Jin Heng looked at her in astonishment, "What do you mean by that, young lady?"
“It means exactly what it says.” Qingying looked at him seriously. “I just met the princess. She said that if you don’t go today, we should never see each other again for the rest of our lives.”
Jin Heng lowered his eyelashes in silence. After a moment, he said in a hoarse voice, "If we don't want to see her, then we don't want to see her. As long as she's alright, that's all that matters."
"You're unwilling?" Qingying didn't expect such a reply. She frowned, and her tone gradually became more contemptuous. "Jinheng, I used to admire you a lot. You achieved things at such a young age that most people could never achieve in their entire lives. I admired your talent, but I never expected you to be such a coward. Do you think you're so great for sacrificing yourself for the princess? No, in my eyes you're just a complete deserter."
She put away the jade ring and turned to leave, saying, "I will go and tell the princess to give up and stop waiting."
Jin Heng frowned, his hands clenched into fists and hanging at his sides, as if two little voices were fighting inside him.
The white figure told him he should stay away from her, otherwise everything he had done would be for nothing. The black figure told him that if he missed this opportunity, they would be strangers for the rest of their lives, and he would regret it.
Yes, he had already started to regret it when he watched her go through the wedding ceremony with someone else. He couldn't do it anymore; he couldn't hesitate any longer...
"Wait..." Qingying hadn't gone far when Jinheng's voice came from behind, urging her to stay.
She smiled, it seemed the princess had won her gamble after all.
When Qingying turned around, her expression was indifferent. "Does the Grand Tutor have any other words he needs me to convey to the Princess?"
"I promise you."
"Hmm?" She raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
"I promise to help you repair the jade ring."
Qingying smiled and handed Huanyu to him, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Grand Tutor Jin."
When Jin Heng accepted the jade ring, his eyes held a newfound resolve. He understood that the choice he was making now meant he was about to embark on a path of no return, but he would not regret it.
...
Jin Heng was led to the bridal chamber by her. He looked at the room, which was full of red silk, but there was not a single servant. Then he turned his head and saw Qing Ying's calm and composed expression, and he realized that she had already taken care of everything.
"Don't worry, the princess and I have communicated, and no outsiders will come tonight."
Jin Heng met her gentle gaze and felt inexplicably at ease.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
Qingying urged him to go inside, "The princess is still waiting for you inside." Then she turned and left, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.
Three days ago, Qingying met with Wei Yinqiu in private.
After several years of covert reorganization, Wei Yinqiu has basically replaced all the people in Yongning Residence. Now, all those left around him are trustworthy people, so outsiders are unaware that Qingying entered Yongning Residence through the side door.
Wei Yinqiu was quite surprised to receive her visiting card. She still remembered Liu Qingying quite well, as she was the woman her elder brother, the Crown Prince, was infatuated with. He had even asked her for help before, hoping to meet her. Oh, and she also remembered that Liu Qingying was worse at the game of pitch-pot than she was.
However, aside from that, she felt that Liu Qingying was good in every way. Her appearance was beyond question, her family background was outstanding, she spoke gently, had a good temper and was easy to get along with, and she did not have the petty airs of an ordinary concubine's daughter.
She assumed that Liu Qingying's sudden visit was just like any other visit, a special way of offering her condolences as she was about to get married. She didn't refuse, after all, Liu Qingying was still her brother's fiancée.
She was stunned when she saw Liu Qingying.
They hadn't seen each other since the Crown Prince went to war. Now, seeing her again, her already delicate and beautiful face, reminiscent of Xi Shi, was made even more pitiful by the faint sorrow between her brows.
"Miss Liu, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
Qingying bowed to her and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Princess. I am well."
"Come and sit down, and try the new tea bestowed by the Empress Dowager." She beckoned Qingying over.
Qingying didn't hesitate and sat down opposite her. "I've prepared a wedding gift for the princess."
"You've put your heart into it, just leave it to the people below." She was uninterested, and the words "forced into marriage" were practically written all over her face.
"Other women get married happily, but you are the most bitter and resentful I have ever seen."
"Otherwise? Song Changrun already has three concubines. Am I supposed to make a big fuss with gongs and drums and firecrackers to announce that I'm going to help him renovate his house?"
“The princess is truly a woman of character.” Qingying smiled. “It’s clear that the princess is very dissatisfied with this marriage. So why didn’t you object when the Empress Dowager arranged the marriage?”
Wei Yinqiu did not answer immediately, but took a sip of tea. After a long while, she sighed and said, "Anyway, it doesn't matter who I marry."
For her, it didn't matter who she married, since she couldn't marry the person she loved; it was just a matter of making do.
Seeing the sorrow and resentment in her eyes, Qingying made up her mind.
She put down her teacup, looked at Wei Yinqiu seriously, and said slowly, "I know what the princess wants. I can help you, but the method is a bit risky."
Wei Yinqiu was somewhat surprised, then a doubt arose in her heart, "What...do you want?"
No one would willingly risk their life to help another person without a reason. Qingying is not a saint; she has her own motives.
She said, "After this incident, Grand Tutor Jin, you, and I are all in the same boat."
"If His Majesty knew..."
Qingying interrupted her, "Princess, don't worry. I've already considered the consequences. I'm not afraid of death, as long as you dare to take the risk."
Wei Yinqiu hesitated for only a moment before nodding in agreement.
This is her last chance with Jinheng...
Let's go back to today, to an hour ago.
As Qingying uttered the resounding words "Send them to the bridal chamber," she left the crowd.
The area outside the bridal chamber had long been filled with Wei Yinqiu's people, and Qingying easily slipped inside.
Upon seeing her, Wei Yinqiu immediately lifted her veil and greeted her with a smile, "You're here! Is everything arranged?"
"Yes, I've already had people tamper with Song Changrun's cup. I'm only missing Jin Heng. But from my observation, he seems to be sincere towards you. This shouldn't be too difficult. If all else fails, I'll just knock him out and bring him over."
Wei Yinqiu gratefully grasped her hand, "Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid we would have missed each other in this life."
Qingying lowered her eyelashes and said softly, "Actually, I was doing it for myself too."
“I understand,” Wei Yinqiu said nonchalantly. “I can understand that you are in a difficult situation and want to find another way out.”
Qingying sincerely thanked her.
Wei Yinqiu smiled and said, "From now on, we are allies."
"Mm." Qingying smiled back.
...
After leaving the bridal chamber, Qingying returned to the banquet hall, her calm demeanor revealing nothing about her.
She secretly calculated in her mind, estimating the time, preparing to implement the next step of her plan...
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