Chapter 77: I Have No Wish to Divorce You

The woman was momentarily stunned, unable to comprehend why the man before her was so angry. Had she not yearned for his return day and night? Now that he was finally back, he greeted her with fury?

“My lord…”

“Silence!” Yuan Zaichun barked coldly, rising to his feet. With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, he turned and strode away, plunging himself into the crowd of princes and leaving Qiao Qingyun utterly isolated.

The Fourth Prince, who had once coveted Qiao Qingyun’s beauty, was now married to a secondary consort. He had also heard of Qiao Qingyun’s recent affairs. With a graceful composure, the consort approached, glanced at Qiao Qingyun’s absent-minded expression, and let out a peal of laughter.

“Oh my, truly, one hears only the laughter of the old, never the tears of the new.”

“What do you mean?” The woman’s gaze sharpened, her fine brows knitting together. Of course, she recognized this woman. If memory served, this secondary consort had once given the principal consort quite a hard time, throwing the Fourth Prince’s household into turmoil.

“I merely wish to stand up for Her Highness. Her Highness is the rightful lady of the house, yet now that Boshenglian is to return, I fear there will be no place left for her at all.”

With that, the woman offered a flirtatious smile. She was not particularly beautiful, but her speech and manner were pleasant enough.

It was a pity, for Qiao Qingyun was no ordinary woman. Such words left her untouched, unbothered.

“It seems, then, that the attitude of the Fourth Prince’s secondary consort toward me is not quite correct. By seniority, I should be considered your junior, but by rank, is it not proper for you to salute and greet me?”

At these words, the secondary consort paused, regarding Qiao Qingyun for a long moment before bursting out in laughter once more.

“As expected, the Crown Princess is no ordinary woman. Greetings to Your Highness.”

“That is unnecessary.”

Qiao Qingyun took no pleasure in this flattery—rather, it repulsed her. One could never guess what such a woman might be plotting, even from the pillow beside her. How had the Fourth Prince come to take her into his household? No doubt it was her cunning that kept the prince so thoroughly ensnared.

The woman wore a light green dress, her hairpin plain and simple, the very image of a gentle, refined beauty. She drew close to Qiao Qingyun and whispered, “Does Your Highness not wish to keep the Crown Prince always at your side?”

“The matter between myself and the Crown Prince is hardly any business of yours,” Qiao Qingyun retorted once more. Such a woman gave her a distinct sense of danger.

A soft laugh escaped the consort. “Very well, Your Highness is indeed forthright and candid. My name is Li Miaoran. If Your Highness would be so kind, may I visit your clinic tomorrow?”

Qiao Qingyun was momentarily at a loss. How could this woman so boldly presume such familiarity? She made Qiao Qingyun herself seem the ill-mannered one by comparison.

After a moment’s thought, Qiao Qingyun smiled coolly. “Naturally, you would do me great honor.”

No sooner had she spoken than the Fourth Prince crooked his finger toward Li Miaoran, who answered with a coquettish laugh and followed him away. One had to admit, the woman had her methods. To attend such an occasion without the principal consort, but instead with the secondary, was a risk not many would dare take.

Qiao Qingyun watched as Yuan Rou left the palace, signaling the end of the ceremony. It was yet another prelude to tragedy, and her heart grew restless. Had she known, she never would have disguised herself as a man. Who would have thought love at first sight truly existed here? Yuan Rou was even willing to defy the emperor for her sake. If the emperor ever learned what was in Yuan Rou’s heart, would she not be stripped of her title and made a commoner? She was not a legitimate princess—removal would be simple.

On the carriage ride home, Qiao Qingyun was alone this time. She could not fathom what Yuan Zaichun was plotting, but out of sight was out of mind.

She returned to the Bamboo Grove Courtyard in the late afternoon. There was no morning court the next day, so she was free to join Qiao Qingyun for the planned gathering. But as she entered her chambers, she was startled to find Yuan Zaichun already seated on her bed, dressed in bright red underclothes, reminiscent of their wedding night.

“Greetings to the Crown Prince,” she said quickly, offering the proper salute. With his white moonlight soon to return, proper decorum must be maintained.

“Rise,” the man said, not sparing her so much as a glance, as though she were invisible.

“Yes. Does Your Highness have some business, to come to my chambers?” Qiao Qingyun was perplexed. With Boshenglian about to return, should he not be keeping his distance? Why did it feel as if he was only becoming more bold?

Yuan Zaichun set aside his book, closing it as he gave Qiao Qingyun a fleeting glance. “Is it so improper for me to come to the Crown Princess’s chamber?”

“Yes.” Very well—he was the Crown Prince, after all. Qiao Qingyun felt helpless, a touch of bitterness rising in her heart. Since he already loved another, why continue to entangle her? Before, when Boshenglian could not return, there was reason enough. But now that she was coming back, should he not be overjoyed?

Lost in thought, and aided by Qingluo’s service, she changed clothes and climbed into bed beside Yuan Zaichun, pulling the covers over her head to sleep. As long as Yuan Zaichun intended to give Boshenglian a chance, she would be safe tonight.

But just as drowsiness overtook her, she suddenly felt a chill at her waist. Eyes snapping open, she was about to turn over when she found herself pressed into a burning embrace.

“Yuan… Yuan Zaichun, Boshenglian is returning… you can’t…”

“Hush.”

He pressed a slender finger to her lips, silencing her. The softness of the touch sent ripples through his heart. His dark eyes grew earnest as he gripped the blanket before her, and then, without warning, pressed his lips to her vivid, tempting mouth.

“Mmm!”

The woman’s eyes flew wide in disbelief. Was this really happening? Surely he was jesting.

“Let me go—”

“Hush.”

Without another word, Yuan Zaichun pulled away the blanket and wrapped himself in it as well, erasing all distance between them, drawing her into his arms.

“Qiao Qingyun, if you are willing to set your heart on me, I will let you stay in the Crown Prince’s residence. What do you say?”

She was stunned—what on earth was this?

“I say, if you are willing to be my Crown Princess and remain by my side, I will indulge you like this. What do you think?”

At these words, Qiao Qingyun felt her mind explode, all reason vanishing in a rush.

“What… what do you mean?”

He frowned, grasping her delicate chin, gazing into her moist eyes. “I do not wish to divorce you.”

“What about Boshenglian?” The words slipped out before Qiao Qingyun could stop herself, and she wished she could bite her tongue.

He pondered a moment. “I can choose not to welcome her into my residence.”