Chapter 416: In what capacity are you here to see me off?
The Shen Mansion was very busy today, with guests coming in one after another at the main entrance, but the side door, which was supposed to be deserted, was knocked.
The servant quickly went to Shen Lingyi's side, whispered a few words in her ear, and then saw Shen Lingyi leave through the side door with an excuse.
"Lingyi!"
Shen Lingyi was shocked when she saw the acquaintance in front of her who looked so embarrassed and pale, and she almost didn't recognize him.
"Qin Huai?"
Qin Huai is a friend she has known for many years in her hometown. He is Qin Yanei, the son of the county magistrate in her hometown. Why is he here?
"Lingyi, help me in and find a doctor. I'm in so much pain!"
Shen Lingyi looked at him with some disdain. When he was in his hometown, he was the most distinguished young man in the area.
But when he came to the capital city where many nobles gathered, Qin Huai's identity as a young master was just a stone in a pile of gold, and was nothing compared to the young marquis.
I can't compare with you in appearance, family background, or anything else.
Shen Lingyi had Qin Huai brought in and placed in an inconspicuous side room. After consulting a doctor, she learned that Qin Huai's life force had been destroyed, and she immediately wanted to kick him out, thinking it was unlucky.
But the maidservant who had been with her for many years reminded her: "Miss, Qin Yanei has always had a crush on you, and now he has come to the capital under the pretext of the blessing ceremony. Why don't you make good use of this friendship?"
Shen Lingyi frowned, "How to use it?"
The maid Chu Lu said, "If it weren't for the Qiao family girl, my sister Chu Qi wouldn't have died, and the young lady wouldn't have suffered such humiliation. The young master said that the young lady's experience was because of the old man, but I think it was Prince Jing who was venting his anger on the Qiao family girl. This is all the Qiao family girl's fault."
Shen Lingyi's face was gloomy, "If it weren't for her, how could I have lost such a big person? At my brother's birthday banquet today, those young ladies from official families were polite to me on the surface, but I heard how they laughed at me in private!"
Chu Lu nodded: "Miss, you don't have anyone to use when you return to Beijing, why not make good use of Qin Yanei to help you get revenge?"
Shen Lingyi looked at her, was silent for a long time, and suddenly smiled, "Chu Lu, you are still the one that pleases me the most."
"Miss, you are too polite. I have been with you since I was a child, so I will do my best for you."
"Let's go see Qinhuai."
Inside the study room of Shangshu Mansion
"Although Qiao Congshan is a member of my Qiao family, he is too stupid and useless."
Qiao Jibai said respectfully: "Brother is still immature, but this arrangement is the best way that Uncle can arrange within his ability."
Minister Qiao said, "Since he is a member of the Qiao family, I will not sit idly by and watch him do nothing. But how are you doing in Tianshu Camp recently?"
"Everything is fine. Although there are some things I don't understand, because I was recommended by the president of the Hanlin Academy, the people in Tianshu Camp don't exclude me."
Minister Qiao nodded slightly, "Tianshu Camp is a good place. It guards the safety of the royal family and interacts with the Imperial Envoy on some matters. Your admission to Tianshu Camp means that our Qiao family has a promising younger generation."
Qiao Jibai picked up the teacup and said, "It is my uncle's teaching that has brought me to where I am today. As a member of the Qiao family, I am blessed to be able to contribute to the Qiao family."
Minister Qiao smiled and said, "The Blessing Ceremony is under the protection of the Tianshu Camp. You are now in the Tianshu Camp and this is your first time to participate in the protection of the Blessing Ceremony. You must be cautious and careful and do not neglect it."
"General Shu will arrange for me to lead a team of soldiers to escort the concubines. Although I have just joined Tianshu Camp, General Shu thinks highly of me. I will definitely not bring shame to the Qiao family."
He was not a general of Shuying at all; he was promoted secretly by the emperor.
Promoting a member of the Qiao family's second branch who had little affection for the main family made outsiders think that the emperor still valued and respected the Qiao family.
The method of flattery to death, but Qiao Ru has never crossed the line over the years.
The so-called flattery only makes more people respect Qiao Rushi more.
For lunch, Minister Qiao asked Qiao Jibai to stay with him. Coincidentally, Qiao Wanyan and Jin also came back together.
At the dinner table, Jin picked up a piece of roasted lamb and put it in Qiao Wanyan's bowl, and picked up a piece of fish and put it in Qiao Jibai's bowl.
"Ji Bai hasn't come to our house for dinner for a while. I heard that he went to Tianshu Camp recently?"
Qiao Jibai smiled and said, "Yes, I've been busy lately and haven't had time to come to my uncle and aunt's house for dinner. I'm sorry that my aunt missed me."
"Come to my house for dinner when you have time. It's fun to eat here with so many people. Last time you came, I remember you ordered a few more pieces of fish. I guess you like it."
Jin said as she changed her private chopsticks.
Qiao Jibai said modestly, "Yes, aunt."
Jin said, "Yanyan, your grandfather sent a letter this morning saying that we don't have to go back to Yongzhou for his birthday this year. He's in Beixian to handle maritime trade matters, and he won't be back for half a year."
Qiao Wanyan nodded slightly, "I understand, mother. But I can only wait until my grandfather comes back to see him for the gifts I prepared a long time in advance."
Jin smiled and said, "You are thinking about your grandfather, and your grandfather is thinking about you too. The letter said that he has prepared a lot of gifts for you, but they will take a few days to arrive in the capital."
Qiao Jibai ate his meal quietly and listened to the skillful and warm words of the mother and daughter, which was something he had never felt before.
Jin turned her head and suddenly said, "Yan Yan's grandfather also gave a fine jade pendant this time. It is a Guanyin pendant that he got from Jing'an. He thought that men should wear Guanyin and women should wear Buddha. Your uncle doesn't like this on weekdays, so I'll have someone send it to you."
Qiao Jibai immediately put down his bowl and chopsticks, "Thank you, auntie."
Jin smiled and nodded, then lowered her eyes and continued eating.
Minister Qiao looked at her with sore eyes and said nothing.
On this day, the sky was turning pale, and it was the day when King Jing was heading for Zhenyang Pass.
The capital city is now flooded with people, so there was no big fanfare on the day of the trip.
Qiao Wanyan knew one day in advance that He Yanli would leave Beijing for Zhenyang Pass today. It was Mo Xiao who went to the Shangshu Mansion to inform her the night before.
Of course, He Yanli tacitly agreed.
At the city gate, when He Yanli arrived, he saw a familiar carriage parked there.
Although there was no Qiao family lantern hanging there, he recognized it.
The coachman saw him, turned around and said something to the inside of the carriage, then the door opened and a woman wearing a veil slowly got out.
The breeze blew up her veil and dress, and He Yanli's heart skipped a beat.
The horse moved forward slowly, and He Yanli stopped when he passed her, "Are you here to see me off?"
His tone was flat and cold, as if he was asking an unimportant question to someone he didn't know well.
Qiao Wanyan responded lightly, "No."
Although there was a veil between them, she saw that He Yanli's face, which had been nonchalant just now, became gloomy and he was obviously unhappy.
"If you're not here to see the prince off, what else would you be here for?"
He Yanli's expression changed slightly and he looked away to the front. "Who are you to see me off?"
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