In the second year of the Jinghe era, early summer in April.

A drizzle wove a misty veil between heaven and earth. A gentle breeze swept by, carrying with it the scent of rain as it drifted past the gauze windowpane and landed on my face.

Yin Hui felt like a fish in this online world. She seemed to have the nourishment of rain and looked like she was living well, but in reality, she was about to suffocate.

This sort of stuffy feeling, even as a princess like Yin Hui, she hadn't experienced it in a long time.

Yin Hui was the daughter of the Yin family, the wealthiest merchants in Yan land. She was raised on fine food and jewels, and had a beautiful face. Relatives who saw her would all praise her good fortune, saying that she would surely marry into a wealthy and noble family when she grew up, enjoying a life of honor, wealth, and happiness.

By the time she reached marriageable age, Yin Hui truly found herself the envy of countless women in Yan. She married Wei Yue, the third son of the King of Yan.

To marry a royal grandson, who would say that her life wasn't good?

Unfortunately, not long after marrying Wei Zhe, Yin Hui got a taste of what it was like to be miserable.

From the whispers of the maidservants in the manor, Yin Hui learned that Wei Mei had once had a childhood sweetheart cousin. The cousin was said to be as beautiful as a fairy. If it weren't for the fact that Duke Yan needed silver to solve military needs, and therefore chose a wealthy merchant's son as his daughter-in-law, Wei Mei's wife should have been that cousin. The maidservants also said that Wei Mei was devoted to his cousin and suffered from heartache after being forced to give her up. Since then, he has rarely smiled again.

Upon first hearing this idle gossip, Yin Huai found it quite difficult to accept, but quickly refuted the rumor.

Based on observations, although Wei Weijun always wore a cold and indifferent expression in front of everyone, as if everyone owed him tens of thousands of taels of silver, he had never uttered any sweet words to anyone. However, at night, Wei Weijun was very fond of being intimate with his wife, even something as simple as a drink was considered rare. Furthermore, Wei Weijun had never requested the use of a concubine, even when his wife offered during pregnancy to demonstrate her virtuousness, Wei Weijun immediately and without hesitation refused.

It was incredibly heavy, yet it only took one person and lasted for ten years.

Yin Hui took all of this as evidence that Wei Ye was simply being himself. His cold demeanor was nothing unusual, and some people were naturally more reserved than others. There was no need to make a fuss about it.

Although she had denied her cousin's position in Wei Wei's heart, Yin Hui's married life went fairly smoothly overall, especially after her father-in-law ascended the throne. Wei Wei was enfeoffed as King of Shu and Yin Hui became the Queen of Shu. The three of them lived alone in a spacious and elegant Shu Palace, without having to serve their in-laws, no worries about concubines, nor any conflicts with sisters-in-law. Almost everything in the palace was up to Yin Hui's say-so. The other queens and princesses envied her situation.

However, today, Wei Wei, who was still on duty outside, had a young woman escorted back home by guards.

This woman is Wei Yu's cousin, Wen Ru Yue. Although she has been married for many years and experienced the loss of her husband, she still looks as beautiful as a flower.

Yin Hui only learned about the matter when she saw people in the hall.

Wen Ru Yue, dressed in white, knelt on the ground, tears streaming silently down her face. She looked like a pear blossom trembling in the rain, her voice choked with sorrow: "Your Highness, please don't blame your cousin for acting without permission. I am truly at my wit's end, with nowhere else to turn but to seek refuge with him. Please take me in, Your Highness. I promise to be a dutiful concubine and never vie for your favor."

At that moment, Yin Hui's words were stuck in her throat, but her anger came.

Aunt, my cousin-in-law Wei has been married for ten years without taking a concubine. He didn't even consult me before agreeing to take his niece as a concubine?

Years of composure had kept Yin Hui composed. She instructed a maid to first take Wen Ru Yue to the guest room to settle in.

After Wen Ru Yue left, Yin Hui sat in the room, staring out the window at the drizzling rain, stewing in a bad mood all afternoon.

I had never met someone like Wen Ru Yue before. People said that Wei Wei had always kept Wen Ru Yue in his heart, and Yin Hui had never truly believed it. If Wei Wei had been thinking about his cousin all this time, would he be so wolfish when they were together?

Not until today did I see Wen Ru Yue with my own eyes...

