At first, Xu Nian didn’t care about Li Qingyu’s younger sister.

But when Li Qingyu brought her sister before Xu Nian, he was utterly stunned.

She was breathtaking!

Her delicate face and fine eyebrows, skin as smooth as white jade, were truly of a caliber that could bring a nation to ruin.

It had to be admitted that Li Qingyu’s sister was indeed very beautiful, even more beautiful than Li Qingyu herself.

Her beauty could topple cities, her allure bring kingdoms to ruin; she was the living embodiment of such descriptions.

"What is your name?" Xu Nian asked.

"Commoner Li Qingying," the girl responded shyly, seemingly afraid to look at Xu Nian.

Li Qingying?

A wonderful name!

Xu Nian felt that not only was this girl before him beautiful, her name was also quite pleasant.

"Your Majesty, doesn’t my sister deserve to be called the most beautiful woman in the land?" Li Qingyu said with a smile.

"Without a doubt! Haha!" Xu Nian laughed.

This Li Qingying was indeed the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

"How about letting her enter the palace to serve you?" Li Qingyu suggested with a smile.

"Sister, you..." Li Qingying was shocked at once, hurriedly tugging at Li Qingyu.

Clearly, she did not want to enter the palace.

Li Qingyu seemed not to notice and turned to Xu Nian, saying, "Your Majesty, my sister is young and doesn’t understand, please don’t take offense."

Xu Nian smiled, and didn’t mind.

He naturally understood Li Qingying’s feelings.

But how could he give up such a beauty?

"Well, I’ll now proclaim you as Noble Consort Yu." Xu Nian announced directly.

Li Qingying was taken aback, seemingly wanting Xu Nian to retract his decree.

But it was no longer possible.

What Xu Nian decided was not easily changed.

Li Qingying fell weakly to the ground.

"Sister, don’t blame me. That poor scholar is just using you. If you stay with His Majesty, you’ll find he’s the one who can truly bring you happiness." Li Qingyu tried to persuade.

However, Li Qingying’s face was ashen.

Li Qingyu shook her head, saying no more.

She believed Li Qingying would eventually come around.

The next day, the imperial decree was issued, and Li Qingying was officially appointed as Noble Consort Yu.

Li Qingying had no choice but to accept fate.

That night, Xu Nian went to Li Qingying’s sleeping quarters.

Li Qingying sat by the bed, her face washed with tears.

Clearly, she still couldn’t accept the truth.

Seeing Li Qingying’s constant tears, Xu Nian felt a bit displeased.

"Do you think I’m forcefully taking advantage of you, bullying a weak woman?" Xu Nian asked.

"Commoner doesn’t dare!" Li Qingying said.

"You still call yourself a commoner? And say you don’t dare?" Xu Nian sneered.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingying’s expression changed, realizing she misspoke.

But to call herself a concubine, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

"Do you believe I could have someone kill that poor scholar right now?" Xu Nian said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingying was shocked.

"No, Majest, please don’t!" Li Qingying hurriedly pleaded.

"No is also possible, but I don’t want to hear you call yourself a commoner anymore." Xu Nian said with authority.

"Yes... I... I understand." Li Qingying bit her red lip tightly, extremely unwilling.

"I’m tired, help me change clothes!" Xu Nian said.

Li Qingying was stunned again.

But she slowly walked forward and helped Xu Nian undress.

She seemed to imagine what was going to happen next.

However, to her surprise, Xu Nian did not touch her but fell asleep alone.

This greatly surprised Li Qingying.

In the following month, Xu Nian came almost every day, but he never touched her.

This made Li Qingying’s originally tense heart gradually settle down.

Her guard against Xu Nian gradually relaxed.

She had already planned that if Xu Nian dared to force himself upon her, she would take her own life.

"Do you want to see your lover?" Xu Nian suddenly asked upon arriving at her quarters.

"Huh?" Li Qingying was shocked.

Not knowing how to answer.

"Let’s go, I’ll take you to see him. Whatever decision you make today, I’ll respect it, even if you choose to leave with him." Xu Nian said.

"Your Majesty keeps their word?" Li Qingying asked.

"Of course!" Xu Nian said seriously.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingying instantly rejoiced.

Then the two of them left the palace together.

Soon, they arrived at an inn.

Li Qingying finally saw her beloved.

"Qingying, why are you here?" The lover was surprised to see Li Qingying.

"His Majesty brought me here. His Majesty is willing to let me go, agreeing we’re together. Shi An, take me away." Li Qingying said excitedly.

"His Majesty?" The young man named Shi An looked at Xu Nian who was with Li Qingying.

Xu Nian also looked at this fair-faced scholar.

It must be said this scholar did have a handsome appearance. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

But there was a hint of cunning between his brows.

"Subject greets Your Majesty!" Shi An hurriedly knelt before Xu Nian respectfully.

"Rise." Xu Nian replied indifferently.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say. I have no romantic involvement with Noble Consort Yu, we are only friends, and please don’t punish me." Shi An said.

Li Qingying, upon hearing this, was deeply shocked.

What was he saying?

No romantic involvement with her?

She was willing to die to preserve her honor for him, and yet he said this?

"Shi An, I didn’t say I would punish you. I came here today as Noble Consort Yu asked and agreed to let you both leave together. Of course, there is only one chance, and Noble Consort Yu is still innocent." Xu Nian said with a smile.

"Yes, Shi An, I’ve always been clear of any intimacy with His Majesty. Let’s leave this place together." Li Qingying thought Shi An mistakenly believed she belonged to His Majesty, so she quickly explained.

However, Shi An didn’t even look at her.

"Your Majesty, I’ve studied diligently to serve the court. I implore you, Your Majesty, allow me to enter service, and I’m willing to offer Li Qingying to you." Shi An said firmly.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingying stepped back three steps.

Xu Nian listened, revealing a cold smile.

He looked at Li Qingying, seemingly saying, "See, this is the true face of your lover."

"Shi An, I must have been blind to fall for you." Li Qingying said heartbreakingly.

Xu Nian stepped forward, embraced Li Qingying, and left the inn directly.

As for Shi An, Xu Nian couldn’t be bothered.

Returning to the sleeping quarters, it took Li Qingying a long time to recover.

"Get some rest. I’m going to Qingyu’s place today." Xu Nian said.

"Your Majesty, stay! I will serve you tonight." Li Qingying suddenly stood up.

"Have you thought it over?" Xu Nian asked.

"Yes!" Li Qingying said firmly.

Xu Nian smiled, immediately picked up Li Qingying, and threw her onto the dragon bed.

What followed was a passionate and complete exchange between them.