“Oh, okay.” The door guard made a gesture for him to leave. “Walk slowly.” 

  Qian Yingchen brushed off his sleeve as he left. He thought; such a clever door guard should go over to the main entrance and guard that instead! 

  — 

  During the next few days, Qian Yingchen didn’t visit Zhu Yurun. That girl didn’t have self-control. She would definitely come over to look for him. 

  Ah no, he didn’t mean that he was looking forward to her visit, it was only…… He just found it strange. Why had she left without saying a word that day? He had thought that when he turned around he would see her blankly staring at him and looking stupid, but he had only seen an empty street. 

  It wasn’t that he was unwilling. He was just curious what Zhu Yurun was thinking. 

  However, she didn’t appear before him. Qian Yingchen felt very disappointed. 

  Should he take the initiative by going to Zhu Residence? She was already done with her one-month recovery period, so he was done with his assigned work. For what reason would he be going there for? 

  Qian Yingchen coldly harrumphed. Turning his head, he went back to preparing his own wedding. After his marriage to Miss Sun, he probably wouldn’t think about these messy thoughts. A woman like Zhu Yurun, it would be better if she stayed far away from him. 

  But then, Ji Man, that wretched person, set his wedding date with Zhu Yurun to match his wedding with Miss Sun. 

  — 

  Dressed in wedding clothes and riding a horse, he thought that a handsome and tall person like himself couldn’t possibly be inferior to that Ji Man, who only had a rice store. Behind him, there was a parade of women in splendid red clothing and the sounds of wind instruments. It was very lively. 

  He didn’t know why, even though his surroundings were very noisy, there was silence in his mind. 

  After the wedding procession had reached halfway, he really did encountered Ji Family’s marriage sedan chair. Ji Man was truly a stingy merchant. At the very least, he was marrying the assistant minister’s daughter, so why was he making such a poor showing? Although Qian Yingchen knew that he had specially ordered his servants early in the morning that his wedding procession couldn’t lose to Ji Man’s, his heart started to feel unhappy when he saw how badly he had beaten Ji Man. 

  The red bridal sedan chair contained a chubby girl, so as it was being carried forward, it looked heavier than a usual one. When the two wedding processions met, Qian Yingchen suddenly had an impulse. 

  Why not marry that chubby girl? He could support her on his official’s salary. 

  He must have gone crazy to have such an idea. Grand Tutor Sun’s side already had an agreement with the marquis, and he was perfectly willing to marry Miss Sun. How could he have such an idea at this juncture? 

  Shaking his head, Qian Yingchen closed his eyes. Clutching the reins, he stopped looking at the neighboring wedding procession. 

  Wasn’t it a match made in heaven for a chubby girl to marry a rich merchant? Why should he stop them? He didn’t like her. 

  Qian Yingchen scoffed. Just as he was going to continue going forward, he heard someone behind him shouting, “Stop the bridal sedan chair!” 

  Miss Sun had run away from her wedding. At the moment when that sedan chair was passing by Zhu Yurun’s sedan chair, someone had shouted this. 

  Qian Yingchen couldn’t quite return to his senses. He slightly furrowed his brow. 

  As usual, the chubby girl acted without regard for consequences. Hearing this news, she got out of her sedan chair and sat down in his. 

  “Since this happened, Sir Qian, you should marry Yurun.” She rascally stayed in the sedan chair and wouldn’t come out. 

  This was simply a joke. How could the bride be changed? Qian Yingchen’s expression was very ugly. Mister Ji had already come over here to snatch the chubby girl back. 

  “I’ll marry her.” He didn’t know who called out those words. The surrounding people looked as if they had been relieved from a burden. Mister Ji also moved aside. The heavy bridal sedan chair was lifted up and the wedding procession continued down the road. 

  Who agreed to marry her? Qian Yingchen pursed his lips. Anyways, it wasn’t him. 

  When Ning Yuxuan hatched a plot, the people that he schemed against usually weren’t even aware of his involvement. This time, Qian Yingchen realized that he had been schemed against along with the others. Since it had been Miss Sun that ran away from the marriage, it was her side that was in the wrong. Grand Tutor Sun was sure to feel extremely guilty towards Marquis Moyu and help him out with many things in the future. As for himself, he would actually have to go through with marrying Zhu Yurun. 

  Not only that, in the eyes of the public, he was perfectly willing. 

  Qian Yingchen couldn’t resist the urge to cover his eyes. In this lifetime, he had truly chosen poorly when making friends. 

  He had tried to avoid this, but he still ended up bringing that chubby girl to his estate, past the lanterns and red banners and into the bridal room. 

  — 

  What was even more horrifying was this chubby girl was now his main wife, and she didn’t know how to control his concubines. They had already bullied her to such an extent, but she only knew how to stupidly laugh. 

  “Honored Concubine Feng took all of the new silk that entered the estate and only gave two bolts to you. Why didn’t you tell me this?” Qian Yingchen glared at the person in front of him. 

  Zhu Yurun blinked. “I didn’t know about that. How did you find out?” 

  She thought that this estate would be like Zhu Residence. The honored concubines would deliver everything to her courtyard, and she didn’t need to manage anything. 

  Qian Yingchen was going to be angered to death by her. “Learn how to manage the household!” 

  — 

  And so, Zhu Yurun tried her best. While holding a meat-filled pastry in her mouth and with lit candles in the room, she would look at the account books. But, every time she looked at the account books, she would end up falling asleep at the table. 

  When Qian Yingchen came home each evening, he would have to suffer through with carrying her to the bed. And so, after a few days of this, he gave up on having her manage the household. She really was too heavy for him to keep moving. 

