In the past when she didn't understand, she thought he was an ascetic immortal. Now, she feels that he is a gentle and affectionate person.
Seeing the girl's confused gaze, he sighed and let her go, "I'm going to bathe. Think about it yourself and answer me later."
Gu Ying didn't understand why he was angry.
Many men envied her good marriage. Or did the prince think having Huo Qiyan as a concubine was inappropriate for her status?
Gu Ying was puzzled. Hearing the water sound from the next room, her heart was also a little restless.
Zhao Rou brought Huo Qiyan to propose marriage, but she didn't care much in her heart.
After discussing with Cheng, they decided to place Huo Qiyan in the prince's residence and let her move in soon.
She wanted to refuse but thought that Huo Qiyan was the prince's cousin and his wife in her previous life. She didn't need to displease the prince on this matter, so she didn't say anything and acquiesced to Cheng and Zhao Rou’s arrangement.
On the way, she was thinking about what to say and where would be the best place to arrange Huo Qiyan.
Soon, the man finished his bath.
In the cold winter, the man was bare-chested, only wearing pants. Cold water droplets slid down his handsome face and onto his broad chest.
Seeing the beautiful scenery, Gu Ying was stunned.
The prince exercised swordsmanship every morning even in heavy snow. She had felt his fit figure when handing him water and towels. But this was the first time she clearly saw his body under candlelight.
Gu Ying’s face flushed as she quickly averted her eyes. "I...I should go too."
Just as she was about to leave with her nightclothes, her hand was grabbed by a large hand.
Gu Ying swallowed and turned to face the handsome man. Her breathing stalled, "Prince, what's wrong?"
"Did you think through what I asked you earlier?"
Gu Ying's mind went blank. What did the prince ask earlier? He seemed to say he didn't need a woman?
"Oh, I understand. The prince means it's too early to take a concubine since we just married. Taking one now would be bad for the prince’s reputation. Huo Qiyan is Auntie’s daughter and the legitimate daughter of Lord Huo. If she becomes the prince’s concubine, it would be hard to explain to the Huo family. Is this what the prince means?" Gu Ying thought and offered her understanding.
"Gu Ying!"
Zhao Changdu gritted his teeth and threw the girl onto the bed.
He was furious and wished he could swallow this silly woman.
"Prince..."
Seeing the grim look on the man's face, Gu Ying panicked.
Before she could react, a heavy body pressed down on her.
She opened her lips but wasn't given any chance to refuse.
In the quiet bedroom, heavy breathing sounded.
She was left breathless by the man's vigor. In the end, she bit her lips as her face turned pale.
Zhao Changdu gripped her fingers tightly. His passionate aura seemed to hook her in, "Do you understand now?"
Gu Ying's mind was in chaos. She barely had the energy to respond to him, let alone think of anything else. She could only whimper and nod, "I...understand..."
Seeing the girl crying pitifully, the man softened his moves and gently caressed her cheeks. He kissed her lips indulgently, "Good that you understand."
Gu Ying felt even more uncomfortable. Her body went limp as she looked at him tearfully, "Prince...I'm tired..."
She was truly tired. In just an hour, she felt the man’s anger.
So the process wasn't great. Fortunately, he held her gently afterwards and she gradually calmed down.
Zhao Changdu looked at the girl’s charming flushed face and smiled, "Don’t sleep yet. Wash yourself clean first before sleeping."
Gu Ying’s voice was hoarse and soft, "Changdu...I'm sleepy..."
The man chuckled and kissed her forehead, "I'll carry you."
"Mm...okay..."
She didn’t care about shyness anymore and let the man carry her sweat-drenched body. After all, he had seen every part of her. She resigned to letting him have his way.
...
Gu Ying slept quite well that night and accompanied someone again in the morning.
Only then did the prince get up, dressed neatly and went vigorously to the palace.
When Yin Lan came in to serve her, her ears were red. She smiled, "Mistress should still pay attention to her body."
Although Yin Lan spoke like this, she was actually happy inside. A man's affection for a woman can be seen from his passion for her in bed. Now seeing the prince’s enthusiasm for her mistress, she figured he must really like her.
"Mm, I know..." Gu Ying's face was flushed as she casually took out the contraceptive and put it in her mouth.
Then Bian Zhi came in to report, "Mistress, Elder Madam has come to see you."
Gu Ying was still feeling weak and sore after being tormented by the prince last night. Hearing that Huo Qiyun wanted to see her, she hesitated for a while before letting her in.
When Huo Qiyun came in, she sensed something different about Changfeng Pavilion.
The former coldness was now filled with warmth.
And there was a beautiful woman full of charm sitting inside that added vitality.
Huo Qiyun only froze briefly before smiling and sitting down on the embroidery stool in front of Gu Ying. "Ying, Mother asked me to bring you scriptures."
Then she had Lv Zhi deliver the Ksitigarbha Sutra and Diamond Sutra over.
Yin Lan smiled as she received them and put the scriptures aside properly.
It was truly meticulously planned by Cheng to have Huo Qiyun come over to deliver things.
The prince was guarded against everyone except Huo young lady. Cheng had likely taken advantage of this point by keeping her around.
Gu Ying sighed helplessly. Seeing the red swollen wound on her face left by Zhao Changxing’s beating, she had someone bring medicine cream over. "Why does he still beat you?"
Huo Qiyun said plainly, "It can't be helped. He was drunk again last night."
Gu Ying sighed again. "This cream works very well for swelling. Take it to use."
Huo Qiyun smiled gratefully, "Ying, thank you so much. If not for you, I'm afraid my life would be worse than death."
Gu Ying had helped her tremendously, not only secretly sending her good charcoal and medicinal materials, but also food from time to time.
The only downside was Cheng's immense wariness of Gu Ying that made her torment Huo Qiyun even more insanely.
