The Prince Consort's Secret (GL) - Chapter 18

This person actually had the audacity to mock me. Sure, I might’ve caused a city-wide scandal just three days into our marriage, but come on—I’m already far better than some princesses of the previous dynasty! I don’t meddle in politics or hold military power to launch coups. I don’t keep male courtesans, remarry, or divorce recklessly. I even planned to forgive you. Where on earth could you find a more virtuous and tolerant princess than me?

I seethed internally, but kept a smile on my face. “You flatter me, Consort. How could I compare to our top scholar?”

“The Princess is too modest. Your talents are admired by all the court. I saw you on my way to morning audience today—had you not been heading to the inner palace, I would’ve sought your wise instruction,” Mu

Han replied with perfect courtesy.

…People really are not what they seem. On the surface, he appeared respectful and well-mannered, but in truth, he didn’t take me seriously at all! Still, I was technically the one at fault, so I couldn’t lash out. All I could do was feign ignorance.

“Not at all, not at all,” I said with a sweet smile. “Please, have a seat. Enjoy some tea.”

He bowed slightly and thanked me before sitting down only after I did.

Hmph. No matter how well-mannered you pretend to be, I’ve seen your true colors now. Since I’m in the wrong this time, the only way to regain the upper hand is to make him even more guilty—specifically, by exposing him as a woman. If he is a woman, then he’s deceived the royal family and ruined my lifelong prospects. That’s not just a personal grievance—that’s a crime worthy of death for deceiving the sovereign. Far more serious than any offense I’ve committed.

So, tonight I’ll have him stay the night—then expose him secret and see how arrogant he can be.

With my plan set, I sipped tea cheerfully. Let’s see if you’ll still be smirking later tonight.

Just then, Mu Han set down his cup and said, “Princess, I have something to report.”

I also put down my cup, smiling calmly though my nerves stirred. “Please, go ahead.”

He hesitated slightly, then said, “His Majesty has ordered me to move into the Princess’s manor to supervise your behavior… until you stop causing trouble.”

I blinked. What in the world is Father Emperor thinking? What would others say if this spread? Then again, the whole capital already knows, so what’s the point of worrying now?

“But you start your duties at dawn and don’t return until the late afternoon,” I said. “And you only get one rest day every ten days. Even if you move in, how would that help?”

“I said the same,” she replied. “But His Majesty insisted that even a little influence is better than none.”

That… actually made some sense. It also showed just how much Father favored this consort. Still, who knows what his true intentions are?

Then he added, “Also, the Cold Food Festival falls on the tenth of April. There will be a seven-day holiday.”

Seven days of rest for Cold Food Festival… Just like in the Song Dynasty. Lucky me.

She was talking circles around me, and I couldn’t argue back. And who knows what those seven days might bring? To protect myself, I had to act fast and expose his identity.

I imagined tonight’s scene—summoning him to my bed, his refusing to undress, finally forced to confess, and me launching into a mix of heartbreak and fury until he’s left speechless. Ah, so satisfying.

I couldn’t help the smug smile that crept onto my face.

Mu Han noticed and looked puzzled. I quickly covered with a smile. “Very well. Have the servants bring over your things.”

She replied that he had already arranged everything before arriving.

“Oh,” I said, and added, “Let’s have you stay in the east wing of the inner courtyard, shall we?”

“As you command,” she said.

His endless, formal politeness was exhausting. We then discussed his workroom, and accommodations for his maids and attendants.

Thankfully, he didn’t bring up the brothel visit from the previous night again. Once everything was settled, I stood up with a smile. “Alright, time to teach me swordsmanship. I’ll go change. You should change too

—we’ll practice in the garden.”

He rose and bowed. “As you wish, Princess.”

I walked away without looking back. He had only mocked me twice during our conversation, but I wanted to punch him the entire time. His calm, elegant demeanor only made him more insufferable—such an arrogant showoff.

Still, tonight I’ll give him a surprise she won’t forget.

I changed into a pale green, narrow-sleeved robe and stepped out. Mu Han was already waiting in the courtyard, dressed all in white like freshly fallen snow. His features were soft and elegant, as if carved from jade. He looked gentle and kind—graceful in every way.

A person like him—so mild on the surface, so quietly sharp—was exactly the kind who could slice you up with words while looking like he’d done nothing at all.

She reminded me of Qin Huaiyu: warm on the outside, but full of schemes on the inside.

