ADENCPIFPM Chapter 6

The news of the alliance between Cangsui and the Yao State quickly cast a shadow over the imperial court.

Naturally, the fact that Princess Ning’an had been sent to the Yao State as a “gift” by Cangsui could not be concealed.

Chu Chen felt no affection for the original owner’s elder sister, nor was he particularly concerned about her fate. Yet, upon hearing the news of Princess Ning’an, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of compassion when he thought of Consort Rong in the inner palace, who bore a slight resemblance to his own mother.

Princess Ning’an was Consort Rong’s first child. She had been sent to Cangsui at seventeen and had not been seen since.

To think that the only news of the princess in seven years was that she had been given away by her marital family…

Moreover, Great Chu had always rumoured that the people of the Yao State were crude and barbaric. Once the princess arrived there, her chances of survival were likely slim.

Perhaps because he himself had nearly become a political bride, Chu Chen felt an even deeper sympathy for Princess Ning’an.

“I have sewn you a new robe to wear after your wedding,” Consort Rong said as she held up a robe embroidered with subtle red patterns for Chu Chen to try on. “You usually dress too plainly. You’ll need something festive after you marry.”

Chu Chen had come to the palace today to comfort Consort Rong, but the moment she saw him, she began bustling about as if she didn’t mind at all. Unfortunately, her slightly reddened eyes betrayed her; she must have just had a good cry before Chu Chen arrived.

“Since you prefer men, the Empress will surely find you a young master from a court official’s family for marriage. We don’t know his identity yet, but I’m thinking of sewing a new set of clothes for him. I’ll use your measurements for now, and we can alter them later if they don’t fit,” Consort Rong said.

“Yes, whatever Imperial Mother wishes,” Chu Chen replied.

Hearing this, Consort Rong smiled, pulled Chu Chen down to sit, and added, “I heard from the palace maids that the hostage from the Yao State was locked in the side hall behind the Siyue Pavilion, forced to listen to the suona for seven whole days. It was so loud that it disturbed everyone in the pavilion. Speaking of which, this was your idea, wasn’t it?”

‘That hostage must have been tortured severely,’ Chu Chen thought. ‘Even if he’s not deaf, his hearing will be impaired for a while.’

Chu Chen felt a pang of pity for the man, yet at the same time, he found the scene somewhat amusing…

“Rest assured, Imperial Mother,” Chu Chen said. “I passed the small path next to the Siyue Pavilion on my way into the palace and heard no sound. The hostage must have been released today.”

The Emperor had given the hostage from the Yao State to his son to keep as a male favourite. This was merely a way to vent his anger, but he still retained his reason and dared not openly provoke the alliance between the Yao State and Cangsui at this time, so he had not released this news. The officials in court and the other Imperial Princes were all unaware of the Emperor’s plan, and Chu Chen naturally would not know it either.

Upon hearing this, Consort Rong nodded, her expression slightly gratified.

She must have been thinking of her own daughter, who was far away in a foreign land, and felt some sympathy for this hostage in a similar situation.

“Imperial Mother, you miss her very much, don’t you?” Chu Chen suddenly said.

Consort Rong was startled by his words. Her hand, which was pouring tea, slipped slightly, accidentally spilling the scalding tea. Chu Chen reached out to help, and a splash of tea wet his wrist. Consort Rong hurriedly and flusteredly helped him wipe his sleeve.

Chu Chen’s sleeve was rolled up, revealing his fair wrist. At that moment, his vision blurred, and he saw a thin “red line” faintly appear on his wrist. The “red line” wound its way up from his wrist and disappeared at his elbow.

“Did you see it, Imperial Mother?” Chu Chen asked.

Consort Rong looked at him, puzzled. “See what?”

“Nothing…” Chu Chen pulled his sleeve up to his elbow, staring intently at his wrist for a long moment. The “red line” was gone without a trace. He was almost convinced he had imagined the whole thing.

“I’ll get you a clean set of clothes,” Consort Rong said, rising to go into the inner chamber.

Chu Chen’s expression was blank. He reached for the teapot, poured some hot tea, and splashed it onto his wrist. Nothing happened—no red line appeared—but his skin instantly turned a vivid red from the burn.

“Why is it so red?” Consort Rong asked, returning with the clothes. Seeing his wrist, her heart ached. Fearing he would worry her, Chu Chen quickly reassured her, “Don’t worry, Imperial Mother. I’ll just go to the Imperial Medical Academy and have the physicians take a look. It’s nothing serious.”

After changing, Chu Chen left Mingyue Residence and went straight to the Imperial Medical Academy.

Strangely, though several Imperial Physicians took his pulse in turn, none of them found anything amiss.

No matter how much Chu Chen scalded and roasted himself, the “red thread” never reappeared.

Instead, the imperial physicians all thought he had gone mad. In the end, they prescribed him some sedatives and a burn ointment.

At first, Chu Chen was absolutely certain he had seen it. But after being examined by the physicians, he began to think he might have just been seeing things. After all, it was impossible for the best doctors in the State of Dachu to miss it. With this thought, he felt a little more at ease and temporarily pushed the matter to the back of his mind.

When he left the Imperial Palace, Chongyang was waiting for him at the gate.

Seeing the meaningful smile on Chongyang’s face, Chu Chen couldn’t help but feel curious.

“Did you find some silver? Or did you dream of marrying a wife?” Chu Chen teased.

“I didn’t marry a wife,” Chongyang replied, “but Your Highness, you’re about to.”

