Chapter 89 Save Beauty
"Look at me, I forget the time as soon as I start talking. Qingning is entering the palace for the first time today, so she must be tired."
"I've had some little gadgets prepared for you to take back and enjoy. Don't be polite to me."
Concubine Qin smiled and gestured to the female official beside her.
The female official brought up a rosewood tray, on which was a set of head ornaments made of red gold and inlaid with kingfisher feathers. They were glittering and the workmanship was extremely delicate. It was obvious that they were treasures made in the palace.
"Thank you for your reward, Your Majesty." Jiang Qingning stood up and bowed to express his gratitude.
"Go ahead. Come back another day to talk to me." Concubine Qin smiled and watched her go.
Shisu stepped forward and took the tray respectfully.
When Jiang Qingning was about to leave the moon cave gate, he paused slightly and looked back as if inadvertently.
In the water pavilion, Concubine Qin was still leaning on the beauty couch, but her eyes were already cast on the shimmering lake.
The gentle smile that Concubine Qin had just had faded, and her profile, in the light and shadow, revealed an elusive calmness that was unique to women in the deep palace.
Jiang Qingning withdrew his gaze and his mind became clear.
Concubine Qin's closeness was a form of winning over, and it was because Qin Xiu and the wife of Duke Qin liked her so much.
Every bit of love in this deep palace has already been secretly priced.
Outside the city gate.
The carriage slowly drove away. Jiang Qingning closed his eyes, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the seat cushion beside him, making a slight tapping sound.
"Any news from Lingnan?"
"not yet."
Zi Su shook her head, a trace of worry in her eyes. "According to the date, it should have arrived a long time ago. I'm afraid the journey will be..."
"We haven't received the final news yet, so don't ask for bad things." Jiang Qingning said in a deep voice, shaking his head.
However, the kindness of Zhaohua Palace was like an invisible will, quietly pushing Jiang Qingning's life into a new vortex, and she was forced to become a frequent visitor to Zhaohua Palace.
Every time Concubine Qin entered the palace, her intimate attitude was just right. They talked about poetry and painting, drank tea and appreciated flowers, and occasionally mentioned Qin Xiu's interesting stories. The meaning of matchmaking in her words became clearer and clearer in the silence of the palace walls and deep gardens.
The wind direction in the capital has become subtle, and has turned into why Jiang Qingning has won the favor of the imperial concubine. Could it be that the Duke Qin's Mansion really values Jiang Qingning as a daughter-in-law?
"How is this possible? How can Jiang Qingning be worthy of becoming the daughter-in-law of Duke Qin's mansion?"
"Is Prince Qin blind? Princess Shanyang has been pursuing him for so many years and still can't win his favor. But Jiang Qingning has only been a neighbor of Duke Qin's Mansion for two months, how come he has reached such a glorious moment now?"
"Who knows what methods she used? I used to be dismissive of any possible methods she might have used, but now I'm actually asking to become her disciple and learn from her."
The suspicions of countless people could not affect Jiang Qingning's normal life, because she was summoned to the palace again.
Even though she received generous rewards every time, like a dowry, Jiang Qingning still felt helpless after running so many times.
"Miss Jiang, please come this way." The palace maid led the way respectfully.
Jiang Qingning nodded and stepped into the back garden of Zhaohua Palace. After taking a few steps, he felt that the atmosphere was unusual.
Concubine Qin was still sitting in the main seat with a smile on her face, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
Below her sat several female members of the royal family. Among them was a noble lady whom she had not seen before, with a somewhat harsh look in her eyes. She was none other than Liu, the wife of the Minister of Personnel, who had just been transferred back to the capital with her husband.
"Qingning is here, come and sit down and chat with me."
When Concubine Qin saw her, she greeted her with a friendly smile, but her eyes suggested that she should be patient.
"I haven't seen you for a few days. Your Majesty is even more graceful than before."
Jiang Qingning's eyebrows turned, and she walked forward with a smile and sat next to Concubine Qin, on the embroidered cushion that the palace maid had just placed.
This honor made everyone present look at the other side with a smile.
"Oh, speaking of which, Miss Jiang is now a well-known figure in the capital. Her arrows in the hunting grounds amazed everyone, and even the emperor praised her highly. But..."
Liu feigned surprise and said a few words before changing the subject: "When I was accompanying my husband on his mission abroad, I heard that things in Lingnan seemed to be a bit unsettled."
Jiang Qingning chuckled: "Madam Liu, you may as well speak frankly. Qingning is the daughter of a military commander after all, and she disdains some sweet talk."
Liu's eyes swept across Jiang Qingning with a hint of meaning, and she said in a provocative tone:
"General Jiang was exiled to Lingnan in the past. He has worked hard and made great contributions to the country and atone for his sins. Miss Jiang should do her duty.
Don't get involved in underworld practices that shouldn't be involved in, lest you attract criticism from the people and tarnish the good reputation that Lord Jiang has worked so hard to earn."
Jiang Qingning sneered in his heart at Liu's vicious words.
Not only does it imply that her father is unable to discipline her, it is also a subtle criticism of her misconduct.
The pavilion suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Jiang Qingning. There was little worry, and most people were gloating while watching the show.
Jiang Qingning was about to answer when a clear male voice rang out from behind him, unquestionable: "Madam Liu, you are wrong."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that Qin Xiu had been standing at the entrance of the pavilion without them noticing.
He was wearing a dark purple casual suit, with his hair tied up with a jade crown. He walked in calmly, his eyes like cold stars shooting straight at Liu.
"Miss Jiang's archery skills were personally commended by the Emperor as 'the bravest in the hunting grounds'. She is a woman who is as capable as any man. How can you say she is just a gangster?"
"As for Lingnan."
Qin Xiu walked to Jiang Qingning's side and stood still, forming an invisible protective posture.
"Lord Jiang is stationed in the southern border, and the ruffians are intimidated. His Majesty has repeatedly praised him for his good military management and his meritorious service in defending the territory."
"Madam Liu is on a distant mission with the Minister of Personnel. She's heard some nonsense and is making unwarranted speculations, even insinuating things about the families of meritorious officials. Could it be that she's questioning Your Majesty's judgment?"
Qin Xiu's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying a chilling sense of oppression.
Liu's face turned pale instantly and she broke out in a cold sweat.
Qin Xiu's words were piercing, and he directly accused her and her husband of questioning the emperor's will and slandering meritorious officials.
"Lord Qin, please calm down. Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was mistaken in my words. I never meant that."
She hurriedly stood up and apologized, her voice changing in tone with fear.
Concubine Qin began gently, with a hint of warning: "Madam Liu is outspoken, and I know that. However, matters concerning the court and the frontier are not something that women like us can discuss casually."
"Qingning is a child that both Your Majesty and I value. I have a clear judgment of her character and talent."
"Let's end today's business here. If there is nothing else, you can all go. Qingning and Chengyuan will stay."
She brushed the matter off lightly, her eyes glancing at Qin Xiu's back as he protected Jiang Qingning, a hint of deep meaning flashing in her eyes.
Jiang Qingning lowered his eyes to hide the emotions in them.
After all the noble ladies left, a genuine smile appeared on Concubine Qin's face.
"I've been asked so many times before, but you never took the initiative to enter my Zhaohua Palace. Now, when you heard Qingning might be wronged, you eagerly ran over to save her."
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