Volume 1, Chapter 4: Faking the Bridal Bed Sheet

"You are not Mei Lingyi; you are Mei Lingxi." Ye Jianxun stared at her, his tone certain.

Mei Lingxi bit her parched lips, struggling to remain composed. "Whether I am Mei Lingyi or Mei Lingxi, I have already married you today. As of now, I am the Princess Consort to Ye Jianxun, Heir to the Prince of Ning's estate."

Ye Jianxun fell silent for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. "Then let us see how long you can remain the Princess Consort." Casting her a silent glance, he returned to his own bedding and closed his eyes.

Mei Lingxi waited trembling for a while, and finding that he had quieted down, she succumbed to exhaustion from the previous sleepless night and drifted off to sleep.

Hearing the soft, even, and deep breathing of the person beside him, Ye Jianxun suddenly opened his eyes in the darkness.

He turned his head to look at her. She was curled up on her side, facing inward, her body completely submerged under the silk quilt, leaving only a fuzzy, round head visible.

*Why is it you?*

He furrowed his brows, then turned over to face outward and closed his eyes again.

***

Mist hung over the distant mountains in the drizzling rain. Mei Lingxi lifted her skirts, walking along the damp and slippery bluestone path.

Watching the cold, lonely figure ahead, she called out loudly, "Brother, wait for me."

However, that figure never turned back...

She jolted awake from her dream, her mind still hazy.

Bishui, hearing the movement, crossed the tall bird-and-flower screen and walked in. "Princess Consort, you are awake."

Mei Lingxi rose, and Bishui helped her wash and dress.

Chunwu followed, stepping forward to tidy the bed. She discovered two separate quilts on the bed, and the virginity cloth under Mei Lingxi remained unstained.

She quickly folded the bedding, walked up to Mei Lingxi, and whispered, "Princess Consort, according to the estate’s rules, the virginity cloth must be presented to the Princess for inspection on the second day of marriage. The Madam said you could prick your finger to fake it."

Mei Lingxi hesitated for a moment, then took out a small dagger from her clothes. With a swift motion, she sliced her index finger, and a drop of blood fell onto the snow-white cloth, looking like scattered red plum blossoms.

As her gaze fell upon these red petals, a scene from that day at Tianhua Temple suddenly flashed through her mind.

On the snow-white bedsheets, there had been the exact same color. Her breath hitched, her vision went dark, and she suddenly fainted.

***

An hour later, Mei Lingxi regained consciousness.

Seeing her wake, Bishui helped her sit up with a look of relief. "My Lady, you truly frightened this servant."

"The Heir was just here and summoned the estate physician. The physician said it was likely because you had not eaten, so the Heir suggested you have something to eat before going to offer tea."

Mei Lingxi nodded. Inadvertently, she noticed her finger, which had been neatly bandaged with a beautiful knot.

Bishui, recalling that the Heir had seen the cloth and appeared displeased, spoke hesitantly, "The Heir saw the faked cloth and even asked, 'Is the Princess Consort having her monthly flow?'"

Mei Lingxi, who was drinking honey water, nearly choked. "The Heir truly asked that?"

"Yes," Bishui nodded.

Mei Lingxi felt a wave of confusion. It was common practice for noble families to instruct their sons before marriage; how could he be so ignorant?

Regardless, the task was done, and he had raised no objections, suggesting that he, like her, merely wished to maintain a respectful, distant relationship.

She did not dwell on it, forcing down a bowl of thin porridge before rising to offer tea. Fortunately, she had woken early, so even with the delay, the timing was just right.

"Greetings, Princess Consort." The Heir’s personal guard, Lin Mu, appeared outside. "The Heir is waiting for you at the Changfeng Pavilion on the west side of the Luoyu Garden."

"Very well." Mei Lingxi followed Lin Mu along the winding corridor to the pavilion.

Ye Jianxun glanced at Mei Lingxi, said nothing, and began to walk ahead. Mei Lingxi followed him at a light jog.

