You Are My Woman

But looking at Jinxin, he sighed, unable to help but feel pity. His Princess Consort was indeed narrow-minded. Without a word, he stepped forward and scooped her up in his arms.

The nearby concubines could not help but feel envious, but they still stepped back to make way for the Prince.

"This place is no longer habitable. Tonight, you shall come with me to Qingfeng Terrace."

Jinxin nodded obediently, wrapping her arms around his neck. She raised her head, meeting his pitying gaze, and could not help but be moved, her eyes turning red. "Why does Your Highness treat this humble concubine so well?"

Jinxin believed his special treatment of her was surely due to her beauty. Yet, upon reflection, she realized the Prince did not lack women, let alone beautiful ones, yet he seemed to look after her much more.

Hearing this, Prince Rui laughed. "You are my woman. This prince has always treated his women with indulgence."

Jinxin rested her head against his chest once more, gently closing her eyes as she whispered, "But does Your Highness know? Aside from my mother, you are the person who has treated me best. I dare not hope that Your Highness will treat me well forever, but I only wish to accompany you in this lifetime. That is enough."

This gentle confession made Prince Rui's heart tremble, a warmth spreading through his chest. He looked down at her again. The cloak on her body had slipped, and at some point, her collar had loosened, revealing half of her shoulder. He could even see the outline of her full, round breasts, which bounced slightly as he walked, making him feel an unbearable itch.

Prince Rui's breathing turned heavy, and he teased softly, "You truly are a little vixen."

Hearing this, Jinxin quickly pulled her collar up to cover herself, shyly burying her face in his chest, eliciting a hearty laugh from him. If not for his trusted aides following behind, he would have spoken much more suggestively.

Upon returning to the bedchamber at Qingfeng Terrace, he was filled with eager anticipation. However, someone from Tiluan Courtyard arrived at that very moment, passing word through his trusted aide that the Princess Consort's fetal qi had been disturbed.

Hearing that it concerned his offspring, Prince Rui had no choice but to suppress his desires. He sat up and said to Jinxin, "I must go see the Princess Consort."

"Then this humble concubine will return on my own shortly," Jinxin said quickly.

"No need. Your quarters are temporarily uninhabitable. Wait until the guards have cleaned it thoroughly before returning. For the time being, you shall stay here at Qingfeng Terrace."

Having said that, he stood up and went out.

As he walked out, Prince Rui's expression was highly displeased. It was not because his mood had been ruined, but because of Jinxin's punishment, followed by the sudden appearance of venomous snakes in her room. He had not been raised in a sheltered environment; living in the deep palace, he had witnessed far more dark schemes than those in the inner court.

Side Consort Cao's temperament had always been arrogant and impulsive, but when it came to taking a life, she would not dare. He knew this well. The only one who dared to do so was his Principal Consort.

He had always known she was deep and scheming. He and she could never truly share their hearts. Her words and actions were merely tailored to please him. He knew very well that the relationship between them as husband and wife was fragile. However, she had been bestowed upon him by the Empress Dowager, so he naturally had to show her some respect.