Chapter 54 : She Is Thin-Skinned

Xue Qingyin followed King Xuan out of the harem and into the outer palace.

As they walked, she noticed that the level of vigilance along the way had clearly increased.

The atmosphere was solemn and oppressive, making her feel that this didn’t seem like eloping at all.

It felt more like they were taking her to sell her off.

Yet, as they walked, not a single soldier cast a curious glance at them.

Perhaps, she thought, they didn’t dare to look up.

Her mind raced with random thoughts.

King Xuan stopped and said, “That is the Taihe Hall.”

Xue Qingyin stopped as well and looked ahead.

Not far away stood a towering, two-story hall with a long flight of crimson steps leading up to it. Its grandeur and majesty were intimidating even from a distance.

Without getting closer, she could already sense its oppressive aura, like a ferocious beast ready to pounce.

“Father likes to host banquets and meet ministers there,” King Xuan said casually before pointing in another direction. “And over there is the Hall of Supreme Harmony.”

The Hall of Supreme Harmony appeared even larger than the Taihe Hall, but its bright exterior walls and tiles made it seem less suffocating.

“That’s where we’re going,” King Xuan said.

Xue Qingyin asked hesitantly, “Is hiding there really useful?”

She found the logic questionable.

After all, if the emperor truly intended to decree her marriage to Prince Wei, her presence or absence wouldn’t change the outcome.

“It’s not about hiding.”

Then what was it?

Xue Qingyin glanced at him, but the taciturn prince offered no further explanation.

Thankfully, Xue Qingyin was someone who could find comfort in any situation.

She followed King Xuan into the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where she found the space inside even more expansive.

The entrance was flanked by towering bookshelves that seemed to reach the heavens. Further in, the walls displayed items such as intricate puzzles and chessboards.

There were even areas designated for polo, archery, pitch-pot, and swings.

It dawned on her: this was a leisure and entertainment space!

Her earlier unease and annoyance about possibly being handed to Prince Wei dissipated, replaced by a strong curiosity for these novelties.

“Can I play?” she asked.

King Xuan nodded slightly. “Of course.”

The hall was sparsely staffed, and the servants quickly bowed upon seeing King Xuan.

When they saw Xue Qingyin rushing toward the arrows and quivers, they dared not stop her.

She picked up a bow at random and tried pulling the string.

…She couldn’t.

After trying several, she finally settled on the smallest one. This one was manageable.

She shot a few chaotic arrows.

Though none hit the target, Xue Qingyin was thoroughly entertained, even thinking about arranging something similar back at the stables.

As she reached for another arrow, King Xuan placed his hand on hers. “Enough.”

“Hm?”

“If you don’t want your hands to hurt tomorrow,” he explained.

Realizing the potential strain on her shoulders and arms, Xue Qingyin immediately abandoned the bow.

“Then I’ll choose something easier,” she said, somewhat deflated.

After wandering around, she ended up beside the swing and pointed weakly. “This seems to be the only thing suitable for me.”

King Xuan’s lips curved slightly at her words.

Xue Qingyin got on the swing and kicked her legs, causing it to sway.

But it wasn’t enough to feel thrilling.

She clicked her tongue, feeling bored.

Suddenly, footsteps approached.

“Someone’s coming,” she whispered, quickly standing up and glancing at King Xuan, trying to discern the visitor’s identity from his expression.

In the next moment, her question was answered.

“I heard from Xiu Wen that you’re in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. What brought you here?” a lighthearted voice called out. It was entirely different from the tone used in the Furong  Garden.

Xue Qingyin’s heart skipped a beat.

The emperor!

“Don’t move,” King Xuan’s voice sounded in her ear.

She obeyed.

The emperor’s footsteps halted abruptly, and an indescribable silence filled the air.

Curious, Xue Qingyin tilted her head slightly to peek.

What she saw made her freeze.

The screen in front of her cast their overlapping shadows, making it appear as though they were embracing.

Coincidentally, the screen was embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks in an affectionate pose.

The emperor’s voice broke the silence, calm yet hard to read. “King Xuan.”

King Xuan responded and stepped forward to greet him.

Xue Qingyin remained behind the screen, unsure whether to bow or stay hidden.

The emperor spoke again, “Who is the young lady? Why does she not dare face me?”

King Xuan replied, “She’s thin-skinned.”

The emperor paused, seemingly digesting his son’s boldness.

After a sigh, he said, “I’ve never seen you act this way before. Very well, even if I don’t see her, you must tell me who she is. If I were to mistakenly betroth her to someone else, what then?”

Xue Qingyin’s heart leaped to her throat.

Would revealing her name seal her fate?

“Miss Xue,” King Xuan answered unhurriedly.

The emperor didn’t seem surprised. “I see.”

King Xuan added, “I didn’t mean to trouble you, Father.”

The emperor chuckled. “It’s rare for you to acknowledge that. Remember, you must attend the palace banquet in an incense stick’s time.”

King Xuan agreed, and the emperor left without looking at Xue Qingyin.

Was that it?

No reprimands? Not even a question about the circumstances?

Xue Qingyin blinked, feeling unreal.

King Xuan stood outside the screen, and when she peeked out, he saw her head popping out adorably.

“Do you still want to play?” he asked.

His calm demeanor reassured her. “Yes,” she said confidently.

And so, they spent time playing dice, betting a modest eight taels of silver.

After winning sixteen taels, Xue Qingyin declared herself done.

“Why stop?” King Xuan asked. “Winning more won’t hurt.”

“One should know when to quit,” she replied happily. “I’m content.”

King Xuan smiled faintly. “Let’s go to the banquet.”

Her enthusiasm dimmed. “We still have to go?”

King Xuan’s lips twitched in amusement. “Shall we ride there?”

She nodded eagerly.

As she settled into a sedan chair, she asked, “What about you?”

“I dislike such things,” he replied.

“Okay, then.”

Feeling relaxed, Xue Qingyin allowed herself to be carried off, ready to face whatever awaited.

On the other side, when Xue Qinghe found that Xue Qingyin was missing, it had been a while.

She couldn’t help but panic and held Qiuxin’s hand tightly.

A strange palace maid came to take them.

Xue Qinghe couldn’t help asking: “My sister, that is, Miss Xue, where has she gone?”

The palace maid smiled and said: “This is not the girl’s business.”

Xue Qinghe had to shut up.

After the palace maid led them to the palace banquet and took their seats, Qiuxin whispered: “Dog eyes look down on people.”

Why? Is she, Xue Qingyin, the only one who is noble? They all deserve to be bullied?

Qiuxin was muttering, and when she looked up, she found Xue Qingyin coming in.

“Did the eldest lady have a private meeting with His Royal Highness Xuan Wang?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“How can it be nonsense? You saw it just now, so intimate…” Qiuxin’s chest was choked with anger.

That’s the King Xuan!

She spat, “You dare to do this without your parents’ permission or the matchmaker’s words… You really don’t care about your dignity! I don’t know which girl the emperor will choose for the king.” She

couldn’t say that.

The eunuch raised his voice and dragged out the last word, saying, “The emperor is here!”

Everyone in the palace was suddenly terrified and knelt on the ground. Bottom of Form