Chapter 312 A Secret Maneuver?

Qingling stared at the grayish-white stone, her fingers trembling slightly.

She grew up in the southwest, and she felt a sense of familiarity upon first glance.

—When I was a child, I would go to play in caves with other children.

—During the war, they hid in caves with the local people to seek refuge.

The stalactites hanging overhead were like swords hanging over their heads, ready to fall and shatter them at any moment.

At night, the cave must be dark, lest it be discovered during a search of the mountain. She opened her eyes wide in fear, staring at the rocks in the darkness that resembled monsters with fangs.

She also remembered that their hiding place was almost discovered, and someone rushed out to protect them and told the Yi people that he would help lead the way to find the people who were hiding.

He bought them time to escape, but he never came back.

When they went out to search afterward, they found the person cruelly hanging upside down on the stalactites, with blood dripping down the rocks.

A drop fell right onto her forehead.

Yao Qingling didn't like the stone at all.

Prince Xin, however, was showing off how he obtained the stone and how he had the craftsmen design and transform it into a unique landscape.

"...Madam Yao, look at this beautiful woman on the little bridge, isn't she lovely?"

Prince Xin lowered his head slightly, looking at Yao Qingling's fair neck.

Her face was veiled, making her appear hazy and indistinct, which only fueled his excitement.

His eyes gleamed with fanaticism, and as Yao Qingling looked at the little wooden puppet holding the umbrella, he ripped off Qingling's veil.

"Ah!" Qingling exclaimed, instinctively raising her hand to cover her face.

"Your Highness, why do you have to tease me? My face is covered in rashes, and I'm afraid it will frighten you."

Prince Xin was somewhat disappointed.

He thought Yao Qingling was being wary of him and had deliberately done this.

He waved his hand.

Qingling took back the veil and tied it back on her face.

Prince Xin's interest waned slightly, but he was still seven parts excited.

"Yao Qingling, do you know that my original idea was to put a big yellow dog on this bridge and a few women bathing in the river below?"

Qingling naturally conjured up that image in her mind and frowned slightly.

One is sensual and alluring, the other is leisurely and serene.

However, the sensual type is more in line with Prince Xin's taste.

"The prince must have chosen this appearance because he thought it looked better this way."

Prince Xin said, "No. Because I want to leave this scenery for you to see."

Qingling's heart skipped a beat.

He's been laying the groundwork for so long, and now it's finally here.

Qingling clenched her fingers secretly, but couldn't show it on her face.

She smiled calmly: "Your Highness's words make Qingling feel quite uneasy."

“I am not one of Jin Mantang’s people. I am just attending a banquet at his residence and may not come again. Your Highness can do whatever you like.”

Prince Xin waved his fan and said, "Yao Qingling, as long as you follow me, I would gladly give you not only this stone, but the entire Jinmantang."

"Aren't you curious why I sent you here?"

He turned and glanced at the vast garden. "I know you dislike the ways of officialdom and prefer doing business. This garden has been decorated anew to welcome you."

His gaze finally landed on Qingling's face. He snapped his folding fan shut and used one end of the fan to lift Yao Qingling's chin.

"Yao Qingling, you are a smart man. Do you want me to say something more?"

...

Letter to the palace.

Prince Xin was a man who loved to have fun, so his palace was magnificent and full of fun.

The invited guests were received by the Queen and her other concubines, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

These nobles had grown accustomed to Prince Xin's laziness; he didn't care whether he was present or not, as there were always the best singers performing, delicious food, and fine wine.

Zhou Zhining was assigned by Prince Xin to assist Princess Xin in organizing a banquet.

She recently embellished Jin Mantang's reputation.

Since Prince Xin was nowhere to be seen, it was clear that the person he was truly going to host was Jin Mantang.

But who are the guests who can enter Jinmantang?

The grand Golden Hall was only hosting one guest. Compared to the powerful and famous people here, that person must be incredibly distinguished!

Zhou Zhining tested Princess Xin.

However, Prince Xin and his queen had no affection for each other.

The princess was aloof and cold, the complete opposite of Prince Xin's personality; the two might only see each other a few times a year.

The princess never restrained Prince Xin. She was only willing to hold this banquet as the mistress of the palace, to do something to remind people that there was such a princess as her.

Zhou Zhining didn't find out anything.

Zhou Zhining managed to obtain the guest list for the banquet.

All the guests on the list have arrived.

Wait, why is Yao Qingling on this?

Zhou Zhining's expression changed, and she was about to ask someone if Yao Qingling was present.

"...The things that were sent weren't particularly valuable, but the prince still ordered Guard Bu to take the imperial physician to treat the patients."

Zhou Zhining frowned, called out to the two maids, and asked them a few questions.

His complexion grew increasingly grim.

The distinguished guest whom the King of Xin had gone to great lengths to receive was none other than Yao Qingling!

Ha, hehe... Prince Xin actually made her prepare a banquet to entertain Yao Qingling like a maid?

Zhan Xingzhuo, Tao Weixian, and Shao Wenchu ​​walked over together.

Zhan Xingzhuo's expression was indifferent, and he seemed uninterested.

He's been like this for a long time, and everyone thinks he's unhappy with Lin Shiyuan's promotion and that he has a formidable rival in the court.

Zhou Zhining, however, knew what he was thinking.

She glanced at him, then bowed gently to the group.

Tao Weixian's gaze was fixed on her, and he smiled, "Zhi Ning, you look even more beautiful than Princess Xin today."

Zhou Zhining already had the title of the second most beautiful woman in the capital. When she dressed up, she was breathtakingly beautiful, far more radiant than the plain-looking princess.

Even the most beautiful flowers in this garden cannot match half of her beauty.

Shao Wenchu ​​glanced at Tao Weixian, who was showering her with compliments: "Brother Tao, be careful what you say. After all, she is the Princess Consort."

One is a princess, the other a government slave; to compare them so casually is just stirring up trouble. Even if this gets back to Prince Xin, he won't be happy.

Tao Weixian grinned, unconcerned.

"So what? It's just the few of us. As long as you don't tell, who can hear about it?"

He argued with Shao Wenchou.

Zhou Zhining was in a bad mood and had no interest in listening to Tao Weixian's jokes. She turned to Zhan Xingzhuo and said, "Second Master, do you know that there is another distinguished guest among the guests at today's banquet?"

Zhan Xingzhuo said, "Your Highness has many guests, but these are none of my business."

Zhou Zhining gently curled the corners of her lips: "The Prince isn't at the banquet; he's at Jinmantang right now. Aren't you curious about who he's personally entertaining?"

Zhan Xingzhuo's eyes flickered slightly as he stared intently at Zhou Zhining.

Zhou Zhining said calmly, "Not long ago, Prince Xin went to great lengths to transport a thousand-year-old stalactite from the southwest and made it into an exquisite bonsai, saying that he wanted to share it with someone. At the time, I didn't pay much attention. The prince has many friends, so I assumed it was someone I hadn't seen in a long time from out of town."

"But today, I heard from the maids of the Prince's Mansion that the Marquis of Zhongyong's Mansion sent someone to deliver gifts to the Prince's Mansion, saying that he was ill and unable to come. The Prince's personal guard, Bu Fang, personally drove a carriage to the Marquis's Mansion to visit him."

"However, at this moment, the Prince is not at the banquet; he is at Jin Mantang. Second Master, do you think... Yao Qingling is feigning illness to seduce the Prince and secretly have an affair with him?"