My Scumbag Husband, the Prince Consort - Chapter 19

The next morning, I woke up in my own bed.

Not far away, a bowl of plain congee and a few plates of light side dishes sat neatly on a round table.

I rubbed my temples, which throbbed painfully, and began recalling the outrageous events of the night before.

I’d thrown quite a tantrum at Liu Qi last night—though to be fair, I didn’t actually hit him.

He had been drunk, too intoxicated to know up from down, and I wasn’t strong enough to overpower him. Just as I raised my hand to strike, he caught my wrist in a firm grip and pinned me.

What followed was a barrage of heated kisses—fierce, relentless, possessive. He devoured me like he’d been starving.

I, ever the disgrace, was kissed into retreating step by step until my knees gave out and I collapsed onto the bed.

He swiftly stripped himself bare and reached for my clothes too. Had it not been for the sliver of reason I clung to, I might not have stopped him.

He was drunk. I didn’t blame him.

It was the vow I made before the Buddha that saved me—that reminder that this life, this fate, was never truly mine. I laughed bitterly at the thought.

I was just a pawn being toyed with by fate. How could I lay claim to things that were never meant to be mine?

In the end, I pushed him away.

He asked me why, as if waiting for one clear answer.

He lowered his head, unwilling to release my hand.

I replied, “You don’t even know who I am. Why go this far?”

He looked into my eyes, full of confusion.

“You’re Shuang’er,” he said.

I gave a pained smile and shook my head.

Even I could hardly tell who I was anymore. How could he possibly know?

Who was I, really?

Was I Yuan Shuang?

Or Jiang Yu?

Later, he finally let go. But he didn’t leave. Instead, he lay down beside me, wrapped his arms tightly around me, and whispered, “Then let me find out who you are.”

I didn’t respond.

Through the carved screen, I watched moonlight scatter through the window—and somewhere along the way, I drifted off.

I’d always heard that men tire of old flames quickly. Perhaps Liu Qi had long lost interest in Shu Wan. That kiss from last night—maybe it was just curiosity, a fleeting novelty.

I wasted no time gathering Chi Mei, Mo Zhu, and the others. With me, the five of us sat in the pavilion, sipping tea.

Well, they were sipping. My tea remained untouched as my mind spun like a battlefield in chaos.

For once, the girls didn’t perform or chatter—they simply kept quiet, letting me zone out as long as I pleased.

Eventually, Jin Ju couldn’t hold back anymore. “Your Highness, you summoned us here, but there’s no wine, no merriment. What’s the purpose of this gathering?”

I sighed dramatically before finally speaking:

“Have any of you ever been forcefully kissed before?”

“F-Forcefully… kissed?”

Jin Ju, the youngest, turned bright pink at the question.

Bai Lan, always composed, calmly sipped his tea. “Though the customs of Great Wei are open, there are still few women bold enough to force a kiss on a man. I myself have never met such a woman.”

Chi Mei laughed. “Well, it might depend on the woman—but if Your Highness were the one doing the kissing, I dare say it’d be quite the blessing.”

Her comment made me squirm a little. I couldn’t help thinking back to Liu Qi’s assertive kiss and immediately flushed as red as Jin Ju.

Bai Lan asked again, “Why does Your Highness bring this up? Could it be… that there’s someone you wish to kiss?”

Mo Zhu joined the teasing: “Your Highness, if you fancy someone, why the need to steal a kiss? Just send word and the man will walk himself to your doorstep.”

Jin Ju chimed in, “Exactly! With Your Highness’s beauty, graceful as a goddess—what man could resist? It would be his good fortune!”

After that barrage of compliments, my confidence soared to new heights.

After all, I looked exactly like the original Princess Yuan Shuang. Appearance had never been a problem for me. Still, I hadn’t realized how others truly saw me… or perhaps Chi Mei and the others were just flattering me?

Either way, after some thought, I concluded that they probably weren’t the best people to consult on this matter. Their flattery wasn’t helping my confusion. I would have to sort this out myself.

Still, men were all more or less the same, weren’t they?

So I asked another question:

“What kind of women do you like?”

Mo Zhu, Chi Mei, Bai Lan, Jin Ju exchanged glances and answered in unison:

“Women like Your Highness.”

I slapped my forehead.

Wrong. I was wrong from the very beginning.

Of all people, I just had to ask them.

But I quickly perked up.

“I have a mission for you all. Can you carry it out?”

Bai Lan smiled. “Just give the word, Your Highness.”

Mo Zhu thumped his chest. “To serve Your Highness, I’d gladly give my life!”

I waved him off. “It’s not that serious. I’m not asking you to die for me.”

“It’s just this—since you’re all men, your tastes in women should be roughly similar to his. So I want you to head out and find a few young, beautiful women to bring into the estate. As for talents and virtues, those aren’t critical—but they must be stunning.”

“Oh—and remember two conditions,” I added. “First, the women must willingly join the estate. No coercion. Second, they must be from respectable families—not from brothels or red-light districts.”

“You all don’t understand—our Prince Consort is a stickler for cleanliness. He wouldn’t even glance at a courtesan.”

I said this matter-of-factly, as if no one else’s opinion mattered. Chi Mei, Mo Zhu, and the others nearly fainted on the spot.

Even Bai Lan, usually the picture of composure, couldn’t sit still. “Your Highness… are you choosing women for the Prince Consort?”

Jin Ju leapt to his feet with a loud clang. “Why would Your Highness go to such lengths?”

