sweet as honey

"What's wrong?" Cui Yi asked, his tone indicating he was no longer angry, even somewhat elated.

Chi Ying smiled: "Are you not angry anymore?"

Cui Yi grunted noncommittally: "Go get some hot water ready, I need to bathe."

Chi Ying went out to lift the high-pressure warning, and the maids and servants quickly prepared the hot water.

Cui Yi sank into the bathtub, resting his arms on the rim, sighing in comfort. Chi Ying opened a package of herbs and sprinkled them into the water. Cui Yi asked curiously: "What's this?"

"Some herbs to relieve fatigue, given by Sister Cheng," Chi Ying stirred the herbs and began washing him.

Cui Yi nodded approvingly: "You two seem to get along."

Chi Ying smiled: "Sister Cheng is kind, I copied many health recipes from her. I'll cook soup for Your Highness later."

Cui Yi laid his head on the rim, letting her wash his back. Chi Ying added: "By the way, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Do you know Yang Hai?"

Cui Yi half-closed his eyes: "Yes, the Great Northern Guardian during Emperor Wen of Eastern Jing's reign, stationed in Bancheng—now about five hundred li outside Ganzhou's Juexia Pass, which was under Eastern Jing's jurisdiction at the time. He guarded the area for fifteen years, ensuring peace between Eastern Jing and Yucang. It's said that after his death, the secret was kept for three years, and the minorities beyond the pass dared not approach Bancheng within ten li."

Chi Ying was surprised: "How do you know so much?"

Cui Yi snorted: "I've always admired General Yang Hai. One day, Da Chu will reclaim Bancheng."

Chi Ying laughed and poured water over his hair. Cui Yi wiped his face and asked: "Why the sudden question?"

"Well, I met a descendant of General Yang Hai on the way back today."

Cui Yi sneered: "Descendant of General Yang Hai? And then what, you tried to charm him?"

Chi Ying couldn't help laughing: "I saw him selling himself on the street to bury his father, so I gave him ten taels of silver."

Cui Yi scoffed: "Probably a scam. Just because he claims to be Yang Hai's descendant, you believed him?"

Chi Ying explained: "He had the Silver Moon Spear passed down from General Yang Hai, so it's unlikely to be fake. As for his abilities, Your Highness can test him personally. If he's a fraud, we can throw him out."

Cui Yi wasn't interested in scholars but had some interest in warriors, especially those linked to his childhood idol. So he asked: "Where is he?"

"He should be burying his father. I told him to come to the residence if he needs help, so he'll probably show up in a few days. Do you want to spar with him?" Chi Ying teased, "Didn't you fantasize about sparring with General Yang Hai when you were young?"

Cui Yi snorted but didn't deny it.

Days passed, and Yang Qiong didn't come, but Emperor Jianyuan and Consort Duan sent envoys to persuade Cui Yi and Chi Ying about marrying Xie Yuchan.

Cui Yi adamantly refused, infuriating Emperor Jianyuan, who couldn't force him. He grew more gray hairs worrying about it.

Consort Duan tried to persuade Chi Ying through various means, but Chi Ying feigned innocence, showing her bruised wrist to prove she had tried. Seeing her injuries, Consort Duan backed off.

"Your Highness shouldn't anger the Emperor. Parents always worry about their children's marriages," Chi Ying said while combing her hair, finding Cui Yi's frustrated scratching particularly amusing.

In the sweltering August heat, Cui Yi sat shirtless, wearing only thin silk pants, looking distracted.

Chi Ying finished combing her hair and tidied up the accessories. Finally, Cui Yi lost patience: "What are you still doing?"

"If Your Highness is tired, go to sleep," Chi Ying replied naturally.

Cui Yi's face darkened, silent.

Chi Ying reached for her earrings and paused, turning to look at him in surprise: "Your Highness wants to..."

Cui Yi continued to remain silent, glaring at her ominously.

Chi Ying laughed, stopped tidying up, blew out the lamp, and moved to the bed, hugging his neck in the darkness: "What got into Your Highness tonight?"

Cui Yi eagerly pushed her onto the bed, pulling open her clothes, kissing her hungrily like a starved wolf.

Chi Ying was puzzled. They had been married for nearly half a year, and Cui Yi had always seemed indifferent. She even wondered if he preferred men due to his military lifestyle. But seeing his behavior tonight, it seemed she hadn't been attentive enough.

"Ow! Your Highness, gentler!"

Cui Yi's hands, calloused from holding spears, were rough and strong. Chi Ying feared her ribs would break and quickly spoke up.

Cui Yi loosened his grip: "Did I hurt you?"

