Chapter 396: Marriage

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The scene of the incident was on a pleasure boat by the lake. There were many tourists there, so it was impossible not to have a third person.

Xiao Duye explained, “Yes, but no one dared to go down. It’s not good to swim underwater. Time was tight, and a life was at stake. I didn’t think too much about it, so I jumped into the water to save her… When I saved her… I realized that the woman who committed suicide… was actually Miss Qin…”

Seeking death?

This information attracted Emperor Jing Xuan’s attention.

Qin Jiang lost the competition. Was Qin Yanran so suicidal?

Xiao Duye wished he could take out his heart. “Father, believe me. I really didn’ do anything unruly to Miss Qin… Fourth and Fifth Brother are also here. Father you can ask them!”

Emperor Jing Xuan’s gaze landed on the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince.

The fourth prince said, “Father, after Big Brother saved Miss Qin, he handed her over to the servants.”

The Fifth Prince nodded, confirming that this was indeed the case.

Emperor Jing Xuan calmed down and said in a low voice, “The few of you, retreat first!”

Xiao Duye stood up and turned to leave with his brothers.

Emperor Jingxuan spoke again. “Third Brother, stay.”

Xiao Duye glanced at Xiao Zhonghua.

Xiao Zhonghua said, “Yes, Father.”

After the few of them left the imperial study, Emperor Jingxuan asked Eunuch Fu to summon Qin Yanran into the palace.

Qin Yanran fell into the water last night, and her face was still a little weak and pale today.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

She bowed respectfully and even spoke weakly.

Emperor Jing Xuan pressed his eyebrows and asked, “I heard that you committed suicide last night?”

Qin Yanran lowered her eyes and said softly, “Your Majesty, I didn’t commit suicide.”

Emperor Jing Xuan asked calmly, “Are you saying that the Eldest Prince is lying?”

Qin Yanran said, “His Eldest Highness didn’t lie either. He just misunderstood me. I just moved out of the Duke’s Protectorate yesterday. There were many things to buy in my new residence. On the way back, I wanted to bring a pot of fresh fish soup back to nourish my father and brother. Unexpectedly, I fainted and fell into the water while waiting for the fish soup on the pleasure boat.”

Move out of the residence?

Many things to buy?

Fainted and fell into the water?

This meant that she was in a hurry to move and came out before she was ready. She was most likely tired from fainting.

Thinking of the series of changes she had suffered, it was not an exaggeration to say that she had fallen from the clouds into the mud.

Emperor Jing Xuan asked with a complicated expression, “Did Qin Canglan chase you out?”

Qin Yanran said, “Uncle… Uncle didn’t. I felt that I was too ashamed to stay in the Duke’s Estate, so I took the initiative to bring Father and Brother out.”

Emperor Jingxuan asked suspiciously, “You made your own decision? Are your father and brother… seriously injured?”

Qin Yanran was depressed. “He’s still unconscious.”

Emperor Jing Xuan frowned.

Qin Yanran hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, please don’t blame Uncle. I did want to move out myself.”

Emperor Jing Xuan snorted coldly. “You don’t have to speak up for Qin Canglan. I know his personality very well! If you didn’t leave, he will have chased you away. By doing this, you saved some face.”

Qin Yanran didn’t refute.

Emperor Jing Xuan’s gaze landed on Qin Yanran’s weak body. He suddenly felt that it was not easy for this daughter who had been abandoned by her family.

What happened back then was not her fault. She had never caused trouble to frame anyone like Qin Yun. She was well-behaved and did not fight for things. In the end, she was still implicated by her father and brother. She could not even stay in the mansion she had grown up in.

“I often hear the teacher praise you,” Emperor Jingxuan said.

“The teachers overpraised me,” Qin Yanran said calmly.

Emperor Jing Xuan cut to the chase. “What do you think about last night?”

The people of this dynasty were more open-minded than the previous dynasty, but the barrier between men and women was still serious. She had a physical relationship with the Eldest Prince in public, so it was inevitable that she would be criticized if she married the Third Prince.

The Eldest Prince’s reputation was not pleasant either.

There were only two choices in front of her—become the Eldest Prince’s person or become a nun.

Qin Yanran looked ashamed. “The Eldest Prince was focused on saving me, but he was implicated by me. It was my fault. I don’t know how to atone for my sins, but please give me some time. When I recover from taking care of my father and brother, I will find a nunnery and accompany the ancient Buddha for the rest of my life.”

It seemed that she had no intention of pestering the Third Brother.

Emperor Jingxuan glanced at Xiao Zhonghua.

From the beginning to the end, this son did not plead for Qin Yanran. Emperor Jingxuan knew what to do.

Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze landed on Qin Yanran’s pale face. “The Eldest Prince already has a main consort. I’ll have to trouble you to be a secondary consort.”

Qin Yanran’s expression froze for a moment.

Emperor Jingxuan asked, “Why? Are you unwilling?”

Qin Yanran kowtowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After walking out of the imperial study, a breeze blew past her face, blowing up her slightly loose hair.

Her face was still pale, but her eyes were filled with determination. “Su Daya, I will definitely take back everything that belongs to me!”

“Look! Miss Qin is here!”

In the palace, a young lady discovered Qin Yanran outside the door.

The classroom instantly fell silent.

Everyone sized up her curiously.

She didn’t enter the classroom immediately. Instead, she walked towards Su Xiaoxiao, who was washing her brush in a small pond at the side.

Su Xiaoxiao saw her reflection in the water and ignored it. She continued to wash the brush.

Qin Yanran was no longer like before, easily angered by the other party’s neglect.

“Did you think I’d be under your feet for the rest of my life? But I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

“I’m going to marry the Eldest Prince as his secondary consort.”

“Don’t forget that the daughter of the Duke’s Protector is engaged to the Third Prince. If I get married, who do you think will get that engagement?”

“You really shouldn’t have snatched my father’s military power. I would have married the Third Prince on your behalf. Wouldn’t it be the best of both worlds if you and Wei Ting lived together? You can’t have both. You were too greedy. You forced me.’

“Do you want to guess what His Majesty is talking about with the Third Prince in the Imperial Study?”

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