Seventy One

In the midst of chaos, Princess Dongzhi was pacing anxiously while waiting for Xueyin to arrive. The moment they bumped into each other, they both knocked their foreheads hard...but neither of them cared. The shock of what they had just witnessed at the wedding anniversary celebration overshadowed everything, even pain.

Panicking, Xueyin grabbed Princess Dongzhi's hand.

"Tell me this isn't real, Dongzhi... Please tell me I'm dreaming. Did I really just see Yibo with those twin boys that look exactly alike?" she asked, shaking her friend's hand in disbelief. Dongzhi was just as shaken, her mind spiraling as if she wasn't even on earth.

"Xueyin... I'm even more rattled than you," Dongzhi replied, slapping her own thighs with her palms. No matter how hard Xueyin tried to hold back her tears, she failed. She gripped her head with both hands and burst out crying.

"Queen Zhaiye betrayed us. She deceived us. She played us all for fools. She married him in secret....with the help of His Majesty...leaving us completely powerless to interfere or cause any harm. She paraded that washed-up girl from Qiantang in front of us as his only wife. Zhaiye, you've shattered everything we thought we knew for years. You went one way, while we went another...and we were all blind."

Her crying deepened. The pain cut through her chest. Every plan she'd ever made to sabotage the woman and her household had fallen apart. For years, Queen Zhaiye never let her guard down, always one step ahead. And now, all the sleepless nights, all the plotting...it was all for nothing. The clock had rewound even further than before.

Princess Dongzhi couldn't even sit. She paced like someone who had swallowed stick. Sweat trickled down her face as she kept hoping this was some elaborate dream she would soon wake up from.

Meanwhile, in the event hall, the whispers had already begun. Small conversations sparked from every direction...mostly among the two-faced guests. Many were simply in shock, especially those who had always seen Queen Zhaiye as the kindest of His Majesty's wives, known for her compassion and empathy. Most believed there had to be a powerful reason why Yibo's marriage had been hidden...and even the twins kept secret.

Many speculated it was done for safety...his and the children's. And perhaps now was finally the right time to reveal them.

Qinnu, who had been trying to stay composed, suddenly felt the weight of everything crash over her. She could no longer contain the panic rushing through her heart. Slowly, she slipped from her seat and collapsed to the ground, completely unprepared for the overwhelming wave of realization.

Seeing her fall, her children ran to her in concern and tried to rouse her. Her eyes were fixed on them, but she couldn't speak, nor lift a finger. She was carried away into the house in a flurry of concern...just as Prince Yibo, Zhan, and Queen Zhaiye stood center stage, greeting guests after renewing their vows and exchanging rings. Joy radiated from them. Even Zhan, who had once felt uncertain, now felt like the most cherished man alive.

As they moved through the crowd, Sikong watched them, bitterness simmering in his eyes. From the moment he arrived, he hadn't stopped glaring.

He burned with jealousy...but more than that, with hatred. Every dream he had chased in life had somehow ended up in Yibo's hands. Fame. Status. Wealth. Influence. Even love.

He had fallen for Zhan the very first day he laid eyes on him.

And now, Yibo not only had him...but had fathered beautiful children with him.

Sikong clenched his eyes shut and whispered to himself, "Not this time." He wasn't going to lose again. He would destroy that smile on the Prince's face. Tonight. Not tomorrow. Tonight.

He rose abruptly, fury in every step as he marched out of the hall, already planning how he would strike.

The celebration, meanwhile, was unforgettable. It sparkled, it healed, and it filled the hearts of all those who genuinely loved Queen Zhaiye and her family.

The Queen had organized a grand dinner with His Majesty and the entire royal family in a private wing of the palace. However, due to an unexpected and unexplained illness affecting Qinnu, the gathering ended up being attended only by the Queen, her children, and her grandchildren.

The dinner was scheduled for 7:00 PM. Since the conclusion of the earlier wedding and anniversary event, Zhan had spent the day mostly in the company of the Queen, Yibo's siblings, and cousins, who treated him as if they wanted to keep him all to themselves. He and the twins blended into the family with such ease that even Zhan was surprised at how quickly the children had adapted. It felt like they had always belonged.

