Chapter 332: Warmth like an April spring breeze (1/2)

Chapter 332: Warmth like an April spring breeze

If this was any other time, Emperor Tianhui’s ‘victory or defeat’ would be a source of great comfort to Chu Qingge. As it was, she couldn’t help but shiver and back away a few steps. Fortunately, the empress dowager was still here. Otherwise, she really wouldn’t know what to do! She didn’t have any weapons and this was Tianning’s imperial palace. If Emperor Tianhui wanted to, he could keep her here indefinitely.

“Miss Chu, have you thought over the matter from last time clearly?” Emperor Tianhui pressed. He didn’t seem to mind that the empress dowager was right there.

A mother knew her son. The empress dowager could guess what Emperor Tianhui was asking after. Strictly speaking, she should withdraw, but she insisted on staying put. She’d like to see exactly how Chu Qingge would reply.

“Your Highness has accorded me an undeserved kindness. Qingge already has someone in her heart,” Chu Qingge declined tactfully. She vowed that she’d never enter the palace again because she didn’t ever want to see Emperor Tianhui. The shadow he cast on her heart was too great. Emperor Tianhui seemed rather confident in himself. Although his eyes flickered with unhappiness, he didn’t express it publicly.

“It looks like Zhen was late by a step,” he smiled optimistically.

Chu Qingge lowered her head without saying a word. Emperor Tianhui studied her for a long time before he said, “Someone come, send Miss Chu out of the palace.”

Chu Qingge was surprised by the summons. She never expected Emperor Tianhui to be so agreeable. As if relieved of a heavy load, she spoke without thinking, “Many thanks to Your Majesty!”

Chu Qingge was all too anxious to leave the empress dowager and Emperor Tianhui then and practically flew from that scary place. The empress dowager watched her retreating form before a cold smile rose to her lips. No wonder that Miss Chu lost to Han Yunxi. She’s simply a girl with no brains at all!

How could Emperor Tianhui simply let her go? Duanmu Baiye and Chu Tianyin had sold her to the emperor long ago. A stupid girl like that could never compete with the likes of Han Yunxi!

(And yet, not long after Chu Qingge entered the palace as a consort, the empress dowager would realize that she’d been the true fool.)

“Your Majesty, since the case has been concluded, it should be time to bury Noble Consort Yun,” the empress dowager said carelessly.

Emperor Tianhui was clearer than anyone else on the truth behind Noble Consort Yun’s death. He was also clear that she wanted to push Noble Consort Xue to the forefront.

“Muhou can handle the matters,” Emperor Tianhui’s tone was clearly careless as well. He even walked away as he spoke.

—

As soon as Chu Qingge left the palace, it was to gallop on her horse to her living quarters in Tianning. Currently, Chu Tianyin and Duanmu Baiye were both discussing matters in the house. Chu Qingge opened the doors and hugged Chu Tianyin with a cry.

“Sobsob…big brother…sobsob.”

Chu Tianyin soundlessly pushed her aside. Even though she was his sister, he wasn’t used to such intimate contact. “What is it now? Did you lose?”

Chu Qingge sniffled and was about to explain when the sight of Duanmu Baiye shut her up. The crown prince’s eyes flickered coldly before he smiled. “Qingge, if you’ve lost, then you’ve lost. There’s nothing serious about that. I’m going to tell you some good news, do you want to hear?”

Chu Qingge would rather tell Chu Tianyin everything that had happened in the palace instead, but she could only endure in the face of Duanmu Baiye. She resumed her cold, lofty air. How could she shed tears so easily before outsiders? Rubbing her face, she quickly resumed her cool.

“If Your Highness Crown Prince has good news, speak to spread the good cheer.”

“Heheh, I need to congratulate you,” Duanmu Baiye laughed.

“Congratulate? What do you mean?” Chu Qingge didn’t understand.

“Tianyin, why don’t you tell her instead, heheh,” Duanmu Baiye was in an excellent mood. He’d acted under orders to come here and explain Duanmu Yao’s conduct. He assumed that Emperor Tianhui would cause him trouble, but everything had gone very smoothly thanks to Chu Qingge’s hard work.

“Big brother…what’s there to congratulate?” Chu Qingge asked curiously.

“The emperor decreed that you’re to make a marriage alliance with Tianning by marrying Emperor Tianhui. Tomorrow, we’ll set out for Western Zhou to prepare for the wedding.”

Compared to Duanmu Baiye’s joy, Chu Tianyin looked far more sedate. Chu Qingge gave a start at his words before shoving her brother back. “You guys sold me out!” she cried. She felt like an idiot! No wonder Emperor Tianhui had let her go so easily. As it turned out, everything had already been pre-arranged. The decision was set! Western Zhou’s emperor even set a decree ordaining her marriage. Why did Emperor Tianhui ask her what she wanted in the first place? What did he mean?

Chu Qingge not only felt disgusted, but afraid from the bottom of her heart!

Chu Tianyin didn’t speak. Chu Qingge shoved him again, nearly enough to topple him, and demanded, “Are you still my brother?”

Now Duanmu Baiye was unhappy. Coldly he said, “Chu Qingge, how impudent. This is an imperial decree. Are you saying that the emperor sold you out? There are plenty of people willing to make a marriage alliance with Tianning. Don’t be ignorant of your own good fortune!”