Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life-Chapter 749 - 738: Substitute Younger Sister

Ye Qiu coughed appropriately twice, her face turning an unnatural shade of red.

"I will send someone to call for the Imperial Physician," Duan Huaijin said after she finished coughing, though he didn’t immediately move to do so.

Ye Qiu, however, seemed to be startled by his words, hastily responding: "Prince, it’s nothing serious, just a slight cold. Drinking more hot water will do."

"Really? Princess Consort had better not lie to me," Duan Huaijin let out a cold snort, his face stern.

Ye Qiu pursed her lips tightly, her lips pale with tension: "I wouldn’t dare."

Duan Huaijin watched her suspiciously for a while longer, then his expression softened slightly, showing a touch of consideration: "If the Princess Consort is not feeling well, I shall not disturb you tonight. Rest well!"

No sooner had he spoken than Ye Qiu’s face turned extremely pale, but she didn’t object, saying with a mix of guilt, helplessness, and sadness: "It is my fault, I respectfully see the Prince off."

As Duan Huaijin left the courtyard, his suspicion deepened. There was something seriously amiss with his Princess Consort; had there not been earlier reports suggesting that his bold Princess Consort even dared to tempt the Emperor? How did she become so meek and frail after marrying him?

Due to impending changes in the capital, his elder brother the Emperor did not feel at ease leaving him in the capital, so he would undoubtedly return to the Northwest in a few days. Before leaving, he had to arrange some matters, which made Duan Huaijin exceptionally busy these past two days.

During these days, Ye Qiu showed no signs of unrest, nor did she bear any grudges for not having the bridal chamber consummated. Instead, she personally brought soup to Duan Huaijin every night. If he didn’t have time to drink it, he would have the small kitchen keep it warm until he was free to have it.

Because she did not make a fuss and knew when to advance or retreat, Duan Huaijin did not refuse.

On the third day, which should have been the day to return to her parents’ home, the Holy Emperor’s imperial decree arrived, commanding their return to the Northwest. At the same time, the person Duan Huaijin sent to investigate Ye Qiu three days earlier also brought back the news he desired.

"Prince, I’ve found something out. There is indeed a problem with the Princess Consort," the subordinate said mysteriously, looking at the slender Ye Qiu with eyes that conveyed both sympathy and irritation.

Returning to the front courtyard, Duan Huaijin ordered the servants to pack up while he and the subordinate entered the study.

"What did you find?" Duan Huaijin asked with a profound gaze. If his Princess Consort dared to be unfaithful, she couldn’t blame him for his ruthlessness.

"The Princess Consort is not the true Princess Consort," the subordinate said, his expression filled with anger.

"What do you mean?" Duan Huaijin furrowed his brows, and for some reason, the thought that his Princess Consort had ulterior motives left him feeling decidedly uncomfortable.

"The Holy Emperor granted marriage to the Concubine Ye Xia, but the woman who married you is Ye Xia’s sister, Ye Qiu," the subordinate reported with increasing indignation. "Prince, the Ye Family has gone too far. They do not take the imperial decree or your highness seriously, audaciously switching one for the other."

"Her sister?" Duan Huaijin recalled that day when Ye Qiu mentioned the word ’sister’ to the maid.

"Yes, exactly. The Princess Consort and Concubine Ye Xia are twin sisters, where the one who was originally betrothed was the legitimate eldest daughter Ye Xia. I’ve learned that this Ye Xia has been healthy and vivacious since childhood, whereas the Princess Consort has inherent weaknesses dating from her fetal stage. Doctor Liu once predicted that the Princess Consort would not live past her coming of age, and although she has safely reached that age, her constitution remains weak. Who knows when she might... In short, Prince, the Ye Family had the audacity to replace a healthy daughter with one frail by birth. It’s truly outrageous." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Quite daring indeed," Duan Huaijin thought of the guilty look his little princess showed on their wedding day. He had thought she felt guilty for being unwell and unable to attend to him, but it turned out to be for this reason.

"Prince, shall we report to the Holy Emperor? This way, we can stay in the capital for a while longer." A subordinate suggested.

"No." Thinking of that pale little face, for some reason he couldn’t bear it, "Everything else has been arranged, it’d be troublesome to make changes now. Besides, my elder brother can’t wait to catch my mistakes. Revealing it will only give him a reason to mock and deal with me. It’s better to pretend to be ignorant. After all, marrying a Princess Consort is just for show. She’s unwell herself, so I won’t have to take action personally."

"The Prince has thought it through thoroughly."

"You may leave." After dismissing the subordinate, Duan Huaijin felt a surge of nameless rage. Although he had impulsively saved the little princess’s life just now, he felt discontented. Ha! They all look down on him so much, just wait and regret it in the future!

"Prince, the Princess Consort has sent soup for you." Just as he was feeling irritated, the little maid reported from outside.

Duan Huaijin roared lowly, "Tell her to take her soup and get lost."

The little maid was startled by his sudden outburst and stammered, "Yes, this servant will go and inform the Princess Consort immediately."

"Princess Consort?" Duan Huaijin scoffed, "She’s nothing but a fraudster coveting wealth and status."

After hearing the little maid’s response, Ye Qiu’s face instantly turned pale, but she still pretended to be strong and said, "I’ll leave the soup in the small kitchen to keep warm; you can serve it when the Prince wants to drink it."

The little maid looked at Ye Qiu with pity in her eyes, thinking that the Princess Consort had gradually won over the Prince’s heart, but it turned out she was just like the previous ones.

After Ye Qiu left, Duan Huaijin walked out from the study and looked at her frail figure with an obscure expression.

Due to the early preparations for leaving the capital, none of the trousseau had been unpacked. After properly organizing Ye Qiu’s sixty-eight dowry boxes, along with other items, they filled ten chests, which the servants of Prince Wang Mansion looked down upon.

Ye Qiu bit her lip and said nothing, looking very pale. Nanny Fang and the two maids Furong and Shao Yao all appeared aggrieved. When they were about to argue, Ye Qiu pulled them back and shook her head slightly.

Duan Huaijin said nothing, leading the way on his horse. Why did he, the one deceived, feel a twinge of heartache at this scene?

He must be out of his mind, Duan Huaijin shook his head, trying to rid himself of these disordered thoughts. He had greater ambitions to fulfill, not the time for sentiments of love and affection.

And even if she became his Princess Consort through deception, so what? Was she worthy?

Duan Huaijin suppressed the irritation in his heart and did not initiate conversation with Ye Qiu for several days.

"Cough cough..." Perhaps due to the rush of the journey, the carriage was moving quickly, and Ye Qiu’s chronic illness flared up. She had been coughing non-stop since yesterday, feeling drowsy and listless.

The wet nurse and the two maids were terribly anxious. Furong said urgently, "Princess Consort, you can’t keep enduring like this, your body won’t take it."

"It’s fine, I’ll get better after some sleep." Ye Qiu secretly swallowed a pill, suppressing the itch in her throat.

With such commotion, Duan Huaijin couldn’t ignore it even if he wanted to. So he rode his horse next to the carriage and asked in a deep voice, "What’s happened?"