Chapter 170 What happened
She paused, her manners gentle, her eyes slowly sweeping across the crowd, finally landing back on Concubine Qin, a gentle arc curling up at the corner of her lips:
"Qingning is fully aware of her own insignificance, but this marriage contract is still a bargaining chip. If I can do even a little to help my father and brother return home, and relieve Your Majesty's worries, I will not hesitate even if it means my death."
The hall fell silent in an instant.
The smiles on the faces of Concubine Shu, Concubine Xian and others froze, and a hint of shock flashed in their eyes.
Jiang Qingning actually directly classified himself as a bargaining chip. Could it be that he was really forced into a corner?
Concubine Qin's hand, which was holding hers, trembled almost imperceptibly, and she looked at her with a look full of admiration and heartache.
Jiang Qingning straightened his back, like a pine tree standing proudly in the wind and snow.
She was not unaware of the meaning of this sentence.
But since it is unavoidable, let everyone see clearly the value of this chip and the price to pay to pick it up.
In this chess game, she, Jiang Qingning, made the move.
Concubine Shu's smile was stiff. She was furious when she thought about her niece's two successive husbands, both of whom were snatched away by Jiang Qingning.
"What a sharp-tongued girl from the Jiang family! You are quite self-aware. However, the weight of this bargaining chip depends on who holds it."
"The Imperial Concubine is kindhearted in praising you, but you shouldn't really think you're a piece of cake. You're just a second-time bride, relying on your looks to get into the Zhenbei Palace, and you dare to speak so arrogantly in this palace. Do you think there's no one in the harem?!"
Her words were sharp and sarcastic, even leading the flames of war to Yu Meiren and Jiang Meiren, who had been watching from the sidelines:
"And you, a daughter of a marquis, a person who rose to power through flattery, are unworthy to sit here on equal footing with me. Yu, weren't you quite talkative just now? Why are you silent now? Or do you really think that by climbing a big tree, you can ascend to heaven in one step?"
The virtuous concubine still maintained her gentle demeanor, but her voice had also grown colder:
"Sister Shufei, calm down. Why bother getting angry with a junior? You'll lose your status. Miss Jiang, I understand that you're young and impulsive, so I won't bother with your arrogance."
"But in the harem, reckless speech is taboo. If this were to reach His Majesty, it would likely bring about a catastrophic disaster. Your father and brother are far away in Lingnan, so you should be even more cautious in your words and actions. Don't let a momentary impulse jeopardize your family's future."
When Concubine Yu was named by Concubine Shu, her pretty face turned red with anger and her chest heaved. She was about to retort, but was stopped by Jiang Qingning's calm look.
She looked at Jiang Qingning's bottomless eyes. For some reason, the anger boiling in her heart strangely subsided a little, leaving only a deep resentment.
As someone who has been pushed to the forefront of public opinion, how could Lady Jiang have ever experienced such a situation?
She was publicly scolded as a plaything by Concubine Shu, and was frightened out of her wits by the threats in Concubine Xian's words. At this moment, her face was as pale as paper, her body trembled uncontrollably, her eyes turned red in an instant, tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked up at Concubine Qin for help.
“That’s enough!”
Qin Yurong slowly stood up, her phoenix eyes filled with majesty, and her gaze swept over Concubine Shu and Concubine Xian as if it were real. Wherever she passed, even the air seemed to freeze.
"I am still sitting here in this harem. When will it be someone else's turn to teach my guests a lesson on my behalf?"
Her voice was icy and filled with unquestionable authority. "Shu Fei, as the head of the Four Concubines, you are as harsh as a street shrew and you are verbally abusing the guests I invited. Where are your manners?"
"Xianfei, every word you say is a warning, but to me, it sounds like you're using the future and safety of General Jiang and his son to threaten a little girl."
"How come, in the eyes of Concubine Xian, a loyal and capable general who has served on the Lingnan border for eight years, he has become something she can manipulate at will and use to coerce her female relatives?"
With every word she spoke, the expressions of Concubine Shu and Concubine Xian became uglier.
Concubine Qin's gaze finally fell on the trembling Concubine Jiang. Her voice slowed down a bit, but still carried the scrutiny of a superior:
"Lady Jiang, raise your head. It's your blessing that His Majesty likes you. Remember, your duty is to serve His Majesty attentively. Don't be distracted by those gossips. As for what others say..."
She glanced coldly at the sullen Concubine Shu, "Otherwise, today I will see who dares to speak so disrespectfully to the beauty personally appointed by His Majesty."