Walking behind him, she had no heart to observe him, instead glancing at the surrounding scenery.

The Luoyu Garden carried the damp, misty atmosphere of the Jiangnan region, with "Z"-shaped corridors and two white plum trees planted nearby.

The Youlan Lake in front of the garden was like an inlaid piece of jasper, calm and tranquil, soothing the heart.

Finally, they arrived at the main hall. The Prince and Princess of Ning were already seated on huanghuali wood chairs.

To their left and right sat the Prince's two concubines, Concubine Liu and Concubine Zhang.

Concubine Liu had two daughters, and Concubine Zhang had three. The Prince of Ning’s household was not populous, and heirs were scarce; currently, only the Princess of Ning had a son.

Mei Lingxi knelt on a cushion, holding a cup of hot tea. "Father, Mother, please have tea."

The Princess of Ning, now forty, looked haggard, her beautiful peach-blossom eyes shadowed with dark circles, appearing physically drained.

She smiled kindly at Mei Lingxi, finished the tea, removed the red agate bracelet from her wrist, and placed it directly onto Mei Lingxi’s, saying, "Xun'er marrying you is his blessing. I hope you remain sweet and affectionate and soon bring more descendants to the estate."

Ye Jianxun also offered a cup of tea. "Father, Mother, please have tea."

The Princess of Ning suddenly froze, her eyes welling with tears. She reached out to take Ye Jianxun’s hand, weeping, "Xun'er, oh Xun'er, now that you have a family of your own, I shall have no regrets even if I depart to the underworld..."

The Prince of Ning frowned slightly, his expression darkening as he said to a maid, "The Princess is unwell. Help her back to her room."

After the Princess left, the hall returned to its lively state.

Mei Lingxi offered tea to Concubines Liu and Zhang and received some gifts in return.

Concubine Liu, looking to be in her twenties, smiled prettily. "The Princess Consort is truly a beauty of the first order. Standing with the Heir, you are indeed a perfect match."

Concubine Zhang, around thirty-five, was more composed. "She is just a bit too thin. I heard she even fainted this morning."

Mei Lingxi hurriedly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Concubine. I was merely dizzy from not having eaten this morning; it is nothing serious."

Beside them, Ye Jianwen watched Mei Lingxi silently, while thirteen-year-old Ye Jiansi, with her lively personality, stepped forward. "Sister-in-law, do you know how to carve wood?"

"Wood carving?" Mei Lingxi felt a slight tremor in her heart, then replied with a faint smile, "I know a little."

"Brother loves wood carving too. He has a room specifically for displaying his work. You should go see it."

Ye Jianxun frowned. "Jiansi, is it you who wants to go?"

Ye Jiansi stuck out her tongue playfully. "Yes, Brother! Why don't you take me and sister-in-law to see it today?"

"Very well." Ye Jianxun paused, then agreed.

Ye Jianwen, now fourteen, was quiet but curious and followed them.

The group arrived at the Luoyu Garden. Ye Jianxun went to a room, ordered Lin Mu to fetch the key, and opened the door.

"Do not touch anything carelessly," Ye Jianxun cautioned. "Lin Mu, keep a close watch." With that, he strode away.

Pushing the door open, a dazzling array of wood carvings appeared, placed on tall wooden shelves. They varied in size—some as exquisite and tiny as a fingernail, others nearly half a person's height, truly a magnificent sight.

Ye Jiansi exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, Brother's skills are superb! It's a pity he didn't become a carpenter."

Ye Jianwen tapped her shoulder. "Watch your words."

Mei Lingxi picked up a tiny cat carving from the shelf. It was expertly crafted; every strand of fur and every texture was rendered perfectly, appearing lifelike.

She observed the collection carefully and discovered that everything displayed on the shelves consisted only of small animals, trees, or flowers. There was not a single human figure.

It seemed the Heir did not care for human-shaped carvings.

This was the exact opposite of her.