Offered as a Lucky Bride to the Mad Princess to Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 7

7: “Then Serve Me Tonight”

Yu Nanqing developed a low fever that night. Fortunately, the symptoms were mild. After being examined by the physician in the residence and prescribed two doses of medicine, she woke up the next day feeling much better.

The room was still adorned with the glaring red of celebration, and even the phoenix crown remained untouched on the table. Without Xiao Qiling’s orders, no one dared to take the initiative to move it.

“How did you get back yesterday?” Yu Nanqing had been half-asleep last night when she saw Chenxiang wiping her face and changing her clothes. At the time, she hadn’t remembered her promise to Chenxiang, and now she couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.

“A guard from the Prince Ning’s residence brought me back. Her martial arts were incredible—she could scale walls and leap over rooftops even while carrying me.” Chenxiang gestured animatedly as she recounted the tale to Yu Nanqing. “The people of Prince Ning’s residence are truly remarkable.”

Yu Nanqing let out a drawn-out “Oh,” then glanced sideways at her teasingly. “So today, you don’t think Prince Ning’s residence is terrifying anymore?”

“Perhaps Prince Ning is a good person too.” As Chenxiang fastened a hairpin for Yu Nanqing, even though she saw her mistress’s face every day, she was still stunned by her beauty. “Miss, they really do say that joy brings radiance to one’s spirit.”

Yu Nanqing lowered her eyes. “Have the meal served.”

Chenxiang nodded in agreement.

Originally, Yu Nanqing was not arranged to stay in the main courtyard, and Chenxiang thought they would be neglected in the Ning Wang’s residence. However, apart from the absence of the Ning Wang himself, the entire household treated them with respect—far more at ease than in the Duke’s residence.

Just as they were about to leave, she heard Yu Nanqing instruct, “Wait, should I go to pay my respects to the Ning Wang and have breakfast together?”

This was originally a ritual for the princess consort. If the Ning Wang were in good health, they would have had to enter the palace to kowtow the morning after the wedding.

Chenxiang quickly replied, “There’s no need for you to go, Miss. Last night, when I went to fetch the physician, all the household doctors had been summoned by the Ning Wang, likely because his condition had worsened again.”

She let out a long sigh. “I had almost given up hope, but when I explained the situation, they sent a physician back with me.”

Yu Nanqing smiled. “No wonder your attitude has changed today.”

Chenxiang scratched her head. “Why not visit him after breakfast?”

“Forget it, I won’t go.” Yu Nanqing leisurely rubbed the twin lotus bracelet on her wrist, her fingertips tracing the connected flowers for a moment before she sighed regretfully. “The Ning Wang is noble and precious. It wouldn’t do for me to pass any illness to him.”

Chenxiang hastily agreed.

After breakfast, Yu Nanqing had Chenxiang prepare bathwater. Back in the Duke’s residence, Yu Nanqing had been accustomed to using scented herbs—both to cleanse her skin and to strengthen her body. In the summer, they also served to ward off mosquito bites.

Yu Nanqing leaned back in the tub, closing her eyes to relax, while Chenxiang washed her long hair and chatted with her. In her past life, shortly after the Great Qi Dynasty descended into war, Chenxiang had died unexpectedly during a journey. After that, even when she had other maidservants, none were as close and talkative as Chenxiang. Listening to her chatter now was rather pleasant.

“Miss, the betrothal gifts the Ning Wang sent were all priceless treasures, yet the household doesn’t seem extravagant at all.”

If not for the fact that the Ning Wang was Yu Nanqing’s husband, Chenxiang might even have ventured to say, “The residence seems a bit shabby.”

The hot water left Yu Nanqing feeling utterly relaxed, her pores open. She lazily hummed in response.

Compared to Yu Nanqing’s originally lavish lifestyle, it naturally seemed shabby. After all, how many households in the capital could casually spend eight hundred taels on a single hairpin?

As for the betrothal gifts from the Ning Wang, most were bestowed by the Empress—items from the palace, each marked with royal insignias, making them impossible to sell or exchange on the market.

Unless Yu Bingru’s face was thick enough to embezzle his daughter’s betrothal gifts, these items would eventually be included in the dowry and returned to the Ning Wang’s residence.

One loss, one gain — it’s not exactly a bad deal.

But… she dared not touch anything belonging to Prince Ning. Her things, however, were another matter entirely.

Yu Nanqing half-closed her eyes, tapping her fingertips lightly on the side of the bath barrel. A faint smile played at her lips as she said, “Have someone fetch the steward of Prince Ning’s residence shortly. Tell him I need to retrieve some personal items from my dowry.”

