Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C059

Because of that phrase, "We'll talk about it when we get back," Ji Yang deliberately raised his voice, urging the carriage to go faster.

The coachman, thinking that perhaps His Highness had some urgent matter, drove the carriage at a breakneck speed.

As soon as the carriage entered the Prince Wei's mansion and came to a halt, two figures tumbled out of the carriage, their speed so great that the coachman couldn't even see them clearly. Fusheng, chasing after them, also quickly disappeared.

Upon returning to the main residence, Linglong and the other maids saw His Highness and the Princess Consort return and quickly curtsied in greeting. However, a blur of figures flashed before their eyes, and the two had already entered the inner chamber.

Wushuang was placed upon the newly changed, soft bedding. Before she could even speak, her words were stifled.

***

Utterly shameful!

At least, that was how Wushuang felt at that moment.

They had just returned from the palace, and with so many servants outside, he acted so recklessly.

Recalling her previous life, it seemed he had been like this as well. Initially, he had completely disregarded the palace servants, pulling her into wanton acts, which had led to many in the palace laughing at her, calling her bewitching and licentious, always clinging to His Majesty and indulging in carnal pleasures. It was only after she had mustered her courage and argued with him several times that he gradually… still hadn't changed, but later, no one dared to say anything.

Wushuang, who had been covering her face and was on the verge of tears, gradually forgot her distress as she became lost in thought.

"What is there to be ashamed of? You are this Prince's Princess Consort. It is only natural for husband and wife to… consummate their union."

She hid her face in the quilt, not wanting to speak, just wanting to hide for a while to dispel her shame. He, however, did not let her go, pulling her out and holding her in his arms.

"Are you angry?"

She was not angry.

"Don't be like this in the future. There are so many people outside. You know, it's broad daylight now. If they hear any sounds, wouldn't it invite ridicule..." Her voice was soft.

Ji Yang chuckled, "Then in the future, I'll send them all far away."

Wushuang felt even more ashamed. If you send them away, wouldn't everyone know what you intend to do? Yet, she didn't know how to say it, so she buried her face in his arms and remained silent. Ji Yang also didn't speak, lost in thought, his eyes sometimes lowered, sometimes raised.

After a while, someone reported from outside the door, "Your Highness, Vice Envoy Shang has arrived."

It was Fusheng.

His voice was extremely weak. Even though Fusheng was a chamberlain, seeing that the Princess Consort's maids had all gone outside the door, he knew what was happening inside. As the saying goes, the first three days of marriage are like honey and oil, let alone with that living ancestor inside. But he still had to speak; he had a reason he couldn't ignore.

There was no response from inside. After a long while, the door opened from within. Ji Yang, draped in a robe, his face dark, wished he could kick that old fellow flying.

Fusheng, with a bitter face, said softly, "Vice Envoy Shang says he has important matters to report."

Ji Yang slammed the door shut and went back inside. After a while, he came out again, still wearing his robe, and was about to leave. Fusheng quickly stopped him, dutifully adjusting his clothes, afraid that he would go out like that and that later, when his master came out, he would be punished.

As they approached the study, Fusheng noticed that the person walking ahead had suddenly slowed his pace.

If Ji Yang walked quickly and urgently, Prince Wei walked unhurriedly, as if even if the sky were to fall, he would remain the same.

Prince Wei stopped, and Fusheng quickly moved closer.

"Well done," Prince Wei said.

Fusheng smiled bitterly, "I'm just afraid that one day His Highness will find out, and this old servant, this old servant..."

Prince Wei did not speak. He entered the study, and after a short while, he came out again. Although he was still wearing the same attire, it was clear that he was more composed. He walked in front, with Fusheng behind, and they headed towards Luanxiang Courtyard.

***

Seeing that His Highness had left, Linglong and the others lowered their heads and entered the inner chamber.

Linglong was fine, but Xiaohong, perhaps because of her young age, had a flushed face. Her face was red, and Wushuang, who was being supported by her and Meifang to the bathing room, also had a red face. The two of them with red faces were quite a sight, while Meifang on the side was still like a silly older sister, which was also a peculiar scene.

When they returned, the bed had already been made. Wushuang thought that Ji Yang had been called away for a meeting earlier and would not be back for a while, so she planned to skip lunch and sleep for the entire afternoon.

Seeing that the Princess Consort had fallen asleep, Linglong gestured for everyone to leave. She then surveyed the inner room again, and seeing that there was nothing else to do, she quietly closed the door and retreated.

This was Wushuang's first day of marriage. Logically, she should meet the servants in the courtyard and the other servants of the Prince's mansion in order to manage the household affairs in the future. However, since neither the Princess Consort nor His Highness had said anything, it was fine to postpone it.

Linglong told Xiaohong to bring the servant roster so that they could first figure out who was who and what their duties were. This way, they would have answers when the Princess Consort asked them when she was free tomorrow. Just then, someone walked in from outside; it was Prince Wei, who had just left not long ago.

The several maids hurriedly squatted down to pay their respects, not daring to announce their presence, considering that the Princess Consort was asleep.

Prince Wei waved his hand. Although Linglong had some doubts in her eyes, she still led the others out.

***

Prince Wei entered the inner room.

The light in the room was just right, and a faint fragrance drifted in the air.

On the other side of the bed, the cherry-red soft gauze curtains hung low, and one could vaguely see a person lying behind them.

He walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed.

She was sleeping soundly.

Although it was daytime, her hair was completely disheveled, her dark tresses scattered on the soft pillow. Her brows were relaxed, her cheeks flushed, and her lips were moist and slightly swollen. It had only been a day, but the originally innocent corners of her eyes and brows had gained a hint of unusual charm, a captivating allure.

