Chapter 87 : The Wedding Night May Not Happen

Xue Qingyin received another imperial reward!

All the noble ladies in the capital were astonished.

Even Xue Qingyin found it quite surprising.

“What are these honors? They’re getting more and more out of place,” she mused.

She didn’t know what King Xuan had done behind the scenes, but it always seemed to end up benefiting her.

Meanwhile, Concubine Wan was speaking to her head maid.
“We were a step too late; King Xuan beat us to it again.”

The maid sighed. “Yes, Your Grace. It seems someone must have already spoken favorably of him to His Majesty before the morning court. If another minister were to criticize him during court, it would only provoke His Majesty to defend him.”

“I’ve warned my father and the others before,” Concubine Wan said bitterly. “King Xuan is not someone to be trifled with. But they didn’t believe me. Even as a woman confined to the inner chambers, I can see it clearly.”

“Don’t fret, Your Grace,” the maid consoled. “King Xuan will eventually return to the borders. King Wei, who resides permanently in the capital, still has the upper hand.”

When King Wei was mentioned, Concubine Wan frowned.
“He’s about to marry, yet he still acts on a whim. His Majesty has truly spoiled him,” she said.

Though her words were critical, her smile didn’t falter.

“What about Liu Yuerong?” Concubine Wan asked impatiently. “She’s been so sickly… truly a bother.”

“Your Grace, Miss Liu cannot die. If she does, it would take King Wei another three to five years to remarry.”

“I understand. I just didn’t expect her to be so useless.”

…

Liu Yuerong had fallen ill again, this time with a cold.

Her brother visited her room, helping her sit up as he scolded her.
“Before, when King Wei disliked you, you couldn’t eat or sleep. Now that His Majesty has granted the marriage, why has your health worsened? I’m starting to think this marriage is…”

“Brother, how dare you speak ill of the imperial marriage?” Liu Yuerong interrupted him sternly. “I’m just anxious as the wedding approaches, and I can’t sleep.”

Her brother sighed. “You should get out more.”

Liu Yuerong’s gaze flickered, but she said nothing.

At the last palace banquet, she had been named King Wei’s primary wife. Lu Shuyi was humiliated, and both Qiao Xinyu and Xue Qingyin were left far behind. She should have been basking in her moment of glory…

But King Xuan had gone beyond protocol, sending an extravagant betrothal gift to the Xue family. His affection for Xue Qingyin was the talk of the capital.

And what of King Wei?

His estate remained silent, with no comparable gestures.

Liu Yuerong’s hopes dwindled as time passed, extinguished bit by bit.

What would people think?

They would think King Wei must be dissatisfied with his bride.

They would think she, Liu Yuerong, was not even as favored as a concubine.

And during this time, Xue Qingyin received one imperial favor after another.

Each word of praise from the emperor felt like a blade cutting into Liu Yuerong’s heart.

Had His Majesty not rewarded her because he was displeased with her?

These thoughts plagued her, leaving her restless and sick once more.

Her brother, seeing her in despair, admonished her.
“If you continue like this, Concubine Wan will grow dissatisfied with you.”

Liu Yuerong was startled.

Indeed.

A weak body meant poor childbearing prospects.

Liu Yuerong suddenly regained her resolve. “Bring me some porridge. I need to eat.”

She could not let Xue Qingyin outshine her.

However, her sudden increase in food intake after days of illness backfired.

On her wedding day, as soon as she was helped out of bed, she vomited.

The Liu family was alarmed, seeing it as an ill omen.

Even Liu Yuerong herself panicked, becoming more unstable.

Madam Liu immediately ordered ginseng slices to be brought, but her brother slapped them away.
“Do you think this is a life-saving measure? She’s too weak for such supplements now. If she faints in the bridal sedan, at least she’ll still make it to the Wei estate.”

Despite her brother’s protests, Liu Yuerong took the ginseng anyway.

