No feelings for love? The stubborn prince is jealous again!

Suddenly enveloped by the man's aura, Qi Shu was startled and stared at him in astonishment.

Their eyes met. His dark eyes were deep and unfathomable, the candlelight reflecting in them like two stars fallen into a deep pool.

Sensing her stiffening, Wu Xu paused, bracing himself with one hand, hovering half an arm's length above her, and asked in a low voice, "Are you scared?"

Qi Shu shook her head.

She wasn't afraid, just surprised and puzzled.

Aunt wouldn't lie to her about his hidden illness, but if he couldn't have sex, why was he pressing her down on the bed and taking off her nightgown?

Wu Xu watched her in silence.

On their wedding night, she waited for him tirelessly, presumably wanting to consummate their marriage.

But at this moment, the candlelight reflected in her shimmering eyes, and with each trembling eyelashs, her nervousness was palpable.

Oh well, she's just a nineteen-year-old girl after all.

He spoke gently, "Since you're not ready yet, there's no need to force yourself."

After speaking, he turned over and lay down beside her.

Qi Shu turned slightly closer to him and said softly, "Your Highness... I won't force you."

She wouldn't take responsibility for not being able to consummate the marriage on their wedding night.

The ties of her nightgown, which he had previously untied, came undone as she turned around, revealing a large expanse of delicate, fair skin.

Wu Xu glanced at her, then reached for the blankets and covered her up completely: "Go to sleep. There's plenty of time. Once you're ready, we'll consummate our marriage."

Qi Shu felt completely bewildered.

He was the one who pinned her to the bed; she denied it was forced; he was also the one who took the initiative to get closer but still refused to continue.

But she quickly figured it out.

As the regent, he naturally cared about his reputation and couldn't openly admit to having a hidden ailment, so he staged this whole thing.

She and he were simply getting what they needed, so there was no need to take things too seriously. They could live more comfortably by turning a blind eye to everything.

If she didn't follow his lyrics and turn the page on their wedding night now, she would be being tactless.

So she cooperated without pointing it out, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."

After saying that, she turned to the side and distanced herself from him.

The hectic wedding preparations over the past two weeks had already left her exhausted, and today she had gotten up before dawn to get ready. Now that everything was settled, she closed her eyes, and her breathing quickly became steady.

I slept surprisingly soundly.

When I woke up the next day, Wu Xu was no longer by my side.

She guessed he had gone to the palace to handle state affairs.

During her time waiting to be married, fearing that she might do something impolite or inappropriate after the wedding, she inquired about his situation with her aunt and uncle.

I heard that he was exceptionally talented and appreciated by the late emperor. At the age of fourteen, he became the late emperor's advisor and followed him in his campaigns.

After thirteen years of military service, the Central Plains were unified, and he returned to the capital at the age of twenty-seven.

Two years later, the late emperor passed away, and the 29-year-old regent assisted the three-year-old new emperor, stabilizing the court and the country.

As for his parents and family, he never mentioned them, and no one had ever seen them. People only knew him as a lonely man.

After listening, she felt a sense of empathy and understood that family was a taboo subject for him, so she would keep quiet and not ask.

This morning she was spared the trouble of paying her respects to her parents-in-law and serving them tea, but she couldn't be idle either. She had to settle her dowry and get to know everyone in the Prince's mansion.

Thinking of this, she sat up and called Nanzhi in to serve her.

Nan Zhi responded and brought in a copper basin, accompanied by a nanny in her forties.

The old woman had a kind face, but her eyes were shrewd; she was clearly an efficient person.

She bowed to Qi Shu and said, "My surname is Fang. I am the steward of the manor. The prince has ordered me to come to the princess's side to await her orders."

As she spoke, she presented a black lacquered tray with both hands, on which account books and keys were neatly arranged: "These are the account books and keys for the storeroom. Please take a look, Your Highness. After Your Highness has had breakfast, I will take you on a tour of the mansion and then inventory and store your dowry."

Qi Shu was somewhat surprised.

Unexpectedly, Wu Xu had arranged all of this. He had indeed heard and remembered everything she said to her aunt at the Taoist temple, and now he was doing it.

She certainly wouldn't disappoint him.

After having breakfast, she followed Granny Fang on a tour of the mansion, familiarizing herself with its layout and memorizing the locations of Wu Xu's study and the council hall, carefully avoiding venturing into them.

In the afternoon, the dowry was inventoried and stored away. With Granny Fang helping out, the matter was quickly settled.

After that, she went back to her room to check the account books.

Busy until dusk, Nanzhi reminded her with concern, "Your Highness, why don't you have dinner first before watching?"

Qi Shu didn't even look up: "It's alright, we'll wait for the prince to return to his residence."

Apart from Nanzhi, the room was full of servants from the Prince's mansion. It was only the second day of their marriage, and it was somewhat unreasonable for them not to wait for their husbands to eat together.

Granny Fang spoke up at the right moment, saying, "It's already this late. The Prince must be busy with official business and has asked you to stay for a meal at the palace. Your Highness, please eat first. There's no need to wait here."

Qi Shu then put down the account book: "Then I'll listen to what you say, Granny."

After eating a simple meal, she continued reviewing the account books. As night deepened, she felt drowsy, so she put down her pen and looked at Granny Fang: "Has the Prince not returned yet?"

"I'll go ask."

Granny Fang turned and went out, but returned a moment later: "Just then, the Prince sent someone to deliver a message, saying that there are matters to be dealt with in the palace, and that the Princess should rest early and not wait for him."

Qi Shu didn't know if it was true or not, but whether he was really busy or just looking for an excuse to avoid consummating the marriage, she should cooperate.

She nodded in understanding and gestured for Nanzhi to help her wash up and go to bed.

When she woke up again, the bed beside her was still empty, which made her feel a little dazed for a moment.

Did he come back last night?

Soon, Nanzhi, who had heard the commotion, brought in a basin to serve him. She had a wrinkled face and seemed hesitant to speak.

Seeing this, Qi Shu calmly said to Granny Fang, "I would like to see the other stewards in the mansion. Please trouble Granny Fang to bring them over."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Once Granny Fang left the room, Nanzhi, unable to contain herself any longer, asked in a low, urgent voice, "On the second night of their marriage, the Prince didn't return all night... What if everyone in the household looks down on the Princess because of this?"

She knew her master's situation best and was afraid that he would have difficulty gaining a foothold in the Prince's mansion and end up in the same situation as in the Marquis's mansion, suffering mistreatment every day.

Qi Shu then realized that Wu Xu had not returned home last night.

Her expression remained calm as she reassured her in a gentle voice, "It's only one day, don't worry about it."

If he had no intention of letting her manage the inner quarters, he wouldn't have assigned Granny Fang to her yesterday, nor would he have handed her the storeroom ledgers and keys at the same time.

With this intention, she can gain a foothold in the Prince's mansion.

However, if he doesn't return today, she might have to go back to the Lu residence alone tomorrow.

She didn't want him to accompany her; she was just worried that her aunt would overthink things.

It seems she needs to carefully consider what she'll say tomorrow.

After breakfast, Granny Fang led the other three stewards of the mansion to pay their respects.

The three had just finished their greetings when the gatekeeper announced, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's wife requests an audience."

Nan Zhi was indignant upon hearing this and almost couldn't help but speak up for Qi Shu in refusal.

Qi Shu remained calm and ordered, "Take her to the flower hall."

Qi Wanning's visit was bound to bring trouble.

She hadn't even had a chance to settle accounts with the bandits, and now the bandits had come knocking on her door.

Yeah.

It's time to put an end to this.