Chapter 39 Dining Together [23 days until the female lead's appearance]...
"Distinguished guests, please come in—"
It was midday, and the honey jelly eatery was packed with people. The shopkeeper's long, drawn-out shouts were quickly swallowed up by the noisy crowd.
The shopkeeper bowed and led Xue Rongyue and Qin Jin to a private room on the second floor.
To make it easier to walk through the market, Xue Rongyue specially changed into a willow-colored Hu-style robe with gold thread, tied up her black hair with a black jade and gold crown, and held a folding fan in her hand. She walked at the front with her head held high, looking exactly like a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth.
I found a quiet room by the window, facing the bustling market.
After Xue Rongyue ordered several of the restaurant's signature dishes, such as mutton soup, camel hoof soup, Gu Louzi (a type of stew), and Hun Yang Mo Hu (a type of stew), she looked at Qin Jin sitting opposite her and asked, "Young Master Qin, would you like to add something else?"
The shopkeeper brought over some newly brewed peach wine and was about to bend down to pour it for the two when Qin Jin raised his hand to stop him.
The brocade robe accentuated Qin Jin's broad shoulders and narrow waist, highlighting his lean and muscular physique. He sat down, his sword-like eyebrows sweeping into his temples, half his face hidden in shadow. His sharp brow bones pressed down, and his cold expression couldn't conceal his weariness. Hearing this, he lazily raised his eyes and glanced at Xue Rongyue.
The dishes Xue Rongyue ordered were all according to his preferences, and the smile on her lips, which was even more attentive than the restaurant owner's, practically screamed "I have ill intentions" on her face.
Shaking his head listlessly, Qin Jin felt a sudden headache coming on as Ji Dian's warnings still echoed in his ears. His long, slender fingers pressed against his brow.
Two short hours have passed, and it seems he has inadvertently boarded Xue Rongyue's pirate ship again.
After the shopkeeper tactfully left, Xue Rongyue leaned forward and looked at Qin Jin with concern: "Your Highness doesn't look too well. Have you not been sleeping well these past few days?"
From the night before until now, Qin Jin has not rested for even a moment. He is so tired that he can't even lift his eyelids, and he has no energy to play tricks on Xue Rongyue.
Qin Jin rubbed his temples harder and sighed, "What important matter does Madam Xue have to discuss? Please speak frankly."
Upon hearing this, Xue Rongyue stopped beating around the bush: "It's nothing important, but there's something that's been puzzling me. I wonder if Your Highness could enlighten me?"
With drooping eyebrows and a nonchalant tone, Qin Jin asked, "What is it?"
Xue Rongyue raised her eyes, looking at Qin Jin with a half-smile, tilted her head and asked feigned ignorance, "I wonder what official position Prince Qin holds in the court?"
“A mere spoiled brat cannot command the Guard Division to assist him.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the elegant pavilion fell silent. The noisy commotion of the restaurant could be clearly heard, mingling with the incense wafting from the incense burner, before being dispersed by the breeze.
Sunlight cast shadows on Qin Jin's high nose bridge. Meeting Xue Rongyue's meaningful gaze, Qin Jin raised an eyebrow and smiled nonchalantly: "Madam Xue, are you here to inquire or to interrogate me?"
With a gentle flutter of her eyelashes, Xue Rongyue rested her chin on her hand and sighed, "It's not about probing or questioning; I just want to know more about the young master."
With his tall and upright figure stretched out, Qin Jin tapped the table with his fingers at a leisurely pace, looking at Xue Rongyue with an air of composure: "Want to understand me?"
Xue Rongyue spoke sincerely, but still offered the same perfunctory excuse: "We are allies, and it is understandable that I want to know more about my allies."
"The word 'alliance' has now become your shield." Qin Jin chuckled, but his words suddenly turned cold, "allowing you to recklessly pry into my privacy."
Xue Rongyue lowered her eyelids, picked up the wine pot with her fingertips and poured herself a cup of wine. She said in a seemingly serious but actually feigned manner, "Your Highness is hiding too many secrets. As your ally, I am really uneasy. We were both ignorant and incompetent before. How did you suddenly become a minister trusted by the Emperor? It's as if you have been reborn."
If the first half of the sentence was a tentative probe, seemingly genuine, then the second half, with its undisguised resentment and indignation, became substantial.
Xue Rongyue was really indignant!
