Sweetly Pampered After Marrying the Frail Prince to Ward Off Bad Luck - Chapter 6

Life in the prince’s estate was as calm as water, yet overflowed with the taste of happiness, and Meng Qing spent every day feeling joyful.

Ji Yanche was not very regular with the times he stayed awake. If he woke up, he would read books in the study and listen to his advisors describe the political situation at court. Meng Qing would always stay by his side, sometimes chatting, and Ji Yanche never thought his speech was childish, always listening to him with a gentle smile and full seriousness. If he did not wake up, Meng Qing would play cuju, pitch-pot, and shove Cuju or play tiles with Huayi and Cuiyun, though he always lost to the other three sides, losing down to the last penny, and would run over to the Prince’s side to mutter and complain in a soft voice, yet the next time Huayi asked if the Princess Consort was coming, Meng Qing would still run over eagerly to deliver money.

To this, Huayi gave his evaluation: the Princess Consort was terrible at playing, yet loved it all the same.

On this day, Meng Qing lost another sum and returned to the bedchamber with his head drooped low. As soon as he entered, he saw Ji Yanche leaning sideways on the carved wooden floral couch, reading a book.

Moon-white thin silk wide sleeves draped downward, a cyan jade hairpin loosely holding up his black silky long hair, a few strands of stray hair brushing across his handsome profile, outlined by a charming light golden contour under the flickering candlelight. Hearing the push of the door, Ji Yanche turned his head to look, and seeing that the newcomer was Meng Qing, his stern face instantly softened with a trace of gentle smiling warmth.

“The wife has returned.” Ji Yanche’s voice was deep and rich with magnetism, carrying even a hint of a bewitching allure.

How handsome.

And what was this sudden feeling of a husband washing over him?

Meng Qing gave a soft response, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “Why didn’t you call me when you woke up, Your Highness?” Speaking thus, he walked over to Ji Yanche’s side and sat down.

“It is no matter, there was nothing urgent here anyway. However,” Ji Yanche put down the book in his hand, straightened his upper body, reached out, and gently pinched Meng Qing’s wrinkled little face, “How much has the wife lost this time, looking so dejected.”

His voice held a smile, and his tone was extremely doting. Meng Qing blushed upon hearing this, shyly turning his head away in an attempt to dodge Ji Yanche’s hand, and softly retorted:

“Not at all.”

Ji Yanche’s smile deepened, reaching out to wrap his arm around Meng Qing’s slender waist, drawing him to lean against his chest, while his other hand gently stroked his head.

“It does not matter if the wife loses a few more times, for your husband has plenty of money.”

Meng Qing buried his face in Ji Yanche’s chest, raised his head upon hearing those words, and looked at him, his voice muffled: “Am I very stupid…”

Oh no, his wife was already beginning to doubt himself, it seemed the blow really was not small.

“How could that be, our Qingqing is very smart.” He hurriedly consoled, his tone lingering and tender, his expression gentle and sincere.

If anyone else had spoken these words to Meng Qing, Meng Qing would not have doubted for a second that it was merely comfort, but the person saying this was Ji Yanche, that very formidable Prince Ning, and Meng Qing truly believed it.

Very well, his heart felt a little better.

“Tomorrow, your husband will accompany Qingqing to win back the money that was lost.” Ji Yanche pinched Meng Qing’s tender, pink earlobes, speaking in a soft whisper as if coaxing a small child.

“Ah? But your health.”

“No harm, I still have the energy to accompany my wife for a few rounds. Besides,” Ji Yanche paused, as if speaking to Meng Qing, yet seeming to talk to himself, tinged with a trace of puzzlement, “With Qingqing by my side, your husband’s health really has improved a great deal.”

The next day.

Outside the window, the sun had just climbed up the treetops, the sunlight was just right, and the entire estate was immersed in a warm and tranquil peace.

Meng Qing brought the pot of jasmine flowers from the room out to bask in the sun, when a cheerful and highly piercing youthful voice abruptly shattered that quietness.

“Meng Qing, come quickly and see what good things this Prince has brought you, you will surely like them!”

The newcomer was none other as Ji Lingfeng, swaggering in through the main gates of the estate. Today was a day of rest at the Imperial Academy, and the Grand Tutor could not keep him in line.

Meng Qing raised his eyes to look, only to see Ji Lingfeng holding a pile of sandalwood boxes in his arms, stacked high like a small mountain, with two servant boys following closely behind carrying two more wooden boxes, making for a magnificent sight.

“Someone come quickly, help this Prince.” Before Ji Lingfeng could finish speaking, the door was pushed open with a sharp sound.

“Ji Ziyi, you are becoming increasingly lacking in decorum.”

Ji Yanche’s voice was calm, with not much expression on his face, but Ji Lingfeng felt a chill run down his back, hastily setting down the piles of wooden boxes in his arms and bowing respectfully to Ji Yanche with a standard etiquette, “Greetings, Third Brother.” He then turned to bow to Meng Qing, “Greetings, Sister-in-law.”

“Mm.” Ji Yanche responded, turning his body to walk back into the room, “Come in.”

Knowing that his older brother was not going to hold this against him, Ji Lingfeng instantly resumed his lively and bouncing demeanor, shouting loudly to the servants and maids, “Move them in quickly, move them all inside.”

“Fifth Imperial Highness, has your brain burned out?” Meng Qing stared at this scene in absolute astonishment, completely failing to understand what kind of trick Ji Lingfeng was playing.

