The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 137 Jealousy
In the capital city, at the Imperial Censor Bureau.
During a brief afternoon break, Wang Jingyi went alone to the archive room to review case files, familiarizing herself with previous cases.
Wang Jingyi had entered the officialdom somewhat later than most. Although her initial purpose for joining the Imperial Censor Bureau wasn’t entirely pure, after a period of time, she had achieved a sense of accomplishment in her work that she had never experienced previously in the secluded confines of the inner chambers.
It seemed, just as Ji Mu had once said, perhaps she was indeed suited to be an official?
Ji Mu…
Wang Jingyi stopped flipping through the case files, her thoughts drifting.
———–
That day on the boat at Qianshui Lake, things had gotten out of hand. When she woke up the next day, she found herself in Ji Mu’s residence, a house he had purchased in the southern part of the capital city.
Although Wang Jingyi had been heavily intoxicated the night before, she still faintly remembered the reckless things she had done to Ji Mu.
She sat up at the edge of the bed, one hand pressed to her forehead, and in that instant, another, more pressing thought crossed her mind.
The avoidance soup.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door, with three knocks the door slowly opened.
A man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe entered, holding a black lacquered tray. It was Ji Mu, his appearance as graceful and composed as ever.
Wang Jingyi, still seated at the bedside, met his gaze as he entered the room. Both of them awkwardly looked away, avoiding eye contact.
Ji Mu placed the tray he was holding onto a round table in the room, but his gaze lingered on the white porcelain bowl filled with dark brown medicinal soup.
The tall man stood silently by the table, his brows slightly furrowed in contemplation.
Wang Jingyi followed Ji Mu’s eyes and saw what was in the bowl…
Her suspicions quickly formed, and a wave of humiliation surged in her chest, followed by a trace of self-mockery.
Wasn’t she just about to drink this herself?
“This is the avoidance soup,” Ji Mu’s voice was low and smooth. He looked directly at Wang Jingyi, confirming the name of the medicine that she had just suspected.
Wang Jingyi felt a slight sting in her nose, and the calm composure she had maintained for twenty years suddenly shattered.
She stood up abruptly and took a step toward the table, but due to discomfort in her lower body, she stumbled and nearly collapsed to the ground.
What caught her, however, was Ji Mu’s firm chest, which jolted her already weakened body with an uncomfortable, sharp pain.
In his arms, Wang Jingyi found herself enveloped by the crisp, mysterious scent of an unfamiliar incense. For a moment, she couldn’t help but inwardly praise the man’s taste. He really did have a knack for choosing fine fragrances.
But that moment of peace was fleeting. Wang Jingyi immediately struggled to break free from Ji Mu’s embrace.
Ji Mu furrowed his brows slightly, then swiftly lifted Wang Jingyi in his arms and carried her toward the bed.
He gently placed her on the edge of the bed, then knelt down on one knee, pressing both of her arms down with his hands, his voice calm as he spoke in a soothing tone, “Lord Wang, Wang Jingyi, look at me, and listen to what I have to say.”
Wang Jingyi’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her brows knitted in confusion as she met Ji Mu’s deep, dark gaze.
Ji Mu’s hands naturally slid down her arms, eventually taking hold of her delicate hands resting on her lap. With a serious expression, he spoke, “Wang Jingyi, I have feelings for you.”
The sudden declaration from the man before her left Wang Jingyi stunned for a moment, almost as if she couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
Ji Mu tightened his grip on her slender, pale hands and gazed deeply into her eyes, which held a faint glimmer of moisture. His voice was steady and resolute as he continued, “Wang Jingyi, I, Ji Mu, ask for your hand in marriage, to be my legitimate wife.”
“It has nothing to do with what happened last night. You’re intelligent, and you must have sensed my feelings for you.”
“If you agree, I can have an official matchmaker go to the Left Prime Minister Mansion immediately and propose.”
Wang Jingyi was taken aback, surprised at the man’s directness.
Ji Mu squeezed Wang Jingyi’s hand again as if to reassure her, “Wang Jingyi, I need to be honest with you. I was once betrothed, but… the engagement was called off by the woman.”
“I have never been deeply involved with any other woman, including that former fiancée.”