  — 

  Everyone in the household laughed at Zhu Yurun behind her back about her weight. In this place, beauty required thinness. And so, Qian Yingchen said to Zhu Yurun, “You should try to think of a way to lose some weight.” 

  Sure enough, this idiot didn’t eat for the next three days and fainted in her room out of hunger. When he went over and picked her up, she opened her eyes, pressed her lips together, and said, “I’m hungry.” 

  She looked really pitiful. Qian Yingchen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He felt a bit bad for her, so he simply gave up on having her lose weight. Anyways, he didn’t like her. It didn’t matter if she was fat or thin. He would just keep raising her.

  Chapter 486 – Too heavy, can’t let go after picking up (1) 

  Everyone knew that he had married a foolish wife. Today, he was was sitting with a group of good friends and drinking. Halfway through the gathering, someone stood up and said, “It’s getting late. My wife is probably going to complain when this one gets back. This one will penalize myself with a cup of wine and leave first.” 

  Another person stood up and said, “My Yulan is very petty. If I got back with the scent of rouge on me, she’ll definitely throw a fit for at least half a month. This one will drink a cup of wine as penalty and say my goodbyes too.” 

  Qian Yingchen sulky drank and thought; these two were really successes. Their wives controlled them so stringently. 

  But then, an obtuse fool, who wanted to curry favor with him, raised a cup to toast him and said, “It’s Sir Qian that’s the best. You’re fine with staying out all night.” 

  Qian Yingchen was somewhat unhappy, but he raised his chin and thought; that was because he managed his wife in the correct manner. If Zhu Yurun dared to make a fuss, he would go over to one of his concubine’s courtyards and not go over to see her. After two days of this treatment, she would naturally come looking for him while crying and sniffling. 

  However, another nearby person said, “Brother Zhang, you don’t know this, but the two people that recently left, their wives have deep affection and love for them. That’s why they’re so controlling toward their husbands. Haha.” 

  Qian Yingchen’s expression had blackened. Instead of swallowing the wine in his mouth, he spat it out on the ground. 

  Their wifes were controlling because of deep love? It had been half a month since he married Zhu Yurun, but she didn’t show any care about his life of debauchery. It couldn’t be that she wasn’t in love with him, right? What a joke. Who was the one that had pestered him day in and day out asking him to marry her and acting as if she would die if he didn’t? 

  He sprinkled some of the wine from his cup onto his body, embraced a musician girl, and rubbed her body all over. Then, Qian Yingchen stood up and said, “Yingchen will also take my leave earlier. Everyone, enjoy yourselves to the fullest.” 

  “Ai, Sir Qian, why are you leaving so early?” The person that was rushing to curry favor with him was unhappy. “Your honorable wife isn’t controlling. You can stay here longer.” 

  “Who said she isn’t controlling?” With an unhappy face, Qian Yingchen said, “She’s definitely staying up and waiting for me to come home with lit candles. Goodbye!” 

  Rather childishly slamming the door on his way out, Qian Yingchen boarded his carriage and returned to his estate. He didn’t know what he was feeling unhappy about. When he walked back to Zhu Yurun’s courtyard, it was the same as usual. He hadn’t come home on time, so she had extinguished the lamps and went to sleep by herself. The courtyard was very dark. Don’t even mention a lit candle in the room, there was nothing waiting for him at the door. 

  Fuming with anger, Qian Yingchen went forward and kicked the doors to Zhu Yurun’s room, then he turned around and went to Honored Concubine Feng’s courtyard. 

  Zhu Yurun was woken up by this noise. When she got up and looked at the doorway, there was no one there. Murmuring to herself that it was probably because the wind was too strong, the chubby girl closed the doors and waddled back to her bed to continue sleeping. 

  As Qian Yingchen walked down the path, he kept kicking the ground and grumbling: that fat idiot! 

  Although it was true that he had previously said he didn’t want her to concern herself with his life, but wasn’t Zhu Yurun being too free and easy by not showing any concern at all? Why had she wanted to marry him? She didn’t show any concern when he went out indulging in sensual pleasures. When he favored an honored concubine more frequently than he favored her, she didn’t throw a tantrum. She was like a soft persimmon. How could someone not want to pinch her and bully her 

  He really wanted to squeeze her until she was a ball of cotton wadding and stuff her into a quilt! 

  As Qian Yingchen walked, he kept cursing her. When he reached Honored Concubine Feng’s courtyard, he was still grumbling. 

  “Sir Qian, what’s wrong?” Honored Concubine Feng gently took off his outer layer of clothing for him. “Has Madam angered you?” 

  Qian Yingchen sneered. It could be considered tacitly assenting. 

  Honored Concubine Feng’s eyes turned. She sweetly smiled and said, “Sir Qian, don’t be angry. Everyone knows that Madam isn’t that bright in the head. She speaks without considering propriety. If she’s done anything wrong, just treat it as if a child has done something wrong and forgive her.” 

  These words sounded like she was pleading for Zhu Yurun, but when he thought about it again, he realized it was wrong. Qian Yingchen narrowed his eyes. “A child?” 

  “Isn’t that the right description for her? Madam is just like a child. She doesn’t know anything. She only knows how to eat.” Honored Concubine Feng hanged his outer layer on a room divider, then carelessly said, “Everyone has been saying why is Sir Qian is so unlucky to have married her.” 

  “Is that so?” His hand stretched out and grabbed the outer layer of clothing that she had just hung up. Honored Concubine Feng froze in surprise for a moment. When she turned her head, she saw Qian Yingchen’s expressionless face. 

