Consort Zhang had been in the palace for many years and had only given birth to one son and one daughter. The second prince was short-lived, dying a few years after his birth. This dispelled Consort Zhang's ambitions to seize power. Consort Zhang's family had little influence, far inferior to the two powerful figures in the palace, the Empress and Consort Sun. In the palace, the weak would perish long ago without aligning themselves with one side, even if they were suppressed. Consort Zhang had considered this for a long time before finally aligning herself with the Empress. Unfortunately, this alliance didn't bring much protection. Instead, Baili Cai, who always stayed by Baili Jing's side, often suffered mistreatment.
Consort Zhang asked nervously, "Fourth Princess, you won't be involved in this matter, will you?" Consort Zhang hadn't gone to Chengde Palace today, but there were no secrets in the palace, so she went to pick up Bai Shicai as soon as she received the news, though she was extremely nervous.
Baili Cai sneered: "Yes, it was Baili Jing who asked me to harm Xuanyuan Yue, but I didn't expect her to harm herself."
"What! You, are you really in this? How could you be so foolish? If the Empress and the Second Princess find out about this, wouldn't you and I be..."
"Mother, what have we gained after enduring all these years? Aren't we just letting them beat and scold us at will? Hmph, those seventh prince and seventh princess are far more troublesome than people imagine. To be honest, Mother, they have poisoned me. If I don't obey, I'm afraid I will die a more miserable death than Baili Jing."
Consort Zhang's face turned deathly pale: "The Seventh Prince is so ruthless..."
Baili Cai pursed her lips: "He's not ruthless, he's just giving her a taste of her own medicine." Baili Cai reached out and touched her sore face, which was indeed red and swollen. Before, Baili Jing hit her to relieve the pain, and the force was by no means ordinary. She could feel the blood constantly flowing into her face, and she was afraid that the redness and swelling on her face would not go down for several days.
Touching the pain on her face, Baili Cai grew even more ruthless. "Baili Jing, I've done so much for you over the years, and you show no mercy at all. Fine, let's see how long you can be so arrogant."
No one in the palace should be underestimated. Even a seemingly useless palace maid can sometimes play a fatal role!
Hearing Baili Cai's words, Zhang Fei couldn't bring herself to say the words of advice she had wanted to give. Baili Cai was all she had left now; the two of them depended on each other for survival, and Baili Cai was her life. Even if she was betrayed, she would have to accept it.
Upon returning to the Prince Chen's residence, before he could even sit down, Leng Sha burst in: "Master, Madam, someone outside wants to see you. They say they have important matters to discuss."
Did they say who it was?
"That person only said she had herbs to sell!"
Ouyang Yue raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Baili Chen: "Let her in."
A moment later, a woman dressed in coarse cloth and with an ugly face covered in pockmarks walked in. Upon seeing Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue, the woman immediately knelt down to pay her respects. Ouyang Yue waved her hand and began, "You want to sell herbs."
"Yes, a guest asked me to give this sachet to Princess Chen, and said that Princess Chen would know how to give her the money later."
"Oh, bring it here, this is a reward for you, go on your way." Ouyang Yue glanced at Chuncao, who handed over a piece of silver. The ugly woman had already left with a big smile on her face. It was really a good deal to get silver just for giving something away.
Ouyang Yue had already opened the sachet, took out a slip of paper, and glanced at it. There were only a few words on it: "Two, will not return at the beginning or end of January."
Anyone else would be baffled, but Ouyang Yue and Baili Chen were both shocked. They suddenly remembered what had happened before, and Ouyang Yue threw the things to Chuncao: "Burn them all." Chuncao obeyed, took the brazier, and burned everything on the spot.
Ouyang Yue grasped Baili Chen's hand and said, "Husband, we have a way to deal with Baili Jing!" As she spoke, a cold glint flashed in Ouyang Yue's eyes, and a wicked smile curled at the corner of her mouth!
☆, 212, A Major Royal Scandal (Seeking votes for the company's annual party!)
Baili Chen held Ouyang Yue's hand and gently stroked the back of her fair hand: "It seems that my wife and I are thinking about the same thing."
Ouyang Yue raised an eyebrow and said, "What is it? I'm not thinking anything good~"
“It’s an interesting thing. If what’s written here is correct and we haven’t misunderstood, it’s a very interesting thing.” Baili Chen said, waving his hand. Chuncao and the other servants left, leaving only Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue in the room.
Ouyang Yue thought for a moment and couldn't help but say, "Second, not returning at the beginning or end of each month, that must be Baili Jing, right? The second princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and there are restrictions on going out of the palace, what is she doing?"
