Chapter 039: Volunteering to Be a Father
The sound of hooves thundered, and the wind whistled past her ears.
When Wu Wanqing desperately spurred her horse to chase after the Crown Prince, she knew many people would watch her, guessing she was trying to curry favor with him. She was also aware that she would inevitably become the subject of gossip, as few would openly prepare tea and present it to the Crown Prince in full view of everyone.
Of course, everyone wanted to win the Crown Prince’s favor, but her attempts were too obvious, her eagerness too blatant. She hadn’t even bothered to avoid the eyes of those around her, making it inevitable that she would be mocked and ridiculed.
Some things were done by everyone, but those who acted in secret would always laugh at those who did so openly.
She knew she would be scorned and derided—accused of climbing the social ladder, of being vain and ambitious—but she had no way back.
After her father’s death, there was no one left to support the Wu family. Though she had a younger brother, he was only seven years old, still a child.
Without her father as the pillar of the family, the Wu clan would quickly decline. Even with Imperial Consort Wan’s support, it would be of little use.
Her mother could only try to marry her off to a higher-ranking family, using the alliance to sustain the Wu family’s former glory.
From birth, she had been taught music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, trained in the gentlemanly arts of riding and archery, and had painstakingly mastered household management and accounting. She excelled in everything—which prospective Pomu wouldn’t be satisfied, which young master wouldn’t be pleased?
The Wu family had invested so much in her education. Surely, at this critical moment, it had to be put to use.
This “use” meant marrying into a higher status.
And since it was a marriage of status, she would inevitably have to endure some hardships.
The man her mother had chosen for her was a forty-five-year-old widower. Though his principal wife was gone, his household was filled with concubines. His Legitimate Son was three years older than her, and the sons and daughters of concubines were still waiting to be married off. Once she married into such a family, aside from being bedded by an old man, she would have to manage the entire household.
Though she would gain status, her life would undoubtedly be unhappy.
She did not want such a marriage of status.
Moreover, she still couldn’t let go of the Crown Prince.
She had loved him since childhood and continued to do so. After so many days and nights, she couldn’t forget him. Compared to marrying someone else for status, she would rather marry the Crown Prince.
But she knew the Crown Prince would never marry her.
Her mother and father had long told her that their political allegiances differed. Even if the Crown Prince and she were mutually attracted, Wu’s Father and Wu’s Mother would never agree. Who would marry their daughter to a political enemy? Of course—Imperial Consort Wan actually approved.
But Imperial Consort Wan’s approval wasn’t out of hope for their happiness; it was because she wanted to use Wu Wanqing to make the Crown Prince’s life difficult.
Imperial Consort Wan had always wanted to plant women and scandals around the Crown Prince. If she could use her own family’s child to achieve something and bring the Crown Prince down, Imperial Consort Wan would be more than willing.
This was also why the Crown Prince had always avoided her.
If her father were still alive, if she still had a respectable background and other paths to take, she could have found another husband in the future. She would have gradually suppressed her feelings for the Crown Prince and devoted herself to supporting another man and raising his children.
But she had no other path. She was about to be married off to an old widower!
A man of forty-five, with a household full of wives and concubines, his body long since drained—who knows if he’s still capable? It’s entirely possible that if she married him, she would never have a child of her own in this lifetime, only toiling away raising someone else’s children! And those children were already grown, even the youngest old enough to understand things, all knowing who their birth mothers were—who would truly respect and honor her?
How could she possibly be willing?
So she had to fight for herself.
Even if it meant using some underhanded methods, as long as she could cling to the Crown Prince, it would be enough. Of course, she knew her status wouldn’t allow her to become the Crown Princess, but even as a concubine would do.
Being a concubine to the Crown Prince was a high enough status. Whether it was the Second Imperial Brother or the Crown Prince who ascended the throne in the future, it would be enough to ensure the continued glory of the Wu family—at the very least, they wouldn’t be purged.
Of course… the Crown Prince wouldn’t dote on her much. She knew that. He would surely suspect this incident, but as long as he had no proof, she could grit her teeth and hold on.
She believed that with her persistent, drip-by-drip efforts, even if the Crown Prince disliked her, he wouldn’t kill her. And after today… she could even bear him a child.