Around 4:00 PM, the Queen assigned Zhan a team of carefully selected attendants to help him get ready, and he was escorted to Prince Yibo's opulent wing by Nalan.

Since the event ended, Yibo had been busy and hadn't had time to rest, which meant he hadn't yet seen Zhan. He remained in another wing entertaining guests... some preparing to fly back, while others planned to stay the night in Tianjin for the private reception Yibo was hosting the next day.

Zhan, meanwhile, sat quietly in Yibo's private chambers like a guest, with only Jianghu and Jiangji beside him... though they hadn't fully warmed up to the palace yet, their behavior suggested otherwise.

At 6:00 PM, Nalan herself arrived to pick up Jianghu and Jiangji along with their royal attire... matching traditional garments that radiated nobility and luxury, right down to the embroidery. Zhan simply sat and watched them get dressed, admiring the fine detail and fit. He closed his eyes for a moment, overwhelmed with gratitude. Sometimes he still found it hard to believe they were his... his own children. It all felt surreal.

Once the twins were fully dressed, Nalan turned to him with a smile.

"Your Highness Gege, it's time. We're heading out ahead. Everyone's waiting on the twins."

He chuckled softly.

"What, are you playing favorites now? Who did you meet first... me or them?"

Nalan laughed.

"Come on! But honestly, they've completely stolen the spotlight. Sorry, you and Prince Yibo are going to have to take the backseat now."

Zhan smiled as well and headed to the bathroom to draw warm water into the tub. The twins left with Nalan.

While Zhan was in the middle of preparing, Yibo suddenly pushed open the door. Zhan turned in surprise... he hadn't expected Yibo to walk into that room. With so many rooms in the part, he assumed he'd be elsewhere.

Yibo walked straight toward him, eyes fixed on Zhan. Zhan's heart started pounding. He didn't know where to run or how to react before Yibo reached him. He stopped behind him and pulled Zhan into a tight embrace, releasing a long breath.

"You smell so good, my Prince," Yibo whispered near his ear, his voice tender. Zhan's eyes fluttered shut. Goosebumps broke across his skin. He couldn't even form a reply before Yibo added softly,

"You didn't wait for me so we could bathe together? That means you'll have to take another bath then."

Before Zhan could react, Yibo had already scooped him up and carried him into the bathroom. Zhan couldn't even resist him.

The tub was already filled with warm water. Yibo casually dropped his towel and slid into the tub without hesitation. Zhan, stunned and flushed, couldn't bring himself to move. He tried to turn away, shielding his gaze.

"Are you embarrassed again?" Yibo teased.

Zhan tried to convince Yibo to help him out or at least hand him a towel, but Yibo refused. Yibo simply smirked, pretending not to notice. Then, without warning, he pulled Zhan back into his arms, doing things that made Zhan forget what he'd even been saying about.

Only after Yibo had expressed his affection to his heart's content did he finally allow Zhan to help him wash. Zhan kept his eyes shut, not wanting to look at him like that. Yibo, amused, splashed a bit of cold water on his glowing face.

"You'll get used to this. One day, you'll even bathe me. Might as well start preparing for it now," Yibo said with a playful tone.

Zhan didn't respond. He kept his eyes closed until Yibo wrapped himself in a towel. Then he held out a hand.

"Come on. Let's get dressed. We're late. I know they're waiting for us."

Zhan hesitated, shoulders tight with nervousness, unsure he could move just yet. Yibo smiled softly, placing a towel beside the tub and turning his back to give him privacy. Zhan hurriedly grabbed the towel, stood up, and wrapped it around himself.

But as he tried to slip past, Yibo grabbed his wrist again and gently pulled him back into his arms. Zhan stood still, unsure what to do, while Yibo quietly held him... pouring silent affection into every moment.

This time, Zhan didn't resist. They got dressed together in coordinated royal outfits, as elegant as those they'd worn at the earlier celebration. Zhan himself had to silently whisper a few calming words... his heart couldn't handle the way Yibo looked at him.