“If you are willing to become my legitimate wife, I, Ji Mu, promise that there will be no concubines or secondary wives in my household, only you.”
“We can establish a contract before our marriage. If I, Ji Mu, fail to fulfill my promises to you, you may unconditionally demand a divorce, and you will be entitled to take half of my properties with you.”
Ji Mu’s gaze never left Wang Jingyi’s face, but she remained silent, with only a slight trace of surprise showing on her expression, and no other reaction.
Wang Jingyi could tell from Ji Mu’s words that he was sincere, but…
“It has nothing to do with what happened last night?” That wasn’t necessarily true.
It wasn’t until later when everyone discovered Ji Mu’s true identity as the only heir to the powerful Ji family of Xuzhou, the shipping magnates, that Wang Jingyi understood the weight behind Ji Mu’s words. The “half of my properties” that he promised as a price for breaking his word was an enormous fortune.
With a soft sigh, Ji Mu lowered his gaze, masking the fleeting shadow of melancholy in his eyes. He rose and walked toward the door, only to pause just before leaving.
Ji Mu turned around and looked at Wang Jingyi, whose expression remained calm, “This bowl of avoidance soup, whether to drink it or not, the choice is yours.”
Wang Jingyi didn’t say a word, and Ji Mu stepped forward, closing the door gently behind him as he left.
After sitting in silence for a long while, Wang Jingyi finally stood up and walked to the round table. She reached for the white porcelain bowl and drank the now-cold, slightly bitter tonic in one go.
————–
At that moment, a few female officials’ voices could be heard from outside the archive room, their conversation interrupting Wang Jingyi’s reverie.
“Did you hear? The only daughter of the Marquis of Guannei has divorced the eldest son of the Left Prime Minister Mansion.”
“Of course, I heard. The Marquis of Guannei even issued an official announcement, and it seems the two families aren’t getting along over this matter.”
“Hey, did you hear that the Second Young Lady of the Left Prime Minister Mansion has been married off to be the wife of Liang Wang? But this Young Lady Wang is still here at the Imperial Censor Bureau. She’s doing so well as a Deputy Censor, could she really not be planning to marry?”
“Ha, what are you talking about? Young Lady Wang has a good family background, beauty, and talent. Whether she marries or not, what does it matter?”
“That’s true. It’s fortunate that women in Great Xia have so many choices. They can engage in business, serve in the officialdom, and don’t have to worry about getting married if they don’t want to. They’re not subject to the hardships of a husband’s family.”
“I heard about a former Censor who resigned from her post, married, but then had an unhappy marriage. She was beaten daily by her husband, and it even caused a commotion at the Jingzhao Prefecture. It was really tragic.”
“A man who beats his wife is really not worth anything.”
“Exactly.”
“Hey, do you all remember that Lord Ji, the Censor who only worked at the Imperial Censor Bureau for a few days?”
“Of course, I remember. Anyone who’s good-looking, I remember.”
“I heard that after Lord Qin, the Right Prime Minister, resigned, the Minister of Personnel was promoted to fill his spot. And then Lord Ji, who was serving as the Deputy Minister of Personnel, was promoted to the Minister of Personnel. He’s not even thirty yet, I think he’s probably the youngest minister in the history of Great Xia!”
“To be so young and already in such a high position, he’s really something!”
“I overheard Lord Ji talking to Lord Xu, and it seems like they’re planning to send congratulatory gifts to Lord Ji’s residence. Should we go too? After all, we were colleagues once.”
“Who remembers you and me? I know what you’re up to… I also heard Lord Ji is still unmarried, hahaha…”
“An unmarried man and an unmarried woman, just think about it!”
“Are you not worried that after you marry, your in-laws might make your life difficult, or that your husband might start hitting you?”
“Looking at Lord Ji, with his refined and gentle appearance, I doubt he would ever do that…”
“Enough with the daydreaming, it’s almost time for duty. Let’s wrap it up, let’s go…”
…….
The voices outside gradually faded, and Wang Jingyi pulled her scattered thoughts back to the case file in her hands, though she found herself unable to focus on a single word for a long while.
Gentle and refined… a true gentleman…
She vaguely remembered that night with Ji Mu, and it was nothing like the image those female officials had painted.
In fact, after returning to her residence from Ji Mu’s house that day, it took her two days to recover before she could return to the office.
