person…
You Yuji looked at Si Que, who was sitting by the window, playing with Baisui on his lap. He kept his head down, hiding his expression. You Yuji walked over to Si Que, stood in front of him, and gently poked Baisui’s head with her finger.
Si Que loosened his grip, and Baisui immediately jumped off his lap, disappearing in an instant. It was no longer the weak creature from that rainy night; it had grown quickly and was now very agile. The maids had to exert quite a bit of effort to catch it many times.
You Yuji placed her hand on Si Que’s shoulder and sat on his lap. Si Que raised his hand to support her waist.
You Yuji softly hooked her arm around his neck, leaning in to kiss the corner of his lips.
Si Que looked up to see her gentle eyes gazing at him. He knew You Yuji was trying to comfort him. Although he didn’t feel the grievance, sadness, or anger she imagined, he found it amusing, even a bit thrilling.
But she wanted to protect him, to comfort him.
Si Que found this feeling novel and interesting.
He looked at You Yuji and slowly revealed a compliant smile, “Sister, I’m not sad. Even if everyone else dislikes me, as long as you like me, that’s enough.”
Under the warm, yellow light, his eyes were as clear and bright as morning dew.
You Yuji’s heart softened even more. A sense of responsibility grew within this tenderness.
—She wanted to protect this person.
Outside, Zhenxu knocked on the door, softly asking if they wanted dinner served.
Si Que lowered his head, resting his chin on You Yuji’s shoulder, rubbing his cheek against hers, and whispered, “I don’t want to eat.”
He had always had a small appetite and often lacked the desire to eat. Skipping dinner was not uncommon for him.
But this was not a good habit.
Even a healthy person would suffer from irregular eating habits, let alone someone as frail as Si Que.
You Yuji got up from Si Que’s lap, walked to the door, and gave a few instructions. Shortly after, Zhenxu entered with two young maids, carrying dinner.
Si Que glanced at it; it was all light food.
But he really had no appetite.
With her back to him, he raised his eyes to glance at You Yuji’s graceful back, thinking to himself—fox spirit, don’t force me to eat.
I’m not eating.
I said I won’t eat, and I won’t.
You Yuji didn’t let the servants stay to serve them. After the maids set up the dinner, they quietly left.
You Yuji didn’t pull Si Que over to eat either. She sat alone at the square table, facing Si Que.
Si Que watched her.
It seemed You Yuji didn’t notice Si Que was looking at her. She rolled up her sleeves with one hand and held a large porcelain spoon with the other, scooping a big spoonful of deer milk from the celadon bowl into a small white bowl. She then lifted the small white bowl with both hands, gently kissed the rich milky aroma, and took two small sips.
Putting down the small white bowl, there was a bit of milk left on her rosy lips.
Her pink tongue licked the remaining deer milk from her lips, and then she picked up a small steamed bun with chopsticks, taking a bite. The round steamed bun immediately had a small piece missing, and a drop of broth fell out. You Yuji’s soft lips chewed the small bite of the bun delicately.
The taste was excellent; she nodded in appreciation, a smile appearing in her eyes from the satisfaction.
She continued to finish the steamed bun, sipped some fruit tea, and then picked up a piece of crispy meat with her silver chopsticks.
Si Que watched her open her mouth, the softness of her lips flashing briefly before being covered by her lips again. His gaze fell on her soft lips as she chewed.
Si Que pursed his lips.
The crispy meat was cooked just right and tasted very good. You Yuji ate several pieces in a row before starting on the green bamboo shoots.
Soft lips, hard bamboo shoots.
Red lips, green bamboo shoots.
You Yuji ate several pieces of green bamboo shoots before picking up another piece of crispy meat. This piece was slightly larger, so she opened her mouth a bit wider to fit it in.
She suddenly looked up at Si Que.
With the piece of crispy meat still in her mouth, she slowly finished chewing it before speaking softly, “Why are you watching sister eat?”
She was sitting in a different seat than usual, deliberately facing him. And then she asked why he was watching her eat?
Fox spirit.
And was it really okay for her to naturally call herself “sister”? She wasn’t even older than him.
Fox spirit.
Si Que walked over and sat down opposite You Yuji, realizing that only one set of silver chopsticks had been prepared, none for him.
“Sister, is it good?” he asked obediently.
You Yuji picked up a piece of crispy meat and fed it to him. She smiled lightly, “Want to try?”
Si Que thought the piece of crispy meat smelled a bit fragrant, perhaps because it had a hint of her lip scent. He glanced at her, reached out, and took the silver chopsticks from her hand.
He started eating.
You Yuji’s eyes curved as she watched Si Que eat while sipping the thick, fragrant deer milk.
Qi Mingcheng’s guess was correct. Chen Anzhi learned from the household servants that Qi Mingcheng had come to the mansion today and had spoken with You Yuji alone. As soon as he returned home, he hurried to Tanxiang Yingyue.
At that time, You Yuji had just finished bathing and was sitting at her dressing table, slightly tilting her head, gathering her long hair to one side while holding a cotton towel to dry it.
Zhenxu moved the half-height brazier over and said, “Madam, let me do it.”
“No need. You go rest.”
Listening to the sound of water in the bathing room, Zhenxu was momentarily distracted before quickly responding and respectfully withdrawing.
Before long, Si Que emerged from the bathing room. He had changed into loose sleepwear, his black hair half-wet.
“Come here.”
Si Que walked over to You Yuji and sat down beside her.
You Yuji’s long hair was almost dry. She tapped Si Que’s shoulder, making him turn around, and then gently began to dry his hair.
After a while, a servant reported that Chen Anzhi had arrived.
You Yuji could roughly guess what Chen Anzhi wanted to say. She sighed and said, “Tell him I’ve gone to bed and it’s inconvenient to meet. Please ask the heir apparent to leave.”
