Chapter 2: Fold

Chapter 2: Fold

Nan Mei didn't want to blow things out of proportion. Even if she had to swallow a bitter pill, she just wanted to return to her peaceful life as soon as possible.

She believed the man before her felt the same way. Raping a respectable woman was a serious crime, and even if he managed to placate the authorities, it would damage his reputation.

The more status a person had, the more they cherished their reputation. No matter how decadent in private, they always appeared as elegant and upright gentlemen in public.

But he actually turned her down.

Nan Mei didn't understand.

The man's expression was indifferent. "A courtesan turned respectable woman? What happened yesterday was no misunderstanding. I, the prince, won't be played for a fool."

"The prince?"

Nan Mei was stunned. "You... who are you?"

He dipped his finger into the tea and wrote two characters on the table: Yuan Zhan.

The Prince of Dongping, Yuan Zhan!

The fifth son of the late emperor, and full younger brother of the current emperor. He had joined forces with the empress to set an ambush in the palace, killing the Grand Tutor Yang Shao, the father of the empress dowager and a minister appointed as regent, with a single stroke. This caused a bloody storm in the capital, keeping the Yang family's supporters in constant fear.

The purge even reached a town two hundred li (about sixty miles) from the capital. Even she, a commoner who only cared about her own small world, had repeatedly heard his name from others.

She was tangled up with someone so important...

Nan Mei's eyes went wide in disbelief.

Yuan Zhan raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of barely noticeable expectation in his eyes. "Having regrets? It's not too late to back out."

Nan Mei still shook her head. A prince, a powerful minister—too remote, too unreal, a world she couldn't touch.

"Your Highness," she kept twisting the hem of her clothes, pleading in a low voice, "Can you... keep it quiet? Investigate without anyone knowing? I don't want anyone finding out."

There was another long silence from the other side, and Nan Mei grew more uneasy.

Just as she was about to cave and only hope her husband wouldn't find out, the person opposite finally spoke.

"I don't like forcing people. You were resisting but also getting tangled up with me, and I honestly thought it was some kind of game from your line of work. Besides... your body didn't seem like it had been with a man before."

He laughed meaningfully. "Your husband, not exactly a stud."

Nan Mei's face turned beet red.

Xiao Lang really wasn't into sex. In almost six months of marriage, they'd slept together maybe ten times, and most times it wasn't pleasant for her.

Especially their wedding night—she was so nervous she thought she'd die, lying rigid on the bed, not even daring to open her eyes. Xiao Lang wasn't much better—he fumbled around forever and couldn't even get it in.

Both were drenched in sweat, she was in pain and so was he.

This difficult first time left both with a bad experience. Especially for her, it was just pain. When Xiao Lang came, she just felt relieved, no pleasure whatsoever.

After that, whenever they tried again, she was hesitant.

Xiao Lang probably noticed she was scared, and he gradually stopped initiating much. When he did need release, he'd get it over with fast.

Actually, every month she had a few days when she felt the urge, but how could a woman raise it? She'd be mortified.

Becoming Xiao Lang's wife was the best thing that ever happened to her.

Like every girl dreaming of love, she often imagined what her future husband would be like.

Tall, not too fat, not a stick figure, and certainly not rude. He should have handsome features, elegant manners, and a smile like a sunlit lake in spring—bright and gentle.

Xiao Lang fit every description perfectly.

The moment she first laid eyes on him, Nan Mei was smitten.

They met on an outing. Xiao Lang was not a local; he had come because of the vast peach blossoms here.

He was too dazzling. The girls ignored the peach blossoms and stared at him instead.

Peach blossoms, perfumed handkerchiefs, embroidered pouches—all came raining down on him. Forced to cover his face with his fan, he fled in panic.

He ran into her.

Their eyes met. She blushed, and he blushed too.

Thump-thump... she could still feel the way her heart raced.

Later, he didn't leave town. He rented a place in town, and later they got married.

Like most people, they were busy making ends meet, living a simple, poor life.

He rarely mentioned his parents. When asked, he said there was no one else at home, just him alone.

He could read and write, and he had a way with words. Even the teacher next door came to him for advice. He was gentle with people, but always had a faint sense of detachment.

Nan Mei guessed his family had been well-off once but lost everything in the war.

