Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 20

20: Climbing onto Xiao Qiling’s Bed in Light Clothing and Thin Veils

The Ningxiang Pavilion was located in the most bustling part of the capital’s downtown. Although the court had explicitly forbidden officials from visiting brothels, the Ningxiang Pavilion housed many courtesans who only sold their artistic talents. As long as no trouble arose, the authorities often turned a blind eye.

Today, the Ningxiang Pavilion had closed its doors to regular patrons. The madam in charge of the establishment was outside, offering apologetic smiles: “My deepest apologies, my lord. The pavilion has been reserved by a distinguished guest today, and this humble servant dares not offend them. Would you consider returning another day?”

For those with milder tempers or less courage, they might curse their bad luck and head to another pleasure house in the east. But for someone less reasonable, like the eldest son of the Si family, who commanded the imperial city’s guards, things weren’t so easily dismissed. “Open your dog eyes and see who I am! Is your Ningxiang Pavilion planning to shut down tomorrow?”

The madam repeatedly apologized: “Truly, I’m sorry, Young Master Si. It’s not that this servant wishes to make things difficult for you, but the guest inside is someone even I cannot afford to offend.”

High-ranking officials and princes of the court wouldn’t dare to visit a pleasure house so brazenly. The young dandies nearby weren’t buying it and scoffed, “Do you have any sense at all? Who could possibly outrank our Young Master Si?”

Seeing no other way, the madam lowered her voice and revealed the guest’s identity: “The Ning Prince’s Mansion.”

She didn’t dare guarantee that Prince Ning himself wouldn’t come, but the fact that the princess consort, a woman, had come to the pleasure house and booked a group of courtesans surely wasn’t for her own amusement.

“What? What did you say? Isn’t he supposed to be near death? And he’s still visiting brothels?” Young Master Si’s face was filled with shock.

But no sooner had he spoken than a pebble flew toward his knee. His legs buckled, and with a thud, he fell to his knees before the madam.

The dandies beside him didn’t dare help him up. “It’s Prince Ning! It must be Prince Ning!”

“I didn’t say anything bad about him! I-I’m leaving now.”

“Yes, yes, let’s go, quickly!”

Prince Ning’s fearsome reputation was deeply ingrained in people’s minds. The group, who moments ago had been haughty, hurriedly turned and fled, and even the onlookers scattered.

Yin Si tossed the pebble he had picked up and leaped onto the upper floor in a single bound.

Inside the largest private room of the Ningxiang Pavilion, a luxurious, heavy carpet covered every inch of the floor. In the center, an intricately carved bronze censer emitted a seductive fragrance. Layered red curtains partially concealed a cushioned divan at the main seat, where beautiful dancers performed gracefully outside the drapes.

Within the curtains, two shadowy figures could vaguely be seen, as if engaged in intimate activities.

But if one lifted the curtains and stepped inside, they would see Yu Nanqing sitting upright, head bowed, listening to a lecture. The elaborately dressed courtesan, holding a fan to her lips, wore a stern expression. The fan tapped rhythmically against her own palm, as if ready to turn into a ruler to discipline Yu Nanqing if she spoke too slowly.

“…After I married into the Ning Prince’s Mansion, Prince Ning didn’t kill me. I don’t know why she’s still alive. When I returned to my family, she even accompanied me to the Duke’s Mansion to retrieve my mother’s dowry. She… well, she’s a decent person.”

Ji Zhiyun turned to Chenxiang: “Is what your young lady says true?”

Yu Nanqing hurriedly signaled Chenxiang with her eyes, but Ji Zhiyun caught her and shot her a sharp glare. “Sit properly.”

Yu Nanqing drooped her head. Today was truly an unlucky day—she had just escaped the dragon’s den of the Ning Prince’s Mansion only to stumble into the tiger’s lair of the Ningxiang Pavilion.

Ji Zhiyun was her eldest cousin, daughter of her maternal uncle, and twelve years her senior. Gifted in mathematics and deliberately groomed by the Ji family, she was now the head of the new generation of the Ji family. The age gap made Yu Nanqing both close to and fearful of her cousin.

With the spring imperial examinations approaching in April, Ji Zhiyun, worried that the Duke’s Mansion might interfere, had come to the capital specifically for Yu Nanqing’s sake.

