Shoutout to Tachibanaswife for the commission!
Sigh! Truly a sleepless night!
On the third day after returning to the natal home, we toured the garden.
The Zhang family’s garden rises layer by layer along the slope of Cuishan Mountain. The scenery inside blends with the natural forests outside; it is quite excellent. But the blow I suffered yesterday was really too great, and on top of that I hadn’t slept all night, so I truly had no mood to appreciate the scenery.
Qi Sheng’s expression also wasn’t very bright. I wondered whether it was because Zhang Shangshu had already spoken to him, or because Lady Jiang hadn’t come today.
Zhao Wang ended up alone, saying that Lady Jiang had caught a bit of a chill last night and couldn’t join us for the garden tour.
Sigh, I rather sympathized with Lady Jiang too. Running to the purple bamboo grove late every night, no matter how good your health is, you can’t endure that!
Originally Zhang Shangshu was leading everyone around the garden together, but as we walked, the crowd gradually split into several groups, stretching out very long from front to back.
I turned to look at the shy Second Miss trailing at the very end, then looked at Yang Yan, Lord Tree-Climber, darting about at the very front like a monkey, and couldn’t help feeling deep sympathy for “tour guide” Zhang Shangshu.
Leading such a group of undisciplined “tour members,” old sir, you’ve worked hard.
Perhaps because Lady Jiang wasn’t in front of him, Qi Sheng’s gaze had nowhere to settle, so it occasionally fell on me.
Luli beside me was overjoyed at the sight, repeatedly pinching my elbow with her hand to remind me: “Niang Niang, Niang Niang, the Crown Prince is looking over here at you again!”
I kept my face calm…
Sigh, Luli, can you stop pinching? Every time he looks over, my chrysanthemum tightens, I already know, okay?
My eldest cousin-in-law Lady Bai, who was accompanying me, noticed that my complexion wasn’t good and asked softly, “Niang Niang, are you feeling tired?”
Before I could speak, she cleverly pointed to a courtyard on the west side and said, “That is Ningcui Pavilion. Though a bit simple, it is quiet. If Niang Niang doesn’t mind, I can lead you there to rest for a while.”
I glanced sideways at Lady Bai. Willow-leaf brows, phoenix eyes, and a small cherry mouth, she really looked quite good, though her eyes were a bit too bright, not as pleasing as the pure and gentle Second Miss.
Then I thought again, no matter how beautiful she is, what does it have to do with me?
Forget it, I’ll just follow her.
While Zhang Shangshu was explaining the garden scenery to Qi Sheng and the others, I pulled Luli with one hand and Lady Bai with the other and quietly slipped toward Ningcui Pavilion. We didn’t alarm anyone; only Qi Sheng glanced at me faintly, said nothing, and shifted his gaze back to listening to “tour guide” Zhang’s explanation.
Good, good!
As soon as we reached a deserted area, Lady Bai covered her mouth and giggled, saying, “Oh my, Eldest Miss is still so playful, where is the bearing of a Niang Niang?”
I was speechless.
Luli quickly said to Lady Bai, “Our Niang Niang didn’t sleep well last night. Eldest Sister-in-law, please have someone prepare a quiet place so our Niang Niang can nap for a bit.”
Lady Bai laughed again and repeatedly said, “It’s already prepared in Ningcui Pavilion. I’ll take Niang Niang there.”
Indeed, everything in Ningcui Pavilion had been prepared early. Brocade curtains, gauze canopies, glittering ornaments, everything was exquisite, except the incense was far too strong, making my head dizzy and my stomach churn. Just as I was about to ask Luli to open the doors and windows to air it out, I heard Lady Bai say sweetly, “Because this incense was Niang Niang’s favorite before your marriage, I specially had it prepared early. I wonder if it still suits your preference?”
Holding my breath, I nodded, thinking: fine, since it was my favorite before marriage, I’ll endure it first.
Lady Bai then took her leave. Luli finished making the bed and tidying up, then went outside to stand guard.