  “Sir Qian? Has this servant said something wrong?” Honored Concubine Feng felt somewhat panicky. “You just came here……” 

  “You can think for yourself what you did wrong. Starting from tomorrow, your monthly allowance will be cut in half.” Qian Yingchen finished putting on his clothes and lightly said, “I’m going back to care for that child.” 

  Honored Concubine Feng was stunned. Qian Yingchen left her courtyard and took the return path. 

  Zhu Yurun was very stupid. She didn’t know how to shrewdly scheme or compete for favor. She only knew how to eat. He didn’t like her; he thought she was stupid and fat. 

  But, even if he didn’t like her, it was only okay if he was the one feeling this way. If someone said a single bad word about her, then it was the same as hitting his face too. 

  Right now, he was Zhu Yurun’s husband. 

  After returning to the main courtyard, he took off his outer layer of clothing and lied down on the bed. Zhu Yurun was sleeping very sweetly. Sensing a source of warmth nearby, the chubby girl rolled over to rub against the warmth. However, as soon as she smelled the stench of alcohol on that body, Zhu Yurun rolled back to the inner part of the bed and kept her distance from him. There was the slightest sound of snoring coming from her. 

  Qian Yingchen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This chubby girl was actually finding him disdainful? 

  After changing into sleeping clothes and bringing her over to hug, Qian Yingchen murmured, “You’re not allowed to press me down at night. I’ll have a nightmare.” 

  Zhu Yurun sleepily assented and really did follow his order in sleeping properly. 

  Translator Ramblings: “You’re not allowed to press me down at night.” I thought Qian Yingchen’s wording was so weird and funny. Does that mean he doesn’t want to forbid her from pressing him down in the daytime? 

  How lucky to be Zhu Yurun. She doesn’t have to do basic work like manage the household’s finances. All she does is eat, but Qian Yingchen will protect her from being bullied without her lifting a finger or using a brain cell. Because he knows she’s stupid, he’ll protect her and automatically judge the other women in his harem as crafty and manipulative (which admittedly they are).

  Chapter 487 – Too heavy, can’t let go after picking up (2) 

  When he woke up it was the next day, Qian Yingchen stretched his hand towards her. “Give me a thing.” 

  “What thing?” Zhu Yurun was very lost. 

  “A love token.” Qian Yingchen pursed his lips and said, “When I went to yesterday’s gathering, everyone else’s wives have given them things like jade waist accessory and scented sachets. If that’s not feasible, they were also given handkerchiefs too. What about you?” 

  Zhu Yurun scratched her head and seriously thought for a while before getting up and picking up an oil paper package. “This is the last flaky almond pastry from yesterday. It’s super yummy! I couldn’t even bear to eat it. Is this okay?” 

  Qian Yingchen’s face changed colors. 

  “.…… Oh, no good?” Zhu Yurun awkwardly laughed. Before he started roaring at her, she promptly and swiftly put on her clothes and ran out. 

  For matters like embroidering, she should go ask Mister…… oh, no that’s wrong. Mister Ji was now called Miss Nie. Mister Ji was the only friend that Zhu Yurun had ever made. Although she had guessed early on that Mister Ji was a woman, she still wasn’t quite use to her transformation into a woman. And, she had changed her name to Nie Sangyu. 

  Although this name sounded very nice, Zhu Yurun decided to keep calling her Mister Ji to express her gratitude. Mister Ji had saved her when she was at the most challenging point in her life. She was a person that remembered past kindness. She would remember this forever! 

  In the past, Qian Yingchen had been very against her visiting Mister Ji, but after he found out that Mister Ji was Nie Sangyu, for some unknown reason, his mood had greatly improved. Not only did he stop discouraging her from seeing Mister Ji, he was very supportive about her visiting Mister Ji. And so, Zhu Yurun slipped away to visit her friend today. 

  “A love token, huh.” Ji Man glanced at the cheap ring made of concentric knots on her dressing table. Pursuing her lips, she said, “Actually, it’s not important what you make. It just needs your heartfelt sentiment.” 

  Zhu Yurun nodded. In a rare moment of cleverness, she found a jade ring, tied it with a few braided red string, and reported back after completing her mission. 

  Qian Yingchen’s cloudy expression finally cleared up. He took the jade ring, and during the next several days, when he was meeting with people outside, he would raise his chin and proudly gaze down at the ring. 

  As a result, someone tried to curry favor with him by sending his daughter to be his honored concubine. Unfortunately, the other party was an important official that he had a lot of dealings with lately. Although he was only a third-rank official, he had taken over part of Marquis Moyu’s authority, so he had a terrifying amount of power. It was inevitable that someone would want to get close to him. 

  The young woman that was sent over had a slender figure and was rather good at speaking. Qian Yingchen was very satisfied with her. But, no matter how satisfied he was, he had no intention of accepting her. A single glance was enough for him to see that this young woman was very astute. If he brought her home, what would he do if she bullied that chubby girl? 

  However, the person next to him said, “Sir Qian, you can’t spend the rest of your life never taking another concubine. Your household only has one honored concubine. That’s really too little.” 

  Had he protected that chubby girl too well? Should he bring home a woman to teach her a lesson? 

  Thinking of this, Qian Yingchen agreed. 

  But, as soon as he brought that young woman home to scare her, the chubby girl disappeared! 

  He asked a servant and found out that she had gone over to Marquis Moyu’s estate again. Qian Yingchen sneered. She had actually run away? He was sure that she would come back on her own. Once she went two days without seeing him, he was sure that she wouldn’t even be able to sleep well! 

