Love at First Sight — Chapter 70: My Two Little Ancestors

The moonlight was as clear as if it had washed the world, casting a pale silver sheen over the ground. Zun You, Liu Yi, and Tong’er stood together at the entrance of the side room. The air was bitterly cold, and none of them spoke a word. It was as if time itself had frozen, the atmosphere thick with a strange and tense unease.

Both Liu Yi and Tong’er kept their heads bowed, not daring to move. They knew all too well that once this door was opened, it could never be shut again.

To catch one's own brother and beloved woman in the act—just the thought of it chilled Zun You to his core. In that moment, he found himself without the courage to push open the door. On his way from the rear courtyard to the little garden, his mind was a tangled mess, filled with countless thoughts. He considered running away, deceiving himself, even losing his mind and beating Zun Yi senseless.

No matter how extreme these thoughts, the one that haunted him most was how he would face Wen Yueqing—what should he do about her?

“Liu Yi, open the door,” he commanded at last. In the end, he chose to confront the matter head-on. Whatever the outcome, he resolved to face it with courage. After all, he wanted the truth, no matter how cruel, no matter how unbearable it might be.

Hearing this, Liu Yi's nerves nearly snapped. “Yes, Your Highness,” he replied, swallowing hard before hurriedly approaching the chamber door.

Inwardly, he prayed, “Oh my ancestors, Fifth Prince, and the honored Wen Yueqing—please, don't let anything unforgivable have happened. Bodhisattva, protect us.”

Liu Yi’s hands trembled uncontrollably. Feeling Zun You’s gaze burning into his back, his movements grew clumsy. This was his first time facing such a situation; he felt as though he were sitting on needles, a thorn stuck in his throat, prickles down his spine.

“To hell with it, let it end tonight,” he thought, and with determination, he pushed the door open.

With a creak and a bang, the door to the side room swung wide.

Tong’er, standing behind, was beside herself with worry. She wanted to rush in, but seeing Zun You motionless, she could only stand quietly by his side. A sudden fear struck her—would the prince lose his temper and beat Sister Qing? Would he beat them to death, or drive them from the estate?

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, and her whole body began to shiver uncontrollably.

Zun You gazed at the faint light seeping from the room. He seemed to hear a man's voice—a rapid, desperate breathing, thick with an unmistakable air of intimacy. He felt his heart turn to ice, his breath quicken, and his pulse pound wildly in his chest.

He shook his head hard, trying to compose himself, breathing deeply again and again. At last, he let out a soft sigh and stepped inside.

The first thing he saw was Zun Yi, hands bound to the leg of a table. Draped in an outer robe, Zun Yi sat on the floor, his face flushed deep red, eyes tightly shut, panting heavily, sweat beading on his forehead.

On the bed sat Wen Yueqing, her cheeks also aflame, her eyes unfocused and hazy with confusion. Her hair was a wild tangle, yet her clothing remained perfectly intact.

At this, Zun You was both shocked and relieved—a weight lifted from his heart. Thankfully, nothing had happened between them.

He glanced at Zun Yi on the floor and quickly knelt to ask, “Fifth Brother, are you all right? What happened to you?”

Zun Yi slowly raised his dazed eyes at the sound of the voice. “A woman... I need a woman...” he murmured over and over.

Liu Yi, who had some experience, also knelt and said, “Could it be Fifth Prince has been drugged? He’s young and full of vigor—if he doesn’t find release, it could harm his health.”

Zun You grew even more concerned. His brother was still so young—he couldn’t let him be ruined like this. “Take him back to the front courtyard. Find him a maid to relieve the heat, and if that doesn’t work, find another way to resolve it—quickly, there’s no time to lose.”

Liu Yi responded at once, untied Zun Yi, and helped him out. After a while, they encountered some guards.

“Come help, quickly! The Fifth Prince has had too much—escort him to the guest room in the front courtyard to rest,” Liu Yi called.

Several guards hurried over. As they supported Zun Yi, each wondered, “Something’s off—he was supposed to be drunk, but there’s no smell of alcohol, though his face is flushed and he’s in a stupor. He really does look drunk...”

“A woman... I need a woman...” Zun Yi kept mumbling, allowing himself to be led away without any resistance.

Liu Yi quickly found Ah Tao, the prettiest of the maids, and said, “Your fortune has come—His Highness has chosen you to serve the Fifth Prince. From now on, you belong to him. Come with me.”

Ah Tao blushed deeply, lowering her head. “So soon? Do I need to go to the Fifth Prince’s residence right now?”

“He’s in the guest room. Come quickly,” Liu Yi urged, pulling her along.

She had no choice but to follow. In this world, maids were their masters’ property, given or sold at will. To serve a prince was considered a blessing earned in a previous life.

Ah Tao had seen the Fifth Prince several times and knew he was handsome and gentle. He had no concubines yet, so she would be the first woman in his entire household. The news filled her with joy; she would never refuse.

Liu Yi pushed her into the room and whispered, “Serve the Fifth Prince well tonight, and you will enjoy endless wealth and honor in days to come.”

Ah Tao bowed, her cheeks aflame. “Yes, I will do my utmost to please His Highness.”

“Good, go now,” Liu Yi replied, finally at ease.

Ah Tao entered, gently closing the door behind her. She stepped to the bedside, where Zun Yi lay. Sitting down, she said softly, “Your Highness, I, Ah Tao, am here to serve you tonight.”

Zun Yi, his mind lost to all reason, heard a woman’s voice and surrendered to his need. He rose swiftly, pressing Ah Tao beneath him, tearing wildly at her clothing.

“Your Highness, please be gentle—it’s my first time. I beg you to take pity,” Ah Tao whispered shyly.

Zun Yi grunted his assent, but his movements were anything but gentle.