Ji Mu… Minister of Personnel?
It seemed her suspicions were right.
Ji Mu must be aligned with the Taizi’s faction.
Taizi’s methods and influence were deep and unfathomable, while her father stubbornly continued to be entangled with Liang Wang, Feng Yi.
On one side was the Taizi’s maternal uncle, and on the other, the father-in-law of Liang Wang. To say her father was sitting on the fence would be an understatement.
But then again, nothing in this world came easily.
What could she do now…?
————
After the completion of the Taizi’s wedding, envoys from various countries, laden with lavish gifts from the Great Xia imperial family and brimming with gossip, gradually left the capital city.
The Ministry of Rites had arranged for a large supply of ice blocks to be sent to the stations along the Western Rong envoy’s route, to preserve the coffin of the late Western Rong Prince and prevent the body from decaying too quickly.
Emperor Jiang Quyi of Western Rong accepted the offer with a dark expression.
This trip to Great Xia had been nothing but frustrating for Jiang Quyi. His son, Prince Jiang Shang, had suffered a great calamity, and the assassination attempt on the last surviving member of the former Western Rong royal family, Jiang Xun, had failed. The assassins reported that Jiang Xun was surrounded by martial experts, and they couldn’t even get within ten paces of him.
Jiang Quyi had no choice but to abandon the plan for now, deciding to reconsider once he returned to Western Rong.
In the capital city, while some were leaving, others were returning.
The Shizi to the Duan Wang Mansion, Feng Subei, had returned to the capital. He was to represent the Great Xia imperial family and escort Princess Huayang to her marriage with the Northern Liang Emperor.
—–
In the capital, at the Duan Wang Mansion.
After Feng Subei arrived in the capital, he first went to the Taizi Mansion to report on his duties and hand over his work. By the time he returned to his own mansion, it was already late in the evening.
His wife, Shizifei An Yanxi, stood at the gate in formal attire, waiting to welcome him home.
In the main hall, Feng Subei spoke to An Yanxi, “Since you have recovered, you can return to Youzhou this time.”
An Yanxi didn’t respond directly to Feng Subei. Instead, she smiled and asked, “Have you heard? The two young ladies from Minister of Works Qin’s family have both become engaged. Did you know?”
Feng Subei’s eyes lit up sharply, and his face turned cold and gloomy.
He had always thought An Yanxi pretended to be virtuous, but now he realized she could be even more repulsive than he had imagined.
As for the news of Qin Lin’s engagement, how could he not know? The moment he was on his way back to the capital, the message had already reached his hands.
———–
The day before the Taizi’s wedding, the Taizifei of Fengyu Palace was attacked. Due to the involvement of the assassin Su Qing, Minister of Works Qin Wenxuan and his entire family were summoned to the Taizi Mansion for questioning.
Although the Qin family was eventually cleared of suspicion, Su Qing had gained the information from a few words spoken by Qin Xi, allowing him to disguise himself as Qin Lin and infiltrate Fengyu Palace to carry out the assassination. After the Qin family, Qin Wenxuan, his wife Madam Zhu, and the two sisters Qin Xi and Qin Lin, apologized profusely at the Taizi Mansion and Fengyu Palace, Qin Lin returned home and asked her mother, Madam Zhu, to arrange marriages for the two sisters.
Qin Lin did not want to cause further trouble for the Taizifei, especially after such a major incident. Fortunately, the Taizifei had not been seriously harmed. If it hadn’t been for the Taizi’s protection, Qin Xi might not have made it back.
Qin Lin had thought carefully about her family situation. Her mother, in order to protect her and her sister, had refrained from having more children and had not allowed her father to take a concubine.
But her parents would grow old, and once she and Qin Xi were married and left the mansion, how would they spend their twilight years in such loneliness?
So, Qin Lin suggested that her mother, Madam Zhu, should find suitable husbands for her and Qin Xi.
This proposal was exactly what Qin Wenxuan, Madam Zhu, and Qin Xi had in mind.
The four of them came to a unanimous agreement, and many matchmakers soon came to discuss potential suitors.
In the end, Qin Xi was matched to the only son of a merchant family in the capital, a family with ties to Madam Zhu. Qin Lin, on the other hand, was betrothed to a fifth-rank physician from the Ministry of Works, someone with an ordinary and clean background.