“South Sea coral, Western spices. Whatever Sister-in-law likes, just tell me, I have plenty more in my quarters.” And also, “Sister-in-law does not need to be so distant, you can just call me Lingfeng, or Xiao Wu will do.”

“No…” Meng Qing was just about to refuse when he was interrupted by Ji Lingfeng.

“Sister-in-law must not refuse,” The gilded nanmu wood box was clicked open, and Ji Lingfeng pulled out a peacock feather folding fan and waved it lightly: “I was unable to attend on the day of the grand wedding, and my heart feels deeply remorseful. Let these all serve as my apology to Sister-in-law, so please accept them.”

“These are too precious.” Meng Qing wore a troubled expression, turning his head to seek help from Ji Yanche.

“He lost his propriety first, so Wife should accept them.”

Since the Prince had spoken thus, Meng Qing no longer declined and had no choice but to accept this generous gift.

“Third Brother, your complexion is quite good. It seems Sister-in-law is taking good care of you.”

Ji Yanche glanced at him sideways, lowering his head to continue drinking his tea, “You have no respect for seniority.”

Ji Lingfeng chuckled and turned his gaze back to Meng Qing: “Sister-in-law, do you remember our agreement from last time to go out of the estate to play? I am free tonight, so I will take you to experience the night market here in the capital. Oh right, I heard a new pavilion called Qingyu Pavilion opened on Zhuque Avenue, and their iced berry drink is sweet, sour, and appetizing. Shall I take you there to try it?”

Fearing that Ji Yanche might not agree, he deliberately added, “Sister-in-law hasn’t had the chance to properly stroll around since coming to the capital, Third Brother, will you grant permission?”

Actually, Meng Qing felt very tempted, but… he had already agreed with the Prince last night to play tile games together tonight.

He felt somewhat torn.

Suddenly, Ji Yanche covered his mouth and coughed, his complexion turning pale in an instant, his expression looking haggard and extremely distressed. Yet, he still forced the corners of his lips upward, offering a gentle, lovely smile toward Meng Qing, “Wife should go and play if you wish, it is quite alright for your husband to be alone in the estate.”

Deshun chimed in from the side: “Princess Consort, you should go play, this lowly servant will take good care of the Prince, though I simply do not know what should be done if the Prince’s physical pain flares up.”

Meng Qing: …

Ji Yanche: …

Wait, wasn’t his older brother just fine a moment ago? How did he become so frail in the blink of an eye?!

“I won’t go, I won’t go, I will stay behind to keep the Prince company.” Meng Qing hurriedly waved his hands in refusal.

Yesterday, when Ji Yanche wrapped his arm around his waist and gently said he would take him back to win his lost money, that subtle medicinal fragrance still seemed to linger around the tip of his nose. Furthermore, Meng Qing truly could not bear to leave Ji Yanche behind all by himself to go carousing, even though he really wanted to stroll through the capital’s night market with Ji Yanche.

Since his older brother was in this state, Ji Lingfeng also found it embarrassing to press Meng Qing to come out with him anymore.

“Ugh, very well, then Sister-in-law, let us make an appointment another time.”

“What are you all still standing there dazed for? Let us play tiles.”

After Ji Lingfeng left, Ji Yanche let out a slight cough to remind everyone.

“Your Highness, were you not…” Meng Qing stared in surprise at Ji Yanche, whose complexion had instantly returned to a ruddy glow right before his eyes, finding it utterly unbelievable.

“I tricked him.” Ji Yanche reached out to pat Meng Qing’s head.

Oh well.

The carved wooden window sill let in slivers of fine moonlight, and amidst the joyous laughter and chatter, a small mountain of silver melon seeds piled up in front of Meng Qing.

Ji Yanche gently grasped his hand from behind, that familiar medicinal fragrance mixing with his warm body temperature, wrapping Meng Qing entirely within a warm embrace as if he were resting inside a safe haven. “Look at this tile of the Rampaging Dragon, save it to use at the crucial moment.” Ji Yanche whispered softly by Meng Qing’s ear, his warm breath lightly brushing against his earlobe and tickling him.

Amidst the crisp clacking sounds of the tiles colliding, Meng Qing could only hear his own heartbeat sounding like a beating drum, throbbing violently.

“I-I won again?” When Meng Qing turned his head, the tip of his nose brushed lightly past Ji Yanche’s jawline. “Your Highness is amazing.”

Deshun and Huayi looked at their own empty hands, letting out helpless wails as they pushed their tiles forward while silver coins clinked and rolled straight into Meng Qing’s sleeves.

Ji Yanche suddenly chuckled softly, his fingertips hooking a strand of Meng Qing’s hair and gently toying with it. “Does the wife know what is most important when playing tiles?”

The youth shook his head blankly, his eyes filled with curiosity.

“It is to make your opponent think you are showing weakness.” As Ji Yanche spoke, his slender fingers suddenly clasped Meng Qing’s wrist, gently pulling him inward toward his chest, causing Meng Qing to stumble and sit right down upon his lap. “Just like this.” Ji Yanche picked up a jade tile and flipped it gently to reveal the Supreme Treasure hidden beneath, “The prey must always lower its guard before you can catch them all in one net.”

The night watch drum outside the window struck three times, and Meng Qing blushed as he counted the silver melon seeds he had won.

He had won back half a month’s worth of lost money in a single night.

Banxia Xiaoshuo, much joy awaits.