The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 33

33

Ji Rongjin was forced to take another bath and change into fresh clothes. Afterward, she stood there, unsure of which direction to head.

She paused in place and looked at Dongmei. “Dongmei, where should I go now?”

Dongmei hadn’t anticipated the situation unfolding like this. After a loud bang, the Prince Consort emerged from the bathhouse dripping wet. Not long after, Jinxi, who had delivered fresh clothes to the Princess, came out biting her lip, visibly upset.

Something seemed off about how things were progressing.

Looking at the hesitant Prince Consort, Dongmei gave a firm reply, “Naturally, to the Princess’s chambers. Have you forgotten, Prince Consort, that your room has a hole in the roof?”

Ji Rongjin thought about it and agreed. But before she could take a step, she deflated.

Given what had just happened—nearly wiping her face with the Princess’s undergarment—she’d probably be kicked out if she went there, right?

Oh well, she’d thicken her skin. If worse came to worst, she could sleep on the floor.

With her mind made up, Ji Rongjin pushed open the door and strode in confidently for two steps. The woman sitting on the bed turned her head at the sound.

Her gaze was cool, carrying a faint trace of frost.

Ji Rongjin’s courage faltered instantly, especially as the image of that lotus-pink undergarment flashed through her mind, nearly making her turn and flee.

Fortunately, she remembered her roof was leaking, and her blanket was tattered.

Steadying herself, Ji Rongjin said awkwardly, “Your Highness, I’m just here to grab a blanket. I’ll leave right away, right away.”

To prove she had no intention of lingering, she quickened her pace toward her small bed.

As she grabbed the blanket and prepared to make a swift exit, Shen Zhuwan’s voice came from behind, “Where is the Prince Consort going?”

Ji Rongjin froze mid-step, replying formally, “I’m returning to my own room.”

Her own room? The one with the hole in the roof?

She hadn’t seemed concerned about where she’d sleep when she boldly said those things in the bathhouse earlier.

After a long silence, Shen Zhuwan didn’t respond. Ji Rongjin assumed she had permission to leave and let out a quiet sigh of relief. “Then I’ll head back now,” she said lightly.

With that, she flung open the door and eagerly stepped halfway out.

Shen Zhuwan watched her fleeing figure, raising an eyebrow. Just as she was about to call her back, Ji Rongjin suddenly stopped.

A chilly breeze swept in. Shen Zhuwan noticed Ji Rongjin slowly retract her half-stepped foot.

A flicker of understanding passed through Shen Zhuwan’s eyes as she watched with interest.

Little Ji was caught in a dilemma.

Dark clouds shrouded the night sky, and the wind shook the branches. In mere moments, the air outside carried the scent of an approaching storm.

It was going to rain.

That wasn’t the issue. The problem was her leaking roof.

What’s the saying about a leaky roof meeting a stormy night? This was it.

Going back meant freezing or drowning. Staying meant going back on her earlier declaration to the Princess that she was leaving.

What to do?

As she wavered, Shen Zhuwan’s unhurried voice came from behind, “What’s wrong? Isn’t the Prince Consort returning?”

The rain began to fall.

Ji Rongjin’s body stiffened. She slowly closed the door, turning to look pitifully at the woman on the bed. “Your Highness, it’s about to rain outside.”

“Hm?” Shen Zhuwan’s gaze was calm, half-teasing, “Then the Prince Consort should hurry back before the rain catches you.”

Ji Rongjin blinked. “Your Highness~”

Shen Zhuwan gave a faint, ambiguous smile, neither telling her to stay nor to leave.

Ji Rongjin grew anxious. When no further response came, she deflated like a punctured balloon and turned toward the door.

The Princess was still angry, it seemed.

Sighing, she reached for the door.

Shen Zhuwan’s voice came faintly from behind, “Come here.”

Ji Rongjin’s eyes lit up. She dashed to the Princess’s bed, blanket in tow, and slipped under the covers in one swift motion.

Her speed betrayed her fear that Shen Zhuwan might change her mind and kick her out.

“Your Highness,” Ji Rongjin peeked out from the blanket, cautiously gauging Shen Zhuwan’s expression. “You’re not angry anymore?”

“Angry?” Shen Zhuwan looked at the girl wrapped up like a dumpling, amused. “Why would I be angry?”

Unaware of the core issue, Ji Rongjin hesitated before saying, “Because I almost used Your Highness’s underg—”

Before she could finish, a hand carrying a faint cool fragrance covered her lips.

The woman’s expression held a hint of annoyance, her phoenix eyes flashing with warning. “Be quiet.”

