Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 40

40: “Qingqing, Can You Stop Hiding From Me?”

“Why didn’t you say thank you after I saved you?”

“Are you frozen mute? What’s your name?”

“Why are you glaring at me? You didn’t even change your clothes and got my bed dirty, and I haven’t blamed you yet. If you don’t want to stay, get off!”

“Don’t move.”

…

Yu Nanqing had been listening to these two children bicker for a good quarter of an hour. To be precise, it was the younger one chattering incessantly while the older one was on the verge of losing patience and lashing out.

At this moment, she was in the Bilan Pavilion of the Duke’s Mansion, the same Bilan Pavilion that hadn’t yet been burned down by her in a fit of rage. Everything about it felt familiar.

Half an hour ago, she had been brought to the back garden of the Duke’s Mansion. The harsh winter of the tenth year of the Great Qi Dynasty had frozen the lake’s surface with a thick layer of ice. She stood quietly by the lake, unable to leave or speak.

When she arrived, cries for help came from beneath the ice. Then, she saw a younger version of herself, led by her mother, pulling up this “ungrateful” child from the water.

Afterward, she found herself following these two children back to Bilan Pavilion. It was almost laughable—the child who had been rescued looked no older than ten, yet their clothes were made of expensive fabric, and the jade pendant at their waist was a priceless piece of warm jade, clearly marking them as someone of wealth or nobility.

Yet, for such a child to fall into the water with no one looking after them, and for no one to come searching even after they’d been pulled out for so long, was strange.

The younger child, a little ball of energy, was scolded by the older one and grew red-eyed and red-nosed with frustration. Tugging at the older child’s blanket, they shouted, “You’re so mean! I hate you! I’ll throw you back into the lake!”

The older child casually pressed a hand on the blanket, rendering it immovable. “Your mother went through all that trouble to save me. If you throw me back into the lake, she’ll have to jump in again.”

Yu Nanqing’s mother was already frail, and she had just jumped into the lake to save this child. Yet this ungrateful person dared to suggest her mother jump in again. Furious, the younger child lunged forward.

Despite the age difference, the force of the tackle was not to be underestimated. The older child was knocked backward and pinned down heavily.

“My clothes are still wet, you—”

The older child’s words were cut off as the younger one bit their face while hammering their shoulder with weak fists. “Don’t say it! Don’t say it! Don’t say it! My mother won’t jump into the river! If anyone’s jumping, it’s you!”

After a moment, the younger child finally stopped biting, lifting their chin triumphantly like a victorious little fox. “How’s that? Now you know how fierce I am! If you make me mad again, I’ll bite you to death!”

The older child, stunned, touched their right cheek, where a patch of glistening saliva remained, along with a faint tooth mark that stung slightly upon contact. Clutching their face, the older child finally lost the calm composure they had maintained.

Yu Nanqing couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile as she watched.

The younger child, still sitting on the older one, tilted their head and pointed. “So, what’s your name? Why are you at my house? You’re not my father’s daughter too, are you?”

The older child shook their head. “I’m not the Duke’s daughter.”

“Then why are you at my house?” the younger one asked.

“This is your home, and you don’t even know there’s a banquet here today?” The older child glanced at the younger one and suddenly said, “I’m from the palace. I came here with my aunt today for the selection of consorts. You’re not too young, and you look decent enough. How about I choose you to be my Crown Princess?”

Yu Nanqing caught the teasing glint in the older child’s eyes and covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, realizing they were deliberately teasing the younger one.

The younger child’s face paled in fright. “W-What are you talking about?! I’m not marrying anyone, especially not you! No way, no way!”

“But didn’t you just kiss me?” The older child tilted their head. “You kissed me, so you have to marry me. Or do you think your mother goes around kissing random people?”

The younger child was so scared they tumbled off the older one, stammering, “Y-Y-Y-You!” for a long time before finally retorting, “That was a bite, not a kiss!”

The older child smirked. “Oh, by the time people come, the tooth mark will be gone, but all this saliva you left behind? That’s proof you kissed me.”

The younger child: …

Staring blankly for two seconds, the younger child burst into tears with a loud “Wah!” “I hate you! I’m not playing with you anymore!”

