Chapter 92 : Sleeping Together

The royal residence was even quieter at night than during the day.

Of course, it wasn’t particularly lively during the day either.

During the daytime wedding festivities, the estate was filled with people, forming a dense crowd wherever one looked. Yet, each person kept silent except for performing formal bows, maintaining a solemn atmosphere.

Xue Qingyin lay on King Xuan’s back, looking around. First, she noticed the towering walls, then the grotesque and eerie-looking fake rock formations in the dim light, and finally the auspicious beasts perched on the eaves.

Wherever they passed, palace servants and guards bowed respectfully, not daring to even glance at them.

Xue Qingyin suddenly felt that King Xuan’s residence was as impenetrable as a fortress.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness, during the day, if you’re not around, can I wander the estate by myself?”

King Xuan replied, “Of course.” After a pause, he added, “But you must bring someone with you.”

Xue Qingyin thought to herself, I get it. It’s to prevent me from accidentally walking into a restricted area. That would be bad!

Unexpectedly, King Xuan casually added, “The estate is large. If you get tired halfway, you can send someone to fetch a sedan chair to carry you back.”

Xue Qingyin was momentarily stunned but responded, “Oh, okay.”

With her delicate physique, it indeed seemed wise to have a few attendants accompany her.

As they talked, they continued walking.

The night breeze caressed her face. Xue Qingyin squinted slightly, tugging lightly on King Xuan’s shoulder. “Let’s go back. It’s pitch dark—there’s not much to see.”

King Xuan asked, “Do you prefer bright, illuminated surroundings?”

Xue Qingyin wasn’t picky. “Both are fine.”

After all, she rarely went out at night.

King Xuan said no more and carried her back to the palace they had left earlier.

The palace within the estate was not as grand as the imperial palace but still appeared imposing against the night sky.

Entering the hall felt like stepping into the mouth of a giant beast.

Inside, the candlelight burned brightly.

A servant immediately approached, draping a soft fur cloak over the chair.

King Xuan placed Xue Qingyin down gently, right onto the cushioned seat.

The hard chair instantly became much more comfortable.

Tea and refreshments were promptly brought to her.

It was far too early to sleep again.

Xue Qingyin glanced up at King Xuan.

Hmm? Why hasn’t he left?

According to tradition, shouldn’t King Xuan return to his quarters after the wedding night?

Unaware of her confusion, King Xuan asked, “Shall I have some books brought for you to read?”

Xue Qingyin shook her head vigorously, almost like a rattling drum. “No, no.”

Who would want to read now?

That would only bring back tragic memories of my school days!

King Xuan then ordered a chessboard to be brought over.

Was he planning to play chess with her?

Xue Qingyin sat still, watching as the servants set everything up. She pointed at the chessboard curiously. “It looks quite similar to the one at Princess Jinque’s estate.”

King Xuan responded softly, “Hmm.”

Xue Qingyin picked up a chess piece, lightly scraping the lacquered surface with her pinky, revealing a hint of red beneath.

Suddenly, she realized something. “Wait, is this the chessboard from Princess Jinque’s estate?”

King Xuan didn’t answer directly but said, “You go first, Qingyin.”

Xue Qingyin made a random opening move with her “knight.”

Knowing her poor skills, she didn’t bother thinking too much and continued to play haphazardly.

The game lasted a long time.

Eventually, she shifted in her seat, feeling her neck grow stiff.

King Xuan suddenly said, “You won.”

Xue Qingyin snapped out of her sluggish state.

What?

She won?

Staring at the chessboard, Xue Qingyin felt this made no sense.

“Did Your Highness let me win?” she asked.

“No,” King Xuan replied earnestly.

What nonsense.

The last time they played at Princess Jinque’s estate, the game ended so quickly.

This time, after a long match, she somehow won.

Xue Qingyin smacked her lips.

Is it because things are different now?

She asked, “Does Your Highness know any surefire winning strategies?”

