Naturally, the two didn't end up drinking together. Cui Huan hastily excused himself with a flimsy excuse, and Cui Yi didn't bother exposing his lie. Taking the reins from Jinwu, he led Baili Zan and the attendant back to the residence.
"Your Highness," Baili Zan spoke up as they walked.
Cui Yi, lost in thought, responded indifferently: "What is it?"
Baili Zan asked: "Now that Third Prince's scheme has been exposed, why are you still troubled?"
Cui Yi remained silent, his expression wooden. Baili Zan ventured: "Could it be that you're still in a cold war with the Lady? Despite her advanced pregnancy, she worries about you daily. If she weren't sincere, why would she endure such hardship? Even ordinary wives rarely care so deeply for their husbands. Your Highness should not doubt her."
Cui Yi replied coldly: "Even so, I still can't understand how she knows you."
Baili Zan sighed: "Your Highness, although Minister Changsun is your father-in-law, he is aligned with the Crown Prince. His words cannot be fully trusted. Third Prince could use the alias Yuanzhi for this counterintelligence plot, implying he knows him. Therefore, it's not surprising that Minister Changsun might know me but chose not to reveal it."
Despite his explanation, Cui Yi still wore a grim expression, more dejected than angry.
Although Cui Yi wasn't fond of thinking too deeply, he wasn't entirely obtuse. Though the counterintelligence plot failed, it planted seeds of doubt in his mind. Reflecting on his relationship with Chi Ying, he began to notice inconsistencies everywhere.
On that day at the back door of the carved building, he saw two men unload an unconscious Chi Ying from a carriage and hand her over to a brothel manager.
Poor families selling their children was not uncommon. Cui Yi merely...
It was a coincidence that he passed by, and he didn't pay much attention. "Oh, what a pretty girl. Hey, this one can't be a lady snatched from some family's courtyard; the Crown Prince is currently selecting his consorts, and if any trouble arises, our small business won't be able to handle the lawsuit!" "Don't worry; she... just let her stay overnight in the building..." "This isn't right, what if..." "The boss said..." "Alright then..."
Cui Yi, who had already walked far away, inexplicably turned back and entered the Flower Carving Building through the main gate, leaving behind a silver ingot of twenty taels, specifying that he wanted an untouched courtesan. The madam immediately burst into joy and promptly sent the newly acquired girl to his room.
Cui Yi's initial intention was merely to save her life. With the Crown Prince's consort selection imminent, all wealthy families in the capital were scrambling to send their daughters to the palace, leading to numerous intrigues. Cui Yi assumed that Chi Ying was also a victim of such schemes.
Originally, he hadn't intended to do anything to her, but when he uncovered the quilt and saw the serene face of the sleeping girl, his heart wavered. Since she could be targeted, she must be from a prominent family with good morals; otherwise, there would be no need to eliminate her. Cui Yi stroked his chin, examining Chi Ying, who lay on the bed like a little lamb, finding her increasingly likable. A sense of delight filled him, akin to a poor man picking up a gold ingot on the street.
Well, why not wake her up and inform her of his life-saving deed, asking her to marry him?
Unaware of the rule prohibiting unmarried women of marriageable age from marrying during the Crown Prince's consort selection period, Cui Yi was elated, thinking his idea was brilliant. He believed this noble lady, knowing her chastity was intact, would be grateful and fall for him instantly, especially since he was a prince.
However, before he could finish speaking, "No, it won't work! I... the Emperor has already put my name forward for the Crown Prince's selection. I must go to the palace. Your Highness's life-saving grace, I am immensely grateful, but I cannot accept your proposal. Please release me!"
Clearly frightened by his words, Chi Ying trembled and knelt at his feet, begging for mercy. Her beautiful face was full of panic, and her helpless demeanor only stirred his desire further.
"What's so good about the Crown Prince? Anything he can give you, I can provide as well."
"I'm sorry! I can only marry the Crown Prince; otherwise, my father will be furious. I'm sorry! I'm sorry..."
Looking back, even Cui Yi felt foolish. Ignoring her repeated pleas, he dragged her onto the bed. Although her struggles were feeble to him, they represented her utmost resistance. When she cried out of委屈 (grievance), he found her even more endearing and happily kissed the tears clinging to her eyelashes.
In the end, realizing she couldn't escape, Chi Ying curled up in his arms, sobbing softly, and eventually gave in.
Two months later, the once timid girl wielded a jade ruyi scepter to hit his head in the bridal chamber and seductively teased him in bed. She seemed like a completely different person, yet her appearance and mannerisms were identical. Occasionally, her bashful looks still captivated him as they did on that memorable day.
So, what exactly happened? Cui Yi pondered, but his single-mindedness left him puzzled.