Shufei and Xianfei were speechless, their faces looked extremely ugly, but they dared not speak easily, and the lower-ranking concubines buried their heads even lower.
Concubine Qin then looked back at Jiang Qingning, her face regaining some of its gentleness, her eyes still filled with deep meaning:
"Qingning, you've seen it too. Rumors are inevitable in this palace. Just remember that I summoned you into the palace because I truly love you and want to talk to you. As for the rest..."
She swept her eyes across the room with a pointed look. "I will make the decision for you. You are tired today, so please leave the palace early and rest. Come back another day when you have time to talk to me."
"Your Majesty, thank you for your protection."
Jiang Qingning knelt and saluted with a respectful posture and a calm voice.
Concubine Qin has achieved her goal today.
Her bargaining chip has been hung high, and all the forces in the harem have seen it clearly.
She no longer looked at the people in the hall with different expressions. Under the gaze of countless complex eyes, she straightened her back, turned around with steady steps, and walked out of the palace with the palace maid leading the way.
Outside the palace gate, the sun shines with a hint of warmth.
Jiang Qingning narrowed his eyes slightly, adapting to the light outside, and trying to dispel the cold and suffocating feeling brought by the hall just now.
"Qingning." A clear voice came.
Jiang Qingning raised his eyes and saw He Ning, dressed in a scarlet Qilin court robe, standing tall not far away.
He had obviously just come out of court and was waiting here on purpose.
The sunlight fell on his handsome face, with a hearty smile and bright eyes, which dispelled some of the haze in her heart.
"Master He." Jiang Qingning nodded slightly and walked over.
"Is everything going well in the palace?"
He Ning walked side by side with her, deliberately slowing down his pace and speaking in a low voice with concern.
"I'm afraid there's going to be quite a scene at Concubine Qin's place today. Did Concubine Shu and Concubine Xian give you any trouble?"
Jiang Qingning shook his head slightly, his tone calm and composed, "It's just some verbal disputes. With the Imperial Concubine present, they can't cause any trouble."
He Ning heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but then frowned again, his tone carrying a hint of coldness and understanding:
"Noble Concubine Qin specifically summoned you today, and praised you so highly in front of everyone in the harem... Is she trying to completely push you out and have everyone stare at the fat piece of meat behind you?"
"Yeah." Jiang Qingning did not deny it.
She turned her head to look at He Ning, "Prince, does this seem to be of no surprise to you?"
He Ning smiled calmly, his eyes sharp: "As expected."
"Qin Xiu has been silent for over a month, and suddenly regained the emperor's favor. Now, at this moment, he has his sister push you into the spotlight. Who would believe him if he said he had no ulterior motives?"
"He wants to completely muddy the waters, forcing all those who covet the Jiang family's power to surface and fight each other, so that his Qin family can fish in troubled waters and reap the benefits."
He paused, looking at Jiang Qingning with a hint of deep meaning, "Qingning, Qin Xiu is a man with a mind as deep as the sea. He may be somewhat sincere towards you, but in the face of family interests, this sincerity can only take a certain weight. Don't let him deceive you and become a pawn in his hands."
Jiang Qingning's footsteps paused slightly.
He Ning's words pierced her heart like an ice spike.
But what He Ning said was correct. Wasn't Concubine Qin's action today just another form of exploitation of her after Qin Xiu no longer concealed it?
Putting her in the public eye and making her the focus of competition among all parties will not only make her less likely to be suspected by the world, but will also help Qin Xiu to take action secretly.
Her heart was cold, but she didn't show it on her face. She just said lightly: "The prince reminded me, Qingning knows it in her heart."
He Ning keenly noticed her alienation and tactfully said no more.
The two walked in silence for a while, got on the carriage, and turned a corner. A tempting sweet fragrance wafted into their noses.
On the street, the sign of Baiweizhai was fluttering in the wind, and there was a long line at the door.
"Oh, right," He Ning seemed to remember something, a bright smile on his face again. He asked the carriage to stop and walked a few steps to the Baiweizhai counter. "I almost forgot, I heard that their new chestnut crisps and osmanthus sugar steamed chestnut flour cakes are excellent. Qingning, take some back to try, and bring some for my little sister too."
He walked into the crowd with swift movements, and instructed the shopkeeper to pack several large boxes of exquisite snacks. Then, amid the whispers of the crowd, he stuffed the boxes into Zi Su's hands behind Jiang Qingning without saying a word.
Jiang Qingning looked at his busy back and his natural and cheerful smile when he handed over the snacks. The coldness and vigilance in her heart caused by Qin Xiu surprisingly loosened a little.
