The Prince Consort's Secret (GL) - Chapter 20

So I’d overestimated him, huh? But thinking it through, for a woman to go that far already was no easy feat. I had to give him credit—he’d done his best. And to think I actually won this round? What a delightful surprise! I laughed as I moved to his side. He looked blank-faced, so I stifled my amusement, gave him shoulder a light pat, then draped my arm over it and raised a brow:

“Ahem, Consort, weren’t you the one who said you’d be… bold with me?”

Expression unchanged, he said coolly, “And what would Your Highness have me to do?”

He was still calm? As if he weren’t moments away from having his identity exposed? Or… did he have some trick up his sleeve after all? I frowned slightly. Surely he wouldn’t go that far to keep his secret…

Still, I found the idea oddly amusing. Probably not. But even if he wouldn’t, I could use it to answer his question. It’s not like I could actually say what we were both pretending not to think.

I withdrew my arm, took a few steps forward, then turned back to see him still looking so infuriatingly composed. I narrowed my eyes and feigned sudden realization:

“Hmm… Could it be… the Consort stopped because you… can’t?”

His calm mask finally cracked, and his eyes widened in disbelief—clearly not expecting that from me. I coughed twice. What? Was that so shocking? Isn’t that a totally normal thing to suspect in this context? …

Though I had to admit, I’d miscalculated. He wasn’t actually a man, so the line had zero effect. I couldn’t even make him blush from shame. Ugh, better move on to the real reason I brought him here.

I plopped down into a chair and poured myself a cup of tea, sipping it slowly. He was back to his unreadable self, watching me silently, not even attempting to speak.

I smiled faintly. “Consort, have you nothing to say for yourself?”

I hadn’t truly expected a confession, but he surprised me with a small smile and said,

“What’s there to say? It’s just as Your Highness has long suspected.”

My heart skipped a beat. He’s going to admit it! Finally, the tables were about to turn.

Suppressing my excitement, I said coolly, “And what has this princess suspected, hmm? I’m afraid I don’t understand, Consort.”

He gave a helpless little smile, this time openly feminine, her charm unmistakable. I blinked, momentarily stunned by how different he seemed. Then he said softly,

“It means… I am a woman.”

Her voice had changed—no longer the gentle, clear tones of a young scholar, but unmistakably that of a young lady. I blinked again. I hadn’t expected that change to feel so weirdly real.

Then I remembered my goal and slammed the table dramatically. “Mu Han! You, a woman, took the role of my consort! Do you realize how outrageous that is? If word of this spreads, we’ll be the laughingstock of the entire realm! You’ve ruined this princess’s life!”

While I ranted, I kept a close eye on her expression, but she merely lowered her head and listened quietly. No shame, no panic. Come on! Even though I’m not actually mad and might’ve made it a bit obvious that

I’m kinda glad she’s a woman, this is outrageous! It’s even more ridiculous than me visiting a brothel! Shouldn’t she at least look a little mortified? Or at least… worried?

By the time I finished, even I was starting to feel deflated—like haggling furiously with a merchant only to hear her calmly agree without batting an eye. Then, without hesitation, she knelt down, bowed, and said,

“I accept all punishment. I await Your Highness’s judgment.”

The sound of her voice still felt so odd… No, it was more that her gesture—bowing in the style of a man, while speaking in a woman’s voice—was just plain weird. It would’ve been comical if she weren’t so easy on the eyes.

I eyed her, unimpressed. Finally, I focused on her clenched fists. After a beat, she glanced up and, seeming to understand, lowered her hands.

With a sigh, I helped her to her feet and said gently, “Forget it. This princess will spare your life. Sit. I have questions.”

She stood awkwardly, unsure how to bow anymore—both the masculine fist salute and the feminine curtsy would’ve looked absurd now. In the end, she gave a shallow bow and murmured, “Thank you, Your

Highness.” Congratulations, Consort Mu. You’ve invented the polite head-nod.

I led her to the other side of the table. As she sat, I picked up the teapot and asked, “So, if you’re a woman, why go through the imperial exams, become a jinshi, and—of all things—my consort?”

She gave a small smile and said, “I…”

But I cut her off, lifting a teacup to her lips. She paused, stunned, and I smiled: “Consort, have some tea.” I raised the cup gently, and she had no choice but to take a sip.

I set the cup down with a smile and said softly, “That’s the first time I’ve ever served tea for someone. Forgive me if I did it poorly, Consort.” I emphasized the word “Consort” with extra weight. At last, she looked a little flustered. I was delighted.