  However, two day later, she still hadn’t returned, and Qian Yingchen was the one that couldn’t sleep well. 

  — 

  That chubby girl was currently chatting with Mister Ji. While eating melon seeds, she said, “There’s a new honored concubine in the estate.” 

  Ji Man furrowed her brow. “You ran away just because there’s a new honored concubine?” 

  “If I stay, I’ll feel really sad.” Zhu Yurun pressed her lips together. “It’s better to lie to myself and say I’m coming here to have fun with you and Yingchen is waiting for me at home by himself. It’s better to think of this way.” 

  Ji Man didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She knew that this chubby girl hid under quilt and cried at night. 

  It really was very difficult to love someone. 

  — 

  On the fourth day, Qian Yingchen had dark circles under his eyes and surrendered. He came over to pick Zhu Yurun up. 

  “Come back,” he fiercely said to her. 

  “Did you miss me?” She looked at him with a smile. 

  “No!” 

  “Have you fallen in love with me?” Zhu Yurun wasn’t happy. 

  “No!” Qian Yingchen grabbed her arm. “Come home with me!” 

  “I don’t want to!” The chubby girl finally got angry. She grabbed the door frame and grimaced. “If you don’t miss me or love me, then why do you want me to go back? Go back by yourself!” 

  The door slammed closed. 

  Qian Yingchen was dumbstruck. 

  Twenty minutes later, the chubby girl carefully opened the door a crack to look outside and didn’t see anyone. Just as she was starting to feel dejected, someone said from the bottom, “I admit defeat.” 

  Qian Yingchen was sitting on the bottom of the stairs that led to her room. He very helplessly clutched his forehead and said, “Great ancestor, come back with me. If you don’t come back, I won’t be able to finish eating all the food made by the kitchen servants.” 

  He had admitted defeat. He had wanted to leave, but he was reluctant to go. He didn’t know when this started, but at some point, he couldn’t put down this chubby girl. 

  Perhaps, it was because she was too heavy. Once he picked her up, it wasn’t easy to let go. 

  Zhu Yurun grinned. She skipped down the stairs and helped him up. “It’s so rare for you to pick me up.” 

  “It’s because this is Marquis Moyu’s estate.” Qian Yingchen closed his eyes. He remorsefully said, “If it was anywhere else, I wouldn’t do something so humiliating!” 

  Thank you, good friend, Marquis Moyu. He had already cleared out any possible onlookers near Zhu Yurun’s room. Otherwise, he really wouldn’t be able to continue showing his face in public! 

  “Is it humiliating to pick me up?” The chubby girl unhappy pouted. “Then, I’ll come pick you up next time!”


  Chapter 488 – Having gotten this chubby girl as his wife, what more could he want? (1) 

  Qian Yingchen had already slowly gotten used to the chubby girl’s easygoing personality. It was pretty good too. She seemed so muddled-headed, but she was actually more sensible than anyone else. When he was favoring a new honored concubine, she would flee far away, thus she avoided doing anything that would annoy him. Compared to Honored Concubine Feng that constantly came over to compete for favor, she was much better. 

  Men, they were bound to want a harmonious relationship with their wife at home while being free to go out and sample other women. Over time, Qian Yingchen thought it wasn’t bad to have married this chubby girl. At the very least, his days were comfortable. 

  The new honored concubine kept him company for half a month, and Zhu Yurun didn’t show any negative reactions. Qian Yingchen felt very proud of himself. When he was out drinking with his friends, he couldn’t resist showing off by saying words like “A sensible woman saves one from a lot of worry.” 

  During the dinner, Marquis Moyu drank wine without changing his expression when he heard these words. 

  Qian Yingchen had drunk too much. Slightly smiling, he asked Ning Yuxuan, “Your wife hasn’t asked you to have her as your only woman. She’s probably more sensible than Yurun. But, the world has been at peace for a long time. Marquis, why hasn’t the number of women in your home increased at all?” 

  Ning Yuxuan pursed his lips and put down his wine cup. “She loves me with her whole heart. How can I turn my back on her and disappoint her?” 

  “What?” Qian Yingchen widened his eyes. “Isn’t it the natural order of things for a woman to be loyal and dutiful to a man?” 

  “Who told you it’s the natural order of things for a woman to wholeheartedly love you?” A nearby black-robed man sneered. “It’s not like she’s your mom.” 

  Qian Yingchen froze in surprise. His eyes were a bit blurry from being tipsy. He stared at the figure. After carefully looking, he realized that it was Nie Sangyu. She was cross-dressing! 

  This was a gathering of officials from the Six Ministries, ah. Marquis Moyu had actually brought her along? Qian Yingchen’s face changed colors. He glanced over at Ning Yuxuan in shock. 

  No wonder his friend’s reply had been so full of deep feelings. As it turned out, Nie-shi had been next to him! 

  Ning Yuxuan slightly smiled. He calmly picked up his wine cup to hide face. Too young, ah. 

  Ji Man hadn’t liked Qian Yingchen for a while. Recently, Zhu Yurun kept running over to her place. Although Yurun was smiling when she came over, she knew that Yurun only came over to see her because Qian Yingchen had other women and didn’t have time to keep her company. 

  She could overlook this if it had only happened a few times, but recently, it was becoming increasingly outrageous. Did people that had been loved for a long time take for granted their good fortune and forget to reciprocate? Even if that chubby girl was a fool, she was still a woman and would want her husband to wholeheartedly love her and come home early each day. 

