TGPSAC – Chapter 130

The room was filled with the scent of camellias in the snow. It was more cold than fragrant.

It felt like a snowflake landing on the tip of one’s nose—an icy chill that drew one in.

Chi Wan felt herself sinking, completely enveloped by this fragrance. If she remembered correctly, this was a pheromone.

The pheromone of a top-tier Kun Ze was something that even a top-tier Qian Yuan could not resist.

She sensed a strangeness in her own body. A fire was surging within her, making her want to erupt.

Chi Wan also caught her own scent—a faint aroma of medicine and a hint of tea, gentle and elegant, beckoning one to pursue it.

She knew this was her own pheromone.

Their scents intertwined in the room, causing their bodies to heat up continuously.

Chi Wan had the urge to devour the person before her, to leave nothing behind.

She was restraining herself, determined not to make any untoward moves.

However, just because she didn’t understand didn’t mean Yu Jiuzhou didn’t either.

She knew Chi Wan all too well. She knew exactly what actions would make Chi Wan cast all caution to the wind.

Yu Jiuzhou approached step by step, while Chi Wan retreated continuously until she had no path of escape and stumbled onto the arhat bed.

She propped herself up with her hands, her moist eyes looking at Yu Jiuzhou with a hint of grievance.

This little white rabbit-like posture only made Yu Jiuzhou’s gaze burn hotter.

“Can the Fuma endure even this?”

Yu Jiuzhou pulled Chi Wan up with a force that was somewhat frightening.

Did she really think all this time spent recuperating was for nothing? She had transformed from a sickly person into a master with a fair amount of internal energy.

Her stamina was another matter, but the robustness of her body was greater than it had ever been, even at her peak at seventeen or eighteen.

Chi Wan was also surprised. She hadn’t expected the seemingly frail Yu Jiuzhou to possess such strength. Even though she too had some internal energy, she was powerless to resist.

As she watched Yu Jiuzhou pull her into the inner chamber, she stammered and shook her head, “N-No… this isn’t right.”

But her body was almost completely under Yu Jiuzhou’s control. The pheromones enveloping her excited her body, making her blood boil.

Her refusal, however, sounded more like she was playing hard to get.

Chi Wan wished she could slap herself. Why was she speaking in such a voice? Couldn’t she be more forceful?

She couldn’t be forceful, but Yu Jiuzhou certainly was. “I forgot. The Fuma has lost her memory and doesn’t know how.”

Ugh…

What an infuriating thing to say. So what if she didn’t know how? So what if she’d never been in a relationship!

Chi Wan was furious. Just as she was about to speak, Yu Jiuzhou sealed her lips.

She clenched her jaw, only to be met with a punishing, venting bite from Yu Jiuzhou. The taste of blood filled her mouth, and Yu Jiuzhou’s calm voice sounded by her ear.

“The Fuma once said that the stage was set and all that was needed was an opportunity. But no one knew what that opportunity was. So, I will tell you.”

Yu Jiuzhou reached out and tore down the bed curtains, her hand closing around Chi Wan’s neck. “The Fuma’s uncontrollable scent is the opportunity.”

Chi Wan: “…”

At that moment, the two of them seemed to have returned to the Grand Princess’s Residence. Yu Jiuzhou referred to herself as “I, the sovereign,” and called Chi Wan “Fuma.”

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Chi Wan never imagined that one day, she would be stripped bare by Yu Jiuzhou.

She had now experienced the wondrous exchange between a Qian Yuan and a Kun Ze in this world.

A mere exchange of pheromones could be so intoxicating.

“No, Chi Wan, you bastard, what are you thinking?”

Chi Wan slapped her own forehead. She absolutely could not get lost in this, especially since it wasn’t voluntary.

Although, according to this world’s logic, the Kun Ze was the one at a disadvantage in such intimate acts, she had to be able to resist in the first place.

For some reason, as soon as Yu Jiuzhou released her pheromones, her body became completely uncontrollable, and her own pheromones were directly drawn out.

