A Marriage Alliance with Western Rong

An Yingying's words left Gu Qingshi stunned for a long time. Looking at the woman sobbing before him, he felt a tightness and a faint ache in his chest, and did not know what to do.

"I don't understand it either. Since your grandmother had already picked someone to be the Gu family's young madam, why didn't you break off the engagement? Why did you have to drag me into this and put me in such a difficult position?"

"I... I'm sorry," Gu Qingshi said hoarsely.

"Gu Qingshi, whenever we were together, I was always the one finding things to talk about, keeping up this appearance of peace. When I was with you, what I felt wasn't sweetness and joy, but... awkwardness?"

"I thought it was so strange. We were husband and wife, so why was there this atmosphere between us that you'd only expect to find with a stranger?"

"It's ridiculous, isn't it?"

The emptiness in her eyes made Gu Qingshi's breath catch. Marrying him had made her suffer so much, yet he had demanded that she accept Bai Lian into the household without a qualm, breaking her heart.

Every time she returned from his grandmother's, she acted as though nothing had happened. She had said nothing, so he had assumed she was truly fine, yet she had suffered so much at his grandmother's hands.

He knew he had neglected her these past two years, but because she said nothing, he really had assumed she did not mind and had not asked her about it. He had forgotten that he was her wife—how could she possibly not mind?

"I'm sorry. Once we return to the residence, I'll go and set things straight with Grandmother. I won't take Bai Lian as a concubine." Gu Qingshi held her tightly, only to hear her say, "Forget it, Gu Qingshi."

"What... do you mean, forget it?" Gu Qingshi seemed to sense something and asked with a trace of unease.

An Yingying said weakly, "Since we aren't suited to each other, let's forget it. What's gained by force will be lost one day, and besides, you don't like me. It can't be forced."

"Today you're taking Bai Lian as a concubine; later there will be Huang Lian, Chen Lian, an endless stream of them. I might stop one, but I can't possibly stop every woman."

"Let's part by mutual agreement."

Gu Qingshi moved his lips, unable to say anything. He asked himself, Don't I like An Yingying?

I suppose I do? He refused to part with her.

But he had been such a bastard and broken her heart. How could he make it up to her?

"Could we... try again?"

In the carriage, Yan Wanning sighed again and again, her delicate brows knotted together.

"Alas! I wonder how Yingying is doing?"

Yan Wanning sighed softly and looked at the man beside her, who was reading a military text. A little worried, she said, "Husband, you've known Young General Gu for years. Do you know whether he hits women?"

Si Yunqi put down his book at her words. "Are you worried that Qing Shi might lay a hand on his wife, my lady?"

Yan Wanning nodded and said honestly, "Yes. Young General Gu looks very fierce."

"Rest assured, my lady. I've known Qing Shi for years, and from what I know of him, he wouldn't lay a hand on a woman," Si Yunqi said with certainty.

"Oh, that's good." Yan Wanning felt relieved. Could Yingying have misunderstood something about Young General Gu hitting her?

Yan Wanning was puzzled, and would probably never have imagined that the hitting Yingying meant was not the kind she had in mind.

"Husband, did you know Young General Gu is going to take Bai Lian as a concubine?"

"How would I know about his family's affairs?" Seeing how adorable she looked even with her brows knitted, Si Yunqi felt his heart half melt, and a gentle smile appeared on his austere face.

"Your Highness, Princess Consort, we've arrived at the prince's residence," Yun Yin said, bringing the carriage to a stop.

"Mm."

Si Yunqi got out of the carriage, then reached in and scooped Yan Wanning up as though she were a child. He strode into the residence, saying as he went, "There's something I wanted to tell you, my lady."

Back in Anyuan Courtyard, Si Yunqi tucked her under the covers, took off his outer robe, and lay down beside her. He placed his large hand on her lower abdomen, bringing Yan Wanning a wave of comfort. She nestled into his embrace, breathing in his faint, cool scent.

"In a few days, an envoy from Western Rong will bring a Western Rong princess to the Capital for a marriage alliance. They'll stay in Ningguan City for a few days, so I'm afraid I'll be busy for a while."

"Huh? The emperor agreed to the marriage alliance?"

"Mm."

He had received the news shortly after the imperial court reached its decision. He had long expected the emperor to agree to the marriage alliance; after all, it was nothing unusual.

"I'll be busy, so stay in the residence, my lady. It's disorderly outside, and I don't want anything to happen to you."

"All right, I'll do as you say, husband." Yan Wanning did not want to cause him any trouble either, so she obediently agreed. In any case, she had no reason to leave the residence.

"Do you want to return to the Capital, my lady?" Si Yunqi suddenly asked.

Yan Wanning was startled, her delicate brows drawing together. Si Yunqi reached out to smooth them. "Why do you ask, husband?"

"The emperor's birthday is after the start of spring, so we'll have to return to the Capital. If you miss home, my lady, how about I take you back for a visit?"

Yan Wanning murmured her assent. She did not look forward to returning to the Capital; apart from her parents, there was nothing there she cared to see.

"Then won't that mean we can't spend the New Year here? Will Grandmother come to the Capital with us?"