Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Leave it to me (The plot is long, but...
Wu Jingxun was supposed to sit with the ministers' wives and children, but the empress dowager summoned her. The noble and dignified old woman lovingly took her hand and looked at her for a long moment. "Good child, you've suffered. Today is a good day. Please sit by my side and keep me company."
Wu Jingxun subconsciously wanted to refuse, but the empress dowager looked at her with a seemingly smiling, yet in reality, indifferent gaze. Her well-maintained, pointed nails dug into the soft flesh of the back of her palm. She raised her face slightly, smiling humbly and respectfully: "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, empress dowager. I am ashamed to accept it."
Seeing her obedient, the Queen Mother released her hand with satisfaction, ignoring the conspicuous red marks on the back of her hand, and said casually, "Zhu Ling, take the Duke's wife to a seat."
Zhu Ling, the aunt of the Empress Dowager, knelt and bowed. "Yes, Madam Protector of the State, please follow me."
The emperor, empress, queen mother, princesses and other royal relatives occupied a high platform. Wu Jingxun followed the instructions of the bamboo order and sat next to Princess Jincheng. Unfortunately, the person on his left was Princess Changyi.
Looking at the girl sitting upright beside her, she was dressed in light white, with honeysuckle flowers embroidered on the hem of her skirt, elegant and beautiful. She looked like an orchid that had experienced wind and rain not long ago, with a slender neck and a slender waist.
Everyone saw this and felt that she was still trapped in the grief of losing her husband, with a layer of damp melancholy covering her whole body.
Princess Changyi looked at her coldly, her legs hidden under her skirt still aching slightly.
My brother had not originally planned to let her accompany him on this autumn hunt, but father gave the order, and Princess Changyi came along as she wished.
She knew that Wu Jingxun had rigged the polo match, causing her to fall and get injured. Lacking evidence, Princess Changyi could only reluctantly let her go, but today, with her father and brother around, Wu Jingxun couldn't escape.
All this must come to an end.
Princess Changyi withdrew her gaze, with a hint of coldness on her lips, and cast her eyes on the dancers in the music troupe who were dancing with swords under the platform.
Princess Jincheng had an average relationship with the Queen Mother, but the Queen Mother had repeatedly warned her to behave herself and not cause trouble, so Princess Jincheng had no choice but to sit here and watch those singing and dancing with her breath held.
Now there was someone sitting next to her, separating her from her annoying cousin. Princess Jincheng turned to look at her curiously: "I've only heard of you before, but never met you. You're so beautiful, why don't you come out and walk around more?"
This autumn hunt was to be held at Mingshan. A refreshing autumn breeze blew gently over, dispelling the somewhat tangled scent of cosmetics and powders from the banquet. Princess Jincheng also caught a whiff of the delicate fragrance emanating from her left. Unlike the sweet yet easily cloying scent of ordinary cosmetics, this fragrance was more subtle, perhaps imperceptible under normal circumstances, but now it was quite pleasant.
Wu Jingxun blinked. "The Queen Mother once praised me as a chaste and virtuous woman. When I was young, I was often deceived by my reputation. In order to maintain those few praises, I didn't dare to make many friends. If the princess had met me earlier, I think she would have looked down on me with my twisted and depressed personality."
"How could it be!" It was the first time that Princess Jincheng met such an open-minded person who could admit her narrow-mindedness in the past with a smile. Seeing that her eyes were clear and gentle, and her demeanor was humble and she was not like ordinary people who flattered and catered to her in every way, she liked her even more.
Princess Jincheng looked at her with a smile and said, "I like you. Can you come to the palace more often to talk to me in the future?"
Wu Jingxun smiled slightly, her smile was like jasmine after a rainstorm in late spring, with a faint fragrance, but the drooping branches and flowers all showed her fragility.
"I'm busy with family matters and I'm afraid of disturbing the princess." Wu Jingxun didn't say that he might go to Xuzhou in a while. The fewer people who know about such things, the better.
Princess Jincheng then remembered that the girl in front of her, who looked like a lotus in the distant mountains, was a newly widowed woman.
She wasn't good at comforting people, so she just said, "When you feel better, just come to the palace to find me. I'm not good at other things, but when it comes to having fun, I'm definitely better than you."
Wu Jingxun smiled.
Princess Changyi watched them chatting and laughing, feeling a dull ache in her injured leg. Unable to resist, she glanced over and sarcastically remarked, "The Protector's wife was so interested in participating in the Autumn Hunt, why is she acting so grieving? It's a pity the Protector died on the battlefield, and now the North is still in turmoil, yet his wife is joining in the fun. I wonder how the Protector would feel if he knew about this?"
