Princess Yongning, Wei Yinqiu, has rarely appeared in public since her marriage. It is said that she fell ill not long after the wedding and has been bedridden for a long time without getting better. Feeling guilty, she recently arranged for Song Changrun to take two more concubines.
Both of these concubines were arranged by Jin Heng in advance, and they were brought into the mansion to help Wei Yinqiu.
And her "illness" gradually improved.
When Qingying arrived, she was sitting in a side room, with a small stove in front of her roasting chestnuts, peanuts, and oranges.
"You're here, have a seat." Wei Yinqiu ate the chestnuts that the maid had peeled for her, and looked up at her with a smile.
Qingying curtsied and sat down opposite her, smiling as she said, "You seem to be living a very leisurely life."
"What can I do if I'm not relaxed? I'll just pretend to be sick, I have to look like I'm pretending to be sick, right?" In her opinion, as long as she doesn't go out, she's sick, and no one would dare to come up to her and expose her.
"I know you're bored, so I came here today to find you something to do."
"Oh? Tell me quickly, what's the matter?" Wei Yinqiu had been so bored lately that she was practically bursting with restlessness. Her eyes lit up immediately when she heard about the matter.
Qingying revealed her entire plan.
Wei Yinqiu raised an eyebrow. "My relationship with Seventh Brother is just so-so, but as long as it's profitable for him, he'll naturally cooperate."
"I'm relieved to hear you say that."
If Wei Yinqiu doesn't refuse, it means there's at least a 70% chance of success.
After leaving the Song family, Qingying went to the Jin family residence.
Although she secretly contacted Jin Heng frequently, she visited the Jin residence very few times.
"Miss Liu has arrived, please come in." The guard at the door saw her and respectfully invited her in.
It seems that Jin Heng had given prior notice.
She was led to the door of Jin Heng's study, and a guard went in to announce her arrival before she was allowed to enter.
Jin Heng stood by the shelf against the wall. When she entered, she saw him with his head down, his jade-like face half-hidden, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
"Grand Tutor Jin." She bowed.
Jin Heng took a small box, about the size of a palm, from the shelf and handed it to her with a slight smile, "Open it and take a look."
Qingying didn't ask any questions and obediently took the box and opened it, where she saw the repaired jade ring inside.
The jade ring was shattered because of him, but now it has been repaired by him.
Seeing Huanyu's original appearance again, she suddenly felt as if she had been transported to another world, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
She picked up the jade ring and examined it against the light, only to find that the area where it had broken was lighter in color than the rest, though it wasn't noticeable unless you looked closely.
"I'm sorry, I've done my best," Jin Heng said.
Qingying shook her head. "It's alright, it's already very good."
Wei Huaixu said that this jade ring was made of top-quality white jade, which was a tribute from the Northern Yue. It was very rare, and the fact that it could be restored to this state is enough to show Jin Heng's profound skill.
Unfortunately, once it's broken, it's broken. No matter how well it's restored, the flaws will still remain.
She put the jade pendant back into the box and smiled faintly, "It's just a pendant to decorate a sachet."
Jin Heng knew this was a tribute item, and the moment he saw it, he had already guessed who had given it to her. So he didn't continue the conversation and instead asked, "Miss Liu, what brings you here today?"
"I just came from the Song residence..."
"But what happened to the princess?" He interrupted her anxiously before she could finish speaking.
Qingying helplessly comforted her, "The princess is fine."
He visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Qingying glanced at him sideways, thinking: Wei Huaixu said that Jin Heng is extremely good at hiding his emotions, but how come he seems different from the people I've met?
"But what instructions did the princess give?" he asked again.
Qingying then recounted her plan to him.
Jin Heng nodded. "Alright, I will do my best to cooperate."
After explaining everything, Qingying took her leave.
She still had many things to arrange, and the traps she set should be dug as deep as possible, otherwise even if the prey fell in, it would be easy for it to escape, and all her efforts would be in vain.
...
Liu Shushu's eyelids had been twitching uncontrollably for the past few days, which made her quite irritable.
Last time, she disfigured herself to teach Liu Qingying a lesson, but she was forced to end it hastily because of Wang's interference, and she has been unhappy about it ever since.
Fortunately, Pan taught her to use the opportunity to improve her reputation, otherwise she would have suffered a huge loss.
"Miss, a letter has arrived from over there." The maid handed over a rolled-up piece of paper.
She took it, opened it, looked at it, frowned slightly, and then put it on the fire to burn.
"Why did Liu Chengfeng suddenly seek me out? Didn't I tell him I was going out of the city for a while?"
The maid said, "He seems very anxious, perhaps it's something to do with those above..."
Liu Shushu's eyes twitched. She slowly raised her hand and touched her cheek. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I've recovered quite a bit after taking the antidote these past few days. It wouldn't hurt to go see him. I just don't want to delay important matters."
"Shall I reply to him now?"
"Um."
The maidservant bowed and retreated.
However, a short while later, the maid brought back another letter. This time it was a complete sheet of paper with elegant and sharp handwriting.
"Prince An invited me to meet at Juxian Pavilion at noon tomorrow?" Her brows furrowed into a deep frown.
The maid whispered, "Prince An is also very anxious. He revealed that Prince Xuan was assassinated yesterday."
"Prince Xuan has been assassinated?!"
Such a big event has not been leaked out at all today, which is obviously because it has been suppressed by the royal family.
"Looks like something big is about to happen..."
She was momentarily at a loss. "The two events are less than an hour apart. What should I do?"
The maid thought for a moment and said, "How about... we bring Miss Liu along so we can change our identities in time?"
Liu Shushu gave her an approving look and nodded, but still looked somewhat worried, "That's all we can do..."
The next day, Liu Shushu left home early in the morning.
She first went to the Liu family in Lane 12 of West Street, and when she came out, she had completely changed her appearance, and the little maid behind her had an extra bundle on her back.
She then went to Juxian Pavilion to keep her appointment.
As soon as she entered, she gave her name, and the waiter led her upstairs to a private room.
"The guest said to ask you to wait here for a moment, and he would be there shortly."
Liu Shushu nodded and sat down at the table.
However, she waited for nearly half an hour without seeing anyone. Just as she was getting anxious and impatient, the little maid who was guarding the door suddenly opened the door and came in, looking just as anxious. "Prince An is here!"
"What?!"
One is nowhere to be seen, while the other arrives early! What's going on?
Liu Shushu paced back and forth in the room, thinking it over and over again. Finally, she made a decision, asked the maid to take off her bundle, and instructed her: "I will go to meet Prince An first. You keep watch here for me. After he arrives, find a reason to keep him occupied. I will finish dealing with things over there as soon as possible and then come back. I don't think it will take too long."
"Okay. I'll go ask the waiter for a basin of hot water."
"Um."
After the maid left, Liu Shushu took out several bottles and jars from her bundle and arranged them neatly on the table.
After the maid brought back hot water, she opened each bottle and jar in turn, poured in a certain amount of medicine, stirred it, and began to wash her face. Finally, a thin layer of skin peeled off her face...
Unbeknownst to her, her every move was being observed by those lurking in the shadows.
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