Volume One, Chapter 13: The Imperial Edict of Marriage Delivered to the Regent Prince's Residence

After several consecutive heavy snowfalls, a clear day finally arrived. Sunshine filtered through the intricately carved windows, casting gentle rays into the Cui Lan Pavilion.

Xiao Qingshan, lying on the couch, squinted slightly against the sudden brightness. He blinked hard, trying to adjust to the intense light, and slowly opened his eyes.

A sharp pain throbbed in his head, causing him to furrow his brows tightly.

Surveying the unfamiliar surroundings, he felt an acute sense of estrangement. His gaze then shifted downward, where he saw Consort Liu quietly sleeping by the bedside.

Her steady breathing and peaceful posture suggested she was in a deep, sound slumber.

Xiao Qingshan frowned as he looked at the nearby Consort Liu. One hand pressed against his still aching forehead, the other braced on the edge of the bed as he prepared to sit up.

Awakened by the movement, Liu Ran slowly opened her eyes.

Their gazes met, and time seemed to freeze in that instant.

Startled at first, Liu Ran quickly realized her predicament and became flustered.

She hurriedly tried to stand and leave, but having slept all night lying prone, her feet were numb and unable to support her weight.

She stumbled uncontrollably, falling straight toward Xiao Qingshan.

Just as she was about to collide with him, her crimson lips brushed lightly against the tip of his nose.

This inadvertent touch, for someone who had never been so close to Xiao Qingshan before, struck her like a thunderclap.

A flush instantly bloomed across her cheeks.

Xiao Qingshan, clearly unprepared for such a situation, felt awkward. Instinctively, he pushed Liu Ran away with one hand, then quickly swung his legs off the bed.

He called out loudly, “Someone, come quickly and help me undress!”

Once he had somewhat composed himself, he turned around, his expression calm but his tone cold as he asked, “Why have I awakened here today?”

Liu Ran lowered her head, avoiding his gaze, and replied softly, “Your Majesty, you drank excessively last night and collapsed drunkenly at the Cui Lan Pavilion. Seeing your condition, I took the liberty of letting you stay here overnight. Please forgive me.”

“Why did you not send me back?” The emperor frowned, displeased, his gaze fixed intently on the woman before him.

Liu Ran nodded slightly and whispered, “I feared disturbing Your Majesty’s rest, so I did not have them move you.”

Xiao Qingshan was silent for a moment before speaking slowly, “If this happens again, simply send me back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

Liu Ran quickly bowed her head in acknowledgment, “I understand, Your Majesty.” Hesitating briefly, she then carefully suggested, “Your Majesty, perhaps you should visit Chengfeng Hall.”

Hearing this, his heart tightened. “Royal Sister? What has happened?”

A eunuch named Li Quan, standing nearby, hurried over to Xiao Qingshan’s ear and quietly recounted in detail the events of the previous day.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingshan’s face darkened like iron, his anger boiling over as he turned sharply and strode toward Chengfeng Hall.

Inside Chengfeng Hall, Xiao Qingyu was sound asleep on the couch when a rough banging on the door abruptly awoke her.

Rubbing her drowsy eyes and sitting up, she was immediately filled with fury upon seeing Xiao Qingshan.

Her brows knitted tightly as she glared with wide eyes, shouting angrily, “Xiao Qingshan! What are you doing here so early? Disturbing my peaceful rest!”

Xiao Qingshan pointed shakily at her with his right hand, his voice frantic, “Royal Sister, yesterday you engaged in improper conduct with Li Chaoyang...”

Xiao Qingyu responded coldly, “So what if I did?”

“Was he forcing you?” he asked, brow furrowed, voice tinged with urgency and concern.

But upon reflection, the truth was quite the opposite—it was she who had forced Li Chaoyang.

Xiao Qingyu’s gaze flickered nervously, and she whispered, “I forced him...”

“Someone drugged my wine yesterday. I was weak and disoriented, unable to resist. He just happened to pass by, so it happened like that...” Her voice grew increasingly faint as she spoke.

“Have you found out who put the drug in your wine?”

“Was it the Chancellor? Li Chaoyang? Or someone else?”

“It should be the Chancellor. What’s strange is why Li Chaoyang just happened to be there.”

Xiao Qingshan ceased dwelling on the culprit and scoffed, “Royal Sister, why did you want me to marry you and Li Chaoyang?”

“You need not worry about that. What I’m doing is only a temporary measure. If that Li Chaoyang isn’t removed, he will eventually become a serious threat to us.”

“No! That’s too dangerous,” Xiao Qingshan opposed.

“You needn’t interfere anymore. I have made up my mind—we must get rid of her,” Xiao Qingyu said resolutely.

“Bring me the brush and ink.”

Ling Zhu swiftly brought the writing tools to Xiao Qingyu.

Without hesitation, she took the brush and began personally drafting the imperial edict.

Watching his sister’s decisive action, Xiao Qingshan showed a trace of helplessness and softly said, “Royal Sister...”

He knew well that with her temperament, no amount of persuasion would sway her now.

He sighed inwardly.

Then he said to Xiao Qingyu, “If that Li Chaoyang dares to bully you, be sure to tell me immediately.”

Without looking up, Xiao Qingyu continued writing and responded, “Hmph, you’d better take care of yourself first. Do you know how to deal with those ministers in court? And have you finished reviewing the mountain of memorials piling up?”

“Yesterday, I only drank a little, yet I was drunk senseless. You really need to improve your tolerance,” she chided.

Feeling embarrassed, Xiao Qingshan scratched his head and explained, “I don’t know what happened yesterday. It seemed all the ministers conspired to force me to drink. Naturally, my tolerance is far lower than yours.”

Xiao Qingyu finished the last character of the edict, gently set down the brush, nodded in satisfaction, and then called out loudly, “Someone, quickly deliver this imperial edict to the General’s Mansion!”

“Royal Sister, are you sure? Once the edict is delivered, there’s no turning back.”

“Stop dawdling. I never said I’d change my mind.”