A young man in blue clothes was riding on a horse, his eyes moving, he looked at Gu Jinke with a natural noble look and a smile.
He simply brought a bag with him, and was followed by two attendants, a man and a woman. He traveled so lightly that those who didn't know would think he was out for a picnic.
Gu Jinke couldn't help but move his expression when looking at his configuration. Is this the configuration for going to the capital?
A very good-looking young man with two servants, who exudes the feeling of being rich, is he sure he is not a target for bandits? Also, as the patriarch of the Qiao family, what was Qiao Xi doing in the capital?
Thinking so, Gu Jinke asked this question. After all, she remembered that she had already rejected this Mr. Qiao, and this Mr. Qiao also expressed his knowledge.
Qiao Xi's eyes turned around her with resentment, and then he smiled with curved lips: "Alas, bad luck, Qingcheng Prefecture suffered an earthquake. Although a lot of losses were avoided under the leadership of Your Highness, our Qiao family still fell into decline and it was difficult to make a living. So I decided to go to the capital to seek refuge with my family members. If I can go to the Qiao family, it would be even better."
A member of the Qiao family? Is that the Minister of War?
This reason was indeed justified, and Qiao Xi had helped him so many times before. Gu Jinke nodded and let them join the team. Qiao Xi smiled gratefully and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
He was also smart and without saying another word, Gu Jinke lowered the curtain and retreated into the carriage.
Qiao Xi felt the gaze leaving him, and couldn't help but turn his head to look at Gu Jinke's carriage. The curtain there had indeed fallen, hiding Gu Jinke's figure and face. He breathed a sigh of relief, but then he realized how tired he was. The smile on his face could not be maintained at all, and his face returned to being indifferent, but he could not hide the disappointment in his eyes.
Just now, Gu Jinke was far away. If he was closer, he would probably notice that something was wrong.
Qiao Xi came in a hurry. After making the decision, in order to get ahead of Gu Jinke, he ran here in advance and waited for a long time. He didn't even have time to eat anything. In addition, he didn't sleep all night, and his complexion could only be maintained by applying powder.
Last night, Gu Jinke went to see the greenhouse there for the last time and called him along. Qiao Xi went there excitedly. After he and His Highness came back from the mountains, they recuperated for a few days and their complexion had returned to normal. When he heard Gu Jinke's invitation, he thought that His Highness must have come to his senses and was ready to cultivate feelings with him, or maybe he just wanted to do something else in the dead of night.
But unexpectedly, it was none of those, but a head-on critical hit.
When he rushed to the greenhouse, Gu Jinke seemed to have been waiting there for a long time. She had also checked the crops being planted. There was still some mud on her snow-white fingertips, which was so noticeable that it made people want to go up and wipe it off for her.
This is what Qiao Xi thought. He wanted to grab her hand and took out the handkerchief from her sleeve. Unexpectedly, Gu Jinke turned her wrist and avoided his action.
"Your Highness?" Qiao Xi asked with a smile and a hint of anger, but his heart sank as he had a bad premonition.
His intuition was very accurate. Gu Jinke gave him an apologetic smile and took a step back: "Mr. Qiao, I'm sorry, I can't continue with what I promised you last time."
She took out a handkerchief from her bosom, wiped the mud off her hands, and then spoke to him seriously.
Gu Jinke had only promised him one thing, and he didn't even have to think about what it was. Qiao Xi's heart sank completely, and his face was blank for a moment.
He wanted to ask why, but felt that there was no need to ask, as he could vaguely guess why. The words that Qiao Chen, who had suddenly disappeared, said echoed in his ears again.
"Do you know that I am not the only one outside the gate today? Young Master Jiang, your childhood sweetheart, is also here?"
"Young Master Jiang has feelings for His Highness. You must have seen it clearly when we met yesterday. What do you think he will do when he sees what you said to His Highness?"
"Who do you think you are? Do you think you have a sure win just because His Highness promised to give it a try? I don't think so!"