I wanted to sleep, but the incense made me toss and turn miserably without being able to fall asleep. I had no choice but to get up. After glancing at the front door and then at the rear window, I decisively chose the rear window. As soon as I opened it, fresh air rushed in. I took several deep breaths and finally felt alive again.
Not far behind the room was a large lotus pond surrounded by green willows. Though it wasn’t yet the season for lotus blossoms, the leaves already filled the pond gracefully, truly worthy of the name “Ningcui.”
I leaned out and looked around; seeing no one, I directly climbed out the window.
There were several small boats moored by the pond, probably for sightseeing. But I am naturally like a heavy weight and can’t row; I’m the type who gets into water easily but struggles to get back out, so I didn’t dare touch the boats. Instead, I went into the willow grove, chose a hidden spot behind some flowers, lay down, and planned to take a good nap.
But heaven insisted on disturbing my peace. Just as I was dozing, I heard someone say: “…If you want to see the lotus, it’s best to come again in a month. That will be when the blossoms are at their fullest.”
It was a woman’s voice, shy, gentle, and soft. My heart stirred; a voice like that must belong to a beauty.
A man gave a low “mm,” but said nothing else.
I cursed inwardly: idiot, how can you just “mm” at a time like this!
Sure enough, the woman said nothing more.
I grew even more annoyed. What kind of flirting is this? At least say something like “you are more beautiful than the flowers.”
Getting annoyed actually woke me up. I realized I was still lying on my back under the shade of the flowers. There were no voices around at all.
Was I dreaming?
Just as I was wondering, a face suddenly appeared above me. I was startled, but looking carefully, I saw it was the ever-calm “Lord Toilet.”
I froze for two or three seconds, then casually lowered the leg I had been resting crosswise. I also felt lying spread out like that wasn’t very proper, so I shifted onto my side, but after turning, I realized that posture was even worse…
I became conflicted. Which posture could look both dignified and elegant?
Perhaps Lord Toilet sensed my dilemma. He stepped back two paces and finally said, “Better sit up.”
I readily followed his advice and immediately sat up, then grabbed his little braid and asked, “Was that you just now?”
Lord Toilet nodded. “Second Miss accompanied me to look at the lotus.”
Ah! So it really was Second Miss!
A lone man and woman, mutual affection, dry wood and blazing fire… don’t misunderstand, I mean Lord Toilet and Second Miss. If he still doesn’t do anything in that situation, he’s definitely not a man!
I discreetly began observing Lord Toilet, hoping to find a twig or leaf on him… but there was none. Instead, I had quite a few stuck to me.
I quickly picked off the grass and leaves from my clothes while asking, “Do you like Second Miss?”
Lord Toilet sat beside me and replied, “She’s fine.”
I asked again, “Want to marry her?”
He thought for a moment and said softly, “Yes.”
I reminded him, “Then you should act quickly!”
He didn’t respond. After a moment of silence, he asked softly, “What are you troubled about?”
I was startled and turned to look at him.
He smiled faintly. “Even in your sleep, you were frowning. You must have something troubling you.”
That sounded like he’d been watching me for quite a while! I thought for a moment, then asked him instead, “Which is more important, life or the chrysanthemum?”
He was taken aback. After thinking for a moment, he answered, “Some people love chrysanthemums more than life. But flowers bloom again; people do not.”
I felt embarrassed. Too much generational gap, communication obstructed!
I ignored him and focused on picking the grass and petals from my clothes. I had almost finished when I reached to straighten the petals caught in my waistband. Suddenly, Lord Toilet stood up and calmly called out, “Third Brother!”
My hand trembled. Not only did I pull off the petals, I also loosened my waistband.
I looked up and met Qi Sheng’s gaze. The moment I saw his eyes, I knew things were bad. We’d both lived as men for over twenty years, how could I not understand? Whether he likes you or not is one thing; whether you’re climbing the wall is another!
D*mn! Am I going to be drowned in a pig cage? But I am the Crown Princess, probably not that barbaric. At most, a cup of poisoned alcohol…
Wait, what’s the difference?
