Chapter 26 Confused "Am I... really a homosexual?" He was shocked...

On the second day, a letter was delivered to the Prince of Xuanbei.

"Imperial Censor Cui?" Yu Qing was surprised. She and Lord Cui had never met before.

After opening the post and scanning it, Yu Qing frowned.

It turned out that what she had rescued yesterday was actually the carriage and horses from Cui's mansion, and the girl inside was none other than Cui Yushi's beloved daughter.

Tomorrow is a day off, and Lord Cui has specially hosted a banquet in his mansion to thank Yu Qing. Please be sure to attend, Your Highness.

Yu Qing thought that what Qingjia said made sense, so he should ask more questions.

The Cui family is a prominent family, and Lord Cui holds an important position, so everyone has to give him some face, and... he is also the father-in-law of the current crown prince Xie Tingxuan.

Yu Qing had a feeling that something was a bit troublesome regarding the prince.

Throughout the day, she thought about it from time to time and always felt something was wrong.

After dinner, I planned to bring it up with Qingjia, but hesitated again.

Because the group of bandits appeared out of nowhere, she had speculated yesterday that they were hired by their enemies to kill or kidnap. Now it seems that there may be another hidden story.

Yu Qing is not stupid, he just didn't think deeply about it before. Now he has figured out what happened to the handkerchief in his arms yesterday. No wonder Qingjia's face changed yesterday... It's really embarrassing.

Xie Jing found Yu Qing absent-minded.

After careful consideration, he had intended to find an opportunity to speak to Yu Qing, but seeing that the man looked unusually serious, he didn't know what he was thinking, and he didn't even take his favorite snacks on the table.

He wondered if something was bothering him in the barracks, or if someone in the court was giving him trouble.

Xie Jing decided to observe first, and his eyes glanced at the sachet on Yu Qing's waist.

Yu Qing kept this sachet with her every day. At first, Xie Jing felt very uncomfortable every time he saw it, but he gradually got used to it.

After all, it was his work.

Yu Qing was sitting now, with the sachet right next to his hand.

While lost in thought, she subconsciously covered the sachet. She was already familiar with the texture of the silk thread and its soft touch, and she unconsciously held it in her hand and stroked it.

Xie Jing watched Yu Qing playing with the sachet.

Yu Qing's hands were as white as her face, with round fingertips, slender fingers and clear lines.

The hand circled the pattern, kneading it occasionally, and then rubbing it slowly...

As he watched, an indescribable feeling arose in his heart, as if ripples were spreading out, and Xie Jing's breathing stopped.

"Your Highness?" Yu Qing suddenly spoke.

Xie Jing shuddered: "...Ah?"

"A colleague invited me to a small gathering tomorrow evening, so I won't be back for dinner."

"Oh, okay," Xie Jing said, "I understand."

Yu Qing thought about it and decided not to tell Qingjia too much details for the time being. After all, she was just guessing, and she was also afraid that Qingjia would think too much. She just had to be cautious when attending the banquet tomorrow.

She noticed that Qingjia's fair cheeks were a little red and asked, "Is your highness hot?"

Qing Jia quickly said, "No, it's not hot."

"Oh...it's getting hotter recently. There is an ice cellar in the mansion. If Your Highness needs it, you can just ask the servants to deliver it every day." Yu Qing said seriously.

Yu Qing then let go of the sachet in her hand and picked up a piece of cake.

Xie Jing actually felt a sense of relief... but still... restless.

"I'm a little sleepy," Xie Jing said, "...Please sit down first, Prince Consort. I'll go to the inner room."

He left Yu Qing outside and returned to his own bed, pulling down the curtains to hide the face of "Princess Qingjia," which was neither calm nor dignified.

Xie Jing put his hands on his cheeks and sat there for a long time in a daze.

"Am I... really a homosexual?" He thought in horror, "This isn't right."

