The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 26

26

The madam felt her head hanging by a thread, a sensation she could now vividly grasp. Who could have imagined that the two “men” before her possessed the princess’s token? Thinking back on tonight’s events, she regretted her actions immensely, cursing herself for listening to that person.

Faced with Ji Rongjin’s questioning, she found herself in a tight spot, her mouth opening and closing for a long time without uttering a single word.

It wasn’t until the “man” in front spoke lightly, “You may leave,” that the madam, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly fled, even closing the door behind her.

Ji Rongjin: “…” You’re making my anger look like a joke.

Her expression darkened as she eyed the two men, watching them casually take seats on the bench, her eye twitching slightly.

Ji Rongjin wasn’t a fool. To scare the madam to such an extent, their identities must be extraordinary.

But as she looked at the two men before her—well, she didn’t recognize them.

The room fell into an eerie silence. After a long pause, Lian Xia, somewhat shyly, glanced at the person on the bed and asked, “Young Master, should this servant continue to undress?”

Shadow Two, standing nearby, buried her head even lower upon hearing this.

Ji Rongjin shifted her gaze to Lian Xia, her eyes glinting as she said, “Are the two of you staying here to watch how I spend the night with the courtesan?”

Shadow Two: Let me leave! Let me leave!!

She felt like she was freezing to death under the icy aura emanating from her master.

Ji Rongjin silently observed. The person with their head lowered was clearly the subordinate of the other, who hadn’t once looked up at her.

Fortunately, after her remark, the “man” finally raised his eyes. His gaze held no emotion as he said indifferently, “Do as you please.”

In the noisy hall earlier, it hadn’t been clear, but now, with just a few of them in the room, Ji Rongjin felt the “man’s” voice sounded like a woman’s. Not only that, it seemed vaguely familiar.

But that wasn’t the point. The point was that these two men lacked any sense of propriety and still hadn’t left.

Ji Rongjin gave a bitter laugh. “What’s the meaning of this?”

Seeing that they still didn’t respond, she gritted her teeth and said, “If you don’t leave, I’ll get started.”

The two remained unmoved.

Ji Rongjin clenched her jaw. “I’m really starting now. Lian Xia, come here.”

Lian Xia’s cheeks flushed as she gave Ji Rongjin a coy glance but obediently walked over.

Just as she was about to sit in Ji Rongjin’s lap, Ji Rongjin shifted her hips and stood up from the bed.

Lian Xia stumbled onto the bed, landing with a thud, and looked at Ji Rongjin with a mix of embarrassment and confusion.

Ji Rongjin ground her teeth and turned to the two men. “Hey, still not leaving? Who are you people? Let me make this clear: no matter who you are, if you don’t leave now, I can’t guarantee what I’ll do next.”

She pointed to the bruise on her face. “See this? My temper’s not exactly gentle.”

“Is that so?” The seated “man” glanced at her lightly, a chilling aura washing over her.

Ji Rongjin faltered. She couldn’t beat this person, and the madam was clearly unreliable.

Fine. Since these two weren’t interfering with her plans, it was better to avoid conflict for now.

Ji Rongjin gave them a deep look, then turned to Lian Xia. “Undress.”

Lian Xia’s face reddened as she stood and moved to the side.

Ji Rongjin sat back on the bed, keeping a cautious distance as she watched the two silent, motionless men.

How strange.

Where had she heard that voice before?

She didn’t dwell on it for long. Lian Xia walked to a basin, lowered her head, and began washing her face.

Moments later, she returned to the person on the bed, biting her lip. “What else should this servant remove?”

Shadow Two, at the other end of the room, felt her heart nearly stop. She wanted nothing more than to drop dead rather than endure this awkward scene.

She didn’t dare look at what was happening, only perking up half an ear to listen.

Over there, the Prince Consort stayed silent for a while before saying cheerfully, “You don’t actually look that much like Her Highness the Princess.”

Indeed, she didn’t. With makeup, Lian Xia bore a four or five-point resemblance to the princess, but without it, only three points remained.

Lian Xia’s face showed embarrassment, her eyes gradually welling with tears.

Ji Rongjin: “…Don’t cry. Looking like the princess isn’t exactly a good thing.”

