Volume One, Chapter 14: Hearing of the Princess’s Affection for Me

Shortly after the imperial edict was issued, the entire capital city erupted in uproar.

From street corners to teahouses and taverns, people buzzed with gossip—how the Princess Royal had brazenly seduced the Regent Prince and even coerced him into becoming her consort.

No one defended the Regent Prince; instead, they all cast blame upon the Princess Royal, condemning her as shameless and morally corrupt.

Xiao Qingyu’s reputation sank even lower.

The noble ladies of the capital who had admired her suitors now felt disheartened and grew increasingly resentful of the Princess Royal.

Upon hearing the news, Zhao Huainian hurried anxiously to where Xiao Qingyu was.

He seemed to have rushed so hard that a thin sheen of sweat covered his forehead.

When Zhao Huainian appeared before Xiao Qingyu, she showed no surprise.

Calmly seated in an exquisitely carved rosewood chair, she spoke slowly, “Commander, please be seated. Lingzhu, bring the commander a bowl of tea.”

With that, she gracefully lifted a jade porcelain cup resting nearby and took a delicate sip of tea.

Once Zhao Huainian sat down, he wasted no time asking, “Your Highness has ordered the Regent Prince to become your consort. Has he threatened you?”

Xiao Qingyu replied softly, “Yesterday, several ministers happened upon the Regent Prince and me alone together. Under such circumstances, if I refuse to marry him, I fear no other man will dare seek my hand in the future.”

“I will marry you!”

Xiao Qingyu’s hand holding the jade cup suddenly stilled, a trace of surprise flickering across her face. She fixed her gaze on Zhao Huainian and asked gently, “Do you know what you are saying?”

Zhao Huainian’s voice carried strong emotion as he stared deeply into her eyes, resolutely repeating, “Your Highness, my heart is clear—I am willing to marry you!”

“Do not jest with me,” Xiao Qingyu said, frowning slightly. “I know your concerns all stem from my safety, Commander, but I truly do not wish to see the Zhao family become the target of public scorn because of me.”

“I am not afraid!” Zhao Huainian responded with unwavering determination.

“I am!” Xiao Qingyu replied. “The Zhao family means everything to me. No matter what, I will protect them with all my might. This matter is settled; there is no need for further discussion, Commander. Besides, this is my willing choice.”

Xiao Qingyu fully understood Zhao Huainian’s feelings for her, but for the sake of the Zhao family’s safety, she could not accept his love.

Having said so much, she believed Zhao Huainian would understand.

He stood stunned, unwilling to accept it, and pressed on, “Your Highness, do you truly harbor feelings for the Regent Prince?”

Faced with such a blunt question, Xiao Qingyu did not hesitate and answered firmly, “Indeed.”

Zhao Huainian searched her eyes, hoping to find a flicker of doubt.

In the end, he was disappointed.

Xiao Qingyu’s gaze was steady, betraying no hesitation.

He slowly lowered his head, avoiding her eyes, and whispered, “Since Your Highness’s heart is made up, I can only sincerely wish you happiness and well-being…”

“I take my leave,” he said, turning swiftly and leaving without the courage to look back.

As he reached the door, his steps faltered. Hesitating for a moment, he finally turned back.

His expression revealed worry mingled with an undeniable sense of loss.

With firm resolve, he declared, “If the Regent Prince dares to harm Your Highness in the slightest, even if I must risk everything, I will not stand idly by! Even if it means we perish together, I will not relent!”

With that, he left decisively, showing no further hesitation.

Watching Zhao Huainian’s increasingly lonely figure fade away, Xiao Qingyu sighed softly.

She had long been aware of his feelings but always chose to look the other way.

He did not want to hinder the progress of his cousin, nor did he wish to waste time and energy on her.

Perhaps this was truly the right choice for both of them.

Just as Zhao Huainian stepped outside, he collided headlong with Li Chaoyang.

In an instant, Zhao Huainian’s face darkened like iron as he glared at him.

Li Chaoyang remained indifferent, lifting his eyes slightly with a disdainful laugh.

He brazenly brushed past Zhao Huainian without so much as a sideways glance, his arrogance utterly infuriating.

Then he swaggered arrogantly into the Chengfeng Hall.

Xiao Qingyu’s heart tightened at the sight of him. For some reason, every time she saw him, a flicker of nervousness stirred within her.

Li Chaoyang spoke first: “Truly unexpected. Commander Zhao is so deeply infatuated. Such a pity that the Princess Royal has broken his heart so thoroughly.”

“It is not yet the time for the wedding. What is the Regent Prince’s intention here?” Xiao Qingyu asked.

Li Chaoyang closed the distance until they were barely a foot apart, then halted and said in a slightly domineering tone, “I hear the Princess Royal has long held feelings for me. Is that true?”

Xiao Qingyu’s eyes flickered nervously; she had not expected him to overhear.

“My words were merely meant to dispel Commander Zhao’s hopes. Why should the Regent Prince take them seriously?”

Li Chaoyang raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on his lips. “Oh? But I have taken your words to heart. What then?”

He casually picked up the tea cup Xiao Qingyu had just used and tilted his head back, draining it in one gulp.

“You… how dare you!” Xiao Qingyu exclaimed angrily.

Li Chaoyang paid no mind, a mocking, worldly smile still on his face.

“Princess Royal, no need to be upset. What’s wrong with using a cup your wife has drunk from?”

“I am not yet your wife! We are not formally married!” Xiao Qingyu retorted indignantly.

“We were already intimate last night. Why the sudden fuss now?”

Xiao Qingyu was left speechless, cheeks flushed. Indeed, she had been the first to act impulsively the night before.

Li Chaoyang’s lips curled upward as his deep eyes slowly scanned every corner of the room.

He strolled leisurely toward the window, extending a long finger to point at a neat pile of portraits stacked in the corner.

With a teasing smile, he said, “Princess Royal, you keep insisting you don’t care for me. What are these then?”

Xiao Qingyu glanced in that direction, her vision darkening as she cursed inwardly. Hadn’t she instructed Lingzhu to put those away? How did they end up here?

Li Chaoyang casually picked up one, examining it closely.

“I never knew I had this side of me! Princess Royal, what kind of masterful artist did you find to paint me so vividly?”

As he spoke, he continued flipping through the portraits, his smile growing even more intense.

Xiao Qingyu’s anxiety mounted. She hurriedly stepped forward, attempting to snatch the portraits back.

Li Chaoyang, tall and imposing, held them just out of her reach despite her standing on tiptoe.