…
Although he had spoken harshly in front of Qiao Chen, it was only when he faced Gu Jinke now that he realized how miserably he had lost. In order to protect Jiang Mo's reputation, Gu Jinke would not tell him. Qiao Xi was tactful and did not ask any further questions. He just curled his lips and said reluctantly, "I know."
Gu Jinke was a little apologetic to him: "I'm sorry, I will leave Qingcheng Mansion tomorrow. After this, I'm afraid we won't meet again. I wish your family will prosper and you will be healthy forever."
She cupped her hands to him.
Qiao Xi quickly moved away, and seeing the serious look on Gu Jinke's face as he rejected him, he couldn't help but tilt his head, revealing a little sadness. Why was she so gentle and serious when rejecting him, making people unable to help but be obsessed with her?
She could obviously use her power or his love for her to coax his body and his property. But I had to apologize to him so sincerely and then say no.
He turned his back and said, "I understand."
Qiao Xi saw the shadows under his feet, his and hers. Gu Jinke must have paused, bowed to him again, then hesitated for a moment and quietly retreated.
After Gu Jinke left, Qiao Xi could no longer hold back and squatted down exhausted, tears falling to the ground.
How could Gu Jinke do this!
Qiao Xi squatted there for a long time, and finally his legs were so numb that he couldn't help but sit down. In his heart, he persuaded himself to give up Gu Jinke and go back to their own ways from then on, but his body and brain were frantically shouting no.
He had never seen such a woman before; she was responsible, serious, sincere, caring for the people, tough on the outside but soft on the inside; everything suited his aesthetic taste. Even her rejection of him was very touching, and he fell in love with her almost every time he met her. So Qiao Xi helped her and took the initiative to pursue her, but he didn't expect that the pursuit would fail halfway.
If he missed Gu Jinke, he would probably never meet such a person in his life.
Qiao Xi is in charge of the Qiao family. He has done enough things that make people feel unorthodox under the guise of a gentle person. He is proud and unwilling to admit defeat in his bones. Faced with Gu Jinke's rejection, he thought about it for almost the whole night.
His pride made him give up, but even though his pride was defeated, he still couldn't let it go, so he decided to do something unorthodox again.
He hurriedly gave instructions, packed up a simple bag, rode lightly, and blocked Gu Jinke's route before daybreak, stopped her team, and asked, "Your Highness, can you please stay with me for a while?"
It is impossible for the princess to have only one prince. He is willing to put aside his pride and follow her just to wait for a chance to stay by her side.
…
After the team joined them, nothing else seemed to change. However, Jiang Mo and Xue Luan in the carriage behind heard the noise, leaned out to see, and then asked in surprise, "Mr. Qiao?"
When Qiao Xi saw Jiang Mo, his eyes flashed, and then he smiled: "Mr. Jiang, Mr. Xue."
Xue Luan has been deeply influenced by the words of the man in black cloak these days. He has been listless in doing everything and even deliberately avoided Gu Jinke, Jiang Mo and others for this reason. His presence in the entire team was extremely weak. He was trying to cheer himself up and was about to argue with the man in the black cloak again, but he found that the man in the black cloak had disappeared. He felt deflated and even more depressed.
Seeing that Mr. Qiao, who had been "confronted" before, was actually a little interested, Xue Luan, who had suffered from riding a horse, frowned when he saw Qiao Xi riding a horse. The little hostility he had towards Qiao Xi before had long since disappeared, and he immediately invited him warmly: "Mr. Qiao. Do you want to ride in a carriage with me?"
Qiao Xi glanced at him, then saw Jiang Mo in the other carriage, and immediately smiled and said, "Okay."
The alliance between Zongheng and Xue Gongzi could help him understand this. The two quickly reached a consensus. Xue Luan smiled at Jiang Mo and said, "Brother Jiang Mo, do you want to come with us?"
Jiang Mo smiled and refused: "I still have some things to do, I'll come find you later."
