The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 12

12: Couple

Ji Rongjin didn’t react immediately. The Master of Xuange Pavilion—wasn’t this her first meeting with her today?

Could it be that she and the original host were old acquaintances? But she had lost her memories.

A flurry of thoughts raced through Ji Rongjin’s mind, perhaps too many, as her head gradually felt heavy. After a moment of daze, she looked up at the woman holding a brush, carefully considering how to remind her.

“No need.” Shen Zhuwan suddenly spoke. “Let this matter be smoothly pinned on Xuange Pavilion.”

Ji Rongjin processed this for a moment. “Your Highness means… to use this to deal with Xuange Pavilion?”

The woman at the desk didn’t look up. From a distance neither too close nor too far, Ji Rongjin couldn’t quite make out her expression, and even her voice sounded ethereal, indistinct, and hard to grasp.

“The Consort should go rest.”

The light words drifted into her ears, and this time, Ji Rongjin heard them clearly.

Raising her eyes, she saw Shen Zhuwan, who had somehow moved to stand in front of her. Ji Rongjin asked in a daze, “Princess?”

Shen Zhuwan maintained her usual calm demeanor, as if nothing could disturb her serene state of mind.

But Ji Rongjin noticed Shen Zhuwan’s brows slightly furrow. Unlike others, whose furrowed brows might appear bitter or menacing, Shen Zhuwan’s were subtle, like clouds gently brushing against each other—delicate and strikingly beautiful.

Ji Rongjin thought to herself that Shen Zhuwan seemed to do everything with a certain aloofness. Whether it was her expression, the colors of her clothes, or the fluctuations of her emotions, they all lacked vibrancy. She was like a landscape painting outlined with delicate brushstrokes—tranquil, distant, carrying a faint, cool fragrance that was both comforting and isolating.

Lost in her thoughts, her wrist was gently pulled up. Cool fingertips rested on her pulse, their light touches bringing an inexplicable itch, not just to her wrist.

Ji Rongjin chuckled, curling her wrist slightly. The hand that was pulled mimicked the woman’s actions, aimlessly tapping on Shen Zhuwan’s cool wrist.

Shen Zhuwan paused, interrupted, and looked down at the girl before her with a commanding gaze.

The morning sunlight was soft, falling on the girl’s face, which was flushed with an unnatural red. Even from a distance, the heat radiating from her was palpable.

Perhaps delirious from fever, she could still curl her lashes and giggle foolishly at such a moment.

Shen Zhuwan had no intention of arguing with a sick person and was about to let go. But the hand she had been holding suddenly turned the tables, grabbing her wrist with a burning warmth.

“Princess,” the girl’s voice was hoarse. She closed her eyes, shook her head forcefully, and murmured with what seemed like all her strength, “I’m so tired.”

Then she collapsed.

Before she could hit the ground, Shen Zhuwan gently caught her by the shoulders. The girl’s head naturally found a place in her embrace, and soon, even breathing sounds followed.

Shen Zhuwan quietly looked at the head nestled in her arms and said softly, “Dongmei.”

The door opened promptly. Dongmei entered and, seeing the scene, her eyes widened in shock. She quickly lowered her head and moved behind Shen Zhuwan, not daring to look further. “Princess.”

The same title, yet when it came from the girl’s mouth earlier, it carried an inexplicable tenderness.

Shen Zhuwan’s eyes flickered. “Help the Consort back to rest, and summon Doctor Jiang.”

Dongmei agreed and stepped forward to support her mistress.

Awkwardly, while she managed to lift most of the girl’s body, one hand still clung tightly to Shen Zhuwan’s wrist.

Shen Zhuwan clearly noticed this as well. She gently tried to free herself, but the grip tightened, and the girl’s brows furrowed, clearly resisting letting go.

After a few attempts, Shen Zhuwan’s wrist was slightly red. She sighed, seemingly helpless. “Fine, let’s go.”

Dongmei: “!”

Dongmei barely suppressed a laugh that might have seemed deranged in front of the Princess. She quickly supported her mistress and left the room.

