Chapter 403: Three Cups of Punishment

Chapter 403: Three Cups of Punishment

Zhao Ling immediately leaned over to Qian Renxue's ear and whispered a few words, which made her suddenly realize.

She had been so busy being the bride that she forgot about her important identity as Xue Qinghe.

Then, she bid farewell to Qian Xunji, and under Zhao Ling's guidance, she left the courtyard and entered a room.

In fact, after the two of them entered the room, Qian Renxue disguised herself as Xue Qinghe once more.

Zhao Ling then arranged for her to be placed in a carriage, ensuring that there was no one at the door.

She opened the curtain and stepped down from the carriage, acting as if she had just gotten out of it.

Just when Emperor Xue Ye, Prince Xue Xing, and Ning Fengzhi were contemplating how to reprimand Xue Qinghe, the door of the mansion suddenly opened, and "Xue Qinghe" pushed the door open with gifts in hand, making them all secretly relieved.

The prince finally arrived. If he hadn't come, they truly wouldn't know what to do...

After Zhao Ling made arrangements for Qian Renxue, he returned to the courtyard to continue entertaining the guests. When Qian Renxue pushed the door open, she turned to look at him.

Zhao Ling then approached Qian Renxue and spoke in a slightly reproachful tone.

"Qinghe, why did you come so late today? You knew today was a big day for your father.

Coming so late, you should drink three cups as punishment, right?"

Qian Renxue quickly adopted an apologetic expression and replied to Zhao Ling.

"I'm sorry, godfather. The gifts I prepared for my stepmothers just arrived, so I'm late. You can let me drink three cups as punishment; no problem."

After saying that, Qian Renxue handed the gift in her hand to Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling didn't even glance at it and merely waved his hand, putting the gift into the storage space.

There was actually nothing in this gift—just an empty box—so Zhao Ling naturally couldn't let others see it.

Subsequently, Zhao Ling brought Qian Renxue to two large tables where the wives were seated.

He then picked up the wine jug and, without anyone noticing, replaced the wine in it with the juice he had prepared in advance.

He poured three cups for Qian Renxue in quick succession. Qian Renxue picked up the glasses and apologized to the beauties.

"I'm sorry, stepmothers. Qinghe is late. I will drink three cups as punishment. Please forgive me."

After saying that, Qian Renxue drank the three glasses of juice in one breath, displaying a generous demeanor.

Her action caused applause from a crowd of people who were oblivious to the truth.

Most of Zhao Ling's beauties knew through the diary that Qian Renxue was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and that they were indeed her sisters.

But now she was calling them "stepmother," which made them all want to burst into laughter.

However, in order to avoid being exposed, they all chose to suppress their laughter.

Zhao Ling looked very satisfied with Qian Renxue and gently patted her on the shoulder.

"Well, Qinghe, you must be hungry. Find a place to sit down and eat first. Your father will treat you well when he has time."

"Yeah." Qian Renxue nodded, then looked around.

She quickly walked to the table where Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi were seated, then bowed respectfully to Xue Ye and the others.

"Father, Uncle Wang, Master..."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded, pointed to the seat next to him, and said to Qian Renxue,

"Qinghe, there is a seat here; just sit down."

"Hmm..." Qian Renxue nodded and sat down next to Emperor Xue Ye.

As soon as Qian Renxue settled in, a girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old, approached curiously.

"Brother, brother, why are you here so late? I thought you weren't coming."

This girl was none other than Xue Ke, whom Tang San met in Yuexuan in the original novel.

Xue Ke was only fourteen or fifteen years old at this time since other princes had been assassinated during the royal hunting trip two years ago.

Consequently, Xue Ke was particularly close to Xue Qinghe, who was disguised as Qian Renxue, given he was her only brother.

Qian Renxue gently stroked Xue Ke's head and said with a smile,

"How could that be? My adoptive father is getting married today. If I don't come, my father will definitely scold me.

I was preparing gifts, so I am a little late."

Qian Renxue looked at Xue Ke with her beautiful eyes, her expression particularly gentle.

She had watched this little girl grow up in both of her lifetimes and had become accustomed to her calling her "Royal Brother" all the time.

Thus, Qian Renxue genuinely regarded Xue Ke as her sister, which was why she had never attempted to assassinate her.

"That's right! Father, Uncle Wang, and Sect Master Ning have just been scolding you for not knowing etiquette.

Really, how could my royal brother not know etiquette?

I think it's excessive for them to criticize you like this."

Xue Ke snorted and complained in dissatisfaction.

But soon, she brushed the matter aside, nudged Qian Renxue gently with her elbow, and spoke in her ear.

"Brother, today I discovered that Demon Suppression Douluo is really handsome—so handsome that my heart is racing.

Brother Huang, if I say that I like the Demon Suppression Douluo and want to marry him, will you support me?"

When Qian Renxue heard Xue Ke's words, she was left speechless.

She was another silly girl dazzled by her husband's beauty, but when she thought about it, it made sense.

Her husband was so handsome that even she, Sister Dong'er, and all her sisters had no ability to resist him.

It was wishful thinking for Xue Ke to believe she could turn away.

But... Qian Renxue felt that she absolutely could not allow this girl to marry her husband.

After all, she was currently Xue Qinghe, and this girl was nominally her sister.

If she married her husband, wouldn't that make Qian Renxue refer to this little girl as her stepmother?

She had already found it very depressing to call her husband "godfather" and her sisters "godmother."

Now, this little girl wanted to take advantage of her. How could Qian Renxue agree to that?

At the very least, she had to wait until she regained her true identity, right?

Then, Qian Renxue deliberately frowned and asked Xue Ke in a harsh tone, "Sister, do you truly want to be my brother's stepmother?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Ke immediately realized that her brother was unhappy and shook her head vigorously.

"Brother, I was just asking; I don't mean anything else..."

"I hope so. If you fantasize about becoming my stepmother, be careful, or I will punish you."

After saying that, Qian Renxue clenched her fists, making crackling sounds, which frightened Xue Ke so much that she shrank her neck.

Xue Ke understood that although her brother was gentle and appeared harmless,

if she made him angry, it would definitely lead to trouble.

Forget it, I can't afford to offend him. I'd better not tempt fate; otherwise, I will undoubtedly be in for a beating.

Seeing that Xue Ke had abandoned the idea, Qian Renxue's expression relaxed a little, and she thought secretly to herself,

"Xue Ke, Xue Ke, it's not that I don't want you to marry your husband; it's just that I can't accept it right now.

Don't worry; when I can reveal my true identity in the future, I will definitely do as you wish.

Anyway, you're not ugly; your husband should be happy to accept you."

(End of this chapter)