In truth, Yu Jiuzhou was in her Rain and Dew Period. During this time, the release of pheromones was inherently uncontrollable, and no Qian Yuan could resist the scent of a top-tier Kun Ze.

Moreover, Chi Wan had already marked Yu Jiuzhou long ago, and their pheromones were highly compatible.

Thus, when Yu Jiuzhou removed her suppression patch, Chi Wan was utterly unable to resist.

And Chi Wan’s knowledge of pheromones was only half-baked; she didn’t understand the subtleties. All she knew was that she had been done this way and that by Yu Jiuzhou.

What angered her even more was that when she opened her eyes in the morning, Yu Jiuzhou was gone.

She felt like an abandoned little wife, left behind pitifully, especially after she threw a tantrum and decided to skip breakfast.

But she quickly came to her senses. Why shouldn’t she eat breakfast? She would eat, and eat Yu Jiuzhou into poverty.

So she ordered a huge table of delicious food and tasted a little of each dish, looking as if she were at war with the food.

Chun Gui, Xia Qu, Qiu Lai, and Dong Ying all kept their distance. It was Qiu Lai who spoke first. “What’s wrong with Her Highness the Prince?”

“Last night…” Xia Qu quickly recounted the events of the previous night.

Qiu Lai’s eyes widened. “You mean Her Majesty? Our Majesty is that fierce?”

Xia Qu huffed lightly. “I think Her Majesty did the right thing. They are partners. The Fuma has amnesia, it’s not like they’ve separated. This is only human nature. Besides, our Majesty isn’t selecting consorts, so there won’t be any other concubines. There are only the two young highnesses at home. If you ask me, our Majesty should have a third child.”

Chun Gui shot her a look. “For a Kun Ze, childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell. This matter must never be mentioned again.”

Qiu Lai shook her head. “Her Majesty’s health is very good. Following Her Highness the Prince’s methods, there isn’t much danger.”

Chun Gui’s tone grew heavy. “Aren’t two highnesses enough?”

“Enough, of course it’s enough.” Qiu Lai hugged her arms. “I’m just afraid Her Majesty won’t agree.”

“Why?” Dong Ying, who had been listening, asked in confusion.

Chun Gui sighed. “In Her Majesty’s eyes, the two young highnesses were born for the sake of seizing power. This weighs on her heart like a stone. Her Majesty feels she has wronged Her Highness the Prince, so she has always been thinking of having a third highness.”

Qiu Lai smiled. “But do you know what I found when I took Her Highness the Prince’s pulse?”

Chun Gui, Xia Qu, and Dong Ying all looked at her.

Xia Qu, ever impatient, said, “Stop keeping us in suspense. Hurry up and tell us.”

Only then did Qiu Lai speak. “Her Highness the Prince has been taking pills to block her scent.”

Chun Gui’s heart skipped a beat. “What are the consequences?”

“It won’t affect normal partner intimacy, but it will prevent a Kun Ze from becoming pregnant.” This was why Qiu Lai had come to accept Chi Wan.

She felt that Chi Wan had made a very selfless decision, all for the sake of Her Majesty’s health.

Perhaps Chi Wan had seen that Her Majesty felt guilty for using their children as tools in a power struggle and wanted to give birth to a child truly conceived from love.

Therefore, Chi Wan had taken the scent-blocking pills herself, without letting Her Majesty know.

Qiu Lai had learned this information while treating Chi Wan.

Now, three more people knew. Xia Qu’s mouth fell open in shock. “Her Highness the Prince is too hard on herself.”

Chun Gui, however, gave her a look. “Her Highness the Prince loves Her Majesty too much.”

Dong Ying: “A good person.”

Chi Wan, who had just been awarded a “good person card,” was still battling with her food.

After eating her fill, she poured herself a cup of tea. Why hadn’t Yu Jiuzhou come yet? Didn’t she owe her an explanation?