Princess Jincheng thought her cousin was targeting her again, and that the frail woman had been attacked as well. She was about to retaliate when Wu Jingxun said, "The Queen Mother is so kind that she couldn't bear to see me wallow in grief and harm my health. So she kindly summoned me to join the Autumn Hunt to witness the bravery of the men of the Jin Dynasty. The court has always produced brave men, and the battlefields of the northern border naturally have generals who can ensure the peace of the people. If my husband knew, he would be pleased that someone can continue to protect the border for him."
Wu Jingxun spoke calmly, without feigning grievance or indignation. Princess Jincheng smiled and chimed in, "Madam Protector of the Country is absolutely right. Also, Princess, don't forget, Madam Protector of the Country is a first-rank imperial official, more prestigious than you. It's fine you didn't stand up to greet her just now, but now you're sneering at her. Could it be you're trying to chill the hearts of the soldiers who are fighting so hard to protect the northern border by mocking Madam Protector of the Country?"
When the hat was put on her, Princess Changyi's face flushed red, and her carefully maintained nails dug into the back of the chair tightly: "You are talking nonsense!"
"If you're not guilty of something, why are you raising your voice?" Princess Jincheng scoffed, but Wu Jingxun smiled softly. "The princess has injured her leg, so it's inconvenient for her to perform the formalities. I won't argue with her. But the princess needs to change her outspokenness. I'm fine with a little injustice, but the soldiers guarding the border can't stand it."
Bitch! How dare you mention her leg injury!
There were bursts of shouts coming from the hunting ground. Wu Jing looked in the direction of the sound and saw Emperor Zhou Qing, dressed in an ochre-yellow silk robe, sitting on another high platform with his hands behind his back, talking to his ministers below the platform.
The autumn hunt is about to officially begin.
Wu Jingxun was not interested. Listening to the thundering sound of horse hooves, a snow-white horse with shining fur emerged in his mind.
Bai Zhenzhu seemed to know that she was very pretty, and she wanted someone to comb her hair every day. The last time Cuiping used facial cream to tease her, if she hadn't dodged quickly, I'm afraid Bai Zhenzhu would have really tried to put the cream on her own mane.
The Queen Mother raised her wine cup and smiled at the Empress. "The men are busy riding and hunting, but we women can't let this beautiful autumn scenery go to waste. Come, Empress, I will drink with you."
The Queen steadily lifted the wine cup and saluted in the direction of the Queen Mother: "Your Majesty, if you are so kind, I will naturally accompany you."
The Queen Mother smiled and took a sip of the wine. "Look at me, I'm really old and confused. This wine was made by the kid from Changyi himself. I tasted it and it's delicious. Ruihua, fill up the glasses for the ladies."
The queen's lips curled down almost imperceptibly.
It also brings good reputation to Changyi.
The queen had experienced this kind of thing many times and did not take it to heart. She gave Princess Jincheng who was sitting next to her a look - don't make trouble.
Princess Jincheng was annoyed. Seeing the maid trying to pour wine into the wine glass in front of Wu Jingxun's table, she stretched out her hand to stop her, saying, "Madam Protector of the Kingdom shouldn't drink alcohol. Stupid thing, why don't you take it away?"
People who are in mourning should not drink alcohol or eat meat.
Wu Jingxun said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
The beauty's voice filled her ears, and Princess Jincheng felt a little dazed. So she didn't notice the sinister look from Princess Changyi: "It's such a trivial matter, it's not worth mentioning."
Princess Jincheng was generous, but the Queen had been sitting firmly on the throne of the empress for so many years that she naturally noticed some minor abnormalities in Princess Changyi.
She frowned slightly. Under normal circumstances, it would be fine for cousins to quarrel, but now with so many noble ladies and relatives watching, if Jincheng and Changyi had a conflict, it would definitely be talked about and laughed at.
The queen kept this in mind.
Princess Changyi held the wine cup leisurely, but did not drink. She caught a glimpse of Wu Jingxun's quiet and fair profile from the corner of her eye. She sneered and stroked the ancient and gorgeous patterns on the wine cup.
The people with the highest status on the platform were the Queen Mother and the Empress. The other female relatives did not speak too boldly, but were just guessing which boy would win the championship today.
"When Prince Pei was in Jinling, he was always the champion every year."
"You also know that if he were here, the situation would probably change again this year."
"He's just the son of Prince Rong, or the son of a military commander. What's so special about him?"
"Speaking of Prince Pei, he died young. Look at his widow, she looks so distraught, so pitiful."
Several eyes fell on her along with whispers, but Wu Jingxun seemed unaware of it, and was only thinking about what flowers to plant in the yard in the future.
By the time she settles down, it might be next summer.
Gardenia has a strong fragrance. If you plant one in the yard, the steamed buns might be so fragrant that they start to scream.