  Qian Yingchen hadn’t noticed this point at all. 

  “Sir Qian, a toast to you.” Slightly smiling, Ji Man raised a cup of wine. 

  “This one doesn’t deserve such an honor.” Qian Yingchen awkwardly laughed and raised his own cup. “Let this one be the first to show my respect.” 

  “No need.” Ji Man smiled. “This one is hoping to get a touch of Sir Qian’s good luck. It’ll be better to clink cups. Perhaps, this one will be as lucky as Sir Qian and marry a good woman like your honorable wife.” 

  Good luck? Qian Yingchen raised his eyebrows. Was is it good luck to marry a chubby girl? 

  Please, back then, he had been the victim. He was forced into a relationship with Zhu Yurun. No matter what perspective you were looking at, between the two of them, it was Zhu Yurun that had the better luck. 

  Seeing his disapproving face, Ji Man snorted. “Sir Qian, you overcame calamity because of your face. It was with the help of your wife that you were able to peacefully become an official in the capital, so it was naturally your good luck to have married her.” 

  There was a hidden meaning in those words. Qian Yingchen slightly furrowed his brow. 

  Ning Yuxuan put down his cup. Looking at Ji Man, he asked, “What do you want to say?” 

  The group of people stopped their drinking, and many people perked up their ears. Ji Man stood up and said, “The moonlight looks very good out on the balcony. Sir Qian, care to go over there and take a look with this one?” 

  Qian Yingchen hesitated for a moment before nodding. Ning Yuxuan naturally stood up and followed after them. 

  “Sir Qian, do you still remember Xu Province’s senior official’s son?” Ji Man asked. 

  Qian Yingchen nodded. He chuckled and said, “Of course this one remembers. He’s just an arrogant second-generation. He even repeatedly tried to stop me from returning to the capital.” 

  “It’s only recently that I found out that second-generation has done many misdeeds.” Ji Man rapped her knuckles on the railing. “For example, he drugged you. He wanted you to force Assistant Minister Zhu’s daughter to sleep with you, so that you wouldn’t be able to come to the capital.” 

  The smile on Qian Yingchen’s slowly faded away. 

  “Why are you saying this?” 

  “I found this out from hearing idle gossip.” Ji Man shrugged. “Originally, seeing that your relationship with Yurun is going well, I thought there was no reason for me to say this aloud. Who would have thought you would haven’t the slightest feeling of gratitude? You act as if she owes you something. That’s why I won’t keep my mouth shut this time.” 

  She had heard these words from Zhuer. Zhu Yurun was too stupid and hadn’t realized the value in explaining the truth back then. Later on, there was no longer any reason to explain, so that incident had become a misunderstand that couldn’t be resolved. 

  Zhu Yurun had wanted to save him and had stupidly given up her innocent reputation. As a result, she had been misunderstood for a long time. She really was hopelessly stupid. 

  Qian Yingchen was silent for a time. He lowered his eyes and said, “Impossible.” 

  How could this be possible? If that second-generation had harmed him, why had he woken up the next day and found traces of the drug in Zhu Yurun’s room? And, why had Zhu Yurun told a different story? 

  “It’s not impossible.” Ji Man quietly said, “It’s only that Sir Qian truly has very good luck in meeting such a big fool. It was only her first time meeting you, but she believed in love at first sight. For you, she didn’t even care about her reputation. In order to preserve your future prospects, she would rather be misunderstood.” 

  After saying this, Ji Man couldn’t resist covering her face. “Really, this a whole new level of stupidity. She never considered that the probability of a happy future with you would be unlikely.”


  Chapter 489 – Having gotten this chubby girl as his wife, what more could he want? (2) 

  Ning Yuxuan chuckled. Seeing his good friend’s dazed look and how he was unable to return to his senses, he took delight in his misfortune. Wrapping his arm around Ji Man’s waist, he started walking back inside. “Don’t bother with him. Go back inside with me to eat. You drank so much before and didn’t have time to eat.” 

  “Okay.” Ji Man nodded. The two of the mercilessly left Qian Yingchen to stand here by himself. 

  As he carefully thought about that incident and the small details, Qian Yingchen clenched his jaw. There were so many suspicious points. He just hadn’t wanted to think about them. When he woke up, he had been in Zhu Yurun’s room. If she had come onto him, then he should have woken up in his own room. 

  Also, why use a hallucinogenic drug? That wasn’t a suitable drug if she wanted to copulate with him. If she wanted to force him, shouldn’t she have used an aphrodisiac drug? 

  Suddenly, his mind was thrown into a state of chaos. Qian Yingchen didn’t even go back for his cloak. He directly left the restaurant, mounted his horse, and rushed back to his estate. 

  As usual, Zhu Yurun had gone to sleep early and hadn’t left a lamp lit for him. Because Qian Yingchen ran all the way from the estate’s entrance to her courtyard, he was panting when he unraveled her from her cocoon quilt. “I have something I want to ask you.” 

  Blurry from sleep, Zhu Yurun half-opened her eyes to look at him. “Ah?” 

  “Back in Xu Province’s inn, what happened for real? Did you force me, or was I drugged and forced you?” Qian Yingchen felt a bit embarrassed about asking this question, but he still kept his gaze on her, so he wouldn’t miss the slightest change in her expression. 

  Zhu Yurun was at a loss for a while before she finally said, “You woke me up in the middle of the night just to ask this question? It’s not important anymore, right? We’re already married.” 

  After saying this, she fell back onto the bed and continued sleeping. 