Ji Rongjin spoke earnestly, completely unaware that Shadow Two on the other side was nearly fainting.

Seeing tears roll down Lian Xia’s cheeks, Ji Rongjin rubbed her temples. “You know that impersonating the princess for such things is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations, right?”

Lian Xia’s face paled in fear, her voice trembling. “I didn’t know. I only recently arrived at the brothel. The madam told me to dress this way, so I did.”

Looking at Lian Xia’s tearful, snotty appearance, Ji Rongjin pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to her, thinking the girl had indeed been kept in the dark.

“What was your name before?” Ji Rongjin asked. “How did you end up in a brothel?”

In this era, brothels were legal. But Ji Rongjin, coming from the modern world, knew that most of the women there had been sold by their families, deemed “useless” for not being male.

She always felt a bit more sympathy for the women who ended up in such places. Most would not willingly degrade themselves to this life if they had other means to survive.

Perhaps it was the handkerchief that eased Lian Xia’s guard. Wiping her tears, she said, “My real name is Xia Lian. My parents passed away early, and I was entrusted to my uncle’s family. When I was young, things were fine, but as I grew older, my uncle’s two sons needed to marry. With no money in the household, they sold me here.”

Orphaned and living under someone else’s roof.

At first glance, Ji Rongjin thought this life story sounded like her own.

“Another pitiful soul,” Ji Rongjin sighed. “It’s somewhat similar to my own past.”

Lian Xia, wiping her tears, looked at the person before her. “Young Master, were you also orphaned and taken in by others?”

Ji Rongjin smiled, her gaze lingering on Lian Xia as if seeing another version of herself. “Yes.”

Shen Zhuwan, sitting nearby, finally raised her eyes to look at the dazed young woman across from her.

She observed quietly but, at some point, noticed something amiss. Ji Rongjin’s face was turning red, and her eyes were growing hazy.

In an instant, Shen Zhuwan realized what was happening. Covering her mouth and nose, she frowned and said coldly, “Aphrodisiac incense?”

Startled by her voice, Ji Rongjin looked at the “man” approaching her and suddenly recalled where she’d heard that voice before.

A familiar cold fragrance filled the air as the person, wearing a different face, held her in their arms.

Glancing at the now-pale Lian Xia, Shen Zhuwan said calmly, “Take her back.”

Shadow Two knocked Lian Xia out with a swift strike and hoisted her over her shoulder.

As Ji Rongjin was carried through the air, she was still dazed. “Princess?”

Looking at the bewildered girl in her arms, Shen Zhuwan’s voice was cool. “The Prince Consort has certainly grown bold, throwing around thousands of taels for a beauty.”

Ji Rongjin blinked, looking at the scenery speeding by. “Wow, I’m flying!”

Shadow Two stumbled, nearly falling.

Shen Zhuwan glanced at her without a word, but the cold aura radiating from her made it clear she was in a foul mood.

Ji Rongjin squirmed restlessly in her arms, only to be sharply reprimanded by Shen Zhuwan. “Don’t move.”

The girl stopped wriggling, staring at Shen Zhuwan with wet, dark eyes. She tugged at her clothes, complaining, “Princess, I’m so hot.”

“Bear it.”

Shen Zhuwan glanced at the sweat on Ji Rongjin’s forehead and the flushed skin beneath her clothes, then quickly looked away.

“Princess, are you angry?” the girl asked softly, her voice tinged with caution.

Shen Zhuwan’s lips curved into a cold, mocking arc. “Why would I be angry?”

“Oh.” Ji Rongjin let out a slow, drawn-out sound and fell silent.

After a long while, as Shen Zhuwan’s icy aura grew heavier, Ji Rongjin spoke again. “I didn’t waste money. I was afraid those people would lust after you because of that face, so I wanted to buy her.”

She sounded a bit indignant. “Back in the hall, the He brothers were like that. They were lusting after you, so I took care of them.”

The girl pointed to the bruises at the corner of her mouth and eye, her eyes curving with a smile. “Training with Shadow Two paid off. Look, I only got hit twice.”

Under the moonlight, Shen Zhuwan saw the bruises and the girl’s slightly silly grin.

She’d been beaten, yet she could still smile.

But in that moment, Shen Zhuwan’s heart, untouched by ripples for years, stirred faintly.