What she didn’t know was that Yu Jiuzhou was currently granting an audience to Chi Qing.

Yu Jiuzhou was the emperor. She sat on the dragon throne, looking down from on high at Chi Qing below. She waited for her to complete her salutations but did not bid her to rise.

After a long while, she finally spoke. “You wish to force your way into the inner palace?”

Chi Qing’s heart tightened, and a cold sweat broke out on her back. “Your Majesty, this subject has no such intention.”

Denial was her subconscious reaction. For an outer court official to try to enter the inner palace, for any reason, was an unforgivable crime.

Chi Wan was not yet free; she was still imprisoned. If Chi Qing did not remain steady and lost her official position, she would no longer be able to speak up for Chi Wan.

These past few days, she had tried to contact Chi Wan’s trusted subordinates, but no matter what she said, they all replied, “Her Highness the Prince has given an order. No matter what happens, even if she disappears, we are to prioritize Your Majesty.”

Whether it was the Imperial City Division, the Capital Camps, or the people Chi Wan had promoted, they all said the same thing.

Chi Wan had trusted Yu Jiuzhou too much, to have left such an order.

This meant that Chi Qing was the only high-ranking official left by Chi Wan’s side.

As the Vice Minister of Revenue, there was still much she could do. As for the new identity Chi Wan wanted, she had already prepared it without alerting anyone. She just didn’t know how to get it to Chi Wan.

She was just about to pass the identity to Chi Wan through a palace attendant she had bribed when she was summoned by Yu Jiuzhou.

She never expected Yu Jiuzhou to see through her intentions right away. All she could do was deny it.

Yu Jiuzhou seemed to have known she would deny it. “You want to see Chi Wan?”

Chi Qing’s heart sank even further. She then performed another deep bow. “Your Majesty, His Highness and I share the same roots. I am His Highness’s older sister. The Grand Madam is now gravely ill. I implore Your Majesty to show compassion.”

“The Grand Madam is gravely ill?” Yu Jiuzhou’s tone grew heavy.

The Grand Madam of the Chi family was quite a survivor. Chi Qing had taken her along when she was posted outside the capital, keeping her confined and claiming she was gravely ill to avoid social interactions. She had brought her back when she returned to her post as well.

The journey had been arduous, and for an old woman to be “gravely ill” for so long without anything happening was remarkable.

However, because Chi Qing took the Grand Madam with her everywhere, she had earned a reputation for being filial.

Yu Jiuzhou knew that the Grand Madam wasn’t actually sick; it was just an excuse Chi Qing used. So why was she suddenly gravely ill now?

Chi Qing immediately said, “Yes, she is beyond medical help.”

It seemed Chi Qing was willing to kill the Grand Madam just to see Chi Wan.

Even though Chi Wan had married into the imperial family, there was no precedent for preventing someone from returning home when an elder was gravely ill. If the Grand Madam died and Chi Wan didn’t appear, the court officials who had been demanding to see Chi Wan would likely have even more to say.

What a woman, this Chi Qing. Ruthless enough.

Willing to kill the Grand Madam just to see Chi Wan.

Yu Jiuzhou didn’t believe for a second that the Grand Madam, who had been fine for so many years despite being constantly “gravely ill,” would suddenly take a turn for the worse.

Chi Qing was reminding her that Great Zhou was ruled through filial piety. Once the Grand Madam passed away, not even she, the emperor, could stop Chi Wan from returning to the Chi residence.

This Chi Qing, worried that the Grand Madam would cause trouble for Chi Wan, never let the old woman see anyone. And now, to see Chi Wan, she was willing to let the Grand Madam die.

A person who was ruthless enough, yet also deeply devoted.

Yu Jiuzhou suddenly smiled. “Actually, there is another way.”

Chi Qing had a bad feeling. “May I ask what other way Your Majesty has in mind?”

Her intuition told her that what she was about to hear would not be good.

Yu Jiuzhou’s tone was icy. “You are gravely ill and on the verge of death.”