  This was something that greatly bothered him, but she acted like it was no big deal? Qian Yingchen felt somewhat angry. 

  A hesitant voice came from the door. “Sir Qian, this thing you want to know about. This servant knows everything. There’s no need for you to disturb my master’s sleep.” 

  Startled, Qian Yingchen turned his head and saw that it was Zhuer. 

  After he followed her out, Zhuer closed the doors and looked at him with a serious expression. “Sir Qian, why did you suddenly think to ask about what happened back then?” 

  Qian Yingchen had a similarly solemn expression as her. How could he possibly say that he had suddenly found out about part of the truth, and he felt guilt? 

  Zhuer didn’t continue questioning him. She didn’t like her Miss’s husband, but for the sake of her Miss, she still retold the entire story. 

  “What left this servant feeling the most bitterly disappointing wasn’t that outsiders misunderstood Miss and would throw eggs at her when she went out and curse at her when they saw her,” Zhuer said with reddened eyes, “It was you, Sir Qian. You thought that my Miss was that type of woman and even looked down on her. You made her lose her first child.” 

  Qian Yingchen was greatly shocked. For a moment, it felt as if he couldn’t breath. 

  He used to insult her too. He was the same as the commoners outside, who didn’t know anything. He had thought she was unbearably sordid and scandalous. But, as it turned out, everything was his fault. 

  “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Qian Yingchen heard his voice; it was unexpectedly hoarse. 

  Zhuer turned her head away. “In the past, this servant didn’t have an opportunity. Now, it’s because Miss says there’s no need.” 

  But, seeing his pained expression, Zhuer felt that she hadn’t done anything wrong. She should have stabbed him with the truth earlier. Otherwise, he would never know that he should treasure her master. 

  When they had lost their first child, he had actually seen it as liberation, that child was his shame, and it was finally gone. 

  Finding out the truth now, Qian Yingchen couldn’t help laughing. 

  Zhuer turned her head to look at him. Just as she was going swear at this bastard that had the nerve to laugh, she saw that tears pooling in his eyes. It looks as if those large droplets were going to fall soon. 

  The rest of the courtyard was silent. There was only the resounding sound of his hoarse laughter. 

  — 

  Zhu Yurun slept very well. When she woke up, it seemed as if the estate was especially quiet. 

  “Zhuer?” 

  Her servant girl entered the room and was smiling as she helped her change her clothes and wash her face. 

  “Strange. Why does it seem like there’s no one else in the estate today?” Zhu Yurun couldn’t resist glancing outside. Normally, at this time of the day, she would hear Honored Concubine Feng coming over here to talk. 

  Even though Honored Concubine Feng usually didn’t have anything nice to say and would normally take a few items away as a reward for herself, Zhu Yurun had gotten used to her visits and though it was livelier that way. 

  But, no one came over today. 

  Walking out of her courtyard, she looked around. Not only did she not see Honored Concubine Feng, she didn’t see that new honored concubine either. 

  Just as Zhu Yurun was finding the lack of people strange, she heard Qian Yingchen’s mean voice. “Why are you walking around instead of eating breakfast?” 

  Turning her head to look, she saw him waiting in her courtyard and holding her favorite snacks for the very first time. With an unsmiling face, he said, “Come back to eat.” 

  “You……” Zhu Yurun grinned and quickly followed him inside. “Are you keeping me company today?” 

  “En.” Qian Yingchen sat at the table as if he had nothing better to do. 

  Zhu Yurun was very happy. Her eyes were practically sparkling. Sitting down, she ate everything on the table until there wasn’t a crumb left. She didn’t ask him any more questions. 

  Qian Yingchen could only start the conversation himself. “I’ll treat you well from now on.” 

  “En, okay.” Smiling, Zhu Yurun rubbed her stomach. “You already treat me pretty well.” 

  “No, I’ll treat you better!” Qian Yingchen felt somewhat annoyed. “Really, really well.” 

  Not understanding what was wrong with him today, Zhu Yurun was nice enough to nod and say, “Okay, you’ll treat me really, really well.” 

  There wasn’t any trace of happy surprise on her face! Qian Yingchen felt absolutely thwarted. He couldn’t resist rubbing his temples. 

  Really, he was going to be angered to death by this chubby girl.

  Chapter 490 – I’d pluck the moon from the sky to give to you (2) 

  Since Pengyue was a child, she had been like the moon that was surrounded by the stars. Her chin was always raised arrogantly raised up, and she carried her long, red whip everywhere. 

  Once, when she was a child, her king father had lifted her onto his knee and asked her, “Yue-er, what kind of husband do you want in the future?” 

  The little her had held her head high as she said, “My husband has to be someone with an indomitable spirit and be very strong physically. He has to be able to defeat me in armed combat!” 

  She had always thought that only someone who could defeat her in combat was capable of conquering her and becoming her husband. 

  Yuzhen was a monogamous country. Life was prosperous and peaceful here. However, their neighboring country, the powerful Great Song, covetously eyed Yuzhen. 

  The day finally came when her king father summoned her and very apologetically said, “You might have to marry someone in Great Song.” 

  “I don’t want to!” Pengyue pouted. The men in Great Song had multiple wives and concubines. How could they be compared to the men in Yuzhen that wholeheartedly loved their wives? Besides, she didn’t want to go somewhere that was so far from her home. 

  However, her king father said, “You’re Yuzhen’s princess. You’re the only option.” 

