Chapter 27 Yu Qing used her hand to push aside the hair beside his ear and touched...
Housework?
Yu Qing has the title of a prince consort. If we talk about family affairs, is it related to Qing Jia?
Just as he was about to ask, a beautiful woman emerged from behind a curtain. "This is Prince Yu. He is truly distinguished and dignified, worthy of the title of Jade-faced General."
Yu Qing was startled, and the prince smiled and said, "The Crown Princess came here specially to thank the Crown Prince."
Yu Qing immediately stood up and saluted: "Her Royal Highness."
"Don't be so polite, my prince. We're all family," the Crown Princess said with a smile. "I went back to my parents' home a few days ago and heard from my mother that my younger sister was kidnapped by bandits while outing. Fortunately, my prince rescued her. I don't know how to thank you for this kindness."
Not finished yet?
Yu Qing said cautiously, "You're being too kind. It's just a small favor."
"My sister is very ambitious and has had her own ideas since she was a child. In the past two years, my mother has suggested a few husbands for her, but she didn't like any of them, and no one could do anything about it. But when she met the Crown Prince, she was moved for the first time in her life. Your Highness, don't you think it's a coincidence?" The Crown Princess said, "I think it would be perfect if we could get a closer relationship."
Yu Qing said, "Your Majesty, you are joking. The Fourth Young Miss is still unmarried, so it's inappropriate to treat this matter as a joke."
The Crown Princess paused, then laughed again, "How can that be a joke? Could it be that the Crown Prince despises my sister and doesn't want to discuss marriage with her?"
Yu Qing said, "The fourth young lady is naturally beautiful and should be matched with a good man. I am already married to Qingjia, so how can I discuss marriage with the fourth young lady?"
"Why not? Xin'er will naturally not go beyond Qingjia. She will only be the prince's concubine."
Yu Qing just thought it was ridiculous.
"I have been married to Qingjia for only a few days and have no intention of taking a concubine. Miss Fourth is a noble lady from a high family, so I cannot accept her as my inferior."
Xie Tingxuan spoke up and said, "Don't worry. If you are worried about your status as a prince consort, I will explain it to my father, the emperor, and my mother, the empress, on your behalf, and I will not let Qingjia pursue it."
After hearing this, Yu Qing finally couldn't stand it anymore.
Ask Qingjia not to pursue the matter? Is this forcing Qingjia? He is Qingjia's brother. Instead of helping his sister, he is rushing to matchmake for his brother-in-law. What is his intention?
Whether it was Qingjia or Miss Cui Si, they were both living people. Marrying whoever he wanted was a joke. A few words could decide a girl's fate.
She couldn't help but wonder, was Qingjia also arranged to marry in the same way? No one considered her opinion, but just pushed her out... How would Qingjia feel?
"I have no concerns. I only have my heart set on Qing Jia and am willing to serve the princess for life."
"It was the Emperor who arranged this marriage, so there's no need to hide it, my Lord. I know you're reluctant," the Crown Prince said. "Qingjia has already told Mother that you weren't very close to her, and your affections were weak. Qingjia has been a loner since childhood, and often ill, so marriage had never been discussed. Mother, out of sympathy for her, asked for Father's grace when she heard the Imperial Observatory say your destinies were compatible. Her original intention was to give Qingjia someone to rely on and to ensure better health in the future. Now that I think about it, it was a bit hasty and difficult for you. Mother, on her part, wants to compensate you as much as possible."
Yu Qing was stunned: "This..."
The Crown Princess also said, "The Crown Prince is a pillar of the country. If he doesn't even have someone he loves, Mother and Your Highness will feel bad. That's why we suggest that Xin'er betrothed to the Crown Prince. As for Qingjia, the Crown Prince can just treat her well."
"There must be some misunderstanding here," Yu Qing said slowly, "I have no dissatisfaction with Princess Qingjia being with her. I also have absolutely no improper thoughts about the Fourth Young Lady."
I thought Yu Qing would be grateful at this point, but I didn't expect him to still refuse.
Xie Tingxuan's smile faded, and he said, "I have never treated the prince as an outsider. I truly care about you. Why on earth won't the prince trust me?"
Yu Qing said: "I naturally trust Your Highness."
"...You should think it over carefully," Xie Tingxuan said coldly, "Your Highness has been at the border for too long, so I'm afraid you don't understand many things. This capital isn't a military camp, and you can't rise to the top by winning battles or relying on military merit. You're young and promising, and I just want to help you, so I have to give you some advice."
Yu Qing said: "Your Highness is right. I am grateful for your advice."
The atmosphere was tense, and the prince narrowed his eyes and said, "Alright, you can go down."
After Yu Qing left, the Crown Princess looked at the Crown Prince's gloomy face and complained, "Yu Qing is really a toast and doesn't want to drink the penalty."
"He prides himself on being noble and arrogant," the prince said coldly. "If he didn't have some ability, why would I tolerate him again and again?"
"Your Highness, I have an idea," the Crown Princess whispered. "Let's teach Yu Qing a lesson. We can also hold something against him. Then, even if he doesn't want to, he'll have to marry Xin'er according to our wishes. The Emperor's birthday banquet will be in a few days..."
*
Yu Qing was restless all day long, and on his way home at night, he kept thinking about what the prince had said.
What did Qingjia tell the Queen? Did she say that she and her husband were not on good terms and that she suspected he had other feelings for her?
Why does she think so?
Qingjia is a thoughtful person. Could it be that he discovered the resistance in Yu Qing's attitude through their daily interactions?
But she just couldn't get close to Qingjia and didn't want to be cold to her.