*

The next day, Yu Qing came to Cui's house and was respectfully invited into the banquet hall by the servants.

"Why is it so grand?" Yu Qing said, "Master Cui, you are too polite."

Imperial Censor Cui, along with his wife and family, had already been waiting there. He smiled and said, "If you hadn't rescued my daughter, I'm afraid she would have fallen into the hands of the bandits. This small banquet is just a token of our gratitude. I hope your Highness will not despise it."

"Xin'er is the apple of my eye. If anything happens to her, I won't be able to live anymore." Madam Cui also said repeatedly.

While exchanging pleasantries, they sat down. The girl who had been crying that day sat opposite Yu Qing. After listening to Mrs. Cui's introduction, Yu Qing finally knew that her name was Cui Miaoxin, the fourth daughter of the Cui family.

"Xin'er, how could you forget your manners when your savior is right before your eyes?" Lord Cui said, "Why don't you pour some wine for the prince?"

Miss Cui Si sighed, picked up the wine cup, and Yu Qing said, "No need to trouble you, Miss. I can do it myself..."

"Let her come. This is Xin'er's wish," Madam Cui said with a smile. "Ever since she was rescued, she has been talking about the prince all the time these past two days. I wanted to thank you in person."

Miss Cui Si finished pouring the wine and said shyly, "I was so panicked that day that I didn't thank the prince properly. Xin'er doesn't have anything to offer as a thank you, but my zither skills are decent, so I'd like to play a piece for him."

She bowed politely, and the maid brought the zither over and asked the fourth lady to play it in the courtyard.

It was a nice song, but a bit long. When it ended, Yu Qing praised it a little and the lady blushed.

Yu Qing: “…”

Mrs. Cui laughed again. "Xin'er didn't play as well as usual. She even missed the middle note by half a beat. She's always said that when she found her ideal partner, he had to be a dashing hero with unparalleled martial arts skills. Now that he's in front of her, she's probably nervous."

The fourth young lady said angrily, "Mother."

"..." Yu Qing had no choice but to say, "I really didn't hear anything wrong."

This atmosphere made her feel very troubled. Lord Cui and Mrs. Cui were vaguely hinting at something, and Miss Cui often glanced at her, but no one really said it out loud, so Yu Qing could not refuse.

Finally the banquet was over, and Lord Cui invited her to enjoy the scenery in his mansion. There was a winding corridor in the Cui mansion, which was renovated in a very complicated way. As they walked, the others fell behind quietly, and only Miss Cui was left by his side.

"...Major General," Miss Cui said, "Xin'er had heard of your reputation since childhood. I only knew of your illustrious military achievements, but I never imagined you were so handsome and elegant..."

Yu Qing said, "I am just a warrior. Miss, thank you for your praise."

"When I came back that day, I seemed to have lost a handkerchief," Miss Cui blinked. "Has the general seen it?"

Yu Qing: "...I haven't seen it. Miss, why don't you look for it again?"

Cui Miaoxin was a little disappointed.

The two were silent for a moment. Yu Qing just wanted to get out of this maze-like corridor as soon as possible, then thank him for the hospitality and say goodbye to go home.

Cui Miaoxin said softly, "I have always admired people like the Crown Prince. You saved me that day, and I have no way to repay you. General, would you be willing to listen to my feelings? I have been worried about you these past two days."

Yu Qing moved away, keeping a step between them.

Since there was no one around, Yu Qing spoke frankly, "Thank you for your kindness. I am already married, and my marriage to the current Seventh Princess is a marriage bestowed upon me by the Emperor. The Fourth Miss is both talented and beautiful, and she will surely find a good match in the future."

Cui Miaoxin said, "The imperial gift is a marriage, but the general saved me from danger, isn't that also a rare fate?"

Yu Qing stopped helplessly.