Yibo held his hand as they left the room together, heading toward the Queen's wing for the royal dinner.

Sikong was hiding in the corner he had chosen carefully. When Yibo and Zhan passed by him, he followed them with a bitter gaze, his heart tightening with envy. Dark thoughts swirled in his chest, fueled by resentment and whispered encouragement from his own mind. With trembling fingers, he pulled out his phone and sent Xueyin a short message:

They just left. I'm sure they won't be gone more than an hour. I'll notify you the moment they return. Try to convince him to come to your quarters.

After that, he pocketed the phone and exhaled slowly, feeding his determination with dangerous anticipation.

By the time Zhan and Yibo arrived at the gathering, the entire family was already present.. they were the only ones being waited on. Everyone welcomed them warmly, surrounding them with affection. The atmosphere was full of joy and harmony, and what had brought them together felt almost like a celebration.

Just one look at the group and it was clear: this family was deeply content, bound by understanding and mutual love.

For Queen Zhaiye, this day felt like a fresh page. Her heart was light and her spirit clear. When she looked at her family, she felt luckier than anyone else. Especially when she glanced at Zhan... her respect and admiration for him kept growing. His calm, his courtesy, his quiet dignity... they set him apart, even from Qiantang, whom she hadn't previously compared him to, but now the differences were undeniable.

The way the family pulled Zhan in with open arms and constant attention made it difficult for him not to soften in return. If not for Prince Yibo constantly keeping an eye on him, Zhan might have fully let his guard down. Everywhere Zhan moved, Yibo followed, his eyes filled with unreadable intensity. Zhan didn't know what exactly Yibo wanted...maybe Yibo himself didn't know...but one thing was certain: Zhan had fallen deeply in love with him. Not recently, not last week or even last year. He didn't know when it had happened, or how. Just that it had.

They stayed long...almost until eleven o'clock. The Prince's siblings playfully claimed the twins for the night, insisting the boys would sleep over. Zhan didn't protest, though he felt uneasy about it. And when Yibo quietly walked beside him, gently guiding him back toward his personal quarters, Zhan followed with uncertain steps. His heart pounded with nerves...what kind of night awaited him in the arms of his formidable husband?

Once they entered the Prince's wing, Yibo dismissed the attendants, telling them to rest. In the sitting room, he folded his arms across his chest and looked at Zhan with softened eyes.

"Pick any bedroom you want. One where you can relax and sleep comfortably," Yibo said.

The gentleness in his tone eased Zhan's anxiety a little. He turned his face away, trying not to let it show, but Yibo smiled faintly and gestured toward the room nearest his own.

"I've picked this one for you, my Prince."

"Thank you," Zhan murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

Yibo's gaze was intense. It made Zhan feel heavy and shy at the same time. Everything about him was too direct. Just earlier, even his siblings had teased him about it, and Yibo had glared so hard they both zipped their mouths shut.

Zhan heard the Prince's phone ring just as he stepped into the room. He didn't know who he was talking to, but soon after, he heard Yibo's footsteps leave the sitting room entirely.

Alone at last, Zhan slipped out of his clothes and changed into thick, comfortable nightwear. With nothing else to do, he lay on the bed, pulling up the elegant scarf Yibo had given him earlier. He admired it quietly... its beauty and craftsmanship, its cost... and then pressed it to his chest.

Elsewhere in the estate, Prince Yibo approached Xueyin's wing, clearly puzzled. She had called him herself tonight... something she rarely did, and never this late. Eleven p.m.? What could possibly be so urgent?

Still, he set aside his suspicions and followed the servant who led him into her sitting room, where she was waiting for him.

To his surprise, she greeted him with a bright smile and even stood to welcome him. "Welcome, Prince of Tianjin. I'm glad you came," she said warmly, gesturing for him to sit.

"Please, have a seat. I'll bring you something to eat and drink. I'm sure with all the evening's festivities, you've barely had time for a proper meal."

Yibo shook his head, hands tucked into his pockets.

"I've already eaten. I had dinner with my mother."