Now it was the older child’s turn to panic. The younger one was bundled up like a ball, leaving them at a loss for how to handle the situation. Finally, they grabbed the back of the younger one’s clothes and dragged them back. “Don’t be mad. I’ll get off your bed, alright? But it’s wet now, so you need to have someone change the bedding before you sleep, got it?”

The younger child, sobbing uncontrollably, cried even harder when they felt the cold dampness of the older child’s clothes. “No! If you get sick, my mother will scold me again!”

At that moment, the door was pushed open from outside, and a woman in luxurious attire hurried in with a group of people. “Ling’er, are you alright? Let your aunt see you—freezing in this weather could be dangerous—”

The younger child was quickly pushed off the bed. The older child reached out to pull them back but was held down by several concerned hands.

…

“Miss, Miss?”

The calls by her ear grew louder, and Yu Nanqing slowly opened her eyes to see Chen Xiang lifting the bed curtains, standing by her bedside.

Yu Nanqing closed her eyes heavily, finally pulling herself out of the dream. She sat up halfway and asked Chen Xiang, “What time is it?”

Chen Xiang thoughtfully tucked a soft cushion behind Yu Nanqing’s back before answering, “It’s just past the hour of Si (9-11 AM). Someone from the kitchen came to ask if you’ll be having lunch with Her Highness, so I had to wake you.”

Yu Nanqing rubbed her temples. Though the dining protocols for a princess and a prince were different, the manor staff had never been so particular before. Adding one more person to a meal and preparing a few extra dishes wasn’t a big deal.

Clearly, this was at Xiao Qiling’s instruction, specifically sent to ask her.

And Xiao Qiling…

Come to think of it, Yu Nanqing hadn’t seen Xiao Qiling for a week.

Ever since that night when Xiao Qiling confessed her feelings, Yu Nanqing had wracked her brain trying to reinterpret those words, but she couldn’t twist them into anything else. She had to face the reality that Xiao Qiling truly liked her.

It wasn’t as if Yu Nanqing had never been liked before. In her previous life, many young talents under Prince Chen’s command had shown interest in her, and even Xiao Qijun had offered her the position of a side consort. But those people, to varying degrees, had ulterior motives—either to win her over or to use her.

Xiao Qiling was different. She was already Xiao Qiling’s princess consort; Xiao Qiling had no need to curry favor with her. No matter what, they were bound to stand together.

But Yu Nanqing had never considered such feelings. She had always assumed Xiao Qiling preferred men, so she hadn’t maintained clear boundaries in their interactions. After Xiao Qiling’s confession, Yu Nanqing couldn’t stop replaying their past moments together, wishing she could crack open her own head to see what she had been thinking when she climbed into Xiao Qiling’s bed in thin nightclothes.

Was it so strange for a woman to like another woman? Among commoners, where marriages were typically between a man and a woman, it might be unusual. But among the nobility, it wasn’t shocking—much like how Emperor Wenjing had men in his harem, there were plenty of historical examples of princesses keeping beautiful women in their residences.

And Xiao Qiling, to be precise, was indeed a princess.

So, after that night, Yu Nanqing had been avoiding Xiao Qiling. Every day, she woke up, ground ink, and wrote calligraphy. When she grew tired, she slept, doing her best to suppress her chaotic thoughts.

But now, with Xiao Qiling sending the kitchen staff to ask about lunch, if she continued to avoid her, the entire Prince Ning’s Manor would soon know she was deliberately keeping her distance.

Yu Nanqing couldn’t afford to lose face like that.

With this in mind, she took a deep breath and said to Chen Xiang, “Go tell them I’ll have lunch with Her Highness.”

Chen Xiang had noticed Yu Nanqing’s distracted behavior over the past few days, suspecting it had something to do with Xiao Qiling. Hearing her agree now, she felt a subtle sense of relief. “Alright, Miss. Which outfit would you like to wear? I’ll fetch it for you.”

“I’ll pick it myself. Go deliver the message first.” Yu Nanqing said, waving her hand as she lifted the covers and got out of bed.

When Chen Xiang returned, Yu Nanqing had already changed into a somewhat drab, grayish robe, her hair adorned with a simple black wooden hairpin. With a whisk in hand, she could have passed for a Taoist priest ready to renounce the world.

Chen Xiang suddenly recalled that this outfit was indeed bought at a Taoist temple. Her vision darkened. “Miss, let me get you another outfit. This one’s too plain.”

