My Scumbag Husband, the Prince Consort - Chapter 14

I had made up my mind: I wanted Liu Qi to hate me. And the first step to making him hate me was to make him fall in love with me—so I could betray him and crush his heart. Only then would he hate me enough to wish me dead.

Just thinking about it had me so excited I could barely sleep all night.

Early the next morning, I ordered Shi Chun to accompany me to the storeroom, where I gathered a fine collection of treasures: intricately carved yellow jade, a blue-and-white porcelain vase with elephant motifs, a sandalwood plum-blossom box inlaid with gold, calligraphy from famed artists of the previous dynasty, and a guqin crafted by a renowned contemporary master. I filled two large chests to the brim with anything I could lay my hands on.

Mu Qiu double-checked the list in her hand against the items, while Zhi Xia hugged a golden compass and muttered, “So many treasures—giving them all away feels like such a waste.”

“It’s not a waste.”

I stood with my hands on my hips, inspecting each piece. “Wealth is but a worldly possession—you can’t take it with you when you die. It only matters when spent in the right place.”

In my past life, I lived hand to mouth, often surviving on whatever I could catch, sneaking out late at night to fish in secluded ponds.

In this life, born into wealth and nobility, one might think I’d become a miser. But when I truly had all these treasures at my fingertips, I found them unremarkable.

There’s a difference between a single full meal and never going hungry.

Nine short years of prosperity are fleeting. If I want generations to enjoy splendor, this little investment is well worth it.

Zhi Xia looked pained, nearly in tears as she gently placed the golden compass down. “I just don’t understand, Your Highness. Why would you suddenly give all these treasures to the Prince Consort?”

“Even if he is the Prince Consort, he’s still Your Highness’s subordinate. If he’s jealous just because you were having fun with Chi Mei, Mo Zhu, Bai Lan and Jin Ju, he should sulk on his own. Giving him all these fine things only feeds his arrogance.”

She had a point. As a princess, I had no reason to feel guilty about favoring a few male companions—certainly not to the extent of needing to appease my husband.

But the truth was, I had never been in love before and didn’t know how to treat someone I cared about. I’d seen a few romantic dramas, where couples in love always exchanged gifts—”tokens of affection,” they called them.

Since I was determined to pursue Liu Qi, giving him a gift seemed like a reasonable first step. After all, money can bridge many gaps—and the strength of the bridge depends on how much you spend.

“Zhi Xia, you’re still young and don’t understand the ways of marriage.”

I said frankly, “The Prince Consort is my husband. If I don’t indulge him, who will?”

With that, I signaled Shi Chun to summon some servants. They strained and huffed, lifting the two heavy chests and followed me, red-faced and breathless, as we made our way to Liu Qi’s courtyard.

I led the group to a secluded garden filled with bamboo and cattails.

Though it was within my residence, I always avoided this area. This was my first time visiting.

A plaque hung above the entrance: “Bamboo Dwelling”—the calligraphy bold and flowing.

I pushed the door open and called out, “Is anyone here?”

Out popped Nan Shui, who knelt down after brushing the dust off his robes, weeping with joy. “Greetings to Your Highness! Your humble servant has waited so long for this day.”

“Where is your master? I’m here in person—shouldn’t he be out to welcome me?”

Though only a manservant, Nan Shui wailed louder than any delicate court lady. His shrieking gave me a headache.

After a few sobs, he finally calmed down. “Your Highness, the Prince Consort has been ill for several days.”

“What? He’s sick? Why didn’t you come tell me?”

“It’s been two or three days now. The Prince Consort forbade me from informing you. He said Your Highness just received new companions and is still enjoying their company. He didn’t want to spoil your mood.”

“How… considerate of him,” I said, suspicious.

Nan Shui kowtowed. “It’s true, Your Highness. No matter how I pleaded, he wouldn’t let me come.”

“Did you call a physician?”

“Yes, the physician said it’s a case of emotional distress—blocked emotions causing inner turmoil. Only the heart can heal it, not medicine.”

“Is that so?”

I paced anxiously. Liu Qi had always been vigorous, elegant, and well-trained in martial arts—he could probably take down a tiger. How could he suddenly fall ill?

“Come, take me to him.”

Nan Shui scurried ahead to lead the way.

As I stepped into the room, the strong scent of medicine hit me. I wrinkled my nose and finally took in my surroundings.

