Divine King of Honour Chapter 1851: Life in a Dream

Initially, Xu Nian paid no mind to Li Qingyu’s younger sister.

However, when Li Qingyu personally presented her sibling to Xu Nian, he found himself utterly captivated.

She was a vision of unparalleled beauty!

Her exquisitely delicate features, gracefully fine eyebrows, and skin as smooth and radiant as polished white jade presented a countenance capable of toppling nations.

It was undeniable that Li Qingyu’s sister possessed a beauty that surpassed even her own, a woman of truly breathtaking allure.

Her captivating charm was the very essence of legends describing beauty that could undo kingdoms and bring entire dynasties to ruin.

"What is thy name?" Xu Nian inquired.

"This commoner is Li Qingying," the young woman replied with a blush, her gaze demurely averted from Xu Nian.

Li Qingying? A most fitting name!

Xu Nian mused that not only was the maiden before him stunningly beautiful, but her name also held a pleasing melody.

"Your Majesty, would you not agree that my sister is the most beautiful woman in all the land?" Li Qingyu chimed in with a smile.

"Indeed! Without a shadow of a doubt! Haha!" Xu Nian responded with hearty laughter.

This Li Qingying was, without question, the most extraordinarily beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes upon.

"Might I suggest she enter the palace to serve thee?" Li Qingyu proposed with a knowing smile.

"Sister, you..." Li Qingying exclaimed, her shock evident as she tugged urgently at Li Qingyu’s sleeve; it was clear she had no desire to enter the imperial palace.

Unperturbed, Li Qingyu turned back to Xu Nian, stating, "Your Majesty, my sister is young and may not fully grasp the situation, I beg you, please do not take offense."

Xu Nian merely smiled, unbothered by the gentle protest.

He understood Li Qingying’s reservations perfectly.

Yet, how could he possibly relinquish such a treasure?

"Very well, I shall now decree thee as Noble Consort Yu," Xu Nian announced without hesitation.

Li Qingying gasped, a desperate plea in her eyes for Xu Nian to revoke his decree.

But the imperial word, once spoken, was not easily undone.

Li Qingying’s strength failed her, and she swayed weakly to the ground.

"Sister, do not blame me. That lowly scholar is merely trifling with you. If you remain with His Majesty, you shall discover he is the one who can truly bestow happiness upon you," Li Qingyu attempted to console her.

Nevertheless, a pallor of despair settled upon Li Qingying’s features.

Li Qingyu sighed, offering no further words, confident that Li Qingying would eventually yield to the inevitable.

The following day, the imperial edict was formally issued, officially bestowing the title of Noble Consort Yu upon Li Qingying.

With no alternative, Li Qingying resigned herself to her fate.

That very night, Xu Nian sought out Li Qingying in her chambers.

Li Qingying sat by the bedside, her face glistening with tears; the harsh reality had clearly not yet sunk in.

Observing Li Qingying’s persistent sorrow, Xu Nian’s brow furrowed slightly in displeasure.

"Do you perceive me as one who forcibly takes advantage, a tyrant preying upon a defenseless woman?" Xu Nian questioned sternly.

"This commoner dare not imply such a thing!" Li Qingying managed to reply.

"You still claim the status of a commoner? And utter that you dare not?" Xu Nian scoffed.

At his words, Li Qingying’s expression flickered, realizing her verbal misstep. Yet, the notion of referring to herself as a concubine was something she could not bring herself to accept.

"Do you believe I could have that wretched scholar eliminated this very instant?" Xu Nian’s voice dropped to a chilling coldness.

The veiled threat struck Li Qingying with profound shock.

"No, Your Majesty, I implore you, do not!" Li Qingying pleaded with haste.

"I can refrain from such actions, but I expect you to cease referring to yourself as a commoner henceforth," Xu Nian commanded with undeniable authority.

"Yes... I... I understand," Li Qingying conceded, biting her crimson lip tightly, her heart filled with deep reluctance.

"I am weary, assist me in changing my attire!" Xu Nian instructed.

Li Qingying froze, taken aback once more.

Yet, she slowly moved forward and began to help Xu Nian disrobe, her mind anticipating the intimate encounter that surely awaited.

