“They’re all either pretty but incredibly dull, or they try all sorts of tricks to please me but lack real beauty. Unlike you…”
Prince Yu stroked her cheek and chuckled a few times: "Not only is she beautiful, but she also goes to great lengths to please me, and she's willing to do anything in bed. Although she's a bit slow-witted, she's perfect as a plaything..."
A chill ran down Ji Yunwan's shoulders as the man ripped open her clothes, causing her to shiver in the cold wind.
Prince Yu raised his hand and gently wiped away the lipstick from her lips, his movements so light it was as if he were tenderly caressing her lips. This was a gesture he always loved to make, and Ji Yunwan had never thought much of it before. But then she heard him say with a smile, "You've been in Nan Yan for so long, yet Emperor Liang still frequently sends you these cosmetics. Have you never wondered... why is that?"
Does Nan Yan really lack beautiful cosmetics? Does it really need to send them all the way from Daliang?
These words and questions suddenly flooded Ji Yunwan's mind. The image of Wei Chi's gaze lingering on her lips when she begged him to spare her life in the Daliang Palace, his inexplicable laughter at the time, and even earlier, when she was in Shangchuan, subtly asking the Prince of Qin for the rouge that Wei Chi had given to Yao Youqing, and the Prince of Qin generously giving it all to her—all these images flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern.
It turns out that the reason Wei Chi was laughing at the time was because he already knew that she had taken the rouge he originally gave to Yao Youqing. That rouge was specially mixed by someone he had arranged, and prolonged use could cause infertility.
Especially lip balm, when applied to the lips, inevitably some will be ingested. Over time, toxins will enter the body, completely eliminating the possibility of a woman getting pregnant.
He originally didn't want Yao Youqing to be pregnant with the King of Qin's child, but she accidentally took the rouge. So he laughed, laughed at her stupidity, laughed at her for treating the rouge as a treasure and even using it when she went to the palace to see him.
By then, she had already received the rouge for a long time, and it's unknown how much she had used; she was probably already infertile by then.
That's why he felt comfortable sending her to Nan Yan, making her a pawn. The rouge he sent over the years was just a precaution, so she could continue using it.
Ji Yunwan's hands and feet were ice cold. Suddenly, she struggled frantically, but Prince Yu pressed her down and humiliated her repeatedly.
Half an hour later, Prince Yu got up, dressed, and casually said, "By the way, my third brother misses you again. He's asked me several times when he can see you. Remember to go see him when you have time, and comfort him. Don't let that fool cause any more trouble."
After saying that, seeing that the woman on the bed did not react, he lowered his head and moved closer to her.
"Don't dwell on things that are destined to be changed. It's no use thinking about them anymore. Just serve me obediently as before and help me mediate between the old man and my third brother. After I ascend the throne, I will definitely treat you well and let you live as comfortably as you do now. You will have no shortage of wealth, luxury, and fine clothes."
Ji Yunwan looked dazed and her eyes were empty; it was unclear whether she had heard anything at all.
He didn't mind, chuckled, patted her cheek, and got up to leave.
Chapter 118 Jealousy [Second Update]
On the first day Wei Hong met Yao Yuzhi in Cangcheng, she saw him get a fishbone stuck in his throat, which was very embarrassing and put him in a bad mood.
After the meal, Yao Yuzhi said she wanted to say a few words to him alone, which made him look even worse.
Because he felt he had nothing to say to him and didn't want to hear what he had to say, but he couldn't directly refute him in front of Yao Youqing, he patiently coaxed Yao Youqing to go and rest first, while he stayed behind.
After all, Yao Yuzhi would probably be living with them from now on, and they would see each other all the time, so he couldn't just ignore her every time.
Since we can't avoid dealing with him no matter what, it's not unreasonable to stay and listen to his nonsense for Ning'er's sake.
Most sons-in-law are respectful to their fathers-in-law, and even if they are not happy, they will still put on a show of filial piety.
But Wei Hong clearly couldn't even pretend to be nice to Yao Yuzhi. After Yao Youqing left, he sat down imposingly and said, "Say what you have to say quickly, I have a lot of things to do."
Yao Yuzhi knew he was impatient with her, so she didn't bother with polite formalities. She stood up, gave a bow, and got straight to the point.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for sending people to rescue me from the palace, allowing me to see Ning'er again."
Although he originally intended to die in the palace, now that he had been rescued and had seen his daughter whom he had been longing for, he still had to express his gratitude, as it was a debt of kindness.