Her grip on Ji Rongjin tightened. “Why?”

“Why what?”

Shen Zhuwan looked down at the flushed, panting girl and asked softly, “Why were you angry?”

Ji Rongjin didn’t answer. Her head began nuzzling against Shen Zhuwan’s neck, her sweaty forehead brushing against the cool skin. Her breathless words landed softly by Shen Zhuwan’s ear. “Princess, I feel awful.”

Perhaps she’d been too close to the incense, making her reaction stronger.

Shen Zhuwan lowered her eyes, choosing not to press further. She only said soothingly, “We’ll be there soon.”

The girl settled down, though she kept nuzzling Shen Zhuwan’s neck, seeking relief from the heat. Shen Zhuwan’s naturally cool body was the perfect antidote.

In her haze, Ji Rongjin pressed her face against the cool skin, but soon it wasn’t enough. She didn’t just want to press against it—she wanted to bite. And so she did.

At that moment, Shen Zhuwan was giving Shadow Two a cool glance, ordering, “Find Doctor Jiang…”

Her words were cut off by a muffled groan.

Shadow Two turned, puzzled, and saw the Prince Consort and Princess intimately close—no, more accurately, the Prince Consort was biting the Princess.

In that instant, Shadow Two felt her soul nearly leave her body. She quickly hoisted the unconscious woman over her shoulder and fled in a spiral. “As you command!”

Once Shadow Two was gone, Shen Zhuwan gently tapped the head of the girl in her arms, signaling her to let go.

Ji Rongjin refused, but soon collapsed onto Shen Zhuwan’s shoulder, panting repeatedly. “Princess, I really want to take my clothes off.”

Shen Zhuwan, somewhat exasperated, held down her restless hands. “No, Prince Consort. Bear it a little longer.”

Ji Rongjin let out another slow “oh” and slumped onto her shoulder.

A hint of amusement flickered in Shen Zhuwan’s eyes. In this state, the girl was surprisingly obedient…

The sharp pain at her neck interrupted her thoughts.

Obedient, but only to a point.

When Jinxi looked up for the hundred-and-eighth time at the gate, she finally saw Shen Zhuwan descending from the sky. She hurried to meet her.

From a distance, she saw the Prince Consort slumped on the Princess’s shoulder, mumbling incoherently.

The Princess showed no intention of letting her help and only said, “Bring some ice water.”

Jinxi quickly complied. When she returned to the room, the Prince Consort was on the bed, tossing and turning, trying to strip off her clothes.

The Princess, looking somewhat helpless, held down her hands, only for the Prince Consort to grab her hand and press it to her face.

Jinxi, stunned by the scene, froze. As she brought the water over, she caught a glimpse of red marks on the Princess’s neck.

Red marks?!

Shocked, Jinxi took a moment to process before realizing she should take over. Shen Zhuwan glanced at her and then back at Ji Rongjin. “You may leave.”

Jinxi let out an “oh” and left, her mind replaying the red marks on the Princess’s neck.

They looked like bite marks.

As she was lost in thought, Shadow Two returned, one shoulder carrying the unconscious woman, the other dragging Doctor Jiang.

As soon as he landed, Doctor Jiang retched a few times, pointing at Shadow Two. “Young lady, could you consider this old man’s health?”

Shadow Two rubbed her nose. “Sorry, it was urgent. The Princess is waiting inside.”

Doctor Jiang retched again, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and entered the room, his face still pale.

Ji Rongjin felt unbearably hot, desperate to strip off her clothes, but the Princess kept holding her hands down. Soon, a soothing coolness touched her forehead.

Later, someone seemed to check her pulse and give her something to eat, and she fell into a deep sleep.

She woke at dawn, feeling refreshed. Looking down, she was still in yesterday’s clothes.

What had happened yesterday?

Puzzled, she lifted the blanket, vaguely recalling being alone with the courtesan—no, there were also two men.

No, wait—one of them had the Princess’s voice.

Ji Rongjin rubbed the back of her head, piecing it together. The more she remembered, the more colorful her expression became.

When she recalled biting the Princess’s neck—not once, but twice—she pinched herself to stay conscious.

How had she dared? And more than once?

As she spiraled, Dongmei walked in, eyes gleaming. “I heard there’s a red mark on the Princess’s neck.”

