On the other side.
Qin Xixue was dressed in a crimson peony embroidered upper garment and a crescent white pleated ru yi moon skirt. Her raven-black hair was styled into a snail bun, adorned with a pale blue butterfly inlaid with a tassel hairpin. A red floral stud graced her forehead, and blue sapphire earrings dangled, shimmering. Her entire ensemble exuded opulence.
However, it was a pity that her face had been disfigured, making her extremely ugly. Apart from her forehead and captivating eyes, the lower half of her face was covered by a veil, preventing her from showing her true appearance.
In the evening, before it was completely dark, Qin Xixue, after meticulous preparation, got into the Qin manor's carriage with her personal maid and headed for the Ning King's manor.
Soon, she arrived at the entrance of the Ning King's manor, where the guards immediately escorted her in.
At this moment, Princess Anle had also arrived at the Ning King's manor. She was currently speaking with the Ning King in his study.
"Imperial Brother, have you truly decided to marry Qin Xixue as your Ning King's Consort?" Princess Anle asked the Ning King with evident displeasure.
"Yes, this King intends to marry Qin Xixue as his official consort," the Ning King replied affirmatively.
"But I heard from gossip that Qin Xixue's face was disfigured some time ago, making her incredibly ugly now. Are you not embarrassing yourself by marrying such a woman into the Ning King's manor?"
"Moreover, everyone in the capital knows that this Qin Xixue has always been infatuated with the Cold King. Are you truly going to marry a consort who always thinks of another man?"
Princess Anle was very displeased with the Ning King's actions.
"What's wrong with that? This King does not truly love her anyway, so her appearance is of no concern. As long as this King gains the support of that old fox, Qin Zhihong, what's wrong with marrying Qin Xixue?" the Ning King replied indifferently.
"Alas... Imperial Brother, you truly..."
Princess Anle sighed, leaving her words unfinished, unsure how to continue.
"Anle, you should return to the palace. Regarding revenge for Mother Consort, you need not interfere. I will handle it. Just ensure you take good care of yourself in the palace."
The Ning King walked up to Princess Anle, gently stroking her head with affection, and said.
Just then, the steward's voice was heard from outside the Ning King's study.
"Your Highness, the eldest daughter of the Qin family requests an audience!"
Upon hearing this, the Ning King lowered his gaze to look at Anle and asked softly, "Are you willing to meet Qin Xixue?"
"No, I cannot stand Qin Xixue's arrogant face," Princess Anle immediately refused.
"Then you should hide in the secret chamber of my study for a while. Once she leaves, I will arrange for someone to escort you back to the palace," the Ning King said with a smile, looking at Anle.
Princess Anle nodded her head slightly in resignation. Then, she walked to the bookshelf in the study and pulled hard on the umbrella-shaped pendant beneath the oil lamp on the wall beside the bookshelf. The bookshelf in front of her moved aside.
Subsequently, a small passage appeared behind the bookshelf, just wide enough for one person to pass. Anle walked in without hesitation, and the bookshelf behind her slowly closed, as if Anle had never appeared in the Ning King's study.
Afterward, the Ning King sat at his desk with a serious demeanor and began to paint.
The steward outside the study waited for a long time without hearing a response from the Ning King inside, thinking he hadn't heard him.
Thus, the steward respectfully addressed the entrance of the Ning King's study again: "Your Highness, the eldest daughter of the Qin family requests an audience!"
"Mm, quickly invite her in," the Ning King finally responded cheerfully.
A moment later, the steward brought Qin Xixue into the Ning King's study. The Ning King was still pretending to paint and did not look at her.
However, the steward of the Ning King's manor discreetly closed the study door for them.
Qin Xixue, with small, elegant steps, approached the Ning King's desk and bowed slightly to him.
"Xue'er pays her respects to Your Highness Ning!"
At this, the Ning King made a shushing gesture to her and continued his painting.
Qin Xixue, full of curiosity, lowered her gaze to look at the painting the Ning King was working on. She hadn't expected the Ning King to be painting her.
In the Ning King's painting, Qin Xixue was dressed in a light green long skirt, with small red peony flowers embroidered on the cuffs. Silver threads depicted auspicious clouds. A white wide chest wrap adorned her chest, accentuating her fair, plump cleavage. Her face was veiled, and her delicate hands, like snow-white jade, gently lifted the long skirt. Her heel was slightly raised, revealing a snowy white calf beneath... Wasn't this the attire she had worn that day to seduce the Ning King?
Upon seeing this, Qin Xixue's earlobes turned red. Unfortunately, her expression was concealed by the veil, so the Ning King could not see it.
"Your Highness, why have you painted Xue'er's embarrassing appearance from that day?"
Qin Xixue softly chided him.
Hearing this, the Ning King put down his brush, looked at Qin Xixue, and chuckled.
"Xue'er, how can this be your embarrassing appearance? This King finds you truly captivating in this state. Every night, thinking of that scene, this King loses sleep."
The Ning King spoke with sweet words, then deliberately extended his long, slender hand to tightly embrace Qin Xixue's slender waist. He then buried his face in the crook of her neck, blowing warm air onto her neck, making Qin Xixue's neck tingle.
"Your Highness Ning, don't do this, Xue'er is scared!" Qin Xixue said in a娇爹爹 (sweet and coquettish) tone, her ears blushing.
"Xue'er, don't be afraid! This King will not harm you. This King merely wishes to devour you," the Ning King said wickedly to Qin Xixue.
Qin Xixue understood the Ning King's meaning, and her face, neck, and earlobes became even hotter.
How had she not realized before that the Ning King was such a romantic man?
She had always thought the Ning King was a taciturn and dull person.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have focused her attention on that icy Cold King, flattering him. Now, she realized that this Ning King was more cunning and capable of ascending the throne than the Cold King.
Princess Anle, hidden in the secret compartment behind the bookshelf, heard the conversation between the Ning King and Qin Xixue and felt a wave of nausea, her skin crawling.
She never knew that her usually reserved brother could be so skilled at coaxing women, to the point of being nauseating. Yet, she couldn't suddenly burst out and ruin her imperial brother's plans.
But at this moment, the two in the study shifted to a new topic.
Qin Xixue suddenly broke free of the Ning King's hands on her waist. She turned around, raised her hands, and put them around the Ning King's neck, facing him directly. Her alluring eyes gazed at the Ning King tenderly.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has already decreed our marriage contract, set for the beginning of next month. However, my face has not yet recovered. Will you have me marry you with a veil?"