Chapter 3: So Fierce

As the red silk veil fell, Nangong Yunshang lifted her gaze. In that instant, her phoenix eyes gleamed with a charm that was alluring yet refined, her soft look stirring tenderness in the heart. Her skin was like fresh cream, her vermilion lips and willow brows those of a fairy stepped from a painting. Few could appear so innocent and yet so seductive, and the phoenix crown and rosy cape lent her an extra touch of regal splendor.

Tao Chuyi stood frozen. Even with her mind muddled, her eyes shone bright. She stared at the new bride, gaze unwavering, afraid to blink and miss even a moment.

“Fairy Sister!” Tao Chuyi grinned foolishly.

The bridal attendants hurried forward, ready to serve the ceremonial wine.

At that moment, however, Nangong Yunshang spoke softly. “All of you, leave.”

The attendants exchanged uneasy glances. This went against tradition, but in the Princess Mansion, the princess’s word was law.

Nangong Yunshang lowered her eyes slightly, her voice turning cold. “Leave.”

“Yes!”

The attendants bowed one after another and withdrew, leaving only the “groom” and the bride in the bridal chamber.

Tao Chuyi was still lost in Nangong Yunshang’s beauty. She had never seen anyone so stunning—not even the figures in paintings could compare.

“Fairy Sister, should we drink the ceremonial wine?”

Nangong Yunshang watched her warily and made no move.

“All right.”

Tao Chuyi’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. Paired with her flushed cheeks, she looked every inch the lecherous drunkard seized by desire at the sight of beauty.

“Wine… but Chuyi is so sleepy.”

Tao Chuyi staggered forward drunkenly. With a loud thud, she tripped over her own feet and pitched straight forward, crashing into Nangong Yunshang.

“You…”

Nangong Yunshang darted back, snatching the dagger from beneath her pillow. The blade slid free with a hiss, glinting coldly.

Yet Tao Chuyi, thoroughly plastered, had already fallen into a deep, blissful slumber. She had no idea how close she’d come to losing her life.

Nangong Yunshang held the dagger to Tao Chuyi’s neck. Seeing no reaction, she prodded cautiously a couple of times. Still nothing.

“Asleep?”

Just then, a figure dropped lightly from the rafters. The woman wore black, her movements swift and agile, her steps feather-light—a trained operative through and through.

“This subordinate greets the Princess. How shall we deal with this fool? Why not just kill him?”

Nangong Yunshang glanced at Tao Chuyi’s defenseless sleeping face. A flicker of killing intent passed through her eyes, gone in an instant.

“Keep him. He’s still useful to us. If the groom dies on our wedding night, it’ll raise too many questions. Besides, I’ve gone to great lengths to bring the Dali Temple under my control. I won’t let some idiot ruin my plans.”

The black-clad woman nodded at once. “The Princess is right. This subordinate was short-sighted. And the square cloth on the bed… what should we do about that?”

Nangong Yunshang lowered her head. A flash of disgust crossed her face as she looked at the white square cloth. Then she took Tao Chuyi’s hand and drew the dagger lightly across each fingertip, coaxing beads of blood to well up. Grasping the hand firmly, she smeared the blood across the cloth in a messy stain, simulating the evidence of consummation.

With that done, she paid no more attention to the soundly sleeping fool.

“Have someone quietly bring in another bed.”

She had no intention of sharing a bed with this idiot. Separate rooms would invite gossip, however, so for now she would make do with separate beds in the same chamber.

The next day, a wail echoed from the princess’s quarters. Maids rushed in like a swarm of bees, crowding around the tear-streaked face of Tao Chuyi.

“What is it, Prince Consort?” Xichan asked anxiously.

Tao Chuyi burst into loud sobs. When the tears subsided, she began to hiccup.

“I bled. Am I dying?”

Only then did Xichan notice the small cut on her left index finger, where a trace of blood lingered. The wound had already begun to heal.

“Don’t worry, Prince Consort. You won’t die. It’s normal after marriage. It’ll be gone in a couple of days.”

Tricked by this reassurance, Tao Chuyi perked up at once. She wiped away her tears and began looking around.

“Where’s Fairy Sister?”

The maids glanced at one another, utterly baffled by her words.

At that very moment, Nangong Yunshang returned. She had already changed out of her wedding attire into robes patterned like lotus petals, which only heightened her radiant allure.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Princess!”

The roomful of maids dropped to their knees in salute. Tao Chuyi alone, like a fearless newborn calf unawed by tigers, ignored her shoes entirely and dashed over, plopping down on the floor to hug Nangong Yunshang’s leg.

“Fairy Sister, you’re back!”

Nangong Yunshang tried to shake her off, but this fool—whatever she was fed growing up—proved immovable. Her expression darkened instantly.

Xichan, ever the sharp one, hurried over and tugged her young master away.

“All of you, out. This palace has words for the Prince Consort.”

The maids had come quickly and left just as fast. Soon, only the two of them remained in the room. No trace of the bridal chamber lingered; Nangong Yunshang had ordered the festive couplets and red candles cleared away at first light.

“Fairy Sister, you’re so pretty. Chuyi likes you.”

Tao Chuyi blinked her eyes and spoke in a soft, obedient coo.

Nangong Yunshang seated herself on the bed, poised and majestic, keeping a vast distance between them.

“Do not call me Fairy Sister. Call me Your Highness the Princess.”

Though Tao Chuyi couldn’t read the room well, she sensed the shift in aura immediately. The moment Nangong Yunshang’s face turned cold, she darted behind a pillar.

“Princess… Your Highness?”

Nangong Yunshang acknowledged her with a soft hum. “Also, while in the Princess Mansion, you are to stay within this courtyard. No wandering. From now on, you sleep on the bed opposite this one. Do not climb onto this bed again, or this palace cannot guarantee what might happen to you. Understood?”

Fairy Sister was so scary… so fierce.

Tao Chuyi nodded woodenly, still refusing to emerge from behind the pillar.

Seeing her so terrified of her, Nangong Yunshang cleared her throat lightly. She had no desire to torment a simpleton. As long as she caused no trouble, she would leave her be.

“How old are you this year?”

Tao Chuyi pondered the question with utmost seriousness, counting back and forth on her fingers. At last, she beamed.

“Three! Chuyi is three!”

Nangong Yunshang stared at her in disbelief. “Do you know what comes after three?”

“Three? Three?”

This stumped her completely. She counted on her fingers over and over until inspiration struck.

“It’s three plus one!”

Nangong Yunshang let out a soft chuckle, amused at herself for taking a simpleton so seriously. Clearly, this little fool could count no higher than three.

Once Nangong Yunshang had departed, Tao Chuyi finally crept out from behind the pillar. Xichan helped her wash up and change clothes. When all was in order, a maid from the Princess Mansion arrived to escort her to break her fast with the princess.

The same person who had earlier thrown herself at Fairy Sister now refused to budge, no matter what.

With no other choice, the maids brought breakfast to the room.

Tao Chuyi slurped her porridge and gnawed on steamed buns. Whenever a crumb clung to her lips, Xichan wiped it away at once. She focused solely on eating. When the buns ran out, she reached straight for the dessert plate and snatched a piece of cherry cream cake.

As she ate, a commotion stirred outside the door. Moments later, a servant bowed low as they entered to pay respects.