But upon arriving, she overheard commoners discussing the wedding at the Ning Prince’s Mansion. At first, she didn’t think much of it, but when she heard that Prince Ning had accompanied the princess consort back to the Duke’s Mansion, causing the latter to lose face, she could no longer sit still.

Her little cousin, destined for greatness, had married? And to the infamous Prince Ning, whose notoriety had spread even to the south?

How could this be?

She had lingered around the Ning Prince’s Mansion for days, even planning to formally visit with a calling card. Unexpectedly, Yu Nanqing herself had left the mansion today.

To avoid drawing attention, Ji Zhiyun had passed a message to Chenxiang while she was buying food for Yu Nanqing, inviting them to meet at the pleasure house for discretion.

“Cousin, everything my lady says is true. Prince Ning isn’t as terrifying as the rumors suggest. If she were truly as the rumors claim, how could my lady and I move freely in and out of the mansion?” Ji Zhiyun was skilled at reading people, so Chenxiang spoke cautiously in defense of Yu Nanqing.

Ji Zhiyun: “Is that so?”

Yu Nanqing nodded eagerly, like a chick pecking at grain.

Ji Zhiyun frowned. “What about the imperial examinations? Are you giving up? Have all these years of study been for nothing?”

Yu Nanqing let out an “ah,” shrinking under Ji Zhiyun’s stern expression. She stammered, “W-Well, maybe I won’t take them. Didn’t you all say that disguising myself as a man was too risky? It’s a crime punishable by beheading, so not taking the exams is a good thing, right?”

Ji Zhiyun’s frown deepened. “Fine, say you value your life and won’t take the exams. But when the imperial edict for your marriage came, why didn’t you send me a letter? Why didn’t you run?”

Yu Nanqing’s head drooped lower.

Chenxiang had asked her the same question before, but she truly couldn’t escape the marriage. If she had fled, Emperor Wenjing, humiliated by the defiance, would surely punish someone to uphold imperial authority.

The Duke’s Mansion wouldn’t take the blame for her, so the Ji family would be dragged into the mess.

Seeing Yu Nanqing too timid to lift her head, Ji Zhiyun thought her cold demeanor had frightened her. Softening her tone, she said, “I’m just worried about you, not blaming you.”

“I know,” Yu Nanqing nodded repeatedly, still too scared to say much.

Ji Zhiyun’s heart ached. She took a deep breath and asked, “What are your plans now? I’ve heard Prince Ning is in poor health and has a volatile temper. You’re fine now, but what if she suddenly falls ill one day?”

“The point of the exams was to gain rank and status, wasn’t it? I’m now the First-Rank Princess Consort of Ning, which is much faster than climbing the ranks through the exams. You should be happy for me, Sister. As for Prince Ning…” Yu Nanqing paused, smiling. “You taught me not to believe every rumor, so why are you so narrow-minded now?”

Ji Zhiyun, however, felt a pang of sorrow.

Yu Nanqing had been forced into this marriage by an imperial edict. Prince Ning, already past her coming-of-age, wasn’t alone in her household. According to rumors, her previous consorts had all died during her episodes. How could Ji Zhiyun not worry for Yu Nanqing?

Even when the Ji family’s accounts had major errors, Yu Nanqing had never seen Ji Zhiyun this distressed. She pinched Ji Zhiyun’s thumb. “Sister, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Ji Zhiyun pulled two small jade vials from her sleeve. “Take these.”

Yu Nanqing was puzzled. “What are they?”

Thinking they were some new kind of perfume, she opened one to smell it, but Ji Zhiyun quickly stopped her. “These are poisons I acquired while at sea, called Mandarin Duck’s Smile. Taken alone, each is a potent tonic, but if both are taken within three hours, even the gods couldn’t save you.”

Yu Nanqing’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the vials.

Ji Zhiyun steadied her hand and instructed, “If you use them, let me know first. I’ll ensure you safely return to the Ji family, or anywhere else you want to go. I won’t hold you back.”

Yu Nanqing, under her cousin’s concerned gaze, felt the poison vials grow hotter in her hands, almost too scalding to hold.

At that moment, the door to the room was kicked open with a loud bang, startling all the girls inside into freezing.

The madam followed Xiao Qiling, smiling apologetically while trying to cover for Yu Nanqing: “Your Highness, please slow down. The princess consort only booked the best girls in the house, not a single male courtesan. She must have come here secretly to learn skills to please you.”