————
An Yanxi studied Feng Subei’s expression across the table, then sneered softly, “It seems you already knew the news.”
“Not surprising, though. After all, you had people guarding her all along.”
Feng Subei’s cold gaze locked onto An Yanxi, his pupils narrowing slightly.
An Yanxi took a sip of tea and continued, “Don’t worry. I don’t plan to do anything to her.”
“It is my own husband who is unfaithful. Once unfaithful, always unfaithful. Why should I take my anger out on the woman who only tried to seduce him?”
“An Yanxi!” Feng Subei’s hands gripped the armrests so tightly that the veins stood out, struggling to suppress the fury rising in his chest.
This woman’s words were becoming increasingly unbearable!
“On the day I depart at the latest, you must leave the capital!” With that, Feng Subei stood up and stormed out of the room.
An Yanxi closed her eyes, savoring a sense of satisfaction in her chest.
But this time, there was no reason left for her to delay her departure.
———–
As Feng Subei bathed, his thoughts kept turning over the task the Taizi had assigned him. After he finished and got dressed, he went to his study to review the maps of the northern territories.
An incense stick later, Feng Subei rubbed his temple, trying to ease the tension. His attendant, Lin Shu, brought in a cup of hot tea. After a moment of hesitation, Lin Shu spoke up, “Young Master, should we recall the men sent to protect Young Lady Qin Lin from the Qin Mansion?”
Feng Subei’s hand paused for a moment before he sighed, his voice tinged with a faint rasp of weariness, “No need. Let them stay in the capital and protect her from the shadows. But remember, don’t interfere with her life.”
His chest tightened slightly. Her life… the life Qin Lin was about to live with another man.
He wiped his face with a hand, took a deep sip of tea, and tried to shake off the thoughts swirling in his mind. He refocused on the map, frowning as he studied it.
His mission to Northern Liang was not just to escort Princess Huayang. There was another task awaiting him.
Feng Subei was about to take charge of the intelligence communications between Great Xia and Northern Liang.
And that mission was likely preparing the ground for war, a task that could not afford a single mistake.
As for personal matters, they would have to stay behind in the capital. Let the matters of love and family remain in the city, in the past, before today…
———–
In the Cangtai Water Pavilion at the Taizi Mansion on Xishan.
Qin Yan sat behind a tea set, preparing tea with a fluid grace. Her movements were smooth and deliberate, but she paused briefly to glance up at the casually poised Shen Shiying across from her. A slight smile tugged at her red lips.
If Uncle Huai were here, he would certainly comment that they were truly a pair of mother and daughter, in both manner and spirit.
Shen Shiying picked up the delicate white porcelain teacup that Qin Yan had pushed toward her. She inhaled the fragrance of the tea, then took a small sip. The refreshing tea slid smoothly down her throat, warming her belly, and she felt a wave of comfort wash over her.
Setting the teacup down, Shen Shiying spoke lazily with a casual tone, “I didn’t expect that she really went to Yizhou.”
“Are your people in Yizhou reliable?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Qin Yan began preparing a second pot of tea, her gaze never leaving the teapot as she spoke softly, “Human hearts are fickle. There’s no such thing as absolute reliability.”
“Even if the news is true, the source might be false. But as long as you discern it yourself and make a few extra preparations, it’s fine.”
Her mind briefly drifted to that Wangfei Song Yin of Yizhou. The woman was ruthless, so much so that she could easily sever ties with even her closest kin when necessary.
Shen Shiying propped her elbow on the edge of the tea table and casually placed her foot on a low stool. She looked at Qin Yan, her lips curling into a half-smile.
“Yan Yan, how did I end up with such a clever daughter like you?”
Qin Yan glanced up and gave her a brief, cool look before responding in a tone that matched the sharpness of her gaze, “Miss Shen, you flatter me. You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Hahaha…” Shen Shiying laughed heartily, the sound full of amusement.
———–
Qin Yan pushed another cup of tea toward Shen Shiying. After Shen Shiying drank it, her playful expression faded, and her tone grew more serious, “You and I forcing Empress Dowager Xiao out of the palace, I’m sure the Taizi knows about it, doesn’t he?”