Yin Hui came to the dressing table and sat down, looking at herself in the mirror. At fifteen she had been married, and now she was only twenty-five. In the mirror, Zi Dai's eyebrows slanted upwards, her peach blossom eyes were just as black and bright and clear as they used to be, and her fair complexion showed no trace of age.

As for appearance, Yin Hui was confident that she was not inferior to anyone, including Wen Ru Yue. But perhaps Wen Ru Yue's delicate and graceful demeanor, like a willow in the wind, might be more appealing to men?

Could Wei Yǐng actually like that kind of person?

How could he be so shameless? With someone as small as Wen Ru Yue, how many nights could she possibly have had with him?

At first, Yin Hui didn't believe it, but then she did. Wei Zhi had agreed to let Wen Ruyu become his aunt. Could the feelings of childhood sweethearts who never forgot each other be faked?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. When Wei returned home in the evening, Yin Huijie could no longer maintain her usual grace and composure, nor could she greet him with a smile.

"Your Highness, aren't you going to greet His Royal Highness? Miss Wen has been waiting at the door since the sun started to set. You haven't received her all afternoon. Won't she accuse you of being unkind?"

The maidservant Jīn Zhǎn asked with worry.

Yin Huiben could not bear to hear the name "Wen Girl," but when she did, it was as if she saw Wei Yan and Wen Ruyu standing under the moonlit flowers.

"Has the prince come back yet?"

The emperor's father required all grandsons who had reached the age to go to the palace to study, so his son Wei Heng also went out early and returned late every day, just like his father.

Jin Zhan looked at her master with some surprise and reminded, “Today is the birthday of the Crown Prince of Chu Wangfu. The Crown Prince had an appointment to have a dinner with him tonight. My Lady, did you forget?”

Yin Hui pursed her lips.

... I just forgot, air forgot.

"Your Highness, perhaps you should go take a look yourself. Perhaps the King didn't mean to take a concubine at all, and Miss Wen may have misunderstood."

Perhaps this speculation is more comforting. Yin Hui shook her head, changed to a pair of ruby pendants, which further set off her beauty. Yin Hui tugged at the corner of her mouth in the mirror, giving a dignified and graceful smile, and then walked forward.

Walking along the corridor towards the main hall, one saw Wei He's trusted eunuch, An Gonggong, slightly bending his waist outside the hall. Upon seeing them, he gave a slight nod from afar and immediately addressed inside the hall: "Your Majesty, the Princess has arrived."

Yin Hui was not happy with his communication. If he walked over quietly, perhaps he could still hear the brother and sister inside talking.

Now hearing nothing, Yin Hui straightened her back.

As I arrived at the entrance to the main hall, I saw Wei Yi sitting on the seat of honor on the left. Wen Ru Yue was still standing beside him, as graceful and slender as willow branches in the moonlight.

"The commoners greet the Princess."

Yin Hui was still studying Wei Wei's expression, when Wen Ru Yue walked forward, timidly and politely bowing.

"Don't be so polite, cousin." Yin Huixin mumbled absentmindedly, walking straight to the main seat beside Wei Mei. She sat down and slightly turned her head to look at Wei Mei.

Wei Yue, dressed in a black ink robe, still wore his usual indifferent expression. He met her gaze briefly and then looked at Wen RuYue, opening his mouth to say: "Cousin arrived from afar. Have the princess's maids prepare a courtyard for your cousin and select a few maids to attend to her."

Yin Huijiang laughed cheerfully: "Your Highness, which courtyard do you think would be more suitable for your cousin?"

Wei Wei fell silent for a moment, then said: "Zhubu Hall."

Yin Hui could no longer laugh.

Shu Wangfu has hundreds of courtyards, big and small. If Wei Zhi only saw Wen Ru Yue as his cousin, it would be more appropriate to arrange her in a courtyard farther from the main house. But Zhu Feng Tang is right next to the main house, just a cup of tea's walk away. What on earth does Wei Zhi have in mind?

"I still have something to do, please eat dinner first without waiting for me."

Ignoring the pleas of Yin Huì and Wen Rúyuè, Wèi Tě marched forward.

Wen Ru Yue watched his retreating figure, then turned back to Yin Hui with a smile and said, "I've troubled my sister-in-law."