As long as she had this child, she would definitely be able to enter the gates of the Eastern Palace.
The horse trotted along the mountain path, swaying branches brushing against her sleeves. The cold wind pierced through her clothes, but Wu Wanqing’s eyes remained fixed on the Crown Prince’s horse at the very front.
She couldn’t stop.
The Crown Prince ahead never slowed his horse’s pace. Those behind gradually fell away, with only a few skilled riders managing to keep up—among them, Wu Wanqing was the only woman.
Before her eyes, trees flashed by in a blur, layers upon layers of crimson maple leaves. The forest carried the damp, earthy scent of recent rain. The mountain path twisted and turned, its destination unknown. As the Crown Prince surveyed the surrounding mountain scenery, he gradually eased his horse’s speed.
His mind was a tangled mess on this outing. He couldn’t even sort out what he wanted now. What he wished to do, he couldn’t. He couldn’t accept raising another man’s child, yet he couldn’t let go either. Torn between conflicting thoughts, it felt as though a massive boulder were lodged in his chest, stifling his breath and souring his mood. He was in no state to vent his anger, so it weighed heavily upon him.
He truly was—
As the Crown Prince let his horse wander aimlessly, frowning in contemplation, there were hardly any people around. Occasionally, a white rabbit darted past, and the Crown Prince shot an arrow, striking it squarely.
It was all too easy, leaving him utterly unimpressed. A surge of frustration with no outlet only grew fiercer within his chest, burning hotter and hotter.
The forest shouldn’t have had so many tame rabbits, but since the young masters had come to hunt, the servants below dared not let them return empty-handed, so they had released many rabbits, fawns, and the like into the woods.
These animals had been given anesthetics in advance, so anyone could shoot and kill them with a single arrow—which was why the Crown Prince found it dull.
A fire had been smoldering in his heart all along, and for some reason, it now blazed more fiercely than ever. It seemed to burn from within his very body, sending a strange, tingling itch coursing through the marrow of his bones.
This sensation came on violently, making it hard to suppress. It felt as though something were trying to claw its way out of his flesh and bones, leaving him inexplicably dizzy and muddle-headed.
At this moment, he did not realize he had fallen into someone else’s trap, thinking instead that he was simply driven mad by desire—these past days, every time he thought of Liu Yandai, he felt so stifled with anger that his chest tightened. He was angry when he didn’t see her, and even angrier after seeing her, so much so that he couldn’t utter a word.
“Excellent shot, Crown Prince!” someone called out from behind.
Most of the group that had been following the Crown Prince earlier had failed to keep up, and fearing they might get lost in the forest, they had slowed their pace. At this point, only five people remained around him.
Four young nobles of prominent families, and Wu Wanqing.
Her father had served in the military, having fought in Nanjiang in earlier years. She had lived in Nanjiang for a time as a child, and not only could she ride horses, but she also knew how to make some poisons. Skilled in archery and horsemanship from a young age, she had even practiced swordsmanship as a child, possessing many qualities ordinary young ladies lacked. This was the confidence that allowed her to follow along.
At that moment, the wind rustled through the leaves in the mountain forest, filling their ears with a whispering sound. The Crown Prince, his mind unsettled, turned at the voice behind him and saw the other young nobles riding over on their horses.
The young nobles dismounted to retrieve the game, but Wu Wanqing remained unmoving.
Surrounded by crimson maple leaves, Wu Wanqing sat atop a black horse, dressed in pure white riding attire. She pursed her lips and offered the Crown Prince a gentle smile before saying, “Your Highness is an excellent rider and archer. Such a plump rabbit—why don’tt we start a fire here and roast some rabbit meat to eat?”
The Crown Prince swept a cold glance over her, his voice icy as he replied, “Unnecessary.”
As he spoke, he turned his horse around and began heading back.
Clearly, he had no desire to speak further with this group. In his eyes, their flattery was nothing but a nuisance.
The other young gentlemen vaguely sensed the Crown Prince’s somewhat irritable mood—they were not familiar with him, having only heard that his temperament was usually steady and stern. Why was he so irritable today? Who had provoked the Crown Prince?
None of them understood why, and naturally, they dared not follow him, merely holding the dead rabbit and exchanging bewildered glances.
Among them, the only one who dared to follow was Wu Wanqing.
