A single kiss was far from enough for him.
So, somehow, a meal that started at the table ended up on the bed.
Cheng Simian became the Crown Prince's supper and was almost devoured.
Afterwards, she was so sore and limp that she was too lazy to get up.
It was the Crown Prince who brought porridge and dishes on a small table and fed her mouthful by mouthful.
"If you're reluctant to let Qiluo be the spy, even if you've given her mother her freedom, she won't be able to accept such care with a clear conscience. You're worried about her innocence. Well, I'll assign a martial - arts - skilled maid to go with her into the Mansion of the Duke of Rongxiang. I'll surely prevent that scoundrel Qin Ziqi from having his way."
The Crown Prince didn't want her to worry and had already planned everything for her.
Cheng Simian pondered for a long time and finally made up her mind.
Another day passed.
Qiluo was impatient and went to ask Xia Anzi for news.
Xia Anzi gave her a mysterious smile.
"Don't be so hasty. By the way, His Highness said that there will be an honored guest later. The guest will come in a sedan chair through the northwest gate of the Eastern Palace. You're always the most reliable one. Go and welcome the guest in."
Qiluo didn't think much and quickly went to the northwest corner gate to greet the guest.
Before long, she really saw two sedan - chair carriers carrying a small sedan chair in.
"Take your time, honored guest. This servant will hold your hand."
A hand that wasn't particularly delicate reached out from the sedan chair and tightly grasped hers.
Qiluo was stunned.
She was far too familiar with this hand.
"Mother?"
Liu Yan hugged Qiluo, and mother and daughter wept uncontrollably.
Qiluo was both surprised and overjoyed. She didn't even have time to wipe away her tears. "Mother, why are you in the Eastern Palace? Did Zhuang Qixian finally let you go?"
Liu Yan kept wiping away her tears. "It was that young Taoist priest beside Princess Yuening who went to see Zhuang Qixian. With just a few words, Zhuang Qixian was so scared that he immediately handed over the indenture. He didn't even dare to ask for the ransom money."
"It's the Crown Princess... She's been so kind to me!"
A multitude of words of gratitude welled up in her throat all at once. Her tears flowed like a broken dam, and she was even more determined to repay this kindness.
She led Liu Yan to her room, poured her tea, and served snacks.
Liu Yan looked around. The room was spacious and bright. The couch was covered with silk quilts, there was an incense burner on the table, and fresh fruits were on display.
Her daughter was dressed in new brocade cotton and adorned with jade and pearls.
Even the tea was this year's new tea.
The daughters of official families might not be more luxurious and respectable than her daughter.
"The Crown Princess's great kindness is something we can never repay in this lifetime!"
Qiluo beamed with joy. "Mother, you can stay here at Princess Yuening's place as an embroiderer for now. She's just as kind and gentle as the Crown Princess. She's the best master."
As for what she was going to do, there was no need for her mother to know.
"Qiluo, do you know? Zhuang Qixian didn't just have me as his mistress. Two years ago, he secretly took another one. Somehow, the news leaked out, and his shrew of a wife found out. She had a huge fight with him, making a scene that the whole street could watch. There was an imperial censor who lived on the same street. He reported Zhuang Qixian in court, accusing him of immoral behavior, selling his daughter for personal gain, and mistreating his mistress. The Emperor dismissed him from office this morning and banished him from the capital."
After hearing this, Qiluo felt no sympathy at all.
Serves him right. It's retribution.
This punishment was hardly enough to make up for the abuse she had suffered in the Mansion of the Duke of Rongxiang.
It was just that this incident was too much of a coincidence.
Maybe it was the Crown Prince's arrangement.
"Mother and I have finally turned over a new leaf!"
Liu Yan let out a sigh of relief, but there were still tears in her eyes.
Mother and daughter chatted affectionately.
In the afternoon, Qiluo took Liu Yan to pay respects to Cheng Simian.
Cheng Simian rewarded Liu Yan with many things.
But it still couldn't make up for her guilt towards Qiluo.
However, she also knew that Qiluo had to make this contribution.
...
Three days later, two small sedan chairs entered the Mansion of the Duke of Rongxiang through the corner gate.
Qiluo and Lv Yi entered Qin Ziqi's courtyard as concubines.
