After the meal was finished and gifts had been received in the Princess Consort’s palace, Yan Yunning followed Xuan Yanyu to the bedchamber that had cost eight million, six hundred thousand taels of silver.

Because of the incident with Noble Consort Wu, Yan Yunning rarely ventured out of the palace hall, spending each day nestled within the extravagant, opulent chambers that Prince Xuan had built for Xuan Yanyu at the cost of eight million, six hundred thousand taels of silver.

Urged along by Xuan Yanyu, Prince Xuan chose an auspicious date, announced it throughout Xuanzhao, and formally declared the date for the investiture of the Crown Princess, as well as the wedding day of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

On the day of the investiture, Xuan Yanyu led Yan Yunning — dressed in magnificent ceremonial robes — to perform the ritual of prostration before Prince Xuan and the Princess Consort.

After Eunuch Feng finished reading the imperial edict aloud, the Princess Consort placed the royal seal into Yan Yunning’s hands.

The moment the seal changed hands, every court official and military dignitary bowed in unison, heads lowered in reverence. “Your officials pay their respects to the Crown Princess.”

Xuan Yanyu gave Yan Yunning’s hand a gentle squeeze. Yan Yunning steadied herself. “Rise.”

“Your officials thank the Crown Princess.”

By the time all the ceremonies were complete, three days had already passed. The moment the investiture was over, Prince Xuan set off for Qilan. Yan Yunning was so exhausted she lay on the soft daybed and couldn’t bring herself to move an inch.

It was merely the investiture of a Crown Princess, yet the entire nation of Xuanzhao hung red celebration ribbons throughout every city, distributed grain, bestowed rewards upon the people, held grand festivities in the capital, and celebrated for half a month.

If it were to be her and Xuan Xixi’s actual wedding, how grand would that be?

She truly was riding on the coattails of Xuan Xixi’s name.

“Yan Yunning, now we can.” The man’s gaze burned as he looked at her.

The investiture was complete, his Father had also traveled to Qilan personally to deliver the betrothal gifts — though it was a done deal presented after the fact, she was now legitimately and rightfully his.

There was no need to worry about the Qilan Emperor’s side. With his Father there, there would absolutely be no problem. And besides, Yan Yunning was already Xuanzhao’s Crown Princess now — what could the Qilan Emperor do even if he refused?

His Father making the trip to Qilan to inform the Qilan Emperor was already doing him a great courtesy.

Yan Yunning was confused. “What can now?”

After the meal, Yan Yunning was carried by Xuan Yanyu into the bath tub.

And she understood what he meant by “now we can.”

In the bath tub strewn with flower petals, Xuan Yanyu clasped Yan Yunning’s hands and pressed his lips to hers.

Yan Yunning, kissed into a state of tension, felt her expression slowly relax.

The man shifted forward, and a good deal of water spilled over the rim of the tub.

Yan Yunning’s brow knitted tightly in an instant.

“Be good.” Xuan Yanyu coaxed her softly. “Didn’t you once ask this Crown Prince whether there was a way to remove it? This Crown Prince will answer you now — there is.”

The man’s fingers traced over the red mark on the young girl’s arm, his voice very low and rough.

The gold hairpin carved with phoenix patterns in the young girl’s hair trembled and finally slipped down into the bath tub, sending ripples spreading outward in rings.

“Mm~ No……”

Before she could finish speaking, Xuan Yanyu lowered his head and kissed her lips again, lifting her up and carrying her to the bed.

The maidservants standing guard outside the bedchamber, upon hearing the sounds drifting from within, dropped their gazes to the floor in unison, their faces flushing to an unbearable shade of red.

As the sky began to lighten faintly, Xuan Yanyu gathered up the unconscious girl and carried her, while the maidservants waiting outside, hearing his instructions, brought hot water.

Day after day that followed, Yan Yunning would tense up the moment she saw Xuan Yanyu. He pulled her into mischief every single night without fail — she was truly terrified of him now, dark circles and all.

“Come here.” The man stared with displeasure at the girl who had put as much distance between them as possible.

Yan Yunning swallowed, glaring at him. “I’m very tired.”

Xuan Yanyu gave a light laugh. “Shall we go to the Grand Commandant’s residence?”

Yan Yunning’s eyes lit up. “Yes, yes, let’s go.”

She wanted to go see her A’Niang of the Lu family.