She was more than happy that the others didn’t dare to follow. It would be best if only the two of them remained in this forest.
——
Mountain paths were common at the foot of the hills, but the deeper one ventured, the more rugged they became. Eventually, wild grass would cover the trails, making it feel as though one were wandering through the mountains. Ahead lay maple trees so dense they blotted out the sky, while behind, the path they had taken became indistinguishable. In the heart of the mountains, one felt as though they might lose themselves.
Riding on horseback, the Crown Prince initially noticed nothing amiss. But the longer he rode, the more muddled his mind became, as if he were losing control.
He reached into his sleeve and swallowed a detoxification pill he carried with him.
This pill was formulated by the imperial physicians of the palace and could neutralize most common poisons. However, he did not know when he had been poisoned.
Throughout the day, he had not—
The pungent medicinal effect coursed through his body, rushing to his mind and bringing a sudden clarity. Abruptly, the Crown Prince recalled the cup of tea he had drunk earlier that day.
When the maid had served it, out of habit, he had taken the first cup on the left.
Was it only this cup that was poisoned, or were all of them? Who had drugged him?
The Second Prince?
Impossible. The Second Prince would know he carried detoxification pills. Even the deadliest poison could not take his life.
One question after another surged into his mind as his thoughts cleared. Just as he was about to reach for the whistle arrow in his chest to summon the Jinwu Guards, he suddenly heard the sound of hoofbeats approaching from behind.
The Crown Prince turned around warily.
As he turned, he caught sight of a familiar slender figure.
“Crown Prince Brother—” The wind swept through, rustling the branches as Wu Wanqing’s face drew closer and closer.
The Crown Prince gripped the whistle arrow in his hand but did not release it immediately.
His personal guards were nearby, ready to provide support at any moment. However, the person standing in the woods was not the assassin he had suspected, but Wu Wanqing.
Dressed in a snow-white riding outfit, Wu Wanqing urged her horse forward eagerly upon seeing the Crown Prince standing there, calling out softly, “Crown Prince Brother—what, what happened to you?”
The Crown Prince had assumed that after swallowing the detoxification pill, his body would be fine. Relying on the clarity of mind it provided, he dared to engage with her patiently. “What are you doing here?”
By now, the Crown Prince had begun to suspect that Wu Wanqing was the one who had drugged him. Earlier in the cave, his mind had been in disarray, and he hadn’t thought to ask who was responsible, leading to a grave mistake. Now, he grew more cautious, pretending not to know and trying to draw information from her.
Wu Wanqing slowly dismounted from her horse and approached the Crown Prince step by step.
As she walked over, her white boots crunched through the thick layer of fallen maple leaves, making a crisp, crackling sound. When she reached the Crown Prince’s horse and looked up at him, her voice trembled with emotion.
“Crown Prince Brother, my father has passed away.” These words from Wu Wanqing caused the Crown Prince to pause briefly.
Of course, he knew that Wu Wanqing’s father had died. In fact, it was a plan he had orchestrated himself.
If he wanted to stage a murder, he naturally had to target someone who opposed him. Wu Wanqing’s father, Wu Xingzhi, was a staunch supporter of the Second Prince, and it had taken considerable effort to eliminate him and successfully frame the Southern Gu Master for the crime. The Ji Gu Guard had been searching only for Gu, which was why they had lost their way. What they should have been looking for was the person behind it all.
People fear the terror of Gu, but Gu knows the poison in human hearts. At times, humans can be far more terrifying than a few insects.
As the Crown Prince reflected on these matters, his gaze toward Wu Wanqing grew even colder.
He wondered, had Wu Wanqing discovered the truth about her father’s death and come here seeking revenge?
If so, it was fortunate he hadn’t called for his guards earlier. This matter was best handled by him personally, and he could also press her for information on how she had found out.
As a woman who had never set foot in the imperial court, she shouldn’t have known such things. Could there have been a leak on his end?
The young lady standing before him appeared tearful and choked with emotion, but the Crown Prince felt no pity or hesitation in the face of Wu Wanqing’s sorrowful and pitiable demeanor.
Just as the Second Prince had conspired against Zhennan Wang, hoping to have him die in Nanjiang, the Crown Prince had been equally ruthless toward Wu Xingzhi. In his position, it was difficult to show mercy for the sake of a woman, especially one he did not love in the slightest.
