Chapter 12: The Idle King, Part 1

Yu Qingyan silently helped her to her feet.

“Do you hate the Emperor?”

Cui’er’s tears streamed down her face. “He killed the entire Yu family, Miss. How could I not hate him? But Miss, I hate him even more for your sake.”

“Stop crying. I’ll teach you.”

“Thank you, Miss!”

Yu Qingyan smiled. “You may go now. If anyone comes, just say I’ve already gone to bed.”

“Yes.”

After Cui’er left, Yu Qingyan lay down, closing her eyes to rest. She listened as the magpie mentioned that besides herself, the Idle Prince’s mansion had several concubines who would come to pay their respects tomorrow. Rivalries and jealousy among women in ancient times were never lacking—it was headache-inducing just to think about.

Night had deepened. Chu Yuchuan set down his brush; the chicken soup on the table had long since cooled, but the room was brightly illuminated by a luminous pearl.

“Zuo Xuan.”

Zuo Xuan entered from outside at the summons. “Your Highness, Lady Rou sent someone to invite you.”

“Has Zuo Shen returned yet?”

“No.”

Chu Yuchuan nodded. “Go to Xiuzhu Garden.”

Zuo Xuan felt a flicker of surprise but merely bowed his head and replied, “Yes.”

As Chu Yuchuan reached the doorway, Yu Qingyan, who had been half-asleep on the bed, immediately opened her eyes and listened intently to the sounds outside.

Cui’er dutifully stood guard at the door and bowed to Chu Yuchuan.

“Your Highness, forgive me, but my mistress has already gone to bed.”

“Gone to bed?” Chu Yuchuan raised an eyebrow. He was well accustomed to the subtle coquettishness of women; such coy resistance was common among the concubines in the manor.

“Yes.”

“On the wedding night, my beloved concubine must not be so sleepy.” Chu Yuchuan’s smile was half teasing as he spoke. Zuo Xuan had already moved to block Cui’er.

“Your Highness…”

The sound of the door opening came through. Yu Qingyan closed her eyes and listened to the footsteps approaching. She was curious to see what the Idle Prince would do.

In the darkness, she felt a pair of hands reaching toward her. She hesitated, then turned her head to evade. Chu Yuchuan’s lips curved slightly as he reached out again, this time quicker than before.

Yu Qingyan easily dodged and looked up at Chu Yuchuan, catching sight of his profile beneath the black mask in the moonlight, and those amber eyes that outshone the moon’s glow.

Amused, Chu Yuchuan said, “My beloved concubine possesses such skill. Truly, I am surprised.”

Yu Qingyan met his gaze, the same light reflecting in her pupils. “I’m more curious whether the face beneath Your Highness’s mask will surprise me.”

Their eyes locked briefly before parting. Outside, Zuo Xuan frowned at the sounds but dared not enter without Chu Yuchuan’s command. He and Cui’er, whose acupoints had been sealed, remained by the door.

Yu Qingyan was somewhat surprised at the prince’s skill. Though her body was no longer what it had been before her transmigration, she was still more than capable of handling one man—yet this prince was clearly no ordinary opponent.

In the darkness, Yu Qingyan evaded Chu Yuchuan’s attacks like a leopard. A stone slipped from her hand and flew toward him. Afterwards, she regretted it slightly—she had struck too fiercely, leaving no room for mercy. What if she killed this prince? That would be too troublesome.

Chu Yuchuan narrowly avoided the stone. He had underestimated this woman!

Seizing the moment, Yu Qingyan shot two stones in quick succession. Chu Yuchuan dodged the first, but the second grazed his mask and sent it flying to the floor. Yu Qingyan finally caught a clear glimpse of the face beneath the mask and was momentarily stunned. In that split second, Chu Yuchuan had already seized her acupoints.