Chapter 19: Intoxicated She didn't think much about it and just put her clothes on...

Qingjia looked at her doubtfully.

"Your Highness is in the mood to admire the moon today. He should be drinking, chatting, reciting poetry, and composing prose. However, my literary talent is poor, so I'm afraid it won't be very interesting," Yu Qing said. "Why not lend me this sword to liven up the mood?"

She ordered her servant to fetch the wine from her store. The princess paused and said, "I have some here too. It's a fine wine I brought from the palace. Someone, go get it."

The wine cellar in the mansion is far away, and Qingjia's Wenhua Garden is closer. Besides, Yu Qing drank the Dangui Amber bestowed by the emperor tonight, and when he heard about the famous wine that Qingjia brought as a dowry, his eyes lit up.

She looked around and said, "Let's go over there."

There were stone steps, and Yu Qing naturally stretched out his hand and let the princess help him up.

She didn't notice that the princess hesitated before placing her hand on hers. She only felt the cool touch of her palm.

Why are your hands still so cold?

"Is your Highness cold?"

Qingjia shook his head.

The maid brought the wine and poured a glass for Qingjia. Qingjia sat in the pavilion, and the breeze blew her hair.

Because she wanted to dance with a sword, Yu Qing untied her outer shirt which was a little in the way. Because of the princess's cool hands, she didn't think much about it and just put the shirt on the princess.

"Don't catch a cold," she warned.

Xie Jing: “…”

Yu Qing's movements were so smooth that he didn't even have time to react.

Why put the clothes on me... Xie Jing should have complained in his heart, but the residual warmth on the clothes made him a little dazed.

At this time, Yu Qing took the glass wine pot, stood up and jumped to the open space in front of the pavilion, then threw the exquisite wine pot into the air. Just when Xie Jing almost thought that the pot was about to fall to the ground and shatter, Yu Qing drew his sword from its sheath with his backhand, and with a flick of the sword tip, the glass wine pot fell squarely on the tip of the sword.

The sword was resilient and pressed down slightly at just the right angle, so the fragile glass pot was not damaged at all.

Yu Qing shook his wrist, and it seemed to be very light and effortless, but the pot was thrown high up again and spun in the air. Yu Qing held the sword in his hand and danced a few times before the pot fell, opening and closing it with great grace. Finally, he took another step forward and caught the pot evenly. He raised his head and took a sip of the fine wine that had poured out.

“It’s really good wine.”

Yu Qing turned around and smiled at the princess not far away.

That smile was actually a bit dazzling, and her sparkling eyes just stared at Xie Jing.

Before he could blink, Yu Qing swung his sword again.

The man's body was flexible and upright, his sleeves and lapels rising and falling with his movements, and his sword energy was sharp but not intimidating. Because he was performing for Qing Jia, it was different from when he was practicing martial arts.

A pot of wine, a sword, under the moon and in front of the flowers.

The sword swept across, flowers and leaves flew everywhere, and the figure holding the sword seemed unreal as an illusion.

If a servant had not come over and added more wine to his glass, Xie Jing would not have noticed that he had been staring at her for a long time.

Yu Qing completed the last move and finished the pot of wine in her hand.

Just now she thought she was very satisfied. In fact, she seldom danced with the sword like this. This time she performed very well, without any mistakes. And with Qing Jia around, she felt very pleased. She bowed and said, "I am honored to present my skills."

Qing Jia stood up and clapped his hands. "...I've never seen such beautiful swordsmanship. It's better than any dancing at the banquet. I can't get enough of it."

It was strange. The princess had only praised him softly a few times, but Yu Qing felt the corners of his mouth rise unconsciously.

She couldn't help but say loudly: "If your Highness likes it, I will dance with the sword for you in the future."

"You drank too much tonight," Qing Jia smiled, "you must be a little drunk."

Yu Qing was still unsatisfied and felt very energetic. If it wasn't too late, she would have continued to dance with the sword for the princess so that she would pay more attention to her.

Looking at Qingjia, she suddenly felt her heart surge.

Maybe it was because she was slightly tipsy, or maybe it was because there was still blood in her head after sword dancing, but she briefly let go of her reserved exterior. At this moment, she had a lot to say to Qingjia.

"Your Highness, I've never asked you before," Yu Qing said, mustering up the courage, "What do you think about the Emperor marrying you to me?"

Xie Jing: “…Hmm?”

Yu Qing: "You should have a mansion of your own. Besides, I'm not your beloved... Will you blame me?"

Xie Jing frowned and said, "I don't have anyone I love."

Yu Qing smiled and said, "Well, I'm not one of them either. In fact, the marriage granted by His Majesty is not good for you."

Xie Jing really didn't like the arranged marriage, but it had nothing to do with Yu Qing. What he hated was the queen's hypocrisy and the emperor's ruthlessness and disloyalty.

"At first, I also felt it was very sudden. But now, I think the arranged marriage is good luck for me," Yu Qing said softly, "otherwise you wouldn't come to me, and I would always be alone. This is indeed a gift to me. I'm sorry... isn't it selfish to say this?"

Xie Jing was slightly startled. He said, "You are not selfish. If it weren't for me, you would have married someone else."

"No, you don't know... I never dared to think about it... I wouldn't know how to..." Yu Qing wanted to explain, but her words were incoherent. She could only say, "Only you can do it, otherwise I won't get married at all. It is precisely because I can't refuse the arranged marriage that this is my only chance..."

Xie Jing sighed and said, "Prince Consort, you are really drunk. Drink a bowl of sobering soup later."

Yu Qing thought, she was not drunk, she just couldn't tell everything.

If it weren't for the imperial decree forcing them together, Yu Qing would never be able to take the initiative to accept others. Qingjia's arrival gave her an outlet for her depression and loneliness.

