The 36 Strategies to Seduce My Husband

The clamor of the suona horns outside was unbearably grating. Camellia paced back and forth outside the door, hesitating for a long time. Several times, she raised her hand to knock, only to stop herself. Finally, summoning her courage, she spoke toward the room. "Madam, they've sent word from the main hall three times now. Do you... do you wish to rise now?" There was no sound from within. It was nearly noon. Outside, the festivities were at their peak. On the divan, a water-red brocade quilt embroidered with auspicious patterns lay crumpled into a tangled mess. Ye Chenyu huddled beneath it, wrapping herself so tightly that only a cascade of black silk hair was visible. She had heard Camellia's voice. But when she opened her mouth, no sound would come. She felt utterly wretched. For days now, she had been plagued by intermittent headaches and heart palpitations. She had thought little of it at first. But this morning, upon waking, something was clearly wrong. Her entire body burned—even her mind felt feverish, clouded with confusion. She had thought a brief rest would suffice. Yet two hours had passed, and not only had she not improved, but waves of nausea had begun to assail her. Now, she could not even rise from the bed. "Madam, I'm coming in," Camellia called again, her voice notably louder. Then the door creaked open. Camellia knew her mistress had been unwell lately. Had the summons not been so urgent, she would never have dared to intrude. She stopped beside the bed and spoke softly. "Lady Qin has already entered the household. The main ceremony is about to begin. Whatever else may be the case, Madam, you really ought to show your face." The suona music had already set Chenyu's nerves on edge. Hearing Camellia speak of Pei Sheng taking a concubine only deepened her vexation. Temper flaring, her voice finally broke free from her throat. "What does his taking a concubine have to do with me? My presence would only offend his eyes. It's best if I stay here, half-dead and out of sight!" The words came too quickly. No sooner had she finished than a harsh cough seized her. Camellia rushed to support her, steadying her back with trembling hands. "Madam, please take it easy." Camellia's voice shook with fear. Her mistress's complexion was too pale—drained of every last drop of color. Those limpid, dark eyes, shimmering like autumn pools, stared wide with anguish. Her usually crimson lips were pressed tightly together, bitten until they had grown dry and cracked. "Perhaps... perhaps I should fetch a physician," Camellia ventured, alarmed by the sight before her. "What physician?" Though Chenyu's voice was weak, she summoned enough force to lend it an edge of quiet authority. "Today is Pei Sheng's happy occasion. Calling a physician would only cast a shadow over his celebration. Heaven forbid he finds out and gives me another of his cutting looks." Ye Chenyu had been married into the Duke of Guo's household for over three years. In all that time, her relationship with the man she called husband could be summed up in four words: *strangers passing in the night.* He did not like her. He loathed her. He could scarcely bear to look at her. Occasionally, Chenyu caught sight of him—always in crowded settings, from a distance. But he never once looked at her. In his presence, she was nothing more than empty air. She sometimes wondered if he even knew what she looked like. Not that it mattered. She had no particular interest in him either. If things continued this way for a lifetime, she thought, she would live out her days in peace, content in her solitude. "I'll rest a while longer," Chenyu murmured, sinking deeper beneath the quilt. After a moment, her muffled voice emerged again. "If they press so urgently for my presence, tell them I'm dead. Tell them to come collect the body." With that, she closed her eyes. The room fell into silence. Camellia had no choice. She gazed at Ye Chenyu lying on the bed. Then, softly, she withdrew to the outside. By late afternoon, the boisterous clamor from the front halls had finally begun to subside. Chenyu had slept straight through until now.