Yin Hui's heart was heavy, and she increasingly didn't want to see anyone. She first returned to her guest room to rest, and tomorrow she would have Zhu Feng Tang cleaned up and ready for him to move in.

As for dinner, Yin Huai couldn't eat a single grain of rice.

Went back home to rest earlier.

Sleep wouldn't come. Yin Huiliang kept the lamp burning, waiting for Wei Wei. She refused to believe he would bring someone else back; if he did, there would be nothing left to say.

While waiting, Yin Hui thought about the past ten years with Wei Wei. Besides the tenderness at night, their days as husband and wife seemed like a stagnant pool, without any ripples.

Wei valued words like gold. When discussing matters with him, if he agreed, he would simply nod or say "mm." If he disagreed, he would directly state how he intended to handle it and offer an explanation.

The sisters-in-law inquired about the details of Yin Hui's relationship with Wei Weijia. Yin Hui, naturally, wouldn't reveal the truth. After all, Wei Weijia didn't take concubines. She deliberately led her sisters-in-law to believe that she was very close to Wei Weijia in private. The sisters-in-law had no evidence to refute this.

Five princes, four of whom took concubines, the exception being their husband.

Yin Hui had always been proud of this, but unexpectedly, Wei Yi brought back a concubine. Yin Hui could already imagine how her sisters-in-law would gloat and ridicule her.

Yin Hui flipped another one.

There is silence outside.

Yin Hui's heart suddenly beat faster, just like their wedding night. But this time, Zhang wasn't giving her the gestures of a husband, but his answer.

Wei Wei entered, Yin Hui lay on her back facing away from him.

Until Wei Ye circled the screen, as if he could see his gaze, or perhaps out of habit, Yin Hui finally got up from her bed, and lowered her eyes to help him loosen his sash, just like every virtuous wife would.

Before her marriage, her grandfather taught her that since she wasn't as wealthy as the other sisters-in-law, she had to be more meticulous in her etiquette and leave no room for criticism.

Over the years, perhaps she hasn't truly received recognition and acceptance from her sisters-in-law, but her every move conforms to what is expected of the daughter-in-law of the King Yan.

Place the basin over here, please.

Yin Hui stood aside, watching Jin Zhan squat down to wash Wei Wei's feet.

The rippling water swayed with the lanterns, Wei Wei closed her eyes, as if lost in thought.

The golden basin was placed back on the stand, and the silver one extinguished all the lights.

There were two quilts on the bed, with each of the couple having their own blanket. This was Wei Zheng’s request during their honeymoon period, he didn’t say why, but Yin Hui also liked it this way, sleeping alone felt more comfortable.

When Wei Yi is in the mood, he'll come here and then go back after finishing. When he's not in the mood, Yin Hui can sleep soundly.

When the maids' footsteps disappeared, Wei Zhi suddenly said: "After Cousin settles in, after a while, I will take her as a concubine. There is no need for a grand ceremony, just a simple banquet in the house."

Yin Hui's mouth felt even more blocked.

Even though it was so difficult, he could still order things around so coldly.

"I disagree."

After calming down, Yin Hui said to the dark tent.

This is the first time I've opposed his decision after so many years of marriage.

"Why?" Wei asked, "Since you married me, you've been proper and virtuous, even advising me to take a concubine. Why is it now that you refuse?"

Yin Hui bit her lips.

Being dignified and courteous is to win his heart, to not bring shame upon the family.

Ke's character isn't like that. She likes going shopping and enjoys being free and unrestrained. What she dislikes most is being bound by rules and regulations.

Moreover, people's hearts are made of flesh. The last time I advised him to take a concubine was ten years ago when I was just pregnant. Back then, my feelings for him weren't very deep. If Wei Zhe had truly accepted it back then, it would have been easier to bear. But now, after thinking that there would be no one else between us, he suddenly stabbed me in the heart. Can it not hurt?

"All in all, I disagree." He said each word slowly, almost gritting his teeth.

After a long silence, Wei Yan simply said: "Sleep now, let's talk in the morning."

Author has something to say: Update! This afternoon, Jia's oral examination went well, and she even won the lottery, haha! This chapter will give 100 red envelopes to everyone to share in the good luck. The second update at 8 pm will also continue to send red envelopes!

A new year, new stories, hope you'll like them~