He wanted to embroider a purse for Gu Jinke, but everyone knew that this was not a good idea, so he only did it in his own carriage. Moreover, every time he saw Master Qiao, he could not help but think of Master Qiao's boldness and passion. Now that Master Qiao was catching up with him, his intuition told him that this was Master Qiao's signal to attack.
Therefore, he doesn't want to contact Mr. Qiao yet.
Xue Luan could only sigh regretfully: "Then I'll wait for you."
Sang Yi told Gu Jinke in a serious tone what happened behind the car.
Gu Jinke nodded slightly, but thinking that it was Xue Luan who brought Qiao Xi, he couldn't help but smile, and was a little confused: "What happened to Master Xue these days? Why do I feel like he seems to be avoiding me these days?"
When he saw Gu Jinke, he ran faster than a rabbit. When he had to stop to salute, he looked very distressed, and people were reluctant to blame him. He originally said that he would let Gu Jinke see his riding height, but he didn't say anything else.
Sang Yi pursed her lips, lowered her head and smiled, then shook her head: "I don't know."
In fact, he could still guess a little, but Master Xue didn't seem to have fully understood it, and Sang Yi couldn't spread his speculation everywhere and damage the reputation of others.
Gu Jinke didn't know either, she could only smile and shake her head, treating it as the child's awkward period. In addition to Xue Cang's entrustment to her, she could only take better care of him in secret.
She lay down, closed her eyes and rested. Sang Yi burned incense, washed his hands, and came over to give her a massage.
"Your Highness has been busy and exhausted these days and has not had a good rest. Let me give you a massage so that you can have a good sleep."
Gu Jinke pursed his lips and smiled: "Okay."
Although Qiao Xi was sleepy, he still perked up and started chatting with Xue Luan after getting on the carriage. He was a smart person and was very comfortable talking to Xue Luan. He soon understood Xue Luan's personality traits. With his rich experience, he quickly talked about some interesting things according to Xue Luan's preferences, which made Xue Luan's eyes light up. After a while, they were having a great time talking to each other.
"You are so awesome! Just like Xin." He couldn't help but exclaim!
In his eyes, Asin was the most powerful. Just mentioning Asin, his face inevitably darkened. Then he cheered up. This time when he went back, he would go back and ask Asin.
Josh was keenly aware of his emotions and couldn't help asking, "Who is Xin? Is he your friend?"
Xue Luan nodded, still with a smile in his eyes: "Axin is my best friend."
"Those who can be friends with A'luan must be outstanding. This Master A'xin must also be very powerful. Do you all know His Highness?"
"Yes, Axin is amazing, the most beautiful, the smartest, and the best to me! He is also one of the four young masters of the capital. We all know His Highness."
Qiao Xi immediately became alert and asked around again without leaving any trace. However, although Xue Luan praised her, he was still very protective of Li Yuxin. After asking around for a while, Qiao Xi only came to the conclusion that Ah Xin was good in every way.
He couldn't help feeling a little frustrated and could only give up temporarily. You know, this team also includes Jiang Mo and Xue Luan, who is in love without knowing it. As for Asin, they will see each other again when he arrives in the capital!
He stopped and felt sleepy. He could only smile apologetically to Xue Luan and fell asleep leaning against the carriage.
Xue Luan looked at his sleeping face, puffed his cheeks, then sighed in frustration, turned around and leaned against the window to look at the mountains and rivers outside.
He will probably never be as smart as Axin and Mr. Qiao, but he is not stupid either. His animal-like intuition can help him see through people's hearts.
These days, he has been evasive about everything. In his heart, he vaguely knows what is going on, but he just doesn't want to delve into it.
And he could feel Qiao Xi's fear of Asin, Jiang Mo, and him.
The common characteristic of these people is probably - they like His Highness?
He frowned and sighed, confusion appeared on his fair face, but he quickly relaxed his brows. He didn't want to be in such an unhappy and tangled mood every day. He was not happy at all!
He should solve these problems quickly!