“You Yuji! Is this how you behave? Acting suspiciously, stirring up gossip—does this benefit you or me?”
Chen Anzhi had already reached the door. He pushed aside the blocking Zhenxu and kicked open the door.
He rushed in, stopping outside the inner room door. The upper part of the inner room door had a double layer of openwork cloud patterns with a layer of oiled paper. It showed the shadows of two people very close together inside.
Chen Anzhi was stunned, suddenly recalling the gossip he had heard from the maids in the mansion.
Lady Jing quickly entered from outside, her face stern. “Heir Apparent, our mistress is about to rest. Please leave.”
Chen Anzhi’s thoughts were interrupted.
He angrily raised his voice, “This is the Prince of Jinnan’s residence! This is my home!”
Si Que heard You Yuji sigh lightly behind him.
You Yuji felt that Chen Anzhi’s words were not without reason. She too longed to leave the Prince of Jinnan’s residence as soon as possible, to no longer be the heir apparent’s consort, but just You Yuji.
You Yuji put down the cotton towel in her hand and walked out. She opened the door, glaring coldly at Chen Anzhi, questioning, “What does the heir apparent want to accuse now? The doors and windows are open, the household servants are in the courtyard. Prince Kangjing stayed in the flower hall for less than a quarter of an hour—what could have happened that warrants your late-night interrogation?”
Chen Anzhi was at a loss for words.
His gaze fell on You Yuji. She was wearing loose, light purple sleepwear, her long hair not fully dry, gathered to one side, and she was enveloped in an immense tenderness.
“Moreover, if there’s anything about Prince Kangjing that displeases you, feel free to deal with him yourself.” You Yuji took a step back, “Not seeing you out.”
She closed the door.
Chen Anzhi stood outside, pale-faced.
What did You Yuji mean by those final words? Was she looking down on him for not daring to confront Qi Mingcheng and only coming to her to show off his power?
You Yuji returned to the bedroom, again thinking that she should make public her separation from Chen Anzhi as soon as possible. She looked up at Si Que standing by the bedside, his back to her.
The annoyance in her heart slowly dissipated.
No, she couldn’t rush.
She had to ensure Si Que’s safe departure first.
There were also a few other concubines. She couldn’t act on her own and needed to find an opportunity to ask their opinions.
Thinking this, You Yuji recalled the fake death drug.
Remembering the fake death drug, she couldn’t help but think of the Poison Pavilion Master. It seemed that whenever she thought of him, she could smell that bloody, bitter medicine.
You Yuji walked over to Si Que and gently asked, “What are you looking at?”
As she asked, she looked over. She saw that Si Que was holding the small booklet where she marked the days.
This month, she had to get pregnant.
You Yuji took the booklet from Si Que’s hands, glanced at it, and smiled sweetly, saying softly, “Today is a marked day.”
She turned to look at Si Que, her smiling eyes deepening, then gradually showing a troubled expression.
“Mm…maybe not. I don’t want you to tire yourself.” She smiled gently, turned around, and slowly bent over to place the booklet in the drawer of the bedside table.
Si Que’s gaze fell on You Yuji’s slender waist as she bent down.
“Fox spirit, your clumsy act of saying no while meaning yes.”—Si Que thought to himself, pressing his hand on You Yuji’s lower back, preventing her from standing up.
Chen Anzhi stormed out of Tanxiang Yingyue, striding towards Anxiang Court. He entered Hongzan’s room and saw her wearing the purple dress he had praised last time. His anger gradually dissipated. He pulled Hongzan into his arms, feeling a bit aroused.
“Your Highness, I’m not feeling well today,” Hongzan explained softly.
Chen Anzhi immediately felt disappointed and let her go.
Hongzan bravely suggested, “I won’t be serving you tonight, Your Highness. Perhaps you could visit Lady Fang…”
“That’s none of your concern.” Chen Anzhi disliked these women pushing him towards others. On the surface, it seemed like sisterly love and kindness, but didn’t it also show they didn’t care much for him?
Nonetheless, Chen Anzhi went to visit Fang Qingyi.
“Why are you drinking while pregnant?” Chen Anzhi walked over quickly.
“I didn’t drink,” Fang Qingyi smiled. “My cousin loves alcohol, and I’m brewing wine for him.”
Chen Anzhi sat down at the table and smiled, “So, I misunderstood you, cousin. Pour me a cup to taste.”
“Okay.” Fang Qingyi poured a cup of rice wine and handed it to Chen Anzhi, looking like a meek little woman.
On the day of the Eastern Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, You Yuji rose early.
After washing and dressing in elaborate palace attire, she returned to the bedroom. She lifted the bed curtains lightly, looking at the still-sleeping Si Que.
“Ah Que, I’m leaving.”
Si Que squinted at her.
Seeing her in full regalia, Si Que, who had just woken up, was momentarily dazed. He slowly smiled and said, “Sister, come back early.”
“Is there something you need?” You Yuji asked.
Si Que nodded.
Considering the maids were still in the mansion, You Yuji bent down, leaning in close to Si Que to listen.
Si Que slightly raised his chin, leaning towards You Yuji’s ear, and whispered, “Today is also a day marked with a red circle.”
You Yuji paused, gave him a reproachful look, lowered the bed curtains, and turned to leave.
Si Que was no longer sleepy.
He picked up a silk handkerchief beside the pillow that belonged to You Yuji, still retaining her scent. He placed it over his face, immersing all his senses in her presence.
Si Que didn’t lie down for long. He also needed to enter the palace today. During his last visit, he had located the fake death drug, and today, he needed to retrieve it.
A piece of fake death drug worth ten thousand taels of gold.
A smile appeared beneath the silk handkerchief.