Then Chi Wan would have to appear as well. As Chi Wan’s only older sister, she had that right.

Chi Qing’s hands paused, then clenched the hem of her robes.

Yu Jiuzhou’s meaning was clear: if she wanted to see Chi Wan, she had to die.

She took a deep breath and bowed deeply again. “This subject will fall gravely ill upon returning to my residence.”

As long as Yu Jiuzhou would let Chi Wan out, as long as they could meet once so she could find out what had happened to Chi Wan, that would be enough.

Even if death awaited her after that meeting.

Yu Jiuzhou raised an eyebrow, as if she didn’t believe Chi Qing would go to such lengths. “Then wait in your residence.”

“Yes!”

Watching Chi Qing depart, Yu Jiuzhou wondered, would Chi Qing really trade her life for a chance to see Chi Wan?

On that, she reserved judgment.

Chi Wan was still unaware of the confrontation in the imperial study.

By now, her head had cleared considerably. She had been too naive, thinking that Yu Jiuzhou wouldn’t kill her, that it wouldn’t matter if she pushed the boundaries a little.

It now seemed that while Yu Jiuzhou wouldn’t kill her, she had plenty of ways to torment her.

It was undeniable that Chi Wan had been somewhat lost in a world of pleasure. After regaining her senses, she was filled mostly with shame and anger.

She admitted she was drawn to Yu Jiuzhou’s beauty, and for the past two months, Yu Jiuzhou had been exceedingly gentle with her.

Although she knew deep down that this gentleness wasn’t meant for her, she had still fallen for it.

To fall while fully aware was a kind of torture. She knew she shouldn’t, yet feelings of affection had inevitably developed.

However, after Yu Jiuzhou forcibly triggered her pheromones and caused her to be controlled by desire, reason had triumphed over affection.

She had originally thought she had transmigrated into the body of a prince of a different surname whose achievements overshadowed the sovereign. But Yu Jiuzhou still had feelings for her, so she took advantage of her “amnesia” to imprison her, which could be seen as a way to preserve what was left of their relationship.

Two months had passed, and as she learned more about this world, she began to suspect her predecessor was a transmigrator, and then she began to suspect Yu Jiuzhou was a transmigrator.

In fact, she felt it was more likely that there was no predecessor, nor was Yu Jiuzhou a transmigrator, but that she herself had simply lost her memory.

If that was the case, surely Yu Jiuzhou had a way to prove that she was the same person as before?

She knew herself. If she truly loved someone, she would surely have laid everything bare.

But Yu Jiuzhou hadn’t told her anything. Was it because she didn’t know, or because she didn’t want to tell her?

If it was the former, it meant their relationship wasn’t that strong, which made the possibility of her being “imprisoned” to prevent her from seizing power even more likely.

If it was the latter, and they were in love, did that mean Yu Jiuzhou didn’t want her to regain her memory? Why wouldn’t she want her to regain her memory? Was she worried that once her memory returned, she would once again become the powerful prince who held sway over the court?

Chi Wan guessed and guessed until her mind was about to turn into one obsessed with political intrigue.

Because no matter how she thought about it, it always came back to the struggle for power.

Throughout history, what good end ever came for an emperor and a prince of a different surname, or an emperor and a powerful minister?

She admitted she was biased by her preconceived notions, but she was also learning from the lessons of history.

After last night, the sense of compatibility between them made her lean more towards the idea that she had lost her own memory.

Chi Wan had many theories—a dozen or so, at least—but she didn’t know which one was true.

To be safe, she had to assume the worst-case scenario.

However, after last night, that feeling of soul-deep compatibility made her suspect that she was the one with amnesia.

Chi Wan couldn’t help but wonder: given the situation at court, what would happen if she had amnesia?

But she didn’t understand the current political landscape. All she knew was that Yu Jiuzhou was implementing reforms, and many in the court opposed them.

That was also a very plausible reason.

But no matter how she guessed, it was all just speculation. Whatever the situation, she needed Yu Jiuzhou to clear up her confusion.