He quickly thought of a good solution. His mother Xue Cang was an absolute rationalist in official affairs. She only looked at the evidence, so she firmly sat on the position of Minister of Justice. However, her method of educating her son was completely opposite. She hoped that he would follow his heart. If he was undecided, she would give him two options. He should choose one of them and do it firmly. His mother would support him from behind.
Xue Luan now really wants to try this method.
He took out a copper coin and weighed it, muttering softly, "Then let's choose one. If it's heads, I'll follow my heart and tell Ah Xin clearly what I feel. I don't want him to give in, hum! If it's tails, I'll pretend that this thing never happened. Whichever woman my mother chooses for me to marry, I'll decide that woman is my wife and I'll decide for the rest of my life and I won't change my mind! Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog!"
After he finished speaking, he looked around and saw that the sky outside was clear and the air was fresh. He couldn't help but put his hands together and bowed: "Gods and Buddhas above, Xue Luan's future is in your hands!"
After saying this, he threw the copper coin in his hand high up, then watched it fall down, and when it fell to his waist, he reached out and grabbed it.
He held his clenched fist in front of his eyes, his eyes looking a little complicated for a moment. I don’t even know which result to expect.
Xue Luan couldn't help but close his eyes, clenched his fists, and then slowly opened his palms. He glanced over secretly, and then his eyes suddenly dimmed and he leaned back into the car: "You're the one chosen."
He pouted, "Well, mother said a gentleman's word is as good as his bond. That's you."
He concealed the sadness in his eyes, smiled with curved lips, then found a red string, strung the copper coin together, and took a handkerchief to carefully wipe the sweat that had appeared on the palm of his hand. She washed the copper coins, made them into a bracelet and wore it on her hand.
He counted the coins: "What God has arranged is the best~"
Then close your eyes and go to sleep.
No one knew that in that small carriage, the young master had chosen his future.
…
When they arrived at the next post station, Qiao Xi had rested enough, so he quickly bought the best carriage at the post station and joined the team. He even prepared extra meals for Gu Jinke's people as a thank you fee for giving him a ride.
Gu Jinke quickly stopped him: "No need, thank you for your kindness, sir."
After all, they are the princess' team, and their rank in the post station is the highest, so they have the best equipment. A thousand soldiers even set up their own tents according to military orders. If Josh had extra meals, it would be a waste.
Qiao Xi was not stubborn, he just wanted to show his goodwill and let Gu Jinke know that he had such intentions. Of course, this was just a condition he threw out that Gu Jinke would definitely refuse. He immediately frowned in distress and embarrassment: "Your Highness actually doesn't accept extra food. Qiao Xi is really embarrassed, but Qiao Xi must thank Your Highness for taking care of Qiao Xi. Qiao Xi doesn't have any other cooking skills that he can show off."
He pretended to be embarrassed to think about it, took off a jade pendant from his waist, and handed it to Gu Jinke: "Your Highness helped me once, and I will repay Your Highness once. Take this jade pendant, and I will give Your Highness a discount when I go to my Qiao family store in the future. I know Your Highness is not short of money, but please accept it."
Gu Jinke laughed in silence, but when she met his serious and embarrassed eyes, she had to accept it. Having worked with Qiao Xi for a period of time, she knew that this man was decisive and resolute in his actions. He was free and easy when he could be free and easy, and really firm when he was firm. If you don't accept it, he will definitely find a reason to make you accept it.
Therefore, Gu Jinke took it and said, "Okay, let's end this matter here."
Josh smiled: "Of course."
He looked at the delicate mutton-fat jade pendant held in Gu Jinke's hand, with a deep smile in his eyes: "Then Your Highness must keep this jade pendant well."
Gu Jinke nodded and put the jade pendant away carefully in front of him. Josh smiled happily.
After they had their meal, they rested at the post station.
Then wake up the next day and continue on your journey. But soon, Gu Jinke received the correct and confirmed news about the engagement from Xin Shuang.