  Born to a life of luxury, it was only right that she made a sacrifice for her country. Pengyue cried for a long time before a compromise was made. Taking along her long whip, she went away to the distant Great Song。 

  On the way there, she thought about the types of men that she would meet. She would probably have to marry a reserved prince. He would probably be the graceful, mature, and reserved type? She had heard although there were plenty of men in Great Song that knew martial arts, Great Song’s princes were refined and only knew Chinese boxing. Pengyue felt somewhat unhappy, and she was in low spirits during the entire journey. 

  — 

  Great Song’s palace was bustling, and there were many women living there. When these women smiled, it looked very fake. Noble Consort Nie assigned two married women to be her companions. They would take her out for sightseeing. 

  She would probably look like these women in the future? Pengyue stealthily scrutinized them. The woman named Errong was livelier, but for some unknown reason, her face looked a bit sorrowful. She was probably worrying over her husband being snatched away by someone concubine? Next to her, the woman named Sangyu looked stylish and dignified. She secretly tried to mimic her mannerism, but she wasn’t able to successfully copy it. 

  Great Song had three princes she could marry. Two of them already had main wives, so there was no way she would marry either of them and become a little concubine. There was one more prince left that she hadn’t seen, but no one had mentioned him to her. 

  “Where’s the second prince?” She couldn’t resist asking one of the attendants. 

  The attendant shook her head. “We’ve made discreet inquiries about him, but no one knows about the second prince. It seems that he has no plans of meeting with Your Highness.” 

  He was the rare prince that remained unmarried, and he wasn’t going to see her? Pengyue felt somewhat curious. What kind of person was he? 

  Later on, when they went to the military training field in the afternoon, she saw him. They had said he hadn’t wanted to meet her, but he was sitting there in his wheelchair and wearing a beautiful dark-colored robe that marked him as a prince. From a distance, he observed her. 

  Pengyue noticed him, and her heart immediately felt a bit strange. That person was actually a cripple, but he had appeared on the military training field. His face looked a bit melancholy. She had only gotten one glance of him before he turned to leave. 

  Was he playing hard to get to catch her interest? Pengyue sneered. She wouldn’t fall for that trick. All of these princes wanted to marry her in order to get Yuzhen’s assistance. This person clearly wanted that too, but he hadn’t shown any sincerity. He hadn’t even bothered to approach her to properly exchange greetings with her. 

  If he didn’t take the initiative, she wouldn’t either. 

  After looking in the direction that he had left several times, Pengyue angrily swung her whip and left. 

  Anyways, how could that person be suitable to be her husband? He didn’t even have the strength to truss up a chicken, and there was no possibility that he would ever be able to stand. 

  — 

  A servant girl that had found out some information came over to report to her, “The emperor has never attached any importance to the second prince. Even though he’s a prince in name, he can’t even be compared to the average commoner. Your Highness, you mustn’t choose the second prince. It would be awful luck to marry him. You can choose any random person, and that person would at least have use of his legs.” 

  Pengyue slightly furrowed her brow. “He’s been ignored just because his legs aren’t good?” 

  “Of course,” the young servant girl quietly said, “This servant heard that he’s been harmed by others since he was young, but the emperor doesn’t care.” 

  Pengyue nodded. “Alright then, there’s no need to consider him.” 

  — 

  Nie Sangyu continued bringing her out to see other talented youths, but halfway to their destination, someone intercepted them and invited them to an empty tea house. 

  “Princess Pengyue.” The person sitting in the wheelchair faintly smiled at her. “Excuse this one’s presumptuousness. This one wishes to discuss with Your Highness and make a deal.” 

  He was a weak-looking scholar type. Pengyue furrowed her brow. She should outright refuse. What was there for them to discuss? However, as she looked at his gentle eyes, she couldn’t say words of rejection. After considering for a bit, she still nodded. 

  Her entanglement with him started from this deal. 

  He promised her that after he became emperor, he would keep his harem empty, facilitate the exchange of goods in the borderlands by Yuzhen as well as reducing the associated taxes on those goods. People from Yuzhen would be able to freely cross Great Song’s border. 

  Pengyue was somewhat moved, and yet, she found his promises somewhat unbelievable. This man couldn’t even stand up. Could he really ascend the throne? 

  Zhao Li looked into her eyes. She didn’t know what kind of witchcraft he used, but she was mesmerized by his gaze. When she returned to her senses, she actually ended up agreeing. 

  Perhaps, she had been looking for excuses for herself this entire time. She must have already made her decision the first time she saw him. Otherwise, the things that happened later wouldn’t have gone so smoothly and easily. 

  A single glance, and she went down the wrong path forever. 

  — 

  She had specially brought her whip with her to use to select her husband, but now, she was standing next to Zhao Li, who had no possible chance of defeating her. She was perfectly willing to declare, “From now on, he’s my husband! If anyone dares to bully him, it’ll be the same as bullying me!”


  Chapter 491 – I’d pluck the moon from the sky to give to you (2) 

  She hadn’t needed to use her martial arts skills to choose her husband. Now, she could only use it to protect her husband. 

  Zhao Li was truly in extremely unfavorable position. It was only by marrying her that he could move out of the palace and establish his own residence. Pengyue didn’t know why, but she was willing to put away her brazen personality for him. In accordance to Great Song’s etiquette rules, she put everything into order for him. 

  — 

  “What’s so great about the second prince? Even if he married a princess, he’s still a cripple,” a palace servant girl quietly scoffed, but a red whip that came out of nowhere slapped her mouth. 

  Pengyue quietly drew back her whip and continued pushing Zhao Li to see the empress so they could pay their respects. 

  The female palace servant was so scared that she screamed. Covering her lips, with blood dripping into her hands, she ran away. 

