Jealousy

Character names to be changed

Su Ting'an thinks his wife loves him.

They grew up together, and as soon as they came of age, his wife welcomed him into her home.

On their wedding night, his wife, the Third Princess who presides over the courts and is infamous as a demon, tenderly pressed against his temple, their breaths mingling as she murmured, "My darling, my darling..."

He shyly pushed her away, holding back his eagerness and putting on the reserve expected of a young gentleman from a distinguished family. "The guests haven't left, Your Highness. You shouldn't be here."

The woman on top of him paused, then laughed. She praised him for knowing proper etiquette before turning and leaving.

She cherishes and cares for him. Every man in the realm envies him.

But the nights are cold as water, and his bedmate always leaves in the middle of the night, abandoning him until dawn.

On the nights she is gone, he tears up one expensive silk handkerchief after another and weeps until morning, then pretends not to know and asks where she went.

She holds him close, the scent of unfamiliar rouge clinging to her. Burying her nose in his rouge, she sighs, "My darling, I don't want to hurt you."

The scraps of cloth at the foot of the bed have not been properly hidden, and one corner sticks out. It is fine silk worth a fortune. His heart pounds and cold sweat clings to him. Before he can make excuses or explain, she laughs and says, "You like it? I'll have the servants tear it for you. Careful, you might hurt your hands."

Su Ting'an thinks his wife loves him.

She must love him...

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