One was dressed in crab - apple red, and the other in rouge pink.
Qin Ziqi was lying in bed bored, recuperating from his injuries.
These days, his wound had been itching, a sign that it was about to heal.
But he didn't want it to heal so quickly, so he took his medicine half - heartedly.
Just as he was loudly scolding the maid to take the medicine away, Qiluo and Lv Yi walked in.
"This concubine is Qiluo."
"This concubine is Lv Yi."
"We pay our respects to the Young Master."
During his convalescence, the Emperor had already issued an edict, conferring on him the title of the heir of the Mansion of the Duke of Rongxiang.
This was also another form of consolation from the Emperor to the Qin family.
Although Qin Ziqi had offended and humiliated Princess Lingyang, the hereditary title had been preserved.
When Qin Ziqi saw Qiluo, his eyes widened.
The beauty in red had a peach - like cheek and almond - shaped eyes. Her eyes were like autumn water. With just a slight smile, it was as if the spring waves were rippling, making one feel as if their soul wanted to fly towards her.
The other woman was also somewhat attractive, but standing beside Qiluo, she seemed dull and uninteresting.
Qin Ziqi waved his hand impatiently at Lv Yi. "You can go out!"
Lv Yi bowed obediently. As she stepped back, she gave Qiluo a look.
That look was full of killing intent.
Qiluo nodded slightly.
Lv Yi was the most powerful female secret guard in the Eastern Palace. She was originally protecting the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess insisted that she come to protect Qiluo.
Qiluo felt at ease.
After Lv Yi left, she even kindly closed the door.
But Qin Ziqi didn't let Qiluo get up.
He reclined against the soft pillow, looking arrogant. He curled his lips disdainfully.
"Didn't expect it, did you? After all these twists and turns, you still ended up in my hands. If you'd known this, why did you resist so stubbornly back then and make such a big scene in the mansion?"
This was both mockery and intimidation.
He was warning her that he had the means. Even if she fled to the ends of the earth, he could still catch her.
Qiluo lowered her eyes and remained silent, looking very obedient.
Qin Ziqi sneered. "So, with your beauty, you didn't catch the Crown Prince's eye? Or is it that the Crown Princess is so domineering and jealous that she won't allow you to rise to prominence?"
Such taunts were just an attempt to hurt her self - esteem through words and trample her pride into the dirt.
Qiluo was filled with disdain in her heart.
But when she looked up, she showed a pitiful expression.
"The Crown Prince is weak and always tries to be a good guy. His methods are no match for the Second Prince's. The Qin family follows the Second Prince, and this concubine naturally wants to switch sides and follow the right person."
Her humble and submissive attitude made Qin Ziqi feel that his lost face had been restored.
He lifted his chin haughtily. "Come here!"
Qiluo got up and casually picked up the medicinal soup on the table.
"Young Master, you've suffered a great loss of vitality. You should still take your medicine seriously. This concubine will feed you."
Her soft and charming voice, accompanied by a faint fragrance, made Qin Ziqi's bones go limp.
Even the medicinal soup that usually tasted so bitter that it numbed his tongue now seemed sweet.
After enjoying Qiluo's service, Qin Ziqi didn't forget his father's instructions.
"You said the Crown Prince's methods are no match for the Second Prince's. Who did you hear that from?"
Qiluo smiled gently. "Do I need to hear it from someone? This concubine serves the Crown Princess and sees the Crown Prince frowning all day long. Sometimes he's extremely irritable and often suffers from insomnia and nightmares. Most likely, he's worried about losing his position as the Crown Prince."
Qin Ziqi's eyes darted around quickly.
"In that case, the Second Prince really does have some skills. This stab I took wasn't in vain."
"This concubine also heard that the Second Prince has been dissatisfied with your father recently."
Qin Ziqi's heart tightened. "Why?"
"This concubine only caught a bit of it. It seems that your father isn't firm enough in his support for the Second Prince. He stopped the Second Prince from pleading with the Emperor."
"Pleading for what?"
"Doesn't the Young Master know? The Second Prince wanted to ask the Emperor to annul your engagement with Princess Lingyang, but your father wouldn't let him!"
There was hatred in Qin Ziqi's eyes.