Chapter 69 Pillow Talk

Chapter 69 Pillow Talk

She couldn't directly offer Chu Nan any strategies.

The matter of Princess Jinping was a family affair but also related to state affairs. If she spoke rashly, it could be seen as meddling in politics. At this moment, she and Chu Nan were deeply in love, so he wouldn't mind. However, if Chu Nan became wary in the future, this action might become a fatal accusation against her.

She needed to resolve this issue without giving herself a handle for interfering in political matters.

With a slight movement of her heart, Fan Xueyao gently swayed her wrist and sat beside Chu Nan. She casually waved her silk fan and pouted angrily, saying, "Although the princess and the prince consort are husband and wife, they are also ruler and minister. The princess is kind-hearted and adheres to the ways of a virtuous wife, not demanding the formalities of ruler and minister from the prince consort. The distinction between ruler and minister applies not only to officials and ministers. The prince consort, being royal kin, must be cautious in his words and actions to set an example for the world."

Chu Nan's eyes gradually brightened.

Fan Xueyao continued to chide indignantly, seemingly unaware of his reaction: "Moreover, when the princess married Prince Xiao, many concubines accompanied her. If it's about producing heirs, the concubines can fulfill that role. If it's about beauty, how can a noble prince consort, a member of the royal family, indulge in lust, damaging the dignity of the imperial house? Furthermore, those concubines who disrespect the princess violate the ways of a virtuous wife and commit treason by disrespecting the princess. Such unrighteous people should not be favored. Today, Princess Jinping is seriously ill because those concubines have violated the hierarchy. However, these concubines are lowly; if not for Prince Xiao's indulgence, how could they dare to offend the princess?"

Filled with righteous indignation, Fan Xueyao's eyes welled up, and she choked back tears, saying, "The princess truly has a bitter fate, having married the wrong person. If it weren't for the wet nurse's letter exposing this, who knows to what extent this person would have harmed the princess?"

Seeing her suddenly cry, Chu Nan, without thinking further, hurriedly comforted her, "Why are you crying? I'm here to stand up for Jinping."

"I don't... want to cry, but... I can't help it."

"The hardest thing in this world is being a woman."

Fan Xueyao shook her head, avoiding his hand that reached out to wipe away her tears. She turned slightly, sobbing through her tears, "When I was young, just learning to walk, I had to learn needlework. Even with my fingers bleeding, I only wrapped them in gauze and continued. As I grew older, I had to practice etiquette under the guidance of a governess. Any slight mistake—lifting my hands too high or taking too large a step—would result in punishment, ranging from hunger to whipping. This wasn't even the worst part."

Wiping away her tears, Fan Xueyao continued, "What hurt me most was during festivals, when my brothers went out to enjoy lanterns and boats, while I could only watch from within the inner courtyard, filled with envy. In fourteen years of seclusion, I stepped outside the inner courtyard only a handful of times. As I grew older, I began worrying about my future. Studying poetry and needlework was all for finding a good husband and a happy home, hoping for a harmonious marriage. But marriage decisions are not left to us women. Will it bring a lifetime of happiness or misery? All we can do is pray to the gods for some mercy."

With tears in her eyes, Fan Xueyao looked at Chu Nan and murmured, "I am fortunate to be an imperial concubine and to have gained the emperor's affection. But what about Princess Jinping, a noble princess raised in luxury and comfort, envied by all? In just a few years, because she married the wrong person, even a lowly concubine dares to offend her. Ordinary women could seek help from their families, but for the sake of the imperial family's reputation, the princess can only suffer silently. How heartbreaking!"

Chu Nan's face darkened. Some things he hadn't thought about before now filled him with anger and frustration.

He and Jinping were siblings, and Jinping, being a non-threatening princess, had no conflicts or competition, maintaining a harmonious relationship. However, due to gender differences, despite being siblings, they lived separately. He was busy with studies, and Jinping lived in the inner palace, so they weren't very close. By the time he was older, Jinping had already married.

Because of this, although he was angry about Jinping's situation, he didn't feel the same deep sorrow.

However, Fan Xueyao cleverly chose to share her own experiences and emotions, using her tears to convey Jinping's suffering and her own pain and despair over the years.

Chu Nan loved her, and every tear she shed pained him. Hearing her words, he empathized more deeply with Jinping's suffering.

Princess Jinping, the emperor's sister, deserved to be treated well by her prince consort, as Fan Xueyao said. If it was about heirs, the concubines could bear children, and even if Jinping couldn't, adopting a child would be legitimate.

But Xiao Shi was indulging in debauchery, keeping numerous beautiful concubines, and openly flirting with them in front of the princess, behaving shamelessly.

Recalling the wet nurse's letter, Xiao Shi's friends had warned him not to favor concubines over his wife, but he ignored them and continued his misconduct. During the princess's illness, he not only neglected her but also sought pleasure with maidservants. Jinping's illness was caused by his behavior!

Such conduct disrespected the princess's dignity and the imperial family's honor.

Fan Xueyao saw the right moment and sobbed, "When we were under our parents' care, we were cherished like treasures, but once married, we are trampled upon like weeds. I'd rather never have children than bear a princess to suffer such humiliation!"

If he didn't deal with him, the imperial family's honor would be compromised!

Chu Nan thought sternly, realizing that his future princess would also marry. If he didn't establish his stance now, his daughter might suffer the same fate as Jinping.

Thinking of Fan Xueyao and his future princess, he imagined them as lovely and precious.