A folding screen with bird-and-mountain motifs, a redwood table, two traditional Southern-style chairs, dark blue curtains, and a simple nanmu canopy bed.

Everything was simple, serene, and elegant—no wonder he called it “Bamboo Dwelling.”

I approached the bed but hesitated to draw back the curtains.

Through the gauzy veil, I saw Liu Qi lying pale and still.

“Liu Qi, I’ve come to see you. Are you feeling any better?” I asked softly.

“Cough, cough…” he replied hoarsely. “Your Highness… forgive me for not rising to greet you. I am unwell.”

“Nonsense. We are husband and wife. Of course I came to see you. If I’d known earlier you were ill, I would’ve come sooner.”

He looked like a wilted flower, so different from his usual composed self. A dull ache tugged at my heart.

My nose stung, and my voice grew heavy. “If you ever feel upset again, just come to me. Don’t bottle it up until it makes you sick—it’s only hurting yourself.”

“It’s nothing.”

He said weakly, “Your Highness deserves joy and pleasure. My illness is no matter. Your visit alone is more than I deserve.”

His words made it hard to breathe. I reached out to grasp his hand, only to find it cold as ice.

Liu Qi withdrew it calmly. “If there’s nothing more, please go. I wouldn’t want to pass my illness to you.”

I lowered my head, ashamed. “Liu Qi, are you angry with me?”

He sighed. “You jest, Your Highness. How could I dare be angry with you?”

“Then why are you treating me so coldly?”

He turned to face the wall, showing me only his long, dark hair spilling across the bed.

“If Your Highness seeks pleasure, why not turn to Chi Mei, Mo Zhu, Bai Lan and Jin Ju? They’re far more talented and thoughtful than I am. In my current state, they are better suited to ease your burdens.”

Now I understood—he was hurt, not indifferent.

Too proud to say it, he was sulking alone.

Even my heart of stone softened a little.

I finally understood why delicate, sickly beauties had such charm. There’s a certain poetry in his fragility—pitiful and endearing.

With a flourish, I clapped my hands. Several servants carried in the two chests and then quietly withdrew.

Nan Shui took the hint and shut the door behind them, leaving only Liu Qi and me.

I still didn’t dare draw back the curtain or even sit down. I stood there like a post until I finally said, “I brought you many gifts—things you’ve never seen before. I spent a long time picking them out. You can look at them once you’re better.”

Liu Qi remained motionless. “I appreciate the effort, but I don’t care for such worldly things. You’d best give them to Chi Mei and the others—they’ll cherish them more.”

“Whether you care or not, this is our life now.”

I added, “I’m your wife—it’s only right I give you tokens of affection.”

“I don’t know what you like, so I brought everything I thought might please you. These are all for you—not for anyone else.”

He didn’t reply for a long time. I thought he’d fallen asleep and turned to leave.

“Why is Your Highness suddenly treating me so well?”

His voice startled me. I steadied myself, realizing he must be wary after how I’d treated him.

“You’re my husband—it’s only natural.”

I sat beside him and tucked in his blanket. “I was foolish before. I said and did many things I shouldn’t have. I was drunk that night and spoke carelessly. That was my fault. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“From now on, I’ll treat you a hundred times better.”

I poured my heart out, but he said nothing. Still, he no longer seemed as resistant.

I sat quietly, listening to his breathing grow even. Only then did I tiptoe out.

On the way back, I was overwhelmed with emotion.

Chun, Xia, Qiu, and Dong followed behind me in silence, wisely holding their tongues.

I turned to Shi Chun. “Tell Nan Shui to report Liu Qi’s condition to me every morning.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Once Shi Chun left, Zhi Xia asked curiously, “Is the Prince Consort really ill?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“That’s odd,” said Mu Qiu. “He’s usually strong as an ox. How could he fall so ill so quickly?”

“Even the strongest man is still human. Everyone gets sick.”

Lian Dong added, “True, but don’t you think something’s strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“There was no scent of medicine in the courtyard—only in the room. Almost as if the medicine was being boiled inside on purpose.”

Zhi Xia’s eyes widened. “Right! Who boils medicine in their room? It reeks!”

Lian Dong continued, “And for someone bedridden, his voice was too steady—loud enough that I heard him from outside.”

Zhi Xia gasped again. “You’re right!”

Indeed, it takes an outsider to see things clearly.

I slapped my forehead.

Damn it. I fell for it.

Blinded by beauty—again.