Chapter 12: How could King Jin be here?

Ji Caibing was the old shopkeeper, so it was easy for her to take over the shop again. She flipped through the account books for the past six months, glanced at the busy workers in the front and back yards, and she had a plan in mind.

But it was still a pity for Cong Ying: "Although you have only been back in Beijing for half a year, the cloth shop has already taken on a new look under your leadership. It's a waste that a girl with such ideas like you can't make a fortune with me."

Cong Ying laughed and said, "Sister, are you going to be my mentor?"

"I can't really call myself a mentor," Ji Caibing took the osmanthus tea she handed him and sipped it carefully. "I want to be your confidant."

She gathered all the shop assistants together, picked out those who were forced in by Cai, and transferred them to the backyard to do the rough work of dyeing cloth. She also counted the cloth that Cai had taken away without permission, and went to the door of the Jiang family's eldest house with the account book to ask for money.

Cai is Congying's elder, but not Ji Caibing's elder, so it is most appropriate for Ji Caibing to step forward in this matter.

When Cai learned about this, she was so angry that she cursed her as a "little bitch" several times.

Miss Jiang San's supply of silks and satins was cut off, and she was about to miss the Xiaoxue Mountain Banquet in half a month. She came to Cai in tears and made a fuss, asking Cai to use her private money to buy her a headdress.

Cai sneered, "How can I be controlled by a young girl like her? After all, I am the eldest lady of the Jiang Mansion. She is just a girl waiting to get married. She will belong to someone else's family in the future. Why should she hold on to the family property?"

Miss Jiang San asked, "Does mother have any ideas?"

Cai: "Just wait and see."

The next morning, Cong Ying was about to go out again, planning to buy some pens and ink for copying books, and then go to Prince Jin's Mansion to hand over the dried osmanthus flowers to the female official beside Prince Jin.

But her mother, Zhao, came to stop her and said, "Your aunt has booked a private room in Yanxi Tower today to take your brother to become her disciple. You should go and meet her too."

Congying was a little surprised. She didn't expect that even though the eldest son didn't get the money, he was still willing to take care of this matter.

She asked, "Which scholar are you worshipping?"

Zhao said, "It's Qian Jijiu from the Imperial College."

From reading Qian Jijiu's essays, I know that although his scholarship wasn't top-tier, he was from the aristocratic Pingnan Qian family, was old and prestigious, and had students throughout the court and beyond. If I were to become his disciple, regardless of the academic gains I'd make, at least admission to the Imperial College wouldn't be a problem.

The better it sounded, the more suspicious it seemed to Cong Ying.

After much thought, he was still worried and said to Zhao: "Then I will go with you."

She went back and changed into a slightly more formal wide-sleeved jacket and skirt, put on some makeup, and wore a pearl gauze veil.

When they set out for Yanxi Tower, they saw that Cai was going to ride with her mother, so Cong Ying also squeezed into the same carriage.

Along the way, Cai was boasting about his achievements.

"...All the officials in the court had to respectfully address Qian Jijiu as "Master." He rarely accepted disciples in his old age. It was only thanks to my relationship with my older brother, and through generous gifts, that I was able to open up a relationship with him."

"If Congqian could become Qian Jijiu's disciple, it would be like having one foot in the throne room. Even my son Congjing doesn't have such good fortune."

Zhao was a simple-minded person. She nodded frequently as she listened, almost crying with gratitude.

She glanced at Congying and said to Cai: "It was Ying who was ignorant before and made Sister-in-law angry. Since Sister-in-law treats us as family, how can we mother and daughter argue with her about money? When we go back today -"

"Mom, we've arrived at Yanxi Tower."

Cong Ying interrupted her random promises, put Mi Li down, and was the first to push the door and get off the carriage.

Entering Yanxi Tower, I realized that the Cai family had invested heavily this time, booking the largest private room. The south-facing window afforded a distant view of the canal boats on the moat. Though the guests hadn't arrived yet, the charcoal fire was already burning red. Fresh fruit lay on the window table, a pipa player was noisily plucking, and a green-waisted dancer was waving her sleeves as she offered incense.

This doesn't seem like an occasion for apprenticeship.

Cong Ying stopped at the door and frowned deeply: "Mom, let's..."

"Ladies, I'm late!"

There were several loud laughs behind him. Through the fence, Cong Ying saw a fat young man dressed in silk clothes walking up to him.

Although he bowed several times, his posture was frivolous and his eyes were fixed on Cong Ying and refused to move away.

