Peony could only smile awkwardly and quickly picked up a handkerchief to wipe her face.
"I'm sorry, Auntie didn't mean it..."
After saying that, she looked at Qin Qing again and couldn't help but ask in surprise.
"Mother, is everything you just said true?"
When she asked that question, she was almost certain it was true! After all, Qin Qing had indeed rushed over immediately that day, and she didn't know what had happened afterward, but since her mother hadn't said anything, she hadn't asked what had happened…
but…
"Mother, why would the wet nurse impersonate you? It would be so easy to expose that!"
Qin Qing was also puzzled. She didn't really care about someone else taking credit for her work, but as for the reward... although she wanted it, the old emperor was keen to use this incident to enhance his own prestige, and she had promised Wang Yan to try to stay away from the old emperor to avoid any consequences...
Although she saved most of her money for her grandchildren's future, directly connecting with the old emperor like this was bound to attract envy. Perhaps she shouldn't try to rise to power overnight, to avoid too much trouble later.
Thinking of this, she looked at the peony, her gaze gradually becoming serious.
"Never mind all that. Don't tell anyone else about this. Just pretend you don't know anything about it! Getting directly involved with the emperor will only bring more trouble and suspicion. Besides, A-Yang and Zi-Feng's careers can only be built by themselves. If I stand out too much, it might not be a good thing for them!"
Peony listened attentively, a look of surprise on her face; she really hadn't thought of that.
However, the fact that they didn't tell anyone doesn't mean the old emperor was so easily fooled...
Two days later, Qin Qing and his companion were promoting rice, which attracted a large number of customers!
Meanwhile, several women who had come out to the market that morning were also standing near the shop entrance...
"Hey, have you heard? That wet nurse from Minister Chen's household isn't the woman who rushed into the fire to save people that day. I knew it! Even if they wanted to monitor all the officials in the capital, there's no need to use a wet nurse's identity as a cover!" The woman said while eating sunflower seeds in line...
"Really?! Didn't His Majesty already acknowledge her identity? How could this be wrong? Could it be..." The others in the group all cast curious glances at him.
Seeing that several people were looking at her, the woman revealed a hint of smugness. "Aren't you going to eat the melon seeds in your hand?" she asked mysteriously.
"Of course it's true! There are witnesses to this! That scholar went into the Minister's residence and never came out again. Who knows if he was murdered to silence him!"
Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but ask in confusion.
"The scholar didn't come out, so how can you be sure that the wet nurse was falsely claiming credit? Surely His Majesty can't not even recognize his own spies?"
The woman smiled.
"It's quite a coincidence! That day, the woman rushed into the fire to save people. Although many people didn't see her face clearly, only the scholar caught a glimpse of her. Logically, he should only be the one witness! However..."
Hearing her say that, several people forgot to take their rice after paying... It was only when Peony reminded them that they came to their senses and then couldn't help but urge her on.
"But what exactly happened? Tell me already!"
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, the woman slowly and smugly began to speak.
"But don't forget, there was another person who came into close contact with that woman that day. Although he's still young, he's a big kid of seven or eight! Recognizing people shouldn't be a problem for him!"
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized what was going on! One person even shouted excitedly.
"I know! It's the only son of the owner of the house that caught fire! That kid is very clever!"
Perhaps because that child was usually the leader of the kids in the area, several people recognized him after he mentioned it!
Qin Qing froze, completely absorbed in weighing the rice! She'd almost forgotten that when she picked up the boy that day, he hadn't fainted at all; he'd even looked up and met her gaze…
Thinking about it this way, it's no wonder it leaked out! After all, the scholar only glanced at her; how could that be as convincing as the boy's testimony?
Lost in thought, she had unknowingly filled a large bag with rice. It wasn't until the guests couldn't bear to look anymore and reminded her that she came back to her senses.
After quickly packing her things, she called out.
"Dear guests, we are very sorry, but the event will end in one incense stick's time. Please pay your bills first and then queue up!"
Upon hearing this, everyone disregarded the gossip and rushed to Qin Zifeng to pay.
Fortunately, Qin Zifeng was off today, so she came to the rice shop to help them with the bookkeeping...
However, at this moment in the palace, the old emperor suddenly threw down the quilt he was holding, his face filled with boundless rage! He roared.
"Chen Zi'ang! Look what you've done!"
Minister Chen was terrified and immediately knelt on the ground, begging for mercy with a deathly pale face.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger, this..."
As he spoke, he subtly shifted his gaze to the trusted eunuch beside the old emperor, only to find that the usually cheerful eunuch Hai dared not even look at him, which showed the seriousness of the matter.
The old emperor was furious and laughed again in anger.
"Are you really unaware or pretending? It's practically the whole capital! The woman I brought back wasn't the real savior, and the only witness was someone you, Minister Chen, killed to cover it up! Just so your own wet nurse could impersonate her! You've completely disgraced me!"
Upon hearing this, Minister Chen's expression changed drastically, and he quickly waved his hand.
"Your Majesty, please do not believe those rumors! That scholar witness is being treated to good food and drink at my residence. I have not harmed him in the slightest! Please, Your Majesty, see the truth!"
Upon hearing this, the old emperor's expression softened slightly, and Minister Chen quickly winked to signal Eunuch Hai beside him.
"Your Majesty, this servant also believes that Minister Chen doesn't have the guts to do this. After all, this matter doesn't benefit Minister Chen at all. Wouldn't it be better to find a real witness instead of trying to fool you with a fake one?"
This statement is not without reason. After pondering for a moment, the old emperor's complexion gradually returned to normal. Minister Chen on the ground breathed a huge sigh of relief, as he had almost stepped into the gates of hell!
"Hmph! If that's the case, then it must have been that wet nurse who acted on her own? How utterly audacious! Throw this person into the imperial prison immediately, and I will interrogate her personally! Minister Chen... I entrust this task of finding the person to you. If you try to fool me with fakes again... watch your head!"
After saying this, the old emperor abruptly flung his sleeves and walked straight out.
Only Minister Chen remained, trembling on the ground...
On the other side, Qin Qing and his companion finally saw off all the guests, and Qin Zifeng was also checking the day's figures. The rice shop finally quieted down.
After all, rice that normally costs two taels of silver is now selling for one tael, which is equivalent to a 50% discount! Not to mention ancient times, many people still like these two words even in modern times!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com