Translated by: etvolare
There was no rush, no rush at all. She would be his tonight!
âGo and tell all of the princess consorts to get out of the palace, now!â
Now that heâd achieved his goal, he reverted back to currying favour with everything he had. After giving orders to his attendants, he turned back to look at Qin Yining with a face full of love. âFrom here on, you will be my only princess consort. I donât need any other woman!â
Qin Yining sneered inwardly. These women that heâd just thrown away like useless rags had accompanied him for many years and bore him children. The fourth princess consort in particular had just given birth to a little princess. Was she to be driven away before she even recovered? Those wives of Zhou Meng were truly pitiful!
âYour Grace.â Qin Yining lowered her head and responded bashfully. âI made that demand before only because I wanted to test the depths of Your Graceâs affections. I now see that Your Grace is truly devoted to me. I donât actually mind having other sisters around, so Your Grace mustnât drive them away. Otherwise, I wonât even have anyone to talk to in the palace.â
Startled, Zhou Meng blinked before breaking out in chuckles, the look in his eyes turning even more gentle as he looked at Qin Yining.
âMiss Pang is truly knowledgeable and knows to consider the bigger picture. However, I cannot renege on a promise given. I said I would disband the harem for you, so I will disband the harem for you.â With a wave of his hand, his attendants accepted the order and were about to set out.
Qin Yining hastily objected, âYour Grace, please do not do so. Since Iâve agreed to marry you, that means I accept everything of yours, including your family. They are all women who have made your family fruitful and have accomplished the great deed of producing heirs.
âIf the people hear of Your Graceâs action, there will surely be somebody who doesnât understand Your Graceâs sentiments and spreads vile rumours. Wouldnât I then be Consorts Daji and Bao Si of old, the women who caused the downfall of their nations? Your Grace, please retract your order.â She bent her knee with her request.
How could Zhou Meng possibly be willing to let her curtsey? Hands outstretched, he hastily helped her up.
Qin Yining avoided him out of modesty and lowered her head, shyly taking a step back. âCould Your Grace please grant my request?â
Zhou Meng looked down on Qin Yiningâs raven hair, the adoration in his heart growing stronger. He held back a smile and âreluctantlyâ acceded. âAlright then, Iâll grant it. However, I donât know your name even now. Weâre about to get marriedâit canât be that youâll only tell me when we enter the bridal chambers, right?â
Qin Yiningâs voice was soft. âYour Grace, donât say that. My name is Little Creek, a reference to babbling brooks and bubbling streams.â
Her foster mother had found her by the creek when she was young, so Little Creek had become her name. Qin Yining didnât want to use her real name at all, so she casually tossed out her childhood nickname.
âLittle Creek? Little Creek...â Zhou Meng rolled over Qin Yiningâs name on his tongue and felt that such a tastefully chosen name truly suited her. âAs beautiful and gentle as water. Your name is truly as beautiful and soft as you yourself.â
Qin Yining was already close to throwing up from disgust. She kept her head âshylyâ lowered so that Zhou Meng couldnât see her true feelings.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
A complicated expression floated onto Uncle Alhamâs face as he watched the two of them talk. His fists were tightly clenched and he itched to charge up and kill the perverted Zhou Meng once and for all.
However, he also worried that if he killed Zhou Meng, the four of them here would be immediately executed. The rest of the tribe back at camp would also have to face the Xiyue army and the peopleâs looting.
Qin Yining was sacrificing so much for the Minuo. How could he let a moment of impulse destroy all of that?
But he also couldnât stand it if he did nothing at all. His conscience would never allow such a pure girl to serve a bastard like Zhou Meng!
A group of maids walked in bearing brand new wedding robes and jewelry.
âYour Grace, we need to help Miss Pang change. Your Grace should also get ready as well.â
Seeing that the hour was growing late and preparations for the wedding already started, it put Zhou Meng in an even better mood knowing he would soon be holding the beauty in his arms. He was especially lenient towards the maids, nodding with a smile before heading off to his own arrangements.
Qin Yining gave Uncle Alham a meaningful look before turning to the newly-arrived maids, âYou are dismissed. I have my own people here.â
âYes.â The maids didnât dare to object and immediately curtsied before departing.
When they all left the hall, Qin Yining swiftly turned Uncle Alham. âThe ceremony will begin soon. Nowâs the chance for you to quietly slip off with Surnaa and Ulan to return to the tribe.â
Uncle Alham grew worried, âWhat about you?!â His voice was over loud in his anxiety.