The hand pressed lightly, its cool touch brushing against Ji Rongjin’s lips.

The rest of her words vanished as if muted, swallowed back into her stomach.

At this close distance, Ji Rongjin could see the faint flush, like cinnabar, spreading across Shen Zhuwan’s ear.

Ji Rongjin blinked, glancing pointedly at the hand covering her mouth, as if to say, I can’t speak even if I wanted to.

The cool, fragrant hand withdrew quickly. Shen Zhuwan gave her a fleeting glance and turned away, saying, “Sleep.”

The rustle of the blanket against her clothes filled the air. Ji Rongjin looked at the woman’s back, a spark of delight in her dark eyes, as if she’d discovered something new and fascinating.

So the Princess could get shy too.

Satisfied, Ji Rongjin closed her eyes. “Good night, Your Highness.”

A faint “Mm” came in response. With a smile tugging at her lips, Ji Rongjin drifted into a deep sleep.

Soon, the girl’s steady breathing filled the room. Shen Zhuwan turned over, her gaze lingering on the sleeping figure.

She sleeps so peacefully.

Shen Zhuwan’s eyes flickered. Almost unconsciously, her fingers reached out, hovering just above Ji Rongjin’s face. They traced the air along her brow, down her delicate nose, and paused at her soft, rosy lips.

The lingering sensation of that soft touch seemed to burn her palm, hot and searing.

Shen Zhuwan withdrew her hand, curling her fingers as if to dispel the feeling.

She gazed at the girl for a long while before slowly closing her eyes. Outside, the rain fell sparsely, and thunder rumbled.

Shen Zhuwan’s brow furrowed slightly. In her sleep, she instinctively shifted closer to the warmth beside her.

The next morning, Ji Rongjin woke groggily, noticing a figure close to her face.

She blinked tiredly, thinking she must be seeing things.

After all, though she shared a bed with the Princess, they always kept a clear boundary, like a river between them. How could they be this close?

What if her sleeping habits were bad?

Startled, Ji Rongjin opened her eyes fully and saw Shen Zhuwan sleeping just inches away, her hand shamelessly resting on the Princess’s waist.

Ji Rongjin: “…”

Had she mistaken the Princess for a pillow in her sleep?

Panicking, she tried to withdraw her hand discreetly.

Moving carefully, she propped herself up and slowly pulled her hand back, praying the Princess wouldn’t wake.

But fate loves to play tricks.

As Little Ji moved stealthily, she noticed the Princess’s lashes tremble. Her heart sounded an alarm, but before she could lie back and pretend to sleep, their eyes met.

The air stilled for a few seconds.

The woman’s cool eyes held a fleeting trace of confusion, as if she hadn’t yet processed what was happening—innocent, almost childlike. But it lasted only a moment before her eyes closed again.

Ji Rongjin exhaled in relief and started to get up. Suddenly, her collar was tugged downward, and before she could react, she fell back onto the bed beside Shen Zhuwan.

The woman’s face was barely an inch away. Ji Rongjin’s heart raced as she stared, whispering, “Your Highness?”

Shen Zhuwan frowned slightly, her red lips parting lazily. “No court today. Stay and sleep a bit longer.”

Her voice was languid, carrying a hint of allure.

Ji Rongjin’s heart pounded. She lay quietly beside the Princess, her mind replaying the image of Shen Zhuwan just waking up, a smile creeping into her eyes.

So this is what the Princess looks like when she wakes.

Gazing at Shen Zhuwan’s features, from her elegant brows to her red lips, Ji Rongjin found her unusually captivating.

Closing her eyes, she drifted back to sleep with a contented smile.

When the sky brightened, Ji Rongjin stirred awake, meeting a pair of clear phoenix eyes.

“Awake?”

The woman’s voice had returned to its usual cool clarity.

Recalling the morning’s events, Ji Rongjin’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Mm.” Shen Zhuwan replied faintly. “Since you’re awake, let go.”

The casual remark made Ji Rongjin pause. Looking down, she saw her hand still on the Princess’s waist and instantly snapped awake.

She yanked her hand back and sat up, her face flushing. “Your Highness, I…”

“Get up and come with me to the palace.” Shen Zhuwan said, rising calmly, her expression unruffled, clearly unbothered.

Ji Rongjin mumbled, “Oh, oh,” and got out of bed.

Inwardly, she thought the Princess was cutest just after waking.

When they arrived at the palace, the young Emperor was still in bed.

To be precise, he was awake but rolling around, wailing loudly.

The nursemaid fussed beside him, trying to get him up to dress. “Your Majesty, please get up. Tutor Ji will be here soon, and if he sees you still in bed, he’ll be upset.”