Yu Nanqing, eavesdropping: Huh?

Let alone serving Xiao Qiling, the mere thought of being pinned down and teased by Xiao Qiling before leaving, crying with tears streaming down her face, made Yu Nanqing want to pour both vials of poison down Xiao Qiling’s throat.

But did she have the courage?

Clearly not.

Xiao Qiling wasn’t an ordinary person. Having survived a rare poison for so long, if Yu Nanqing tried to poison her, she’d likely be dead by Xiao Qiling’s sword before she could even reach Ji Zhiyun.

To be clear, coming to the pleasure house wasn’t Yu Nanqing’s idea. It was her cousin’s, who was so traditional that she forbade any Ji family men from visiting such places. The real culprit was now dressed as a courtesan, sitting beside her, handing her a cup of water.

With Xiao Qiling here, Yu Nanqing didn’t dare drink, but remembering how she’d praised Xiao Qiling to Ji Zhiyun, she couldn’t appear too weak.

She quickly took the cup, intending to take a sip to brush it off before going to face Xiao Qiling.

At that moment, the curtains were pulled back.

Xiao Qiling stood a few steps away, her gaze sweeping leisurely over Yu Nanqing and Ji Zhiyun’s faces. She didn’t seem to be catching an adulterer but rather watching a show. “The princess consort has quite the taste, using my name to revel in this place. I wonder how many will use this to impeach me tomorrow.”

Yu Nanqing instinctively shifted half a step toward Ji Zhiyun, shielding her face, and said calmly, “Would Your Highness like to join us?”

“How considerate of the princess consort.” Xiao Qiling chuckled softly, beckoning her. “But this will only stir the ambitions of those seeking to curry favor by offering women. The Ning Prince’s Mansion will be lively.”

Yu Nanqing froze, staring blankly at Xiao Qiling, thinking she’d caused a huge mess and given outsiders a chance to plant spies. “Can we not let them?”

Xiao Qiling’s tone turned harsh. “No, we cannot.”

Yu Nanqing’s face fell.

To others in the Ningxiang Pavilion, it looked like the princess consort was heartbroken at the news of Prince Ning taking concubines, too devastated to speak—a truly pitiful sight.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Yu Nanqing chose to appease Xiao Qiling over facing Ji Zhiyun’s icy stare from behind. Adopting a delicate, feminine demeanor, she hooked her arm around Xiao Qiling’s. “Your Highness, can you have everyone else leave first?”

How could the people of the Ningxiang Pavilion dare eavesdrop on matters involving Prince Ning’s concubines? The madam, relieved, quickly ushered everyone out, including Chenxiang, and shut the door tightly.

“I heard the princess consort came here to learn some skills today. What have you learned?” With everyone gone, Xiao Qiling raised an eyebrow, curious to see how Yu Nanqing would defend herself.

“Your Highness, please sit first.” Yu Nanqing withdrew her hand from Xiao Qiling’s arm, deliberately keeping her distance, and gestured for her to sit on the cushioned divan.

Her mind was a mess, and she didn’t watch her step. She tripped over the leg of a table holding pastries, stumbling forward and pushing the table along with her.

Xiao Qiling couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Is this the seduction technique the princess consort just learned from the girls?”

Yu Nanqing felt utterly humiliated. Hearing Xiao Qiling’s mockery, she silently climbed up, sitting to the side to sulk.

Xiao Qiling found it amusing and crouched down beside her, teasing further. “It was my mistake for not appreciating it. How about this: do whatever you want, princess consort. Here, or on the divan?”

Yu Nanqing: …

Her jaw tightened, and her icy glare seemed ready to devour Prince Ning.

Xiao Qiling fell silent for a long moment. Just as Yu Nanqing thought her expression had intimidated her, Xiao Qiling suddenly leaned closer, so close that her breath brushed Yu Nanqing’s face.

Yu Nanqing stiffened, her feigned coldness crumbling. She blurted, “Your Highness, this room is so big—can you sit somewhere else?”

Xiao Qiling ignored her, inching even closer.

Her wide sleeve brushed past Yu Nanqing’s shoulder. Before Yu Nanqing could speak, a few crisp sounds rang out.

Xiao Qiling’s voice sounded by her ear: “Did you have them prepare these?”

Confused, Yu Nanqing slowly turned her head.

