Xu Qing’er was about to respond with a smile but remembered the Empress’s words. She maintained distance and coldly replied, “What brings the young prince to stroll in the garden?”
The newcomer raised his eyebrows and pulled Xu Qing’er close. “When did we become so distant?”
His words struck her. Biting her lip, she pushed him away. “From now on, the young prince and Qing’er cannot be like this anymore.”
The young prince let out a low “Oh?”
Xu Qing’er looked at him with tearful eyes. “Does the prince not know? Qing’er is carrying the Crown Prince’s child.”
The man’s face changed, and he gripped Xu Qing’er’s hand tightly. “Are you playing me?” His demeanor was tense.
Xu Qing’er, though scared, couldn’t back down. She forced a smile. “The Crown Prince’s wife, Xu Qiu’er, is my sister.”
Hao Li looked at her gloomily and interrupted, “What does this have to do with the Crown Prince’s wife?” Would a sister want her sister to have a relationship with her husband?
He didn’t care about Xu Qing’er; to him, women were interchangeable. But now she was making a fool of him. Even if it were the Crown Prince or the Emperor, he would show no respect.
Xu Qing’er’s tears flowed as she held Hao Li’s hand, saying, “Hao Li, forgive me. I had no choice. She is my sister, and I could only do this much for her. If I hadn’t drunk that cup of wine… I would not have betrayed you.”
Hao Li caught the key words. “What wine?”
Xu Qing’er sat on the ground, crying, “Qiu’er put drugs in my wine. That’s why I was with the Crown Prince…”
Hao Li narrowed his eyes, making her heart race. “You’re saying your sister set you up to be with the Crown Prince?”
Xu Qing’er nodded.
Hao Li pushed her away. “Are you joking? What benefit would Xu Qiu’er have in doing this?”
Xu Qing’er trembled. “Don’t you know that Qiu’er and the Crown Prince don’t have a good relationship? She hopes I can bear a child for him and let her raise it. Don’t you believe me?”