She was immersed in her own world and did not notice that the dancers from the Jiaofangsi who were performing sword dance in the audience had changed their formation at some point. The long swords in their hands shone with silver light, and as their soft but strange dance moves changed, bursts of low and mysterious Sanskrit emanated from them.
Sounds familiar.
Wu Jingxun subconsciously looked at the group of dancers with strange postures under the stage. A thought came to his mind, but quickly disappeared.
Even the posture seems familiar, what on earth is it?
Wu Jingxun lowered her head and saw the pearl bracelet on her wrist. She suddenly thought of the knife named Pearl that had saved her.
pearl……
Wu Jingxun remembered that when they were in the underground palace, the wizards danced this kind of dance!
As she looked up, she saw an arrow from a short distance fly straight through the Purple Light Guards' defenses and head towards Emperor Zhou Qing on the platform. The long swords in the hands of the dancers below suddenly lost their previously gentle grace and became unstoppable. In an instant, the guards below the platform were wiped out. The ladies, who usually lived a life of luxury, had never witnessed such a scene. For a moment, screams were heard from the people on the platform, and everyone fled in panic.
Wu Jingxun stood up and glanced at the Princess Changyi, who was as still as a mountain. "Why didn't the Princess escape?"
Princess Changyi slowly poured herself a cup of tea and casually threw the cup of fruit wine away. A sweet smell instantly spread across the carpet.
"Changyi, Changyi, hurry up, go with the Empress Dowager."
The Queen Mother was a little flustered, but still extended her hand to Princess Changyi.
The queen frowned, held Princess Jincheng's hand tightly, and huddled together under the protection of her confidants. However, there were so many assassins holding long knives that they had no choice but to do as the assassins said and gather together.
The noble ladies at the table gathered together in a state of panic, making Princess Changyi, who was still sitting peacefully at the table, particularly conspicuous.
The corners of the Queen Mother's eyes tightened. She was unwilling to admit the thought that emerged in her mind, but the scene before her clearly did not allow her to continue fantasizing.
The sound of swords clashing came from another high platform. The Queen Mother looked over in panic, only to be forced out by the assassin holding a long sword.
"Changyi, Changyi——"
Princess Changyi's injured leg still wasn't working properly, but she waved away the maidservant who wanted to support her and slowly walked over. Her cold yet excited face was reflected in the silver-faced longsword. "Grandmother, Auntie, Jincheng... You didn't expect this day to come, did you?"
The Queen Mother's lips trembled slightly. Although the Queen's face looked ugly, she said nothing and held Princess Jincheng's hand tightly. Now was not the time to offend Changyi out of anger.
No one responded to her, and the eyes of the noble ladies from Jinling looked at her with fear and hatred.
Wu Jingxun still had a calm expression, as if she didn't know what the situation was and what would become of her.
Princess Changyi suppressed the excitement in her heart and said coldly, "Take them all downstairs."
On another high platform, Emperor Zhou Qing and his ministers were forced into a corner by Prince Rong's men with swords and knives.
The two groups of people met up, and the obese Prince Rong stood leisurely by the side, with a gloomy look on his always smiling face.
When the Queen Mother saw that Emperor Zhou Qing was also surrounded by assassins with swords, and that Prince Rong was standing outside, she exclaimed in shock: "Prince Rong - what are you doing! Let your royal brother go quickly!" She had worked hard for so many years and had only enjoyed a few years of happiness. If Emperor Zhou Qing died, what good life would she be able to live?
"Release him?" Prince Rong looked at the Queen Mother as if he had heard something funny, forcing a smile onto his fat face. "Mother, I've waited so many years for this day. Shouldn't you be congratulating me? Anyway, my brother and I are not your sons. No matter who becomes emperor, no one will truly respect you. What's the point of you being the Queen Mother?"
The empress dowager covered her chest with her hands and looked like she was about to faint.
Emperor Zhou Qing stood there with his hands behind his back. Even though he was now a prisoner, he still exuded the noble aura of an emperor. The look he gave him was as arrogant and disdainful as ever.
Prince Rong has been enduring such looks for more than forty years.
In fact, it would be fine if he was the only one doing this, but the only thing he couldn't tolerate was that his wife would suffer the grievances with him.
"Today is such a good day." Years of ambush, forbearance and longing must have an outlet.
Prince Rong looked at the endless autumn scenery, and in a trance he seemed to see a gentle and beautiful woman walking towards him with a smile on her lips.
"Shaman, let's begin."
Those cold and sharp swords were aimed at the people who were huddled together in the circle.
Wu Jingxun passed the flashing swords and shadows, and her eyes met with the young man opposite her who was wearing a witch crown and feathered clothes.
Pei Huaiguang raised his long sword in his hand and opened his thin lips slightly.
He’s saying, leave it to me.
You don't have to be afraid of anything.
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