Her expression was complicated for a moment, and then her eyes were full of storm. She looked at the carriage behind her, where Jiang Mo and Xue Luan were sitting! Gu Jinke raised his head weakly and leaned back in the car, feeling powerless for a moment. In any case, the emperor's decree has confirmed the marriage, so what is the best thing for her to do?
She can deal with the third princess, but what about the two men who are bound to her, Gu Jinke? She crumpled up the letter Xin Shuang had passed her and threw it into the incense burner, watching it burn up bit by bit, and then ordered the convoy ahead: "Speed up again and return to Beijing!"
She pouted her cheek, with some uncontrollable murderous intent in her eyes. She wanted to go back and see the Queen and the King's Consort to find out how they made this decision.
Not to mention her marriage, why would Jiang Mo be betrothed to the Third Princess?
Why?
Although the entire convoy didn't know what had happened, they could still sense that the princess was in a bad mood, so they all silently sped up.
Xue Luan, Jiang Mo and Qiao Xi couldn't help but worry, but Gu Jinke didn't spread the news. They didn't know why and could only remain silent. Jiang Mo originally wanted to ask. But Xun Ji tactfully rejected him and gave him a handwritten letter from Gu Jinke.
Now, in name only, Jiang Mo is already the Third Princess' fiancé. In order to protect Jiang Mo's reputation, His Highness will not do anything inappropriate with him until he has completely dealt with the Third Princess and settled this engagement.
But the capital city was not peaceful either. The news about the third princess finally spread throughout the capital, and countless people were talking about it.
"Have you heard? The Third Princess is colluding with the bandits!"
"Wow, really, she would do such a heartless thing!"
"Of course, there's more to it than that. I heard she still misses that princess!"
The crowd was silent for a moment when they heard the name of Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess, and then they became chattering again.
"I used to be quite afraid of Her Highness the Crown Princess, but with the earthquake in Qingcheng Prefecture this time, I think it's a good idea for her to be the Crown Princess."
"Yes, yes, I think so too. That's why the Third Princess actually wanted to kill her. The Princess is her biological sister!"
"Oh my. This is too heartless. If this happened to an ordinary family like us, we would be dragged out and cut into pieces. It's just a pity for Mr. Jiang!"
"Yes, why did the Queen grant Master Jiang a marriage with the Third Princess? A toad wants to eat swan meat! Not worthy!"
"Mr. Jiang is such a good person. I heard that the Third Princess was gentle and elegant before. How did she become like this?"
"Why else? She just wants to be in that position. She doesn't even understand this. Tsk tsk tsk, she was just pretending before..."
"real?"
"Of course it's true. I have a relative who works in the Third Princess's Mansion. She told me secretly."
The gossip became more and more vicious, and the rumors became more and more intense. Not only the common people, but also the imperial censor who heard the news soon heard the news and his eyes immediately became sharp. As soon as the news spread, memorials flew to the empress's desk like snowflakes.
At this time, Gu Jinxiu, in a dishevel and half dead, also returned to the capital.
She had become so thin that she had lost all her shape. Her mind was confused and she could not open her eyes. She looked ridiculous and pitiful wrapped in a gorgeous brocade robe, but she still remembered to run fast.
The guards who were waiting on her were also very nervous. After thinking for a while, they quickly touched the palace badge on Gu Jinxiu's waist. She calmed down and saw the unconscious Li Qi in the carriage. She ordered the others, "You send Minister Li back to the Li Mansion. I will send the Third Princess to the palace to find the Noble Lord."
The other ninjas nodded quickly and immediately divided into two teams. One team sent Li Qi back home, and the other team took Gu Jinxiu's badge and sent her directly to the palace to ask for the imperial physician for Lord Xian.
Li Yuxin, wearing a black cloak, hung behind them. Seeing the miserable state of the two, he couldn't help but smile: "Retribution!"
He looked at the people under Gu Jinke who had come with him, clasped his fists, and said cheerfully: "Thank you all for the escort. Let's go our separate ways here!"
He was about to rush back to the capital, but Gu Jinke's itinerary was different from his. So he simply joined the team sent by Gu Jinke and came back together. This way, he could have shelter and return to the capital, and also avenge his hatred.
