Chapter 6: The Price of Escape

Pulling himself up, Shiyoung dropped to his knees facing Prince Jin.

Thud, a heavy sound echoed as he slammed his head against the floor.

His already dizzy head was rattled, but Wei Shiyoung paid it no mind.

Thud, thud, thud…

With every successive strike of his forehead, his vision darkened further.

“Stop.”

A frigid command rang out.

Wei Shiyoung trembled with his forehead pressed against the cold ground.

There was so much he could feel even without looking.

The amused curiosity of the crowd, Prince Wu’s gaze of immense relief, and Prince Jin’s scent.

“I will not stop you from leaving Prince Wu’s estate.”

“…”

“However, you had best prepare yourself, Wei Shiyoung.”

“I am not merciful enough to overlook an insult.”

It was a threat dripping with genuine intent.

Even so, to Wei Shiyoung, this was practically permission.

Wei Shiyoung muttered frantically.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you… I am deeply grateful, Your Highness.”

Had he survived?

Had the future where he lost his life to Prince Jin’s sword beneath a winter full moon been altered?

Could his parents, siblings, and even his nieces and nephews now be spared from bearing the crime of high treason?

He could not be completely certain.

Still, Wei Shiyoung was relieved of at least one heavy worry.

He feared Prince Jin’s retribution, but whatever came was infinitely better than remaining the consort of a traitor.

“Someone, attend to him!”

“Take Wei Shiyoung away and tend to his wound.”

“He needs to look presentable for his new husband, yet his forehead is injured.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The servants approached upon Prince Wu’s command.

They each took one of Wei Shiyoung’s arms and lifted him up.

Though his forehead did not hurt much, Shiyoung was mentally exhausted.

He docilely accepted their support.

Before leaving the banquet hall, Wei Shiyoung looked back.

Among the crowd, the five consorts stood out noticeably.

Zhang Meiang looking dissatisfied that matters had not gone according to plan, and Cheon Yeorang wearing a bewildered look.

Lee Jooah and Gwak Heeseo seemingly welcoming his departure from Prince Wu’s estate in their hearts.

And Hwawol, who bore an expression of relief.

“…”

Wei Shiyoung could endure it no longer and turned his head away.

For the wretched scene from his dream overlapped with the sight of these beautiful consorts.

Though it was not a deed he had committed, he was consumed by guilt at knowing the future yet being powerless to stop it.

Toward Hwawol in particular, he was utterly lost for words.

Today, Wei Shiyoung had essentially traded places on the register of death with Hwawol.

Should they meet in the underworld later on, apologizing a hundred or a thousand times would scarcely suffice.

‘I am sorry.’

‘I am truly sorry…’

That hollow apology lingered wordlessly in Wei Shiyoung’s mouth.

A servant tended to the wound on Wei Shiyoung’s forehead.

Since the skin was only slightly torn and not severe, it did not take long.

“Thank you.”

“It is nothing.”

“Master Shiyoung, I will now prepare your attire.”

“No, that is fine.”

“This is also His Highness’s command.”

“He said that since you are going to the Yang you love, you should be dressed beautifully.”

“…”

In truth, he was being dressed up only to be sent to the very Yang who would kill him.

As if prepared in advance, maidservants carrying replacement robes and ornaments filed in one after another.

They swarmed around Wei Shiyoung, moving their hands swiftly.

“Could you show me a mirror?”

“There is no time for that, Master Shiyoung.”

“We must finish your adornment quickly so you can go to His Highness Prince Jin.”

“Today?”

“Did he say to go to Prince Jin this very moment?”

“Yes.”

“It is His Highness Prince Wu’s order.”

“Ah, Yeonji is packing your belongings, so do not worry.”

The situation was progressing with lightning speed.

Sensing Prince Wu’s intent to toss him out as swiftly as possible, Shiyoung did not know whether to feel pleased or disappointed.

Before he even realized it, the grooming was complete.

Wei Shiyoung awkwardly fingered his hair.

It seemed they had diligently pinned up his hair and inserted ornaments, but without a mirror, he could not check.

All he knew was that he was wearing a crimson robe so sheer it revealed the flesh beneath.

“Master Shiyoung!”

Yeonji came running in, gasping for breath.

She held luggage that had clearly been packed with whatever she could grab.

She asked through tears.

“What on earth happened?”

“Why must you be driven out, Master Shiyoung!”

“Quiet, silence!”

“A decision made by the higher-ups must be obeyed; why are you blabbering!”

The servant interjected with a loud reprimand.

Pitying the startled Yeonji, Wei Shiyoung spoke up.

“Enough.”

“It is only natural she is alarmed, having received no explanation.”

“And Yeonji, I am not being driven out.”

“Hurry.”

“You must go to His Highness Prince Jin before the banquet ends.”

The servant pretended not to hear Wei Shiyoung and urged him along.

Had they stayed any longer, he seemed the type who would bellow at Wei Shiyoung himself despite his higher station.

While indignation flared within him, recalling the future made Wei Shiyoung feel pity for the servant instead.

The moment Prince Wu became a traitor, every single servant of the estate would become walking corpses.

This servant too would be unable to escape the storm of blood.