These were troubled times. Princes and lords fought among themselves, and the Hu tribes raided the borders constantly. Many prosperous families could be destroyed overnight. Only places near the capital were somewhat better.

A man like Xiao Lang was not someone she could have originally.

It was Xiao Lang who tried his best to consider her feelings. She had failed to fulfill her duties as a wife.

No one had the right to badmouth him, not even the Prince of Dongping himself!

Nan Mei took a deep breath, lifted her head, and looked at the person opposite. "No, he... he is good, very... very capable."

Yuan Zhan was surprised, and beyond surprise, he felt like laughing.

A married woman, arguing with a man she had just been intimate with about her husband's sexual prowess...

Too ridiculous!

This woman—shameless to the extreme when acting, yet bold beyond measure when speaking.

He laughed, and Nan Mei misunderstood. Anger flared up in her heart, burning her face. On what grounds did he laugh at Xiao Lang? What right did he have to make comments?

The words buried in her heart blurted out: "My husband wouldn't force me! Just this one point makes him a hundred times better than you!"

Yuan Zhan's smile faded. Clouds accumulated layer upon layer in his eyes, containing a kind of calm violence.

Nan Mei realized her words were inappropriate.

She awkwardly squeezed out a somewhat ingratiating smile. "I didn't mean to accuse Your Highness. A woman like me, with no merits, is very satisfied to have my current life. So, please, if this gets out, I... I... I'm really sorry. Can Your Highness keep it a secret for me?"

Yuan Zhan seemed not to hear her; instead, he rapped the table with the back of his hand.

A young man carrying a food box entered.

Nan Mei's head exploded with a ringing sound: there was actually someone else on the boat!

Yuan Zhan shifted into a more comfortable position. "You didn't think the boat could sail itself, did you?"

So this man had seen and heard everything?

For a moment, Nan Mei wished she could find a hole to crawl into.

Yuan Zhan enjoyed watching her embarrassment. After a long pause, he spoke slowly: "That husband of yours is useless; just treat him like a eunuch."

A eunuch? Curiosity overcame shame. Nan Mei glanced up to sneak a look.

Slightly thinner than the Prince of Dongping, slightly stockier than Xiao Lang. He knelt on one knee, dressed in a short green tunic, sleeves rolled halfway up, revealing forearms with well-defined muscles and strong sinews.

His shoulders were broad, his waist cinched by a black belt—so narrow yet bursting with power.

No matter how she looked at him, he didn't seem like the fabled eunuch.

Suddenly, the man raised his eyes to meet hers.

Nan Mei's scalp prickled with horror, and she hastily looked away.

A teasing smile played on Yuan Zhan's lips. "What, taken a liking to him?"

"No, no!" Nan Mei shook her head like a rattle.

How could she dare?

What kind of eyes were those? The pupils were pitch-black, devoid of any emotion, without a trace of warmth. When they looked at you, it was like an unfathomable abyss staring back.

It was hair-raising.

She dared not speak the truth. This man was clearly the Prince of Dongping's confidant; she couldn't afford to offend him.

When people are embarrassed, they get busy.

Instinctively, Nan Mei picked up the cup in front of her and drank without even seeing what was inside.

Sweet, cool, with a fruity aroma... alcohol?

She stared at the cup in surprise. Inside was a transparent, deep red liquid.

At some point, the water cup had been replaced with a wine glass.

Yuan Zhan refilled her cup from the flask. "Gaochang's tribute wine. It's like sweet water—doesn't go to your head. It's fine to drink a bit more."

"I don't drink alcohol."

"Eat something to mask the wine taste."

On the low table in front of her were exquisite dishes Nan Mei had never seen before, but she had no appetite now.

"Your Highness," Nan Mei pleaded again, "my husband will be back tomorrow. If he can't find me, he'll be out of his mind with worry. Please stop the boat and let me go ashore."

Yuan Zhan tilted his head slightly, looking at Nan Mei with a faint smile, still not answering.

The atmosphere grew suffocating. Beads of sweat broke out on Nan Mei's forehead, yet she forced herself to meet his gaze, refusing to look away.

"Do you plan to welcome your husband covered in these marks?"

His words made Nan Mei's spirit sink.

Yuan Zhan comforted her again, "Once you've recovered, I'll send you home."