Yu Nanqing stopped her, spreading her sleeves. “Doesn’t it look good?”

In Chen Xiang’s eyes, her mistress was breathtakingly beautiful, and no matter what she wore, she was always stunning. On this point, Chen Xiang couldn’t lie.

“It looks good, but doesn’t it feel too austere, like you’re about to become a nun on the spot?”

Yu Nanqing nodded, just as Chen Xiang thought she’d taken the advice to heart. But then Yu Nanqing said, “That’s exactly the effect I want. No need to change.”

Plain enough to inspire detachment and restraint—that was perfect.

A quarter past the hour of Wu (11 AM-1 PM), Yu Nanqing arrived at Lanshi Garden. The study door was closed, and Wei Yunhan was outside, teasing a bird. Seeing her, he reminded her, “The Princess Consort is here to have lunch with Her Highness, right? Her Highness is still in a meeting and might need a bit more time.”

“No matter. Her Highness’s business comes first.” Yu Nanqing replied casually, then asked, “Why are you waiting outside while Her Highness is in a meeting?”

“There’s one of my grandfather’s students in there. He looks at me like I’m nothing, giving me attitude every time he sees me. I’d rather not provoke him.” Wei Yunhan said. His hand brushed the bird’s head, startling it into flapping away.

He clicked his tongue lightly before turning to formally greet Yu Nanqing.

Halfway through the greeting, Wei Yunhan froze, then tentatively asked, “Is the Princess Consort short on funds lately?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, I have to ask! If you’re short on money, just ask Her Highness. Her Highness would—”

Yu Nanqing understood and raised a hand to stop him. “I’m observing a Buddhist ritual today, so I can’t wear anything too flashy.”

Wei Yunhan let out three quick “Oh’s,” then heard Yu Nanqing ask, “Are they discussing the case at Dali Temple inside?”

Wei Yunhan looked surprised. “You know about it too?”

Yu Nanqing nodded knowingly, “Hmm. Any progress?”

Wei Yunhan circled her half a step, chuckling twice as he met her gaze, clearly realizing she was trying to pry information from him. Such a sordid matter—how could Her Highness, who practically worshipped the Princess Consort, let her get involved?

“If Her Highness didn’t tell you, I can’t either.” Wei Yunhan said, shaking his head. “Otherwise, if Her Highness complains to my grandfather, he’ll lecture me about slacking off. How am I supposed to prepare for next month’s imperial exams?”

Yu Nanqing glared at him. “With your intellect, it’s a pity you’re not taking the exams.”

She’d find a chance to whisper a few words to Xiao Qiling about him later.

There was a stir from the front as the study door opened. Several officials in plain robes emerged, older than them, one with white hair. They politely bowed to her, addressing her as Princess Consort. Yu Nanqing returned the courtesy, then saw Xiao Qiling step out from behind them.

After several days apart, Xiao Qiling’s robe was noticeably thinner than the last time they met, but the commanding aura around her softened like snow melting in spring upon seeing Yu Nanqing.

“Why didn’t you wait inside?” Xiao Qiling approached, naturally taking Yu Nanqing’s hand to check its warmth.

Xiao Qiling’s face gradually merged with the child’s face from the dream, and Yu Nanqing stared at her, slightly dazed.

Thinking Yu Nanqing had come to have lunch together because she’d come to terms with things, Xiao Qiling pulled her hand to lead her away.

But a sharp slap rang out as Yu Nanqing swatted her hand away.

Xiao Qiling paused, patiently asking, “Don’t you like eating in this courtyard? How about the garden then? I remember you enjoy dining at the Lake Pavilion.”

Yu Nanqing: …

She couldn’t exactly say she’d dreamed of Xiao Qiling teasing her as a child, could she?

Meeting Xiao Qiling’s concerned gaze, Yu Nanqing asked, “Did you ever visit the Duke’s Mansion when you were young?”

This was the first time in days Yu Nanqing had spoken to Xiao Qiling, her tone almost accusatory.

Xiao Qiling was momentarily stunned. “I went several times. The Duke’s Mansion has always had close ties with the palace. For various banquets, when the Emperor couldn’t attend, he’d send princes or princesses to show favor.”

