On the day Princess Fu’an married, Qin Shuying did not go to the Liu family home.

Having already decided not to continue with false pleasantries, and having torn apart all pretenses with Liu Gongshan, how could Qin Shuying deliver herself up for others to judge and criticize?

Princess Fu’an’s marriage caused the entire capital to be extraordinarily lively, and for a long time afterward, people continued to discuss the grand spectacle of that day.

The Great Zhou Dynasty hadn’t had such a grand celebration in over ten years. Although many princesses and noble daughters had married, who could compare to Princess Fu’an’s position in Emperor Delong’s heart?

Of course, many people also privately speculated why Emperor Delong was in such a hurry to marry off Princess Fu’an. Princess Fuping still didn’t even have a betrothal arranged, yet Princess Fu’an was several months younger than Princess Fuping.

Naturally, imperial family customs couldn’t be compared to common people’s ways. There was nothing unusual about a younger sister marrying before her older sister.

Besides, Princess Fu’an’s fondness for Liu Junqing was known throughout the capital.

It seemed the Emperor was eager to cover up the embarrassment.

Some people’s imaginations ran even wilder, wondering if Emperor Delong’s haste to marry off his daughter meant Princess Fu’an was already secretly pregnant.

In any case, there were all sorts of whispered speculations.

Within a few days, the Liu family’s drama attracted the attention of the capital’s residents.

It was even more exciting than watching opera.

On their wedding night, Liu Junqing slept in his study, because Princess Fu’an currently couldn’t consummate the marriage and had to wait a year. He had two concubines, but going to either one’s room would be inappropriate, so Liu Junqing stayed in his study.

Everyone thought this was the best arrangement.

However, on the second night, Liu Junqing went to Luo Jiniang’s room.

This caused an uproar. Princess Fu’an immediately brought Yun Jingshu and stormed into Luo Jiniang’s room, only to find Liu Junqing had already undressed and just gotten into bed, while Luo Jiniang was wearing only her undergarments.

What a scene it was! The maids and servants Princess Fu’an brought saw the master of the house in his full glory. It must be said that Liu Junqing was not only handsome in face but also well-built, causing the maids and servants to drool all over the floor.

As for Luo Jiniang, none of the maids and servants even looked at her. Only Yun Jingshu rushed forward to embrace Luo Jiniang, secretly pinching her countless times.

Liu Junqing was furious, stormed out with a flick of his sleeves, and slept in his study.

On the third night, he actually went to Luo Jiniang’s room again.

This completely stirred up a hornet’s nest. Princess Fu’an was relentless, openly and secretly demanding that Liu Junqing sleep with Yun Jingshu first. After all, Yun Jingshu was her person, while Luo Jiniang was the enemy.

Not sleeping with Yun Jingshu meant not taking Princess Fu’an seriously.

Liu Junqing showed some stubbornness. When Princess Fu’an wept bitterly before him, his expression remained indifferent, showing no sign of displeasure.

But as soon as he turned around, come evening, he would burrow into Luo Jiniang’s room, and nothing could stop him.

Lord and Lady Liu had terrible headaches and called Liu Junqing over to lecture him for half the day. Liu Junqing kept his eyes downcast, thinking unknown thoughts, not saying a word.

They talked until their mouths were dry and tongues parched, yet Liu Junqing remained as graceful as jade, his face showing not a ripple of emotion.

Liu Gongshan’s mind flashed to Qin Shuying’s cold face and mocking words. After thinking, he tentatively asked, “Junqing, are you… are you still thinking about Qin Shuying?”

Liu Junqing’s wooden expression finally showed a crack as he looked at Liu Gongshan.

Liu Gongshan and Lady Liu exchanged glances, knowing where the crux of the problem lay.

Their foolish son had truly fallen in love with Qin Shuying!

Qin Shuying, that troublemaker!

At this point, Liu Gongshan stopped hiding anything. “Are you resentful that we ruined your engagement with Qin Shuying?”

“Your son wouldn’t dare.”

Finally speaking?

“Junqing, Qin Shuying is not a good woman. How could you… how could you keep her in your heart, and for her sake… what can Mother say about you!”

Liu Junqing stood straight, his expression finally revealing some pain.

“Junqing, Mother asks you, do you truly, truly like Qin Shuying?”

After a long while, under his parents’ gaze, Liu Junqing nodded. “Yes. Your son admires her.”

“You…” Lady Liu held her forehead, so angry she cursed Qin Shuying a thousand times in her heart.

Liu Gongshan said, “Since you admire her, why didn’t you try to win her back when the engagement hadn’t been dissolved?”

Liu Junqing’s spine bent downward, instantly deflated.

It was all his own fault, his fault for not trying to win her back then.

The dissolution of the engagement was half his parents’ responsibility, half his own.

Qin Shuying was simply much cleverer than others, seeing through his parents’ intentions and his own weakness. Therefore, she firmly broke off the engagement without any lingering attachment.

A long silence.

Liu Gongshan said, “Junqing, since you truly like Qin Shuying, it’s not entirely without opportunity.”

Liu Junqing looked at Liu Gongshan with hopeful expectation.

“If Liang Zhe cannot marry Qin Shuying, or if Liang Zhe dies and she becomes a widow, you still have a chance.”

Liu Junqing opened his mouth. He didn’t dare think such thoughts.

“Father, even so, Shuying has a resolute character and won’t be easily swayed by others.”

“I know this child’s temperament is different from others. Then extraordinary means must be used to obtain her. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. How will you know without trying?”

After hesitating, Liu Junqing said, “Your son understands. However, Father, Mother, this time your son will handle it himself. Please don’t interfere.”

Liu Gongshan and his wife exchanged glances. “Very well.”

Lady Liu said, “If that’s the case, shouldn’t you give Princess Fu’an an explanation? His Majesty has ordered the construction of a princess mansion. When you consummate your marriage next year, it should be completed. During this year, you need to think carefully about how to get along with the Princess and how to arrange things with Luo Jiniang and Yun Jingshu.”

“Your son understands.”

Returning to his study, Liu Junqing shut himself in for most of the day.

It wasn’t until evening, after he finished his meal, that he went to Yun Jingshu’s room and spent the night there.

In Princess Fu’an’s room.

Learning that Liu Junqing had gone to Yun Jingshu’s room, Princess Fu’an didn’t make a fuss, but felt incredibly bitter.

She was only thirteen years old now and couldn’t serve Liu Junqing. This was also her father’s imperial decree.

But she was tall for her age and had developed early. Among common folk, quite a few girls her age had already consummated their marriages.

Why couldn’t she? Why did Father insist on issuing that decree requiring them to wait a year before consummating the marriage?

Thinking of Liu Junqing’s intimate acts with both Luo Jiniang and Yun Jingshu, Princess Fu’an felt so grieved she buried her face on the table and sobbed.

Nanny Cao comforted her for a while before Princess Fu’an gradually calmed down.

The next day, she showed no pleasant expression toward Yun Jingshu, making her personally serve her.

Especially seeing Yun Jingshu’s blushing, shy face made her teeth grind with hatred.

This seductress had used her own influence to steal Liu Junqing from Luo Jiniang, then turned around to flaunt it before her. What an ungrateful wretch.

Mother Consort and Nanny Cao were right after all. From now on, she would just watch coldly from the sidelines, letting those two fight each other.

She would simply observe from the side, and when the year was up, then she would deal with them both.