Yu Qing wanted to find Qing Jia to clarify things, but when she finally got in front of her, she didn't know how to start. After struggling for a while, she realized that any later would disturb the princess's rest. She let out a sigh, "..."
Before she could utter the word "Qing Jia", the princess spoke first: "Prince consort."
Yu Qing said subconsciously: "Hey."
Qing Jia said softly, "I have something to tell you."
She ordered the servants: "You go down first."
She rarely asks others to leave, and although we don't know what she is going to say, it must be very important.
Yu Qing calmed his mind and listened carefully.
Qingjia lowered her eyes, looking a little embarrassed. She said, "I..."
She paused and took another breath. Yu Qing said, "Don't be impatient, Your Highness. Speak slowly. I'm listening."
“…”
Xie Jing said, "I have been in poor health since I was young and have suffered from a strange disease. Your Highness knows about it."
Yu Qing couldn't help but ask worriedly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell recently?"
Facing the other party's concerned gaze, Xie Jing felt uneasy again. He said, "No, it's not that."
Xie Jing steeled his resolve and continued, "I've been suffering from an illness that's depleted my Qi and blood, damaging my very foundation. Even though the imperial physicians have been treating me, they're helpless. In fact, they've long since predicted that I'll never be able to have children..."
Yu Qing was stunned.
"I've known about this for a long time, but I haven't told the prince. I've kept it a secret until now. It's my fault," Qing Jia whispered. "I've thought about it and decided that I can't delay the prince consort any longer."
Looking at the depressed Qingjia, Yu Qing frowned.
Xie Jing said, "Today I want you to understand this. Being with me means you will never have children. So, if you find a woman you like in the future, you can ask for her hand in marriage. I won't stop you."
Yu Qing's expression changed several times, and it was hard to tell whether he was happy or sad. After a long while, he said in a deep voice, "So..."
Xie Jing held his breath.
"So that's why Your Highness is worried..."
Xie Jing: “…Hmm?”
Everything became clear now, and Yu Qing also understood Qing Jia's intentions.
This is a big deal for a woman. No wonder Qingjia is so worried. Yu Qing can't imagine how much she has suffered in the past.
She must have pondered and troubled herself a lot before she mustered up the courage to tell herself.
That's why she told the Queen about her worries, thinking that she would not be accepted because of her shortcomings, and that their affection would gradually fade in the future...
Yu Qing didn't even notice her panic. Qing Jia was just like that, hiding her thoughts silently and enduring them alone.
"Your Highness, do you remember that Tianchen saved a girl a few days ago?"
Xie Jing said, "Remember."
He was suddenly surprised, remembering the handkerchief in Yu Qing's arms that day. Could it be that he had already...
"I only found out later that she was the daughter of Lord Cui Yuansheng. Lord Cui had previously hosted a banquet in his honor and wanted to marry Miss Cui to me."
Xie Jing reacted and blurted out: "...You can't marry her. Others can, but not this one."
Isn’t Cui Yuansheng the prince’s father-in-law? The Cui family has a close relationship with the prince. Yu Qing might have been set up!
Yu Qing said, "Of course I won't marry her. Besides Lord Cui, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also asked me about this today, but I refused. But there's just one question: they seem to think there's a rift between you and me, and they heard about it from the Empress..."
Xie Jing's expression froze. Last time, in order to appease the Queen, he did say that he and his husband were not on good terms. He didn't expect that he would be stabbed in the back by her and the Prince.
That's right, the queen doesn't care about Qingjia's life or death and will use any means.
"I was initially very confused and wanted to ask Your Highness what was going on," Yu Qing said. "Now I understand everything. Regarding what Your Highness just said..."
Yu Qing raised his hand. Xie Jing's eyes widened, thinking that he wouldn't hurt anyone, right?
Then he discovered that Yu Qing's eyes actually... looked like pity.
Yu Qing brushed the hair away from his ear with her hand and touched the side of his face.
Xie Jing was stunned.
"You should have told me earlier. Why did you keep it in your heart?" Yu Qing said, "Your Highness must have been troubled by this for a long time. It must be very uncomfortable."
Xie Jing found it unbelievable.
Under the lamplight, Yu Qing's face was remarkably gentle. The disgust or anger Xie Jing had imagined was nowhere to be seen; even her tone was gentle.
Yu Qing found his fingertips from his wide sleeves and said, "I don't care about this, Your Highness, don't worry about it."
No, there must be something wrong.
"...Don't you blame me?" Xie Jing said, "I lied to you."
Yu Qing said: "How can this be a lie? Didn't His Highness tell me everything?"
Xie Jing: "But, your mansion can't be without successors..."
"Offspring aren't that important," Yu Qing said. "If there aren't any, then there aren't any. Your Highness's health is more important. As for the Marquis' Mansion, we can adopt a child from another family, or simply let the eldest sister's child inherit it. There will always be a way."
She had never expected to have children, and hoped that Qingjia would not worry about it...even if she wanted to have one, she wouldn't have one.
Xie Jing was speechless for a long time.
"I promise you that you are my only wife and I will never marry anyone else. You can rest assured."
Xie Jing felt a pang of anxiety in his heart, and murmured, "Yu Qing, you really are..."
stupid.
What should he do with Yu Qing?
If Yu Qing had married a real princess, he would have lived a happy life and been the envy of others.
But he couldn't give anything.
"Prince Consort," Xie Jing said tiredly, "I come from a royal family, and there's more to me than just this one thing you don't know. There are many secrets I can't tell you. You won't understand... There's no need to waste your time on me."
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