What could be more despairing and agonizing than watching your former nemesis rise to power and gain fame?
The thought of Qin Jin's imposing presence in the Guard Division today made Xue Rongyue grit her teeth in hatred. A sense of defeat at being compared to him was stuck in her throat, and she estimated that she would not be able to sleep for the next few days!
She was unwilling to accept it!
Why should I?!
Qin Jin suddenly curled his lips and said casually, "Now that the Wang Jinhu case has been investigated, Madam Xue need not worry."
Xue Rongyue paused in pouring the wine: "Has the young master already found the murderer?"
With a slight raise of his eyebrows, Qin Jin remained silent.
Xue Rongyue was now truly anxious. She leaned forward, her almond-shaped eyes glaring at Qin Jin, "Why isn't Your Highness speaking? Tell me quickly, who is the murderer?!"
The restaurant served up a variety of exquisite dishes, their aromas so enticing that they made one's stomach rumble.
Xue Rongyue didn't care about any of that. As soon as the door to the elegant room closed again, she eagerly asked, "Stop keeping me in suspense! I knew you couldn't have been doing nothing all these past few days."
With a slight twitch of his brows, Qin Jin returned her gaze with amusement in his captivating eyes.
Although Qin Jin did not speak, Xue Rongyue inexplicably understood his meaning with just a raised eyebrow.
Although unwilling and even more unwilling to be suppressed by Qin Jin, Xue Rongyue had no choice but to lower her head due to the circumstances: "I came to see you today because it concerns the Jade Plate. I have found some clues, but because it involves the palace, I cannot interfere further."
A dark, unreadable light flashed in Qin Jin's eyes, and he asked in a low voice, "What details?"
Xue Rongyue said, "I found a palace servant who was in charge of purchasing. He said that when he went out of the palace to purchase goods that day, the palace official in charge of purchasing secretly put a raccoon cat into the purchasing cart. Because it was not cleaned carefully enough, a few cat hairs stuck to the vegetable leaves. After the dishes were made and presented to the concubines, the imperial kitchen was punished for it."
“I questioned the palace servant who saw the cat that put it in the food cart, and it’s unmistakable that it’s the Jade Plate that the Crown Prince keeps. That palace official is probably someone who knows about this. We might be able to find out who’s behind it by following him, but…”
Xue Rongyue said in a deep voice, "The palace official has now left the palace and been sent to the imperial estate under Consort Liu's name to live out his days in peace. I cannot invite him here without going through Consort Liu, and I am also worried that I will alert the enemy. Therefore, I would like to ask if the young master has any ideas."
She reluctantly hummed, "After all, the young master is no ordinary person now. If he holds an official position, wouldn't it be an easy matter for him to interrogate this person?"
Xue Rongyue wasn't truly helpless against the palace official, but it would require a lot of effort and money. Fortunately, Qin Jin was there, and since the jade plate was his beloved possession, she might as well hand it over to him, saving her the trouble of scheming.
Qin Jin's expression was slightly complicated: "Have you been busy investigating this matter these past few days?"
She thought that after clearing away the filth splashed on her, she would put the matter behind her, since the Liu family's affairs were more pressing and obviously more important to her. Unexpectedly...
Of course, an investigation is necessary!
How can she feel at ease until she finds out who shifted the blame onto her, causing her to bear the stigma for so long without realizing it?
She had to find the person behind this and give them a good beating to quell her anger.
Xue Rongyue sneered inwardly, but said aloud, "This concerns the rift between the young master and me. I must investigate thoroughly at all costs in order to clear up the misunderstanding and restore our good relationship."
After saying that, Xue Rongyue lowered her eyes for a long time, but still did not listen to Qin Jin speak. She couldn't help but secretly lift her eyelids to peek at Qin Jin's expression.
Just then, they met Qin Jin's gaze, which seemed to be both smiling and not smiling.
"......"
Damn it, Qin Jin isn't falling for it.
Xue Rongyue raised her head nonchalantly, pretending that she hadn't said anything: "Who do you think is behind this, Your Highness?"
Qin Jin gave a short, cold laugh: "Didn't you already have a decision in your heart?"
Xue Rongyue sighed: "Back then, you and I were both young, and there should have been nothing to scheme against us. I've been thinking about it, could it be that the person behind this is trying to sow discord between us?"
"This person must have a grudge against the Crown Prince and is deliberately seeking revenge. Since he chose me as a shield, he probably doesn't have much of a relationship with me. There aren't many people in the palace who can control everything and stir up trouble without fear."
