Let's Demonstrate It Again?

Su Xian held Qian Renxue's slender, willow-like waist and watched her shy, furious, yet helpless expression. The corners of his lips curled up slightly as he gently leaned his head against hers.

"Don't go too far."

Qian Renxue shot Su Xian an indignant glare, her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

"From now on, you should call me hubby or husband."

Ignoring Qian Renxue's anger, Su Xian pinched her cheek and pretended to be displeased.

"In your dreams. I..."

"We aren't married yet, so none of this counts."

Qian Renxue, blushing beautifully, had just wanted to refute him, but when she remembered that she seemed to have agreed to marry this bastard, she immediately changed her tune.

"It'll only be a few years anyway. If you're in a hurry, I can prepare the wedding in advance," Su Xian said with a smile.

"You..."

Seeing that Qian Renxue still wanted to argue, Su Xian swiftly cut her off. "Some things, once you agree to them yourself, can never be changed. Even if I die, you'll still be my wife."

"Of course, with you here, I'll try to live a few more years. At the very least, I definitely won't die before marrying you."

His gaze was deep, gentle yet burning as he stared directly at Qian Renxue. Her body trembled, and she immediately fell silent. Looking ahead, Qian Renxue's feelings were exceedingly complicated.

Before long, the carriage stopped before the Imperial Palace.

"Don't move!"

Seeing Qian Renxue preparing to get up, Su Xian quickly stopped her, then picked her up once more.

The moment they got out of the carriage, two figures immediately came up to meet them.

"Uh..."

"Cough, cough!"

Seeing Su Xian carrying Qian Renxue, Xue Wuji and Xue Mingtong froze, unsure of how to speak. Their eyes were full of sour envy.

Fuck me!

You were carrying Imperial Sister-in-law even when entering the Imperial Palace? You spoiled your wife too much!

Where was the dignity and bearing of the empire's First Prince?!

"Put me down already!!"

Hearing Qian Renxue's furious cry and seeing steam practically rising from her cheeks, Su Xian hurriedly set her down.

"Greetings, Big Brother. Greetings, Imperial Sister-in-law!"

Xue Wuji and Xue Mingtong coughed lightly before finally offering their greetings.

"Your Highnesses..."

"You don't need to bother with such formalities when you see them in the future. If they're unhappy about it, tell me."

Seeing Qian Renxue about to return the greeting, Su Xian directly grabbed her hand. Why bother with all this empty etiquette among family?

As he spoke, Su Xian swept his gaze over the two of them "kindly," making their hearts tremble.

"Big Brother is right. Imperial Sister-in-law, there's no need to stand on ceremony," Xue Mingtong replied with a smile, while Xue Wuji immediately nodded as well.

"Let's go. Empress Dowager must be getting impatient. We should hurry."

Ignoring Qian Renxue's resistance, Su Xian directly took her hand. Unable to resist, she could only let him lead her along.

"Oh, right! Third Brother, what happened to the bruise on your face?"

"It's only a minor injury. I accidentally bumped into something while going up the stairs just now. It's nothing."

"Oh!"

"I'm very curious how you managed to bump into it. How about we reenact it later?"

Xue Mingtong: ...

Reenact your fucking uncle!!

"That's right, I'm curious too. Let's do it again," Xue Wuji said, his shoulders shaking violently with laughter as he gleefully stirred up trouble.

Xue Mingtong: ...

Fuck!!

I haven't even settled the score with you, and you still have the nerve to open your mouth?!

What the hell are you curious about? Weren't you the one who gave me this injury?!

I didn't mention something this humiliating, and now you think you're in the right, huh?

Inner Palace.

"Your Majesty, why did you suddenly arrange for Qinghe to marry? Why didn't you discuss this with me first?"

"What is her background? I don't even know that as his mother. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"

"..."

Wearing a Phoenix Robe, Nan Gongling stared coldly at Xue Ye across from her, her face frosty. Every word carried an oppressive force.

Xue Ye immediately felt immense pressure and hurriedly explained.

"This was Qinghe's request. He even threatened his Imperial Father over it. What could I possibly do about him?!"

"Qinghe is already fourteen. It's time to find him a wife. He finally met someone he likes—how could I refuse?"

"Besides, haven't you always wanted to be a grandmother?"

Worthy of being husband and wife, Xue Ye quickly shifted all responsibility away from himself while smoothly redirecting her attention.

Didn't you want to be a grandmother so badly?!

By doing this... wasn't I fulfilling your wish?

Maybe in a few years, you'd even get to hold a plump little grandson!

At the mention of becoming a grandmother, Nan Gongling's face gained a few traces of a gentle smile.

"If Qinghe has taken a liking to her, her appearance and temperament can't be bad. Tell me, what family's daughter is she? How old is she this year?"

Xue Ye immediately sighed in relief. "She's not the daughter of any noble or minister. She's an orphan Qinghe rescued from the roadside. Night Shadow said she's quite pretty."

"An orphan?"

Nan Gongling's expression changed at those words, then softened again. She didn't care about such things; as long as her son liked her, that was enough.

Night Shadow had said she was pretty, so she must be a beauty. Otherwise, her son would not have been captivated at first sight.

"Oh, right. How old is she this year?"

As though she had thought of something, Nan Gongling's expression turned solemn. She looked at Xue Ye with utmost seriousness.

Her age concerned their future formal marriage and having children. It was fine to marry early, but she had to be at least an adult before bearing children, or it could easily harm her body.

"Uh... according to Night Shadow, she seems to be a little younger than Qinghe. Around twelve or thirteen, perhaps," Xue Ye replied stiffly.

Twelve or thirteen?!

Hearing that number, Nan Gongling immediately frowned. To be honest, she was very dissatisfied with it.

Twelve or thirteen meant she would have to wait at least another six or seven years before seeing a grandson. She wouldn't have minded even if the girl had been two or three years older than Qinghe.

But this age was far too different from what she had anticipated!

"There are still many days ahead, so don't be too anxious. Qinghe is already clamoring to marry her—are you afraid he won't touch that girl?"

"Just wait a few more years and see when your daughter-in-law's belly starts growing," Xue Ye said with a chuckle.

"You're such an improper old man. You don't look like an emperor at all."

Nan Gongling couldn't help shooting Xue Ye a glare, but his words pleased her. Her fixation on her future daughter-in-law's age lessened somewhat.

Xue Ye: ...

The bearing of an emperor?

If I put on an emperor's airs in front of you, wouldn't I be courting death?

Wuwuwu... so miserable, so sad!