Since returning to the capital, Shen Shiying had avoided bringing up the matter of her feud with Empress Dowager Xiao in front of Qin Yan.
No matter how ruthless Empress Dowager Xiao was, and how many lives she had bloodied, she had once shown some favor to both Emperor Hui and the Taizi.
Now that Qin Yan had become the Taizifei, Shen Shiying didn’t want to bring trouble to her. She didn’t want Qin Yan to be put in a difficult position, especially in her relationship with the Taizi.
Qin Yan understood Shen Shiying’s concerns. Therefore, she had given Empress Dowager Xiao the opportunity to leave the palace and leave the capital.
If Empress Dowager Xiao chose to quietly fade away, then there would be no more to say.
But if Empress Dowager Xiao continued to stir up trouble, then, sorry, once she had left the palace, Qin Yan would no longer recognize the so-called “grace” she had once shown to the imperial family.
On the day of the polo match, Shen Shiying had specifically visited Shou’an Palace and revealed her suspicion that it was Empress Dowager Xiao who had tried to have them killed all those years ago. In truth, she intended to deliberately stir things up to make Empress Dowager Xiao wary.
Afterward, the deaths of Imperial Concubine Shu and Song Mei occurred, and Empress Dowager Xiao, fearing for her own life, quickly fled the palace that very night.
Empress Dowager Xiao’s successful escape from the palace and even the capital was not just due to her own prior preparations, but also because Qin Yan and the Taizi had deliberately arranged certain “oversights” within the imperial city and the capital to make her departure possible.
Qin Yan didn’t respond to Shen Shiying immediately. Instead, she instructed Shen Ying to fetch a new set of tea utensils, then washed her hands and began preparing the tea once again.
She estimated the time, it wouldn’t be long before the two men arrived.
Before long, two tall, handsome, and imposing figures entered the pavilion, causing the originally spacious space to feel somewhat cramped.
Taizi Feng Zhan and Emperor Xiao Qian of Northern Liang walked directly toward the tea table where the two women sat, each choosing a nearby zazen chair closest to their respective women.
Feng Zhan washed his hands and took the tea utensils from Qin Yan’s hands, seamlessly continuing the steps of tea preparation that she had left unfinished.
Shen Shiying was very pleased with Taizi’s attentiveness toward her daughter. She smiled lightly, but at that moment, she felt a sudden sharp pain in her hand.
It was Emperor Xiao Qian of Northern Liang, sitting beside her, who had unexpectedly and forcefully squeezed the hand that she had resting on her lap. His expression was dark and stormy.
Shen Shiying glanced back in confusion, but years of experience with Xiao Qian allowed her to instantly read the meaning in his eyes.
Looking at another man again.
With a soft smile, Shen Shiying gently squeezed the hand of the man beside her, who was notorious for his jealousy. Then, she gracefully accepted the teacup that Feng Zhan had handed her.
After a few moments of drinking tea, the group stood and prepared to leave.
———–
Qin Yan and Feng Zhan went to Taizi’s study in the Chenghua Hall of the Taizi Mansion.
Song Zhi, the Taizi’s trusted aide, reported, “Your Highness, Taizifei.”
“Su Qing has likely undergone extremely rigorous interrogation and resistance training. I have yet to pry any useful information from him.”
“But there’s another ‘non-progress’ that could be considered an odd sort of progress.”
“Su Qing has been kept in the dark dungeon for three days and nights without food or water, and every form of torture has been used on him. When he was on the brink of exhaustion and suffering, I had people whisper a list of names we suspected into his ear.”
“When he heard one particular name, he showed a very slight, almost imperceptible reaction. But that was the only time. After that, using the same method had no effect. He likely reactivated his defensive mechanism.”
“And the name that caused Su Qing to react was Shi Yue, the name of the Princess of Xinyue, from the Southern Xinjiang.”
“I believe Su Qing’s reaction was genuine, not feigned, though this is only my speculation. It still requires Your Highness and the Taizifei’s judgment.”
“This person truly has a strong will. He is an extremely capable spy. I will do my utmost to continue the interrogation.”
After Song Zhi left, Feng Zhan and Qin Yan didn’t immediately discuss the matter of Song Zhi’s report. Instead, they turned to another subject.