Should she force Yu Jiuzhou’s hand?

She had tried to provoke her yesterday, and the result was being overpowered.

Chi Wan’s mind was a mess. In the end, she couldn’t think of what to do.

It wasn’t until Chun Gui came in that she was interrupted. “Your Highness, Her Majesty is busy today and cannot come to see you.”

Used her and then disappeared?

Chi Wan grew even angrier. She had almost started making excuses for Yu Jiuzhou, like she was trying to protect her, or didn’t want to disrupt the court situation.

She really was a fool for a pretty face.

Chi Wan was so angry she nearly punched herself. Fine, if she wouldn’t see her, she wouldn’t see her. She would leave it to fate.

She still decided to run. Whether she could escape or not would depend on heaven’s will.

Chi Wan would make all the necessary preparations and try her best not to be discovered. If Yu Jiuzhou still found her, well, then it meant she couldn’t escape.

Chi Wan looked at Chun Gui and just nodded silently.

This version of Chi Wan exuded a sense of pressure.

Chun Gui gave a dry laugh. “Her Majesty said that she can take Your Highness to the Huai’an Earl’s Residence for a visit tomorrow.”

The Huai’an Earl’s Residence? The Chi family?

She had snuck out yesterday and run into Chi Qing. Why was she suddenly being allowed to go to the Chi residence?

She had thought that if she were to leave the palace, the first place she would go would be the Grand Princess’s Residence.

After all, that was where their relationship had begun.

“Why the Huai’an Earl’s Residence?” Chi Wan asked, puzzled.

Chun Gui knew. News had come from Her Majesty’s side today that the Earl of Huai’an was gravely ill. As her sister, Chi Wan naturally had to go see the Earl for the last time.

In reality, there was more to the story.

Chun Gui pondered for a moment. “The Earl of Huai’an is gravely ill. It is proper for Your Highness to pay a visit.”

Gravely ill?

Chi Wan frowned and asked, “How gravely ill?”

“Preparations for the funeral can be made.” Chun Gui didn’t dare to think too deeply about it.

Chi Qing had attended court just today. How could news of her being gravely ill have spread so soon after she returned to her residence?

Chi Wan shot to her feet. “I want to see Her Majesty.”

She didn’t believe it. The person who was perfectly fine last night was on the verge of death today.

Could it be because they had accidentally met and talked for a while?

Or did Yu Jiuzhou know that she had asked Chi Qing to get her a new identity?

She had to see Yu Jiuzhou. She would never allow someone to die because of her.

This time, Chun Gui performed a deep bow. “Your Highness, Her Majesty is busy. If you wish to see Her Majesty, you will naturally be able to tomorrow morning.”

Chi Wan strode outside and saw that the number of guards was several times greater than yesterday. Suppressing her anger, she walked back inside.

Tomorrow, she would go to the Huai’an Earl’s Residence with Yu Jiuzhou. At least Chi Qing would be safe through the night.

She took a deep breath and returned to her room.

This was the place she lived. From the entrance, it was six steps south and six steps east—a very small space.

As for the palace itself, it was only a few dozen steps from south to north. Even going out into the courtyard didn’t add many more steps.

She had been in this place for two months, with no internet, no games.

Even if there were internet and games, choosing to be a homebody was completely different from being imprisoned.

Chi Wan’s heart was already suppressed, and now anger surged within her, almost uncontrollably.

She didn’t sleep all night, sitting quietly until dawn.

Xia Qu, who was in charge of accompanying her, was clearly aware of the situation, but she didn’t know how to console her.

When the time came, Xia Qu finally went inside. “Your Highness, it is time.”

Chi Wan understood. It was time to go to the Huai’an Earl’s Residence.

She stood up to leave, but Xia Qu blocked her. “Your Highness, please change your clothes.”

Chi Wan said nothing and obediently changed her clothes.

It was a red python robe. From a distance, one could tell at a glance that this was a prince.

