Chapter 26 : I Nearly Lost My Integrity

The Princess of Jinque’s expression changed. She bit her teeth and said in a deep voice, “Thank you today. I will handle this matter thoroughly.”

She then turned to Xue Qingyin with a completely different face and smiled, “Miss Xue, let’s plan a boat trip another day. …Someone, bring the purple and gold box from my room and have Miss Xue take it home.”

Before Xue Qingyin could speak, she quickly added, “Don’t refuse, go now.”

Xue Qingyin had no choice but to remain silent and curtsy. “Thank you, Your Highness, for the gift.”

The Princess of Jinque squeezed her hand and said, “We’re so compatible, why be so formal? I’ll be leaving now.”

With that, she hurriedly lifted her skirt and left.

As Xue Qingyin reached the door, the purple-gold box was delivered.

The box felt heavy in her hands, and after holding it for a while, she felt a bit tired.

Luckily, Xue Qingyin’s maid was still waiting at the door. As soon as she saw her coming out, she hurried over.

But she didn’t dare to look at King Xuan, her voice trembling, “Miss, why are you out so early?”

Xue Qingyin handed the box to her and instructed her to wait in the carriage.

Then she asked King Xuan, “Your Highness, can you explain how you knew I was deceived?”

“Hmm?”

“How did you know I was taken away?”

“Since Jinque left you to me,” King Xuan paused, his words sounding a bit awkward, but he quickly regained his composure and continued, “She wouldn’t dare send anyone to ask for you again. If a palace maid in the princess’s residence knew I was in the inner room, how could she be so bold as to take you away without asking me first? If she were to leave, it should have been after asking for my permission. Such a hasty move, of course, has a hidden agenda.”

Indeed…

The people in the capital both revered and feared King Xuan.

One palace maid, however, defied reason.

“Then how did Your Highness know I was there?”

“The princess’s residence had built the Xianyun courtyard for the prince’s residence. After the prince’s death, the courtyard was abandoned and became a taboo place in the princess’s residence. No one went near it. If someone wanted to do something secretive, they would naturally use such a deserted courtyard.”

“Your Highness is truly wise and mighty!” Xue Qingyin quickly flattered.

But she also thought to herself: What if Your Highness hadn’t found me…

What would her fate have been?

Without the strength to climb the wall, she would have been stuck waiting inside.

“There is no ‘what if,'” King Xuan said calmly.

“Ah?”

One of his personal guards explained, “His Highness had already ordered the search for something he lost, telling everyone to look around. That was his backup plan!”

Xue Qingyin was truly shocked. Her flattery now seemed more sincere. “I will forever be grateful for Your Highness’s help, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude…”

Then what?

Was she supposed to offer herself in return?

King Xuan suddenly had that thought.

Who knows, but Xue Qingyin didn’t continue after that.

“More flowers?” King Xuan finally finished the sentence.

Xue Qingyin shook her head, “I haven’t figured it out yet. After thinking it over, Your Highness is so noble, you don’t lack anything. So I thought of giving you the rich fragrance of spring, so I picked some flowers. But now, flowers no longer seem precious.”

King Xuan paused.

To her, offering a few flowers meant giving him the entire spring.

What a smooth talker.

Yet King Xuan’s gaze lingered on her lips.

The young girl’s lips were soft and full, just like flowers.

In that instant, King Xuan actually felt as though he had received the entire spring.

It was different from the various extravagant gifts others presented to him.

Those flowers were unique.

King Xuan slowly looked away, his tone somewhat nonchalant: “Hmm, then take your time to think about it.”

He was curious about what she might send next, and how she would “argue” with him.

Why is he so easy-going?

Xue Qingyin was startled.

This King Xuan was different from the one in the books…

King Xuan escorted her to the carriage, then sent a guard to accompany her.

Suddenly, Xue Qingyin thought of something, and quickly pulled up the curtain, leaning out with her neck stretched long to ask, “When will Your Highness be going to the Xuanwu Army’s camp again?”

King Xuan glanced at her. “In two days.”

Xue Qingyin nodded and let the curtain down.

She would surely succeed in hosting King Xuan at the estate this time.

Back at the Xue family, the maid anxiously asked, “Miss, are we leaving already? Did something happen?”

The maid was quite worried.

Could it be that the young miss was being excluded again?

It wouldn’t be surprising if it were.