The current emperor and empress are deeply in love, and there are very few concubines in the harem, let alone a single empress of high rank.
Aside from the seriously ill Empress, there were only Consort Liu, Consort Shu, and the Emperor's stepmother, the Empress Dowager.
"Consort Shu is a devout Buddhist who has never been involved in worldly affairs, so let's leave that aside for now. As for the Empress, she is seriously ill and has been bedridden for most of the time. The fact that I was able to clear my name is largely due to the help of the Empress and the Princess. Moreover, sowing discord between you and me would obviously do you both no good."
The Empress is the Emperor's first wife, and Princess Yu'an is the Emperor's younger sister. In terms of status, the two belong to the Emperor's faction. Her father was a great general with many military achievements and a key minister of the late Emperor. How could the two of them possibly plot against her and Qin Jin, whom the Emperor valued?
Instead, she kept hoping that she could make peace with Qin Jin.
That leaves only the Empress Dowager and Consort Liu.
These two individuals can be considered as one.
The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine both came from the Liu family and were of the same bloodline. The Imperial Concubine was the Empress Dowager's niece, so their relationship was self-evident.
"But I find it a bit strange."
Xue Rongyue frowned: "Who is the Empress Dowager? Even if she wanted to sow discord between the Xue and Qin families, she wouldn't have targeted us at that time. If she were to do so, she would have done it meticulously. How could she have resorted to such a ridiculous trick full of loopholes? Even after all these years, there are still clues to follow."
"Not only that, there was also the sudden death of the imperial chef. If it was the Empress Dowager's doing, why would she need to use such an obvious method as poisoning, which would leave clues? She could have just found an excuse to beat him to death afterwards."
The rising steam from the tea masked the fleeting, dark, and cold glint in Qin Jin's eyes. He slowly sipped his tea without saying a word.
Xue Rongyue speculated, "Perhaps it was done by someone connected to the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager found out afterward and covered it up for them?"
Only in this way can we explain why the person behind the scenes was able to use their power to keep the palace servants silent, yet the methods used to set up the scheme were so clumsy and rudimentary.
There are very few people in the world who can get the Empress Dowager to cover up and clean up the mess for them.
A name immediately came to Xue Rongyue's mind, but since the matter was of great importance, she could not and should not speak out and speculate casually.
Xue Rongyue looked at Qin Jin with her eyes and secretly observed his expression.
Qin Jin's expression remained as indifferent and cold as ever, showing no sign of emotion, so Xue Rongyue remained silent.
She has done more than enough by investigating this matter to this extent; there is no need for her to worry about anything more.
Having already confessed everything that needed to be confessed, Xue Rongyue kicked Qin Jin and said rudely, "Can the young master speak frankly now?"
With a click of his tongue, Qin Jin calmly dodged Xue Rongyue's kick and said unhappily, "Is this how Madam Xue asks for help?"
"What do you mean by asking for favors? Stop putting on airs!" Xue Rongyue was even more displeased than him. "We were forced to form an alliance because of the Wang Jinhu case. Now that we know who the real culprit is, you should naturally tell me."
With his brows slightly furrowed, Qin Jin suddenly raised his eyes.
His gaze fell on Xue Rongyue, as if he were scrutinizing and probing her.
Xue Rongyue raised her head, meeting her gaze defiantly: "What's wrong? Am I wrong?"
Qin Jin then changed the subject, asking casually, "Are you eager to find out the details of Wang Jinhu's case as soon as possible?"
Xue Rongyue was quite puzzled: "Doesn't the young master want to? You and I are deeply involved. If the real culprit doesn't come to light, how can we clear our names?"
Qin Jin paused slightly on the table with his knuckles, leaned back, and said indifferently, "Then I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Madam Xue."
Xue Rongyue was taken aback.
Qin Jin's voice was cold: "The murderer who killed Wang Jinhu is the man in black."
After a moment of stunned silence, Xue Rongyue frowned, and suddenly realized the meaning behind Qin Jin's words.
Although they knew the killer was a man in black, they did not know who that man was!
Xue Rongyue couldn't help but wonder: "Why did the young master determine that the murderer was the man in black? Did Liu Ruyu confess?"
Qin Jin lowered his eyes and remained silent, staring absently at the empty wine cup in front of him.
"......"