Chi Wan sneered inwardly but followed everyone obediently. She remembered what Chun Gui had said last night.

“On this trip, Your Highness should speak little and listen much. It is best not to speak at all. You must not reveal that you have lost your memory.”

Then she wouldn’t speak. Chi Wan knew that if she wanted to leave the palace, she had to be obedient.

Unexpectedly, before their party had even left the inner palace, they were stopped.

A woman who looked to be in her fifties blocked their path. “By decree of the Empress Dowager, the Prince of Qin Yu is to see the Empress Dowager at Ci’an Palace.”

Chi Wan: “?” So there was an Empress Dowager in the palace.

Why was the Empress Dowager summoning her the moment she stepped out?

Chun Gui immediately stepped in front of Chi Wan. “Auntie Yun Yao, Her Majesty and Her Highness have important matters to attend to. Please report back to the Empress Dowager that they will see her another day.”

“Insolence.”

Auntie Yun Yao looked coldly at Chi Wan and Chun Gui. “The Empress Dowager has summoned you. How can you refuse?”

“The Prince of Qin Yu is Her Majesty’s partner. She has been in the palace for many days without once paying respects to the Empress Dowager, and she has kept her doors closed. What kind of filial piety is this?”

They were starting to use filial piety to pressure her. Chi Wan remained silent. She was waiting; Chun Gui would naturally handle it.

Of course, if she couldn’t, she might actually have to go see the Empress Dowager first.

Chun Gui did not back down in the slightest. “The Empress Dowager has said that no outsiders are to disturb her, and that includes Her Majesty, who is not to enter Ci’an Palace without being summoned. Her Highness the Prince is merely following the Empress Dowager’s decree.”

Oops.

Chi Wan shook her head inwardly. Now Auntie Yun Yao had something to hold against them.

As expected, Auntie Yun Yao said loudly, “The Empress Dowager is summoning her now.”

Chun Gui was at a loss for words. After a moment, she said, “I am Her Majesty’s female official. I prioritize Her Majesty in all things. Her Majesty and Her Highness have important matters to attend to. If the Empress Dowager insists on seeing Her Highness, then please ask Auntie Yun Yao to first request Her Majesty’s permission. Without Her Majesty’s decree, I will not allow anyone to take Her Highness away.”

So confrontational?

Was Yu Jiuzhou’s relationship with the Empress Dowager that bad?

It sounded like the Empress Dowager didn’t like her much either, otherwise this Auntie Yun Yao by her side wouldn’t have such an attitude.

“Chun Gui!!!” Auntie Yun Yao was furious.

But Chun Gui paid her no mind. Even if it meant refusing the Empress Dowager, she would not make her own Majesty wait. “Let’s go.”

The group walked around the ashen-faced Auntie Yun Yao.

Only Xia Qu gave a thumbs-up. “Chun Gui, you’re still the best.”

“Courtesy first, then force. It was Auntie Yun Yao who didn’t know her place.” Chun Gui was completely unconcerned that she had just slapped the face of the Empress Dowager’s confidante.

She was already angry about the time the Empress Dowager had tried to persuade Her Majesty to abdicate in favor of a Qian Yuan from the imperial clan. But that was the Empress Dowager, after all, and there was nothing she could say. As for Yun Yao, when respected, she was Auntie Yun Yao. When disrespected, her own position as a high-ranking female official was not something a mere Yun Yao could command.

Chi Wan listened, following silently, feeling a little strange.

The attitude of a subordinate reflects the attitude of their master. Was the relationship between Yu Jiuzhou and the Empress Dowager really that terrible?

Chi Wan kept the thought to herself, glancing back at the young palace maid beside Yun Yao.

Chi Qing had passed her a message through that person. Everyone, from the Empress Dowager to the ministers of the previous court, wanted to see her.

In the court sessions of the past few days, after only a few words on other matters, someone would inevitably ask, “When will the Prince of Qin Yu attend court?”

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