Chapter 53 : This is an Elopement

Xue Qinghe widened her eyes, nearly choking on those words.

How could she—how dare she—speak to King Xuan like that?

However, King Xuan merely paused, glanced deeply at Xue Qingyin, and a glimmer of something flashed in his eyes before he simply said, “Let’s go.”

Xue Qingyin obediently followed.

“You all, come too,” she said to Xue Qinghe.

King Xuan’s brows furrowed imperceptibly but said nothing.

King Xuan led them to a spot behind a massive screen.

There were three large screens in total, blurring the view ahead.

It was then they understood why they hadn’t seen anyone else on their way.

The other noble ladies attending the banquet were only just arriving at the hall to pay their respects, one by one.

From behind the screens, they had a vantage point, looking down on the other noble ladies with ease.

In that moment, Qiu Xin’s heart raced, her breathing grew heavy.

Those high-and-mighty noble ladies…

Now they stood beneath them.

So this was… the pleasure power and status could bring?

Xue Qingyin, too, was stunned by the scene before her.

No wonder he brought her here…

She shifted closer to King Xuan and tugged at his sleeve.

King Xuan glanced at her.

Xue Qingyin gestured frantically, signaling for him to bend down so she could speak.

King Xuan leaned slightly toward her.

Xue Qingyin whispered into his ear, “How did Your Highness know what I intended to do?”

“Just a casual inquiry revealed that Xue Qinghe was pushed to the ground that day. It was clear you had plans for the palace banquet.” King Xuan’s tone was light.

He added, “It’s evident Miss Xue didn’t sincerely intend to attend the banquet.”

Her words about wanting to marry him had already lost half their credibility.

Xue Qingyin showed no embarrassment. Instead, she smiled brightly. “Your Highness and I are truly in sync. You guess everything perfectly.”

A strange emotion stirred within King Xuan, one he couldn’t quite identify.

He looked at Xue Qingyin, finding her lively face pleasing to the eye.

“What next?” he asked indifferently.

“Hmm? Next?” Xue Qingyin thought for a moment. “Naturally, to catch the one who pushed her!”

King Xuan repeated her words coldly, “And then what? No way to repay but to… what?”

Xue Qingyin blinked. “Offer myself?”

She paused, realizing something was off. “But I usually only say the first part.”

“And you never think of the second?” King Xuan’s gaze locked onto her.

Xue Qingyin thought she caught a hint of amusement in his cold eyes.

“Well, maybe I have,” she muttered softly.

Summoning her courage, she declared boldly, “I’ve thought about offering myself to Your Highness. But…” She shook her head, smiling wryly. “My brother always says, whoever marries me must’ve had terrible luck for eight lifetimes.”

King Xuan’s eyes sharpened slightly.

“Is that so?”

“Yes,” Xue Qingyin sighed. “I’m weak and might not even bear children. My temper’s bad; I can’t stand grievances. I love extravagant clothes and jewelry, spending money like water. If Your Highness married me, discovered my flaws, and kicked me out in anger, what then?”

Gentle, virtuous, educated, and elegant—none of these qualities could be found in her.

She thought, only someone as foolish as King Wei, who valued appearances over substance, would marry her.

But that was bad news!

King Xuan interrupted her thoughts, his voice calm. “At today’s palace banquet, Father will designate you as King Wei’s fiancée.”

Xue Qingyin froze.

What?

How did this come so suddenly?

“But doesn’t Concubine Wan dislike me?”

King Xuan’s voice was low. “Precisely because she dislikes you.”

Understanding dawned on Xue Qingyin.

The Emperor didn’t want King Wei too close to his maternal family.

Both Concubine Wan and the Emperor sought to weaken his influence.

Reflecting on the events in the hibiscus garden, it all made sense—everyone’s words seemed laden with hidden meanings.

Except for hers, of course.

“Do you want to marry King Wei?” King Xuan’s voice broke her thoughts.

Instinctively, Xue Qingyin shook her head.

Meanwhile, Qiu Xin clutched Xue Qinghe’s sleeve, her voice trembling. “That girl… the one who pushed Second Miss.”

Following her gaze, Xue Qinghe saw an unfamiliar noblewoman.

Realization struck—Xue Qingyin had brought her along, using King Xuan’s presence, to help her catch the culprit!

Complex emotions filled Xue Qinghe. She turned to Xue Qingyin, only to freeze.

Xue Qingyin stood unusually close to King Xuan, their posture intimate as they spoke.

Though King Xuan remained cold, his listening stance carried an unspoken gentleness.

Qiu Xin tugged at Xue Qinghe’s sleeve, pulling her out of her stupor.

“Don’t say anything,” Qiu Xin hissed.

“What?” Xue Qinghe stared blankly.

“Don’t reveal her identity. Don’t let Xue Qingyin call her out.”

“But why?”

“Second Miss, think! The eldest young master has just started caring for you again. If you resolve this too quickly, will he still care?”

“But my sister…”

“She’s using you as an excuse, for King Xuan! Don’t be naive. Do you think she’s without schemes? She’s far more cunning than you, easily regaining the eldest young master’s favor and now the attention of the capital’s elite.”

“Where are we going?” Xue Qingyin asked, noticing they weren’t heading toward the banquet.

“You wanted to elope, didn’t you?” King Xuan’s cold face betrayed no emotion. “So, this is elopement.”