Soon, the trio became a striking sight in the Princess’s residence. Though many saw them, they kept their eyes down and pretended not to notice.

Only after the group had passed did people exchange knowing glances and teasing smiles.

When Ji Rongjin woke, the room was pitch black and silent. She called out “Dongmei” twice, but no one answered. With no other choice, she got up, head throbbing, to pour herself some water.

After two cups, her hoarse throat finally felt some relief.

She recalled going to the study to discuss matters with Shen Zhuwan in the morning. Afterward, it seemed she had caught the mastermind behind the case involving the Minister of Revenue’s household. She had held on tightly, not letting them escape.

Thinking back now, the wrist she had grabbed seemed… unusually slender?

At that moment, the door opened.

Dongmei’s surprised voice rang out. “Consort, you’re awake?”

Ji Rongjin looked up and realized it was already dark outside.

“Don’t move too much just after waking,” Dongmei said, hurrying to support Ji Rongjin and guide her back to bed. “You might have overworked yourself and caught a fever…”

Dongmei recounted the day’s events. Ji Rongjin listened quietly, thinking to herself, No wonder the wrist felt so slender—it was the Princess’s.

She opened her mouth to ask where the Princess was but noticed Dongmei’s grin, her eyes full of teasing.

“…”

Ji Rongjin chose to ignore it. “Where’s the Princess? I have matters to discuss with her.”

She had a fever and was delirious.

Would she still have to attend tomorrow’s court session? Surely they wouldn’t make her go while sick.

Dongmei’s expression said, “I understand.” “The Princess should be in the study. Someone has already gone to inform Her Highness, so she’ll likely be here soon.”

Ji Rongjin nodded.

Dongmei couldn’t hold back any longer. “Consort, didn’t I say the Princess has you in her heart? If it were anyone else, forget dragging Her Highness around the residence—they wouldn’t dare get close without considering how many heads they have. And those lanterns that suddenly appeared in the residence…”

Dongmei rambled on. Ji Rongjin realized she had indeed noticed the lanterns during the day but hadn’t thought much of it. Now, it seemed they were specially lit for her by the Princess?

Dongmei’s chatter was interrupted by a voice announcing someone’s arrival.

Ji Rongjin, leaning against the bed, looked toward the door. Shen Zhuwan’s figure gradually appeared.

Ji Rongjin sat up straighter, suppressing the odd feeling in her heart. Without overthinking, she said, “Princess, about tomorrow’s morning court…”

She only got halfway, but she trusted Shen Zhuwan understood.

“No need to go,” Shen Zhuwan said. “Just submit a memorial.”

Ji Rongjin’s face lit up with a smile. “Yes, my lady~”

Shen Zhuwan gave her a deep look. “The Consort has worked hard these days. Now that you’ve caught a fever, rest well for a few days.”

This was essentially giving her a leave of absence.

Ji Rongjin was deeply moved, tempted to hug Shen Zhuwan and kiss her twice. But she politely said, “How could I impose? I’ve already rested for quite a while.”

“Then go tomorrow,” Shen Zhuwan replied.

“…I’ll impose.”

A faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered in Shen Zhuwan’s eyes, gone in an instant. “Then rest well, Consort. I have matters to attend to and will take my leave.”

Her pale cyan skirt swayed slightly as she turned, revealing a glimpse of her fair wrist. For some reason, Ji Rongjin recalled Dongmei’s words—Shen Zhuwan had let her hold her hand, walking from the study to her room.

She vaguely remembered the scene, including the delicate, cool sensation of the touch.

Ji Rongjin unconsciously curled her fingers. Realizing what she was doing, she snapped out of it and buried herself under the covers.

What a sin, what a sin.

This was someone else’s wife.

With Shen Zhuwan’s permission, Ji Rongjin openly began slacking off. Though she was still running a low fever, it didn’t stop her from playing with cats and dogs in the Princess’s residence.

Two days later, Little Black fled at the sight of her.