  Zhao Li chuckled. “Why bother yourself with them?” 

  “I don’t like it when other people bully you.” Pengyue furrowed her brow. “It doesn’t matter who the other party is! I’ll treat them all the same!” 

  Zhao Li could resist turning his head to glance at her. He laughed in spite of himself. 

  — 

  He didn’t know when it happened exactly, but Pengyue had replaced his personal attendants with herself. Every day, she would push his wheelchair for him. Whether it was going to the palace or going to the princes quarters to handle work, she had been the one quietly pushing his wheelchair and standing behind him. 

  Zhao Li had only wanted to marry her because of Yuzhen. But now, he thought he was lucky in meeting such an outspoken girl that was full of chivalrous spirit. She protected him so well that he never heard any obscenities. 

  She had pleaded for him and gotten him a good fiefdom. She had gone with him to that distant fiefdom. She had also helped him by borrowing Yuzhen’s soldiers that would assist him in taking over the capital and the throne. 

  When she had initially found out that he wanted to rebel, Pengyue had actually been very shocked. She had probably thought being a titled prince would be enough for him. They could have happily lived out the rest of their lives on that fiefdom, but as it turned out, he wanted more. 

  How could he not want more? Noble Consort Nie caused his mother’s death. It was because of her actions that he was born a cripple. His oldest imperial brother and his third imperial brother had humiliated him for many years. How could he easily put down this hatred and desire for revenge? 

  On their way back to the capital with the army, he promised to make her empress. 

  Pengyue’s brow was furrowed as she asked him, “You once promised me that you wouldn’t have any other women, does this promise still count?” 

  “Yes.” He gently pulled her hand over. “I won’t forget your great kindness.” 

  — 

  After he obtained the dragon throne, he personally put the empress’s crown on her head. His great revenge had been accomplished, and great power was in his hands. Pengyue was also pregnant. Zhao Li felt that he wasn’t missing anything. 

  — 

  Right now, he was surrounded by sweet-talking people. No one would dare to call him a cripple. Instead, they competed with each other to push his wheelchair and respectfully knelt before him to speak to him. Zhao Li felt exuberant. He enjoyed the feeling of being so high above everyone else and started to get payback for the grievances he had accumulated over the past years. 

  So what if he was tyrannical? This world belonged to him. 

  However, Pengyue had changed. She no longer protected him the way she had in the past and frequently looked at him with a furrowed brow and said words like, “Ah Li, you shouldn’t do such a thing.” 

  “You used to always stand on my side.” Zhao Li couldn’t understand. “Why are you helping the group of old officials and going against me?” 

  “I’m doing this for your own good.” Pengyue frowned. 

  Did all pregnant women like to be so troublesome? Zhao Li coldly harrumphed and left. He no longer needed her to push his wheelchair. There was naturally palace servants to carry him around wherever he wanted to go. 

  — 

  “Your Majesty, there can’t be a road from the capital to Zhangjun.” Fan Tianxing was kneeling before him as he advised, “As soon as there’s a road connecting the two places, it’ll be too easy for Zhangjun Prince to come to the capital. That won’t be good.” 

  “If the reason for refusal is because the national treasure is low on funds, then the construction of Wangyue Building should also be stopped. It’s the start of Your Majesty’s reign, it’s inadvisable to carry out large scale construction,” said Marquis Moyu sternly. 

  Zhao Li felt troubled. The current Pengyue made him feel as if she no longer wanted to protect him. Instead, it felt as if she was restricting him. He was the emperor now; he didn’t want to be restricted. 

  But, Wangyue Building was something she wanted. She had once said, “If there was a very tall building, then I would be able to see Yuzhen from here, that would be wonderful.” 

  Although that request was a bit nonsensical, he had taken her words seriously and ordered servants to construct a building name Wangyue. Right now, he was the emperor, why couldn’t he have whatever he wanted? 

  “The construction for Wangyue Building can’t be stopped,” he said, “Just have them build a road to Zhangjun.” 

  “Your Majesty!” Fan Tianxing was very upset. “A beautiful woman is the downfall of country, Your Majesty!” 

  A beautiful woman shouldn’t be so irritating. Other people’s beauties were as gentle as water! Zhao Li left in a huff. Wangyue Building’s construction continued. 

  — 

  He was angry at Pengyue. And so, for a very long time, he didn’t go to see her. Kangyuan Junzhu‘s heart had been set on him for a long time. Even after marrying Ning Mingjie, she still frequently entered the palace to keep him company. 

  — 

  Look, a woman could behave this gently and softly. Why couldn’t she be like Kangyuan, who flattered him and praised? Why did Pengyue insist on opposing him instead? Zhao Li harrumphed. It was the middle of the night. He turned and couldn’t resist reaching out to check. The space next to him was empty. 

  He hadn’t gone over to see her, and she hadn’t come over to compete for favor. Was she thinking that she didn’t need to do anything since the imperial harem only had her? 

  Zhao Li felt furious. He shouldn’t have said he would keep the inner palace empty. It was because of this promise that she was fearless! 

  — 

  After a long time passed, he finally couldn’t resist the urge to send people over to inquire how how she was doing. What was the empress doing? Zhao Li thought; he wasn’t admitting defeat. He was just asking. 

  However, the news that he got was, “Her Majesty has miscarried.” 

  This was their first child, and it had been inexplicably lost. Zhao Li’s face paled. He rushed over to Pengyue’s palace. Unfortunately, he couldn’t walk. By the time he was carried over there, it was a little bit too late.