Still, maybe I shouldn’t be too hard on him. He had become the center of gossip, and it was understandable that he’d lash out. But he’d always acted by the book before—so, as a subject, shouldn’t he obey his ruler even if I humiliated him?

Clearly, reality doesn’t match ideals…

Since he’s not bound by rigid propriety, then he should stop using propriety to mislead others. I don’t care for empty formalities anyway.

I kindly told him not to always refer to himself as “your servant” and to relax a bit. He looked at me suspiciously but agreed.

We went to the garden and picked a relatively open spot. It was the fourth day of sword training—still practicing fundamentals. No full techniques yet.

Afterward, we practiced internal energy near an artificial hill facing the sunlight. Sitting in meditation, I felt only the faintest wisp of energy before it vanished. Frustrated, I said, “It’ll take over ten years to reach your level. Ten years…”

I grumbled inwardly—who knows if I’ll even live that long before someone assassinates me?

That fear wasn’t baseless. After what happened yesterday, Mu Han had clearly become a target, and his danger implicated me. The Khitan agents might be working with some shadowy force in the Central Plains.

They failed yesterday, but what about next time—or the time after?

I glanced at him, a little sad. If he knew I’d been nearly kidnapped in his place, would he feel guilty?

Maybe I imagined it, but I swore I saw a flicker of guilt in his eyes—gone so quickly I couldn’t be sure.

Then he said gently, “Princess, don’t stress so much about martial arts. Your guards are skilled enough to protect you.”

I nearly snorted. Those useless guards! Half of the eight shadow protectors had wandered off somewhere during the attack. Clearly, they’d grown complacent due to long stretches of peace. I’d have to punish them under some other excuse to maintain secrecy—but keep them around. Now that they knew the truth, they were too valuable to lose.

I gave a vague smile and didn’t reply.

Noticing the time, I got up and pulled Mu Han with me. As we walked back, I suddenly realized something.

When he lived at the Prince Consort’s residence, he’d always excuse himself and leave right after training. I, in turn, would go bathe. But now that he was living in the Princess’s manor, shouldn’t he follow my routine? And that included bathing after training!

Which meant… I could expose his identity before nightfall!

I calmly led his past the dining hall toward the bathhouse. The maids were already waiting. When they saw us, they bowed.

Smiling, I turned to him and said, “After training, I always bathe. Since you’re living here now, you should too—once I finish, you can go next.”

I waited eagerly for his shocked reaction.

Instead, he said smoothly, “Thank you, Princess.”

Not even a flicker of panic. Huh? Could the Khitan agents have been wrong? Maybe he isn’t a woman after all?

Well, we’ll see soon enough.

I finished bathing quickly, returned to the hall, and smiled at him. “Your turn, Consort. Shall I assign a few maids to assist you?”

I was certain he usually bathed alone—but this time, I’d make sure he couldn’t decline.

Happily imagining his embarrassment, I was stunned when he smiled and replied, “I wouldn’t dare trouble your people. My maids, Ling Yun and Ling Yue, will assist me.”

What?!

Wasn’t he a poor scholar without even a servant on his journey to the capital? And the palace only assigned staff to him ten days ago—how had he already found personal maids?

Two unfamiliar girls stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Princess. I am Ling Yun and I am Ling Yue).”

I had no choice but to accept the truth. This plan had failed too.

I watched, sulking, as Mu Han entered the bathhouse with his maids. Turning to my own maids, I asked, “Where did Ling Yun and Ling Yue come from?”

Ying’er replied, puzzled, “Just palace maids assigned by His Majesty. Why do you ask, Princess?”

I was about to drop it when Qiu Wen grinned mysteriously. “That’s not the whole story.”

Oh? So this gossipy maid did know something.

Qiu Wen leaned in, smirking. “Back when the Prince Consort first arrived in the capital, he met Imperial Physician Qin. They hit it off, and he invited him to stay at his residence. After he passed the imperial exam and moved into his own estate, Physician Qin gifted him two maids who had been serving him all along—Ling Yun and Ling Yue.”

She stuck out her tongue and stopped short of saying the rest.

But I knew what she meant. Those maids weren’t a simple gift. Qin Huaiyu must’ve known Mu Han’s true gender and gave his trusted aides to cover for him.

That scoundrel!

So, he likes him too, does he? I wonder what happened between them. Too bad I’m grounded—otherwise, I’d hunt him down for a good beating.

Now that Plan A has failed… looks like I’ll have to proceed with Plan B: summon him to my chambers tonight.

Let’s just hope nothing else goes wrong.