Chu Chen froze for a moment, then laughed. “Imperial Father did say he’d start preparing for my wedding, but we haven’t even chosen a bride yet. The wedding is still a long way off.”

“The wedding might be a long way off,” Chongyang said with a smile, “but tonight… You can have your first night in the bridal chamber.”

Chu Chen glanced at him, and seeing the other man’s teasing expression, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of curiosity.

“Are you taking me to a brothel too?” Chu Chen asked.

“How would I dare, Your Highness,” Chongyang replied. “You’ll find out when we return to the mansion.”

Chongyang kept a meaningful smile on his face the entire way, leaving Chu Chen utterly bewildered.

Fortunately, the Imperial Palace was not far from his Prince’s Mansion.

“Your Highness, you’re finally back!” As soon as Chu Chen entered the mansion, a family servant rushed forward, his face beaming with joy. “His Majesty had someone sent over. He said that since Your Highness is getting married soon, you lack someone to serve you at home. He’s worried that after the wedding, Your Highness might be unfamiliar with the arts of the bedchamber, so he sent someone for you to… get acquainted with beforehand.”

Chu Chen:!

‘The Emperor had bestowed a… bed-warmer upon him?’

Chu Chen glanced at Chongyang and finally understood the meaning behind his words.

“Male or female?” Chu Chen asked.

“A man, Your Highness,” the servant quickly replied.

Chu Chen waved his hand. “Prepare a room for him first. He was sent by my Imperial Father, after all. Make sure he has everything he needs, including food and clothing.”

Chu Chen had never been very keen on such matters. He recalled the men the Fifth Prince had arranged for him that one night—all of them utterly devoid of charm or substance. He simply couldn’t bring himself to find them appealing. Besides, any male favourite sent to a mansion to warm someone’s bed was bound to be of the same ilk; they wouldn’t be any better.

“Your Highness, are you really not even going to take a look?” Chongyang urged earnestly. “After all, he was sent by His Majesty. Besides, you’re nearly twenty now. Repressing yourself like this for so long isn’t good for your health.”

Chu Chen paused, his mind racing. The Emperor had only recently begun to show him some favour, and now he’d thoughtfully sent a male favourite. If he were to be ungrateful and refuse to even glance at the man, it might be misconstrued by the Emperor as a slight.

With this thought, Chu Chen said, “Where is he? Take me to see him.”

“Right away!” Chongyang replied, his face lighting up with joy.

His Prince had been celibate for twenty years, and the wait had been agonising for him to watch. Now that there was a legitimate reason, he was determined to fan the flames.

“Your Highness, he’s right inside,” Chongyang said. “I’ve prepared some things for you on the nightstand. Using them will make it easier for him and more pleasurable for you.”

Chu Chen had originally intended only to take a quick look, but after Chongyang’s words, he suddenly felt a wave of nervousness, the tips of his ears flushing red. It wasn’t surprising, really. In his past life, he had died miserably at twenty without ever having experienced a proper romance. This situation was, for him, a bit awkward…

“This Prince will be out after a quick look,” Chu Chen said, glaring at Chongyang.

Chongyang pursed his lips in a smile, remaining silent. He opened the door for Chu Chen and then stood guard at the entrance.

As Chu Chen entered the room, he saw a man bound hand and foot, thrown onto the bed, his head covered by a black cloth. Chu Chen started, thinking, ‘Why is he tied up? Is he here against his will?’

“You…” Chu Chen stepped forward and carefully lifted the black cloth, his gaze freezing as he saw the man’s face.

The man had sword-shaped eyebrows and star-like eyes, a straight, high-bridged nose, and thin lips stained with blood, as if he had bitten them… Yet the blood did not make him look dishevelled; instead, it made his stunningly handsome face even more striking.

‘What a handsome face!’ Chu Chen couldn’t help but admire.

When his eyes met the man’s, he found a gaze so sharp and piercing that Chu Chen felt as if he’d been burned. He quickly looked away, feeling a sudden wave of embarrassment. A thought flashed through his mind: ‘He looks familiar…’ but he couldn’t recall where he had seen him before.

“Um… let me untie you first,” Chu Chen said, reaching out to loosen the ropes. But the knots were tied in an extremely sensitive spot. After two attempts, he found himself too embarrassed to continue. He hadn’t untied the ropes, but his own face was now flushed crimson.

The bound man’s gaze, initially tinged with a faint ferocity, softened as he watched Chu Chen’s clumsy awkwardness. In his hand, tied behind his back, he still gripped a poisoned silver needle.

“I’ll find scissors… and cut the ropes for you.” Chu Chen stood up and rummaged through the cabinet by the bedside. He spotted a strangely shaped object and picked it up, only to realise what it was after a moment’s hesitation. Utterly mortified, he hurriedly threw it back onto the cabinet.

The man’s gaze fell on the object Chu Chen had tossed aside. He recognised it as a jade ‘dildo’…

Beside it sat a jar of ointment, on which Chongyang had thoughtfully written instructions on when and where to apply it…

Chu Chen: …

‘This is completely unnecessary!’

Chu Chen couldn’t find the scissors and instinctively turned to the man. He saw the other man watching him with a hint of amusement, and his face instantly flushed a deep red.

“The Emperor sent him a bed-warmer, Chongyang prepared everything, and Chu Chen walked in only to find a handsome man tied to the bed… along with some very suspicious ‘equipment.’ 😂

Honestly, I think Chu Chen needs a coffee after this chapter.
So does the translator. ☕😂

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