Chapter 075: Matriarchy 16

When Liu Qingyun left the Eastern Palace at dusk, his steps felt as light as air.

Le Yixian, meanwhile, was recovering from her injuries, well-fed, well-rested, and accompanied by her beloved companion. Life could not have been sweeter.

A month passed in this bliss.

But such happiness was soon shattered by the arrival of envoys from a neighboring kingdom.

The envoys from the Moon Kingdom had come to seek the hand of the Red Star Empire’s Crown Princess, Hong Anyou, in marriage for their own Crown Prince.

When Le Yixian heard this news, she nearly spat out her tea, staring at the palace maid who delivered the message. “What did you say?!”

“Your Highness, the envoys from the Moon Kingdom say they have come to propose marriage on behalf of their Crown Prince, Yue Luo… for you,” the maid repeated.

Le Yixian’s lips twitched as she tried to recall whether such a plot existed in the original story.

No, at this point, wasn’t that Yue Luo supposed to have found the amnesiac Hong Anle by the riverside, and the two were about to begin a scandalous life together? Why would envoys be sent here to stir up trouble?

“Keep this from Qingyun. Don’t let him find out,” Le Yixian composed herself, determined to send the Moon Kingdom’s envoys away before the matter became public.

The attendant looked troubled. “Your Highness, the news of the Moon Kingdom’s marriage proposal has already spread throughout the city.”

The Moon Kingdom’s envoys had arrived in a grand procession, bringing countless rare treasures. Their long caravan drew crowds of curious citizens as they entered the city.

Thus, the tale spread that the Red Star Empire’s Crown Princess and the Moon Kingdom’s Crown Prince, childhood sweethearts torn apart by the politics of their respective nations, were now to be reunited. This time, Prince Yue Luo had braved countless obstacles and finally persuaded his imperial parents to send envoys laden with treasures, all in hopes that the Empress would grant her consent and let the Crown Princess marry him.

In the teahouse, storytellers relished the news: “It doesn’t make sense, does it? Both are heirs to their thrones. There’s no reason our Crown Princess would marry into the Moon Kingdom, nor would their Crown Prince come here as a consort.”

A guest laughed, “You must not know. Years ago, when Prince Yue Luo left the capital, our Crown Princess accompanied him for sixty miles, then another ten, and another ten after that. In the end, the two parted with tears in their eyes, unable to let go.”

“Then you mean the Crown Princess will be delighted by this proposal? But didn’t Her Majesty just bestow a marriage between Her Highness and Young Master Liu a few months ago?”

The storyteller explained, “Our country’s women may have more than one husband in their chambers. Prince Yue Luo and Young Master Liu are not mutually exclusive.”

“That’s true, that’s true.”

After regaling the crowd with the juiciest gossip, the storyteller took his leave. Two young men with guqin took the stage to perform.

The audience watched with great interest, not noticing the pallor that overtook the young man seated in a private booth upstairs.

Liu Qingfeng, seeing his younger brother’s stricken expression, felt a twinge of pity. “Don’t listen to their nonsense. I think Her Highness is quite fond of you.”

“But the matter between Prince Yue Luo and Sister You was quite the scandal,” Liu Qingyun said uneasily. “I’ve heard of it myself.”

“That was before Her Highness met you,” Liu Qingfeng reassured him. “When you go to the palace tomorrow, you can ask her yourself.”

“...”

“She must like you,” Liu Qingfeng said.

In the end, Liu Qingyun nodded hesitantly.

The brothers had rarely found time to enjoy tea together, and now their good mood had been ruined by a mere storyteller. Neither felt like drinking anymore. They settled the bill, packed up their father’s favorite pastries, and headed home.

As soon as they stepped through the door, the household attendant greeted them. “Young Master, Second Young Master.”

“What is it?” Liu Qingfeng noted the attendant’s expression.

“The Second Young Master has a visitor,” said the attendant, glancing at the frail youth.

“A visitor? Who is it?”

“He claims to be Prince Yue Luo of the Moon Kingdom,” the attendant replied with lowered head.

Liu Qingyun was momentarily stunned. “Him?”

Upon entering the sitting room, Liu Qingyun’s gaze was drawn to the youth seated in the first chair to the right, sipping tea.

He was strikingly handsome—not with the pale complexion of Red Star men, but with sun-kissed skin, a result of years spent outdoors. His thick brows and large, bright eyes gave him an air of trustworthiness and instant likability.

“Your Highness Prince Yue Luo,” Liu Qingyun greeted with a bow. “My brother and I were out and did not know of your arrival. I apologize for the discourtesy.”

Yue Luo set down his teacup and, with narrowed eyes, sized up his reputed rival in love. One glance told him the boy before him was so frail he might not even have the strength to draw a bow.

Much of his wariness dissipated. Rising, he said, “Second Young Master Liu, there’s no need for formality. It was I who arrived unannounced; you are not at fault.”

Liu Qingyun remained silent.

“Please, take a seat. Let’s talk,” Yue Luo said, growing more at ease the more he looked at this delicate youth, who seemed as though a gust of wind might blow him away.

“Very well, Your Highness,” Liu Qingyun replied, sitting across from him.

“No need to be so formal. You may address me by my courtesy name,” Yue Luo said, now regarding the boy as no rival at all. “My courtesy name is Yuandao. Just call me Yuandao.”

Clang—a teacup slipped from Liu Qingyun’s grasp and shattered crisply against the floor.

“Are you all right?” Yue Luo was startled.

“Your courtesy name,” Liu Qingyun repeated, his voice tinged with a bitterness he could not suppress, his fist clenched. “It’s a lovely name.”

Yuandao—he’d heard those very syllables from Sister You’s lips before.

Even while half-mad with illness, she could not forget this person. The realization made Liu Qingyun’s heart ache all the more.

“Second Young Master Liu, you don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell?” Yue Luo asked, noticing the pallor on his face.

“Perhaps I caught a chill last night,” Liu Qingyun managed a weak smile.

Seeing this, Yue Luo rose to bid farewell. His visit had been solely to gauge his rival, and now, realizing this ‘rival’ was a sickly boy, he found him unworthy of concern.

He took his leave with little ceremony.

That night, Liu Qingyun developed a fever.

The entire Liu family gathered anxiously around him.

While wiping his brother’s brow, Liu Qingfeng noticed a delicate silver spoon clutched tightly in Liu Qingyun’s hand, and heard him murmuring “Sister You” in his fevered sleep.

He could only shake his head helplessly—ah, how love torments the heart.

When Le Yixian, recuperating in the palace, heard that her beloved little darling had developed a fever, she was frightened. In ancient times, a fever could be a death sentence.

Although she knew how frail her little darling’s body was, she had never seen him fall ill since they’d met. Le Yixian had almost begun to believe he was no longer so delicate.

She could only shake her head helplessly—ah, how love torments the heart.

When Le Yixian, recuperating in the palace, heard that her beloved little darling had developed a fever, she was frightened.

In ancient times, a fever could be a death sentence.

Although she knew how frail her little darling’s body was, she had never seen him fall ill since they’d met. Le Yixian had almost begun to believe he was no longer so delicate.

Please wait, please wait ~~~~ QAQ