The Whole Family is Reborn, But I Transmigrated into a Book - Chapter 7

Liu Qingyue lowered her head slightly and took a step back, biting her lip and refusing to speak. Her eyes grew red and watery, making her appear exceptionally pitiful. Unfortunately, Madam Liu had long since grown accustomed to this act; her heart was filled only with rising fury.

However, Liu Qingyue was now the Princess Consort of Jing. If she were to leave a palm print on her daughter’s face, it would be impossible to explain. Madam Liu ground her teeth in frustration. She truly couldn’t understand what was so good about that “useless waste” of a prince; in just a few days, he had managed to turn Liu Qingyue’s head around.

Meanwhile, Liu Qingyue thought to herself that Cuihe was indeed useful—it turned out the maid wasn’t just there to monitor her, but served as a primary messenger for the family.

“Mother, as you said, Prince Jing is merely an idle prince. He’ll never amount to anything, and besides… he is now my husband,” Liu Qingyue retorted in a small voice. She couldn’t understand what threat a powerless prince could possibly pose to the Liu family.

Hearing this, Madam Liu’s anger flared rather than subsided. “You’ve truly lost your mind to say such a thing! My constant teachings have been a complete waste of breath.”

Madam Liu raised her hand high to strike, but ultimately lowered it in frustration. It wasn’t that she couldn’t bear to hit Liu Qingyue, but she had to maintain appearances. “If it weren’t for your return visit today, I would certainly have you kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment.”

Madam Liu’s expression was grim. She was furious at her daughter’s disobedience and even more enraged that she was disrupting their plans. “Liu Qingyue, remember your identity. You are a daughter of the Liu family. Everything you have was given to you by us. If you remain disobedient, I can take it all away at any moment.”

Madam Liu would never allow Liu Qingyue to slip out of her control; it would be detrimental to her grand design. “Your aunt sent word from the palace. She wants you to conceive an heir as soon as possible. If any misfortune occurs in the future, you will at least have a child to rely on.”

In truth, Madam Liu didn’t particularly want Liu Qingyue to have a child, but since they had reached this stage, they had to follow through with the strategy.

Liu Qingyue kept her eyes downcast. Having a child “to rely on” was a lie; the real goal was to use the child to control her. “Mother, I understand,” she replied. She didn’t argue further. After all, whether she got pregnant was up to her; no matter how far-reaching Madam Liu’s influence was, she couldn’t control what happened in the privacy of the bedroom.

“Remember my words. Do not harbor any more delusions,” Madam Liu warned one last time. They had been speaking for quite a while and it was time to return.

As Liu Qingyue left with her mother, she carefully observed her surroundings. This room was clearly not a living quarter; it seemed specifically prepared for her visit. The courtyard was secluded and winding, and it took them quite a while to walk back to the front hall.

Only Gu Qingjia and Liu Jibai remained in the hall; the others had apparently been dismissed. Upon seeing them return, Liu Jibai ordered the meal to be served and stopped talking.

As the Princess Consort, Liu Qingyue naturally took the seat of honor beside Gu Qingjia. Liu Jibai had summoned all the Liu children, claiming it was to let them catch up with Liu Qingyue, but only he knew his true objective.

“Your Highness, allow me to propose a toast,” Liu Jibai said. Even as a father-in-law, he remained a subject of the Crown and had to show proper deference. Gu Qingjia did not refuse; it was only a cup of wine, and he had no reason to decline.

Liu Qingyue ate her meal in silence, doing her best to shrink her presence. She didn’t know the exact role the Liu family played or what their plans were, but she knew she was a pawn placed at Gu Qingjia’s side. Now, this pawn no longer wished to be used.

“Yue’er has been a quiet child since she was small and doesn’t enjoy socializing. If she ever bothers Your Highness, you must tell me, and I shall apologize on her behalf,” Liu Jibai said, putting on a show of fatherly affection. But Liu Qingyue knew this was merely a mask.

“Father-in-law, I find the Princess Consort to be quite wonderful,” Gu Qingjia replied seriously after putting down his cup. He liked Liu Qingyue’s lively and cute nature, though he wouldn’t reveal that to outsiders.

Seeing Gu Qingjia’s attitude, Liu Jibai knew the Prince had a good impression of his daughter. Judging by his wife’s expression when she returned, he guessed that the couple had developed some genuine affection. However, he didn’t see this as a problem. Liu Qingyue was still a daughter of the Liu house; no matter how much she loved a man, she could not escape the family’s grasp.

“It is her honor that Your Highness favors her,” Liu Jibai said smoothly. He was an eloquent man; one does not sit securely in the position of Chancellor without exceptional skill. But once a man gains power, he often begins to covet things he shouldn’t.

The Liu family was currently at the height of their influence and held marital ties with the Imperial Noble Consort; naturally, they wanted to climb even higher. Liu Qingyue understood his thoughts, but Liu Jibai was being far too bold—he actually wanted to interfere in the succession of the Crown Prince.