Prince Wei had always disdained the notion that a beauty's embrace was a hero's downfall. In his view, those who indulged in women and neglected their duties were mediocre, not even worthy of being called a bear, let alone a hero.

He had never imagined that what was supposed to be a routine fulfillment of a promise would lead to so many unexpected events with her.

Prince Wei was known for his strategic mind, and those with such minds disliked anything or anyone that was beyond their control. Her body fragrance was an unexpected element, but overall, it was a good thing. 'He' was overly concerned about her, but considering that he had not even lived for thirty years, his life was indeed too barren. Although 'he' was willful and reckless, he had helped him a great deal. And he, believing himself to be more composed than 'him', had a sense of responsibility as an elder brother, and thus tolerated 'his' occasional, not-too-excessive actions.

But gradually, things were getting out of control.

When did the loss of control begin?

It seemed to have started from the day 'he' began to deliberately isolate and shield himself from him, trying to influence his thoughts.

To facilitate their actions, there had never been any secrets between them. Now, 'he' had secrets, and he did not want him to know.

If it were anything else, it would have been fine, but it was just about interacting with a woman. This woman was about to become the Princess Consort of Prince Wei, and in Prince Wei's heart, she was categorized as one of his own. Therefore, he did not pay much attention to it, and even found it a bit amusing, thinking that 'he' was acting like a child.

But as the occurrences became more frequent, the thought that had casually surfaced in Marquis Xuanping's mansion that day became increasingly clear—

If one day, 'he' became greedy and desired to occupy this body, could he then completely lock him away and prevent him from ever coming out again?

After all, 'he' had always been stronger than him in terms of control between the two of them.

Back then, it was also 'he' who suddenly appeared, and later, he could come out whenever he wanted and leave whenever he wanted. It was with Song You's help that he was able to communicate and interact with 'him', and gradually maintain a balance. In Song You's words, this state was already the best that could be achieved at the moment.

Prince Wei was never a gentleman, and due to his royal birth and childhood experiences, he had always been wary of everyone. The reason he was not wary of 'him', besides the fact that 'he' was also him, was also because 'he' had no selfish desires, no greed.

But what if one day, he had selfish desires and greed?

"Are you what he greeds for?"

Prince Wei said silently, his fingers landing on Wushuang's cheek, slowly caressing it.

The beauty under his palm was still sleeping soundly, one of her soft hands placed beside her face, her sleeping posture charmingly naive.

The thumb wearing the jade thumb ring slid across her lips, his heart pounding for their fragrant softness, yet his expression remained somber.

His fingers continued their downward journey, reaching her slender neck.

The skin was fair and tender, marred only by a few striking crimson marks. His fingers suddenly grew hurried, their pressure increasing. They lingered for a few breaths on the slightly sunken neckline before pulling it open.

Prince Wei, gazing upon this scene of debauchery, did not show anger, but rather, a smile.

Then, a soft, crisp sound was heard; the jade thumb ring on his thumb had shattered.

He remained unperturbed, retracting his hand and gathering the broken pieces of the ring, placing them into his sleeve.

The entire process was as composed as his usual demeanor. Only the hint of a fierce glint in his lowered eyes betrayed his true feelings, but alas, no one was there to witness it.

The sleeping woman remained oblivious. As if sensing a familiar presence, she turned onto her side, her face nestling closer to Prince Wei's leg. Like a small cat, she buried her face against his thigh, murmuring a few sounds before falling back into a deep sleep.

Fusheng, who was lagging behind, cautiously poked his head in from outside. He saw His Highness sitting on the couch, and the Princess Consort seemed to be sleeping by his leg. He was gently stroking her satin-like long hair with his fingers.

He did not relax, and cautiously withdrew his head again.

***

When Wushuang woke up in the afternoon, she heard that Prince Wei had come by. She did not think much of it, assuming that Ji Yang might have left something behind.

As a new bride, she was still somewhat unaccustomed to things. This unfamiliarity manifested in the fact that she was hungry and wanted to have food prepared, but Linglong reminded her to send someone to ask Prince Wei if he would like to dine together, as it was almost dark.

Because of this, she could only wait with an empty stomach. In the meantime, Meifang brought some pastries for her to eat to stave off her hunger. Fortunately, the person sent out returned quickly, saying that His Highness would come to Luanxiang Courtyard for dinner.

Wushuang did not need to worry about preparing the meal. Granny and Fusheng would take care of it. Dishes that Wushuang did not eat or that Prince Wei disliked would not be served.

At you hour (5-7pm), three quarters past, Prince Wei arrived.

Upon seeing him, Wushuang warmly approached him, saying, "Your Highness, did you have lunch? I slept all afternoon and even forgot about lunch..."

As she spoke, she realized that something was amiss. Just as she was about to step back, Prince Wei took her hand, pulling her to the table.

The two sat down, and Fusheng instructed the servants to serve the meal.

There were eight hot dishes, two cold dishes, and a pot of soup. When Granny was planning the menu, Wushuang had mentioned that so many dishes seemed like too much for two people, but Granny said that it had always been this way, so Wushuang did not say much more.

Thinking that she was sitting next to Prince Wei, Wushuang could not help but feel uneasy. Prince Wei seemed oblivious, and even placed two pieces of food in her bowl.

This made Wushuang wonder if she was being too nervous. Whether in her past life or this one, Prince Wei had never actually done anything to harm her. Only that one time, and perhaps that time, Prince Wei was suffering from a terrible headache and did not want her to notice, so he pretended to be Ji Yang.

She should not harbor prejudice against him. After all, he was her husband, at least physically, even if the soul inside was different. She should be like she was in her past life, calm and composed, neither surprised nor angry, and interact with him naturally.

Thinking this, Wushuang revealed a smile and also placed food in Prince Wei's bowl.

"Your Highness, please try this."