“Brother Qu Yang, I don’t want to leave you,” Yu Xinruo said, looking at him with a pitiful expression, her heart seething with resentment towards Jun Yilie.
Damn that brat, always coming to ruin her plans. What did she ever do to him? Hmph, threatening to dismantle her Queen’s Pavilion—how despicable and shameless!
The Queen’s Pavilion was her first venture in this ancient kingdom, and she would never let him tear it down. She planned to expand it to cover the entire capital city of Da Wan! As for her marriage with Qu Yang, it looks like she’ll have to delay it. She had recently heard that her aunt, the Empress Dowager, had gone off to recuperate somewhere. She would have to wait for her return to have her support. Then she would show that little bastard Jun Yilie!
Qu Yang didn’t say anything; he just looked at her deeply, pulling her into his embrace and gently smiling. “Xinruo, don’t worry. No matter what the Emperor says, I will always be with you and never leave your side.”
“Mm.” Yu Xinruo snuggled contentedly in his arms, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart, feeling warmth and softness in her own heart.
“Ahem.” It was Madame Qu’s voice.
The couple quickly separated. Qu Yang, looking a bit awkward, asked, “Mother, is there something you need?”
Madame Qu walked in with a furrowed brow, sat down in the hall, and sighed. “From what I see, the Emperor still has feelings for Xinruo, so your situation is bound to be fraught with difficulties.”
Having been through similar situations herself, she had been listening from behind the scenes and could tell that Jun Yilie had some lingering feelings for Yu Xinruo.
After spending many years with Jun Yilie, Qu Yang could easily discern his thoughts. Despite the many beauties in his harem, he had never seen Jun Yilie act so out of character for any woman. But Qu Yang was determined—if Xinruo’s heart was truly with him, he would never let go.
“What? Jun Yilie likes me?” Yu Xinruo was stunned and then rolled her eyes dismissively. “Mother, don’t say such things. Every time he sees me, he glares at me like he wants to devour me. How could he possibly like me? If he liked me, why was he so cruel before, constantly humiliating me and trying to drive me out of the palace? To me, it seems like just his pride acting up. His women aren’t allowed to remarry and be happy with another man! Hmph, I don’t care about him! I’ll marry a man who is even stronger and better than him and live happily right under his nose! That’ll drive him crazy!”
Madame Qu immediately praised her with a smile. “My goddaughter is truly remarkable! That’s the way a woman should be—living life to the fullest!”
“Yes, you’re right!” Yu Xinruo beamed, gripping Madame Qu’s hand excitedly. It was amazing to find such a progressive woman in this feudal era, especially one who would be her future mother-in-law. She was thrilled.
Qu Yang looked at the future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who seemed to have forgotten all about him, with a bemused expression and a slight smile. It warmed his heart.
This is what makes a home feel warm. All thanks to the woman who brought warmth and laughter into this cold household.
“By the way, I forgot to tell you something,” Madame Qu said suddenly, after chatting with Yu Xinruo for a while.
The couple, who had been exchanging affectionate glances, immediately turned their attention to Madame Qu, looking at her with curiosity.
Madame Qu patted Yu Xinruo’s head and said with a smile, “It’s because our Xinruo’s charm is so great. During the time you were taking care of Qu Yang’s injuries, the Seventh Prince came by a few times. But I didn’t let him in.”
Yu Xinruo raised an eyebrow. “What did he come for?”
Qu Yang was also puzzled. The Seventh Prince was of high status and a royal relative. Normally, no one would dare turn him away, and his mother was usually very proper. Why would she do something so out of line?
“He came to propose to Xinruo,” Madame Qu said with a proud smile. “And he even brought a dowry. You should have seen the fuss he made. But I turned him away.”
Yu Xinruo’s interest was piqued. She warmly took Madame Qu’s arm and asked with a smile, “You’re truly impressive, Auntie. Tell me, how did you manage to turn away that troublesome Seventh Prince?”
The Seventh Prince proposing to her? Hmph, there wasn’t even a chance! She wanted nothing to do with such a dangerous and flirtatious man!
