Chapter 96 Ointment

She opened the envelope in her hand. On it was a single line of sharp, small characters in Qin Xiu's unique handwriting:

"Tomorrow at 9:00 PM, at the Shili Pavilion south of the city, the lotus flowers will be in bloom. Would you like to enjoy them together?"

Jiang Qingning's fingertips twisted these words, and a very faint arc passed across his lips.

The bait has been released and the fish has taken the bite.

Qin Xiu's movements were actually a bit faster than she expected.

The next day, at the beginning of the Si hour.

The Shili Pavilion in the south of the city is built by the water. At this time, the pavilion is surrounded by fresh green willow trees. In the small lotus pond outside the pavilion, the lotus leaves have just spread out their fresh green leaves as big as a palm, but it is a unique scene.

It is located next to the pipeline, exactly ten miles away from the South City Gate. The warm spring sun is already a bit scorching, and the dust raised by the cars and horses on the pipeline floats in the light column.

Jiang Qingning changed into a light green summer dress, covered with a very thin plain gauze shawl, and pinned a few jade hairpins on her head. She was dressed refreshingly and pleasantly, like an ordinary lady outing.

She and Zisu sat on the stone bench in the pavilion. Zisu took out the lunch box, put some exquisite snacks and a pot of tea on it, and Jiang Yuerou sat facing them.

Jiang Qingxi was a person who couldn't sit still, so she immediately took the prepared kite and took the maids to fly it.

"Be careful, don't get close to the water." Jiang Qingning warned worriedly.

"Don't worry, sister, I won't touch the water!"

Jiang Qingxi looked back happily, her goose yellow dress fluttering in the wind. She was at the most beautiful and cheerful age for a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl.

Jiang Yuerou said enviously, "I really envy you for having a lively sister. Unlike me, I only have a biological brother who has inherited his father's temperament perfectly."

"He's a useless man after all. If you're soft-hearted and want to help him in the future, then you should prepare for the unrest in your husband's family as soon as possible."

Jiang Qingning raised his eyebrows slightly and spoke bluntly.

Jiang Yuerou shook her head helplessly: "You, nowadays, are used to being unreasonable. I can't argue with you, but he is my biological brother after all."

"If someone's hands and feet are chopped off in the future, or if the creditor comes to my house, I will wrap him in a straw mat. I can't let people say I'm cruel."

Zi Su was stunned. Her own brother was about to be killed, and she only gave him a straw mat. Could it be considered kindness?

Jiang Qingning smiled with satisfaction: "You are smart and know that men are unreliable."

"Of course I know. You are the best example in front of me."

Jiang Yuerou fanned herself with a round fan, drank tea calmly, and thought about what she had said.

She raised her eyes to meet Jiang Qingning's half-smiled eyes, and quickly begged for mercy: "Good sister, please forgive me. After all, I am young and can't speak. Am I not learning from you?"

"Look, who's coming?"

Jiang Qingning was about to open his mouth to scold, but Jiang Yuerou raised her hand and pointed at a place, as if it was enough to see it.

Her beautiful almond eyes curved: "You sit here and play by yourself. I'm going to find my little sister to fly a kite."

As soon as she finished speaking, she put down her fan, lifted her skirt and ran towards Jiang Qingxi. The two of them quickly became friends.

Jiang Qingning followed the crisp sound of horse hooves and saw several tall and handsome horses approaching from afar.

The man in the lead was wearing black clothes and had dark hair, his figure was as straight as a pine tree, it was Qin Xiu whom she was waiting for.

A group of people rode up and stopped outside the pavilion. Ignoring the inquiring gazes around him, Qin Xiu dismounted with quick and agile movements.

He glanced over and landed on Jiang Qingning, and said loudly, "I haven't seen you for a few days. How are you?"

Jiang Qingning stood up, bowed slightly, a gentle smile on his face, and said in a gentle voice: "Thank you for your concern, Lord Qin. Everything is fine."

Qin Xiu walked up to her, and they sat facing each other tacitly.

Zi Su poured two cups of tea and quietly retreated to the other corner of the pavilion.

Qin Xiu picked up the teacup and stroked the warm porcelain wall with his slender fingers.

He raised his eyes, and his gaze fell on Jiang Qingning's face as if it were real, without any hesitation.

Jiang Qingning was surprised by Qin Xiu's change. He lowered his head and lowered his eyes, silently expressing his resistance.

Qin Xiu chuckled and went straight to the point. His voice was very low, but every word was as clear as ice beads falling on a jade plate:

"The three people you suspected in your letter have been identified."

He leaned forward slightly, each word carrying a great weight: "The old man's name is Fu Boqian. During the reign of Emperor Longqing, he served as the Prince's Grand Tutor."

Jiang Qingning's hand holding the teacup tightened anxiously, his knuckles turning slightly white. A perfectly balanced look of astonishment appeared on his face, his delicate eyebrows furrowed, and he whispered, "Prince's tutor, a remnant of the previous dynasty?"

Her tone was filled with inquiring disbelief, as if she had never expected that things would develop in this way.

Qin Xiu's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, as if he wanted to penetrate the thin layer of surprise and explore the true feelings deep in Jiang Qingning's heart.

He continued, his voice even deeper, "The previous emperor's deceased Crown Prince Lu Chengsi died in a palace coup. His pregnant Consort Liangdi was desperately escorted out of the palace by his trusted aides and became a wanderer among the common people."

Qin Xiu paused, slowed his speech, and uttered the name word by word: "Wei Zhai, is the posthumous child."

"After he was born among the common people, his surname was changed to Wei, following his mother's. Furthermore, Concubine Wei Liang was young and had destroyed her appearance, so no one had searched for him."

"What?"

The teacup in Jiang Qingning's hand shook violently, and a few drops of boiling hot tea splashed out and landed on the back of her fair hand, instantly leaving a little red mark.

She seemed unaware of anything, and her face instantly lost its color, revealing a paleness from excessive shock. Her eyes were wide open, filled with pure and helpless horror and confusion.

"Is this true?" Jiang Qingning asked again in disbelief.

"It can't be wrong."

Qin Xiu narrowed his eyes and looked at her calmly.

Jiang Qingning gasped and leaned back slightly, as if he was unable to sit still due to the shocking secret. His voice trembled:

"How is it possible that he is the descendant of the previous prince? He is clearly just a failed scholar."

Qin Xiu looked at Jiang Qingning quietly, not missing the horror that froze in her eyes for a moment, and the paleness that followed the fading of blood.

He nodded. "Fu Boqian's request for exile was actually a way to escape. After finding Wei Liangdi, he hid his identity and raised Wei Zhai with her."

"For over twenty years, Fu Boqian seemingly stayed away from the court, but in reality, he was secretly communicating with his former subordinates and was well aware of the goings-on in the capital."

"They've been able to remain dormant until now. With the imperial power crumbling, the Duke of Fengguo's mansion dominating the country, powerful enemies coveting their territory outside, and factional strife and infighting within, they've decided the time has come to restore the old dynasty."

"The only uncertainty right now is who among these former ministers in the court is plotting to overthrow the dynasty with Fu Boqian."

Jiang Qingning seemed to have been drained of all his strength. He dug his fingertips deep into his palms, using the slight stinging pain to force himself to calm down.

Qin Xiu saw everything she did, raised his hand and took out the ointment from his arms, opened it, grabbed her wrist, and raised his hand to brush away Jiang Qingning's tightly clenched fingers.