Feng Zhan spoke to Qin Yan seriously, his tone both a statement and a promise, “I know you forced the Empress Dowager’s departure not because of personal animosity, but to prevent any rift between us because of her.”
“It was to give the Empress Dowager one final chance. If she goes to Yizhou and lives out her days peacefully, I’ll allow her to remain there in peace.”
“But if the Empress Dowager engages in actions that endanger the safety of the Great Xia, I will not be merciful.”
Qin Yan did not doubt Feng Zhan’s words, but she responded coldly, “If it truly comes to that, then I will handle her personally.”
———–
As they came out of Chenghua Hall, Feng Zhan gently pulled Qin Yan aside, his voice low and alluring in her ear, “Yan Yan, don’t you want to see my bedroom?”
Before their marriage, Feng Zhan and Qin Yan had lived separately, with Feng Zhan staying in the Princess Zhaoren Mansion, and their wedding night spent in the Eastern Palace of the imperial city. After their marriage, they returned to Qin Yan’s Fengyu Palace.
But Feng Zhan’s possessiveness had long been stirred. He had wanted to bring Qin Yan to his own private bedroom, the bed he had slept alone in for many years. Today, he saw an opportunity and was not about to let it slip away.
His bedroom?
Qin Yan could guess Feng Zhan’s intentions. After all, in recent days, they have changed places a number of times…
Seeing the hint of interest in Qin Yan’s eyes, Feng Zhan didn’t wait for an answer. He immediately swept her off her feet and began striding toward his private bedroom.
As they passed through the corridors, the palace attendants, though respectful, couldn’t help but blush and hurriedly avert their gazes. The love between the Taizi and his Taizifei was too obvious to miss.
Feng Zhan’s chambers were similar in layout to Qin Yan’s Fengyu Palace, with the space designed for practicality and simplicity. The furnishings were a stark contrast to each other, but both were undeniably functional and efficient. Qin Yan couldn’t help but feel a subtle sense of approval as she glanced around. It seemed that the Taizi’s tastes were not only in line with hers but also somewhat charming in their own way.
After tossing and taking a bath in the bathroom for a while, the two returned to the bedroom.
On the bed, Qin Yan was still wantonly messing around with Feng Zhan as usual. Feng Zhan held Qin Yan’s waist with both hands, breathing heavily, and his eyes were red.
Qin Yan’s movements suddenly paused, leaned down, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, “I’m a little curious, is the Princess Xinyue using illusions on Your Highness for the public or for private purposes?”
“After all, Your Highness’s beauty is…”
“Jealous?” The man’s Adam’s apple rolled up and down, and his voice was low and hoarse, “Should I be glad that I have such a beauty that Yan Yan likes, hmm?”
After the voice fell, Feng Zhan turned over and pressed the woman down, his movements were slow and restrained and tempting, “Yan Yan, what should you call me?”
“Your Highness… um… husband?” Qin Yan’s whole body was red, with a little sweat, and she frowned in dissatisfaction with the man’s obvious deliberate rubbing on her body.
“Call me Brother Taizi, alright?” Feng Zhan’s voice was low and dark, continuing to seduce Qin Yan.
“Brother Taizi.. ah…” Qin Yan had no patience to deal with men.
Feng Zhan’s eyes turned red, and his movements were suddenly violent.
Only Feng Zhan himself knew that when he was young, he occasionally heard Qin Yan call Xie Changyuan “Brother Changyuan” in a soft and sticky voice, and he felt an inexplicable jealousy in his heart.
And he was actually jealous of Xie Changyuan!
But Qin Yan was always quickly pulled away by Feng Yuyao when she saw him. The two girls always avoided him like a flood or a beast.
Is he so scary?
After Feng Zhan saved Qin Yan in Taiye Lake, he waited for several days in the Eastern Palace, waiting for that soft and sticky dumpling to thank him, but in the end, he only waited for the news that Qin Yan and Xie Changyuan were engaged.
After that, Feng Zhan restrained himself from looking at that beautiful little dumpling, after all, she had already been engaged to someone else.
Thinking of this, Feng Zhan’s movements became more fierce, but he quickly slowed down to avoid hurting the woman under him.
Yan Yan, Yan Yan, my Yan Yan…