Baili Chen sneered: "This palace is even more filthy and disgusting than you can imagine. Anything can happen."
Ouyang Yue sighed and reached out to touch Baili Chen's face: "Those things have nothing to do with my husband. In my heart, my husband is the purest one there, and I know that very well."
Baili Chen gently kissed Ouyang Yue's hand, his eyes sparkling. He then pulled her into his lap, resting his head against her chest and nuzzling her. Ouyang Yue's eyes widened slightly, but Baili Chen wasn't particularly eager; he simply held her waist to prevent her from falling. "So I'm truly lucky to have met my wife," he said, "it makes me so happy." As he spoke, he even placed Ouyang Yue's hand on his chest. Feeling her heart pounding beneath her palm, Ouyang Yue smiled and hugged Baili Chen, saying, "Because this is a reward. My husband cherishes me, and it's what a wife should do, isn't it?"
“Yes! This is what husband and wife should do. It’s just that no one has ever taught me before, and I’ve never seen it before. I only just realized how wonderful it feels.” With his arms wrapped around Ouyang Yue’s waist, Baili Chen’s ear rested against Ouyang Yue’s chest, making Ouyang Yue feel a little strange. Her face turned slightly red, but she reached out and gently stroked Baili Chen’s head.
Although she didn't know him well, she could sense that Baili Chen was heartbroken. Regardless of the scheming of Baili Le, Baili Jian, Baili Mao, Baili Cai, and Baili Jing, Baili Chen was the one who was hurt the most. Everyone knew that there was no family affection in the palace, but when he actually faced it, it still made him very sad.
In truth, Baili Chen was different from them. He wasn't particularly ambitious, but having lost his mother and father at a young age and sent to the Five Elements Temple early on, he deeply longed for familial affection. That repression manifested as his unquestioning obedience to the Third Prince, Baili Zhi. The current Baili Chen wouldn't do that anymore, but that deep-seated longing for familial affection still caused him great disappointment when witnessing these conspiracies and schemes, so he must be heartbroken. Ouyang Yue sighed, touching Baili Chen, her red lips kissing his forehead, his brows, his high nose, finally lingering on his thin lips, then gently licking them. Baili Chen was slightly startled; such initiative from Ouyang Yue was extremely rare. Naturally, he felt excited and pleased, immediately returning the kiss, instantly seizing control once more.
Before long, Ouyang Yue was kissed so hard that she collapsed into Baili Chen's arms. She sighed to herself that at times like this, she could never be stronger than Baili Chen. Moreover, after becoming pregnant, she felt that her body seemed to be more sensitive. Just one kiss was enough to make her as soft as a spring pond. It was really embarrassing.
Compared to Ouyang Yue's flushed and dissatisfied face, Baili Chen squinted his eyes and smiled very happily. He supported Ouyang Yue's waist with one hand and her legs with the other, and hugged her directly in his arms. Ouyang Yue was startled: "What are you doing?"
Baili Chen smiled wickedly: "What are you doing? My wife seems to like sleeping more and more since she got pregnant. Let your husband take care of you and help you rest."
Ouyang Yue widened her eyes: "It's daytime now, and I'm not sleepy at all."
"It's alright, I'll stay with you. I'll get sleepy soon." Baili Chen smiled and squinted at Ouyang Yue.
Ouyang Yue's face was flushed crimson, while Baili Chen couldn't hide his laughter, striding towards the bed. Ouyang Yue, however, felt a stiffness in her body. They were husband and wife; how could she not know how hard Baili Chen had been enduring lately? But…
However, once in bed, Baili Chen simply held her gently and made no further move. Ouyang Yue was taken aback, but then she saw the tenderness in Baili Chen's eyes: "Although I really want to now, I will not do anything to hurt my wife. It's only ten months. If I don't even have this much patience, how have I survived all these years? My wife, don't underestimate me."
Ouyang Yue was somewhat moved. Although she hadn't been in contact with many men, and the only one she had been intimate with was Baili Chen, she wasn't born in this reserved ancient era. In modern times, anything could happen, and men were least likely to tolerate such things. Ouyang Yue stretched out her arm, but suddenly said, "Tell me the truth. I sent away all the women that my third brother sent. Do you regret it at all now?" She looked at Baili Chen with a serious expression.
Baili Chen narrowed his eyes: "Although I like it when my wife is jealous, please don't say things like that again. I don't like hearing it. I will only love you in my life. My wife must believe in my sincerity. If you don't believe me, I can take my heart out and show it to you, okay?"
