Chapter 445 Min Pan'er's Scheme
Just then, Li Sanqi sent a palace maid to inquire what had happened and why the car had suddenly stopped.
The King of Chu said irritably, "Tell her to wait a moment. I'll deal with this arrogant woman and then leave!"
The palace maid glanced at the situation and quickly turned back to report.
Li Sanqi received the news and had someone inform Min Qiaoshi.
"You mean His Highness the Prince of Chu is going to punish Jiang Hongling?" Madam Min Qiao looked at the palace maid who delivered the message in disbelief.
The palace maid nodded: "It seems that Miss Jiang bullied Miss Min and made her cry, which is why His Highness the Prince of Chu was so furious and wanted to punish Miss Jiang."
“Our princess said that Miss Jiang seems to have some connection with the old lady, so she sent me to inform the old lady.”
"Please thank your princess for me when you get back. It's also kind of you to make this trip. It's nothing. It's hot, buy some iced drinks later."
While speaking, Madam Min Qiao gave Zhen Huan a wink.
Before anyone could react, Ah Qi, smiling, took out a tael of silver from his sleeve and placed it in the maid's hand.
The palace maid smiled, accepted the silver, curtsied, and took her leave to return to Li Sanqi's side.
"Judging from your behavior while serving Lady Enping, you must have done quite a few things like this. You're so quick to spend money. It's just that you haven't changed your old habit of being stingy at all," Madam Min Qiao couldn't help but tease.
How could she possibly offer a mere tael of silver?
Aqi disagreed and argued, "Madam, one tael of silver is enough."
"It's only a few steps from the Seventh Princess's carriage to ours."
"Besides, it's just a matter of delivering a few words; it's not a difficult thing."
"To be able to get a tael of silver for free is an unexpected bonus."
"Didn't you see how happy that maid was when she got the silver? She didn't think it was too little at all!"
Min Qiao was speechless after Aqi's long speech.
You probably can't find another person in the world who can explain being stingy so logically and convincingly!
He then interjected at the opportune moment, "Madam, we need to come up with a decision as soon as possible regarding whether or not we should intervene with Miss Jiang."
Without much hesitation, Madam Min Qiao thought for a moment and then decided, "Let's go. Let's go take a look."
It is said that Jiang Hongling bullied Min Pan'er until she cried, which angered the King of Chu.
In her opinion, it was probably Min Pan'er who deliberately used Jiang Hongling as a pawn in order to gain the King of Chu's pity.
Thinking this to herself, Min Qiaoshi quickened her pace.
However, by the time she reached the carriage behind, the trouble had already subsided.
The King of Chu turned around and saw her coming, and asked curiously, "What's wrong, Madam?..."
Madam Min glanced at the now calm scene and frowned slightly. "I heard that Miss Jiang angered His Highness Prince Chu, so I came to see what happened."
The King of Chu looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry the old lady had to see this. It was just a small misunderstanding, and we've already cleared it up."
"Madam, you should get back into the car quickly, we're about to set off."
Min Qiao glanced at the King of Chu, then at the third carriage whose curtains were already drawn, nodded, and turned back to her own carriage.
Once the group resumed its journey, Zhen Cheng asked curiously, "What exactly happened? Didn't the maid who came to deliver the message say that His Highness the Prince of Chu was furious? How come everything is fine again so quickly?"
Madam Min Qiao guessed, "It must be something Min Pan'er did or said."
However, it is not a good thing that Min Pan'er can so easily arouse the King of Chu's emotions.
In the third carriage, Min Pan'er was holding Jiang Hongling's hand and apologizing, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect His Highness Prince Chu to have such a strong reaction."
Jiang Hongling looked at Min Pan'er with mixed feelings and sighed, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have said those things and hurt you."
"It's good that you're not angry." Min Pan'er reached out and took Jiang Hongling's arm, resting her head on her shoulder, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.
She knew that the King of Chu was kind and gentle, a fact she had known since the time they went to Daxi for the marriage alliance.
Because after Min Qiaoshi suggested that she replace Li Sanqi as the Princess of Xihe, the King of Chu had spoken to her privately and said that if she was unwilling, he would find a way to persuade Min Qiaoshi and Li Sanqi, and would never force her to become a princess for a political marriage.
At that time, the King of Chu's words were full of apology, as if he owed her a great debt by making her a fake princess.
At that time, she knew that the King of Chu was simple and kind, and felt guilty towards her.
Later, the events that occurred after returning to the border further confirmed this.
To ensure her safety, during negotiations between the two countries, despite the Dayan envoy's strong denial of her being a fake princess, the King of Chu disregarded the overall situation and took the initiative to acknowledge her identity as a fake princess.
If Li Sanqi hadn't appeared at the auspicious time, Dayan would have been completely branded with the crime of using a fake princess for a political marriage and plotting something sinister.
Afterwards, she returned safely to Dayan, but Li Sanqi continued to target her and even wanted her dead.
Time and again, the King of Chu stood up for her and protected her.
He even went so far as to argue with Li Sanqi for her sake.
Previously, when Lady Min Qiao made things difficult for her, it was the King of Chu who stood up for her and argued on her behalf.
Now it's even worse; she only cried a little louder, and it enraged the King of Chu...
Sure enough, her plan succeeded!
Because she knew from the beginning that the King of Chu was soft-hearted and felt guilty towards her, she made no attempt to hide her tragic experience in Da Xi after returning.
Other women might care about their reputation and face, and would remain silent about being humiliated by multiple people.
But she refused!
She wanted everyone to know what she had endured for Li Sanqi.
She wanted everyone to know that she was the biggest victim in the entire marriage alliance!
She wanted the whole world to know that it was Li Sanqi who owed her, it was Min Qiaoshi who owed her, and it was the Li royal family who owed her!
***
Min Pan'er's thoughts were not hard to guess. Min Qiaoshi saw it, and so did Li Sanqi.
Only the simple and kind-hearted King Chu was completely unaware, his heart filled with guilt towards Min Pan'er.
"Fifth Brother!"
Li Sanqi lifted the carriage curtain and called out to the King of Chu, who was riding his horse towards the front of the procession.
"Seventh Sister?" The King of Chu tightened the reins, bringing the horse's speed to match the carriage's, before turning to ask in a gentle tone, "Did you call me for something?"
"Are you tired? Or are you hungry?" King Chu asked with concern, then suggested, "How about I have the troops stop to rest, and I can have someone get you something to eat?"
This is her fifth brother, the gentle, sincere, and loving Prince Chu who will cherish, care for, and spoil her.
Of course, this is only true if Min Pan'er is not present; in that case, the King of Chu would be her fifth brother.
Once it involves Min Pan'er, her doting fifth brother will instantly transform into the cold and ruthless Prince Chu.
If it were half a month ago, facing the King of Chu's two-faced attitude, Li Sanqi might have felt pain, resentment, and hysteria.
But now, she has discarded those useless emotions and only regards the King of Chu as her second crown prince.
Despite the King of Chu's concern, Li Sanqi inwardly scoffed, but her smile was sweet and grateful.
She shook her head and refused, saying, "No need. I'm not tired or hungry. I called out to Fifth Brother just so I could talk to him."
"Why don't you come to my car, Fifth Brother?"
"It's not convenient for us to talk while we're inside or outside the car like this."
King Chu glanced at the orderly procession and, seeing that nothing was amiss, nodded in agreement. He handed his horse to someone else and boarded Li Sanqi's carriage alone.
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