“Come here.”

Yan Yunning trotted over to Xuan Yanyu’s side, smiling sweetly. “Xuan Xixi, shall we go?”

“Hmm?” The man stared at her smiling face, his throat bobbing.

Yan Yunning took a step back — that look on his face was all too familiar to her.

Xuan Yanyu grabbed hold of her arm, his voice low and beguiling. “Ningning, let’s go to the Grand Commandant’s residence a little later — having a child is more important.”

“……” Yan Yunning decisively gave up any thought of struggling, because it was pointless — she had tried!

The sky gradually darkened before Yan Yunning finally emerged from her bath, her beautiful eyes brimming with anger. “Xuan Yanyu! You said we were going to the Grand Commandant’s residence — you had no intention of letting me go at all.”

What time was it already?!

“Drink some water, your voice is all off-pitch.” The man was in very good spirits right now.

Yan Yunning drank half a cup of water from the man’s outstretched hand. Her parched, hoarse throat felt much better.

“Tomorrow — this Crown Prince will take you tomorrow.” Xuan Yanyu drank the remaining water in the cup.

“Then get out. Tonight I want to sleep in the bedchamber by myself. You can go wherever you like, just don’t come and disturb me.” Yan Yunning felt sore all over with barely the strength to lift a finger, and her voice had taken on a faintly delicate, soft quality.

Tomorrow she didn’t want to go out either — she only wanted to lie in bed and rest.

“This Crown Prince promises to behave properly tonight.” Xuan Yanyu’s expression looked very sincere.

“Get out. You still have to attend morning court on Father’s behalf tomorrow.” Yan Yunning flung a soft pillow at him.

He had said the same thing the past few nights too!

Not to be believed! Not to be believed!

The first half of the night he would behave — and then in the second half he wouldn’t!

That was how her dark circles had been worn into existence!

She truly rather admired him — these past few days while Prince Xuan had gone to Qilan, Xuan Yanyu still had to attend morning court and handle imperial memorials, yet he still had abundant energy every night!

Fafa: [M-… Master.]

[What is it?] Yan Yunning’s temper was flaring.

Fafa: [……]

If only she had known not to make her forget she had transmigrated — this… if she went back and found out what Xuan Yanyu had done… would she go absolutely mad with rage?

But if she hadn’t made her forget about transmigrating, she would have been far too difficult to deceive. Fafa had even given her the guardian cinnabar mark specifically to make her believe she had soul-transmigrated.

She had still interrogated it anyway, and Fafa had had no choice but to make her forget just a tiny bit.

Hopefully she wouldn’t be driven to her death when she got back.

“This Crown Prince already said I would behave.” The man strolled unhurriedly over to the chaise lounge and reclined upon it.

“Xiao Wan, Xiaoyue, come in.” Yan Yunning’s throat was terribly hoarse.

Hearing Yan Yunning’s voice, Xiao Wan and Xiaoyue waiting outside the hall didn’t dare delay for even a moment and pushed open the bedchamber door, standing ready for Yan Yunning’s instructions.

“Drive your Crown Prince out.”

Xiao Wan and Xiaoyue dropped to their knees in a panic. “We beg the Crown Princess to forgive His Highness the Crown Prince this once — please do not drive His Highness out.”

Yan Yunning’s mouth twitched. Every maidservant Xuan Yanyu had assigned to serve her took his side — she was going to bring Qiuci to Xuanzhao one of these days.

“Go and pour the Crown Princess some water.” The man, lounging at his leisure on the chaise, smiled as he spoke.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After attending to Yan Yunning and ensuring she had drunk her water, Xiao Wan smiled and curtsied. “Your Highness the Crown Prince, Crown Princess — your servants shall take their leave now.”

These past few days the Crown Princess’s voice had not sounded normal once — hoarse as anything.

Yan Yunning watched the two little maidservants retreat with a sulky expression.

Xuan Yanyu shifted onto his side and suppressed a smile. “It isn’t like when you were at the Garden Estate pressuring this Crown Prince into having a child with you. How soon you’ve turned on this Crown Prince.”

“Am I not allowed to regret it? Your Highness!” Yan Yunning smiled flatly.

She was genuinely exhausted!

“Too late. Didn’t you promise at the Grand Counselor’s residence to let this Crown Prince make a request? This Crown Prince has thought of what he wants……”