Chapter 36 : Help!

King Xuan said nothing, merely casting a distant glance in Xue Qingyin’s direction.

Princess Jinque , finding the silence dull, hesitated before blurting out, “The jewelry she’s wearing today was a gift from me. How does it suit her? I think it matches her perfectly—graceful as water, breathtakingly stunning.”

King Xuan’s gaze flickered slightly.

Crystals gleamed, and her skin appeared like translucent jade.

Xue Qingyin, standing there, indeed evoked an image of being dressed by the wind and adorned with water.

“I heard that Father plans to choose a bride for you from the Lu and Qi families. Aren’t you going to take a look?” Princess Jinque tried to steer the conversation again.

Still, King Xuan showed little interest.

Feeling increasingly stifled, Princess Jinque changed tactics and said, “Oh, I also heard that King Weiapproached Father yesterday, asking to marry the Xue family girl as his principal wife, and got himself beaten for it.”

This brought back a memory for King Xuan. The last time they were flying kites on the outskirts, Xue Qingyin had stormed off in tears, and soon after, King Wei’s men had followed her.

Thus, hearing Princess Jinque ‘s words now did not surprise him.

He replied indifferently, “Well deserved.”

“You know how stubborn King Wei is. With Father’s favor, who knows… it might still happen in the end,” Princess Jinque  sighed.

“Well, I thought you might have some reaction to this. It seems I was wrong—you don’t care for the Xue family girl at all,” she added, probing.

…Care for?

What did that even feel like?

King Xuan didn’t know.

Princess Jinque shook her head repeatedly. “I wonder what kind of woman could ever catch your fancy… Never mind, I suppose we’ll both just live out our days alone. No, just me—you’ll marry someone. Father has already chosen secondary wives for you. You’ll only need to pick a principal wife from among the noble and beautiful. Then your King Xuan residence will surely liven up.”

Hearing this, King Xuan suddenly felt a wave of revulsion.

His King Xuan residence was as impenetrable as an iron fortress.

He disliked the idea of any unfamiliar woman moving in.

“I won’t marry,” he declared.

“Father will be furious,” Princess Jinque paused before suddenly saying, “King Wei is here.”

Nearby, Xue Qingyin was still chatting with the Fourth Princess.

King Wei headed straight for them.

It was obvious to anyone paying attention.

The last time they flew kites, King Wei had approached Xue Qingyin directly.

This time was no different.

Coupled with rumors about Xue Qingyin visiting the Hibiscus Garden…

It seemed inevitable that Xue Qingyin would be chosen as King Wei’s wife.

This came as a great relief to Miss Lu.

Thankfully, Xue Qingyin was not her competitor.

“Miss Xue,” King Wei greeted warmly before noticing the Fourth Princess beside her. “Yanyan, you’re here too?”

The Fourth Princess affectionately called him “Brother Wei.”

Though, by proper address, she should have been closer to King Xuan.

Xue Qingyin clicked her tongue, musing over the royal family’s complicated relationships.

King Weis miled and gently patted the Fourth Princess’s head. “Yanyan, did you like the gift I sent you the other day?”

The Fourth Princess replied softly, “I did.”

King Wei gestured toward the lake. “Do you see that boat?”

The Fourth Princess looked over. “…The Qingyue Barge?” The Qingyue Barge was well-known in the capital.

King Wei continued, “Come, join me on the boat. Miss Xue, you as well.”

Xue Qingyin declined, “Do you think that’s appropriate?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” King Wei, though freshly scolded the previous day, remained confident in his father’s indulgence.

Moreover, he possessed an item of Xue Qingyin’s personal belongings.

She was someone he was determined to have.

“I brought my younger sister today. I can’t just leave her behind to join Your Highness,” Xue Qingyin replied.

King Wei grew curious.

Since when did Xue Qingyin have a younger sister?

“Where is she?” he asked.

Xue Qingyin frowned, wondering if this flirtatious man might also set his sights on Xue Qinghe.

Not for any other reason—just that Xue Qinghe might not be able to resist him and end up victimized.

Before she could respond, the maid Qiu Xin had already brought Xue Qinghe over.

Qiu Xin, scheming, thought that her lady deserved some attention too. Using Xue Qingyin as a bridge, she hoped to connect Xue Qinghe with influential figures, making Xue Qingyin jealous and regretful.

Xue Qinghe, determined to appear confident, took a deep breath. Yet, standing before King Wei, she still looked somewhat shy.

“First Miss,” Qiu Xin prompted, “are you going somewhere?”

King Wei identified her by Qiu Xin’s address and said, “This is your younger sister?”

Xue Qingyin replied curtly, “…Yes.”

Qiu Xin, noticing Xue Qingyin’s indifferent tone, thought, She really doesn’t want the Second Miss to shine!

King Wei scrutinized Xue Qinghe.

Though beautiful, with tender, expressive eyes and a frail demeanor, she didn’t quite impress him.

She reminded him of a concubine gifted to him by a local official—interesting at first but soon boring.

“Second Miss Xue, join us on the boat,” King Wei said.

Qiu Xin was overjoyed, feeling that a turning point in her mistress’s destiny had arrived.

Xue Qingyin, however, relaxed slightly. “Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness. But isn’t the group a little small…”

“Small?” King Wei wondered why she was so unromantic. It’s precisely the intimacy that matters!

Xue Qingyin raised her gaze and locked eyes with him. “Yes, too few people make it dull. Why not invite a few more?”

Her eyes sparkled.

For a moment, King Wei was captivated and couldn’t refuse. “Fine. If you have friends to bring along, feel free.”

To him, it was just another chance for her to bask in his favor.

Xue Qingyin’s smile brightened instantly.

She turned and walked toward someone.

“Princess Jinque.”

“King Xuan.”

She curtsied gracefully and looked up with sincere eyes. “Princess, Prince, would you like to join us for a lake trip?”

Princess Jinque clapped her hands in delight. “Sure! I was about to ask you the same thing. Though I’m not sure about King Xuan…”

Xue Qingyin gazed at King Xuan with glistening eyes, pitifully asking, “King Xuan, are you too busy to join us?”

Seeing as he was already there, what could possibly keep him busy?

King Xuan hesitated briefly before saying, “…Let’s go.”

Xue Qingyin beamed. “Let’s go!”

She seemed thrilled.

King Xuan, infected by her joy, felt an uncharacteristic lightness in his chest.

The young girl’s radiant expression seemed more dazzling than spring itself.

In less than half a cup of tea’s time, the Qingyue Barge grew lively.

King Weiwatched in disbelief as Xue Qingyin brought along Princess Jinque and the cold, imposing King Xuan.

These are her “friends”???

King Wei’s expression cracked.

Xue Qingyin clapped her hands happily. “Everyone’s here. Let’s go!”

It suddenly felt as though she was the host, graciously entertaining her guests.

King Weihad no choice but to bow. “…Greetings, Brother.”

The Fourth Princess stammered, “Second Brother.”

Help!

The Fourth Princess nearly cried.

Her brothers—one against the other—and Golden Sparrow never got along!

Xue Qingyin, however, was cheerful and relaxed.

She truly was a force to be reckoned with!