The Crown Prince’s hand slowly moved to his waist.
He carried a heavy blade at his side, and in close combat, even four men were no match for him, let alone Wu Wanqing.
But in the next moment, he heard Wu Wanqing sob, “Crown Prince Brother, marry me. Take pity on me and give me a reason to live.”
The Crown Prince’s grip on his blade tightened, and he looked up in surprise.
He stared fixedly at Wu Wanqing’s face, as if trying to discern what she was truly thinking from her words and expression. But no matter how intently the Crown Prince looked, the only message written across that face was: brainless.
“I—marry you?” The Crown Prince furrowed his brow, repeating the words. He thought to himself, if Wu Xingzhi knew in the afterlife that he had such a daughter, he would rise from his grave in fury and drag her down with him.
“Yes, Crown Prince, marry me.” Seeing that the Crown Prince seemed to be pondering with a furrowed brow and hadn’t outright refused, Wu Wanqing took a few steps forward, forcing a flattering smile. She said, “I want nothing else, only Your Highness. You know, I have always, always—”
Wu Wanqing was lost in her own thoughts, gazing up at the Crown Prince mounted on his tall steed.
She did not understand.
Some things, if you cannot obtain them even when standing tall and striving to shine with your own brilliance, will certainly remain out of reach if you kneel and weep in desperation.
Instead, you will only sink into a more wretched and contemptible state.
Unaware that she was being looked down upon by the Crown Prince, she even felt a faint sense of certainty.
She had met the Crown Prince in her childhood and later often visited Imperial Consort Wan’s palace. Imperial Consort Wan had once considered arranging a match between her and the Crown Prince, so she had learned many of his habits.
When the Crown Prince picked something up, he would always take the first one on the left.
It was precisely because she knew this that she dared to take such a huge gamble.
And what she had used was no ordinary poison—it was Gu.
Dachen bordered Nanjiang, so all sorts of strange and unusual Gu were common. Although Dachen publicly prohibited the use of Gu, with the punishment being the execution of the entire family if caught, it was impossible to eradicate it entirely in secret.
The wealthy and powerful sought longevity, the wives and concubines in the inner quarters wanted sons, martial artists sought greater strength, doctors desired extraordinary skills, feuding families wished for their rivals to die suddenly, and even food vendors hoped their offerings would become popular and uniquely delicious. Gu worms, being pervasive, could infiltrate any trade or profession, fulfilling all manner of bizarre desires. Who could possibly ban them?
Where there was desire, there were those who used Gu; where there were those who used Gu, there were those willing to pay for it. Even the Qin Family Army had become invincible only after consuming Gu. If even the Qin Family Army was like this, how could others not covet it?
It was precisely because the prohibition was ineffective that Dachen had established a specialized Ji Gu Guard.
The Gu in Wu Wanqing’s possession had come from Nanjiang. Back when her mother had given birth to her and could not conceive a son afterward, in a moment of desperation, she had used this type of Gu—this Gu had to be nurtured by a woman, but when used, it had to be planted on a man through the water in a cup.
Once a man was affected, he would become like a beast in heat, seeking women. Any woman who coupled with a man in this state would inevitably become pregnant and give birth to a healthy male child—one even healthier than an ordinary male child.
This Gu was worth a fortune. It had been given to her mother by a female Gu master whom her mother had once saved by chance. The female Gu master had gifted her mother two of these Gu. Her mother had only dared to use one herself, saving the other for her daughter, so that she could bear a son as soon as she married into her husband’s family.
Now, this Gu had been given to the Crown Prince.
This is Gu, not poison. No matter what antidote the Crown Prince takes, it’s useless; it only brings him brief clarity.
Sooner or later, the Crown Prince will still lose his sanity.
When Wu Wanqing walked to within three steps of the Crown Prince, his vision suddenly blurred, and he nearly fell right off his horse!
Wu Wanqing reached out to steady the Crown Prince.
But in that split second, the Crown Prince suddenly drew the sword from his waist and swung it forcefully at Wu Wanqing.
He intended to cut this person down with one strike, but the strength in his hand suddenly vanished, and he lost control. Instead of a clean slash, the sword fell weakly.