Swallowing back the angry curses that were about to escape her lips, Xue Rongyue swallowed her anger, picked up the wine pot, and poured wine for Qin Jin.
Just as the wine was about to overflow the cup, Xue Rongyue stopped herself, slamming the wine pot down on the table with a loud "bang," and said through gritted teeth, "Can you speak now, Your Highness?"
This is the humiliation of being subservient to others!
Xue Rongyue glared at Qin Jin and secretly vowed in her heart that one day she would crush Qin Jin under her feet and avenge her humiliation!
Qin Jin picked up the full wine cup, steady and composed, without spilling a drop: "Wang Jinhu's body was also disemboweled."
In just a few words, Xue Rongyue instantly understood his meaning: "The methods are the same?"
Qin Jin replied, "Yes."
Liu Ruyu was not so unscrupulous from the beginning. According to his confession, he and the man in black first killed several lone refugees and then disemboweled several old servants before daring to target ordinary people with names and surnames.
The bodies that were carelessly buried were dug up, and after being identified by Liu Ruyu, it was found that the methods of disemboweling them were all the same.
Xue Rongyue clicked her tongue in amazement: "You can actually recognize the technique?"
She had only made a casual guess.
Qin Jin said calmly, "They enjoy the process of disemboweling and treat these broken corpses as spoils of war. They deliberately carve marks on the shoulders of the corpses with a knife. Liu Ruyu's mark is a willow leaf, and the man in black's mark is a plum blossom."
On the right shoulder of Wang Jinhu's body, there is a lifelike plum blossom carving.
Xue Rongyue couldn't understand and sighed, "It's such a pity that I didn't manage to take him down in the bamboo forest that night, otherwise we wouldn't be in such a passive position."
After finishing the sake in his cup, Qin Jin snorted softly, "Does Madam Xue have any other important business?"
Qin Jin emphasized the words "important matter" very heavily.
With a quick glance, Xue Rongyue naturally sensed his intention to take his leave and hurriedly called out to him, "Wait, Your Highness, I invited you to dinner today, but you haven't touched a single bite of the food."
Qin Jin's gaze swept over the dazzling array of dishes laid out on the table. Just as he was about to refuse, Xue Rongyue spoke up first: "Young Master, the dishes have already been served. You won't leave me to enjoy them alone, will you?"
"Or perhaps..." Xue Rongyue deliberately provoked, "Is the young master worried that I might tamper with these dishes?"
Qin Jin's thin lips curled slightly, and his downcast, cool gaze revealed a very direct thought—you know that too?
Xue Rongyue: "......"
Although she did have a criminal record and really wanted to do it, the food this time was truly non-toxic!
"Watch closely!" Xue Rongyue angrily picked up her chopsticks and picked up some of the dishes on the table and put them into her bowl and plate. Then, while looking at Qin Jin, she stuffed the food into her mouth.
"Now the young master can rest easy, right?" Xue Rongyue said unhappily as she swallowed the last bite of her food.
Qin Jin stood up lazily: "It's getting late, I need to go back to my residence to rest, I'm afraid I won't be able to enjoy this."
"It's midday, and the sun is so bright outside, how can it be late?"
Xue Rongyue ignored Qin Jin's polite refusal. Seeing Qin Jin about to take a step, she suddenly lowered her voice, anxiously fidgeting with the handkerchief between her fingers, "Qin Jin, I... I miss my brother a little..."
Qin Jin stopped in his tracks.
He turned around, his gaze following Xue Rongyue's black hair tied up with a golden crown.
Her thick, curled eyelashes fluttered like a small fan, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Xue Rongyue pursed her red lips, and although her expression was not clear, it made people think even more.
They do look rather wilted and pitiful.
With a slow sigh, Qin Jin rubbed his temples helplessly, then turned and sat down.
He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of mutton, and said as if he had a toothache, "Eat, eat, eat quickly."
Xue Rongyue then raised her head, picked up her chopsticks, and pretended to serve Qin Jin a few bites of food, placing them in his bowl and plate.
Qin Jin glanced at it, didn't move, but didn't deliberately move it aside either.
He had assumed that Xue Rongyue must have something to say to him since she used her brother as an excuse to insist on keeping him at the table for a meal. However, Xue Rongyue ate quietly without saying another word.
Could it be that he simply misses his brother and invites this former "friend" to dine with him to temporarily ease his longing?