King Xuan: “Hmm?”

“Ah, I know my own abilities. I can’t beat Your Highness. Your Highness, please teach me, so that I can win against others in the future,” Xue Qingyin said confidently. “Winning against Your Highness is meaningless.”

King Xuan: “…”

King Xuan asked her, “What if beating me came with silver as a reward?”

Xue Qingyin shook her head. “That would still be pointless. The point of winning is to take other people’s money.”

The corners of King Xuan’s mouth twitched slightly upward. He said, “Alright.”

King Xuan then earnestly taught Xue Qingyin chess strategies.

He even asked someone to bring Go pieces and taught her several moves.

Xue Qingyin was very pleased and thought about winning money from the Fourth Princess next time.

They played chess for who knows how long.

Xue Qingyin yawned lazily, slipped off the chair on her own, and let the palace servants help her wash up. Then she crawled into bed.

Before closing her eyes, she reminded King Xuan, “Your Highness, be sure to wake me up tomorrow. I need to enter the palace to claim my reward.”

Sitting by the flickering candlelight, King Xuan seemed to smile faintly.

He replied, “Alright.”

After Xue Qingyin fell asleep, a nearby servant approached and whispered, “Your Highness, this…”

King Xuan waved a hand. “Leave. I will also stay here tonight.”

The servant hesitated but dared not question further. In the strictly managed palace, it was not their place to interfere. They bowed their heads and retreated.

King Xuan removed his outer robe and approached the bed.

At some point, Xue Qingyin had curled up in her sleep.

Her hair was a mess.

King Xuan lowered his eyes and gently pressed her lips with his fingers.

A dark glimmer flickered through his eyes, then disappeared into their depths.

He sat by the bed for a while before lying down beside her.

King Xuan, who had long been unaccustomed to sharing a bed with anyone, had spent years on campaigns, always wary of potential assassinations. Having someone near him naturally made him highly alert.

Yet he chose to stay the night with Xue Qingyin.

At dawn.

Xue Qingyin rolled over and accidentally bumped herself awake.

She opened her eyes.

And found herself crashing into King Xuan’s arms.

Oh no.

She even bumped his chin, leaving it red…

Xue Qingyin cautiously looked up at him.

Fortunately…he was still asleep.

She quickly reached up and gently rubbed his chin twice.

The redness soon faded.

But King Xuan’s Adam’s apple suddenly moved.

Startled, Xue Qingyin froze and quietly waited in his arms. Yet King Xuan showed no signs of waking.

Good.

She glanced out the window. The sky was just beginning to lighten. Too nervous to move, she continued resting with her head on King Xuan’s arm.

She wasn’t the best sleeper.

Exhausted from the previous day, she hadn’t tossed and turned much last night.

But now that she was sharing a bed with King Xuan, her “bad habits” were bound to be exposed.

Drowsily, she thought, maybe she should convince King Xuan next time? Perhaps they should only share a bed on special occasions? No, that sounded too improper for their relationship.

As her mind wandered, she drifted back to sleep.

Only then did King Xuan open his eyes, glancing at her serene face.

His throat moved slightly, and then he discreetly pulled her inner robe tighter around her.

In the palace.

The Queen Mother’s expression darkened. “What time is it already? And Xue Qingyin is still so lazy! How improper!”

Concubine Wan sat quietly beside her without speaking.

Sitting by her side was Liu Yuerong, head bowed, appearing modest and obedient.

Due to her health, Liu Yuerong had been late for the first day of morning greetings. Coupled with the mishaps during her wedding, her relationship with Prince Wei was distant. She was deeply troubled by this.

But she never could have imagined!

Xue Qingyin was far more brazen… Not only did she skip paying respects to the Queen Mother yesterday, but she was late again today…

Comparison truly puts things into perspective. Liu Yuerong’s own stress melted away.

She decided to sit back and watch the drama unfold.