Chapter 76: What Kind of Talk Is That?

Yet today, Yuan Zaichun seemed as if he had taken the wrong medicine, insisting on entering the palace together with Qiao Qingyun in the same carriage. The man lifted his eyelids slightly, his dark eyes glancing at Qiao Qingyun before closing them again. He parted his thin lips and said, “Enter the palace with the Crown Princess. Sit.”

Qiao Qingyun paused, frowning in resignation, and took her seat. Like Yuan Zaichun, she closed her eyes to rest. The carriage swayed gently all the way to the city gate; upon seeing it was the Crown Prince’s vehicle, the guards hurriedly let them through.

Inside the grand hall, the princess was preparing her toilette. As the Crown Princess, Qiao Qingyun, being a woman of the inner court, made her way through winding corridors to the princess’s boudoir. Upon entering, she saw many servants attending to Yuan Rou’s dressing, but the Consort was absent, stirring a pang of sadness in Qiao Qingyun’s heart. How could a mother not accompany her daughter on her wedding day?

“Blessings upon the Crown Princess.” The maids greeted Qiao Qingyun hurriedly. She waved her hand, “You may leave. There’s still some time before the auspicious hour. I wish to speak with the princess.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” When the room was empty, Qiao Qingyun wandered within. As expected of a princess’s bridal chamber, the place was adorned with emeralds and jewels; any single piece was worth a fortune.

“Sister-in-law.” Yuan Rou’s face was pale, her eyes filled with unshed tears, making Qiao Qingyun’s heart tighten. She quickly sat beside Yuan Rou, gently supporting her shoulder.

“Don’t cry, you’re the bride today—crying is forbidden.” Qiao Qingyun soothed her softly, hoping to stem Yuan Rou’s tears, but found that they fell like broken beads, scattering and leaving Qiao Qingyun’s heart in turmoil.

“Oh dear, I came to comfort you; anyone else might think I’ve bullied you.” Yuan Rou sniffed and wiped her tears with a red handkerchief, finally calming herself.

“Today is a joyous day, but it’s not the one I wished for, Sister-in-law. I want—” “Hush. With those words, you’ve already violated three rules.” Qiao Qingyun interrupted hastily. It was fine for them to talk, but one could never be sure who might be listening.

“But…” Yuan Rou glanced around, tears threatening to spill again.

“You are a princess here, so your every move reflects upon the royal family. No matter whom you love, it must be hidden in your heart.” This was the most important lesson Qiao Qingyun had learned: never speak the truth about anything. Otherwise, a single misplaced word might be fatal.

“Sister-in-law…” Yuan Rou called out, her voice thick with tears, and hugged Qiao Qingyun tightly, burying her face in her embrace.

“There, there. Cry here for a while if you must, but once you're outside, whether you wish it or not, you must accept your fate. Do you understand?” “Mm.” At last, Yuan Rou let herself cry freely. After a time, her emotions settled, and she glanced at Qiao Qingyun with a hint of shyness in her gaze.

“Sister-in-law, I… I have something to tell you.” “Oh?” Qiao Qingyun was taken aback, looking at Yuan Rou earnestly. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

“Bu Shenglian will return soon, probably within the next couple of days.” Qiao Qingyun fell silent. In the past, she had eagerly anticipated that woman’s return, but since her relationship with Yuan Zaichun had changed, a faint apprehension toward Bu Shenglian had taken root. If she returned, everything Qiao Qingyun had would be shattered.

“Sister-in-law?” Yuan Rou called Qiao Qingyun several times without response, finally patting her shoulder.

“Ah?” Qiao Qingyun snapped back to herself, realizing she had been lost in thought, and gave an awkward smile. “Her return is good; it will free me.”

“Sister-in-law… Why do I feel your words and heart are at odds?” Yuan Rou immediately saw through Qiao Qingyun’s emotional turmoil. As a woman, she was sensitive to such things.

“No, let’s not talk about me today. You’re the bride—why focus on me?” Sensing Qiao Qingyun was deliberately changing the subject, Yuan Rou did not press further. She sighed deeply after a moment.

“Sister-in-law… please, whatever you do, don’t fall for my brother. I beg you.”

“What?” Now it was Qiao Qingyun’s turn to be bewildered. What kind of words were these?

Seeing her confusion, Yuan Rou shook her head. “You’ll understand, Sister-in-law.”

At that moment, a maid entered, bowing gracefully to them. “Princess, Crown Princess, the auspicious hour is near. It’s time to prepare the princess’s hair.”

“I understand.” Qiao Qingyun nodded, patting Yuan Rou’s hand. “I’ll go now. Stay here and compose yourself.”

With that, she stepped out of Yuan Rou’s chamber, her heart unsettled until she reached the banquet. Yuan Zaichun was already seated, his eyes occasionally glancing toward the direction where Qiao Qingyun had exited.

Damn it, he didn’t know when it started, but he found himself missing this woman.

Finally, that graceful figure appeared in his line of sight, and without meaning to, the corner of his mouth lifted.

“Sire, why are you still here waiting?” Qiao Qingyun was puzzled; after all, this was a man’s social occasion, and surely he should be mingling with the other princes.

“I wish it so.”

“You—!” Qiao Qingyun was infuriated by his retort, giving Yuan Zaichun a glare. “Bu Shenglian is coming back.”

She meant only to test his reaction, but unexpectedly, in the next moment, the man’s wine cup slipped from his hand and fell onto the table.

With a sharp sound, the woman frowned, her heart a tumult of emotions.

“What’s this? You’re already unable to hide your feelings?” The man calmly wiped his long, pale fingers, feigning indifference. “Who told you?”

“No matter who said it, we agreed from the start, didn’t we? I won’t interfere between you and her; she can take charge of the household. If you tire of me, you can dismiss me at any time.”

“You—” Yuan Zaichun’s face darkened with anger, swallowing all the words he wished to say.

Once, he had longed day and night for Bu Shenglian’s return, but for reasons unknown, after Qiao Qingyun came into his life, that longing faded.

That moonlit night when she danced was etched deeply in his memory—her rosy cheeks, her pouting lips, her childish kick.

Had it been any other woman, she would have been terrified; who would dare treat him so rudely?

But Qiao Qingyun could, and perhaps because of that, she had quietly taken root in his heart.

“Qiao Qingyun, am I truly nothing in your heart?”