On the carpet lay several round, white jade jars and a few strings of jade beads, scattered from a drawer in the table.

Xiao Qiling picked up a jade jar, opened it, and a faint, exotic fragrance wafted from the creamy contents.

Even someone as clueless as Yu Nanqing could guess their purpose.

Xiao Qiling’s gaze swept over her, suggestive. “In the mansion, the princess consort seemed so innocent. Who would’ve thought you’d be into these?”

“I’m not!” Yu Nanqing lunged to snatch the jar, stuffing all the items back into the drawer.

Xiao Qiling laughed softly. “Alright, you don’t like them.”

This only made Yu Nanqing seem like she was pretending to be coy. She emphasized coldly, “I really don’t like them.”

“Then why are you here today?” Xiao Qiling glanced meaningfully toward the door. “Could it be there’s someone here who has you so smitten?”

“There’s no such thing! Don’t accuse me falsely.” Yu Nanqing naturally wouldn’t betray Ji Zhiyun.

Xiao Qiling pulled her up, reaching out to thoughtfully adjust Yu Nanqing’s disheveled collar. “Oh, I forgot. Qingqing has always been devoted to me—how could she have eyes for anyone else?”

She adjusted the collar slowly, as if deliberately dragging out the moment.

Yu Nanqing, under Xiao Qiling’s intense gaze, bit her lip harder, her lips looking as if coated with heavy rouge, strikingly vivid. Xiao Qiling’s eyes flickered, her mocking words catching in her throat. She said nothing more and turned to leave.

The madam at the door had assumed that with Prince Ning’s ferocious reputation, even if she didn’t kill the princess consort, she’d at least leave her half-dead.

Having worked at the Ningxiang Pavilion for over a decade and seen countless beauties, the madam still felt a pang of pity for the princess consort’s lovely face.

When the door opened, the madam snapped out of her thoughts, bowing respectfully.

There was no trace of bl00d on Prince Ning. She whispered something in the madam’s ear, startling her into thinking she’d misheard.

But soon, the princess consort rushed out. The madam looked at her with newfound respect—could this princess consort truly tame such a fearsome deity?

Yu Nanqing searched around the doorway. “Where’s Sister Ji?”

Chenxiang approached and whispered, “The young lady was questioned by His Highness and left with her.”

“My cousin was taken away?” Panic flashed in Yu Nanqing’s eyes.

It wasn’t surprising that Xiao Qiling could see through Ji Zhiyun’s disguise, but Yu Nanqing couldn’t let Ji Zhiyun stay in contact with her.

With Xiao Qiling parading around the mansion in flamboyant skirts like a peacock, Yu Nanqing could tolerate it as the princess consort, but if Ji Zhiyun saw it, it would only add another layer of danger.

What if Xiao Qiling decided to silence Ji Zhiyun one day?

Especially since Ji Zhiyun was already hostile toward Xiao Qiling. If she said or did something reckless… The more Yu Nanqing thought, the more terrified she became.

Unable to sleep all night, at the third watch, she could no longer lie still. Without waking Chenxiang, she threw on a heavy cloak and, without lighting a lamp, hurried toward Lanshi Courtyard.

Lanshi Courtyard was Xiao Qiling’s main residence for resting.

The moment Yu Nanqing pushed open the door, Xiao Qiling was already awake. In the entire mansion, only Yu Nanqing could enter without being stopped by the hidden guards.

Not because of her status as princess consort, but because Yu Nanqing posed no threat to Xiao Qiling. No threat to the extent that, even if given a dagger, Yu Nanqing would likely miss her target.

It was Yu Nanqing’s first time sneaking around like this, her hands and feet trembling with nerves. She tiptoed to where Xiao Qiling’s clothes hung, carefully searching for the Ning Prince’s token.

With the token, she could order the hidden guards to release Ji Zhiyun overnight. If Xiao Qiling held her accountable tomorrow, Ji Zhiyun would already be far gone.

As for what Xiao Qiling might do to her, Yu Nanqing no longer cared—she couldn’t stop worrying about Ji Zhiyun.

Ji Zhiyun had dared to give her poison to kill Xiao Qiling. Who knew if she might impulsively say or do something dangerous?

The more Yu Nanqing thought, the more anxious she became, her movements quickening.

But after searching through all the clothes, she couldn’t find the token. Yu Nanqing glanced at the bed, her expression troubled.