To her profound surprise, however, Xu Nian made no move towards her and instead fell soundly asleep alone.

This unexpected turn of events left Li Qingying utterly bewildered.

Over the ensuing month, Xu Nian visited her chambers almost daily, yet he consistently refrained from any physical intimacy.

This consistent restraint gradually eased the tension that had gripped Li Qingying’s heart.

Her defenses against Xu Nian began to slowly crumble.

She had previously resolved that if Xu Nian ever attempted to force himself upon her, she would take her own life.

"Would you care to see your beloved?" Xu Nian suddenly inquired upon entering her quarters one evening.

"Huh?" Li Qingying stammered, startled by his question.

She found herself at a loss for how to respond.

"Let us go, I shall escort you to him. Whatever decision you make today, I shall honor it, even if you choose to depart with him," Xu Nian stated.

"Does Your Majesty truly keep their word?" Li Qingying inquired, a flicker of hope igniting within her.

"Undoubtedly!" Xu Nian affirmed with utmost sincerity.

Upon hearing his solemn promise, Li Qingying’s spirit soared with immediate joy.

And so, the two of them departed the imperial palace together.

Before long, they arrived at a modest inn.

There, Li Qingying finally beheld her beloved once more.

"Qingying, why have you come here?" her lover asked, clearly surprised to see her.

"His Majesty brought me here. He is willing to release me, agreeing that we may be together. Shi An, please take me away now," Li Qingying exclaimed with palpable excitement.

"His Majesty?" The young man, identified as Shi An, cast a questioning glance towards Xu Nian, who stood beside Li Qingying.

Xu Nian, in turn, regarded the fair-faced scholar with a steady gaze.

It must be said that this scholar possessed a rather handsome visage.

However, a subtle trace of craftiness lurked between his brows.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!" Shi An hastily dropped to his knees before Xu Nian in a show of deep respect.

"Rise," Xu Nian responded with an air of indifference.

"Your Majesty, I have something of great importance to convey. I have no romantic entanglements with Noble Consort Yu; we are merely friends. I implore you, do not mete out any punishment upon me," Shi An declared.

Li Qingying, upon overhearing these words, was utterly astonished.

What could he possibly mean by that?

He claimed no romantic involvement with her, despite her willingness to lay down her life to safeguard her honor for his sake?

"Shi An, I have not stated that I would punish you. I am here today at the behest of Noble Consort Yu, and I have agreed to permit both of you to depart together. Naturally, this presents but a single opportunity, and Noble Consort Yu remains unsullied," Xu Nian stated with a faint smile.

"Indeed, Shi An, I have always maintained a clear boundary regarding any intimacy with His Majesty. Let us depart from this place together," Li Qingying thought Shi An had mistakenly assumed she was in an intimate relationship with His Majesty, prompting her to quickly clarify.

Yet, Shi An did not even grant her a single glance.

"Your Majesty, I have dedicated myself to diligent study for the sole purpose of serving the court. I earnestly beg of you, Your Majesty, grant me the opportunity to enter your service, and I am prepared to offer Li Qingying to you," Shi An proclaimed with unwavering resolve.

At these words, Li Qingying stumbled back three paces.

Xu Nian listened, a frigid smile gracing his lips.

He cast a meaningful glance at Li Qingying, as if to convey, "See, this is the true nature of the man you cherished."

"Shi An, I must have been utterly blind to have ever fallen for you," Li Qingying lamented, her voice laced with heartbreak.

Xu Nian stepped forward, drew Li Qingying into his embrace, and departed from the inn without a backward glance.

As for Shi An, Xu Nian found him beneath his concern.

Upon their return to the sleeping quarters, a considerable amount of time passed before Li Qingying could compose herself.

"Rest yourself. I intend to visit Qingyu's residence today," Xu Nian announced.

"Your Majesty, please remain! I shall attend to you tonight," Li Qingying suddenly declared, standing tall.

"Have you made your decision?" Xu Nian inquired.

"Yes!" Li Qingying affirmed resolutely.

Xu Nian smiled, swiftly scooped Li Qingying into his arms, and deposited her upon the imperial bed.

What transpired next was an intensely passionate and thoroughly fulfilling encounter between the two.