He Ning's concern may be based on the consideration of marriage, but at least it is made clear.
"Thank you, Prince." She looked into He Ning's eyes, looked at him seriously for a moment, and then gestured to Zi Su to take it.
He Ning felt a little embarrassed by her gaze. He scratched his head and said with a smile, "Why are you being so polite to me? Let's go back quickly. I see you're tired too."
Back at Ning Pavilion, the sweet aroma of pastries filled the air as I walked.
As Jiang Qingning stepped into the courtyard, a red figure jumped out from the corridor like a young swallow flying into the forest, and rushed in front of her with a crisp laugh.
"Sister, you're finally back!"
Jiang Qingxi was wearing a fiery red outfit, with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, obviously he had just finished practicing.
Her face is bright and her eyes are sparkling, with the vitality and heroism unique to a fifteen-year-old girl.
At this moment, she sniffed hard like a beagle, her eyes instantly locked on the snack box in Zisu's hand. She said in surprise, "Oh, snacks from Baiweizhai! Are they chestnut crisps and osmanthus cakes? Sister, you are so kind!"
She reached out to take it, but Jiang Qingning gently slapped her away: "Go wash your hands first, they are all yours, why are you in such a hurry?"
Looking at his sister's bright and innocent smile and listening to her chattering, the heavy haze in Jiang Qingning's heart seemed to be dispelled a lot at this moment.
Jiang Qingxi stuck out her tongue and ran to wash her hands obediently.
She quickly ran back, opened the box impatiently, picked up a piece of chestnut crisp, took a big, satisfied bite, and asked vaguely, "Sister, is it fun in the palace? What does the Imperial Concubine want to see you about? Did someone bully you?"
She seemed casual, but her bright and sharp eyes, which resembled Jiang Qingning's, were observing her sister's expression without blinking.
Jiang Qingning picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, sniffed the sweet aroma, and looked at his sister eating carefreely, his eyes gradually becoming deep and complex.
"Qingxi," Jiang Qingning's voice was soft, with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue and deep thought, "If I told you that someone who wants to help you might inadvertently put you in even greater danger... what would you choose?"
Jiang Qingxi paused in chewing.
She raised her head, with some chestnut crumbs still on the corner of her mouth. In her clear big eyes, the innocence of a girl quickly faded away, replaced by a sharpness and insight that was inconsistent with her age.
She didn't answer immediately, but just looked at her sister intently, as if trying to discern every subtle emotion in her words.
After a moment, she put down the snack in her hand, picked up the handkerchief and slowly wiped her mouth, with the agility of a martial artist.
Then, she stood up and walked to Jiang Qingning, raised her face slightly, looked directly at her sister with her bright eyes, and spoke in a clear and calm voice:
"Sister, I'm not a child anymore. The first lesson my father and brother taught me in Lingnan was that there is no good thing in this world without a reason."
"Help can be sincere, or it can be a knife covered in honey."
"Pushing you into a dangerous situation... Perhaps it's because that person feels that only a sufficiently dangerous place can give you what he wants, or... he thinks you're capable of handling that danger?"
She tilted her head, her eyes like a sharp little leopard: "Sister, are you talking about...the young master of the Qin family?"
Jiang Qingning paused slightly, not expecting Jiang Qingxi to react so quickly.
Jiang Qingxi saw her expression and immediately realized that he had guessed right. He sighed and sat next to Jiang Qingning, holding her hand and comforting her:
"Sister, actually we hope you are happy. As long as you are happy, father, mother and brother will be happy too."
Jiang Qingxi stopped talking at that point and didn't continue.
Jiang Qingning's mood suddenly became complicated. What flashed before her eyes was Qin Xiu's caring eyes again and again. But when she thought of her family whom she had not seen for almost ten years and missed all day long, she was able to mend the loosened feeling.
"Sister is fine, don't worry, sister won't let herself be unhappy." Jiang Qingning patted her hands, looked at Jiang Qingxi who was hesitant to speak, raised his hand and stuffed a piece of cake into her mouth.
"Sister! You...are playing tricks again!" Jiang Qingxi said with difficulty, her mouth puffed up and she covered her mouth.
She loves snacks the most and doesn't want to drop any cakes.
"Hurry up and eat, this is what Prince He personally bought at Baiweizhai, and it all suits your taste. It really is true that young people can play together."
Just as a smile appeared on Jiang Qingning's lips, a thought came into his mind and his smile froze there.
"Sister, what's wrong with you?" Jiang Qingxi asked in confusion as she saw that the words were not continued.
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