“No, no!” Shen Chi rolled on the bed. “I want Sister! Where’s Sister? Wasn’t she here last night?”

“This…” The nursemaid looked troubled. “Your Majesty, the Princess has her own matters. She can’t stay in the palace with you all the time.”

“No, no, no, waaah!” Shen Chi cried louder. “I want to sleep with Sister!”

As the nursemaid struggled, a voice both feared and respected rang out softly, “What’s wrong?”

The nursemaid set down her things and bowed to Shen Zhuwan. “Your Highness, His Majesty, he…”

Before she could finish, the young Emperor’s eyes lit up. Wiping his tears, he sat up, exclaiming, “Sister!”

The grand dragon bed was a mess, blankets askew, a small garment tangled in the sheets, and a few suspicious wet spots—likely snot—dotted the covers.

Ji Rongjin found it hard to look at, let alone Shen Zhuwan.

Sure enough, before Shen Chi could throw himself at her, Shen Zhuwan’s authoritative gaze landed on him. Calmly, she said, “Shen Chi, what time is it, and you’re still not up?”

The boy, who moments ago had been eagerly awaiting his sister, shrank back guiltily. He scrambled out of bed, grabbed his clothes from the nursemaid, and said, “I’m getting up now, Sister.”

As he let the nursemaid dress him, he glanced at Shen Zhuwan’s expression, muttering, “Sister, didn’t you promise to sleep with me last night?”

“When did I promise you that?” Shen Zhuwan sat down, her subtle pressure silencing the boy.

He mumbled, “You did,” but under her gaze, he fell quiet.

“Sister,” Shen Chi said, edging closer after dressing, “I don’t want to sleep alone anymore. I’m scared. I want to sleep with you.”

He gave her a pitiful look. “It’s been two years since I slept with you.”

Ji Rongjin thought, Two years? So ever since the Princess married me, she hasn’t slept with the Emperor?

So she was the culprit.

Ji Rongjin stayed silent.

Shen Zhuwan looked at him coolly. “You’re not a child anymore, Your Majesty. At five, you can sleep alone.”

Seeing Shen Zhuwan unmoved, Shen Chi’s eyes welled up. Just as Ji Rongjin felt sorry for him, he suddenly turned, tears streaming, and glared at her. “Then why can Brother-in-law sleep with Sister? He’s older than me! Why doesn’t he sleep alone?”

Ji Rongjin: “…”

Shen Zhuwan frowned, searching for a reasonable explanation.

The young Emperor sat on the floor, wailing, “Waaah, Sister doesn’t want me anymore! She sleeps with Brother-in-law every day and not with me!”

Though it was just a child’s words, it could easily be misunderstood.

Ji Rongjin was about to explain and comfort him when Shen Chi pointed at her, shouting, “Brother-in-law, you bad person, don’t talk to me! I still haven’t finished the questions you gave me for my birthday!”

She stepped back, feeling a bit guilty—not for anything else, but because she had given the Emperor a set of ancient exam questions as a birthday gift.

The books weren’t even her idea; they were from Tutor Ji. The Emperor always resisted his assignments, so Tutor Ji had her present them as a gift.

Poor Shen Chi had received a set of exam questions without suspecting a thing.

Shen Zhuwan remained calm. “What do you want?”

Shen Chi’s crying softened. “I want to sleep with Sister.”

Shen Zhuwan couldn’t understand. Shen Chi hadn’t acted like this since he was three. Why was he suddenly so insistent?

As she pondered, he sobbed, “I also want Sister to stop sleeping with Brother-in-law.”

He glanced at Ji Rongjin, adding, “Because Brother-in-law is a bad person.”

Bad person Ji Rongjin: “…”

Shen Zhuwan tapped the table lightly, thinking for a moment before saying calmly, “Fine.”

Ji Rongjin: “…?” She agreed?

Shen Chi cheered up, happily following the nursemaid to wash up. Before leaving, he shot Ji Rongjin an angry glare.

Ji Rongjin pretended not to notice. Once he was gone, she looked at Shen Zhuwan with a pitiful expression. “Your Highness, does this mean I’ll have to sleep alone from now on?”

Shen Zhuwan, deep in thought about Shen Chi’s behavior, glanced at her, her eyes flickering. “Does the Prince Consort not want to?”

Ji Rongjin did want to, but remembering they were supposed to be a loving couple, she shook her head pitifully. “No, I don’t want to.”

The surrounding eunuchs and maids lowered their heads, pretending to be invisible.

