Chapter 73.1

Fucheng entered the inner room, and when he looked up, he saw Jin Wang with his eyes open on the bed.

His eyes were still blood red, but they seemed to be a lot better than before. At least there was a glint of consciousness in his eyes.

"Your Highness?" He whispered tentatively.

Jin Wang gave a hum, and Fucheng was overjoyed. Knowing that His Highness was all right, at least for the time being, he hurriedly went up to untie the silk rope that kept Jin Wang’s arm fastened to the bedpost.

Lady Su was really capable. If he didn’t know of that one time between His Highness and Side Consort Hu, he would’ve thought that it was Lady Su who was the main ingredient of the medicine.

"Lady Su was here just now, she…" Fucheng peered at Jin Wang's expression while chattering.

Jin Wang did not speak. Of course, he knew that she was here. To be honest, he had woken up a long time ago and even heard her confess that she liked him.

His mind, which had been muddled, suddenly became clear at that moment. He had forced her to speak like that many times before. But today, he discovered that only when she speaks out of her own initiative, was it the most fulfilling.

What a pity-

There was a knot between her and him. A knot that would never be untied because she was unwilling. She seemed to be gentle and submissive, with an appearance of flattering him, but in reality, she was resisting him the entire time.

She couldn't walk away nor get rid of it. Everything was quietly hidden and she carried it all in her heart, intending to bear it for an entire lifetime.

In fact, over the past few days, he had visited Rongxi Courtyard twice in secret. He saw her sitting there, silent by the window. There were many times that he wanted to tell her that this prince didn't care.

The vendor had become a nameless villain but he was already killed. Even if that man was not the actual one, there was nothing to worry about.

It was only a man!

He said it over and over in his heart, but he still couldn't deceive himself. As long as he thought of someone tasting the little nanny like him, savouring all her nooks and crannies, he would have a bloodthirsty impulse to destroy everything.

He’ll wait, wait until his body is detoxified…

After Tao Shan left, Side Consort Hu stayed in her room alone.

The door to her room remained shut the entire afternoon.

When it was zhangdengshi¹, Tao Hong opened the door and walked in.

"Your Highness…"

Side Consort Hu came back to her senses, her face a bit pale.

"It's time for dinner."

It was rare for Side Consort Hu to be so solemn. After she nodded, Tao Hong went out to make arrangements.

Not long afterwards, dinner was served. On the red sandalwood table, there were dishes full of vegetables. There were also dishes with meat that came from creatures flying in the sky, running on the ground, and swimming in the water. There was a bit of everything.

Because of her humble background, after becoming a side consort, Side Consort Hu was very particular about her food, clothing, housing and transportation. What she had must be the best. Fortunately, Jin Wang Mansion could be considered as one of the wealthiest places, so she naturally wouldn’t be treated badly.

Side Consort Hu not only paid attention to materialistic things but also paid attention to propriety. Even for a meal, she must have several maids serving her. These girls were all dressed in clean and decent clothes and well trained. At first glance, it was obvious that they were not maids that ordinary wealthy people could use.

Seeing all this, Side Consort Hu suddenly felt a hint of clarity in her heart and she no longer panicked.

No matter what, she didn't want to lose all of this!

After eating and returning to the inner room, Side Consort Hu ordered everyone to retreat except Tao Hong.

"I want to leave the mansion."

Tao Hong’s eyes flashed, and asked, "Does Your Highness want to go out to a temple to pray?"

"I want to go out of the mansion to meet an old friend. If I say I’m going to the temple to pray, guards, maids and other servants would all come along and I won’t be able to do anything. There are our people at the back door. When the time comes, you will accompany me. I will pretend to be a maid and go out with you."

This was the only way that Side Consort Hu could think of. Having a high status came with its own disadvantages, such as the inconvenience of going out. After entering Jin Wang Mansion, Side Consort Hu had only gone out once, but it was to the temple with Consort Jin to burn incense and pray for Jin Wang. Normally, it was wishful thinking to leave the manor. If there was anything she needed to get done, it would all be done by servants for her.

"Your Highness, it’s probably not safe if it’s just us going out…" Tao Hong hesitated.

Side Consort Hu was not one of those ordinary women. She thinks of herself as someone who has seen a whole lot of the world, so how would she be scared of going out of the manor? In fact, she didn’t want anyone to learn about this trip, but it was impossible for her to successfully go out on her own.

So she chose Tao Hong, her most trusted maid. She was the person she trusted the most besides Tao Shan.

Actually, Tao Hong's significance to Side Consort Hu was very different from Tao Shan. If Tao Shan signified the past that she didn't want to remember, it was Tao Hong who accompanied her through many things that she didn't want others to know. Therefore, at the bottom of her heart, Side Consort Hu still trusted Tao Hong.

"You only need to listen and follow my instructions."

Tao Hong nodded.

Once it was the usual time for Side Consort Hu to rest, Tao Hong quietly sneaked out.

She went back to her room first and changed her clothes. A young maid brought over some clean water to refresh herself. Before leaving, she stuffed something into the young maid's hand.