The current Emperor had fought his way through his own brothers to take the throne; how could he tolerate officials conspiring with princes? There are no walls without cracks—the moment they dared to act, someone would find out. Liu Qingyue felt that Liu Jibai’s power had gone to his head.

Power truly blinds the eyes!

But she could say nothing.

Gu Qingjia didn’t know what was on her mind, but seeing that she had stopped eating even her favorite dishes, he knew she was unhappy. “Father-in-law, I have a poor tolerance for alcohol, so I shall not drink any more with you.” He set his cup down and did not pick it up again. His tolerance was indeed average, so he always drank with moderation.

Liu Jibai wasn’t offended and invited Gu Qingjia to focus on the food. He was a master of social grace and never offended anyone, whether in court or at a banquet. Even sitting with a figure like Gu Qingjia, he maintained perfect decorum. Gu Qingjia, likewise, would not offend Liu Jibai—not only because of the man’s status, but also out of respect for Liu Qingyue.

Liu Qingyue’s sisters did not have a good relationship with her; though summoned by their father, they barely spoke a word to her. Although Gu Qingjia held no real power, he was still a Prince, and the unmarried girls looked on with some envy. However, Gu Qingjia didn’t spare them a single glance; his eyes remained fixed on Liu Qingyue.

The banquet was meticulously prepared. Regardless of the family’s private thoughts on Gu Qingjia, they wouldn’t dare be perfunctory. Yet Liu Qingyue set down her chopsticks after only a few bites. This was unlike her usual appetite, and Gu Qingjia grew concerned.

Knowing it was inconvenient to speak freely outside their own estate, he didn’t ask. Instead, he remembered her request from the journey over. Perhaps they really could leave early.

With that thought, Gu Qingjia also set down his chopsticks.

“Your Highness, is the food not to your liking?” Liu Jibai asked cautiously.

Gu Qingjia shook his head and replied politely, “The food is excellent; you and Madam Liu have clearly put in much effort. However, I am feeling a bit unwell today and have little appetite.” He raised a hand to his forehead as if he were truly suffering.

“I know it wasn’t easy for the Princess Consort to return home, but as we are newly married, I truly cannot bear to leave her behind and return to the estate alone. I hope you both will understand.” Gu Qingjia grasped Liu Qingyue’s hand, secretly squeezing her palm to tell her to play along.

Liu Qingyue understood immediately and chimed in, “Father, His Highness caught a cold yesterday and has been resting. He hasn’t fully recovered, but because he didn’t want anyone to think he looked down on me by missing my return visit, he insisted on coming. Just now, he drank more wine with you…”

As she spoke, her eyes grew red, as if it were all true. Although Liu Jibai didn’t entirely believe them, he had no choice but to let them leave together.

Once they were back in the carriage and a short distance away, Liu Qingyue dropped her disguise. “Acting at the Liu residence is exhausting. I don’t know how they live every day putting on such airs.” She leaned back lazily against the carriage wall; she preferred this relaxed version of herself.

“Didn’t you live like that before? Why is it that after only three days of marriage, you can no longer stand the Liu family’s way of life?” Gu Qingjia asked with a smile, though his words carried a hint of testing. He found her more and more interesting; she was clearly different from the person he thought he knew.

Liu Qingyue didn’t realize how calculating he was being, but she didn’t tell the whole truth either. “That’s because I had to pretend every single day in the past, so I was used to it.” She leaned toward his face, her bright eyes reflecting the starlight in his.

“Does Your Highness know that ‘it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality’? I never had the chance to be as relaxed as I am today in the past.” This was the truth. In her memory, her days were filled with learning how to be a “proper lady,” and her mother’s strict teachings were inescapable. The title “Daughter of the Liu Clan” weighed on her like a mountain.

“From now on, you can always be yourself. There’s no need to pretend in front of me; I already know what you’re really like,” Gu Qingjia laughed. He also felt that such a lifeless existence was no good. Liu Qingyue was at an age where she should be lively; there was no need for her to merge into the soulless atmosphere of a great manor.

“Since I married you, I haven’t put on airs once, because I know you are a good man.” Without realizing it, Liu Qingyue had just handed Gu Qingjia a “good person card.”

Gu Qingjia replied with a beaming smile, “You think I am a good man?”

No one had ever said that to him. The palace servants only said he was cold; he didn’t socialize, nor did he favor any maid or eunuch. He lived without desire or pursuit, appearing even more detached than the Fourth Prince in the temple.

Liu Qingyue blinked her large, innocent eyes at him. “Is Your Highness not a good man?” She seemed genuinely unaware of his true nature, firmly believing him to be an honest and kind soul.

Gu Qingjia reached out and pulled her closer, his fair, slender fingers pinching her smooth, delicate cheek. “If the Princess Consort thinks so, then I suppose I am,” he said, looking at the innocent expression on her lovely face.

He hadn’t been this happy or laughed this frequently in a very long time. Living in the Imperial Palace with no one to rely on, he understood better than anyone that sometimes, even a smile can be a mistake.

“I knew you were,” Liu Qingyue returned with an even more brilliant smile.