Chi Ying laughed: "A bit. What's gotten into Your Highness tonight? Didn't eat much for dinner."

In the darkness, Cui Yi's expression was unreadable.

---

"The Emperor sent someone to the western camp to summon me again today," Cui Yi touched her body again, but more gently, "He said I was unfilial for not having a wife or children and that I shouldn't bother paying respects anymore."

So, being scolded by the Emperor for being unfilial and childless, he was rushing to make amends. Chi Ying didn't know whether to laugh or cry and deliberately said: "Oh, so Your Highness married me just to have children."

Cui Yi's hand paused on her chest.

"Your Highness..."

"If you're unwilling, forget it."

Before Chi Ying could react, Cui Yi rolled over, covering himself with the blanket, and fell silent.

What a sudden twist! Stopping abruptly and refusing to cuddle. Chi Ying was speechless, rolling over to shake his shoulder: "Your Highness? Are you angry?"

Cui Yi faced away from her, silent.

Chi Ying couldn't help laughing, hugging him from behind: "Isn't it uncomfortable to hold it in?"

Cui Yi angrily pushed her away: "Don't push your luck!"

Chi Ying clung to him stubbornly: "Unfilial acts include lacking descendants, which Your Highness should have known. Why wait until now... Do you not want children? That's why you avoid touching me."

Cui Yi turned to look at her, and Chi Ying stared back intently.

"Can Your Highness tell me why you don't want children?"

Cui Yi averted his gaze, his tone indifferent: "Because childbirth can kill."

Chi Ying froze: "What?"

"I was six when a concubine died giving birth, along with the baby."

Chi Ying licked his lips, sounding indifferent: "Let's sleep. I don't care about the throne anyway, skipping visits saves trouble."

So, he was afraid she would die... Chi Ying felt a mix of emotions, her nose tingling with tears. She hugged him tightly.

Both men, born of the same father, yet one could watch her burn in a fire, while the other feared losing her in childbirth and avoided intimacy. Such a stark contrast in character.

Cui Yi stroked her head and gently caressed her cheek. Chi Ying realized she was crying.

"There's no need to cry, let's sleep," Cui Yi kissed her cheek and tried to push her away.

But Chi Ying clung tighter: "I want children. Even if it means risking death, I still want them."

For six years, she was deprived of motherhood, watching other concubines enjoy motherhood while she remained alone.

Cui Yi flipped over, holding her: "What did you say?"

Chi Ying buried her face in his chest, sobbing: "I want children, even if it means risking death."

Realizing the fear of losing her had kept him from pursuing fatherhood, Cui Yi responded with action, finally unburdened from his fears.

Covering him with the quilt and resting her head on his arm, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Suddenly, life turned as sweet as honey. Even when Xie Yuchan came to make a scene, Chi Ying could just smile it off. Every day, she continued to embroider flowers in the courtyard or visit Cheng Fenyi at the Cheng residence to learn medicine, so leisurely that she almost forgot her original purpose for marrying into the Wu.

In early winter of that year, Chi Ying experienced nausea and vomiting. After Cheng Fenyi confirmed, she was three months pregnant.

The entire Wu was instantly buzzing with excitement. Servants ran around spreading the news, and within no time, even the stable hands were informed of the good news.

Upon receiving the message, Cui Yi immediately abandoned his troops and returned like an unstoppable steamroller, riding on Jinwu, followed by Cao Qian who came to see the commotion and offer congratulations.

The room was already filled with people. Cheng Fenyi and her husband Zhai Rang had specially escorted Chi Ying back. Bai Licheng and Xie Yong, as guest scholars, naturally came to congratulate them. When Cui Yi entered, Xiao Qiu was tearfully chatting with Chi Ying.

Cui Yi frowned: "What are you doing here?"

Under his sharp gaze, Xie Yuchan shrank back and stammered, "I just wanted to take a look..."

Cui Yi roared at the servants outside the door: "Who let her in! Do you take my words lightly?"

The servants hurriedly knelt down to beg for mercy. Xie Yong looked embarrassed, and seeing this, Chi Ying had to intervene: "It was I who allowed them to let her in. Young Master Xie and Miss Xie came to congratulate us. It wouldn't be right to keep them outside."

Cui Yi had no more objections. Bai Licheng smiled and mediated: "Everyone has come to congratulate Lady on giving birth to the little prince for His Highness. Now that His Highness is back, we won't disturb you further." He gave a meaningful glance to Zhai Rang and his wife, and the three got up to leave. Cui Yi, in a great mood, unusually bowed back.