Ouyang Yue reached out apologetically, saying, "It's my fault. It's not that I don't trust you, but you're feeling down right now, and you'll always be thinking... You're at that age where you're full of youthful vigor, and I'm worried because I can't accept it. I'm afraid that this seed in our relationship will become an obstacle in the future. Please don't be angry." Ouyang Yue may appear cold and hard on the outside, but she is still a woman after all. Besides, this man is someone she loves wholeheartedly. Having a man protect her, it's not a bad thing to be a little vulnerable in front of him; it's also a way to capture his heart.
Ouyang Yue remembered a saying: "It doesn't matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat." She understood that keeping a man's love required a certain approach.
As expected, Baili Chen was no longer angry; instead, he had a smile on his face and was overjoyed: "Don't worry, my wife. I grew up in the Five Elements Temple. I was lucky I didn't end up becoming a monk because of that old monk Minghui. I don't have the energy to deal with those women. I only need you. You've taught me that having too many women is no good. I can barely handle one woman; I won't go looking for trouble."
Ouyang Yue chuckled: "What do you take me for, a troublemaker?"
“It’s troublesome, beautiful trouble.” Baili Chen chuckled. Ouyang Yue pulled his arm and nestled it against him affectionately. “Get a good night’s sleep. We’ll be busy for a while.”
Baili Chen gently stroked Ouyang Yue's face, and soon she fell asleep with long, even breaths. Her sleeping posture was sweet. Being next to Baili Chen, Ouyang Yue became increasingly unguarded and had no scruples. Baili Chen looked at Ouyang Yue's face, but his expression darkened slightly, and a gloomy look flashed in his eyes. If Chuncao hadn't been clever enough to avoid the people who were trying to stop him, it was hard to say what would have happened if he had arrived. If his wife hadn't been pregnant, he naturally wouldn't have been so worried, but... at that time, had his wife already considered abandoning the child to save herself? If he had arrived a step later, would he have regretted it? None of these things had happened, but Baili Chen's mind had already been racing with countless thoughts.
If there is real danger, he would absolutely agree that his wife would sacrifice everything for her own safety. But if their flesh and blood were killed like this, he would go crazy. Baili Jing, no matter what secrets you have, I will dig them all out this time. You'd better be glad that you have a big secret, otherwise I will personally make you wish you were dead!
Thinking this, Baili Chen hugged Ouyang Yue and gently touched her nose with his. The latter seemed a little uncomfortable and sniffled cutely. Baili Chen held her and then fell asleep contentedly...
As the Frost's Descent season approaches, the weather is getting colder and colder. A few days ago, it snowed lightly. Although it's not yet time for ice to form, the weather is getting colder and colder.
Ouyang Yue was three months pregnant. Her pregnancy symptoms weren't too severe yet, but she was prone to fatigue and sleepiness, and didn't eat much. Baili Chen tried to come up with different dishes for her, and in the end, Ouyang Yue came up with a few appetizing recipes, which the chefs at the Prince Chen's residence prepared. She ate a little more than before.
On this day, in the flower hall of Prince Chen's mansion, Ouyang Yue and Baili Chen had just finished their meal when Ouyang Yue suddenly said with some emotion, "Cousin has been gone for more than a month now, why hasn't he come back yet? I hope nothing bad has happened to him."
Baili Chen comforted him, "I sent people to follow him. Although I was afraid that too many people would cause gossip, I didn't send many people, but they are all good fighters. Caiwen is no pushover either, and her martial arts are quite good, so there shouldn't be any problems."
Ouyang Yue responded, thinking that was true, so she didn't ask any more questions. She turned to look at him and asked, "What about Baili Jing's side?"
Baili Chen smiled meaningfully: "Baili Cai has been keeping an eye on her, but it's clear that Baili Jing doesn't trust her as much as before. There are some things she won't let her follow her around, but that's enough. She's been quite well-behaved lately, just a bit strangely."
"Oh?" Ouyang Yue blinked and said meaningfully, "It's already the end of the month, I just don't know if she will change this month."
Ouyang Yue noticed that a jade hairpin in her hair had come loose. Baili Chen carefully adjusted it and said, "My lady, do you think it's so easy to change a habit that you've maintained for several years?"
Ouyang Yue laughed: "Then I'm even more curious. Who is it that makes her go to see them despite the wind and rain?"
Baili Chen smiled, his eyes also showing interest.
Inside Baili Jing's bedroom in the Rain Ring Palace, the air was thick with smoke, creating a hazy, misty atmosphere. Behind the large screen in the bedroom, Baili Jing lay in a bathtub that was three times the size of a regular tub. Water sprinkled with flower petals reached up to her chest. Her arms were slightly outstretched and rested on the tub. Perhaps because of the bath, her face was flushed with an unnatural redness, making her appear alluring.
