LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 2:
Chapter 2: Do I Really Have to Marry Him?
At the Eighth Prince’s Residence.
Qin Yu sat in the main hall, brewing tea and sipping it alone. Princess Yong’an’s poisoning incident made him recall many things from his previous life. At that time, in order to ensure his daughter ascended to the throne, he had committed countless despicable acts. When Princess Yong’an died from poisoning, he didn’t feel the slightest guilt. Instead, he secretly rejoiced that there was one less heir. It was precisely from that moment that his relationship with the Empress completely fell apart.
“This time will be different,” Qin Yu narrowed his eyes. At this moment, he already had a plan in his heart. Since someone dared to scheme against him, they should not blame him for being ruthless. He must uncover the black hand behind the scenes.
“Reporting to the Eighth Prince, the Marquis of Dingyuan has come to visit,” a palace attendant hurriedly reported. Qin Yu’s heart tightened. The Marquis of Dingyuan, his eldest brother-in-law Jiang Qing. Although the two royal uncles held great military power, they had no ambitions. Therefore, his relationship with them had always been good. In private, they addressed each other as relatives and rarely treated each other as outsiders. In his previous life, driven by selfish desires, he forced them to join him in rebellion, ultimately causing them to be executed by death by a thousand cuts. Even now, thinking of that scene made his heart ache.
“Invite him in,” Qin Yu suppressed the guilt in his heart and said in a deep voice.
Soon, a middle-aged man in a fitted outfit strode into the hall. He had a handsome and dignified appearance, full of heroic spirit, with eyes that carried the sharpness forged from countless battles. As soon as Jiang Qing entered, he noticed something was off about his brother-in-law. But now was not the time to question it. Sitting down in a chair, he directly asked, “Was it you who poisoned Princess Yong’an?”
The question was direct. Jiang Qing knew Qin Yu’s character too well. He knew that for the sake of his daughter’s throne, Qin Yu would stop at nothing. But he still hoped Qin Yu would deny it.
“No,” Qin Yu firmly denied. “Are you sure?” Jiang Qing stared at him intently. Over the years, Qin Yu had already done similar things more than once for the sake of his daughter’s future.
“If I wanted to harm Princess Yong’an, why would I use the only Life-Saving Pill to save her?” Qin Yu looked him straight in the eyes and asked back. That Life-Saving Pill was priceless. He would never do something that only caused losses without gain.
Jiang Qing was silent for a moment. Qin Yu’s words made sense. With his temperament, if he really wanted to harm Princess Yong’an, he wouldn’t have used such a method.
“True,” Jiang Qing nodded slightly and then lowered his voice, “The plan to challenge His Majesty at the court tomorrow has already been arranged.”
Qin Yu’s heart trembled. This was exactly the first move they made in his previous life. “Tomorrow at court, Yun Moxian will propose a new reform,” Qin Yu responded.
Jiang Qing leaned in closer and whispered, “This new policy is targeted directly at you, the Eighth Prince. Our men are ready. Tomorrow we’ll strike first and catch them off guard at court.” He paused and added, “We must make her realize that the Eighth Prince is not to be easily provoked.”
The smile on Qin Yu’s face slowly faded. These words sounded so familiar. In his previous life, it was from this very first step that he walked into a dead-end.
“Do you remember what Yuyan said before she died?” Qin Yu suddenly asked.
Jiang Qing was stunned for a moment, “My sister said we must support each other.”
“Not just that,” Qin Yu shook his head. “Yuyan also said not to let her two brothers get involved in the political schemes of the court. You are suited for the battlefield, not for power struggles.”
“What do you mean?” Jiang Qing asked.
“I mean… let it go,” Qin Yu sighed. “Court politics are not something you should get involved in.”
“What?” Jiang Qing stood up abruptly, unable to believe what he was hearing. “Do you know how long we’ve prepared for tomorrow’s plan?”
“I know, which is why you must stop in time,” Qin Yu rubbed his forehead. “These years of endless struggles, to be honest, I’m tired. I just want to live peacefully as a leisurely prince.”
Jiang Qing stared hard at Qin Yu, trying to find any hint that he was joking. But after a long time, he only saw fatigue on Qin Yu’s face.
“Are you serious?”
“Serious,” Qin Yu leaned back in the chair lazily. “Brother-in-law, haven’t you long wanted to stay away from all this too?”
Jiang Qing stood there for a long time without speaking. Wasn’t he also exhausted by all these power games? If Qin Yu hadn’t dragged him in again and again, he would have withdrawn already. But suddenly he thought of something and frowned deeply, “But… what about our second brother?”
Mentioning Jiang Shuangxi gave Qin Yu a headache. In his previous life, this second royal uncle used Qin Yu’s name to commit countless outrageous acts outside. Qin Yu couldn’t even control him. If he wanted to peacefully coexist with Yun Moxian in this life, Jiang Shuangxi would be a big problem. He still remembered Yun Moxian’s words from his past life, “Your royal uncle runs wild outside while you, the prince, turn a blind eye. Are you tacitly approving?”