Remembering that, it was Wei Shiyoung who wanted to escape Prince Wu’s estate as soon as possible.

Merely remaining here made it difficult to bear the volatile surges of his emotions.

“Let us go, Yeonji.”

“Sob, Master Shiyoung…”

Taking the sniffling Yeonji along, Wei Shiyoung followed behind the servant.

Prince Jin would be wherever the servant was leading them.

***

The banquet hall was still noisy and bustling.

Given the commotion earlier, it would not have been odd for the banquet to disperse, yet it seemed to have carried on until now.

Still, perhaps because the night had deepened, people were beginning to leave one by one.

Wei Shiyoung stepped forward awkwardly.

This was the first time he had been adorned like this since his wedding with Prince Wu.

The ornaments clinking with every step and the cosmetics applied to his face felt thoroughly embarrassing.

Even without checking a mirror, he was certain it did not suit him.

Such adornments belonged to delicate Yins; on a solidly built Yin like himself, it would look utterly ridiculous.

Even so, he hoped the prince would not be too harsh, if only out of consideration for the effort spent dressing up.

Harboring such a wish, Wei Shiyoung stood before Prince Jin.

“…”

Because his face was covered with a thin veil, he could not see Prince Jin’s expression clearly.

Still, was it a relief that he did not sense the harsh scent from before?

While he twiddled his fingers waiting for Prince Jin’s reaction, others passed by tossing casual remarks.

“It seems he truly was a Yin after all.”

“Seeing how he was bewitched by a Yang, begging shamelessly without a shred of dignity.”

“A crimson robe and a veil; anyone ignorant of the situation would think he was holding a wedding.”

“To wear such provocative attire with that body…”

“His Highness Prince Jin will have a difficult time ahead.”

“Keeping such a Yin in check, that is.”

“Who knows if he might become infatuated with another Yang and scatter his scent recklessly?”

The mockery flew like spears, piercing straight into him.

Though he had heard countless times how unseemly large he was for a Yin, being treated as loose was a first.

Wei Shiyoung felt a burning indignation, yet there was nothing he could do.

“Haha, you must truly love Prince Jin.”

“Appearing in such a lovely state that you never once showed me.”

Prince Wu strolled over and spoke in a booming voice.

Even with his vision obscured by the veil, Wei Shiyoung could feel the crowd’s eyes converging upon him.

“Prince Jin, you are blessed.”

“Wei Shiyoung might look a bit plain and unappealing, but his flavor is quite good.”

“You will experience ecstasy with his unconventional skills in the bedchamber.”

“I guarantee it.”

When Prince Wu burst into boisterous laughter, several others chimed in.

Wei Shiyoung’s face twisted fiercely.

It was rather fortunate that the veil was down.

In his current state of mind, he had no capacity to control his expression.

Only now did he understand why Prince Wu had ordered him dressed up.

He intended to exploit this chance to mock Wei Shiyoung and, by extension, Prince Jin to the very end.

Putting aside ‘such a lovely state never shown to me,’ what was this about ‘unconventional skills in the bedchamber’?

It was utter nonsense.

When on earth had he ever used such skills?

Had it not been Prince Wu who walked out of the bridal chamber on their very first night, claiming he could never get an erection for a man!

“I wish you a long and harmonious marriage, Prince Jin.”

“Enjoy yourself thoroughly with Wei Shiyoung.”

The way he masked malice as well-wishes was truly revolting.

Unable to swallow his indignation, Wei Shiyoung stepped between the two princes.

“I thank Your Highness for your gracious benevolence.”

“May Your Highness also live for ten thousand years.”

Wei Shiyoung bowed deeply from the waist.

Yet this was, in truth, mockery rather than gratitude.

For far from living ten thousand years, Prince Wu would not even survive the current year.

Prince Wu was not the only one capable of mocking others with impossible promises.

In the end, the ultimate victor would be himself, the one who survived.

Knowing that allowed Wei Shiyoung to soothe his bitter heart just a little.

Prince Jin’s estate was terrifyingly quiet.

Even though more than ten robust men were gathered, not a single sound of breathing could be heard.

Perhaps unnerved by the silence, Wei Shiyoung glanced around restlessly.

Even the slightest movement from Wei Shiyoung grated on Prince Jin’s nerves.

Just what kind of creature was he to pull such a stunt?

Prince Jin roughly snatched away the sheer veil concealing Wei Shiyoung’s face.

“Ah…!”

Wei Shiyoung made a dumbfounded sound and turned his head aside.

Not that doing so could hide his face.

Prince Jin noticed that the corners of Wei Shiyoung’s eyes were flushed red, as if he had been weeping.

“What is your scheme, Wei Shiyoung?”

Harboring such an expression while claiming to be in love.

It was a transparent lie.

“I have no scheme, Your Highness.”

“I will ask you once more.”

“What is your scheme?”

“…It is the truth.”

“I only hold love for Your Highness and harbor no scheme—gasp!”

Prince Jin grabbed Wei Shiyoung by the collar.

Only now did his gaze meet the rolling pupils of Shiyoung’s eyes.

Wei Shiyoung trembled like someone with everything to hide.

“Must you be put to torture before you open that mouth?”

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