Love at First Sight, Chapter 71 This is not what I wanted.

Inside the small side house in the little garden, no one knew what had transpired. Tong’er was deeply anxious, standing at the doorway, peering inside. She longed to enter, but at that moment, only Zun You and Wen Yueqing were within. Recognizing the situation, she wisely withdrew, waiting outside in case they summoned her.

Zun You sat at the bedside, his heart aching at the sight of her disheveled state. “Yue’er, how do you feel?” he asked, his face etched with concern as he gazed at Wen Yueqing.

“I feel awful… Your Highness, both the Fifth Prince and I were drugged with an aphrodisiac… it’s unbearable.” She lifted her head, her eyes clouded with confusion, her voice laced with a subtle, sultry undertone.

Zun You was at a loss, uncertain what to do. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you back to your room first.” He glanced around at the dilapidated chamber—this was no place to remain. As he spoke, he reached out to help Wen Yueqing.

Her body went limp, and at his words, she collapsed into his arms. Burying her face in his chest, she inhaled his scent, a surge of longing overcoming her. Unexpectedly, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Your Highness…” Her voice, soft and alluring, drifted upward as her breath caressed his neck, sending shivers through him.

“Yue’er,” he murmured, swallowing hard, his gaze locked on hers. Their eyes met, and the air between them grew feverish.

Wen Yueqing smiled faintly, closed her eyes, and pressed her lips to his. Zun You, taken aback by her sudden boldness, stared in wide-eyed surprise. Yet he hesitated not a moment before responding, returning her kiss with fervor. The two embraced, lost in passion.

Held tightly in his arms, Wen Yueqing’s desire only grew, fueled by both the drug and his affection. She became bold, reaching to untie his sash. “Take me now… please?” Her raspy plea lingered at his ear.

“Yue’er…” Zun You whispered, laying her gently upon the bed and running his hand over her flushed cheeks. Her skin was exquisite—smooth and supple, like a peeled egg. At that moment, he felt as though someone had set a fire within him, the flames closing in, searing and intense.

“I love you, Yue’er, I truly love you,” he breathed, lowering his lips to kiss the hollow of her collarbone. His kisses were feather-light, trailing downward to her chest, soft and full as snowy buns, yielding beneath his touch.

Drugged and teased, Wen Yueqing grew ever more desperate. “Hurry, Your Highness—I can’t bear it, please… take me,” she pleaded, her urgency like that of a little wolf, intent only on capturing her prey.

Without waiting, she began undressing herself, heedless now of anything but her own desire.

“No, this isn’t what I want.” Despite her insistent urging, Zun You suddenly stopped. Looking at Wen Yueqing before him, he felt an unfamiliarity—she was not the sort of woman to be so wanton. If she had truly wished to share his bed, they would have long since come together. He knew all of this was the result of the aphrodisiac; if he took advantage of her now, how could he face her when she regained her senses?

In his agitation, cold sweat broke out on his brow. He quickly dressed himself, then straightened Wen Yueqing’s clothing as well.

“Yue’er, I can’t do this.” He fought desperately to master his own desire—for to love someone is to respect her. He had vowed to marry her, to give her a perfect first night. Only then, when both their hearts were truly as one, would they share their tenderness and pleasure. Their wedding night would not be forced, nor would it take place in this shabby room in hurried, careless union.

“Tong’er, come in!” Zun You called out loudly.

“Yes, Your Highness!” Tong’er, who had been waiting outside, hurriedly entered at his summons.

“Quickly, prepare a bath—she needs to soak for a while,” Zun You instructed.

“Right away,” she replied, glancing at Wen Yueqing on the bed. She wondered anxiously if anything had happened between her and His Highness. With this thought, she rushed to the front courtyard.

“Why?” Wen Yueqing asked softly. Did he truly suspect an affair between her and Zun Yi?

Zun You lifted her from the bed and strode toward the door. “Don’t let your thoughts run wild. Endure a little longer—I’ll think of a solution.” Carrying her back to his own chambers, he laid her on his soft bed, where she felt much more comfortable. The wind on the way back had cleared her head somewhat.

Liu Yi, having learned of his return, hastened in. “How is the Fifth Prince?” Zun You asked.

“Rest assured, Your Highness. I’ve arranged everything; A Tao has already been sent over,” Liu Yi reported.

“Good. You’ve done well. Tomorrow, reward her with three hundred taels of silver, and let her serve my fifth brother in his residence,” Zun You said. He had little impression of this A Tao and, having spoken, asked no further.

“Send someone to fetch the physician from the Zhang residence,” he ordered after a moment’s thought.

Liu Yi acknowledged the command and departed to carry it out.

Tong’er had already prepared the bath. She helped Wen Yueqing into the tub.

“Qing-jie, you…” Tong’er began, but could not finish her question.

“Someone tried to harm me with an aphrodisiac… I won’t let her get away with it.” Immersed in the warm water, Wen Yueqing felt much better, though the burning heat within her body still raged.

“Fetch some cold water,” she told Tong’er, turning her head.

“That won’t do, it’s too cold—you’ll catch a chill,” Tong’er protested, worried for her mistress’s health.

“Just do it. The warm water isn’t enough, only cold water will help,” Wen Yueqing insisted. She knew Tong’er meant well, but she was on the verge of burning up.

Seeing her resolve, Tong’er had no choice but to fetch more cold water. Several buckets later, Wen Yueqing could not help but gasp as the chill hit her, but the effect was immediate—she felt a wave of coolness, the fever finally subsiding.

“Leave me now—I’ll be fine alone for a while.” Wen Yueqing dismissed Tong’er, her mind much clearer. Gazing down at her young body, she realized she could resolve the matter herself. She’d truly lost her head earlier, nearly begging Zun You to make love to her. Though her body was that of a maiden, she knew all too well what to do—sometimes, a woman’s own hands serve better than a man’s.