Things like her usual spices and some clothing and jewelry — when she arrived at Prince Ning’s residence, they had all been packed into one of the dowry chests.

Of course, she couldn’t just go and take them herself. Last night she’d noticed all the dowry chests had been locked, and the keys weren’t with her. They must’ve been handed over to Prince Ning’s estate.

“Yes, Miss.”

She had barely finished drying her hair after her bath when an angry voice sounded at the door:

“What did I say last night? The princess is weak and needs to rest in bed these few days — no bathing, no exposure to wind. Did my words go in one ear and out the other?”

Chenxiang’s voice was mixed in, apologizing in a low tone:
“The princess’s fever broke last night. She’d sweated a lot and felt sticky and uncomfortable. She is, after all, a young lady — surely she should be allowed to bathe?”

“And I’m not a woman? Missing one bath — will it kill her?”

Chenxiang really wanted to retort: Yes, it might.

Her mistress was particular about everything she ate, wore, or used. If not for the fact that her things hadn’t been moved over yet, every item of clothing she wore would’ve been scented before she put it on. Letting her sweat and not bathe afterward? Unthinkable.

The door was pushed open violently. The royal physician, being the only one in the residence free to come and go as he pleased, wasn’t one to hold back, even in front of Xiao Qiling. Naturally, Chenxiang couldn’t stop him.

Yu Nanqing wore a plain white robe. Her still-damp black hair hung behind her, and a faint smile touched her pale eyes.
“Thank you for your skilled hands last night, Doctor. But may I ask what brings you here today?”

Faced with her gentle smile, the scolding caught in the royal physician’s throat and wouldn’t come out.

“Your maid told me you fell into the water some time ago, and your cold has yet to fully recover?” He set down his medicine box and, without asking, placed his fingers on her wrist to take her pulse.

“Your constitution is weak. Decoctions can only relieve the symptoms temporarily. I suggest we try a different treatment.”

“A different treatment?” Chenxiang was curious.

The physician opened his box and took out a roll of leather. Chenxiang leaned over, curious about this supposed miracle cure — but when she saw rows of needles longer than her fingers, she gasped.

“I think I’m already better.” Yu Nanqing had been frail in her previous life too, and back then, physicians had also recommended acupuncture — all of which she had refused.

Given a second chance at life, she had no desire to be used as a pincushion.

The physician tried to persuade her again:
“Princess, please don’t reject treatment out of pride or fear. This is for your long-term health—”

“It’s not that I don’t want acupuncture,” Yu Nanqing blinked innocently, her voice soft, “It’s just that your prince fell in love with me at first sight last night. If he finds out you touched me before he did, he’ll probably let you personally experience every one of the dozens of horrifying punishments Prince Ning’s estate is rumored to have.”

Physician: …

Chen Xiang widened her eyes: “Miss, you saw Prince Ning last night?”

Yu Nanqing, having already lied, didn’t mind stretching the truth a bit further. With deep affection in her eyes, she gazed toward the doorway: “Yes. If you don’t believe me, you can go ask Prince Ning. Last night, when I was attacked, she suddenly arrived, held me in her arms, and comforted me for a long time. We were sweet and loving under the moonlight.”

Chen Xiang: !

The court physician’s first instinct was to seek confirmation from Prince Ning.

But their Highness was perpetually moody and unpredictable, and would never entertain such a baseless question.

She had come today on Xiao Qiling’s orders to probe Yu Nanqing’s background and check for any traces of martial arts training, which was why she had specifically suggested acupuncture.

Now, her hand holding the fine needle trembled uncontrollably. In the end, she gave up and rolled the needle pack back up.

“Then I’ll prescribe a few more doses of medicinal broth for the Princess Consort.”

As for checking bone structure—let the Princess Consort’s own wife handle that. She certainly couldn’t figure it out.

After the court physician left, Yu Nanqing found the room stuffy and decided to take a stroll in the courtyard. Chen Xiang brought over a hand warmer filled with fresh charcoal, and Yu Nanqing lazily lifted her hand, letting Chen Xiang tuck it into her embrace.

While Chen Xiang went to fetch a warm coat, Yu Nanqing idly turned her gaze and spotted a tall figure by the windowsill—dressed in an emerald-green gossamer silk gown, holding a feathered folding fan, shaking it with amused interest, a deep smile playing on her lips. It was unclear how long she had been listening outside the window.