However, she was very curious about how Madame Qu managed to handle that persistent suitor.
“Ha, for me, turning him away was a piece of cake,” Madame Qu said with even more pride after Yu Xinruo’s praise. “When he came the first two times, we didn’t open the door for him. After all, our family’s master is the well-known Left Chancellor. Even if he’s arrogant, he wouldn’t dare smash the Chancellor’s door. By the third time, I was getting a bit annoyed, wondering why the Seventh Prince was so determined to break up our son and daughter-in-law. So I told him, ‘Seventh Prince, please don’t come here anymore. Xinruo is already pregnant with Qu Yang’s child and has been for over a month. I’m too busy making nourishing soup for her to have any time to deal with you. So please don’t come and cause trouble.’ And then he left with a dark face and a large entourage, making the neighbors laugh. Heh, don’t you think my excuse was brilliant?” Madame Qu looked at them with a pleased expression.
“Brilliant, brilliant, truly brilliant!” Yu Xinruo’s eyes twitched. Wasn’t that excuse a bit too flimsy? When did she get pregnant? She didn’t want her reputation dragged through the mud just to make an excuse! She had just been with Qu Yang recently.
Qu Yang looked at Yu Xinruo’s vexed expression and couldn’t help but smile, his lips curving into an amused grin that brightened his whole face.
“Miss, the Chief Steward of the Princess’s residence sent someone to say there’s an urgent matter,” Xiao Li suddenly entered, having hurried over and speaking urgently after greeting them.
Yu Xinruo immediately focused on this matter and asked seriously, “Did he say what it is?” She had a bad feeling it might be something about the Queen’s Pavilion.
Xiao Li gave her a discreet look and said, “The messenger said he needs to speak to you personally.”
“Alright, take me to him immediately.”
Yu Xinruo quickly said her goodbyes to Madame Qu and Qu Yang and followed Xiao Li out.
Qu Yang watched her hasty departure with a frown, feeling a pang of reluctance. Tomorrow, he wouldn’t be able to spend every day with her.
Madame Qu patted his shoulder and said with a smile, “My dear son, don’t frown. I’ve made a nourishing soup in the kitchen. Go bring it to her yourself.”
Her dear son was as cold as his father and didn’t know how to please a woman. She needed to teach him better.
Xinglan Courtyard.
“What? You’re saying that the dog Emperor Jun Yilie forcibly had my Queen’s Pavilion’s sign taken down?!” The sudden outburst from Yu Xinruo startled everyone in the courtyard.
Xiao Li quickly recovered and advised, “Miss, please keep your voice down and don’t get too worked up. If the Emperor hears you calling him a dog, he’ll surely make us pay for it.”
Yu Xinruo’s face flushed with anger as she slammed her hand on the table and shouted, “I’ll call him a dog Emperor if I want to! That little brat dares to tear down my sign—does he think he can push me around because I’m not in a position to retaliate?”
Just as she left, he went and dismantled her sign. It was clear that Jun Yilie was set on opposing her.
The guard sent by Zhong Shuwen looked at his master with fear and then bowed his head, speaking respectfully, “Moreover, the messenger relayed a message saying the Emperor stated that you are no longer the current Empress and that you are not to deceive others using the title. Otherwise, you will be punished.”
“Hmph, who cares about being the Empress!” Yu Xinruo snorted coldly and, after a moment of contemplation, a sly smile appeared on her face. “The Pavilion must have a sign. Quickly make a new one with the name ‘Former Empress Pavilion.’ Even though I’m no longer the current Empress, I am indeed the former one. If he dares to tear down my sign again, I’ll make sure he’s embarrassed all over the capital!”
Xing’er, looking worried, said, “Miss, I think it’s better not to go against the Emperor. With the Empress Dowager not in the capital, if the Emperor decides to act against you, no one can protect you.”
Xiao Li nodded in agreement.
Yu Xinruo, however, was unperturbed. “Don’t worry, I have my plans to deal with him. By the way, go back to the Pavilion and tell Chief Steward Zhong that I’ll be back tomorrow. He shouldn’t worry too much.”