“I have my own plan for Second Uncle,” Qin Yu said, rubbing his temples. “You go back first. I’ll treat you to a drink another day.”
Jiang Qing hesitated but finally sighed, “As long as you’ve thought it through. Just…” He paused. “Are you sure you won’t regret it?”
Qin Yu laughed, “What would I regret? Being able to live peacefully is much better than endless fighting.”
These words actually reminded Jiang Qing. Looking at Qin Yu, he suddenly felt that he really might have changed. Maybe… this wasn’t so bad.
“Alright then, I’ll go arrange for our people to withdraw,” Jiang Qing said. Before leaving, he reminded again, “But you must come up with a foolproof plan for Second Brother.”
After sending Jiang Qing away, Qin Yu lay back in his chair, thinking about countermeasures. Just as he was deep in thought, he suddenly felt a bit hungry.
“Huo Mu,” he called out.
“Master,” Huo Mu, the guard who had been standing outside, entered and knelt on one knee.
“Get up. There’s no need for such formalities when there’s no outsider around,” Qin Yu smiled. “Old Huo, do you remember the hotpot we had at the frontier?”
Huo Mu’s eyes lit up, “Of course. Back then, Master said the hotpot tasted even better than the dishes made by the Imperial Kitchen.”
“Go, have the kitchen prepare it the same way,” Qin Yu ordered. “Follow the old recipe.”
“But…” Huo Mu hesitated, “Master’s status is noble, this kind of commoner’s food…”
“What?” Qin Yu teased, “You learned to put on airs now too?”
Huo Mu hurriedly waved his hands, “I wouldn’t dare. I’m just worried others might say Master is losing his dignity.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Qin Yu waved his hand. In this life, he just wanted to live more freely.
Watching Huo Mu hurriedly leave, Qin Yu felt warmth in his heart. This rough man had stayed by his side through thick and thin in his previous life, even dying to protect him. To have such a loyal follower again in this life was a blessing from the heavens.
Before long, a steaming hotpot was served.
Seeing the bubbling red broth, Qin Yu’s eyes lit up.
“Have a taste,” he even prepared a pair of chopsticks for Huo Mu.
“This…” Huo Mu showed a troubled expression again.
“I already said, no need for formalities. Sit down quickly,” Qin Yu laughed. “Speaking of which, opening a hotpot restaurant here in the Imperial City wouldn’t be a bad idea either, don’t you think?”
While sitting down carefully, Huo Mu asked in surprise, “Master wants to open a restaurant?”
“Why, you don’t think it’s a good idea?” Qin Yu picked up a piece of lamb and swirled it in the broth. “Since I don’t plan to fight for power anymore, opening a hotpot restaurant to pass the days leisurely sounds wonderful.”
“I think it’s great,” Huo Mu said earnestly. “Master has been too tired.”
Qin Yu glanced at him and smiled.
“Huo Mu, add a bowl of noodles…”
But at that moment—
“Father!”
A sharp female voice rang out.
Immediately after, a young girl in a light purple dress stormed in angrily.
Qin Yu looked up. It was his daughter from his previous life, Qin Yue—the very daughter who had caused his death. She had a face full of anger, her almond-shaped eyes wide open. Yet even her fury couldn’t hide her breathtaking beauty. She was sixteen years old, her features still carrying some youthful innocence, but already showing the stunning beauty that would captivate kingdoms in the future.
“This is how you treat me?” Qin Yue put her hands on her hips. “Pei Lang came to propose marriage, and you didn’t even meet him. You just threw him out?”
Qin Yu picked up a piece of beef, swirled it in the broth without even lifting his head, and said, “That boy isn’t good enough for you.”
“How is he not good enough?” Qin Yue stomped her foot in anger. “Pei Lang is outstanding in talent, skilled in poetry, songs, and everything. He—”
“Outstanding?” Qin Yu sneered coldly. “A son of a mere seventh-rank minor official, who hasn’t even passed the imperial exams yet, spends his days writing flowery poems. He’s not fit to marry the daughter of the Qin family.”
“Pei Lang isn’t like that!” Qin Yue’s eyes reddened in urgency. “He said he would achieve merit in the imperial examinations, bring glory to his family, and—”
“And what?” Qin Yu set down his chopsticks. “With their family’s background, they can’t even afford the examination fees. If you really marry him, how will you survive? Are you planning to live off his poems?”
“I don’t care!” Qin Yue stubbornly lifted her head, tears welling in her eyes. “As long as I can be with Pei Lang, I don’t care about poverty. I believe in his talent. One day—”
Qin Yu looked at the stubborn daughter in front of him, feeling conflicted. In his previous life, it was precisely this seemingly innocent girl who, for the sake of a scholar, personally ended his life.
“You really want to marry him?” Qin Yu suddenly asked.
“Of course!” Qin Yue nodded without hesitation.
“Even if you suffer hardships, you won’t regret it?”
“Never!”
Qin Yu was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “Alright, then marry him.”
“What?” Qin Yue froze, clearly not expecting her father to agree so easily.