Does she really like Mobei? Not necessarily.

She just didn't know where else to go in her life except staying there.

She had sworn an oath too early in her youth and picked up a sword. Her brother's death left her alone and she was driven to keep galloping, without even taking the time to take a good look back at herself.

Mobei was pacified, her great revenge was achieved, and after she felt relieved, she was surrounded by endless confusion.

Become a general, become a crown prince, and then what?

From now on, he will inherit the title and become the highest official in the country... He will continue to pretend forever until the end.

She was able to do this for her parents and the Marquisate, and she had no complaints about the path she had chosen. But it was still... very difficult.

One day, parents will leave, and my elder sister and Qiying will also have their own places to go.

No one in the world knows the real her anymore, and she will never open her heart to anyone.

She used to be just a little girl who loved dressing up, new clothes and toys. Seeing her loving parents, she also fantasized about having a handsome and brave husband when she grew up.

These childish wishes had long been buried. She didn't know what else she wanted, but she felt more and more lonely day by day.

Until the princess suddenly became her wife.

Qingjia is very pitiful, so Yu Qing always thinks about her. Qingjia is understanding, so Yu Qing can talk to her.

Although Yu Qing was taking care of her and caring about her, she was happy to do so.

Because of Qingjia's arrival, she had something to do, and her empty heart suddenly became full.

"Qingjia," Yu Qing said, "I wish you could always be by my side."

Xie Jing: “…”

He averted his gaze, as if unable to bear it, his chest heaving.

Xie Jing wanted to blurt out and tell him: I am not a princess, not a woman, I am lying to you, your wife is just an illusion.

But he couldn't say it.

Yu Qing's fair face was a little red because of drinking, and his eyes were bright and moist, looking so sincere.

A man like him showing such sincerity would surely move even the most hard-hearted woman. Unfortunately, Xie Jing... is not a woman.

"It's late," Xie Jing said, "Let's go back."

Although, this was also the first time that he was treated like a treasure.

If only it wasn’t Yu Qing, he thought.

Xie Jing took Yu Qing's coat off his shoulders, handed it back to him, and said, "Be careful not to catch a cold from the wind."

Yu Qing touched Qing Jia's hand and said, "I'm not cold, but your Highness's hand is still very cold."

The princess paused and calmly withdrew her hand.

"It's okay. I asked the maid to get me my cloak."

Yu Qing put on his coat again and could smell the princess's fragrance on it.

It was indeed getting late and the princess should rest. Although Yu Qing wanted to continue dancing with the sword for her, he had to give up now.

"Okay, then I will go back. Your Highness, please go to bed early."

Yu Qing was about to leave, and several servants following him came to bow to the princess and take their leave. Xie Jing saw a figure at the end, and it was Qiying who had been following Yu Qing since the family dinner.

Xie Jing thought for a moment and asked the maid to call her.

"Miss Qiying, please stay. Your Highness invites you to come here for a moment."

"Huh?" Qiying was stunned. She had no connection with the prince and didn't know why the other party suddenly called her.

She had been paying attention to Yu Qing just now, and knew that this man was so happy because he was drunk that he ran to the princess to dance with a sword. She couldn't stop him, and she was having a headache.

The princess was still standing there looking at this side, and Qiying turned around and came to her.

"Your Highness, do you have anything to tell me?"

"Miss Qiying," Qingjia said, "may I ask you something?"

Qiying: "Qiying will definitely tell you everything she knows."

Qingjia's eyes were dark, like a deep pool. She was clearly a weak, unarmed woman, and her voice was soft and gentle, but for some reason Qiying felt a little uneasy.

"Miss, you should have been with the prince for many years. The prince said that you grew up in the marquis's mansion and seemed to have been to the border with him."

Qiying nodded.

She heard the inquiring tone in the princess's words, and her mind raced as she suddenly came to her senses.

Could it be that she and Yu Qing were too close, and the princess found her annoying and suspected that she was the prince's concubine or something?

That's a huge misunderstanding.

Without waiting for the princess to ask further questions, she carefully explained, "Qiying's family was killed by enemy soldiers when she was young. Fortunately, the Marquis' wife was kind enough to keep her in the mansion and raise her. I stayed with the Crown Prince simply because I wanted to do my part for him and avenge my loved ones. I had no other ulterior motives."

Qing Jia smiled after hearing this: "Miss, you misunderstood. I don't suspect anything else. I just... want to ask you about the prince."

"...The Crown Prince and I didn't know each other before our marriage. I wonder if he ever had anyone he loved, or a close female friend?" the princess said slowly. "I'm worried he'll be burdened by marriage."

Qiying was surprised. A confidante? Of course, she had nothing to do with Yu Qing.

However, the princess's worries were understandable. After all, in her eyes, Yu Qing was a real man.

"Your Highness, don't worry," Qiying said decisively, "The Crown Prince...has never been interested in women. This servant is not exaggerating."

The princess frowned: "...There's no one you admire, is there?"

Qiying nodded: "The prince has been completely focused on the war in recent years, so he naturally has no time for love, and he has never had any entanglements with anyone... Your Highness, don't worry, you are the only one."

The princess lowered her eyes: "Okay, I understand. Please don't tell the prince about what happened today."

"Yes, I understand."

Qiying was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, but she had to calm Qingjia down.

Why would Qingjia ask such a question for no reason? The fact that she asked that means she must be attracted to Yu Qing!

Just tell Yu Qing not to go too far. What to do now? What if the princess is completely devoted to her? Should she obey or not?

"The prince drank too much today," the princess warned before leaving. "Go back and prepare a bowl of sobering soup for him."

It seems that Princess Qingjia really likes Yu Qing...Qiying feels that something is wrong.