Chapter 210: Each Harboring Ulterior Motives

Jun Yiyi did not expect the Old Lady and Jun Zhengming to be so heartless, not even giving her a decent dowry.

She gritted her teeth, stood up to cover her head with the bridal veil, and slipped out of the mansion gates, supported by her maid.

Outside the gate, a bridal sedan chair was parked in front of the Jun mansion.

Jun Yiyi sat in the sedan chair, jolting all the way to the Prince Yi mansion.

At this moment, the Prince Yi mansion was also desolate; the banquet had been set according to the rites for an Imperial Prince taking a secondary consort, yet there was not a single guest.

This was because the Empress was hosting a flower-viewing banquet in the palace today, inviting officials of all ranks in the capital to bring their families into the palace to admire the flowers.

Whether it was reasonable to hold some nonsense flower-viewing banquet right after a palace banquet had just concluded, everyone knew the truth in their hearts.

But who dared to say anything? And who dared to disrespect the Empress by going to eat at the wedding banquet of an unfavored Imperial Prince instead?

No one had forgotten how Imperial Consort Gao was whipped by Quan Aoyu until she had only one breath left, while the Emperor merely gave a perfunctory punishment of three months' salary.

Quan Tianyi sat in the study with a gloomy face. How had this move turned out like this? It seemed he had been tricked by that damned woman, Jun Zijin.

The steward came to report:

"Your Highness, Miss Jun has almost reached the mansion gate. But... there is still not a single guest."

Quan Tianyi gave a cold snort.

"There is nothing more to be done; let her in."

The moment Jun Yiyi stepped into the mansion, she was like a lone bird that had wandered into the depths of winter.

She had imagined the scene of her marrying into the mansion countless times.

It must have been bright with red candles, filled with guests, everyone smiling and wishing her well on finding a good match and starting a happy life.

She had been full of longing for the future, thinking the Prince Yi mansion would be her new home and a stable reliance for the rest of her life.

However, reality dealt her a harsh slap.

The scene before her was like a basin of bone-chilling cold water; her anticipation was instantly extinguished by the biting cold.

The mansion gates before her were cold and desolate, showing not a hint of festive spirit.

There was no lively wedding procession, no hall filled with distinguished guests, no chorus of well-wishes, and not even the most basic of ceremonies to be seen.

The mansion gates closed quietly behind her, leaving only a deathly silence.

A few servants walked up with expressionless faces and mechanically led her toward the bridal chamber.

Jun Yiyi’s footsteps faltered, a flash of disbelief and disappointment crossing her eyes as she gripped the corner of her garment tightly.

Beneath that exquisite makeup was a face filled with sorrow, tears of humiliation swirling in her eyes.

The maid left after leading her into the bridal chamber, where a deathly silence reigned.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Jun Yiyi quietly took a needle from her bosom, her hands trembling slightly as she placed it under the pillow, thinking she would prick her finger during the consummation that night to feign innocence.

After a moment's thought, she hurriedly and clumsily took a small paper packet from her bosom.

With trembling fingers, she finally managed to open the packet and carefully poured the sleeping powder inside into the wine cup.

She felt it would be safer to drug Quan Tianyi before proceeding; otherwise, if he discovered she was not a virgin, she would surely die without a burial place.

After finishing all this, she let out a long sigh of relief, a flash of determination in her eyes.

She secretly swore that she must gain a firm foothold here and must conceive a child.

Yet she did not know that Quan Tianyi was now impotent; how could he let her conceive a child?

Night fell quietly, and the darkness surged in like a tide, swallowing the entire mansion.

In the bridal chamber, the candlelight flickered, and the shadows danced wildly on the walls, adding a sense of eeriness.

Jun Yiyi sat on the edge of the bed, her hands unconsciously clutching the bedsheets, her nails digging deep into the fabric.

Her heartbeat accelerated rapidly, anticipation and nervousness intertwined in her heart.

Quan Tianyi had drunk enough sullen wine and stepped into the bridal chamber, carrying a hint of drunkenness.

To hide the secret of his impotence, he had to get Jun Yiyi drunk and then use tools to deflower her.

A faint, elusive smile hung on Quan Tianyi's face, but his eyes revealed a hint of unnaturalness.

He raised the wine cup on the table, his voice as steady as he could make it:

"Yiyi, come, let us drink the nuptial wine."

Saying this, he was the first to drain his cup.

Seeing this, Jun Yiyi also picked up her cup and feigned composure as she took a sip.

The two, each harboring their own ulterior motives and calculations, went back and forth; after a few cups, Quan Tianyi felt a wave of dizziness, and the scene before him began to blur. His legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the bed.

Jun Yiyi looked at Quan Tianyi collapsed on the bed and called out:

"Your Highness, what is wrong with you?"

Quan Tianyi did not respond.

The corners of Jun Yiyi's mouth curled up; she hurriedly fished out the needle from under the pillow, pricked her finger, and dripped the blood onto the white silk.

Then she stripped off her own clothes and Quan Tianyi's, and lay on the bed.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, casting a few fragments of light onto the messy bed.

Jun Yiyi woke up leisurely; Quan Tianyi beside her was still in a deep sleep, the dual effects of the hangover and the sleeping powder keeping him in a heavy slumber.

She looked at the scene before her, her heart filled with mixed emotions—both the relief of her plan succeeding and the anxiety of the unknown future.

Just then, a Mama came to collect the white silk; Jun Yiyi got up lightly, picked up the clothes on the floor, and hurriedly dressed herself.

Glancing at the smear of crimson blood on the white silk in the Mama's hand, a flash of triumph crossed her eyes.

The Mama glanced at Quan Tianyi, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, then looked back at Jun Yiyi, her gaze subtly scrutinizing as she asked:

"What is wrong with His Highness, that he is so sleepy?"

Jun Yiyi’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly replied:

"This consort drank a few too many cups with His Highness last night and cannot remember what happened; perhaps His Highness enjoyed himself too much yesterday and is exhausted."

"Since that is the case, let His Highness sleep a while longer. You all set the morning meal inside; this consort will eat something first."

The maids filed in and filled the table with exquisite food.

Jun Yiyi felt triumphant and had a hearty appetite. Although Quan Tianyi had slept like a log last night and they had done nothing, she had already married into the Prince Yi mansion, and there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Just as she was eating, she suddenly heard movement from Quan Tianyi in the inner chamber, so she hurriedly stood up and walked quickly into the room.

She saw Quan Tianyi slowly sitting up, rubbing his temples with his hands, his face full of pain.

"Your Highness, you are awake. How do you feel?"

Jun Yiyi asked with concern, her voice carrying just the right amount of tenderness.

Quan Tianyi looked up at Jun Yiyi, his eyes filled with doubt and inquiry.

He always felt that last night’s events were somewhat suspicious.

"My head aches terribly."

He said indifferently. Jun Yiyi hurriedly handed him a cup of warm water,

"Drinking some water might make you feel better, Your Highness."

Quan Tianyi took the water cup and said calmly:

"I don't remember much about last night; I only remember drinking and making merry with you."

Jun Yiyi pointed to the messy bed, but feigned shyness, lowered her head, and coquettishly said:

"Your Highness, last night... last night you... have you forgotten everything?"