“Yes, Miss.” The guard responded respectfully and then withdrew.
That night, as Yu Xinruo was preparing for bed, there was a gentle knock at the door. When she opened it, she saw it was Qu Yang.
“It’s so late. What are you doing here?” Yu Xinruo smiled as she looked at his cool, moon-like face, thinking to herself how truly handsome he was.
Without saying a word, Qu Yang gazed at her deeply for a moment before suddenly pulling her into his arms and passionately sealing her lips with his.
Yu Xinruo was initially taken aback but then thrilled. She wrapped her arms around his waist and eagerly responded. It was rare for the aloof gentleman to initiate such affection; she wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass.
After several passionate exchanges, they were soon entangled in bed, their clothes disheveled.
The red candle flickered out shyly, and the silk curtains fell silently.
Inside the tent, there was a scene of tender intimacy. The man’s strength did not lack tenderness, as if he wanted to merge completely with her. The woman, beneath him, responded with soft moans, struggling to keep up but craving more.
The impending separation left both feeling anxious and reluctant, wanting to merge their very beings into one. After several rounds of passion, they finally fell into an exhausted sleep as dawn approached.
The next day, after a heartfelt farewell, Qu Yang went to the palace to serve the Emperor. After Yu Xinruo endured Madame Qu’s well-meaning but nagging advice about taking care of her health and drinking nourishing soup, she got into the carriage with Xiao Li and Xing’er.
Throughout the journey, Yu Xinruo was listless and distracted, her mind filled with images of Qu Yang’s cool, moon-like face. Xiao Li, having watched her for a while, finally couldn’t help but say, “Miss, has your heart been taken away by Young Master Qu? Should we bring him back to the mansion too?”
“Go away, you little girl. What do you know? Do you think I’m someone who gets easily tied down by men?” Yu Xinruo shot her a big, annoyed look.
Xing’er chuckled and said, “Miss, I know you’re not lovesick; you’re suffering from a case of longing.”
Yu Xinruo gave her a playful scowl, her cheeks flushing slightly as she laughed. “You two are getting a bit too bold! Just wait until I teach you both a lesson!” She said, reaching for their ticklish spots.
Xing’er, afraid of being tickled, dodged and begged for mercy. Seeing this, Xiao Li also joined in the fun, and the carriage was soon filled with laughter, helping Yu Xinruo temporarily forget her worries.
At that moment, the street outside suddenly erupted in commotion. Looking out of the carriage window, Yu Xinruo and her companions saw a throng of women rushing towards a certain direction, creating quite a spectacle. The men on the street stopped to watch, their eyes filled with envy.
Yu Xinruo raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, “What’s happening over there? Why are all these women running in that direction?”
Xing’er looked at the crowd and shook her head. “I don’t know. The direction seems to be the same as where we’re heading.”
“Let’s follow and see!” Yu Xinruo’s curiosity was piqued, and she said eagerly.
Not long after, the carriage stopped at the center of the commotion. Yu Xinruo and her companions were stunned to see the Queen’s Pavilion surrounded by women, packed tightly with no room to spare, and many trying desperately to squeeze in. What was going on?
She called out to a woman passing by the window, asking, “Miss, what’s happened at the Pavilion to attract so many women?”
The woman looked at her with surprise and replied, “It’s not that something happened to the Pavilion, but because the famous Third Young Master of the Du family, Du Qiuluan, is currently staying there.”
“Du Qiuluan? Who’s that?” Yu Xinruo was puzzled, seeing the frenzy among the women resembling modern-day fans flocking around a superstar.
“Don’t know who Du Qiuluan is? It’s clear you’re just wasting those pretty eyes of yours!” The woman’s surprise turned to disdain as she coldly answered and then hurried off towards the crowd.
Yu Xinruo was stunned for a moment before wryly rubbing her nose. “Who is Du Qiuluan? Am I supposed to know him just because I have eyes?”
Never mind; she would find out who this Du Qiuluan was that had everyone so excited!
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152