Before she could thank me, I added, “Also, while you may be a court official, you are a woman. Referring to yourself as ‘this subject’ sounds odd now. Just use ‘I.’ Alright, go on.”

I returned to my seat. Her cheeks were faintly red now. Excellent. I sipped my tea, leisurely enjoying the view. That’s more like it, Mu Han. Mission accomplished.

She gave a slightly embarrassed chuckle. “Right. I took the exams because I was searching for my parents. I thought if I became a local official, it would be easier to investigate. But then His Majesty took a liking to me during the final round, named me third place—and… made me the consort.”

That’s it? True or not, she was definitely hiding something. Like why those Khitan agents were after her. No matter—my father was already investigating. Whether or not she ever tells me the whole truth doesn’t matter. I don’t need to know who she really is.

I asked more about her parents, but she didn’t know much—only that she needed to search somewhere in western Sichuan. As for why she had male registration, she said her master had close ties with the local magistrate.

I asked a few more questions but gave up before it became too much effort for both of us—her to make it up, and me to remember. I cut to the point: “So, now that we’re here, what’s your plan?”

She answered solemnly: “I’ve thought about this before. If I die, Your Highness can remarry and won’t be trapped by this farce. I’ll protect my secret until then so that no one ever finds out.”

I stared, stunned. Die?! That’s not what I was trying to achieve at all!

Wait… no. She doesn’t seem like the type to throw her life away for a princess she barely knows. Ah—of course. She doesn’t mean actual death.

I leaned forward. “You mean you’ll fake your death as a man and leave the capital as yourself?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

I thought so. But she was the consort of the only princess in the empire. Faking her death without raising suspicion? Nearly impossible.

I voiced my concerns. She replied with a smile: “It would be difficult in the capital. But if I were sent to a frontier post, I could vanish during a battle. The chaos would make it believable.”

That… would work. I sipped my tea and smiled. “Then when you’re ready to go, tell me first. Otherwise, I’ll think you really died and be heartbroken.”

She smiled back. “Alright.”

I stood. The mission to expose Consort Mu was complete, and I’d had my fun. All that was left was to bring this to a harmonious close. “It’s getting late. Let’s sleep.”

I’d originally planned to send her to Yinger’s bed whether I exposed her or not, but now that I knew she was a woman, I couldn’t in good conscience let her freeze without covers.

I pointed to my bed. “We’re both women, after all. Let’s just share. Or, if you insist, you can sleep in Yinger’s little bed—just know there’s no blanket.”

I headed toward the rack to change. She came over and smiled. “Then I’ll trouble Your Highness to squeeze a little closer.”

I looked at her and laughed. With her secret out, I felt strangely closer to her. Maybe we were destined to be sisters… or sworn comrades. In my previous life, I’d only shared a bed with two friends. This would make three.

We stood at the rack, undressing like old friends. I fumbled awkwardly with my outer layers while she swiftly stripped down to her white inner robe. I was still wrestling with my sash when she paused, removed her hairpin and jade crown, and let her ink-dark hair fall freely. I blinked, dazed by the sight.

She gave me a sweet smile and bowed gracefully. “Please take care of me, Your Highness.”

To see the ever-composed Mu Han bow so naturally… I blinked again and returned to my tangled sash.

Then, seeing her clad only in that light inner robe, a thought struck me. I chuckled and asked, “So, what exactly happened on our wedding night? How did I not realize you were a woman?”

The moment I asked, I realized—oops. That sounds like I’m questioning a… certain physical detail. When I looked up, sure enough, she froze. Her face flushed deep red—angry, embarrassed, or both. Probably both. Because really, the only way to prove it would be to… yeah. Not happening.

Her usual poise completely unraveled, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. She glared at me, cheeks still burning, fists clenched. Uh-oh. I’d pushed her too many times tonight. She definitely thought I was teasing her again. And if she decided to hit me, I didn’t stand a chance!

I quickly stepped away. Thankfully, she only spat, “That’s none of Your Highness’s concern,” then climbed into bed.

Remembering her flustered expression just now, I laughed even harder.

Once I finally got out of my clothes and unwound my chest binding, I suddenly remembered—she hadn’t taken off anything from her upper body… I shook my head. Don’t pry.

I dove into bed, let down the bed curtains, and nestled under the covers. Still not used to having someone else so close in a confined space.