Wei Hong frowned, thinking to himself that it was indeed nonsense, and said in a deep voice: "Grand Tutor Yao is overthinking it. I didn't intend to save you. I was just afraid that Ning'er would cry so much that the roof beams would collapse, so I had someone bring you out by chance."
Yao Youqing was filial. For her father's sake, she married him, her enemy, without a single complaint. Even knowing they were enemies, she still wanted to protect her father in front of him and didn't like to hear him speak ill of him. If Yao Yuzhi really died, she didn't know how heartbroken she would be.
Yao Yuzhi actually understood the situation. She knew that given the grudge between Wei Hong and him, he would never have taken the initiative to save him if it weren't for Yao Youqing. It would be good enough if he didn't add fuel to the fire when he was in trouble.
But whatever the reason, the fact remains that he saved him.
For this old man, being able to see his daughter before he dies, to talk to her a few words and have a meal with her as he used to when she was at home, would be enough to make him content.
However, since Wei Hong didn't like to hear it, he didn't say anything more and changed the subject.
"Your Highness, the crisis is now over, and taking control of the capital is only a matter of time. With you protecting Ning'er, I am very relieved, but..."
"But Your Highness should also know Ning'er's temperament."
"Her mother passed away early, so my two older brothers and I inevitably doted on her. We raised her with utmost care, afraid that any storms or rains outside might hurt her. As a result, she was raised to be kind-hearted and naive."
"If she were to be an ordinary matriarch or a princess, she might do a good job with the support of loyal servants, but as the mother of a nation, I dare not say that she can shoulder this great responsibility."
"But since she is your lawfully wedded wife, this position will inevitably fall to her."
"I only hope that when she can no longer cope, Your Highness will help her. Even if the affection between you and your husband fades one day, in consideration of everything she has done for Your Highness today, at least let her live a peaceful life and not be bullied by anyone. If that happens, I will..."
"Do you need to tell me?"
Wei Hong interrupted with a stern face.
"She is my wife, how could I let others bully her?"
"Besides, what do you mean by the affection between husband and wife fading? You're her biological father, can't you hope for something good in her?"
"If you can marry only one wife for your entire life and never remarry after her death, why can't I?"
"Furthermore, I don't think she would be a bad queen. On the contrary, I think she would be the best queen in the world, the only one who is worthy of me and worthy of sitting beside me."
He spoke with conviction, each word clear and distinct.
Yao Yuzhi was stunned for a moment. Before she could come to her senses, she saw him get up impatiently and walk out. But when he reached the door, he stopped and turned back, saying, "You only know how to cherish and pamper Ning'er. How do you know if she is protecting you with her obedience and docility, so that you don't have to worry or get tired?"
"She was a teenage girl who had grown up in a prestigious family in the capital. Logically speaking, she should have seen, eaten, and played with all sorts of things. But after arriving in Shangchuan, everything seemed new and exciting to her. Any little trinket on the street could make her happy for a long time, and she wanted to try every delicious food she saw."
“Those things were rightfully hers, but to put your mind at ease, she dared not ask for or try anything in the capital. At an age when she should have been lively and playful, she restrained herself all day long to put your mind at ease. Now, she can be happy all day just to walk in the snow in the yard when it snows. You can see how much she was held back before!”
“Back then, Wei Chi was trying to get close to her, even though she had no feelings for him. She just acquiesced to the marriage because you liked that scoundrel.”
"Later, the late emperor intervened and betrothed her to me. She knew that I had a grudge against you and that her future would not be easy, but she still married me without saying a word and never complained!"
"You say you dote on her, but I think she dotes on you more!"
As he finished speaking, he felt increasingly uncomfortable, a sour feeling tinged with jealousy, and he left with a stiff face, uttering his last sentence.
"Lord Yao, you have no other skills in this life, except that you have a good daughter who deserves praise!"
Then he turned and left, leaving him alone there.
Yao Yuzhi watched the figures gradually walk away. After a long while, she tremblingly reached out and sat back down on the chair. Two lines of tears streamed down her pale and withered face. At first, she was filled with grief, but then she felt joy and relief, crying and laughing at the same time.
The King of Qin is currently just a prince, free to do as he pleases. But when he ascends the throne, he will not be as free as he is now. Whether he can truly be with one person for life, as he himself said, remains to be seen. But at least, with his feelings for Ning'er, he can rest assured.
...
Yao Youqing was worried that her father and the prince would quarrel, so she didn't sleep for a long time. When Wei Hong came back, she got up, put on her shoes, and went to greet him.
"Your Highness, what...what did you say to Father? You two...did you quarrel?"