After being swatted away by a cat’s paw once more, Ji Rongjin watched Little Black dash off in a blur. Squatting on the ground, she sighed in frustration.

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the trees in the garden.

From a distance, Shen Zhuwan spotted the girl squatting on the ground, her face scrunched up like a steamed bun, lost in thought.

Little Black meowed in her arms, catching the girl’s attention. She looked up, her eyes sparkling, and blurted out, “Little Black, you…”

Shen Zhuwan raised an eyebrow, holding the black cat as she slowly approached.

Ji Rongjin swallowed the rest of her words, brushed off her robe, and stood up. Looking at the unusually docile black cat in Shen Zhuwan’s arms, she pouted. “My lady, you’re back.”

Shen Zhuwan had grown immune to her occasional “my lady” and, noticing her pout, asked, “What is the Consort doing here?”

Ji Rongjin’s gaze kept drifting to the cat in her arms. “Waiting for my lady to return.”

Shen Zhuwan noticed her eyes never landed on her, only on the cat. She gave a noncommittal “mm,” her tone rising slightly, sounding skeptical.

“My lady,” Ji Rongjin said, stepping closer to Shen Zhuwan and eyeing Little Black enviously. “Can I pet it?”

A faint glint passed through Shen Zhuwan’s eyes. She raised an eyebrow. “Sure.”

Ji Rongjin immediately grinned, reaching for the black cat in Shen Zhuwan’s arms with eager hands.

Little Black sensed something and meowed warily twice.

Shen Zhuwan gently stroked its back, calming the bristling cat. Ji Rongjin seized the chance and finally touched Little Black.

“Finally!” Ji Rongjin let out a long sigh, a mix of relief and fulfillment in her voice.

Shen Zhuwan looked at her with amusement. “Finally?”

At this, Ji Rongjin grew indignant. “Yes! If it weren’t for you, my lady, I wouldn’t have touched Little Black today.”

“Oh?”

“It probably thinks I’m a big rat. It can’t beat me, but it doesn’t want to associate with me either.”

“…”

The two continued their banter, walking off with the black cat in tow. The setting sun’s rays fell on them, casting a warm glow, making them look like a perfectly matched couple strolling with their child.

That night, after bathing, Ji Rongjin prepared to visit Shen Zhuwan’s room, feeling an unusual nervousness.

This was the first time in days she was summoned by the Princess without being injured or preoccupied—completely intact.

Heaven knew how nervous she was. Just in case, she even brought some of the original host’s props, fearing the Princess might suddenly want to do something with her.

Though, over these days, Shen Zhuwan had seemed like an ascetic fairy, devoid of desire.

With a restless heart, Ji Rongjin dawdled under Dongmei’s urging, slowly making her way.

The quiet path was lit by lanterns glowing brightly on both sides—specially prepared for her by Shen Zhuwan.

Her boots made soft thuds on the ground. Ji Rongjin was about to chat with Dongmei when a sudden gust of wind brought a chilling, sharp presence, sending a shiver down her spine.

Clang, clang.

The sound of metal clashing rang in her ears. Turning, she saw her hair blown back by the force. Not far away, Dongmei was locked in combat with a black-clad figure who had appeared out of nowhere.

“Consort, run! Find the Princess!” Dongmei shouted.

Ji Rongjin saw the murderous intent in the black-clad figure’s eyes, her scalp prickling. She turned and ran.

Staying would only hold Dongmei back.

Her robes clung to her skin as she ran, shouting for help. Soon, the commotion drew attention across the vast Princess’s residence.

But the black-clad figure seemed fixated on her, shaking off Dongmei and charging toward her relentlessly.

Ji Rongjin: “…” What kind of grudge is this?

She ran blindly, legs trembling, until a white-clad figure appeared ahead.

It was Shen Zhuwan.

Tears streaming down her face, Ji Rongjin didn’t care about anything else. She sprinted into Shen Zhuwan’s arms, clinging tightly to her waist. “My lady, save me!”