Chapter 37 : ShUra Field (Part 1)

The Qingyue House had never welcomed so many distinguished guests of such high status!

“Your Highness King Xuan, Your Highness King Wei, Princess Jinque…” The boatmaster bowed deeply, his heart trembling with anxiety.

He nearly lowered his head to the deck.

King Wei, who had spent the previous night dreaming of romantic strolls under the moonlight, now saw his plans utterly dashed. Naturally, his mood was far from pleasant.

With a cold expression, he commanded, “Lead the way.”

“Yes, yes! Rest assured, no one else is aboard this boat,” the boatmaster replied hurriedly.

King Wei didn’t bother to respond.

Had he been told this earlier, he might have been delighted.

But now… it only reminded him that soon, he’d be forced to sit opposite King Xuan.

He stepped forward but abruptly stopped after two paces. He forced out a polite tone: “Brother, you go first.”

Behind him, Xue Qingyin nearly burst into laughter.

She was right—her guess hadn’t been wrong.

At the last poetry gathering, King Xuan had thoroughly outshone King Wei.

The more Qingyin observed, the more she felt marrying King Xuan wouldn’t be such a bad choice.

However, as things stood, King Xuan seemed like someone completely indifferent to women—perhaps even a cold ascetic.

Qingyin sighed quietly to herself.

The boatman cautiously poked his head out. “Your Highness, shall we set sail?”

King Wei turned back. “Go ahead.”

The boatman nodded and returned to his seat.

Soon, the boat began to move, gliding away from the shore.

Xue Qinghe swayed slightly, causing Qiuxin to exclaim, “My lady!”

Xue Qinghe grabbed the railing just in time, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

At that moment, King Xuan turned his head.

He looked at Xue Qingyin.

Xue Qingyin: “?”

What’s wrong?

King Xuan averted his gaze, as if nothing had happened.

Just then, Princess Jinque spoke up: “Miss Xue, are you feeling seasick?”

She turned her head but paused for a moment. These two “Miss Xue” were really troublesome to address. Calling her “Miss Xue Senior” sounded odd too…

Princess Jinque simply said, “Qingyin, are you feeling dizzy?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“That’s good. I remembered you were rather frail.” Princess Jinque turned her head back.

King Wei froze, inwardly furious.

How could he forget about that?

It seemed Jinque had outdone him this time.

Still, it wasn’t too late to salvage the situation. He stopped walking, turned, and extended a hand to Xue Qingyin: “Miss Xue, allow me to assist you.”

Qiuxin fumed internally, thinking anyone unaware of the situation might assume her lady was about to fall into the river!

However, Xue Qingyin stepped aside, smiling slightly. “I’m quite steady.”

King Wei retracted his hand, his face showing a hint of disappointment.

Xue Qingyin grew curious.

Could King Xuan’s earlier glance at her also have been out of concern, like Princess Jinque’s?

Probably not, she thought.

King Xuan surely wouldn’t bother himself with such trivialities.

The group was guided to the second floor of the painted boat, where a large round table awaited, perfectly accommodating everyone.

The boatmaster poured tea cautiously, sensing an unusual tension in the atmosphere.

Xue Qingyin thought it a pity.

If He Songning were here today, the gathering would be much livelier.

Meanwhile, far away, He Songning sat by a window reading, sneezed suddenly, and assumed someone was thinking of him.

On the boat, platters of delicate pastries and fruits were served.

A palace maid pushed open the windows, letting in a breeze carrying the fragrance of gardenias from the lake.

The Fourth Princess silently thought, This is unbearable.

Why wasn’t anyone speaking?

Princess Jinque also sensed the awkwardness.

She couldn’t make small talk with King Wei—every word felt forced. After some thought, she turned to Xue Qingyin: “Is your cape too thin? The breeze at the lake’s center might feel chilly.”

Xue Qingyin replied, “Not at all. It’s just right.”

Princess Jinque smiled. “That’s good. Seeing you wear it so beautifully brings me great joy.”

“Since the Princess gifted it to me, I naturally wear it often.”

In truth, it wasn’t really from Princess Jinque—it was something King Xuan had sent, merely under her name.

By wearing these gifts, Xue Qingyin showed her appreciation, which pleased the giver.

Princess Jinque looked at her with a smile, as if reminiscing about her own youth.

Suddenly, King Wei remarked, “The hairpin Miss Xue wears—did you gift that as well? It looks like one Father awarded you as a wedding gift.”

Princess Jinque’s expression chilled. “Indeed.”

“Jinque, Jinque, are you trying to get Miss Xue into trouble?” King Wei chuckled. “Gifts from Father—how could you give them away so casually?”

Princess Jinque froze.

She hadn’t considered this…

“If I hadn’t noticed in time, it could’ve become an issue,” King Wei said, shaking his head.

Princess Jinque looked apologetic. “Qingyin…” She didn’t mind being scolded by the Emperor but feared implicating others.

Xue Qingyin was unbothered.

She gracefully reached up to remove the hairpin. “Shall I take it off?”

As she removed it, a strand of hair fell, framing her face delicately.

The breeze stirred, giving her an air of poignant beauty.

King Wei’s breath hitched briefly. He quickly said, “If Miss Xue likes jade, a chestful of it recently arrived from Youzhou—I could have it made into accessories…”

Before Xue Qingyin could refuse, King Wei clapped his hands.

A eunuch entered, carrying a redwood box.

“It wouldn’t do for Miss Xue to descend the boat without ornaments. Fortunately, I have some headpieces here.” King Wei pushed the box toward her.

Prepared much?

Xue Qingyin glanced at him suspiciously.

Seeing her hesitation, King Wei grew anxious. He unlocked the box, revealing its contents.

Inside were jade hair ornaments—ones Jiang’s steward had tried and failed to gift before.

Xue Qingyin raised an eyebrow.

She was beginning to grasp King Wei’s character: Relentless in pursuit.

“Jinque,” King Xuan spoke suddenly.

Princess Jinque looked puzzled.

Without warning, King Xuan removed the hair ornament from her hair.

Understanding his intent, Princess Jinque quickly said, “There’s no need for King Wei’s trouble. I’ll gift Miss Xue another hairpin.”

Princess Jinque loved extravagance.

The golden hairpin she presented, encrusted with jewels and crafted in intricate animal and floral shapes, cost a fortune.

When worn by Xue Qingyin, her beauty was amplified, dazzling everyone.

Even Princess Jinque marveled. “Some people only grow more beautiful the more splendid their attire.”

King Wei seemed momentarily lost, not rushing to compete.

Meanwhile, Xue Qingyin thought, Well, that’s a win for me!

Finally, King Wei huffed and returned to his seat. “Fine. It seems jade and Miss Xue aren’t destined for each other.”

With that, he tossed the jade ornaments out the window.

Everyone heard a splash.

Xue Qingyin: “…”

What a waste!

This man deserves to be sent to a famine-stricken region to eat dirt! she thought.

“Why are you all standing there?” King Wei asked. “Miss Xue, why not enjoy some pastries?”

King Xuan’s calm voice interrupted, “Retrieve them.”

“What did you say?” King Wei asked, incredulous.