Marshmallow Not White: Prince’s Autumn Concubine TXT Full Electronic Book,
[Text: First Encounter in the Back Garden 1] Chancellery –
It was April, warm with bright sunshine and a clear sky. “Miss, slow down a bit,” the girl in front laughed, urging the person behind to catch up. Focused on looking back, she crashed directly into two people emerging from behind a rockery. Xu Qiu’er felt like her bones were about to shatter as she blankly looked at the snow-white boots in front of her, slowly raising her gaze to his face, her heart skipping a beat.
The man’s expression was not good as he glared angrily at Qiu’er, still sitting on the ground. “Where are your eyes?” he roared. Qiu’er, startled, felt aggrieved; no one had ever spoken to her so harshly.
The woman behind the man exclaimed, “Seventh Sister,” and rushed forward, nervously checking Qiu’er’s injuries. Hearing this, the man’s anger intensified, seemingly wanting to dismember Qiu’er. She shrank behind her third sister, terrified by his gaze. The man crouched down, pushing aside Xu Qing’er and gripping Qiu’er’s chin.
Qiu’er’s eyes welled with tears from the pain as she murmured, “It hurts,” hoping her third sister would pull the terrifying man away.
The man’s face contorted as he spoke, “Is it this beautiful appearance that bewitched my Imperial Father?” Qiu’er tried to push him away, but her strength was no match for his. “Third Sister…” Qiu’er cried out.
Xu Qing’er, who had been pushed aside, crawled over. “What are you doing? Let go.” The man glared at her.
Qiu’er was frightened, curling into a ball despite the maid’s attempts to comfort her. When Lady Xu entered and saw her daughter’s state, she immediately noticed the red marks on Qiu’er’s body. Embracing her, she asked Xiao Ju, “What happened?” Xiao Ju wiped away tears and stammered, “We were playing in the back garden, and when I found her, a man was grabbing Miss, and Third Miss was struggling with him.”
Furious, Lady Xu stood to comfort Qiu’er. “My good girl, don’t be afraid.” She turned to Xiao Ju, “Stay with Miss and don’t leave her side.” Xiao Ju nodded as Lady Xu left the room.
Xiao Ju took the prescribed medicine and carefully applied it to Qiu’er’s arm, which was covered in wounds and broken skin. She couldn’t understand how Qiu’er had gotten these injuries.
Lady Xu rushed out of the hall and saw Xu Qing’er crying in front of Chancellor Xu. Furious, Lady Xu stepped forward and slapped Xu Qing’er, who looked confused. In the back garden, a man glared at Lady Xu with anger. “My lady, Qing’er was wrong,” Xu Qing’er knelt down. Chancellor Xu ordered, “Qing’er, go back.” She tried to respond but retreated helplessly.
After Qing’er left, the man grabbed Lady Xu’s hand forcefully: “I’ve heard about the virtuous Lady Xu, and now I see…” He spoke maliciously, “Hearing about someone is not as good as meeting them.” Lady Xu stepped back, intimidated by his fierce gaze.
Chancellor Xu coughed, prompting Long Hanjie to lower his hand. “Today, I have come to propose marriage,” he announced. Chancellor Xu sighed, “This marriage is not something our Chancellery can decide.” Long Hanjie then stated, “Even if Qing’er is pregnant with my child?” Chancellor Xu’s expression changed dramatically.
Long Hanjie looked at the bruised face before him, his heart filled with satisfaction.
Chancellor Xu risked everything to request the Emperor cancel the marriage. The Emperor, furious, punished the Prince and the Empress, but the decision was final. Chancellor Xu exited the Empress’s chambers with a dark expression.
The Empress threw a teacup, striking Long Hanjie’s face. Shocked, he stared at her—this was the first time she had hit him. Unable to speak, he listened as she, supported by her maids, sat down, still heaving. “Bastard, do you know what you’re saying?” Long Hanjie, with reddened eyes, retorted, “Is it wrong that I love Qing’er?”