Wei Hong was still feeling jealous, and these words only intensified his jealousy. After dismissing the servants, he picked her up and threw her onto the bed.
"You keep saying 'Father' all the time, but why don't you ever talk about me like that every day?"
Yao Youqing chuckled, reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, calling out, "Your Highness."
Wei Hong thought she was going to say something, but then he heard her call out several more times: "Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness!"
He then realized that she was responding to what he had just said. He was both amused and exasperated. He lowered his head and pecked her lips, about to deepen the kiss, when he suddenly remembered something. He frowned, climbed off the bed, and began searching around the room.
"Your Highness, what are you looking for?"
Yao Youqing asked, puzzled.
Wei Hong didn't reply to her. After searching around but not finding what he wanted, he went outside and asked Qiong Yu.
A moment later, Qiongyu brought over a box, the very one that Yao Youqing had left behind, containing the commander's flag and letters.
Qiongyu thought he wanted the commander's flag, but when he opened the box, he picked up a letter instead. It wasn't the one Yao Youqing had written to him, but the one Wei Chi had written to Yao Youqing.
He skimmed through the letter, his gaze lingering on one particular sentence until he couldn't look away.
"Your Highness, is there a problem with this letter?"
Qiongyu asked.
Wei Hong took a deep breath, seemingly suppressing his anger, and then handed the letter back to her: "Take this and burn it."
Qiongyu agreed and quickly took the letter and threw it into the brazier. Wei Hong then returned to the room, lay down next to Yao Youqing, and hugged her in his arms.
Seeing that his expression was off, Yao Youqing asked softly, "Your Highness, you..."
Before she could even open her mouth, the man suddenly kissed her lips, silencing her.
He wantonly invaded her lips and tongue, and after a long while, he whispered against her lips, "Call me Brother Hong."
Yao Youqing was taken aback, not understanding why he suddenly asked her to change how he addressed her.
She had called him that before, but that was to pretend to be siblings when they were fighting bandits. Later, after returning to Shangchuan, she was afraid that continuing to call him that would upset him, so she changed it back and started calling him Your Highness.
Seeing her bewildered expression, Wei Hong felt somewhat relieved.
The fact that she didn't understand why meant she hadn't read Wei Chi's letter carefully. At the very least, she hadn't paid attention to the parts about complaining and reminiscing about their past life together.
The first part of Wei Chi's letter was mostly nonsense, talking about the difficulties he had faced after ascending the throne. He also briefly recalled some past events between them, including the line, "I still remember you used to call me Crown Prince Brother."
Wei Hong didn't look at the letter carefully when he first read it, but just now Yao Youqing called him "Your Highness" several times, and he suddenly remembered that the letter seemed to contain the words "brother".
I just checked, and sure enough, it is!
He knew that Yao Youqing had no romantic feelings for Wei Chi, but the way she addressed him still proved that they had been very close. At least at that time, Yao Youqing trusted him completely and relied on him wholeheartedly as if he were family.
Otherwise, she would call him His Highness the Crown Prince, just like everyone else, instead of "Brother Crown Prince."
Wei Hong had just finished being jealous of his father-in-law, and now this letter's address filled him with even more bitterness, making him feel incredibly choked up.
She constantly calls him "father" and "father." When she was with Wei Chi, she used to call him "Crown Prince Brother" affectionately. Now that she's been married to him for several years, she still calls him "Your Highness" just like everyone else, showing no difference whatsoever.
He was jealous. Seeing that she was stunned and didn't speak, he bit her lip and urged, "Call her, call her Brother Hong."
Yao Youqing winced in pain, and then stammered, "Brother Hong..."
Her voice was soft, sweet, and gentle, and Wei Hong felt a tingling sensation in his ear. He kissed her lips with satisfaction.
Yao Youqing didn't know what was wrong with him all of a sudden, but she had something she wanted to ask him, so she decided to just go along with it. After he had kissed her for a long time and finally left her lips, she asked again, "Your Highness, what exactly did you and my father talk about just now?"
Wei Hong: "..."
Yao Youqing ultimately failed to find out what they had talked about, but Wei Hong assured her that although he couldn't completely put aside his resentment and get along with Yao Yuzhi, he would definitely not make things difficult for her out of consideration for her.
When Yao Youqing saw Yao Yuzhi again in the afternoon, he looked normal and there was nothing wrong with him, so she was relieved and didn't ask any more questions. She happily enjoyed family time with Yao Yuzhi at home.
But the good days didn't last long. Yao's father took advantage of a trip to inspect the soup kitchen and left without saying goodbye. By the time the servants noticed, it was already evening.