Gu Jinke thought about it and agreed.
At this time, Gu Jinke's team also saluted him one after another, with kindness and smiles in their eyes: "Okay!"
This time, they had a very pleasant cooperation with this young man whose appearance they did not know.
…
The news of the third princess' return to the capital spread quickly, and all parties reacted quickly, but with different emotions.
Xian Guijun, who was the first to know the news, fell to the ground, and then he said in a rare angry voice: "Call the imperial physician! Call all the imperial physicians here."
The team escorting Gu Jinxiu was searched and then carried Gu Jinxiu in unhindered. Xian Guijun, who had just stood up with the help of the waiter's arm, could not believe that the person who was carried back, who looked like a skeleton and whose original appearance was completely unrecognizable, was actually his third princess?
The child with a smile as gentle as jade and a face full of spring breeze before leaving?
He sat down again in a daze: "Go...go tell His Majesty that the Third Princess was murdered like this."
The Queen, as the male master of the harem, also received the news soon. After hearing the servants' description, he couldn't help laughing out loud, and all the depression he had accumulated over the past few days disappeared.
"Okay! Okay! Okay! That's it. It's best if you die!"
The waiters below wanted to cover their ears. The Queen doesn't care. Before, when the Queen came to consult him for advice, he thought he had a good grasp of the content of the Queen's imperial edict, which fulfilled his wish, and he had been secretly looking forward to it for a long time.
He never thought that Gu Jinke's marriage was indeed what he wished for, but the empress actually arranged a marriage for the third princess with Jiang Mo.
How could it be Jiang Mo?
He didn't believe that the Queen was not aware of Master Jiang's status, but the Queen gave Jiang Mo to the Third Princess. This move was like a thorn in the side of the Queen's throat. She was depressed for several days. Today, she finally got some good news.
He smiled and stood up: "Come on, change your clothes, I want to go and take care of the Third Princess."
Seeing how miserable she was would make him happier.
Tutor Jiang naturally also received the news. She shook her head, poured herself a glass of wine, and drank it all. During these days, she reported to the court for sick leave. The empress probably knew that she was dissatisfied with the marriage, so she indulged her somewhat.
Grand Tutor Jiang knew that she was sorry for her grandson, and she dared not imagine her grandson's expression when he knew about this, so she could only drink to relieve her sorrow. Now, after hearing the rumors about the Third Princess in the outside world, she couldn't help but wonder, if everything the Third Princess did was true, would she cancel the engagement?
She shook her head and drank another glass of wine. The old butler stepped forward to persuade him: "Sir!"
Master Jiang waved his hand: "Don't worry, I know what's going on."
She couldn't fall down yet. If Jiang Mo really wanted to marry the third princess, she had to hold on and protect the child from the wind and rain. It was her power that harmed him.
The old butler sighed helplessly.
The Third Princess's mansion was also in chaos. Qingxia, the Third Princess's first attendant, sat in her room with her heart pounding. He had naturally heard the rumors about the Third Princess from the outside world. He was worried that the Third Princess would be convicted, and all of them would be implicated. He hesitated because he heard that the Third Princess was seriously injured and dying.
If the Third Princess really... He touched his still flat belly from a distance, would he be able to ascend to heaven in one step...
Shocked and frightened, he huddled in his mansion in fear, quietly keeping the secret and waiting to step forward when needed.
As the news spread, the people sent by the noble king also arrived at the palace where the queen was, and said anxiously, "Your Majesty!"
The Queen frowned in displeasure, but still suppressed her temper and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Her Highness the Third Princess has returned seriously injured and is dying. Your Majesty, please go and see her."
The pen in the Queen's hand fell down with a "snap".
The author has something to say:
Ah, my babies, be happy every day~
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated nutrient solution during 2022-06-1115:25:30~2022-06-1123:45:23~
Thanks to the little angel who irrigated the nutrient solution: 20 bottles of hot and sour soup;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
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