In the past, the eldest young miss was indeed disliked wherever she went.

Xue Qingyin smiled, “It’s nothing. We came to play polo today, but I couldn’t keep up. The princess thought I was bored and rewarded me with some things, saying we’ll plan a boat trip another day.”

The maid was stunned.

Was that true?

Could it be that the young miss was just making an excuse?

Xue Qingyin couldn’t resist opening the purple-gold box.

As soon as the lid was lifted, light dazzled from within.

The maid’s eyes were blinded by the radiance.

“This, this…” The maid was so stunned she couldn’t speak.

Coral stones, pearls, gold and silver hairpins, eastern pearl bracelets… all layered together in one place.

There were also some precious perfumes mixed in.

It looked like someone had casually accumulated these treasures.

And now… they were being given to her?

Xue Qingyin blinked, also feeling surprised.

What if the Princess of Jinque knew that Concubine Wan had actually been trying to set her up? Would she regret giving her so many things?

The maid quickly closed the box, swallowing nervously. “Let’s hurry back. With this, I feel like we’ll be robbed.”

Xue Qingyin laughed. “What are you afraid of? King Xuan’s guards are still outside.”

“King Xuan…” the maid murmured, then asked quietly, “How could His Highness have sent you out?”

It definitely wasn’t because he liked her.

It had to be because he was a gentleman!

Xue Qingyin firmly thought.

Of course, there was another reason, which was that this matter involved Princess Jinque. By protecting her, King Xuan was essentially helping the princess.

But Xue Qingyin didn’t mention this to the maid.

The maid wisely kept silent, thinking to herself that this must be the young miss’s big secret. She had to keep quiet to avoid spoiling things!

Once Xue Qingyin returned home, she immediately went to find Madam Xue.

Madam Xue was also surprised. “Why are you back so early?”

Xue Qingyin directly shoved the box into Madam Xue’s arms, “Here, the princess gave this to me. I’m giving it to you, Mother.”

Madam Xue was delighted but said, “What nonsense are you talking? How could you give away what the princess gave you?”

“Mother is not just anyone. You used to bring gifts for me and Brother, so today I brought something for you. I’ve grown up!” Xue Qingyin said proudly.

Madam Xue laughed, unable to resist pinching her cheek, “Yes, yes, my Qingyin has grown up. Now she’s both filial and considerate. My sweet child.”

Xue Qingyin threw the box aside and ran off, “I have something to do. I’m going to find Brother!”

Madam Xue scolded playfully, “You naughty girl.”

The maids around them hurried to praise Xue Qingyin, saying things like, “The young miss is starting to care for Madam now.”

After hearing these compliments, Madam Xue felt all her worries lift.

A while later, Madam Xue opened the box.

When she saw what was inside…

She nearly dropped the box in shock.

“How… how can there be so many precious items?”

“Did you forget, Madam? Princess Jinque is highly favored, and there’s never a shortage of these kinds of treasures in her residence.”

“That’s true, but why would she give so much to Qingyin?”

“Didn’t she say that she and the eldest miss get along well?”

“With Qingyin’s temper, who could get along with her to that extent?” Madam Xue was still self-aware. “This is really strange.”

Meanwhile, Xue Qingyin barged into He Songning’s courtyard.

He Songning was just taking a nap, resting in his bedroom.

Hearing her voice, he got up, and said in a deep tone, “You’re back?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t come?” Xue Qingyin threw herself onto the soft chair, leaning back lazily. “I’ve just been given a big box full of treasures, and I can’t wait to come and share the news with you.”

He Songning was startled but quickly smiled and said, “Oh? Princess Jinque gave you those?”

Xue Qingyin shook her head. “That’s not it. It was a gift from the princess for me to take home. But when I opened it, I realized it was full of precious treasures! There must be a catch.”

“Was there really no catch?”

Xue Qingyin shook her head.

He Songning looked at her again, “Not everything in this world has a price to pay. Maybe the princess really just likes you. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have thought of gifting you all these things.”

Xue Qingyin laughed bitterly, “Maybe you’re right, but the princess’s love is a bit too much for me.”

“Go slowly. Maybe you’ll be overwhelmed by it. But be careful. If they plot something, you’ll fall for it. In that case, we’ll help you get out of it.”

Xue Qingyin smiled bitterly.

Everything was done. The best way forward was to take it step by step!