"I can't explain to him where I've been these past few days."

"Your sister-in-law from your maternal home fell ill suddenly; you went back to take care of her for a few days—that's only natural."

Nan Mei hesitated.

Xiao Lang had no love for the Nan family. Except for the wedding day and the customary visit to her parents, he had never crossed the threshold of the Nan home a third time.

Even if he knew she'd gone back to her parents' house, he probably wouldn't come looking for her himself.

It was a good plan, but would Xiao Lang buy it?

Yuan Zhan saw her concern and instructed his confidant: "Li Zhang, run an errand. Say her family asked you to fetch some clothes. If you're going to play a role, commit to it fully! Where is your home?"

Nan Mei answered truthfully and placed her house key on the table.

In truth, she was absolutely unwilling to stay on this boat any longer, but she didn't dare to resist. If she angered the prince, she'd be even less able to leave.

Yuan Zhan noticed her hesitation and promised gently, "Don't worry. I'll take care of the cleanup; I won't make things difficult for you."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

Yes, he was a prince who wielded power across the entire court. He must have no shortage of women around him; he could have any he desired. There was no need for him to deceive her.

Nan Mei breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on her face.

"You're beautiful when you smile—more beautiful than any woman I've ever seen," Yuan Zhan said suddenly.

No one had ever told her she was beautiful, not even Xiao Lang.

Being praised for the first time gave her a flicker of secret delight, but she immediately felt it was improper. Shame flooded her, her cheeks burning. She was sure she must be blushing.

Nan Mei quickly lowered her head, raising the cup to shield her face. Then Yuan Zhan raised his as well—as if she were toasting him in gratitude.

She couldn't very well refuse.

Yuan Zhan drained his cup, showing him the empty cup, and she had to empty hers too.

"The new chef's sea bass sashimi is pretty good. Try some." Yuan Zhan helped her to some, then casually refilled her empty cup.

Nan Mei had only heard of it, never tasted it.

The fish slices were snow-white and crystal clear, neatly arranged on purple perilla leaves. In the sweltering summer, just looking at them brought a sense of coolness.

Dipped in the sauce, it melted in the mouth—smooth, fresh, icy cool, with a faint sweetness and subtle notes of spice and sourness.

Beneath the fish slices was shaved ice!

She knew that nobles could use ice in summer, but that was merely "knowing"—how they used it, in what ways, she couldn't fathom it.

The lifestyle of that class had nothing to do with her reality of sleeping on a straw bed.

"It's delicious," Nan Mei said with genuine admiration.

Yuan Zhan smiled and pushed the entire plate of raw perch slices toward her.

Nan Mei hadn't eaten since noon the previous day, and now that the dark mood had lifted, she felt truly hungry. Out of modesty, she didn't eat her fill, but she still ate quite a bit.

Before she knew it, the wine jug was empty.

Her head felt dizzy, and her eyelids were getting heavy. She knew the alcohol was taking effect and longed to find a place to sleep.

"You go rest in the bedroom; I'll stay outside," Yuan Zhan said considerately, offering her an escape.

Nan Mei shook her head. She didn't want to step into that room again. "No, no, I'll stay outside..."

The words had barely left her lips when her body swayed and she fell backward.

Yuan Zhan caught her around the waist. In his arms, her eyes were tightly shut, her cheeks flushed rosy, and her breathing rapid.

The layers of clothing, wrapped up like a tight bundle, fell off one by one. The man could barely contain his eagerness.

Li Zhang was baffled. "Again? Just for this? Wasn't last night's romp enough?"

Yuan Zhan chuckled. "The feeling of being tightly wrapped in softness—you wouldn't understand."

Li Zhang said deadpan, "I've only been a boatman for a day; I'm still not very good at it. Go easy, Your Highness. Yesterday the boat almost capsized."

Yuan Zhan laughed heartily and waved him away dismissively.

Li Zhang silently retreated toward the cabin exit. Out of the corner of his eye, the delicate, fair body was bent double.

The boat swayed in the water, and the oars churned up whirlpools.

A small fish was swept into a whirlpool, struggling with all its might to escape, but ultimately unable to resist, it was drawn deeper and deeper, sinking into the bottomless abyss.

Author's note:

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