Although Qi Sheng’s eyes were cold, his tone was calm. “Zhang Fang is looking for Ninth Brother. Ninth Brother, you should go quickly.”
After hearing that, Lord Toilet bade farewell to Qi Sheng, then bowed to me before leaving.
When he had gone far, Qi Sheng also turned to leave. I knew that if he left just like that, sooner or later I’d be drinking poison. So I leapt up like a fish, rushed forward, and grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t go!”
Qi Sheng lowered his shoulder slightly and slipped out of my grip, turned back to give me a cold glance, then flicked his sleeve and continued walking.
I hurried after him. I didn’t shout nonsense like “listen to my explanation.” Whether he listened or not, I went straight to the point: “There’s nothing between us! We just ran into each other. I wanted to avoid people and nap here, but instead I bumped into him and Second Miss’s affair…”
Qi Sheng ignored me and kept walking. Seeing people ahead, I panicked and blurted, “D*mn it, do you think I’m that stupid? Even if I were going to sneak around, I wouldn’t pick him! The purple bamboo grove is such a good place, Zhao Wang’s ready-made person, I wouldn’t need to…”
Qi Sheng finally stopped.
I quickly covered my mouth.
He turned back and looked at me coldly. I thought for a moment and cautiously said, “Let’s pretend I didn’t say that last sentence, I’ll start over?”
He snorted coldly. “Zhang Fang already told me. Go back and tell Lady Yan that she doesn’t need to wait until she’s on her deathbed, I will let her see a great-grandson soon.”
After saying that, he left.
I stood there thinking for a long time, then suddenly understood.
D*mn! Does that mean he plans to quickly sleep with Lady Zhang?
For a moment, the sky spun and thunder roared in my ears.
When I returned absent-mindedly to Ningcui Pavilion, Luli was anxiously searching for me. When she saw me, she kept chanting blessings to the Bodhisattva, then excitedly told me, “Niang Niang, His Highness has sent word, tonight he will stay in Niang Niang’s room…”
I didn’t hear the rest. I only knew that the thunder that had been rumbling above my head finally struck down.
Should I live in humiliation, or die with dignity?
This question truly tangled me up!
I thought and thought, struggled and struggled, and finally persuaded myself with the words of the Star Lord of Fate.
So at last, I made a painful decision…
I would live in humiliation.
The Star Lord of Fate said: you were destined to be born into this female body.
On the way back to Fengyi Courtyard, I ran into Lady Jiang. Perhaps she also knew I would “lose my chastity” tonight; her gaze toward me was full of sympathy.
I really wanted to hug her and cry. If only I could sleep with you instead!
Luli truly understands my heart. Knowing my panic, she prepared alcohol early without waiting for my instructions, then told me, “Niang Niang, wait here, I’ll go bring a few dishes.”
I thought: courage-building alcohol, who needs dishes for that?
I sat at the table and drank cup after cup, just wanting to get drunk quickly, collapse onto the bed, spread my legs, and wake up tomorrow with everything already over.
While I was still drinking, Luli returned with a few small dishes. Seeing me drinking straight from the alcohol pot, she rushed over in alarm and tried to snatch it from my hand. “Niang Niang! Why are you drinking by yourself?”
My speech was slurred. “You took too long to come back!”
Seeing how drunk I was, Luli became anxious. “Why are you drinking so much?”
Her tone reminded me of my ex-girlfriend from long ago, whenever I drank too much, she would scold me like this.
Suddenly sadness surged up. I hugged Luli and murmured, “I’m scared… I’m scared…”
Someone asked, “Not scared anymore?”
I shook my head. “Not scared… not scared…”
That person said again, “Then go to sleep.”
The moment I heard the word “sleep,” I became excited. I pushed Luli away, sprang up from the stool, stepped onto it, slammed the alcohol pot hard onto the table, and pointed the broken half of it at that person, shouting: “Sleep? Let’s see who the h*ll dares to sleep with me!”
