Chapter 24: Murdering Her Own Husband

Upon hearing Fang Xu’s words, Qin Suwen fixed him with a sharp gaze, saying nothing.

“Ahem, must you look at me like that? Or—are you missing your husband?” Fang Xu, sensing her stare, couldn’t help but joke, trying to deflect the tension. He was genuinely worried that Qin Suwen might see through him; if she felt discomfort, he knew his own peace would be forfeit.

“If there’s nothing more to discuss, let’s eat together. The imperial chef’s skills are quite satisfactory today,” Qin Suwen said, picking up a slice of greens and looking at Fang Xu.

“Uh…” Fang Xu’s expression grew odd as he regarded her.

“What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?” Qin Suwen, slightly dissatisfied, set down her chopsticks, visibly annoyed by Fang Xu’s behavior.

“Ahem, do you not know who prepared these dishes?” Fang Xu asked, awkwardly touching his nose in a low voice. Qin Suwen arched her brow, clearly puzzled by his words.

“What are you trying to say? If not the imperial chef, then did you cook them yourself?” she scoffed, but seeing the strange look in Fang Xu’s eyes, she paused.

Qin Suwen was momentarily stunned, recalling that before she fell into a deep sleep, Fang Xu had said something to her. Reflecting carefully, she suddenly realized.

“Ahem, the taste is… passable, I suppose?” Fang Xu remarked with a slight smile, watching Qin Suwen’s face, which was etched with shock. Her gaze shifted to the maid who had served her earlier.

The maid, flustered, lowered her head, and Qin Suwen waved her away. The maid hurriedly left the hall, gently closing the wooden doors behind her.

Once again, only Fang Xu and Qin Suwen remained in the room. Fang Xu stood with a smile lingering on his lips, while Qin Suwen, seated on the bed, blushed deeply in embarrassment.

“Since you had a fever, your body couldn’t handle rich foods, so I simply prepared a few vegetarian dishes. I wasn’t sure if you’d like them,” Fang Xu murmured, crouching before Qin Suwen.

—

Qin Suwen said nothing, but when Fang Xu raised his head and looked at her, he was startled.

“Oh dear, Your Majesty! Why are you crying?” Fang Xu panicked, for he never knew how to deal with a woman’s tears.

For reasons unknown, seeing Qin Suwen’s tears fall silently, Fang Xu felt his breath catch, as though something gripped his heart and left him gasping.

“Why… why…” Qin Suwen let her tears fall freely, murmuring the same words over and over.

“What do you mean ‘why’?” Fang Xu took out a silk handkerchief and hurriedly wiped her tears, asking anxiously. In both his past and present lives, he had never faced such a moment.

“Why is it that I work so hard to maintain a strong façade before everyone, but when I meet you, I fall apart?” she whispered, her voice trembling. Hearing this, Fang Xu’s hand, which was gently wiping her tears, paused.

So this is why. Fang Xu finally understood Qin Suwen’s reaction.

To be the ruler of a nation, how could she show any vulnerability? Moreover, Qin Suwen was a woman, already facing much dissatisfaction and even more doubt from others.

Qin Suwen was still so young; how could she have experienced such trials? Yet, unwilling to disappoint those around her, she found only one way forward: to force herself, restrain herself in every aspect.

Thus, she could only keep pushing herself, striving to meet everyone’s expectations. But in Fang Xu’s presence, inexplicably, her mask shattered—hence her constant murmuring now.

“Do you wish to know why?” Fang Xu asked with a gentle smile. Qin Suwen wiped her reddened eyes.

“Why?” she sniffled, her nose still pink, blinking her now even more luminous eyes at Fang Xu.

—

“It’s because I am your husband. As my wife, there’s no need to hide yourself before me,” Fang Xu replied with a smile. Qin Suwen, initially hopeful, rolled her eyes at him.

“Why are you so shameless?” she retorted, wrinkling her nose.

“Shameless? I don’t feel that way at all. Rest assured, whatever happens, I’ll be by your side,” Fang Xu said, sitting next to Qin Suwen and, without caring for her resistance, grasped her small hand with a serious look.

“What good will that do? Can you solve my problems?” Qin Suwen pouted, seeming not to believe him, which annoyed Fang Xu.

He felt it necessary to reassert his authority; after all, even if Qin Suwen was the emperor, so what?

“Isn’t it just the southern minorities troubling you? You’re worried they’ll collude with the barbarians beyond the borders, aren’t you?” Fang Xu replied glibly, and Qin Suwen stared at him in shock.

“So easy for you to say. Tell me, what would you do?” she demanded.

“What’s there to plan? Just send troops and wipe them out!” Fang Xu said carelessly, further irritating Qin Suwen. She couldn’t help but reach out and pinch Fang Xu’s waist hard.

“Ow! Are you trying to murder your husband?!” Fang Xu jumped up, rubbing the spot where Qin Suwen had just ‘massaged,’ grimacing as he looked at her.

“That’s what you get for talking nonsense! Next time, keep your mouth shut—hmph!” Qin Suwen threatened, miming another pinch, causing Fang Xu to wince.

“Feeling better now?” Fang Xu asked with a grin, rubbing his waist and settling back beside her, unable to resist the proud look on Qin Suwen’s face.