Concubine

"What do you want?"

"What does Your Highness want?"

Silence filled the room. Ji Yi's face remained expressionless, but his eyes flickered with complex emotions, as if recalling something deeply personal. Chi Ying waited patiently for him to open up.

After a long time, Ji Yi sighed and headed to the bathtub behind the screen.

"All I want is to be myself, not controlled or used by others."

Chi Ying felt a pang of guilt, realizing her true intentions. Even the simplest person could sense sincerity versus ulterior motives.

Ji Yi leaned back in the tub, washing off sweat and dirt, "When my mother was alive, she often told me, 'You are the eldest son, you must strive to make me proud.'"

"After my mother passed, Consort Duan took care of me, and she always said the same thing, 'Make your deceased mother proud.'"

Chi Ying felt a lump in her throat. She, too, had been burdened with expectations as the eldest daughter, ending up as a concubine in the Wu Wangfu. Every visit home revealed her parents' disappointed gazes.

The pain of living under others' expectations and then facing their disappointment was all too familiar.

"Just using me, my mother, Consort Duan, and you."

Ji Yi poured water over his head.

Footsteps approached.

"Where are you going?"

"...To the courtyard for some fresh air."

Under the moonlight, Chi Ying wrapped herself in a cloak and stepped outside. The breeze carried the scent of purple sunflowers. Xiaoqiu asked if she needed anything, but she shook her head.

Using.

Yes, she came to use him, to leverage him against the Crown Prince, protect her family, and avenge her past life. She never considered how he'd feel if he discovered her true intentions.

When Ji Yi said, "You're all just using me," Chi Ying felt like a clumsy liar exposed.

What made Ji Yi release her?

Why did she feel ashamed of her intentions and struggle to face him?

Chi Ying stood in the courtyard, her mind in turmoil.

Returning to the room, she found Ji Yi asleep on the sofa. She quietly covered him with a blanket and blew out the candle.

The next morning, Ji Yi left early for court. Chi Ying helped him dress and said, "Last night, you asked what I truly want. I've thought about it all night and figured it out."

"Tell me."

"I just want to live a full life."

Ji Yi was taken aback, "What did you say?"

Chi Ying repeated, "I just want to live a full life."

Ji Yi stared at her for a long time, then nodded slowly, "I understand."

For royals, living a full life was an unattainable dream. In the struggle for power, survival was uncertain. Chi Ying hoped Ji Yi understood her desire for peace and security, different from Empress Xiaolian, Consort Duan, and Concubine Guo.

If this was a promise, she decided to take the gamble.

The next day, Consort Duan sent people from the palace to invite the Xie siblings. Considering herself an outsider, Chi Ying politely declined. The little eunuch didn't insist and led the Xie siblings away.

In the afternoon, Chi Ying prepared for Ji Yi's departure to court.

At times, someone would come to report that Brother and Sister Xie had returned. Cheng Ying had just finished her tasks and decided to find Xie Yong to discuss the purpose of their visit to the capital. Although it was not quite appropriate for her to inquire, there was no one else suitable in the residence at the moment, and the master seemed completely unaware of such matters, so she had to take it upon herself.

When Cheng Ying knocked on the door, Xie Yong was writing something at his desk. Hearing the knock, he looked up in a hurry and covered the unfinished document with a book beside him. "Madam!"

"Am I interrupting? Did I disturb you?" Cheng Ying hesitated at the door.

Xie Yong hurriedly shook his head. "No, no, please come in, Madam!"

After the tea was served, Xie Yong thanked her carefully and then apologized with some guilt. "Actually, I should have come to apologize to you yesterday. Yu Chan... has been pampered by our father and stepmother since childhood, never having suffered much, and is somewhat naive. Please do not take offense."

Cheng Ying did not have a good impression of Xie Yuchan but found Xie Yong's manners quite agreeable. Regardless of his abilities, he was polite and not annoying. "No, Miss Xie is still young and can be a bit willful. I won't hold it against her."

Xie Yong sighed in relief, holding the teacup in his hands, hesitating for a moment before saying, "My sister and I came to the capital for two reasons: first, to visit Concubine Duan, and second, our father hopes I can find employment under His Highness, whether as a scribe or secretary, anything will do. But judging from His Highness's attitude, it seems he may not wish to keep us..."

Cheng Ying smiled reassuringly. "No, His Highness was just too busy yesterday and in a bad mood. As family, we should look out for each other. When His Highness has time, I will remind him. Which subject are you more proficient in?"

The imperial examinations in Great Chu included subjects like Mingjing (classics), Mingfa (law), Mingzi (characters), Mingsuan (mathematics), and others, but the most valued were Mingjing and Jinshi. Bai Lichan had failed to pass Mingjing repeatedly, which led him to wander the streets until he met Cheng Ying.

Xie Yong wiped the sweat from his nose and whispered, "I studied for several years in an academy, but due to poor health, my studies were intermittent... I can't say I'm particularly good at any subject..."

So they came here hoping for a backdoor entry? Cheng Ying was perplexed. It was good to have people seeking refuge, but if they couldn't help, it was another matter. Xie Yuchan's tantrum at the door had thoroughly ruined Prince Wu's impression of them, and Xie Yong himself was not a competent scholar. Convincing Prince Wu to keep them would not be easy.

"Is it... not possible?" Xie Yong asked cautiously.