Even someone as clever as Baili Zan couldn't figure it out, let alone Cui Yi. Thus, five days passed with them sleeping separately. On a rest day, Cui Yi, unable to sit still, paced around the house like a restless soul. He wanted to see Chi Ying but felt awkward; staying away made him anxious. It was a tormenting dilemma.
Baili Zan mentioned an incident, which Cui Yi asked him about. Baili Zan appeared to have just recalled the event, calmly admitting, "The situation was urgent, and all present were maids. Considering Yang Gongzi was injured, I carried the lady back to the main courtyard alone. Fortunately, she wasn't too heavy."
His expression was so innocent that Cui Yi felt questioning further would be self-defeating, so he dropped the matter. Regarding the subsequent rumors, Cui Yi remained unaware since no one dared speak of it in front of him.
On regular rest days, Chi Ying usually accompanied him, chatting or strolling in the garden. Later, when she became too pregnant to walk, she would sit under the porch, sipping plum juice while watching him practice swordsmanship. The day would pass quickly.
But this particular rest day felt exceptionally long. Unable to focus on anything, Cui Yi found sitting idle unbearable. Just as he wandered aimlessly around the room, a scream came from the adjoining room: "The lady is going into labor! Quickly fetch the midwife from the side yard!" Without hesitation, he rushed over.
In the adjoining room, Chi Ying had just been helped into bed by Xiao Qiu, her face pale from the pain, biting her lip.
She had felt discomfort since morning but dismissed it, as it often subsided. Moreover, it wasn't time yet. Unexpectedly, the pain intensified and occurred more frequently, making it impossible to eat. She had to lie down and wait for the midwife.
When Cui Yi barged in, a wave of pain had just subsided. Hearing him anxiously calling her name and rushing to her bedside, she felt reassured, her fear of childbirth easing. Warmth filled her heart as he gripped her hand tightly, smiling weakly, "Why are you here, Your Highness?"
Cui Yi looked as if disaster loomed, sweat beading on his forehead. He clumsily asked, "How are you? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Wait outside; everything will be fine." Chi Ying gently pushed him away.
"No, I'll stay here with you." Cui Yi sat beside the bed, holding her hand firmly.
The midwife arrived, smiling upon seeing him. "Your Highness, men shouldn't enter the birthing room. Please leave."
Cui Yi glared impatiently, "Enough nonsense! Do your job. If anything happens to Chi Ying, I'll hold you responsible!"
Startled, the midwife kept silent and proceeded to examine Chi Ying.
Chi Ying chuckled, "Why scare her? You're no use here anyway."
Cui Yi remained resolute, "I've scared off three thousand enemies on the battlefield; surely, I can handle a few spirits here." Before Chi Ying could argue, he interrupted, "No need to say more. I'll stay here with you."
"Alright."
Nong Yue soon arrived, noticing Cui Yi's determination to stay, advised, "Your Highness, you might need to hold the lady down later to prevent her from hurting herself."
Cui Yi nervously swallowed, "Understood."
With Nong Yue assisting the midwife and the maids handling other tasks, the midwife periodically checked Chi Ying. "Lady, how much did you eat at noon?"
Chi Ying, weakened by another bout of pain, replied faintly, "A few bites... then... the pain became unbearable..."
The midwife said, "That won't do. At this rate, it will take several hours. Fetch some porridge and feed her something; otherwise, she'll run out of energy."
After eating intermittently, Chi Ying could no longer bear the pain, biting her lip and struggling under the covers. Nong Yue urged, "Your Highness, hold her!"
Cui Yi complied immediately. The midwife lifted the quilt, announcing, "Good, the water broke. Lady, don't bite your lip. Follow my instructions—breathe and push." Chi Ying, pale as a sheet, followed numbly, taking deep breaths and pushing.
Another wave of pain left her drenched in sweat, nearly fainting. Cui Yi watched anxiously, "Why hasn't the baby come out yet? Is something wrong?"
Terrified by his previous outburst, the midwife dared not respond. Nong Yue, having assisted Consort Duan twice, confidently replied, "Childbirth always takes time. Some deliveries last two days. This is less than two hours; it's early."
Cui Yi turned green, "Two days? Can't it be faster? How can anyone endure such pain for two days?"
Before Nong Yue could answer, Chi Ying screamed again, nearly bouncing off the bed. They hurriedly restrained her. The midwife examined her abdomen, urging, "Lady, push harder!"
Chi Ying looked desperate, "I... can't..."
"What?!" Alarmed, Cui Yi roared at the midwife, "She says she can't! Do something!"
Fed up with his constant interruptions, the midwife snapped, "Every woman gives birth this way! If it were that easy, everyone would have died ages ago!"
Embarrassed, Cui Yi fell silent.