Meanwhile, outside, cheers erupted. “His Highness has arrived!”

Liu Yuerong was thus escorted out.

At the Qiao family, things were far quieter.

Qiao Xinyu was also entering the Wei estate that day but as a concubine.

While Liu Yuerong would be personally welcomed by King Wei, Qiao Xinyu would simply be carried in.

However, Qiao Xinyu seemed unfazed.

Before leaving, she bowed deeply in the southeast direction—a farewell to her parents stationed in Jiannan.

She didn’t feel sad.

Their absence only underscored their dedication to duty, something the emperor would surely appreciate.

“Let’s go,” Qiao Xinyu said calmly, allowing her maid to help her into the sedan.

As for Xue Qingyin, she was still chatting with her mother in the courtyard.

The auspicious date chosen by the Ministry of Rites for her wedding to King Xuan was two days away.

She could faintly hear the music from the city.

“So lively,” she remarked.

“You’re not nervous at all,” her mother said with a sigh.

“What’s the use of nerves? They can’t fill the stomach,” Xue Qingyin replied, fiddling with a tray of jewelry that her father had recently gifted her mother, only for her mother to pass it to her.

Her mother pressed down on her hand.
“Don’t play with it now. I have something for you to look at tonight, in private.”

Xue Qingyin leaned in curiously. “What is it?”

Her mother hesitated before handing her a booklet.

“Oh, a spring manual?” Xue Qingyin said nonchalantly.

As she prepared to open it, her mother snatched it back.
“Look at it tonight!”

“Alright,” Xue Qingyin said dryly. She wasn’t expecting much.

Her mother then grew concerned about her health.
“What about the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician? Why haven’t you taken it?”

“I’m much healthier now and don’t need it,” Xue Qingyin replied.

Her carefree lifestyle and good appetite had done wonders for her once frail constitution.

“But the doctor said your illness left lasting damage. What if you faint on your wedding night?”

Xue Qingyin spat out her tea in shock.
“Mother, what nonsense are you saying?”

Her mother retorted, “If you faint on your wedding night, King Xuan might never touch you again. He’s not like King Wei—he’s a soldier. Naturally, he…”

She trailed off, too embarrassed to continue.

Xue Qingyin was skeptical. Could she really be that weak?

“Do you have some miraculous remedy for me?” she asked.

Her mother shook her head. “No, but we can call the imperial physician again. This is no time for pride.”

Xue Qingyin found the idea absurd and refused. “King Xuan will have to accept me as I am.”

Her mother glared at her. “How can you expect him to accept that?”

“Because I’m beautiful,” Xue Qingyin said smugly.

“…!” Her mother was speechless.

“But what about children?” she asked after a pause.

Xue Qingyin leaned back. “I won’t have any.”

Her mother was outraged, but Xue Qingyin replied, “I’m afraid of dying in childbirth.”

Her mother sighed deeply, wiping her eyes.

Meanwhile, Liu Yuerong’s wedding was not going smoothly. Overwhelmed by excitement and nervousness, she was already unwell during the ceremony.

By the time they reached the bridal chamber, King Wei found her fainting upon his approach.

Startled, he called out, “Check if she’s dead!”

Although Liu Yuerong was alive, the incident soured his mood. He decided to visit his concubine, Qiao Xinyu, instead.

However, a eunuch blocked him, reminding him of Concubine Wan’s orders to stay with his bride.

Frustrated but unable to disobey, King Wei returned to Liu Yuerong’s side.

The wedding night became a joke.

The next day, when Liu Yuerong awoke to find King Wei at her bedside, she blushed with joy—only to realize her clothes were untouched from the previous night.

She was stunned and looked up at the King of Wei.

But before she could speak, King Wei walked out of the door at full speed.

“Your Highness?” Liu Yuerong stayed there.

King Wei walked faster and faster, and cursed viciously in his heart-

the King of Xuan must not have a bridal chamber!