My Scumbag Husband, the Prince Consort - Chapter 13

“Grand Preceptor Hu is well-read, upright, and refined. Now, he’s even young and accomplished, with a bright future ahead. Countless noble ladies in Luojing are eager to win his favor. How could I not know about your little thoughts?”

I scratched my head awkwardly, stifling a drunken hiccup. “Sister, are you saying I once had feelings for Grand Preceptor Hu?”

Hualing hurriedly covered my mouth, shushing me repeatedly. “Be careful what you say. Only you and I know of this—no one else must ever hear it.”

“I don’t know what happened between you and the Grand Preceptor, but judging by his upright nature, he would never treat you unfairly.”

“But now that you’ve married the heir of Prince Danyang, many things are beyond your control. From now on, you must not associate with Grand Preceptor Hu again. I say this for your own good—please take it to heart.”

Seeing Hualing like a flustered hen rambling on, as if she wanted to carve the words “speak cautiously” into my forehead, I couldn’t help recalling how Hu Qian had acted when we met earlier in the Shi Qian Hall.

His manner toward me had been unusually intimate, which now made more sense.

Still, I didn’t yet know the full story between the original Yuan Shuang and Hu Qian. But I could guess she was deeply in love with him. Otherwise, why would she risk everything to kneel outside the Shi Qian Hall for an entire night, begging the Emperor to annul her engagement to Liu Qi? She must have done it for Hu Qian.

Ah, life is truly unpredictable, and we are all helpless in the face of fate.

Now that the original Yuan Shuang’s soul has returned to the beyond, the Hu Qian standing before me is facing nothing more than a pitiful empty shell. What a tragedy for these star-crossed lovers.

As I stared blankly into space, Hualing clasped my hand with teary eyes.

“Sister knows your heart is weary. However glorious your life may appear now—fine wine, lavish banquets—it’s all just forced laughter, isn’t it?”

My expression remained stiff; I hadn’t yet managed to squeeze out a tear. But Hualing sobbed as if she had suffered the greatest injustice in the world.

“We were born as women—already a cruel fate. And daughters of the royal family suffer even more. Sometimes I envy commoners who live freely and contentedly. They say, ‘a plain life is a true life.’ Looking at things now, maybe that’s the truth.”

I cracked a grin. “But I think being born into the royal family isn’t all bad. I don’t go hungry, I don’t freeze, and I get food and clothes without lifting a finger. I quite enjoy this life.”

“Besides, it’s just men. There may be few three-legged toads in the world, but aren’t there plenty of two-legged men? Whether it’s Liu Qi or Hu Qian—if either of them upsets me, I’ll kick them to the curb. The forest is vast—I won’t cling to a single tree.”

Hualing said, “But sister, you once told me all you wanted in this life was not riches or glory, but to hold one person’s hand and grow old together. Why have you changed your tune now?”

I replied, “People change. I was young and naïve before, full of silly dreams. After nearly dying once, I saw through many things.”

I’m just a passing traveler in this world, with only nine years left to live. I was never meant to stay here—so what’s the point of entangling myself in love?

I thought back to the wish I made before the statue of the Buddha—to transcend karma, and live by my own will.

If I can spend this life refining myself, untouched by cause and effect, that would be the best ending.

“Did someone break your heart? Is it… your husband?” Hualing asked gently.

I leaned back lazily against the railing, popped a few candied apricots into my mouth, and took a gulp of wine. “Not really. Liu Qi wouldn’t dare. He’s a coward.”

“Why do you say that?”

I continued, “I slapped him once—he didn’t even dare protest. I kicked him too, and sent him to sleep in a separate bed. He didn’t complain. He acts all fierce, but he’s just a paper tiger.”

Halfway through my rant, I noticed Hualing frantically winking at me. Maybe I was too drunk, but I thought she looked excited, so I spoke even louder.

I raised the jade flask, chugged from it boldly, and laughed heartily.

“Liu Qi, Prince Consort? He’s all bark and no bite! A pretty face with no substance. I, his wife, flirt with pretty boys in our residence, indulge in music and wine, and he hides like a turtle, too scared to even show his face.”

“No matter how I provoke him, he shows no anger at all. And yet, he still clings to me, begging to share my bed. Tell me, sister—have you ever seen a man more pathetic?”

Fueled by wine, I raised my voice even more, wishing I had a megaphone to announce Liu Qi’s shortcomings to the world. I didn’t notice the footsteps approaching from behind.