"It depends on His Highness; I cannot decide. But you can stay in the residence without worry. If you need anything, just ask the steward. No need to be restrained," Cheng Ying avoided making promises. "Mr. Xie, you are here to seek refuge under His Highness, but what about Miss Xie? After visiting Concubine Duan, does she wish to return home?"

Xie Yong blushed even more, looking awkward, unsure whether to drink his tea or not. After a long while, he managed to say, "Yu Chan... also... wants to seek refuge under His Highness..."

"Ah..." Cheng Ying responded, surprised.

Xie Yong knelt down hastily, almost stumbling over his words. "Please forgive me, Madam! Our father... sent us here to form a marital alliance with Prince Wu. Since Empress Xiaoling and my stepmother are cousins, if His Highness marries Yu Chan, it would be a perfect match. Father also said that Xuanzhou is prosperous, and our family has wealth accumulated over generations. If His Highness plans to rise, our family is willing to offer all our assets to support him!"

"You..." Cheng Ying didn't know how to evaluate this family. Two self-centered parents had raised a spoiled daughter and a timid son. Their manner was not one of flattery but rather arrogance, as if marrying off their daughter to Prince Wu was doing him a great favor.

Where did the Xies get this confidence? Cheng Ying found it baffling.

"Brother! Why are you kneeling?" A voice scolded from outside. Xie Yuchan, apparently informed by a servant, rushed over angrily. Her cheeks flushed, chest heaving, clearly furious at what she saw. She stormed in and kicked Xie Yong hard. "You are a man of status. How could you kneel to a servant? You've disgraced our parents!"

It's your parents' face you've disgraced, Cheng Ying thought silently.

Xie Yong winced in pain, reaching out to pull her. "What are you saying? How can you be so disrespectful in front of the master? Apologize to Madam!"

Xie Yuchan pushed him away forcefully, stepping back and glaring at Cheng Ying provocatively. "Master? What kind of master is she? I am the future mistress of this residence! If anyone needs to apologize, it's her. A mere servant sitting in front of me—unbelievable!"

"Oh, really?" Cheng Ying stood up slowly, smiling, watching the girl who was around the same age as her. "I may not be the true mistress, but how can you be so sure you will be?"

Xie Yuchan glared. "Of course I'm sure. I have a betrothal with Ying Rong! My aunt arranged it when she was alive. I was destined to be his wife. No one can take him from me!"

Cheng Ying smiled faintly. "Really? His Highness has never mentioned it."

Xie Yuchan sneered. "That's between Ying Rong and me. Who are you to ask? Why should he tell you?"

Objectively speaking, Xie Yuchan was indeed pretty, her eyebrows and eyes resembling those of her aunt, Concubine Duan. If she sat quietly somewhere, she might attract some admiring glances, but her temper was terrible, her voice shrill and loud enough to be heard across two courtyards. Her beautiful eyes were always used for glaring or rolling, truly wasting her good looks.

Cheng Ying felt there was nothing more to say to such a person and chose to ignore her. "Mr. Xie, please rise. I cannot accept such a grand gesture. I will convey your request to His Highness. The outcome will depend on his decision."

Xie Yong bowed his head repeatedly, thanking her, only to be pinched fiercely by Xie Yuchan.

A betrothal? On the way back to the main courtyard, Cheng Ying pondered this. If Prince Wu and Xie Yuchan indeed had a betrothal, why hadn't Concubine Duan ever mentioned it? Empress Xiaoling died early, so if the betrothal existed, it would have been her dying wish. Concubine Duan should have told her about it.

"Betrothal? What's that?"

Prince Wu's response was predictable. Cheng Ying became more convinced it was merely a one-sided wish of the Xie family.

"Have the siblings left yet?" Prince Wu asked while undressing.

"They came with gifts, obviously seeking something. They won't leave without achieving their goal," Cheng Ying wondered about his mindset. Wasn't he aware that as a prince, many would seek favors?

Prince Wu tugged at his inner garment, seeming warm, and grabbed a fan to cool himself. "Return their gifts and send them away."

Cheng Ying laughed in disbelief. "How can you dismiss people without asking? Building relationships is crucial for any significant endeavor. If you treat every potential ally this way, no one will want to serve you."

Prince Wu impatiently fanned himself. "Significant endeavors? What significant endeavors? I've made it clear I don't want to be emperor. Your hints won't change that."

"Even if you don't want to be emperor, do you think being a prince will be easy?" Cheng Ying patiently explained. "How can you sleep soundly knowing there are threats nearby? Even wise emperors struggle with this, let alone a crown prince..."

Before she could finish, snoring sounded behind her.

Cheng Ying's reflection in the mirror showed a face of exasperation.

Prince Wu seemed especially tired today. Cheng Ying tried to wake him to bathe before sleeping, but despite her efforts, he remained deeply asleep. Finally, she brought hot water to the bedside to clean him.

Since their marriage, they had only consummated once, so Cheng Ying observed his body closely for the first time.

She knew Prince Wu had been fighting wars since his coronation at sixteen, initially under veteran generals and later independently. He demonstrated remarkable talent in military strategy, often making correct decisions instinctively, repelling Northern Di invasions and securing the northern border for Great Chu.

Even Emperor Cui Jie acknowledged his brother as a reincarnation of the war god, born for battle.

Years of military life had given Prince Wu a strong, well-defined physique, his muscles solid but not exaggerated. His bronze skin bore numerous scars, some shallow, others deep and jagged from sword wounds. Countless marks covered his body, startling to see.