Chi Mei spoke up, indignant. “If the Prince Consort refuses to obey, then Your Highness needn’t lower yourself. You have us four brothers to serve you day and night—what need is there to flatter him or win his favor?”

Mo Zhu added, “Your Highness must act with caution. Women are not like men. Since ancient times, jealousy has been a woman’s nature. If you bring too many into the household, the inner court will not remain peaceful.”

I knew what they said wasn’t wrong. How could I not be aware of the dangers?

But that day, Liu Qi had turned my world upside down. He avoided Shu wan, yet showed no interest in any other women either.

I had to keep pleasing him, winning his favor—but I couldn’t afford to lose myself again.

I only have this one lifetime in this world. Just nine fleeting years—a dream within a dream.

I will leave eventually. And before I do, I must make sure I have no regrets.

I sighed, feeling utterly stuck.

“This matter is already decided,” I told them firmly. “You don’t need to advise me further. Just help me find the women. I’ll handle everything else.”

Raising my cup of tea like it was wine, I downed it in one go and stood to leave. Before turning away, I added, “No need to go overboard. Just find two each.”

With that, I left the pavilion, pacing aimlessly around the courtyard like a restless soul, overwhelmed by a strange sense of unease.

I kept reassuring myself:

It’s fine. Eight women isn’t that many. He’s bound to reject most of them.

It’s fine. Liu Qi is a man of high standards. Ordinary beauties won’t catch his eye.

It’s fine. Just like gifting him a sword last time—this time I’m gifting women. There’s no real difference. He’ll understand my sincerity.

What I didn’t expect was that, besides their usual gallivanting, Chi Mei, Mo Zhu, and the others were remarkably efficient at finding women.

They really were the right people for the job.

Within three days, eight elegant young ladies stood in a row before my hall.

Each of them was striking in her own way: plump or slender, graceful or radiant—a perfectly varied collection of beauty.

I took my seat at the head of the hall, cleared my throat, and asked, “Do you all understand why you’ve been brought into this household?”

One tall woman stepped forward and bowed. “Replying to Your Highness, the young lords told us we’re here to serve the Prince Consort.”

I nodded, satisfied. “And are you all willing to serve him?”

Another woman stepped out, her face shy as she covered it with her sleeve. “It would be our honor.”

“Who in Luojing doesn’t know the heir of Danyang is dashing and refined? He’s the dream husband of every young noble lady. To be chosen to serve him in the Princess’s household—is a blessing earned over many lifetimes.”

I tamped down the discomfort in my heart and spoke plainly, “Very well. In a moment, you’ll go and dress properly. If anything’s lacking—clothes, jewelry—tell Mu Qiu and she’ll arrange it. You only need to focus on serving the Prince Consort. Ask no more.”

All eight responded in unison: “Yes, Your Highness.”

I left the main hall and stepped behind a decorative screen in the side room, tilting my head back and breathing deeply, trying to compose myself.

Then I turned casually to Shi Chun and said, “Tell Nan Shui to inform the Prince Consort—I’ve invited him to Biluolou for dinner tonight. He mustn’t be late.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Shi Chun replied and hurried off.

I traced the embroidery of mandarin ducks on the screen, a wave of coldness washing through me.

In this world that was never mine to begin with, the idea of lifelong devotion is little more than a joke.

As night fell, I ordered a feast to be prepared—fine wine and exquisite dishes—all for Liu Qi.

The wine had aged over a decade. The food was crafted by a chef who once served in the Southern Dynasties’ imperial kitchen, each dish tailored to Liu Qi’s preferences.

I’d heard southerners have a sweet tooth, so I had extra candied fruits and honeyed cakes prepared. Everything was ready, down to the smallest detail.

Soon, Liu Qi arrived, travel-worn but sharp-eyed.

I noticed his Xing Yun sword hanging from his left hip, and his jade talisman—Yu Yu—on his right.

“My lord, you’re here. Please, have a seat.”

I had a cushion set for him, and he passed his sword to Nan Shui before sitting beside me.

Since that drunken night when I fell asleep in his arms, this was the first time I’d seen him.

He had grown noticeably thinner, the contours of his face even more defined.

I thought he would, as usual, keep his distance—but from the moment he walked in, there was a faint, unmistakable smile on his lips.

I dismissed the attendants and personally poured him a cup of wine. “I specially requested this wine from my brother the Emperor some days ago. Won’t you try it?”

Liu Qi glanced at the spread before him, and his smile grew more pronounced.

“How did Your Highness know… today is my birthday?”

“What?” My expression stiffened. “Today is… your birthday?”

“It is.”

He raised his cup and downed it. “Thank you, Your Highness, for the thoughtful meal—so many Southern dishes. I’m truly pleased.”

I fumbled for words. “Ah, you… I’m glad you like them.”

He smiled gently. And when Nan Shui wasn’t looking, he slipped his hand under the table and quietly took mine.

I instinctively tried to pull away, but he held on tighter, refusing to let go.

I glanced at him, but he acted as if nothing had happened, his gaze fixed on the dishes.

“This stuffed vinegar fish—I’ve been craving it for so long. The last time I had it was in Jiankang. That must’ve been years ago.”

Smiling, I picked up a piece and placed it in his bowl. “Then eat as much as you like. It’s your birthday—no one’s going to fight you for it. You’ll get your fill.”

Liu Qi stared at the fish in his bowl, seemingly dazed, not moving to eat. He looked at it again and again, as if trying to memorize every line.

At last, he turned to me. Under the glow of candlelight, he pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.

Then he leaned in and whispered,

“Thank you, my lady, for preparing my meal.”