Cai introduced enthusiastically, "This Mr. Qian is the great-grandson of Qian Jijiu. Since Qian Jijiu is unable to attend the banquet, it would be the same if he could take over the visit."

Cong Ying's voice was cold and indifferent: "What are you here to see?"

Cai replied, "Of course, I'm going to see if Congqian's aptitude is enough to pay the chief priest to become his student. What do you think?"

Congying hadn't expected a lady from a high-class family like her to harbor such dirty thoughts. She turned around to take her mother away, but Cai had already ushered Zhao and her son into the room. Congying was then dragged and pushed to a table by several dancers.

Cai smiled and said, "With the two of us elders present, it wouldn't be considered impolite for the younger generation to sit and chat, right?"

Without waiting for Zhao's response, he started praising Master Qian to himself.

He praised his distinguished family background, his filial piety and kindness, and the love and care of Qian Jijiu. If he was willing to recommend him, Qian Jijiu would surely agree to accept Congqian as his student.

"However, how to make Mr. Qian agree depends on the sincerity of your second branch."

After saying that, he raised his eyebrows in the direction of Ying meaningfully.

Zhao pondered in silence.

Her attitude was enough to make Zong Ying feel cold in her heart.

This Mr. Qian was a two-faced man who was trying to take advantage of the situation. When he saw that Zhao didn't get angry or scold him, he felt that there was a chance. He ignored Congqian who was hiding beside Zhao, and turned to talk to Congying.

"This pearl powder yarn veil is very suitable for you. I have a bushel of pink pearls. I will bring them to you next time we meet. They will surely make you look like a fairy."

Seeing him reaching out to pick up the gauze in front of her, Cong Ying suddenly stood up and walked to the window.

She opened the window and looked out at the moat silently, her eyes glancing at the incense burner by the window where smoke was curling up.

At most, a stick of incense, from the firefly's heart.

She slowly clenched her hands hidden in her sleeves. The affection between her and her mother could only allow her to tolerate it for the time of an incense stick at most.

The people behind him were still chatting, and the topic turned to the marriage of the younger generation. Zhao remained silent most of the time, only saying "hmm" when Mr. Qian boasted about his family background, and occasionally asking about Qian Jijiu's temperament.

The red flame of the incense stick turned to ash, and it fell to the ground with a "click" in the wind, gradually burning out.

Zong Ying took a deep breath and was about to turn around to overturn the banquet table, but the door of the private room was kicked open with great force.

"Clang"——

The door bolt was kicked off, leaving only half of the carved door teetering. Two martial artists in black clothes, with wasp waists and strong backs and gleaming eyes, rushed in. Their eyes swept across the faces of the women in the room who were screaming in fear, and then fell on Master Qian who was crawling under the table.

He walked up to him and dragged him out like an animal, then slapped him twice.

Young Master Qian's face instantly turned purple, and blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. Seeing that the two men were about to attack, Cong Ying hurriedly stopped them: "Wait a minute, two brave men!"

The two martial artists actually listened to her and stopped their movements.

Although Congying disliked Master Qian, she didn't want to see anyone die easily, and she was even more afraid that this matter would involve her family. Just as she was thinking about how to start the conversation, another person slowly walked in from outside the door.

He was leaning on a jade staff that held a cloud in its mouth, and wore a black cloak and fox fur coat, a green belt and black boots. His clothes were extremely luxurious, but they set off his cold and frail face.

Cong Ying was startled and quickly bowed: "Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness Prince Jin."

It’s really strange, why King Jin would appear here.

A large crowd of people knelt in the private room. Prince Jin sat down in the armchair where Cong Ying had sat before, put down the golden hand warmer, and his quiet eyes slowly swept across the crowd, pausing for a moment on Cong Ying before moving away.

Although he was silent, his domineering aura made it difficult for everyone to breathe.

Ever since the car got stuck on the mountain road last time, King Jin assigned two guards to secretly protect Congying. Every time she left the house, they would quietly follow her.

This time, when the guards saw her and the notorious Qian Lao Ba entering Yanxi Tower one after another, they hurried back to the palace to report to Prince Jin. However, they did not expect that His Highness was so concerned that he actually left the imperial physician behind and came in person.

Qian Laoba rolled over and scrambled to the feet of the Prince of Jin and kowtowed: "Greetings to His Highness, Prince of Jin! Greetings to His Highness, Prince of Jin! I am blind and don't know how I have offended His Highness. Please give me a clear lesson, and I will correct it!"

The King of Jin said, "When you were walking on the road, you glanced at my maid."

Qian Laoba covered his face: "Ah?"