The Empress seethed, slapping the table: “What status does Xu Qing’er have?” She couldn’t understand why her son failed to see that Qiu’er was the real gem. A prince needs support to ascend the throne, and Xu Qiu’er was the right choice.
Long Hanjie stood up resolutely, “Qing’er is pregnant. I will marry her.”
The Empress swayed, rejecting his hand and cursing hatefully: “For a woman, you’ve gone this far. Fine, go.” Enraged, Long Hanjie stormed out.
But hearing a scream inside, he turned back. Entering the room, he was stunned.
The Empress had struck her head on a pillar, blood covering her forehead. Long Hanjie knelt before the Empress, pulling back his sleeve and shouting, “Summon the Imperial Doctor…”
The empress wanted to push him away, but she lacked strength and could only gasp. Tears flowed from Long Hanjie’s eyes. “Mother, I promise to marry Xu Qiu’er.” The empress slightly closed her eyes.
Returning to the inner palace, Long Hanjie found no one and even returned Qing’er’s visiting card. Qing’er learned about the empress’s threat and was furious, almost dying from rage. The fish that was about to be caught had escaped. She vented her frustration by beating a pillow but then thought it might be a blessing in disguise, considering thanking the empress.
“Miss…” Xiaoju rushed in. Xu Qiu’er sighed, stopping the swing and stating, “Xiaoju, if Mother saw you like this, she would scold you.” Xiaoju stuck out her tongue, remembering something important.
Xu Qiu’er was startled. Xiaoju giggled, “Miss is getting married…”
Xu Qiu’er laughed, thinking it a joke. Xiaoju sighed, “It’s true. The imperial decree has arrived, and Master and Madam are upset.” Xu Qiu’er quickly ran toward the main house.
“Mother…”
Seeing her daughter, Madam Xu began to cry again. Master Xu coughed to remind her. Madam Xu pulled Qiu’er’s hand into her own, “Why did you come without a jacket? Be careful not to catch a cold.” Her heart was heavy with sorrow.
The emperor had clearly called Qiu’er to enter the palace. She was naive and pure, believing everyone was good. How would she cope in such an environment? If only the crown prince loved Qiu’er instead of Qing’er…
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Xu Qiu’er wiped her mother’s tears. Master Xu sighed, recognizing the emperor’s intentions. The crown prince’s position was unstable, and the emperor was aging. If something happened, the crown prince was not ready to support the empire. Winning over their family seemed the best option.
“Qiu’er, the emperor has decreed that you will enter the palace on the first day of next month.”
Xu Qiu’er was stunned but soon remembered the purpose of her visit. “Father, I’m only 16,” she bit her lower lip.
Master Xu looked away, realizing he could only let his daughter grow up. Qiu’er held her mother’s hand; when Madam Xu met her husband’s gaze, she understood that Qiu’er’s temperament would not survive in the palace. She needed to learn independence and, releasing her hand, spoke gently, “Qiu’er, you’re 16 now. When I was 16, you were already born.” She called for Liu, her trusted old nursemaid, hoping she could help Qiu’er navigate palace life. As the wedding approached, Qiu’er’s heart filled with anxiety.
Xiaoju acted as an intelligence gatherer, constantly relaying information to Xu Qiu’er. She tried every way to meet the crown prince, but either due to bad luck or timing, she only ever saw his back. Qiu’er’s face reflected her sorrow, which Madam Xu recognized but felt powerless to change.
Feeling overwhelmed, Qiu’er took her third sister’s hand and shared her frustrations, believing they were connected by blood. Little did she know that to others, she was seen as an eyesore, a thorn in someone’s side.
“Sister, what should I do?” Xu Qiu’er began to cry softly.
Xu Qing’er pretended to wipe away tears while hugging her sister. “Little sister, I’ve seen the crown prince…”
Xu Qiu’er looked up, curious about the crown prince.
