Chapter 13: She’s No Longer Easily Pacified

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Xie Genghe was already very skilled at handling Wen Changying’s allergic reaction to almonds, which caused a full-body rash. Before the imperial physician arrived, he had prepared warm water to wipe down Wen Changying’s neck and help dissipate the heat. After the doctor took her pulse and prescribed medicine, Xie Genghe busied himself removing her hairpin and taking off her shoes and socks, eagerly taking over all the tasks that Magpie would have done. Naturally, he did not leave the Cheng’en Palace all night.

When Wen Changying woke up, she realized her wrist was being held and instinctively pulled it away. Lowering her gaze, she saw Xie Genghe leaning over the bedside, and a flicker of resistance crossed her eyes. Why bother putting on this act of tenderness? Wasn’t it he who personally fed her the almond-laced sweets? Did he really think that taking care of her through the night would dissolve the barriers between them and restore things to how they once were? Unfortunately, she was no longer the spoiled, easily coaxed young lady from seven years ago, nor was he the gentle and attentive brother she once knew.

“How do you feel?” came Xie Genghe’s hoarse voice as he too woke.

Wen Changying pulled the blanket tighter around her. “When will we meet with Zhuge Shi?”

Xie Genghe was momentarily taken aback, a complex expression in his eyes. “After you’ve recovered.”

Wen Changying fell silent. She had experienced allergic reactions like this before, and it typically took no more than two days to fully recover. She was genuinely weak that day, but would go the next day.

Because she did not want to face Xie Genghe, Wen Changying pretended he did not exist throughout the day. She had thought that as the Crown Prince serving as regent, he would be busy and leave soon. To her surprise, he stayed. He ordered Bi Gui to bring all the memorials to the palace and quietly reviewed them on a nearby couch. The only sound in the chamber was the soft rustling of papers.

When she grew tired of lying down, Wen Changying propped herself up and casually picked up a storybook. It was something Magpie had hidden away to entertain her. The two of them were alone like this, almost as if they had truly returned to the past.

Until nightfall.

Wen Changying finally lost patience. “No matter how busy the Crown Prince’s affairs are, doesn’t he rest at midnight?”

“You’re right, Ah Ying. It’s time to rest,” Xie Genghe said, looking up from his military book. He put it down and walked straight to the bed where Wen Changying lay, as if to sleep beside her as they had countless times before.

Wen Changying raised her foot and blocked him at the bedside.

“Prince Xie,” she bit back her irritation, “the bed in the East Palace’s main hall is softer.”

Xie Genghe’s dark eyes burned. “Are you sure you want to argue with me, Ah Ying?”

To outsiders, Xie Genghe was wise and gentle, the unquestioned heir apparent. But within their private world, especially in front of Wen Changying, he was always dominant. This had been part of their marital intimacy before, and she had never minded.

But now, this scene truly disgusted her.

“Fine then, since the East Palace is yours, if you want this bed, I’ll just squeeze in with Magpie,” Wen Changying smiled faintly, preparing to get off the bed.

Xie Genghe pressed down on her shoulder. “Can’t we be together?”

Wen Changying was utterly serious: “No.”

“I insist,” he said flatly, his eyes filled with stubbornness. He leaned in to press her down.

With quick reflexes, Wen Changying kicked him in an unmentionable place.

A muffled groan escaped him.

Sweat beaded on Xie Genghe’s forehead as he bit his teeth in frustration, “Ah Ying!”

Wen Changying said nothing, only staring at his movements with wary eyes.

Xie Genghe adjusted his breathing to ease the tightness in his chest. Even at their worst quarrels, they had shared a bed but dreamed apart. Never before had there been a time when they could not even share the same bed.

He took a deep breath. “I’ll go outside. Ah Ying, you are the Crown Princess; sooner or later you must get used to this.”

Wen Changying’s fragile emotions surged instantly.

“Get used to what?”

“To seeing the people and things around me abandoned one after another by you?”

This time it was Ah Ye.

What about next time?

Magpie? Or her?

Wen Changying’s eyes reddened; she wished she could kick him to death.

“That’s not what I mean,” Xie Genghe said, refusing to elaborate.

He feared that if they continued talking, the fragile peace they had just managed to restore would snap again.

In the end, Xie Genghe silently left.

He did not linger outside either.

Wen Changying clearly heard the guards outside respectfully escort the Crown Prince away, then slowly closed her eyes to calm her heart.

East Palace Main Hall.

Bi Gui held a lamp, attending to Xie Genghe as he bathed and prepared for bed.

In a low voice, he reported, “Your Highness, the palace servant delivering the meal placed the almond pine pollen dessert in the wrong spot. It was meant for Consort Lan, but somehow ended up before the Crown Princess.”

Upon learning the sweet was made with almonds, Xie Genghe had instructed that the dessert given to Wen Changying be specially prepared with other nuts instead. To the eye, they looked identical, but the flavor definitely contained no almonds.

When he saw Wen Changying covered in rashes, Xie Genghe had immediately ordered Bi Gui to investigate.

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Unexpectedly, it was the carelessness of a palace servant.

But was it truly an accident?

Xie Genghe dared not take the risk.

Their relationship could not withstand further conflicts.

“Take care of it,” he commanded.

Bi Gui bowed and withdrew.

The next day.

Wen Changying felt well enough and brought up meeting with Zhuge Shi.

Xie Genghe naturally did not refuse.

On the way to the Heavenly Prison, they encountered Cheng Yu returning from outside the palace.

She alighted from her sedan chair and bowed, “Greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.”

Xie Genghe considered himself straightforward. “Lady Cheng, isn’t today your leave day from imperial duties? Why have you returned to the palace?”

“My father has urgent matters to report to Your Highness. I ask that Your Highness move to the study and dismiss all attendants,” Cheng Yu replied calmly, though she seemed genuinely anxious.

Xie Genghe frowned.

If it was a matter to report, that was no problem.

But to dismiss all attendants...

He had just promised Wen Changying not to meet anyone alone.

Thinking of this, Xie Genghe softened his tone: “I must stay with Ah Ying today. If Lord Cheng’s matter is not urgent, please submit a memorial instead.”

Cheng Yu looked up and reminded him, “It concerns Yan City.”

“Your Highness, you instructed my father that this matter must be reported immediately.”

No matter how he looked at it, she was acting on official business without overstepping.

Xie Genghe paused, sensing a mocking smile from Wen Changying beside him. He asked, “Ah Ying, I...”

Wen Changying spoke up, “If it involves my brother, why won’t the Crown Prince let me listen as well?”

Cheng Yu, kneeling, showed a flicker of surprise but gauged Xie Genghe’s attitude accurately.

“No need,” Xie Genghe bit his lip. “Lady Cheng should follow protocol and submit a memorial, or have Lord Cheng speak with me in person!”

“Let’s go.”

Bi Gui gestured, and palace attendants quickly carried the sedan chair away, leaving Cheng Yu no chance to petition further.

Xie Genghe exhaled. “Ah Ying, I won’t go back on my word.”

Wen Changying said nothing.

She closed her eyes, refusing to engage. Deep down, she was already certain Xie Genghe wouldn’t last a month.

Today it was official business; tomorrow, personal matters; and then endless schemes after that—how could Xie Genghe possibly withstand it all?

Not to mention, behind Cheng Yu stood the Cheng family and the Empress Dowager.

Wen Changying was curious to see how many times Xie Genghe could evade these challenges.