Her smile faltered slightly, but she covered it with a soft laugh.

"Ah yes, your mother. Well, we weren't invited, unfortunately." She paused, then leaned in slightly. "But never mind. Please, sit down. If you won't eat, at least have a drink."

Before he could respond, she called one of her attendants and instructed her to bring chilled grape juice... his favorite, which she of course remembered.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, fixing his gaze on her, noticing her hesitation and nervous fidgeting.

"Y-Yes... I just thought... why the rush, Prince? You should have waited for your drink."

"I wasn't thirsty," Yibo replied calmly. "Your call was what brought me out."

"I see..." she trailed off, her voice uncertain. "Well... I wanted to talk about everything that happened today. Can you believe it's been nine whole years, and you, Yibo... married with two children... and none of us ever knew? Honestly, it's shocking. We're supposed to be like your family, and yet you've kept something so important from us. If the Queen were no longer around, wouldn't you still keep looking at us as family? Because honestly, I don't feel like one right now. It makes me feel like we're no different from the rest of the world... outsiders."

Yibo gave a small, restrained smile, turning his head slightly to the side. He didn't see the need to engage. And the way Xueyin was talking...it was clear she hadn't planned this conversation, she was just blurting thoughts out. He had long understood the kind of person she was. At first, he thought it was his mother taking an extreme stance against their involvement, but over time, he realized the truth...Xueyin was a master manipulator.

He turned his gaze to her. "Things happen when the time is right, and now...now was the time for you to find out."

"I suppose so," she replied, then huffed with frustration. "Still, it hurt. Even your Aunt, Princess Dongzhi, when she found out...she nearly burst a blood vessel. I had to calm her down."

She went on, throwing out more scattered, pointless complaints that had little to do with the situation.

Meanwhile, Zhan was in the middle of adjusting settings on his phone when the door to his room suddenly opened. He looked up, surprised...Yibo had already said goodnight quietly when entering earlier, so who could be coming in now?

But the figure that entered was no one he recognized.

A stranger stood in the doorway, eyes locked on him, studying him intently.

Zhan slowly set his phone aside, his eyes narrowing with suspicion as he tried to place the man's face.

"Excuse me?" Zhan said cautiously. "Who are you? How did you just walk into a married man's bedroom without permission?"

Sikong said nothing. He just continued to stare at Zhan's form, his gaze unnervingly intense.

Zhan began to feel unsettled. He instinctively grabbed a nearby jacket and slipped it on, thankful his clothes weren't revealing. But as he turned around to adjust it, he suddenly felt the man's presence behind him.

Startled, he spun around and raised his voice. "Get out of my room! Are you insane? Or just completely out of your mind?"

Sikong smirked darkly. "I hear you loud and clear. I didn't come to cause a scene. You probably don't recognize me, but I could never forget you. From the moment I saw you... nine years ago... until now, I've lived with a bitter jealousy and pain. I wanted what the Prince had. I wanted you. I dreamed of marrying you, of being with you. But he got to you first. Despite all my efforts, I never stood a chance."

Zhan froze.

The man's voice lowered, chillingly calm.

"So I came here in peace, to ask for something... simple. Let me have you...just once. Let me experience what he had, if only to ease the sting of losing you. Please… cooperate. It won't change the past. But maybe it'll make this pain easier to bear...."

Zhan didn't let him finish. His hand flew up and slapped the man hard across the face.

"Are you out of your mind?! You're disgusting! Even a prostitute would find your words shameful. You dare say this to a married man...a man of dignity? Leave this part now before I call the guards and have you thrown out!"

Sikong only smiled and stepped closer, rubbing his cheek.

"I see. So you won't do this the easy way. Then I'll take you by force."

And with that, he lunged.

He grabbed Zhan's jacket, yanking at it, trying to pin him down. Zhan fought back with all his strength, panic rising. A violent struggle broke out between them... Zhan pushing, hitting, resisting with everything he had, while Sikong tried to overpower him with brute force and determination.

Zhan wasn't just fighting for his body...he was fighting for his dignity, his safety, and the sacredness of the life he had built.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