Chapter 85 Anger

"That's right. Your Majesty, have you forgotten what happened back then?"

Concubine Qin said angrily, reached out and held the emperor's hand, shaking it gently.

"You personally arranged a marriage between Jiang Qingning and the Earl of Anping back then. Unfortunately, the Earl of Anping betrayed your majesty's wishes and forced Jiang Qingning out to start her own family. Such a good woman is truly pitiful."

The emperor could never stand seeing the imperial concubine in this state, so he held her hand with heartache.

"It's not that I don't commend her, but I didn't remember her as being so outspoken. Now that my beloved concubine has spoken, I understand. It seems that I was wrong back then."

Concubine Qin hummed softly, "Then your Majesty, why don't you reward her quickly? Anyway, I have a great impression of her."

Upon hearing this, the emperor stroked his beard and laughed, "My beloved concubine, you are absolutely right. Shooting down the Pig King so bravely is truly the greatest achievement of the day in the hunting grounds. You deserve a reward!"

He waved his hand and said, "Inner Chamber Supervisor! Bring me my newly acquired South China Sea Fire Coral Crown!"

Jiang Qingning and Concubine Qin looked at each other, and the latter nodded slightly.

She nodded, dismounted, and walked to the foot of the platform.

"Your humble servant Jiang Qingning pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Imperial Concubine."

"No need for formalities, please stand up. Jiang Qing's daughter is so heroic. The imperial concubine and I will definitely reward you well." The emperor was very pleased.

Jiang Qingning stood up in response, and his fists hanging at his sides clenched slightly.

The emperor acted as if nothing had happened. It was obvious that her father and brother were transferred to Lingnan in name only but actually demoted because of his final order.

While Jiang Qingning was thinking, a rosewood tray was brought up from the inner room. On the brocade inside the tray lay a crown carved from a whole piece of top-quality fire coral.

The coral was as red as blood, with a flowing luster and a shape like a burning flame, sparkling in the sun. It was extremely gorgeous and had a majestic and fiery aura.

The eunuch's shrill voice echoed throughout the room: "Jiang Qingning, your archery skills are exceptional, and your bravery is unrivaled in the hunting grounds. I bestow upon you the South China Sea Fire Coral Crown as a reward!"

Countless gazes instantly became extremely hot, with envy, jealousy, and amazement intertwined into one.

The value of this coral crown is secondary. The divine favor and glory it represents are enough to make anyone excited.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Jiang Qingning knelt down again calmly, his voice clear and calm, without a trace of excitement:

"Your Majesty, your servant Jiang Qingning, thanks you for your grace. Long live your Majesty!"

When the coral crown, which was as blazing as fire and symbolized supreme glory, was carefully placed on her black bun by the eunuch, a heavy weight came down on her.

The glaring red contrasted with her cold and snowy face, creating a thrilling contrast.

Countless people were jealous, but they couldn't say anything in rebuttal.

Because Jiang Qingning not only won by relying on the strength and size of her prey, she also far surpassed everyone else in numbers.

Lin Heng had quietly returned at some point and disappeared into the crowd.

He leaned against an old tree with his arms folded, his eyes fixed on the dazzling figure who had been called onto the stage to give a speech.

On the other side, Xun Chen's face was so gloomy under the red light of the coral crown that water seemed to drip out.

He looked at the woman who once belonged to him but had now become so strange and dazzling. She had taken away the glory that belonged to everyone.

A strong sense of absurdity and anger of being completely betrayed burned wildly in his chest.

He suddenly grabbed another wine glass on the table, tilted his head back and drank it down in one gulp. However, the spicy wine could not extinguish the fire in his heart.

The hunting trip ended in a commotion, and the celebratory banquet granted by the royal family was held in the spacious Qionglin Garden of the palace.

As the lights come on, the music of stringed instruments becomes melodious and pleasant, and delicacies are presented like a stream. Amidst the clinking of glasses, there is an undercurrent that cannot be concealed.

"Look at her like this. I want to see how long she can hold on."

"Oh, it's just a trick to attract attention. Maybe she is like this in front of Prince Qin, but she doesn't bother to show it in front of us."

Jiang Qingning sat upright at the table, his expression still as cold as if he was keeping people at a distance.

She drank the warm tea in the cup and ignored the inquiring eyes.

Zi Su stood behind her with his head lowered, his eyes watching her nose and his nose watching her heart. Only occasionally when he glanced at those gazes, a barely perceptible coldness would flash across the depths of his eyes.

"You don't have to stay by my side. Just keep an eye on Xier and don't let her run around." Jiang Qingning reminded sideways.

Zi Su responded quickly, took a few steps back and sat at the back table feeling annoyed.

Jiang Qingxi, who was about to get up, was calmly reminded: "Second Miss, the eldest lady asked you not to get up."

Jiang Qingxi looked at Jiang Qingning's cold back, pouted aggrievedly, and then sat back down obediently.

"I understand. I will listen to what my sister says."

Jiang Qingning's performance during this period has made her completely relieved. She has full trust in her elder sister, just like her family. In addition, the pain of being locked up a few days ago has made her calm down.

A dark figure with an unignorable presence walked straight through the elegantly dressed people and stopped in front of Jiang Qingning's seat.

The tall figure cast a shadow that instantly enveloped her.

It’s Qin Xiu.

Jiang Qingning was slightly stunned, seeing that he seemed to want to escape.

She had merely hinted at this person with a clear purpose, and he was brought to the Royal Hunting Park.

Before this, she even used her weak body to deceive Qin Xiu, who sent a lot of medicinal herbs into the mansion, and they also went into Xier's stomach.

"Lord Qin."

The deep thought in Jiang Qingning's eyes disappeared and turned into an infinite smile.

Qin Xiu stood in front of her with a deep, scrutinizing gaze, looking down at her. The powerful pressure made Jiang Qingning feel guilty.

The dark tights outlined his tall figure with broad shoulders and narrow waist. He exuded an invisible sense of oppression, and the laughter and chatter around him seemed to be lowered a bit because of his arrival.

"Miss Jiang."

Qin Xiu's low voice broke the silence between the two.

Qin Xiu's eyes were as sharp as torches, tightly locking onto Jiang Qingning's, as if he wanted to penetrate her calm exterior and reach the depths of her soul.

"Today's hunting ground is the first place, and it's a beautiful win."

He paused, leaned closer, and spoke word by word in a voice only the two of them could hear, "But you hid it so deeply that you even hid it from me. Jiang Qingning, how many surprises do you have that I don't know about?"

Qin Xiu leaned very close, and his warm breath with a hint of alcohol brushed across Jiang Qingning's ear.

It was an extremely aggressive posture, carrying his usual strength and the anger caused by being concealed at the moment. The air around him seemed to be stagnant due to his approach.

Jiang Qingning's fingers holding the teacup paused slightly, and the movement of the cup's rim touching his lips stopped.

She slowly raised her eyes and met Qin Xiu's deep eyes, which were filled with complex emotions.

There was a sense of inquiry and displeasure at being deceived, surprise at the brilliance she displayed today, and even a hint of a strong possessive desire that he himself had not noticed.

There was no trace of panic in Jiang Qingning's eyes.

She put down the teacup and leaned back slightly, widening the distance between them. Her movements were natural and distant.