"Well... we should go too," Xie Yong nervously observed Cui Yi's expression and shuffled towards the door, tugging at his sister as he passed by.

Xie Yuchan refused to leave, shaking off her brother's grip. Unable to drag her away and unwilling to leave alone, Xie Yong was sweating profusely.

Fortunately, Cui Yi's attention was entirely on Chi Ying. As Cheng Fenyi stepped aside, he quickly sat beside Chi Ying, grabbed her hand, and struggled to speak. Finally, he managed: "How do you feel now?"

Xiao Qiu couldn't help laughing, and Chi Ying, half amused and half exasperated, replied, "The baby is only three months old; what can I feel? Look at how worried you seem."

Cui Yi, usually expressionless, looked like his eyes were about to pop out with hearts. He clicked his tongue and decided to say something to salvage his image.

"You... um, rest more, eat well, and there's no need for you to get up in the morning to help me dress or at night. The maids will do it. Have a doctor check on you every day... and..."

Xiao Qiu tried hard not to laugh, and just as Chi Ying was about to say something, Xie Yuchan snorted loudly from the doorway.

Xie Yuchan crossed her arms, looking disgusted: "So pampered, even the Empress isn't treated like this during pregnancy, let alone a concubine. Who knows what kind of child she'll give birth to."

"You!" Cui Yi instantly exploded. If not for Chi Ying holding him back, he would have kicked her out.

Chi Ying, while restraining Cui Yi, said, "Parents always worry too much, especially since this is His Highness' first child. It's natural for him to be concerned. What does it have to do with being pampered?"

Xie Yuchan's jealousy and contempt were written all over her face as she stared hatefully at Chi Ying's belly. "First child? A concubine's child, what future can it have? Once Yingrong Brother marries me, I can give him as many children as he wants, and they will all be a thousand times better than yours!"

Xie Yong was nearly scared out of his wits by his sister's words and quickly pulled her away: "Stop talking nonsense! Quickly leave! Your Highness, Lady, please forgive her. Yuchan doesn't know what she's saying."

Xie Yuchan shook off her brother's grip: "Why should I leave! What did I say wrong! I have a marriage contract with Yingrong Brother. I am the lady of this house! Just because I arrived a few days late, she became the concubine, and I have to avoid her? How ridiculous!"

"Marriage contract? What marriage contract?" Cui Yi, restrained by Chi Ying, narrowed his eyes at the mention of the term.

Xie Yuchan rushed forward, tears in her eyes: "Yingrong Brother, don't you remember? On my first birthday, Aunt brought you home for a family visit. You watched me choose my destiny. I picked Aunt's jade phoenix hairpin, and Aunt made a marriage contract between us. Since then, I've been your princess consort!"

Cui Yi coldly stared at her: "I don't recall such a thing."

Xie Yuchan screamed louder: "How can you not remember? I remember it clearly. How can you forget? I am your princess consort. How can you forget me?"

Cui Yi, unable to bear it any longer, roared: "Enough!"

Xie Yuchan trembled and took a few steps back, unsure of what to do.

"The only princess consort of mine is Changsun Chi Ying. There's no place for you, Xie Yuchan!" Cui Yi pointed towards the door, "If it weren't for Mother Duanyuan's sake, I would have thrown you out long ago. Get out now!"

This was the first time Cui Yi had openly expressed his displeasure with her presence. Xie Yuchan took a deep breath, covering her chest, tears streaming down her face: "I don't believe it... I don't believe it! I am your princess consort!"

Cui Yi remained expressionless: "I'll count to three. One."

Xie Yuchan cried out desperately: "I don't believe it! You've been waiting for me, haven't you? Why are you telling me now that you don't love me anymore?"

Cui Yi coldly responded: "I never loved you, nor did I wait for you. Two."

Xie Yuchan collapsed on the floor, sobbing hysterically. Chi Ying couldn't help but frown, wondering if she acted like this at home whenever things didn't go her way, just like a street hooligan.

Just as Cui Yi was about to say "three," Xie Yong, unable to drag his sister away, knelt down and repeatedly kowtowed: "Your Highness, please calm down! Your Highness, please calm down! Indeed, Her Majesty once mentioned to the Xie family about arranging a marriage between Your Highness and Yuchan, but it was later dropped. Father and Mother always kept this in mind and told Yuchan from a young age that she would marry Your Highness. For fifteen years, she grew up with this dream. No matter how wrong she is, her feelings for Your Highness are genuine. Please forgive her this time!"

Cui Yi, unimpressed, smiled mockingly: "Does the Xie family think my princess consort should be a hooligan?"

Xie Yong had nothing to say and lowered his head as much as possible.