Chapter 283 Qin Qian Returns to Beijing
It happened to be market day in Ping'an County. Jiang Ling thought that the workshop had been running smoothly recently, so she decided to take Xiao Yi and Xiao Qiu to town to buy some daily necessities and also to relax.
The market was bustling with people, even more lively than usual.
The sounds of vendors hawking their wares and haggling filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of the bustling marketplace.
Jiang Ling led Xiao Yi and Xiao Qiu slowly through the market.
Xiao Yi was wearing a clean short jacket, clutching the few copper coins Jiang Ling had given him. His eyes seemed to be taking it all in, staring at the sugar figurine stall one moment and being attracted by the sugar blowing master the next, unable to move an inch.
Xiao Qiu was wearing a light blue cloth dress, her hair was neatly combed, and she looked much more energetic.
Over the past few days, Xiao Qiu has let her guard down and become much more lively, though she still considers herself Jiang Ling's maid.
He never dared to eat or walk in sync with Jiang Ling.
This is a deeply ingrained feudal ideology that Jiang Ling cannot change.
"Sister Jiang, I want to eat sugar painting!" Xiao Yi pointed to the sugar painting stall not far away, her eyes sparkling. "I want to have a dragon painted!"
Jiang Ling smiled and nodded: "Okay, let's go take a look."
She turned to Xiaoqiu and said, "Xiaoqiu, take a look and see if there's anything you want to eat or need. It's a rare opportunity to come out today, so let's have a good look around."
Xiao Qiu quickly shook her head and whispered, "I don't need anything, I'll just stay with my sister."
Passing by a shop selling chilled rice cakes, Jiang Ling bought three pieces and handed one to Xiao Qiu:
"Try it, it's refreshing and sweet but not cloying."
Xiao Qiu took the cold rice cake, her fingertips touching the warm oil paper. She quickly thanked him and took a careful bite.
The sweet aroma of rice mixed with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms spreads across the tongue, truly refreshing.
After purchasing the necessary items, the sun gradually rose higher, and the market became increasingly crowded. Jiang Ling noticed that Xiao Yi's forehead was already beaded with sweat, so she suggested:
"It's too hot. Let's go to the teahouse in front and rest for a while, have some cool tea, and then go back."
Xiao Yi and Xiao Qiu had no objections and followed Jiang Ling into a teahouse on the street corner.
The teahouse was quite crowded, mostly with villagers resting at the market and merchants coming and going. All the square tables were full, and the air was filled with the aroma of tea and a faint smell of tobacco.
Jiang Ling found an empty seat in a corner, ordered three bowls of herbal tea, and just as she picked up the bowl and took a sip, she heard the people at the next table talking loudly and enthusiastically.
"Have you heard? His Highness the First Prince will be returning to the capital in triumph soon!"
"That's right! This time we really beat those barbarians who invaded the border so badly they ran away with their tails between their legs!"
"If you ask me, the eldest prince is the true dragon! As a prince, he doesn't stay in the deep palace, but instead takes the lead and rushes to the front line. This is what it means to truly care about our people!"
"Yes, compared to some who only know how to stay in the capital... cough, the First Prince truly has the support of the people and is the one they all desire!"
"There have been rumors in the palace that His Highness the Crown Prince is far inferior to the First Prince..."
"Originally, the eldest prince was the rightful heir. I heard that his mother was originally the current emperor's principal wife, but unfortunately, she was unlucky and died young. Otherwise, it's uncertain who would have been the crown prince!"
After these words were spoken, the surroundings fell silent for a moment.
Many people in the tea room stopped talking and secretly glanced at the table, their faces showing various expressions.
"Shh!" The businessman who had just spoken was tugged at by his companion, who was pale-faced. "Keep your voice down! How can you say things like that so casually? Be careful what you say!"
The merchant, seemingly realizing his slip of the tongue after being scolded by his friend, awkwardly shut his mouth and took a big gulp of tea.
Another old man spoke up, stroking his beard with a solemn expression, "Royal affairs are far too complicated for us commoners to discuss. Besides, the Crown Prince is the heir apparent. If these words were to get out and be overheard by those with ulterior motives, we would all be in trouble!"
Despite repeated attempts to stop them, discussions about the eldest prince and the crown prince spread quietly throughout the tea room, as if they had grown wings.
Jiang Ling's hand holding the teacup tightened slightly, her fingertips feeling a little cold.
These comments sounded like praise, but the undercurrents beneath them alarmed her.
The struggle for succession has always been the most dangerous vortex, and getting involved means certain death.
Qin Qian is now highly decorated and enjoys great prestige. He seems to be living a life of endless glory, but in reality, he has been pushed to the forefront of controversy.
Those whose achievements overshadow their masters are like tall trees that attract the wind.
Who is behind all this praise and accolades?
She dared not listen any longer, hurriedly put down the tea money, pulled up Xiao Yi who was curiously peering in with her ears perked up, and whispered to Xiao Qiu:
"Let's go back."
Xiao Qiu keenly noticed that Jiang Ling's expression was off, and immediately nodded, pulling Xiao Yi, who was still reluctant to leave, and squeezed out of the noisy crowd.
The atmosphere on the horse-drawn carriage back to the village was somewhat somber.
Xiao Yi seemed to sense that Jiang Ling was in a bad mood, so he sat obediently to the side and stopped playing around.
Jiang Ling leaned against the carriage wall, her eyes closed, but the enthusiastic praise from the market kept echoing in her mind.
A tall tree catches the wind, and great achievements threaten the master; these have always been paths to disaster.
Qin Qian's great achievement is a good thing, but if he is used as a tool by the widespread and almost fanatical reputation to attack the Crown Prince, then what awaits him is probably not rewards, but endless suspicion and danger.
As soon as the carriage came to a stop in front of the general store, before Jiang Ling could even get off, she saw a man dressed in ordinary clothes, but with a tall and straight posture and sharp eyes, standing quietly under the shade of a tree next to the store.
Jiang Ling recognized him as the same soldier who had delivered Qin Qian's urgent letter from 800 li away last time.
Upon seeing Jiang Ling, the guard quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully as always. He then took out an unsigned letter from his robes and whispered:
"Boss Jiang, His Highness has been ordered to go to the capital to report on his duties. The army is on its way and is passing through Ping'an County, so it is inconvenient for them to stop. His Highness has specially ordered me to deliver this letter to you."
Jiang Ling's heart tightened, and she quickly took the envelope he handed her.
"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness... How are you?"
The guard's face showed a complex expression. He paused for a moment before speaking truthfully:
“Miss Jiang, to be honest, the Crown Prince did encounter danger in the final battle. At that time, the enemy's main force launched a surprise attack, and in order to boost morale, the Crown Prince personally led his troops into battle, but he was shot in the chest by an enemy archer.”
"What?!" Jiang Ling's heart sank and jumped into her throat.
Seeing this, the guard quickly added:
"Miss Jiang, don't worry! Fortunately! His Highness was wearing the bulletproof armor you sent him at the time. The arrow was extremely powerful; although it didn't completely penetrate, it still injured His Highness's heart and lungs. He coughed up blood and fell from his horse. When the enemy saw this, they thought His Highness was seriously injured and dying, so their morale soared, and they lowered their guard, swarming forward to try and take the credit..."
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