Shen Zhuwan didn’t respond, giving Ji Rongjin a faint, amused glance before turning to a maid. “Has anything happened with His Majesty recently?”

The maid was Shadow Three, whom Shen Zhuwan had placed by Shen Chi’s side to protect him while also monitoring the palace’s movements.

She shook her head. “His Majesty has been as usual.”

Shen Zhuwan tapped the table, frowning slightly. “Any rumors in the palace lately?”

Shadow Three hesitated before answering honestly, “Once, I overheard some maids saying that if the Prince Consort and Your Highness have a child, you might not visit His Majesty as often.”

Shen Zhuwan’s expression cooled. So that was the root of it.

Before she could speak, Shadow Three understood. “I’ll have those maids reassigned to other halls.”

Shen Zhuwan nodded lightly, saying nothing more.

Just then, Shen Chi returned, dressed neatly and beaming. “Sister! I’m back!”

Shen Zhuwan’s expression softened. “In a few days, we’ll go to Guoan Temple to pray. Your Majesty, make sure your studies are done in advance.”

Shen Chi’s bright face fell, and he groaned, “Yes, Sister.”

Due to concerns from a recent incident at a sacrificial ceremony, Shen Zhuwan agreed to the court’s request to pray at the capital’s largest temple for three days, bringing the young Emperor for sincerity.

With only two royals left, both traveling together required meticulous planning. Any mistake could spell disaster for the dynasty.

No wonder Shen Zhuwan was so cautious, coming to the palace to arrange everything.

After sending Shen Chi off, Shen Zhuwan handled other details, leaving Ji Rongjin to wait in the palace.

Bored, Ji Rongjin wandered around, feeling uneasy as palace maids bowed to her. She escaped to the Imperial Garden.

The garden had a grove and peculiar rock formations. After a rainy autumn day, the air was crisp.

Finding the rocks intriguing, Ji Rongjin headed that way.

As she approached, she overheard chattering voices.

“Did you hear what the Prince Consort said to the Princess today?”

“She said she doesn’t want to sleep apart from the Princess! Looks like our dynasty will have a new heir soon.”

“Really?! That’s great… but His Majesty might be sad.”

“Yeah, with a child, the Princess won’t have as much time for him.”

“Shh, don’t talk like that. Didn’t you hear some maids were reassigned for gossiping today?”

“What’s there to fear? This place is secluded.”

Ji Rongjin heard clearly and thought this was a perfect chance to ease Shen Chi’s worries and reassure the Princess.

Clearing her throat, she stepped toward the maids.

The maids, startled by the cough, went pale and dropped to their knees, begging for mercy.

Suppressing her discomfort, Ji Rongjin scolded them sternly before softening her tone. “And who told you the Princess and I are having a child? We won’t now, and we won’t in the future.”

She glanced at them, thinking her words were clear enough—she couldn’t have children, after all.

With a warning look, she added, “Don’t talk about this again. I’ll let it slide this time.”

The maids thanked her profusely, promising to keep quiet.

Satisfied, Ji Rongjin left.

She didn’t expect them to stay silent but hoped they’d spread her words, so Shen Chi would know she and Shen Zhuwan wouldn’t have children, calming his tantrums.

Pleased with her plan, Ji Rongjin left contentedly.

That evening, when Shen Zhuwan returned after handling affairs, she noticed Shadow Three looking hesitant, as if she had something to say.

Sitting down, Shen Zhuwan sipped her tea and glanced at her. “What is it?”

Shadow Three said, “There’s a new rumor in the palace that the Prince Consort… isn’t capable, and you won’t have children in the future.”

The teacup paused at Shen Zhuwan’s lips. Her expression unchanged, she took a sip. “Who started it?”

Shadow Three’s face turned awkward. “It’s said the Prince Consort spread it himself.”

Shen Zhuwan: “…”

“Noted,” she said, rubbing her temple. “Does His Majesty know?”

Shadow Three: “…He didn’t at first, but somehow he heard and happily went to ask the Prince Consort.”

Shen Zhuwan closed her eyes briefly. “Let them be.”

Meanwhile, Shen Chi looked up innocently at Ji Rongjin. “I heard my brother-in-law isn’t capable and won’t have children with Sister. Is that true?”

Seeing the boy’s delighted expression, Ji Rongjin fumed, gritting her teeth. “Not capable? Who said that?”

Shen Chi blinked. “The eunuch brothers in the palace.”

“Eunuchs?” Ji Rongjin snorted, waving her sleeve angrily. “Utter nonsense.”

Little Ji: Who taught those maids to say that? Who?

Princess: Could she be hinting at something through these rumors?