Chapter 75: Even Taking Care of the Mistress During Her Confinement Would Be Acceptable!

"Is that... the Crown Princess?"

Liu Fu stared in disbelief, unable to accept that Qiao Qingyun could actually spar with Zhong Shi so skillfully. Although it was clear Zhong Shi hadn’t revealed all his cards, this was already more than enough.

“Hey? Your Highness!”

Liu Fu wanted to watch a bit longer, but Yuan Zaichun strode over with long, decisive steps. An uncomfortable feeling twisted in his heart—when had it started, this jealousy that nearly drove him mad whenever he saw her growing close to another man?

“Watch out, Your Grace! My brother’s going for your legs!”

Hong Ying immediately saw through Zhong Shi’s tactic and hurriedly warned Qiao Qingyun. Qiao was momentarily stunned, only to discover Zhong Shi really was aiming a sweeping strike at her lower body. Her legs tensed, launching herself high into the air.

The Red Tassel Spear in her hands snapped forward like a venomous serpent finding its prey, stopping just short of Zhong Shi’s throat.

“Hmph, Zhong Shi, you’ve lost.”

“Says who?”

Just then, Zhong Shi’s gaze dropped to Qiao Qingyun’s waist. She looked down—and there it was: his long sword pointed straight at her slender waist.

“Thank you for the lesson, Your Grace.”

“All right, all right, I can’t beat you anyway. If I could, I wouldn’t need a bodyguard, would I?”

As she spoke, Qiao Qingyun pouted, feigning grievance, causing Zhong Shi’s heart to skip a beat.

“Your Grace, I didn’t mean—”

“I’m teasing you. Go prepare breakfast. After sparring for over an hour, I’m starving.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Qing Luo and Hong Ying, seeing Qiao Qingyun in such high spirits, were delighted beyond words. Thank goodness—if she hadn’t cheered up, they’d have suffered along with her.

“His Highness the Crown Prince arrives!”

People really do appear when you talk about them. Qing Luo had just been praying Yuan Zaichun wouldn’t come—and here he was.

“Blessings upon Your Highness.”

Everyone, including Qiao Qingyun, offered respectful bows to Yuan Zaichun.

Their relationship was complicated—at times like strangers, at others like the closest of lovers, shifting constantly between the two. The sensation was strangely wonderful.

“Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Yuan Zaichun had just returned from court, and upon entering, was surprised by the scene before him. Wasn’t Qiao Qingyun supposed to be the delicate young lady? When had she become so skilled with weapons?

“My dear consort, you possess such impressive martial skills—how did I not know?”

His tone was calm and unreadable, giving no hint of pleasure, leaving Qiao Qingyun and the others uncertain how to respond.

“In reply to Your Highness, I was often pursued and hunted, so I learned some martial arts for self-defense.”

“Oh? Is my entire household dead and gone, then?”

“They’re Your Highness’s people, not mine.”

Qiao Qingyun was in no mood to humor him, retorting bluntly. Coming here now, looking for some sense of presence? He was just asking for it.

“You—”

With that, the hope Yuan Zaichun had painstakingly built up was dashed once more. They were married before the ancestors—so why did she remain so antagonistic?

Perhaps, he realized, it was the martial training that made Qiao Qingyun so willful and headstrong.

“My dear consort, you grow more amusing by the day. We are husband and wife—why divide us so clearly?”

As he spoke, Yuan Zaichun pulled Qiao Qingyun firmly into his embrace, as though he meant to snap her waist in two.

Feeling the constriction at her waist, Qiao Qingyun forced a smile. Memories of this man’s violence the night before sent a shiver through her. If she simply went along with him, perhaps it wouldn’t happen again?

Yet, beside them, Zhong Shi’s hand had already clenched into a silent fist.

What was this? A warning, displayed for all the servants to see?

“Since you haven’t eaten, my dear consort, why not join me inside for a meal?”

“Yes.”

With a strained smile, Qiao Qingyun dared not refuse—wouldn’t that be courting death?

Inside, as dish after dish was placed on the table and the servants withdrew, Qiao Qingyun could no longer hold back.

“From the very start, we agreed never to cross the line. What is Your Highness doing, trying to secure my position as Crown Princess?”

“I never said you should give it up.”

“But—”

Qiao Qingyun was stunned, her worldview nearly shattered by Yuan Zaichun’s words. Did this mean he was simply allowing her to continue as Crown Princess? Was this supposed to be some form of compensation?

She couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh, her appetite vanished. Truly, the Crown Prince was generous—bestowing the title of Crown Princess as though it were nothing! If others learned of it, wouldn’t their ancestors rejoice in their graves?

But to a modern woman like Qiao Qingyun, it was humiliation—bare, unvarnished humiliation.

“Your monthly stipend is one hundred and twenty taels. Collect it yourself.”

“Yes, thank you, Your Highness.”

Her expression changed instantly, and she bowed obediently to Yuan Zaichun, all traces of disdain gone. With money, even ghosts will do your bidding. To be Crown Princess? She’d serve as a wet nurse to a concubine’s child if properly paid!

Yuan Zaichun’s lips curled in satisfaction, as if his scheme had succeeded. Indeed, women were fickle creatures.

For several days, Qiao Qingyun did not leave the palace. The people from Taihe Medical Hall had been granted special privileges: if urgent matters arose, they could come directly to the Crown Prince’s residence to find her.

But today was Yunrou’s wedding day.

“Your Grace, today Princess Yongning weds. As the esteemed Crown Princess, you must outshine all the others.”

“It’s her wedding, not mine—why should I steal the spotlight?”

Qiao Qingyun spoke as Qing Luo and Hong Ying piled her with gold and silver ornaments. She wanted to protest, but neither of them showed any intention of stopping.

“With such beauty, Your Grace shouldn’t let it go to waste. Besides, I hear Princess Yongning fell for someone, but that person abandoned her. She only wishes to see him once more.”

Qing Luo muttered, and Qiao Qingyun was dumbfounded—she hadn’t expected this silly girl to still be thinking of her.

If Qiao Qingyun had truly been a man, it would be one thing—but she was a woman! How could she stand in for the groom?

Her head throbbed at the thought. She couldn’t possibly let the princess carry regrets, could she?

“Your Grace?”

Called back to her senses, Qiao Qingyun found herself already on the way to the carriage. Dressed in a flowing silver-white gown with pure silver hairpins, she looked like a lotus emerging from clear waters, drawing every eye.

Once in the carriage, she sat face to face with Yuan Zaichun.

“Your Highness? Shouldn’t you be riding in the carriage ahead?”

This caught Qiao Qingyun off guard. Normally, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess would not share a carriage, to emphasize their status.