Fortunately, Yu Nanqing had thick skin. She even curved her eyes at Xiao Qiling: “Your Highness, what brings you here?”

Xiao Qiling smirked: “If I hadn’t come, how would I have learned that I fell for my Princess Consort at first sight and shared a romantic moment under the moonlight?”

Her voice, soft and clear, seemed to transform into countless indescribable tendrils, spreading out from all directions, ensnaring Yu Nanqing completely.

A chill ran down Yu Nanqing’s spine as she stared at Xiao Qiling in terror. Her hand trembled, and the hand warmer slipped from her grip, crashing to the ground with a loud thud.

Xiao Qiling’s lips curled slightly, as if she found Yu Nanqing’s frightened expression highly entertaining. She circled from the window to the door, stepped inside, and surveyed the room filled with wedding decorations, her interest visibly piqued.

Yu Nanqing bowed in greeting, but Xiao Qiling waved her hand dismissively: “No need for such formalities within the residence from now on.”

Yu Nanqing feigned reluctance: “Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

Xiao Qiling tilted her head, shadows falling over her features: “This Prince fell for my beloved Consort at first sight. Naturally, I must be considerate of her hardships.”

Beloved Consort.

Great, she has leveled up again.

Yu Nanqing lowered her head, looking as shy and demure as a young maiden.

While Xiao Qiling was inspecting the room, Yu Nanqing secretly observed her.

Twice.

Both last night when she first saw Xiao Qiling and today, Xiao Qiling was dressed in women’s attire, moving freely around the manor without the slightest attempt to conceal herself.

Either Xiao Qiling had truly lost her mind to the point of not caring, or the Ning Wang Manor was already firmly under her control, with no risk of even the slightest rumor leaking out.

Yu Nanqing leaned toward the latter possibility.

After all, in her past life, Yu Nanrou had never mentioned Xiao Qiling’s true gender, which likely meant she had been placed in a far more secluded part of the estate.

But why had she been assigned to this location?

After last night’s excursion, Yu Nanqing was well aware that her courtyard was anything but remote. If Xiao Qiling hadn’t wanted her to know the truth about her gender, she wouldn’t have been placed here in the first place.

Just as Yu Nanqing was puzzling over this, Xiao Qiling suddenly turned to look at her: “Is there something on my face?”

Caught red-handed.

Yu Nanqing shook her head, obediently replying, “Your Highness is beautiful.”

Xiao Qiling’s gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds before she smiled. “Do you know how I deal with people who comment on my appearance?”

Yu Nanqing stiffened.

Surely she wasn’t going to bite her again?

Besides, if Xiao Qiling didn’t want people noticing her looks, why didn’t she just stick to wearing men’s clothing as before? What was the point of decking herself out with all those pretty hairpins?

Yu Nanqing retorted with righteous indignation, “When others comment, it’s gossip—disrespect toward Your Highness only compounds their crime. But I am Your Highness’s properly wedded princess consort. What’s wrong with looking a few extra times and offering a compliment?”

“Silver-tongued and slick,” Xiao Qiling remarked before beckoning Yu Nanqing over. “Do you enjoy reading?”

Uncertain of her intentions, Yu Nanqing replied cautiously, “Somewhat.”

“Are you well-educated?”

Yu Nanqing, who had once topped the imperial examinations in her past life: “I suppose so?”

It wasn’t an unreasonable question. The Yu family hadn’t produced a single scholar in generations, and their expectations for their sons were modest, let alone for the daughters. Even if Yu Nanqing had been illiterate, Xiao Qiling wouldn’t have been too surprised.

The soft rustle of pages turning echoed distinctly in the quiet room.

Yu Nanqing had left all her books behind at the Yu residence—she had long since memorized them, and bringing them along would only have been unnecessary trouble. At first, she was curious about what books were on the desk, but as she approached, she noticed Xiao Qiling’s slender fingers pause mid-turn, no longer flipping the pages.

Instead, they came to an ambiguous halt.

The atmosphere gradually shifted from quiet to eerie.

Xiao Qiling smiled. “My beloved consort studies diligently through the night. This prince is deeply gratified.”

Yu Nanqing was stunned.

Huh?

What had she been studying?

Xiao Qiling’s hand moved again, this time to close the book entirely.

Turning around, her eyes skimmed over Yu Nanqing’s slender, supple waist before she placed the book into Yu Nanqing’s hands.

“Then tonight, you shall attend to me in bed.”

Yu Nanqing looked down and finally saw the contents of the book—it was none other than the illustrated spring palace album she had flipped through last night!