Chapter 343: Being Loved Shouldn’t Be This Terrifying
Prince Yong had just come from prison. How could he smell of an aphrodisiac?
If he’d picked it up by accident, how potent must the drug have been?
Ji Qingwu couldn’t quite figure it out, and her brow furrowed slightly.
Tao Wanxin sat up, leaning against the headboard, and asked worriedly, "What’s wrong? Is it my pregnancy..."
Ji Qingwu said, "No, the baby is perfectly fine, Princess Consort. There’s no need to worry."
Only then did Tao Wanxin relax, stroking her belly, which showed a small bump even as she lay flat.
"Qingwu, there’s something I want to ask you."
Ji Qingwu walked back to her side. "Go ahead."
Tao Wanxin’s expression was calm as she whispered, "The Prince... does he have another woman on the side?"
Ji Qingwu asked in surprise, "Why do you ask, Princess Consort? Did you notice Prince Yong acting suspiciously, or did he give himself away somehow?"
Tao Wanxin shook her head. "It’s just a guess, really."
Ji Qingwu asked, "Has Prince Yong been bullying you again?"
Tao Wanxin denied it quickly. "No, the Prince has been very good to me. These past few days, he’s even been... excessively good."
Prince Yong’s attitude toward her had taken a complete one-eighty.
For example, there was nothing wrong with her today, yet he made a huge fuss, rushing back from the palace in such a hurry that his forehead was beaded with sweat when he came in.
She could feel that when he looked at her, his gaze was filled not only with care and concern but also with a deep sense of guilt.
’But where is this guilt coming from?’
Tao Wanxin’s mind was in turmoil. She didn’t know who else to ask. If she asked Chang Lu, the eunuch who served Prince Yong, he would certainly never tell her the truth.
She looked at Ji Qingwu, hoping to get some answers from her.
"I’m already mentally prepared. Even if a new woman joins the Prince Mansion, I won’t be heartbroken over it."
But the Princess Consort’s fingers were twisting together, a clear sign that she wanted to know but was afraid of what she might hear.
Ji Qingwu figured she knew the reason.
’Most likely, Prince Yong has learned the truth. The weight on his conscience is gone, and now he’s overcome with both guilt and love for the Princess Consort. But he can’t tell Tao Wanxin that Su Fengyue was the one who assaulted her all those years ago, afraid the shock would harm her in her pregnant state.’
Ji Qingwu said thoughtfully, "In that case, you have even less to worry about, Princess Consort. My guess is that Prince Yong has turned over a new leaf. He’s had an awakening and wants to treat you well to make up for your past troubles."
Tao Wanxin’s fingers relaxed slightly. "Really?"
Ji Qingwu smiled. "You don’t need to be so frightened of being loved."
Tao Wanxin was stunned for a moment. Her heart settled, and a shy blush appeared on her face.
"What’s all this about love? That’s not important. The most important thing now is for the baby to be born safely."
Ji Qingwu nodded. "It will be."
But Tao Wanxin’s face grew redder and redder, even to the tips of her ears. She fanned her collar and said, "Qingwu, is it about to rain outside? Why does it feel so hot and stuffy?"
She was so hot she felt like drinking some cool tea to clear her head.
Ji Qingwu glanced at the sky. Outside, it was clear and sunny with a gentle breeze. The temperature in the room was also perfectly comfortable.
’This isn’t right...’
Ji Qingwu reached out and placed her fingers on Princess Yong’s wrist.
Her pulse had changed dramatically from before. It was now surging and full, a sign of excessive yang.
Tao Wanxin’s body must have already been weak and prone to internal heat, and her recent contact with something had just triggered it.
Ji Qingwu thought of the peculiar scent on Prince Yong, and a glint flashed in her eyes.
Tao Wanxin saw her withdraw her hand and fall silent. But since Ji Qingwu’s eyes were still sparkling, she figured it wasn’t a serious health problem. She asked curiously, "Qingwu, what is it?"
Ji Qingwu met Tao Wanxin’s gaze, suppressing the glint in her eyes.
She hinted delicately, "Princess Consort, the baby is already past the three-month mark."
Tao Wanxin smiled. "Yes, I’ve been able to feel slight movements for the past few days."
Ji Qingwu said, "Besides the movements, has anything else felt off? For example, feeling too hot to sleep at night?"
Tao Wanxin’s eyes widened. "Qingwu, I do have that symptom! I even get hot sweats. When I wake up in the morning, the sheets are damp."
A smile played on Ji Qingwu’s lips. "If you can’t sleep at night, Princess Consort, you could always get some appropriate exercise."
Tao Wanxin raised an eyebrow, confused. "Exercise?"
Ji Qingwu heard footsteps. Turning, she saw Prince Yong had reached the window and gestured toward him.
"Yes. With him."
No matter how slow she might be, Tao Wanxin understood Ji Qingwu’s meaning.
Zhao Minghong, now clean from his bath and looking as dashing and suave as ever, walked in to see his own princess consort, face flushed red, looking at Ji Qingwu with alluring eyes.
An indescribable feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.
Zhao Minghong shot Ji Qingwu a sideways glance and, with a cold expression, began to show her the door.
"It’s getting late. I won’t be keeping my Fifth Cousin for dinner."
He was desperate for her to come, and even more desperate for her to leave.
But Ji Qingwu just settled more firmly into her seat, showing no intention of moving.
She parted her lips and said, "I’m not hungry, actually. But I am a bit sleepy."
Zhao Minghong said, "If you’re sleepy, go back to the Wei Family’s residence and sleep in your own bed."
Ji Qingwu raised an eyebrow. "The beds at the Wei Family’s are hard as a rock. The Princess Consort’s bed, on the other hand, looks so soft. I bet it’s wonderful to sleep on."
Tao Wanxin glanced up at Prince Yong, then quickly looked away. She took the initiative and tugged on Ji Qingwu’s sleeve. "Qingwu, if you’re not busy, why don’t you stay and sleep with me tonight?"
Prince Yong stared intently at the empty space on the far side of the bed, like a wild beast marking its territory. "Absolutely not. I’ll have Chang Lu go to the inner treasury later and prepare an identical set of bedding to be sent to your residence."
Ji Qingwu’s gaze swept over a shelf on the opposite wall. "It’s not the same. The Princess Consort’s room is so stylish, elegant, and charming. Atmosphere is important for a good night’s sleep."
Tao Wanxin nodded and was about to say something when Zhao Minghong ground his back teeth and cut in, "Go to the inner treasury and pick something out yourself."
The Prince Mansion’s inner treasury was surely full of treasures.
Only then did Ji Qingwu reluctantly agree. Before she left, she leaned close to Princess Yong and whispered something in her ear.
The blush that had just faded from Tao Wanxin’s face flared up again, spreading in a fiery wave.
Zhao Minghong’s voice was laced with exasperation as he yelled at the eunuch standing at the door, "Chang Lu! Hurry up and take her to pick something out!"
After Ji Qingwu’s figure disappeared, Tao Wanxin didn’t lift her head again.
A hand, its fingers still cool from a recent bath, lifted her chin.
"My Fifth Cousin is gone. Are you so unhappy that you don’t even want to look at me?"
Zhao Minghong asked, his face stern and his expression displeased.
Tao Wanxin shook her head but still didn’t speak. Following the pressure of his hand, her gaze landed on his Adam’s apple, then slowly drifted downward.
Her light, teasing gaze sent a fire rushing through Zhao Minghong’s body.
"Wanyin."
Tao Wanxin had just started to look up when Prince Yong cupped her face in his hands.