Fan Xueyao cared so much for her children; if their princess were mistreated by her prince consort, it would break her heart.

Such behavior could not be forgiven!

Having made up his mind, Chu Nan felt relieved. Seeing Fan Xueyao wiping her tears, her ears red from crying, he hugged her and comforted her, "How can you say such things? If others hear, your life would be in danger. Stop crying. I won't let such scoundrels go unpunished. Let's see who dares to mistreat our imperial princess in the future!"

Fan Xueyao lifted her head, revealing a tear-streaked face flushed with emotion, like a pear blossom in the rain, beautiful yet heart-wrenching.

She sniffled pitifully and pleaded, "In the future, if I bear a princess, please don't marry her far away, okay? Let her marry a gentleman in the Capital so I can occasionally see her and prevent her from being mistreated and suffering in silence..."

"Of course," Chu Nan agreed, gently wiping away her tears and soothing her with soft words, "I'll build a grand garden for our princess to live in. Whenever you miss her, I'll have her brought to the palace to talk. With me as her father, who would dare make our princess suffer?"

"You must keep your word, Your Majesty."

Fan Xueyao finally smiled through her tears, leaning into his embrace. She playfully poked his chest and whispered, "Not only should we build a garden for our princess, but we must ensure her happiness fundamentally. The prince consort must be chosen based on character, not just talent. That Xiao Shi, though skilled in poetry and arts, lacks virtue. Talent alone cannot bring happiness. We need a good man, not just a talented one."

Smiling sweetly at Chu Nan, she added, "Thinking about it, I am truly blessed to be your concubine and gain your affection."

Flattered by her praise, Chu Nan blushed and teased, "Are you so sweet because you ate sugar in your past lives?"

"Is that so? Then taste it..." Fan Xueyao's eyes sparkled with tenderness as she leaned in to kiss his lips.

Chu Nan reacted quickly, capturing her lips and deepening the kiss. He gently bit and then sucked, creating a tingling sensation.

Fan Xueyao's face flushed red as she hummed softly, enduring the passionate kiss. Soon, she wrapped her arms around Chu Nan's shoulders, falling into his embrace. She tried to escape the clinging lips, gasping for air, but was immediately kissed again, her mouth invaded by his tongue. It seemed they wouldn't part anytime soon.

Huaping peeked in and, seeing Chu Nan's hand slipping into Fan Xueyao's silk blouse, quickly withdrew, startled.

Chun Die asked quietly, "How is it? Should we bring the little prince?"

Huaping's face flushed, though she was used to serving Zhaoyi, such scenes still embarrassed her. She whispered, "No need to bring the little prince. Inform Fu Yun and Qionghua to prepare hot water. They might need it later."

Chun Die nodded and hurried out. Outside, the autumn heat intensified her blush, and she fanned herself, heading towards the front.

Seeing Chun Die leave, several maids gathered and whispered.

Diao'er asked, "They're at it again?"

Huaping nodded and whispered, "They've just lain down. It will take a while. Go attend to your duties. I'll call you when they finish."

Tiao'er nodded and tiptoed to fetch the embroidered fan she had been working on earlier, then went to the eastern side room to continue her work. The hall was equipped with ice basins, making it much cooler than the outer chambers. They always preferred staying in the hall during winter and summer for warmth or coolness, refusing to leave even when urged.

The young palace maids were careful not to make any noise that might disturb those inside, fearing they would offend their masters' moods. Thus, whenever the emperor arrived, they tended to keep their distance.

Serving others was a difficult task, especially serving the emperor.

Doing a good job was their duty, but any mistake could lead to severe punishment.

As Fan Xueyao's most trusted maid, Huaping couldn't be far away. While the activities continued inside, she had to wait outside, ready to enter at the first call. She brought a footstool, fanning herself while listening attentively for any sounds from within.

After a while, the commotion inside gradually ceased, followed by a period of silence before Chu Nan called out, "Someone, bring water for bathing."

Huaping quickly put down her fan, gave a signal to the other maids behind her, and together with Xiaojin and Xiaohong, they entered the chamber through the beaded curtain to serve.

Fan Xueyao, thoroughly exhausted by Chu Nan's exertions, felt as limp as a noodle, unable to move.

Huaping and the others helped her bathe, then escorted her back, now dressed in fresh clothes. Her original lotus silk blouse and skirt had been replaced with a sky-blue cloud-patterned cross-collar gauze blouse and a water-pink gauze pants.

The gauze was the imperial tribute known as cicada-wing gauze, light and soft, yet sheer enough to reveal much.

Underneath the thin gauze blouse, a faint outline of a pea-green embroidered narcissus flower bodice could be seen, making her appearance more alluring than complete nudity. However, this was fine since they were in private quarters.

Chu Nan, having cleaned himself up, lay on the couch reading a book. When Fan Xueyao approached, his eyes widened, filled with dark, intense desire.

His heart raced, finding her increasingly captivating. Initially, he thought her beautiful, but never imagined she could be so captivating. How could she become even more beautiful after giving birth?

As the saying goes, "When one is well-fed and warm, thoughts turn to lust." Even as the emperor, Chu Nan couldn't escape such carnal desires. Lost in thought, he wondered if Fan Xueyao's newfound allure was due to his attentive care.

Stroking her smooth shoulders gently, he said softly, "The Daming Mansion has offered several bolts of gauze, delicate and light as smoke. Some are adorned with gold and silver prints and colorful paintings, perfect for you. I'll have them sent over tomorrow; choose whichever ones you like."