The sword was heavy; even if it wasn’t a slash but merely a forceful impact, it could still injure.
Wu Wanqing had assumed the Crown Prince was incapacitated, which was why she dared to approach. But who could have expected the Crown Prince could still retaliate? In a flash, she was wounded by the blade, letting out a startled cry of “Ah!” as she collapsed. At that very moment, the Crown Prince kicked his stirrup against the horse.
The horse neighed and immediately began galloping wildly through the forest, carrying the Crown Prince, whose mind was clouded and barely conscious, to who knows where.
——
“Young Lady Liu, did you hear the sound of hoofbeats?” In another part of the dense forest, Young Master Lin and Liu Chunyu stood facing each other, their faces flushed as they spoke.
Liu Chunyu clutched a handkerchief in her hand, pondering when to drop it, her tone somewhat stiff: “N-no, I didn’t hear anything.”
Young Master Lin tilted his head, as if trying to listen, but his gaze kept inadvertently drifting to the handkerchief in Liu Chunyu’s hand. Thus, his thoughts were in disarray, and he didn’t pay attention to the sounds outside.
Perhaps… he had misheard?
Not far from them, Liu Yandai stood before a maple tree.
Not only was she standing there, but she also kept exclaiming things like, “Oh, this maple tree is truly a maple tree!” while gradually moving farther away, trying to give the two of them a quiet space.
At the very least, let them complete the process of “you drop the handkerchief, and I’ll pick it up”!
Liu Yandai walked along the mountain path, gradually moving into a maple grove where no one else was around. Occasionally, she peeked over and saw that Liu Chunyu and Young Master Lin had wandered off.
Because the two wanted a private meeting and to avoid being seen, the three of them had been heading toward secluded areas. Now, there was no one around.
After Liu Yandai walked a bit farther and the two were out of sight, it seemed as if she was the only person left in the world.
She was timid, but only when interacting with people. In the forest, she felt at ease, unafraid of things like darkness or insects. Moreover, having spent a long time in the mountains, she naturally had a way of finding her bearings and wasn’t afraid of getting lost. She simply counted the hours leisurely.
They had entered the mountains at Chen hour (7–9 a.m.). Later, it rained, and by the time they emerged from the cave, it was already Wu hour (11 a.m.–1 p.m.). After lingering in the mountains until now, it was Shen hour (3–5 p.m.).
Liu Yandai casually plucked a leaf from a maple tree, thinking she would press it between the pages of a book. In time, it would become a very dry leaf and could be preserved for a long time.
She planned to write about the day’s events on the maple leaf.
She had come out to play with Pomu, met new friends, and one of them was trying to find a suitable young master. It seemed she was close to succeeding.
She thought that if Young Master Lin wasn’t interested, he definitely wouldn’t have followed them into such a secluded place without a word.
Liu Yandai had grown much wiser now. Qin Chanyue patiently taught her, gradually helping her understand many of the “unseen rules” hidden beneath the surface. She had even learned how to coax information out of Liu Chunyu—look how clever she had become!
Holding the leaf in her hand, she thought: A long, long time from now, when Pomu had grown old, and Liu Chunyu had married Young Master Lin, she would take out this maple leaf again to reminisce about this day from many years past. It would surely be a wonderful memory.
Liu Yandai raised the leaf high above her head, watching as sunlight filtered through the branches and fell upon the maple leaf, then onto her brows and eyes. As she tucked the leaf away, she couldn’t help but think of Liu Chunyu and Young Master Lin.
The two of them seemed deeply in love—how lovely.
When she first married, she truly had no choice in the matter. Women in Dachen all had to marry; those who didn’t would be gossiped about. Even the emperor’s daughters had to wed, let alone her—Shufu was not her biological father and couldn’t keep her in the household forever. Shufu himself had never married, so choosing a husband for her was truly difficult, and he couldn’t look within the Qin Family Army either.
There were indeed many men in the Qin Family Army, but none could father children. Some had already married very early, having children at fifteen or sixteen before taking the Gu poison and joining the Qin Family Army. So they were both infertile, and some already had children.
As the Southern Barbarians insulted them, they were “eunuch dogs” who couldn’t produce offspring, so she could only marry outside.
