The Blind Consort at Sixteen

She is the blind Third Miss of the Prime Minister’s household, someone anyone can bully. The only thing left in her life is the dog that has been by her side for three years. She has no idea what color he is, but once she asked the servants, and they told her he was black. She doesn’t know what black looks like, but she believes them all the same. So she names him Xiao Hei. She still remembers how, before her mother died, she clasped her hand and said, “Wei Yi, don’t be sad. When Heaven closes one door, it will surely open a window for you.” She was only six then. She didn’t understand, but she nodded anyway. At sixteen, she finally understood. The window her mother spoke of was Long Shangyan. She couldn’t understand why he wanted to marry her when everyone praised the First and Second Misses of the Prime Minister’s household as beautiful as immortals. He was like a cloud in the sky, while she was mud on the ground. She couldn’t understand why he always grabbed her hand so domineeringly and refused to let go no matter how hard she struggled. There was so much she didn’t understand… Like a wounded little creature, she was used to loneliness and darkness. She liked to lock herself in her room and resist anyone who tried to come close, including him. But he forced his way into her heart and refused to leave. He would take her little hand and place it against his face, telling her, “Wei Yi, remember what I look like. Memorize me, bit by bit.” Whenever she fell, he would hold her tightly and tell her, “Wei Yi, don’t be afraid. I’ll always be by your side…” He would also lean close to her ear and whisper, “Wei Yi, in this life, I will be your eyes.” Much later, he told her again that the black dog who had been with her for so long was actually white. This time, she believed him, because she understood that in this world, he was the only one who would never deceive her. You are my eyes, showing me the changing seasons. You are my eyes, leading me through the crowds. You are my eyes, guiding me through the vast sea of books. Because you are my eyes, you let me see the world right before me… ★ [Scene One] “Don’t… don’t come any closer…” Like a startled fawn, she heard the footsteps approaching her and huddled in fear, staring ahead in terror, her clear, sparkling eyes completely unfocused. “Wei Yi, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.” He wore a bright red wedding robe, his handsome, refined face full of tenderness. “Don’t… don’t come any closer… please…” She could feel his breath so close to her. Terrified, she sobbed, her body trembling uncontrollably. “All right, I’ll go out. Don’t cry. I’m leaving…” The admired Third Prince, as beautiful as an immortal, spent his wedding night in the study. Everyone said his new princess consort was out of favor. But no one knew that their Third Prince had actually been kicked out. He was the one out of favor… [Scene Two] He lifted the filthy “black” dog from her hands. Wei Yi instantly bristled like a cat, grabbing his arm. “Give him back! Give me Xiao Hei!” “Give me a kiss, and I’ll give him back.” He deliberately leaned his face toward her and flashed a mischievous smile. “You… you… you…” Wei Yi’s face turned bright red despite herself. “Wei Yi, just kiss me on the cheek, and I’ll give him back. Please?” He was actually acting cute, and he was doing it for her. She hesitated, pressed her lips together, and lifted her little face as if marching to her death, feeling her way toward his handsome face… Just as her soft lips were only a few centimeters from his cheek… The dog in Long Shangyan’s arms protested with a bark, then opened its mouth and bit him. “Ah…” And just like that, the kiss he had finally coaxed out of her through threats and sweet talk vanished into thin air. That was how the feud between the man and the dog began. [Scene Three] “Third Sister-in-law, how have you been lately? Heh…” Long Liefeng’s voice was low and cold. He was clearly laughing, yet his laughter chilled Wei Yi to the bone, making her shrink back. Frightened, Wei Yi lowered her head and couldn’t help silently calling someone’s name. “Wei Yi, let’s go…” The footsteps drew closer and closer. Her legs felt as though they were filled with lead, and she couldn’t move an inch. Just as those long, slender fingers were about to touch her chin, a fierce palm strike came sweeping in. “Wei Yi!” The voice before her was like a ray of light in the darkness. Along with that familiar scent, it instantly shattered every defense she had. Pouting miserably, she threw herself into his arms, clutching his lapels and clinging tightly to him… “Boohoo… Shangyan, I’m so scared…” His embrace was like a shelter from the storm