Chapter 081: Matriarchy 22

“Besides, the royal heirs are still a matter of utmost importance. I believe this cannot be delayed,” the Second Princess continued, “I have two newly trained male companions in my residence. If you like them, I can send them to you.”

“There’s no need,” Yue Yixian’s face darkened entirely.

“Rest assured, elder sister. I haven’t touched those companions yet—they’re perfectly clean.” The Second Princess covered her mouth and giggled.

“Yi’er,” the King Consort, seated in the place of honor, suddenly spoke, “Your sister and Qingyun have just married. The matter of heirs can be discussed later.”

At his words, the Second Princess responded and fell silent.

“Qingyun’s health is fragile. I’ll ask the imperial physicians to attend to him specifically,” the King Consort said, glancing at Liu Qingyun, who had kept his head lowered and not spoken.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern,” Liu Qingyun replied with a bow.

The King Consort was very pleased with Liu Qingyun’s background. Though he favored the eldest son of the Liu family, the second son was also satisfactory. With proper care, You’er would surely bear healthy heirs. He spoke warmly: “Didn’t I just say? Call me Father. Now that you’ve married You’er, we are family. If there’s any trouble, or if You’er bullies you, come to me.”

His words were clearly meant to support Liu Qingyun.

After lunch, Yue Yixian and Liu Qingyun returned to the Eastern Palace.

Back in his room, Liu Qingyun’s handsome face immediately fell. “Sister You, can’t I consummate our marriage with you?”

“It’s not that you can’t. You need to recover your health first,” Yue Yixian comforted him.

She silently thought to herself how fortunate she was that Prime Minister Liu had spoken to her before the wedding, explaining that Liu Qingyun’s body was frail and he couldn’t handle too much intimacy, which allowed Yue Yixian to breathe a sigh of relief.

Otherwise, if she truly had to act on her adorable thirteen-year-old, she could never bring herself to do it—and it would be at least three years before it was proper. Terrifying.

“Then… doesn’t that mean you won’t have children soon? I want to see you have a baby!”

Yue Yixian nearly spat out her tea at that.

Seeing her choking, Liu Qingyun hurried over to pat her back.

“Husband, there’s no need to rush the matter of children,” Yue Yixian said, holding his hand.

“Will you have children with another consort?”

“No, only with you,” Yue Yixian declared firmly.

—

“Wow, Her Highness really said that? She must truly like you,” Liu Qingfeng, having listened to his little brother, patted his shoulder.

Liu Fulang, seeing his youngest son’s smiling face, could not help but be pleased. “Yes, Her Highness cherishes our Ah Yun so much—it is his good fortune.”

“Father, you’re at it again. This is Ah Yun’s charm. Why not say that Ah Yun likes Her Highness and that it’s her good fortune?” Liu Qingfeng, who had traveled widely and seen much, frowned and retorted.

“Brother, I’m happy that Her Highness likes me,” Liu Qingyun said.

Faced with his brother undermining him, Liu Qingfeng was speechless.

Looking at the two smiling faces so similar to his own, Liu Qingfeng sighed silently. Thankfully, both his father and younger brother had met decent women. Otherwise, he would have taken his brother to live in a neighboring country, away from women’s whims.

“But, since I cannot let Her Highness bear heirs yet and spend my days in the Eastern Palace, I feel quite useless,” Liu Qingyun said with a touch of worry.

“If Ah Yun has nothing to do, he can encourage Her Highness to read more,” Liu Fulang suggested. “It’s well known that Her Highness is very diligent, though not very bright. But with our clever Ah Yun guiding her, she’ll surely work harder. In time, Her Majesty the Empress will regard her with new respect.”

Yue Yixian noticed that since leaving the Liu residence, Liu Qingyun’s spirits were particularly high.

She thought it was simply because he had seen his family, so she teased him until his face was flushed red.

But when they returned to the Eastern Palace, she saw Liu Qingyun rummaging through the storeroom.

“What is it? Are you looking for something to give me?” Yue Yixian asked, following behind.

Liu Qingyun looked at her happily. “Sister You, how did you guess?”

Now it was Yue Yixian’s turn to be surprised. “You really have a gift for me?”

“Yes, just give me a moment. I’ve collected it over the years—you’ll definitely like it,” Liu Qingyun said, directing several palace attendants to search through his dowry and bring out several chests.

When they opened them, they revealed boxes full of neatly arranged books. Yue Yixian’s smile froze on her face.

“Sister You, these are works of the great scholars I’ve collected since childhood. They’ll certainly be useful to you,” Liu Qingyun explained.

“Useful in what way?” Yue Yixian felt a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.

“For diligent study. Sister You, you will eventually inherit the throne. Even if you don’t govern the country, you need to understand the principles of management and many other things.”

Yue Yixian: “……”

Liu Qingyun picked up one of the books. “Look, Sister You. This one is by Master XX of the previous dynasty. I’ve read it—the principles are all simple and easy to understand…”

Yue Yixian’s gaze fell on the open pages in Liu Qingyun’s hand. The characters were neat and densely packed, but she could barely recognize a few. The rest were entirely unintelligible.

She almost forgot—in this era, she was illiterate.

Why did she have to show off when writing her novels? Why insist on making this world use ancient script? Wouldn’t the simple and accessible characters of the great civilization have sufficed?

At this moment, Yue Yixian wished she could go back and knock some sense into her past self.

Serves you right. Now you’ve trapped yourself.

“Qingyun, I have something to tell you,” Yue Yixian said, taking his hand.

Liu Qingyun blushed slightly at the sudden gesture. “What is it?”

Yue Yixian glanced around; the palace attendants were perceptive enough to leave.

“I’ll apply to resign from the position of Crown Princess soon,” Yue Yixian said, switching from a pull to a gentle hold.

“What?” Liu Qingyun was startled.

“I think the Third Princess is better suited for the role. Once I step down, shall we travel the world together?”

Liu Qingyun hesitated. “Sister You, are you resigning because of me?”

He thought it through quickly. All the court officials knew the Empress valued heirs above all. The Second Princess sometimes went too far, but because she could bear children, the Empress turned a blind eye to her actions.

Yesterday morning, the Empress and King Consort were surprised to learn he couldn’t yet help Sister You have a child.

The only possibility was that Sister You had told them something before the wedding.

“What are you thinking?” Yue Yixian tapped his forehead. “I just don’t think I’m suited for the role.”

She measured Liu Qingyun’s height—just up to her chin—and said helplessly, “You need to eat more and grow taller.”

Height was Liu Qingyun’s weakness in any world. His attention immediately shifted. “I… I’ll eat more from now on.”

“Mm, and eat more meat.”

“Alright, I’ll eat more meat too.”