Shufu didn’t trust others, so he gave her to Pomu. When she married, she initially held hopes for her future husband, but after meeting Zhou Yuanting, those hopes faded.
She was already married, and there was no turning back now. She could only think that perhaps it was for the best—no one liked her, and she had never liked anyone else either. At the very least, she wouldn’t have to worry about being hurt.
Still, when she saw others enjoying sweet moments, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness.
Liu Yandai fiddled with the maple leaf in her hand and thought, maybe…
Should she try finding a male concubine in the future?
Things like male concubines—she could now keep them freely for amusement. She knew no one would interfere; Pomu wouldn’t, and Zhou Yuanting couldn’t.
During this time, she had learned many things from Pomu and gradually understood many truths. Some people were constantly hurt because they lacked status, but now that she had status, no one could harm her anymore.
Just like before, when Zhou Yuanting didn’t value her, she had no status and couldn’t reprimand Bai Yuning. But now, with Pomu’s favor and her own status, she could scold Bai Yuning.
Status was a broad concept, seemingly just a few words, but only those trapped in it knew how important it truly was.
In other words, within the Houfu, she had become like Zhou Yuanting in the past.
Just as Zhou Yuanting had treated her before, she now had the right to treat others the same way. She had become a “superior.”
A superior didn’t need to fear being hurt because no one could harm her.
During this time, she had observed Zhou Hai serving Pomu each time. Pomu indeed seemed increasingly content and at ease. Although she hadn’t tried it herself, she heard that Zhou Hai was quite skilled in bed, to the point where Pomu had even rewarded him with a managerial position. It seemed Zhou Hai had something to offer.
Thinking about matters between men and women, Liu Yandai felt her face flush and her heart race.
She had actually read some storybooks before—young women were supposed to before marriage—but it all felt like empty theory.
She had heard that such things could bring one the ultimate pleasure in the world. She was a woman too; surely she couldn’t go her whole life without experiencing it?
She decided: after the braised beef child in her belly was born, she would secretly find a male concubine to play with.
Pomu had given her people, and there were still seven left!
With this thought, Liu Yandai’s mood lifted considerably. She casually plucked three maple leaves and was just stacking them over her chest when she suddenly heard the sound of hoofbeats in the distance.
The sound of hooves was slow, as if wandering over casually. When she turned around, she saw a jujube-red tall horse ambling along. Its mane was braided into small plaits that bounced with each step. On the horse’s back lay a person in a black robe.
Wasn’t this—
Liu Yandai instinctively took two steps closer.
The horse was just about to pass by her.
It came too close, its snorts drifting around her, familiar white mist spraying beside her ear. Liu Yandai tilted her head to look up when suddenly the person on the horse fell off. Startled, she let out a sharp cry as she was crushed to the ground by this mountain of flesh!
So heavy!
Liu Yandai gasped in shock, instinctively lifting her legs to kick and reaching out to claw, but both her hands were instantly pinned above her head. A knee forced her legs apart, and when she looked up in shock, she saw a sharp, cold face hovering above hers. His eyes were blood-red as he murmured her name.
It was the Crown Prince!
“Liu—” a hoarse, deep voice whispered tightly against her ear, his rapid breaths falling beside it.
“Yandai.”
At the same time, his hand slid down from her head, tearing at her collar, rubbing heavily as if he had been restraining himself for too long.
Liu Yandai screamed in alarm, “Crown Prince, Crown Prince!”
What was wrong with him?
She tried to kick him, but it was useless. He seemed already delirious, as if everything were a dream. Seeing her struggle, he clung to her, pleading.
“Don’t kick me,” he begged, rubbing his cold, hard jaw against hers, breathing heavily. “Let me kiss you.”
He was like a man parched in the desert who had finally found water, desperate to plunge in, to open his mouth and greedily lick, swallow, and suck this sweet nectar. Desire, magnified a thousandfold, shattered his pride and arrogance, turning him into a tamed, enslaved dog. Or perhaps, once lust takes over, a man thinks only with his other brain; just a flick of a foot, and he would wag his tail and come to lick.
The three maple leaves she had just picked up flew from her clothes and fell to the ground. The white jade lamb swayed and shattered. Holding her in a daze, he uttered the longing he had always condemned amidst her short, startled cries.
“I—I will raise your child.”