Qin Jin's expression was complicated, and he slowed down his eating pace.
Five days ago, this was Qin Jin's first hot meal. Constantly traveling, he dared not waste a moment, and the only food he had time to eat each day was the dry rations he carried with him.
Qin Jin swallowed the mutton and thought to himself that the food at this restaurant was indeed quite good, and he could come here often in the future.
Xue Rongyue picked up a piece of hibiscus cake and subtly observed Qin Jin's expression.
She wasn't hungry at all; her insistence on having Qin Jin stay for a meal today was simply due to the inspiration she had received from the original book.
If you want to win over Qin Jin, you can't just use a series of earth-shattering events to increase the bond between the two of you. You also need to subtly influence her by starting with some details and small things—first, get Qin Jin to lower her guard and dine with her.
It's impossible for Qin Jin to still be wary of her after the original plot unfolds, and not even be allowed to sit at the same table with her for a meal.
After quietly finishing her meal, Xue Rongyue did not try to keep Qin Jin any longer. Maintaining her posture of missing her brother, she bowed her head and gave Qin Jin a proper bow: "Thank you for your presence today, Your Highness."
Qin Jin remained silent for a moment, then cupped his hands and lowered his sleeves, returning the greeting to Xue Rongyue.
After a moment's hesitation, Qin Jin said, "Take good rest during this time and don't worry about anything else. I will do my best to capture the man in black."
Xue Rongyue was slightly surprised; she was not worried about the man in black.
Although she was annoyed that this person was stirring up trouble in the shadows, once she caught him, her alliance with Qin Jin would naturally fall apart. Where else could she find such a good excuse to get close to Qin Jin and investigate his private affairs?
However, since Qin Jin said so, she couldn't deny it, so she nodded in agreement and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Your Highness, to take care of it."
Qin Jin tensed his jaw for a moment, then straightened up indifferently.
Xue Rongyue thought for a moment, then added, "I believe in the Crown Prince."
Qin Jin stiffened slightly, paused for a moment, then coughed lightly and said, "Shall I send Guang Sheng to escort you back to your residence?"
Xue Rongyue shook her head: "No need. I had guards with me when I left the manor today."
Qin Jin nodded and left. As soon as the door to the elegant room closed, a system notification sounded:
[Congratulations, host! Your favorability towards target [Qin Jin] has increased by 5.]
[Congratulations, host! The hatred value of the target [Qin Jin] has decreased by 3, and the current hatred value is 63. The overall progress has exceeded 15, and the current progress is 18.]
This is truly a delightful surprise.
Unexpectedly, Qin Jin's hatred level would decrease. When Jingnu pushed open the door and came in, she saw Xue Rongyue deep in thought with her eyes down. She couldn't help but ask, "Madam, what are you thinking about?"
"nothing."
Xue Rongyue shook her head, her heart filled with doubt and uncertainty.
She felt as if she had grasped the pattern of increasing Qin Jin's favorability and decreasing Qin Jin's hatred.
Perhaps we can find an opportunity to test the waters again.
The carriage stopped at the Xue residence. Since Xue Rongyue did not intend to stay at the Princess's residence for long, she naturally ordered the servants to clean her courtyard.
Just as she was about to return to the courtyard, Old Man Geng suddenly rushed in, whispering, "My lady, just now the general's personal guards returned on horseback to report that the general will be returning to Chang'an soon, and ordered you to..."
Old Geng was speechless for a moment, wiping the sweat from his forehead, unable to say a word.
Xue Rongyue's heart sank, and a bad feeling welled up in her mind. She said coldly, "Stop stammering and speak quickly!"
Old Geng kept his head down: "The general ordered his wife to prepare a courtyard for his adopted daughter with the same standards as the wives of the household, and not to be perfunctory or careless."
Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent, and Jingnu stared in astonishment.
[Please note, host, that the plot has changed and the original story has begun earlier than planned.]
[23 days until the female lead appears and the original story officially begins]
Her chest heaved violently as Xue Rongyue suppressed her rapid breathing and slowly closed her eyes.
What's meant to happen will happen.
-----------------------
Author's Note: I hereby solemnly declare that there will be no female rivalry plot. Even if there are female villains, they are simply characters with opposing viewpoints.
Let me reiterate that I am not criticizing the original male and female leads.
I'm on fire today! Two updates in one day, 6,000 words achieved! I'll try again tomorrow!!
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