Ji Rongjin: “…I’m off to court.”

Dongmei gave her a knowing look. “The Prince Consort has the day off.”

Ji Rongjin: “Cough… I need a bath. Prepare the water.”

Dongmei said nothing more and went to prepare the bath.

Ji Rongjin sighed deeply. Her survival was entirely due to the Princess’s kindness.

As she soaked in the tub, she kept thinking about the two bites, which had left marks and likely broken the skin.

Her thoughts turned to the culprit—the aphrodisiac incense in the courtesan’s room.

It made sense. Such practices weren’t uncommon in brothels.

After bathing, Ji Rongjin dressed and found Shadow Two. “Shadow Two, where’s the courtesan from last night?”

She vaguely recalled the Princess ordering Shadow Two to bring her back.

Shadow Two’s expression flickered oddly before returning to normal. “Locked in the woodshed.”

Ji Rongjin nodded. “What does the Princess plan to do with her?”

Shadow Two: “The Princess hasn’t given any orders.”

After a pause, she added, “The Princess has been busy lately and likely won’t deal with this.”

Was she supposed to handle it?

Ji Rongjin nodded thoughtfully and headed out of the residence.

This was a serious matter, as it concerned the Princess’s reputation. At the Court of Judicial Review, Ji Rongjin immediately ordered the madam to be brought in.

Zuo Qing, her deputy, mocked lightly, “How rare. It’s not your shift, yet here you are.”

Ji Rongjin’s deputy was capable but had an inexplicable dislike for her, always speaking with veiled barbs.

Ignoring him, Ji Rongjin ordered someone to retrieve Xia Lian’s household registry from the Ministry of Revenue.

Zuo Qing, unfazed, made a few more jabs before settling into his work.

Soon, the madam was brought to the Ministry’s prison.

The prison was dark, the air foul, and the interrogation area stained with bl00d, unsettling to both smell and sight.

Ji Rongjin sat in a chair, looking at the madam, who was flanked by two guards.

Before she could speak, the madam, terrified, knelt and confessed everything. “My lord, I was blinded by greed and shouldn’t have used the Princess as a gimmick. But I was deceived, I swear!”

Ji Rongjin covered her nose. Her pristine robe clashed with the grim prison. She frowned. “Who instigated you? How did Lian Xia end up in the brothel?”

“I don’t know who he was, my lord. He wore a mask and a black robe,” the madam said, eyes frantic as she recalled. “I couldn’t see his face. He told me a couple was selling a girl who had some beauty and could pass for the Princess if dressed up. He said she was untouched and could fetch a high price at auction, taking only a ten percent cut. I was greedy and agreed. If I’d known, I never would have taken her!”

Ji Rongjin took the registry from an aide. It matched Xia Lian’s story: orphaned, living with her uncle, who had two sons needing to marry.

“A cut of the auction?” Ji Rongjin narrowed her eyes. “How was he to collect it?”

“I don’t know,” the madam said. “He hasn’t shown up since.”

Ji Rongjin lowered her eyes. It sounded like the masked man had orchestrated this for profit, but the madam knew nothing about him. The only option was to wait for him to reappear.

But with the matter now at the Ministry, he likely wouldn’t dare.

Ji Rongjin glanced at the nervous madam. “Your Flower Filled Pavilion has grown bold, daring to damage the Princess’s reputation.”

Her stern expression carried an air of authority.

The madam dropped to her knees in fear.

Ji Rongjin seized the chance to reprimand her thoroughly, ordering her not to force Lian Xia to entertain clients and imposing a hefty fine before releasing her.

The fine went to the treasury, leaving Ji Rongjin’s debts unchanged.

Depressed, she returned to the residence. The matter was resolved for now—no one would dare impersonate the Princess again. But her five thousand taels of debt gnawed at her.

How long would it take to repay without eating or drinking?

Her gloom was interrupted by Shadow Two, who approached expressionlessly. “The courtesan is making a fuss, demanding to see you.”

Ji Rongjin: “…I forgot we still had her locked up.”

She waved a hand. “If the Princess doesn’t want to keep her, let her go.”

She assumed that’s what Lian Xia wanted to discuss.