Prince Jin's Mansion is like a fairy cave. When has he ever seen the people inside?

"Perilla."

Prince Jin called out, and a young lady in purple walked in from outside the door. She was cool and beautiful, and she was the female official who held the umbrella for Cong Ying last time.

Qian Lao Ba was still kneeling on the ground, looking up at Zi Su for a while, and cried out in indignation: "Your Highness, please understand. I have never seen this girl before!"

Otherwise, he would have had an impression of such a beautiful girl and might have taken advantage of her earlier.

"Haven't you seen it?"

Prince Jin took the teacup brought by the guard and said with a half-smile, "You were staring at her just now, so that counts."

Qian Laoba was dumbfounded, looking like a person who had been run over.

Prince Jin nodded, and two guards dragged Qian Laoba behind the screen and beat him violently.

He slowly scraped the tea foam, looked at the remaining female members of the Jiang family, and soon guessed what had happened.

He had seen in his previous life that the eldest branch of the Jiang family was mean and snobbish, and the second branch was cowardly and biased.

But in this life, the conflict seems to have broken out earlier.

He asked Cai: "Why are you having a feast with Qian Laoba instead of staying at home to observe mourning?"

Cai hesitated and said, "It's about my nephew's apprenticeship... Your Highness, please understand that all of this is handled by the Second House, and I am just a foil."

Zhao looked at her in disbelief, seeming to want to say something but stopping herself.

King Jin said, "Zi Su, slap your mouth."

Zi Su walked up to Cai indifferently and slapped her twice, scolding her, "How dare you lie in front of the King of Jin? You are guilty of deceiving the emperor!"

Cai covered her face with her hands, tears immediately filling her eyes.

Her father and brother were officials in the court, and she was brought up in pampered condition. After marrying into the Jiang family, she had no sisters-in-law of equal stature, so she was used to being powerful. How could she have suffered such an injustice?

She looked at Zhao, and Zisu also looked at Zhao. Seeing that King Jin nodded after thinking about it, she walked up to Zhao and raised her hand.

"Wait a minute, lady!" Cong Ying intervened, turning and kneeling before the Prince of Jin. "My family has offended Your Highness and deserves to be punished. However, as a child, I cannot bear to see our respected father humiliated. Please allow me to take the blame on your behalf."

Prince Jin looked at her and was silent for a long time.

Zhao was her mother, so even if she was resentful, she could not take action. However, when others sought justice for her, she refused to accept it.

She really is... really is that kind of person.

Seeing Zi Su walk up to Cong Ying and raise his hand, King Jin said, "Forget it."

He lowered his eyes and said, "They are all a bunch of hypocritical and cunning people. I will not hurt your hands by hitting them."

Zi Su thought to herself, when she was asked to discipline a room full of talkative servants a few days ago, she didn't hear these words. Who is she caring about?

Cong Ying quickly bowed in thanks: "Thank you, Your Highness Prince Jin, for your grace."

The King of Jin put down his teacup and said, "Everyone, get out of here."

Cong Ying hurriedly helped Zhao and took her brother out of Yanxi Tower. After they boarded the carriage, she let go of Zhao's arm, lowered the veil, turned her head and concentrated on looking at the street scene outside the window, refusing to even glance at the mother and son.

Cai's sobbing could be faintly heard coming from the carriage behind.

The carriage was swaying, and Zhao stammered for a long time before explaining to Congying, "Mother didn't know it was Young Master Qian who was coming today..."

Cong Ying said, "Whether you know it or not, you will make the same choice. It makes no difference."

"Ah Ying..."

Zhao recalled the situation where Congying had to take the blame for her. Her heart was deeply moved. She grabbed Congying's hand and said, "It's my fault this time. I apologize and won't force you again. Now that the cloth shop has been sold, let's do as you say."

She paused, her voice much lower: "Mom will treat you better in the future..."

Cong Ying turned her head to look at Zhao Shi. The cool breeze blew away her veil, revealing a pair of calm and peaceful eyes.

It was like the look that only someone who had sunk to the bottom of the water and given up striving would have.

Zhao was speechless for a moment. During this silent eye contact, her heart suddenly felt empty, as if she had lost something, making her feel uneasy for no reason.

How could Ah Ying look at her like that? She was not like this when she was a child... She used to be cautious, with admiring expectation, waiting quietly for her attention where she could see him when she turned around.

Zhao hesitated and wanted to say something, but Cong Ying spoke first.

She said, "Mother, my kindness is my kindness, my love is my love, I will never let you down in giving birth to me, you don't have to worry about this."

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