"Of course I know that you are the consort of the Seventh Princess, but Xin'er only wants to marry you, nothing else. I heard that you and the princess haven't been happy since your marriage. You are a renowned Marquis of Wu, and marrying the princess was a helpless move. Why bother yourself, my prince? Let me help you and entertain you..."

Yu Qing was stunned. What did they mean by "embarrassed" and "unhappy"? Who had heard that?

Seeing Yu Qing hesitate, Cui Miaoxin came over: "General——"

"Yu Qing is willing to serve the princess without complaint. Miss Fourth, please reconsider your intentions," Yu Qing said. "I'm not very drunk at today's banquet, so I have to return home early."

Cui Miaoxin is only in her teens and is an ignorant girl. She probably can't tell whether these things are her own intention or imposed on her by her family. Yu Qing doesn't need to make things difficult for her.

After all, she was still unmarried. Considering her reputation and self-esteem, Yu Qing didn't want to make the result too ugly, so she didn't say anything else and went straight to say goodbye to Lord Cui. Presumably, the Cui family could also sense her attitude of rejection.

On the way back, she was actually more concerned about Cui Miaoxin's words about Qingjia than the Cui family.

Qingjia likes to be quiet and seems to have no contact with outsiders since their marriage. How could anyone think that they are not on good terms? Is it hearsay or just rumors? Who is gossiping about Qingjia?

Or was it that she didn't behave well enough outside, causing people to mistakenly think that she was treating the princess poorly?

To be honest, the two of them rarely appear in public together.

Other couples would go to parties together and travel together from time to time, but they had never done that.

The last time we went to Tanyin Temple, I remember Qingjia said that she was bored and uninterested in the palace, and Yu Qing wanted to take her out for more outings in the future.

Later she fell ill and Yu Qing became busy again, so the trip never took place.

I'll ask Qingjia if there's any place she wants to go. I'll go with her next time I have a day off. Yu Qing thought.

*

Cui Mansion.

Madam Cui scolded him, "That Prince Yu has always been difficult to approach. I finally managed to arrange a party for you, but you haven't even said a few words to him."

Cui Miaoxin said aggrievedly, "He walked so fast that I couldn't catch up... However, when I mentioned him and Princess Qingjia, the prince obviously hesitated. He also said that he couldn't marry me because he was the prince consort. Was he worried that it would be inappropriate to marry the princess and then take a concubine?"

Madam Cui thought for a moment and said, "That's possible. That makes it easy. Just have your elder sister and the Crown Prince explain things to him. The Empress is on our side, and with her around, Princess Qingjia will surely have no objections."

Cui Miaoxin nodded.

*

There was no further news from the Cui family, so Yu Qing thought the matter was over. That day, after court, the Crown Prince summoned her to discuss matters, and later that evening, Yu Qing went to the Eastern Palace.

The emperor is old and although he still rules the country, some government affairs are handed over to the princes, among whom the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace naturally has the most power.

Yu Qing has taken over the Cavalry Battalion for several days and it is time for him to report on his work.

"It seems that the Crown Prince has done well in the Cavalry Battalion," the Prince said, "but it's a bit tiring. Given your military rank, going there is really a concession."

Yu Qing said, "I've been leading troops in battles for a long time, so I'm used to being in the barracks and don't think it's a big deal. I'm actually better at leading cavalry. Your Highness recommended me before, and I'm very grateful. However, I'm still young, and I've made some achievements thanks to my ancestors. I'm afraid I'm not up to the task, and that's why I've failed Your Highness."

Xie Tingxuan smiled and said, "Your Highness is being modest. If your experience is still young, I'm afraid the only two marquises with more experience in this court are Marquis Xuanbei and Marquis Zhongwu. However, Your Highness is still young, and with the experience gained in the Cavalry Battalion, there will be plenty of time for him to make great achievements in the future."

Yu Qing's heart sank. It seemed that the prince still refused to give up.

"Okay, actually, I didn't ask you to come here today to discuss these things," Xie Tingxuan said, "it's mainly about family matters."