Until Hualing, now unsteady on her feet, clutched the railing and looked past me with a pale face.

“B-Brother-in-law… it’s been a while. You’ve been well, I hope.”

I turned around in confusion—only to find Liu Qi standing behind me in a crimson robe. He rarely wore such flamboyant colors, so even with his expressionless face, he drew my full attention.

Just standing there, he made my heart flutter like a kite caught in the wind.

No scholar in all the land could compare.

The apricot I’d been chewing was now just a pit stuck in my throat. I couldn’t swallow or speak, choking in silence.

Liu Qi bowed. “Your Highness Princess Hualing.”

“No need for formality, Brother-in-law.”

Hualing forced a laugh, quickly straightening her crooked hairpin and yanking my drunken body upright.

“Don’t mind her, Brother-in-law. Yuling is drunk. Everything she said just now was nonsense—please don’t take it seriously.”

Hualing had good tolerance. Even after a few jugs of wine, she remained half-sober and tried her best to smooth things over.

But I wasn’t about to back down. It wasn’t that I didn’t fear trouble—I just couldn’t bear to lose face.

If I cowered now, wouldn’t that let Liu Qi walk all over me in the future?

I leaned against a pillar, straightened up to seem taller. Even with my hair pinned high, I still came up half a head short, but I kept my poise.

I waved off Hualing’s excuse. “No need to cover for me, sister. What I said is exactly what I meant. As the saying goes, ‘drunken words are truthful words.'”

I raised an eyebrow and stared Liu Qi down. “If you dislike me, so be it. If you want to hate me, go ahead. We’re a political couple—no real love, no real bond. Why bother pretending?”

Even drunk, I knew exactly what I was doing.

A man values his pride above all, especially someone like Liu Qi, proud and aloof.

By humiliating him so openly, I wanted him to hate me.

I thought my words would hurt him—or at least embarrass him.

But Liu Qi merely bowed his head and said calmly, “This residence belongs to Your Highness. You may act however you please. I am but a minor official—unworthy of concern.”

He turned to Hualing and bowed again. “Please enjoy yourselves. I’ll take my leave. I wouldn’t want to disturb your fun.”

With that, he left—without hesitation.

No outburst, no harsh words.

Nan Shui trailed after him, white-faced with fright.

Chun, Xia, Qui and Dong all fell silent. Even Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju froze.

Only I was left, swaying in the breeze.

Hualing muttered, “Incredible. Not even a reaction.”

I watched Liu Qi’s retreating figure and felt a strange pang in my chest.

Still stunned by his gaze just now, I barely noticed Hualing shaking my sleeve.

“Hey, snap out of it.”

“What?”

“The Prince of Danyang is no ordinary man. To endure such humiliation in silence—he’s not one to be underestimated.”

“Really? Isn’t that a bit dramatic?”

“Have you heard of the tale of Goujian sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall?”

I nodded slowly.

In the Spring and Autumn period, the King of Yue, Goujian, was defeated by King Fuchai of Wu. To remember his humiliation, he slept on firewood and tasted bitter gall each night, vowing revenge. Years later, he destroyed Wu and became the most powerful lord of his time.

A chill crept into my heart.

Could Liu Qi be like that too—someone who hides his strength and bides his time?

I had thought he was just a fool, easily played.

It’s not his hatred I fear—but his indifference.

It’s not his wrath I dread—but his calm.

If that’s true, then my plan for a peaceful death may be closer than I thought.

Suppressing a laugh, I asked Hualing seriously, “Sister, how do you make someone truly hate you? Hate you so much they want to tear you to pieces?”

She frowned. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh, just drunken nonsense. Don’t mind me.”

Hualing looked puzzled but said, “You’re usually so good at manipulating men—how do you not know this one?”

“What do you mean?”

“Without love, there is no hatred.”

“If someone doesn’t love you, how could they possibly hate you?”

Her words struck me like lightning.

I suddenly understood—I had been wrong from the start.

No matter how outrageous my actions, to Liu Qi, I was just a small obstacle on his path.

Goujian endured humiliation to rise again and dominate the realm.

If Liu Qi had grand ambitions, he would never waste time on petty revenge.

He knows well that small grudges must be endured for the sake of greater plans.

But I also know—humans are slaves to emotion, not soulless machines.

If Liu Qi doesn’t love me, then he’ll never truly hate me.