Baili Jing did not request the palace maids to serve her, since it was only the bathing stage and not necessary yet. The palace maids were all guarding outside the room, while Baili Jing's expression in the bathtub became increasingly strange, and her face turned a strange red.
"Splash!" Suddenly, Baili Jing, who had been leaning against the bathtub with her eyes closed, stood up, letting her body come into contact with the cold air. However, she didn't feel cold at all; instead, her body felt warm. Baili Jing frowned. Lately, she had been having this feeling, a very oppressive feeling inside her. It wasn't even time yet, but why did she miss it so much? There was still one day left.
Baili Jing's expression was complicated, a mixture of anticipation and struggle. She grabbed a piece of clothing that was placed to the side and put it on. The weather was getting cooler, and the Rain Ring Palace had long been equipped with a heater. Since Baili Jing wasn't wearing clothes, she didn't feel cold; on the contrary, she felt hotter and hotter.
Baili Jing frowned and said to the outside, "Come in and take the things away."
"Yes, Second Princess." The palace maids filed in, their movements swift and efficient. In no time, the bath and other items were taken away. Baili Chen, wearing only a thin outer garment, had a flushed face. She lay down on the bed but couldn't fall asleep for a long time, feeling a tightness in her chest. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep, but after lying in bed for a while, Baili Chen suddenly opened her eyes and called out, "Huang Cui."
A moment later, a pretty palace maid dressed in pink walked in. Baili Jing said, "Help this princess change her clothes."
Huang Cui was taken aback: "Princess, it's getting late, you..."
Baili Jing frowned: "What, do I need your permission to do anything?"
Huang Cui was so frightened that she quickly lowered her head: "This servant dares not, this servant will serve the princess to change her clothes right away."
After Baili Jing finished dressing, she found herself in a very simple white brocade robe. Her hair was also not as elaborately decorated as usual. After Huang Cui finished dressing, she couldn't help but worry and said, "Princess, are you going out tonight... Although it's only a day away, I'm afraid there might be some trouble."
Baili Jing didn't seem to care and said, "It's alright, everything has been taken care of there, it won't make a difference. Go and prepare, this princess is leaving the palace now."
Huang Cuiyin was worried, but she still obeyed orders. Not long after, two people quietly walked out of a secluded side gate of the palace. The two walked very fast, and after leaving the palace street, they turned into a very secluded dark alley. After a while, two short men came out of it.
The two women rented a yellow car and drove through alleys, avoiding crowded areas. After weaving through various lanes, they finally arrived at a house where even the back door was tastefully decorated. One of the men, clearly a servant, went straight to the door and gently knocked on the doorknob in a rhythmic 'dong, dong dong dong, dong dong, dong dong dong…'. After a short while, the door opened slightly, and an old man peeked out. Although the old man looked senile, his eyes flashed with sharpness. When he saw the two women, the old man's expression changed, but he still quickly opened the door and let them in.
The two went inside without speaking. Instead, they went through the back door and into an inconspicuous house not far away. There was no sound coming from inside the house for a long time. The old man was leaning against a corner of the wall, holding a large pipe, taking a puff, and squinting his eyes, looking as if he was about to fall asleep.
"Jing'er, why are you here tonight?" Baili Cheng asked anxiously as he rushed into the study.
The Crown Prince's study is a public space, and anyone who dares to trespass without Baili Cheng's permission will be punished, at the very least expelled from the Crown Prince's residence. Even the most favored concubine, Lin Yingying, dared not disobey Baili Cheng. There was a concubine who, relying on her favor, tried to show off her extraordinary abilities, but Baili Cheng made her suffer terribly. The scene was chilling to behold and established his authority. In the end, no one dared to disobey any of Baili Cheng's orders.
However, in the most secret study of the Crown Prince's residence, Baili Jing was sitting in a chair in front of her desk. When she saw Baili Cheng walk in, her eyes lit up: "Crown Prince Brother..." But then she thought of something and her eyes dimmed. The Crown Prince looked at Huang Cui with narrowed eyes, and Huang Cui withdrew and left. Suddenly, only Baili Cheng and Baili Jing were left in the study.
"Jing'er, it's not time yet, why did you come? I hope nothing bad happens," Baili Cheng said with a slight frown.
Baili Jing bit her lip, looking somewhat aggrieved: "Jing'er came to see Crown Prince Brother, is Crown Prince Brother unhappy? Why do you want to send Jing'er away?"