“Then you…” Yu Nanqing started to ask if Xiao Qiling had ever fallen into the water at the Duke’s Mansion, but when she met Xiao Qiling’s gaze, she couldn’t match her openness.

If Xiao Qiling remembered, would Yu Nanqing throw herself into her arms, gushing about their fated connection? If Xiao Qiling didn’t remember, wouldn’t it be even more embarrassing that she’d dreamed of her?

“What about me?” Xiao Qiling prompted when Yu Nanqing hesitated.

Yu Nanqing, displeased, said, “Weren’t we going to have lunch? Why aren’t you telling them to bring the food? Are you trying to starve me?”

“Didn’t you have something to ask me?” Xiao Qiling countered.

Yu Nanqing was rendered speechless, glaring at her.

Xiao Qiling calmly explained, “Since you’re hungry, let’s eat in the courtyard. It’s windy today, so the Lake Pavilion isn’t suitable.”

Yu Nanqing, annoyed by Xiao Qiling’s composed demeanor, deliberately contradicted her. “But I want to eat at the Lake Pavilion. The scenery’s better there.”

Xiao Qiling looked at her for a moment before summoning someone. “Bring lunch to the Lake Pavilion. Tell the kitchen to hurry.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Satisfied now?” Xiao Qiling asked, leading the way out of the courtyard.

Yu Nanqing nodded, following behind. “Why did Wei Yunhan leave? Don’t you need him to pass on any messages after your meeting?”

“No need. I visited my teacher yesterday, and he mentioned you.” Xiao Qiling replied.

Yu Nanqing quickened her pace to walk beside her, ears perked. “What did the Grand Tutor say about me?”

Xiao Qiling’s lips curved slightly. “Aren’t you hungry? Let’s talk after lunch.”

Yu Nanqing had the same idea.

From Lanshi Garden to the Lake Pavilion, Yu Nanqing endured the curious glances of the manor staff. Only Xiao Qiling’s gaze felt normal, without a single question.

For some reason, this irritated Yu Nanqing. As the maids served the dishes, she deliberately shook her drab sleeves, making a rustling sound as the wind caught them.

Xiao Qiling sipped her tea elegantly.

Yu Nanqing touched the black wooden hairpin in her hair.

Xiao Qiling gracefully picked up her chopsticks.

Yu Nanqing: …

She lowered her head to eat, deciding to ignore Xiao Qiling.

As she did, Xiao Qiling gave her a meaningful glance, the corners of her lips faintly curling.

After the time it takes to burn one incense stick, a light drizzle began outside the Lake Pavilion.

Xiao Qiling showed no intention of calling for an umbrella, so Yu Nanqing had to sit with her in the pavilion.

“You said the Grand Tutor mentioned me. What did he say?” Yu Nanqing asked.

Beyond his political influence, Grand Tutor Wei’s scholarly achievements drew countless students. He was the only scholar in Great Qi’s history to achieve the “Three Firsts” in the imperial exams, a rare feat in the annals of history.

Yu Nanqing naturally held some admiration for him.

Xiao Qiling turned to her. “He asked why I didn’t bring you along. I said you had other matters to attend to at the manor and couldn’t leave.”

Yu Nanqing couldn’t stand it. “Couldn’t you have said I was sick? What business could be more important than the Grand Tutor taking me as a student?”

She thought for a moment and added, “No, wait. If you’d told me you were going to the Wei residence, I’d have gone with you.”

Xiao Qiling’s eyes flickered, and she lightly tapped Yu Nanqing’s forehead. “So the Wei residence is more important than me?”

Yu Nanqing pursed her lips and blinked.

Xiao Qiling couldn’t hold back a low chuckle. “Alright, fine.”

Yu Nanqing blinked twice more.

Xiao Qiling withdrew her hand, lazily resting her chin as the cold rain and breeze outside softened the ripples in her eyes. “So, Qingqing, can you stop hiding from me now?”

Yu Nanqing’s heart skipped a beat for no reason. “…Who’s hiding from you?”

Xiao Qiling smiled. “Alright, you’re not.”

Yu Nanqing felt increasingly uneasy, unable to bear Xiao Qiling’s gaze.

Just as she was about to make an excuse to leave, Xiao Qiling stood first. “My teacher asked me to bring you a few essay prompts. Come with me.”

Yu Nanqing was slightly stunned. “I have to write essays?”

