The clamor in the front courtyard continued late into the evening before finally quieting down.
With the major affair now settled, Cui Lingyao took a peaceful bath and was now nestled comfortably in bed, a story book in her hands.
She planned to finish the book before going to sleep.
The thought that she could return to the modern world tomorrow, where she could read all the novels she wanted, watch endless short videos, and play competitive online games, made it hard to contain her excitement.
The joy in her heart was written plainly on her face.
The snow outside fell heavier and heavier. Tree branches, overburdened with snow, let out the occasional CREAK that carried through the window, masking the sound of a man's soft footsteps.
Immersed in her excitement about returning home, Cui Lingyao was completely unaware of the quiet approach.
When Xie Jinbai entered, what he saw was the serene sight of her holding a story book, a faint smile playing on her lips.
It was as if she had no idea what the encroaching night signified.
Or rather, she didn't care at all.
She didn't care that tonight was his wedding night with another woman.
Nor did she care what he might be doing with that other woman.
A shadow suddenly fell over the pages of her book. Cui Lingyao looked up instinctively and saw that handsome, refined face.
The dashing, high-spirited youth of years past had, without her noticing, grown into an indomitable man.
Over the past few years, his aura of authority had grown, and he had become accustomed to being impassive. Unless he wished it, no one could discern his joy or anger.
But at this moment, that usually expressionless face seemed to hold a touch of frost.
Cui Lingyao froze. "Why have you come, Your Highness?"
Xie Jinbai didn't speak, only stared at her without blinking.
It was as if he wanted to see through her bright, watery eyes, to peer into their depths and find something beyond her surprise.
—Something he *wanted* to see.
After a long moment, Xie Jinbai withdrew his gaze. "I came to see you."
His tone was flat as he nonchalantly began to unfasten the collar of his robes.
He was undoing the second knot-button before Cui Lingyao reacted. "Tonight is Miss Li's special night. Your Highness should go to..."
"Silence!" Xie Jinbai's eyes snapped up to look directly at her. "You two do not need to address each other as sisters."
Cui Lingyao faltered for a second, then gave a slight nod and smiled. "Very well, I will remember."
A flawless smile.
Obedient and magnanimous.
She certainly had the tolerance expected of a main wife.
Xie Jinbai closed his eyes for a moment, avoiding her gaze, and shrugged off his outer robe in a few swift movements.
He lifted the covers and got into bed.
'Is he really going to stay the night?'
'On the very night his new concubine enters the manor, he doesn't go to her chambers.'
'This is a blatant slap in the face to Li Wanrong.'
'Isn't he supposed to be deeply devoted to her? Not only did he make an exception for the wedding banquet, but he also made me personally go and toast the couple?'
'How could he start giving her the cold shoulder the moment she's through the door?'
'This man's heart changes even faster than it did with me.'
As her thoughts spun, the man beside her gripped the nape of her neck. A familiar scent closed in, and then a warm pressure covered her lips.
Her teeth were pried apart...
The kiss was heavy.
As their lips and tongues intertwined, the emotions he transmitted were incredibly complex.
There was anger, annoyance, and also an undeniable, faint trace of reassurance.
His large hand slipped inside her collar.
Cui Lingyao's eyelashes fluttered and a muffled groan escaped her throat. Xie Jinbai finally released her lips.
He looked down at her and asked in a low voice, "Did you feel wronged today?"
The intense, tangled kiss had just ended, yet his expression remained calm. In comparison, the reddened corners of her eyes made her seem utterly flustered.
Cui Lingyao blinked, forcing back the reflexive tears welling in her eyes, and shook her head. "...No."
She didn't feel wronged, not even after he had made her attend the wedding banquet for his new concubine and congratulate the couple.
It was the expected answer. Xie Jinbai's lips thinned. After a pause, he said suddenly, "I was the one who had the wine switched."
"..." Cui Lingyao said nothing.
'Of course I knew he was the one who switched it.'
'After all, in a situation like today's, who else but him would have the power to switch the wine right under his own nose? Why did he need to point it out?'
'Does he want me to thank him?'
'But he was the one who ordered me to drink it in the first place.'
'In fact, if he hadn't ordered it, I wouldn't have had to go over there and be publicly humiliated.'
She remained silent for a long time, just staring at him with her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes.
The depths of her crystal-clear eyes were filled with nothing but surprise.
A surprise tinged with mockery.
Xie Jinbai's eyes darkened. Suppressing the surging emotions within him, he lowered his head and placed a kiss on her eyelashes.
"From now on, Mrs. Li will live in Yirong Pavilion. You two need not meet, nor do you need to address each other as sisters. Just act as if she doesn't exist. Is that clear?"
Without a second thought, Cui Lingyao nodded. "Perfectly clear."
She didn't know his reasons for doing this. Was he worried that Li Wanrong would be upset every time she saw the main wife and was reminded of her own status as a concubine? Or did he think that as long as she couldn't see Li Wanrong, she could deceive herself into believing everything was fine—that there was no one else between them?
Then again, Cui Lingyao wasn't curious.
'After all, none of this matters anymore.'
'I'm going home soon. Whether he has truly fallen for someone else or there's some hidden reason, it's all unimportant.'
'My goal has never changed: complete the mission, collect the reward, and go home to save my brother.'
'Whether he takes a concubine or not, it doesn't change anything.'
She agreed so readily, yet his expression remained displeased. He stared at her for several moments, then leaned down to kiss her lips again.
Toward the end, the kiss took on a scorching fierceness.
The thin sash of her nightgown was carelessly torn open, revealing the undergarment beneath. Large pink lotuses were embroidered on the moon-colored brocade, their lifelike petals rising in a gentle curve.
The beauty's skin was fair and delicate, her long, raven hair fanned out around her.
Everything about her was alluring.
Xie Jinbai watched her with downcast eyes for a moment before his large hand covered that spot.
He caressed her, slow and deliberate.
"Do you know what I would be doing tonight if I had gone to Mrs. Li's courtyard?"
Cui Lingyao's breathing grew ragged, but she didn't speak.
"Just like this. Everything I am doing to you now, I would repeat, without omission, on..."
"Don't say it!"
She turned her head away, her eyes squeezed shut, her voice on the verge of breaking.
Xie Jinbai's fingers paused. He reached out to turn her chin, his gaze sweeping over every inch of her face before settling on her tightly closed eyes. "Look at me."
The hand on her jaw tightened. Cui Lingyao frowned and opened her eyes.
Those moist, almond-shaped eyes were shimmering with a thin layer of tears.
It was unclear if they were from his actions or from his words.
Xie Jinbai lowered his head until their foreheads touched, his voice very soft. "Are you upset?"