Shadow Two’s face remained calm, but her eyes held a hint of reproach. “She says she has something to discuss with you alone.”

“What could she possibly need to say to me?”

Ji Rongjin sighed and went to see her.

After all, their life stories were similar.

Entering the woodshed, Ji Rongjin saw Lian Xia crouched in a corner, sobbing quietly.

Seeing her, Lian Xia scrambled forward on her knees, looking up tearfully. “My lord, please take me in. I’ll do anything. I don’t want to go back there.”

She clutched Ji Rongjin’s hem, tears streaming down her face.

Ji Rongjin told her to stand, suddenly feeling an uncomfortable gaze behind her. Turning, she met Shadow Two’s reproachful eyes.

Ji Rongjin: “…”

She stepped back, clearing her throat. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve spoken to the madam. She won’t force you to entertain clients anymore.”

Lian Xia continued sobbing. “My lord, I’m scared they’ll sell me to someone else. I’ve already been sold once. If I’m sold again, I’d rather be sold to you. I’ll do anything.”

She held out her calloused, scarred hands. “Please, I’ll work hard to repay you.”

Ji Rongjin hesitated. It wasn’t about keeping her—it was that she was broke and couldn’t afford to redeem her.

But looking at the tearful girl, she couldn’t harden her heart.

Orphaned, taken in, sold to a brothel.

If Lian Xia was sold again and dressed up as the Princess, Ji Rongjin would be furious.

She sighed. “Stand up.”

Lian Xia, surprised and hopeful, choked out, “You’ll take me in?”

Ji Rongjin looked at her. “I’ll find a way to redeem you, but you can’t stay in the residence.”

The Princess might not like it.

What could Ji Rongjin do? She regretted not demanding Lian Xia’s contract from the madam earlier. A misstep.

As she pondered, Dongmei’s excited voice rang out. “The Princess has lit the lamp!”

Ji Rongjin’s heart stirred. For some reason, those words felt strange today.

At the Princess’s door, that odd feeling grew stronger, and it took her a moment to calm her racing heart before entering.

Inside, candlelight flickered. Shen Zhuwan sat on the bed’s edge, reading, her half-dry hair cascading over her shoulders.

Hearing movement, she glanced up briefly.

Her fair skin made the red mark on her neck stand out like a plum blossom in snow.

Ji Rongjin looked away, awkwardly saying, “Princess.”

“Hm.” Shen Zhuwan lowered her eyes. “You went to the Court of Judicial Review today?”

Ji Rongjin nodded stiffly, recounting her actions before pausing. “Princess, what should we do with Lian Xia?”

Shen Zhuwan turned a page in her book. “Hasn’t the Prince Consort already decided?”

Shadow Two, you’re too quick with the reports.

Ji Rongjin grumbled inwardly but dutifully picked up a dry towel, moving behind Shen Zhuwan to gently dry her hair. Sighing, she said, “I was thinking, Lian Xia is quite pitiful. If she’s sent back to the brothel and sold again, it’d be too tragic.”

“So, what does the Prince Consort propose?”

Ji Rongjin’s hands paused, her eyes lingering on the dark hair and the faint red mark beneath. She couldn’t bring herself to ask for a loan.

Gritting her teeth, she forced out, “I’d like to borrow some silver from Your Highness to redeem Lian Xia.”

She felt embarrassed, staring at the hair in her hands, avoiding Shen Zhuwan’s gaze.

Shen Zhuwan’s voice remained calm, betraying no emotion. “The Prince Consort wishes to borrow silver from me to cover your five thousand taels?”

Ji Rongjin: “…My heart hurts.”

“And then?” Shen Zhuwan set down her book, turning to the girl behind her with a faint, mocking smile. “Does the Prince Consort plan to take her as a concubine?”

Ji Rongjin: “!” I wouldn’t dare.

Before she could explain, Shen Zhuwan tugged her collar, pulling her close.

The towel fell as Ji Rongjin was pressed onto the bed, leaning forward, mere inches from Shen Zhuwan. Their breaths mingled, their eyes locked.

“P-Princess.”

Ji Rongjin’s heart raced, her lashes trembling.

“Lord Ji,” Shen Zhuwan said, gazing into her eyes, her voice cool. “Are you my husband, or hers?”

Little Ji: Neither. I’m your wife.