Could it be… on Xiao Qiling’s person?

It wasn’t impossible for something so important to be kept close, even while sleeping.

Yu Nanqing scanned the room, her gaze drifting back to Xiao Qiling.

After hesitating for a long while, she cautiously approached, removed her heavy cloak, and, in light clothing and thin veils, climbed onto Xiao Qiling’s bed.

Xiao Qiling, growing drowsy from waiting, noticed Yu Nanqing still hadn’t made a move. She had clearly heard her rummaging through the clothes, obviously looking for something.

A quarter of an hour passed.

Then another.

Finally, Xiao Qiling turned over, wanting to see what Yu Nanqing was up to in the middle of the night.

She saw Yu Nanqing’s figure sway, her head, which had been resting on her arm, droop and roll onto the pillow, fast asleep.

Xiao Qiling: …

She pinched Yu Nanqing’s cheek, forcibly waking her.

“What are you doing here?”

Groggy, Yu Nanqing slowly recalled her plan to search Xiao Qiling’s body for the token. Afraid of waking her with the movement, she had decided to wait.

And in waiting, she’d fallen asleep.

Yu Nanqing pinched her thigh hard to wake herself fully. “I missed Your Highness and couldn’t sleep, so I came without permission. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Xiao Qiling raised an eyebrow, watching Yu Nanqing’s act. “But I’m not used to sleeping with someone else.”

Yu Nanqing thought to herself that she wasn’t either, especially with someone like Xiao Qiling—fall asleep, and her life might be at risk.

But having come this far, she couldn’t leave empty-handed.

Lowering her gaze, Yu Nanqing suddenly wrapped her arms around Xiao Qiling’s waist, her soft body pressing close, rubbing against Xiao Qiling’s waist a few times.

The warm, soft body pressed against her, carrying a pleasant fragrance. Xiao Qiling froze, unexpectedly not pushing her away.

Yu Nanqing’s hands took the chance to fumble around Xiao Qiling’s back, confirming the token wasn’t there, and felt a pang of disappointment.

But she had to keep up the act.

Sliding her hands to Xiao Qiling’s front, she gathered the loosened collar of Xiao Qiling’s robe, then stood up dejectedly to leave. “Since Your Highness doesn’t want me by your side, I won’t stay and annoy you. Please keep warm while sleeping, Your Highness, and don’t catch a cold.”

She stumbled off the bed, her back looking somewhat forlorn.

Her long, dark hair fell over her chest as she moved, revealing a glimpse of her snow-white nape.

Over the years, Emperor Wenjing had sent many alluring women to the Ning Prince’s Mansion to plant spies. Xiao Qiling always thought that, perhaps because she was a woman herself, their beauty held less interest for her than a bird flying over the roof.

So when they made their moves, she could dispatch them without batting an eye.

But Yu Nanqing, despite being modestly dressed, her sleeves neatly covering half her hands, showed no impropriety.

Yet Xiao Qiling stared for a long time.

As Yu Nanqing put on her shoes to leave, Xiao Qiling’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You came for Miss Ji, didn’t you?”

Yu Nanqing turned, silent.

Xiao Qiling continued, “I’ve already sent her south to return home.”

Yu Nanqing hadn’t expected this outcome. “My cousin’s gone back?”

Half-reclining on the bed, Xiao Qiling lowered her eyes, a faint smirk carrying a touch of coldness. “Xiao Qijun is looking for her. Would you rather she visit Prince Chen’s Mansion first?”

Ji Zhiyun wasn’t from the capital, having traveled north from the south. If Xiao Qijun was keeping an eye on the Ji family, he’d surely notice her movements.

Realizing this, Yu Nanqing respectfully bowed to Xiao Qiling. “Thank you for your help, Your Highness.”

“A small effort,” Xiao Qiling said, her tone shifting back to its usual familiarity. “Besides, it’s for my own sake. I can’t keep going to brothels to fetch my own princess consort, can I?”

Her expression was languid, and after speaking, she lay back down, signaling her intent to rest.

Yu Nanqing, not wanting to disturb her further, hugged her cloak and quietly left.

As she pushed open the door, a voice came from behind: “Xiao Qijun has his eyes on the Ji family, and the Duke’s Mansion must have fanned the flames. I helped you this time, but it won’t be so easy next time.”