Baili Cheng sighed, "I'm overjoyed that you're leaving. I'm just worried about things going wrong, so I'm asking you one more question."
Baili Jing's expression improved somewhat as she said, "Don't worry, Crown Prince. I've already made arrangements there. Actually, there's no problem with coming out every day, but just in case, that's why we set that date. Today is just one day earlier, so there won't be any issues." As she spoke, Baili Jing said somewhat dejectedly, "Crown Prince, you just arrived. You were probably enjoying yourself in some 'gentle fragrance' earlier. You're so lucky."
Upon seeing this, the Crown Prince smiled gently: "Is Jing'er angry?"
Baili Jing looked at Baili Cheng with a hint of resentment in her eyes. At that moment, Baili Cheng walked over, took Baili Jing's hand, and gently stroked it as if it were a precious treasure. Baili Jing's heart stirred, her eyes sparkled, and she leaned her head against Baili Cheng's chest, wrapping her arms around his waist: "Crown Prince, Jing'er missed you so much."
"Will you still call me Crown Prince Brother here?" Baili Cheng's tone changed slightly. Baili Jing raised her head, her eyes alluring, her breath sweet as orchids: "Brother Cheng, Jing'er is going crazy missing you. When can we really be together?"
Baili Cheng sighed softly, reaching out to grab the headband that Baili Jing had used to tie her hair up while she was disguised as a man. As he pulled it off, Baili Jing's black hair slid down, gleaming beautifully. Baili Cheng couldn't help but cup it in his hands and take a deep sniff: "How could I not want to? But before we got that position, so many eyes were watching us. How could we really be together? Now we can only do this secretly. Jing'er, I miss you so much I'm going crazy."
"Brother Cheng!" Baili Jing hugged Baili Cheng, and her fragrance immediately wafted towards him.
Baili Cheng was taken aback: "Jing'er, why do you smell better than usual? Did you switch to some different herbs?"
Baili Jing chuckled, "What do you mean by changing anything? Brother Cheng, you're just trying to please me. No way! You like my original scent, how could I bear to change it? It's always been the same."
"Really? I'm so happy to see Jing'er. You smell so good and taste so delicious." Baili Cheng looked deeply at Baili Jing, and Baili Jing looked back at him: "Brother Cheng, I missed you so much. I couldn't sleep at all. I couldn't help but come to find you. You're not mad at me, are you?"
"How could I blame you? I'm so happy. Let's go to the back." Baili Jing leaned weakly against Baili Cheng's chest, not refusing at all, and was picked up by Baili Cheng.
It turns out that Baili Cheng's study was very large. The front was for office work, and the back was also specially prepared for Baili Cheng to rest in if he was too tired from handling official business. Although it was called a pavilion, it was actually similar to other inner rooms in the Crown Prince's residence. Everything was complete here, and naturally there was also a large bed with light gauze hanging down.
As soon as Baili Jing was placed on the bed, before Baili Cheng could even lift a finger, Baili Jing stripped herself naked. Baili Cheng teased, "Jing'er, why are you in such a hurry today?"
Baili Jing couldn't explain it either. She only felt a fire burning inside her, as if she was suppressing something. With her beloved man right in front of her, why should she endure it? This wasn't the first or second time they had done this, so why should she suffer any more?
"Brother Cheng, I want you." Baili Jing rushed towards Baili Cheng, who immediately embraced her and laughed, "Alright, I have my own intentions."
Baili Cheng lowered his body, and the two immediately rolled onto the bed. Soon, the heavy breathing of the man and the moaning of the woman could not be suppressed at the same time. On this ordinary night, such an immoral and immoral thing happened in the Crown Prince's mansion. The night was quiet and peaceful, and it seemed that no one noticed this strange thing.
Ouyang Yue couldn't sleep tonight. She sat on Baili Chen's lap, both of them wearing large cloaks, looking out the window. Originally, Baili Chen wanted to go to the outskirts, where they had a secret base. But considering his wife's current condition, he was afraid that if they went there, Ye Han might catch a cold again. So the two of them could only enjoy the scenery and have a little romance.
Ouyang Yue sighed, "It's definitely not as beautiful as the scenery in the suburbs. After looking for a long time, all I could see were a few stars and a not-so-round moon."
Baili Chen leaned close to her ear and said, "With such a handsome man as your husband by your side, don't you feel wonderful? Aren't you a beautiful sight to behold?"
Ouyang Yue was speechless. She reached out and cupped his lower body, turning his face to the side: "I don't know where your arrogance came from. It's really speechless."