A guard waiting below the pavilion had somehow acquired an umbrella. Xiao Qiling took it and gestured to her. “My teacher is busy with court affairs. Writing these essays will help him understand you without taking up much of his time. If you don’t want to write, it’s fine. I’ll let him know.”

Yu Nanqing considered it. The Grand Tutor likely wasn’t just testing her scholarship but also her insights into court matters, perhaps to gauge her value to Xiao Qiling.

She couldn’t help but wonder if the Grand Tutor was planning to secure her a position in court if Xiao Qiling ascended the throne.

Wouldn’t that make her the first empress in Great Qi to meddle in politics?

Yu Nanqing’s lips twitched upward before she quickly suppressed the smile.

Setting aside the poison in Xiao Qiling’s body and the looming chaos, how could she remain empress if Xiao Qiling became emperor, surrounded by a harem?

She shot Xiao Qiling with a faintly disdainful look.

No way. She wasn’t going to spend her life with someone who shared their bed with others.

“What do you think?” Xiao Qiling’s voice pulled her back.

Yu Nanqing had no objections. “Do they need to be written in the formal style of the imperial exams?”

“Of course not.” Xiao Qiling said with a smile, hinting at something. “Unless you want to add some flowery praise for the one in the palace?”

“Then I’ll write them. What are the prompts? Did the Grand Tutor say when he needs them?” Yu Nanqing slid under Xiao Qiling’s umbrella, tugging at her sleeve. “Did you bring them with you?”

“They’re in the study.” Xiao Qiling said softly. “Want to come get them?”

Yu Nanqing: …

Keeping essay prompts in the study was perfectly normal, but it was in that same study where Xiao Qiling had kissed her and confessed her love.

Yu Nanqing was focused on the prompts and didn’t want to argue with Xiao Qiling—especially not risk repeating what happened in the study.

But Xiao Qiling clearly didn’t share her reservations.

Yu Nanqing tugged at Xiao Qiling’s sleeve and huffed, “I’m not falling for your tricks again. Have someone send them to my courtyard…”

The next moment, a strand of hair brushed her hand as Xiao Qiling turned, the umbrella’s edge resting against the pavilion’s pillar. Yu Nanqing’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

They were too close—another inch, and Xiao Qiling could kiss her. Raindrops pattered on the umbrella, sliding down its ribs, yet Yu Nanqing’s gray robe remained dry.

Instinctively, Yu Nanqing moved to push her away but froze under Xiao Qiling’s gaze—deep and commanding, just like that day in the study when she’d been trapped against the chair. Caught in that look, she forgot to react.

“Just going to my courtyard to get something, and you say you’re not hiding from me?” Xiao Qiling’s tone carried a hint of teasing.

Yu Nanqing snapped back, flustered. “I already said I’m not—”

Xiao Qiling reached out, lightly brushing her collar.

Before Yu Nanqing could react further, Xiao Qiling withdrew her hand, serious again. “This robe is so thin. Don’t you know how to wear something warmer?”

Yu Nanqing nearly choked. “…I’m not cold.”

Xiao Qiling leaned closer, slipping an arm around her shoulder. “Alright, but I’m cold. So, Qingqing, stay close and keep me warm.”

With that, she led Yu Nanqing into the rain. The umbrella wasn’t large, and Yu Nanqing, not wanting to get wet, didn’t struggle.

Clearly, her “detached and restrained” robe had no effect on Xiao Qiling.

Xiao Qiling knew when to stop. “If there’s anything you don’t understand about the prompts, you can ask me. If you run into any difficulties, come find me.”

Her tone was too gentle, and Yu Nanqing’s face heated up. “You—”

She grabbed Xiao Qiling’s wrist, warning in a low voice, “Stop saying those things in front of me.”

Xiao Qiling’s gaze was open. “What things?”

“You know what I mean.” Yu Nanqing said, her ears burning as she turned away. “Otherwise, I’ll take a travel pass and leave the capital tonight.”

In the lake behind them, a few koi fish suddenly leaped. Xiao Qiling watched Yu Nanqing silently for a moment, nodding as the koi sank back into the water. “Alright, I’ll try.”

After all, that stack of travel passes wouldn’t work without the seal of Prince Ning’s Manor.

And she had no intention of helping Yu Nanqing stamp them.