The Queen’s Husband Chapter 39

“Qu Yang pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!”

Qu Yang had been organizing some documents in his study that his father had left for him when a servant arrived to announce the Emperor’s visit. He was somewhat surprised but also saw it as an opportunity to bring up the matter of his marriage to Yu Xinruo. He hurried to the hall, bowing to Jun Yilie.

“There’s no need for formalities. Qu Yang, you’ve grown up with me like a brother, so you needn’t follow these formalities,” Jun Yilie said with a smile, gesturing for him to rise.

Qu Yang smiled faintly. “Your Majesty, even though you are the Son of Heaven and I am merely a commoner, there must still be decorum.”

Madam Qu gave him a subtle look, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then retired to the inner quarters.

Jun Yilie did not comment on Qu Yang’s words. He looked Qu Yang up and down and said with a smile, “I came specifically to see you. Last time, when you were injured in the assassination attempt, I was too busy with state affairs to visit you. From the looks of you, your injuries must be mostly healed by now.”

Qu Yang bowed slightly. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My injuries have completely healed.”

After a bit more small talk, Jun Yilie’s eyes wandered around until he finally addressed the main topic. “By the way, how has the Princess been these past half-month? Since I’m here, why hasn’t she come out to greet me?”

It seemed the woman was becoming increasingly lax and unmanageable in the Qu residence.

Seeing the look of expectation in Jun Yilie’s eyes, Qu Yang’s heart sank a little. He steadied himself and said with a smile, “The Princess probably heard of your visit and is likely preparing herself. She should arrive soon. Also, Your Majesty, there is a matter I wish to request your approval for.”

“What is it?” Jun Yilie asked absentmindedly.

“Qu Yang would like to request the Emperor’s blessing for a marriage between the Princess and myself…”

Before Qu Yang could finish, Yu Xinruo’s voice interrupted. “Oh, Your Majesty, how unexpected to see you here at the Qu residence today. What brings you here?”

Qu Yang frowned slightly, feeling somewhat annoyed, but all his displeasure vanished upon seeing Yu Xinruo’s bright smile.

Yu Xinruo flashed a charming smile at him and playfully winked before turning her attention back to Jun Yilie, wondering what business he might have.

Qu Yang looked at Yu Xinruo’s smiling face and responded with a tender smile of his own.

Seeing the affectionate interaction between Yu Xinruo and Qu Yang, Jun Yilie’s face darkened with displeasure. It seemed that this woman had captured Qu Yang’s heart. Jun Yilie had never seen Qu Yang smile at any woman before. He could not let her get her way!

He cleared his throat and said with a controlled smile, “The Princess has been at the Qu residence for more than half a month now, and should have settled her relationships with the people here. Therefore, I would like you to move back to the Princess’s residence to manage the internal affairs. What do you think, Princess?”

“No!”

“I refuse!”

The responses came in unison.

Yu Xinruo blinked at Qu Yang, thinking they were truly in sync.

Qu Yang said nothing but smiled slightly and held her hand.

Seeing the affectionate display between them, Jun Yilie’s irritation surged. It was clear that Yu Xinruo had effortlessly won over the capital’s most aloof young man, and it had only been a month since she was discarded!

Though he did not want to interfere with Yu Xinruo’s matters, seeing her holding hands with Qu Yang made him uncomfortable.

He glared at Yu Xinruo, who met his gaze fearlessly, confident that her own eyes were more piercing than his.

After a while, Jun Yilie reluctantly shifted his gaze, slowly standing up. His refined features returned to their previous calm state, and a cold smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. He addressed Qu Yang with deliberate clarity: “You are correct, but she is my cousin and a member of the imperial family. Therefore, her marriage is not a private matter but a state affair that I must decide. I believe you are not suited for each other, so I will not grant your request for marriage!”

He then shot a resentful glare at Yu Xinruo. “You have two days to move back to your Princess’s residence. Otherwise, I will not hesitate to demolish that inn and hold everyone in the residence accountable for dereliction of duty!”

He said this with a burst of anger and stormed out, brushing his sleeves aside.

Damn it, how could he use the lives of the thousands in the Princess’s residence to threaten her!

Yu Xinruo cursed inwardly, then quickly called out in a sweet voice, “Cousin, please wait a moment!”

“What is it now?” Jun Yilie stopped abruptly, his face darkened with anger as he asked sharply.

Yu Xinruo’s eyes sparkled as she approached him with a bright smile. “It’s nothing major. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve already consummated my marriage with Qu Yang.” She lowered her gaze shyly and placed her hands on her stomach. “And soon, we will have a little one who is the fruit of our love. He will call you ‘cousin-in-law’ in the future.”

“What!!! You! You! You!” Her seemingly innocent words struck Jun Yilie like a heavy blow. He staggered back a couple of steps, fists clenched, looking at her with shock and fury. “Is this true?”

This was something he never anticipated. Qu Yang had never even held another woman’s hand before, and now he was with her… And her reputation was widely known!

“It’s true…” Before Yu Xinruo could finish, Jun Yilie suddenly stepped forward, grabbing her right hand. With a swift motion, he ripped her sleeve, revealing her flawless, pale arm.

“Your Majesty! What are you doing!”

Seeing this, Qu Yang’s eyes darkened. He stepped forward and pulled Yu Xinruo into his embrace. “Your Majesty warned that a friend’s wife should not be bullied. Now, I return that warning to you!”

In his fury, he referred to himself as “your subject,” creating a barrier of silence between himself and Jun Yilie.

Jun Yilie did not speak, only staring blankly at Yu Xinruo’s exposed arm. The bright red mark of the virginity token was gone—she had indeed lost her virginity to Qu Yang…

“Cousin? Are you alright?” Seeing Jun Yilie’s stunned expression, Yu Xinruo called out cautiously. Was he so disturbed that he might lose his senses? It was strange; even though he had no feelings for her, why did he react this way upon learning she was no longer chaste? He seemed genuinely hurt…

Jun Yilie suddenly looked up, glanced at her quickly, then turned away silently and walked off, leaving Yu Xinruo and Qu Yang stunned.

“Your Majesty?” Iron Wind, who had been waiting outside the door, called out in surprise at the sight of Jun Yilie’s furious face.

“I’m so angry!” Jun Yilie punched the wall next to Iron Wind, not even noticing the blood from his hand. He continued to vent his frustration, “Does she want to drive me mad? To marry Qu Yang—never!”

Iron Wind looked at him with a strange expression. “Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Are you jealous?”

As Jun Yilie’s personal bodyguard and childhood friend, Iron Wind spoke candidly at times. He found it odd that the Emperor, who had always disliked Yu Xinruo, would suddenly be jealous of her.

“Jealous?” Jun Yilie froze at the word, his eyes showing confusion. He felt a pang of sadness and wondered if this was what jealousy felt like.

However, he quickly regained his composure and glared at Iron Wind. “Mind your own business! Return to the palace!”

He would never admit to being jealous of that detestable woman! What was she compared to the three thousand beauties in his harem? His reaction was simply out of frustration. He told himself. He didn’t even want to think about what he was frustrated about. All he knew was that someday, he would make her submit to him and never dare to be arrogant in front of him again!

Fuming, he got into his carriage. Unwillingly, her enchanting smile at Qu Yang appeared in his mind, and his anger slowly faded, replaced by a clear, indescribable pang of sadness.

He closed his eyes slowly, placing his right hand on his chest, his expression one of desolation. Yes, he admitted, the moment he learned she had been with Qu Yang, his heart had indeed felt a sudden, painful ache…