There is no wall that is impenetrable. What happened in the Guanglu Temple that day was eventually spread out. Even though it was just discussed privately by everyone, it was not a glorious thing for both the Xiahou Mansion and the Duke's Mansion. No one knew how the two families negotiated, but after a few days, someone from the Duke's Mansion came.
It was said that the betrothal gifts filled the entire hall, and the Emperor also allowed the prince to be transferred to Shanxi after the marriage. The wedding date was set for the beginning of next month. Even though there were some rumors, no one dared to talk about the marriage between the two well-matched families. As for how the engagement happened so quickly, Xia Tong didn't know how her second uncle did it.
For a time, the whole capital was discussing the marriage between the two families, but Xia Tong received a letter from Lin Qin asking her to meet.
"Master, the Duke's Mansion has been eyeing the Crown Princess covetously. They plotted against you last time, and I don't know what conspiracy they have this time. It would be better for you to have less contact with her." Qing'er said seriously.
Xia Tong sat on the couch with a focused look on her face, playing with a blue jade bracelet, which she had looted from her father that morning. Her father had uncovered a case of court officials and merchants enclosing land, so the old emperor sent someone to deliver a reward to her that morning. She heard that her father would be promoted soon.
"It's all fake. At least we are still relatives now, so we still have to do a good job on the surface." As she said this, she put on the bracelet and shook it in front of Qing'er. "This bracelet is really good. Fortunately, I went in time today, otherwise it would definitely be put into the storehouse by Daddy again."
She should wear such a beautiful bracelet herself. It would be a shame to sell it.
"As long as you like it, how could the master not give it to you?" Qing'er couldn't help but chuckle.
Fang Yu, who had been silent, had a strange look in her eyes. After a pause, she finally said softly, "I have read ancient books before. If I am not mistaken, this should be made of the secret treasure of the Meigaoli tribe, Lantian and Yu. It is said that it can cure diseases and nourish the body. Master, can you put it in the sun and see if there are any ripples?"
After saying this, Xia Tong was stunned, blinked, and immediately ran to the door and stretched out her hand. She saw that in the sunlight, there seemed to be layers of ripples in the jade, which was extremely beautiful. She was stunned for a moment.
Is the old emperor so generous that he would give such a good thing?
"Ever since the Meigaoli clan was exterminated, the whereabouts of this secret treasure has been unknown for decades. Forgive me for being nosy, but do you think the Empress in the palace would not covet it?" Fang Yu lowered her head and spoke frankly.
Hearing this, Xia Tong seemed to have thought of something. This good thing would definitely be taken away by the Queen first. Moreover, the bracelet was not included in the rewards sent by the old emperor, which meant that the other party did not know the origin of this thing. But that was not right. She, a layman, knew that this good thing was a good thing, let alone a group of smart people in the palace?
"Could it be that the emperor specially gave it to the master as a reward?" Qing'er said blankly.
Xia Tong frowned and looked at the bracelet in her hand, feeling that there must be something strange inside.
"Forgive me for saying so much, unless someone gave it to you on purpose." Fang Yu glanced at the bracelet indifferently.
This kind of secret treasure is more beneficial to the elderly. It is impossible for the emperor to give it away. Anyone who does not care about such a treasure must not be an ordinary person.
Xia Tong felt that what the other party said made sense, but she couldn't think of who would be so good to her father and even interfere in the affairs of the Ministry of Rites. He must not be an ordinary person.
"It's getting late. I'd better go see Lin Qin. Qing'er, you go check on daddy, make sure he doesn't miss any treasures." Xia Tong was very anxious, fearing that there were still treasures in there that her father had put into the warehouse.
Hearing this, Qing'er nodded immediately and walked out.
Xia Tong changed into plain clothes and took Fangyu out. She didn't bring Qing'er with her because Qing'er felt a sense of belonging to the Xiahou Mansion, but Fangyu didn't. So no matter what she did, she must think of herself, not others.
Lin Qin made an appointment at the teahouse where they met last time. Xia Tong was a little afraid of meeting that pervert, but she felt that the other party should not be that idle. After all, they were just fake sisters, so if the other party wanted to explain, she would just listen to him.
When she arrived at the teahouse, it was still full. She went up to the second floor and came to the previous compartment, but saw a petite woman sitting inside. Perhaps she heard someone coming in, so she turned around immediately and stood up in an instant.
"Sister Tong, I thought you were angry with me and didn't want to come!" Lin Qin walked up to her with red eyes and aggrieved face and grabbed her arm.
Downstairs, the voices of storytellers could be heard everywhere. Xia Tong slowly pulled her arm out, walked to the table and sat down. There was a trace of disappointment on her fair face. "I have always treated you like my own sister. I dare not imagine what would have happened if it was me who went there that day. Why did you treat me like this?"
She pinched her thigh quietly, and turned her head away with red eyes, as if she wanted to say something but was crying. She was surrounded by sadness and disappointment.
"That's not the case, Sister Tong, please listen to my explanation." Lin Qin was so anxious that she immediately pulled her arm and said, "This was all my idea. I just wanted you to be my sister-in-law. I definitely didn't mean to harm you."
"But what you're doing is no different from harming me. Don't you know how important reputation is to a woman?" Xia Tong pursed her lips, her crystal eyes filled with disappointment.
When their eyes met, Lin Qin was choked for a moment and lowered her head in guilt. Her maid suddenly stood up and said, "But the master is really kind-hearted. After the incident, she blamed herself every day and lost a lot of weight. She knew that Miss Xia would be angry, but she still couldn't help but want to explain to you. For this, the master was severely punished by the lady. Please don't blame her anymore."
"Dongyao, shut up!" Lin Qin glared at her fiercely, as if blaming her for talking too much.
Seeing the master and servant singing in unison, Xia Tong knew it was time for her to perform. She slowly stood up, looking at Lin Qin with red eyes, her voice unable to conceal her disappointment. "I know you mean well, and I have never blamed you, but I really can't let it go. I hope you can give me some time. I need to calm down."
After saying that, she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and hurriedly left the cubicle.
Lin Qin, who was behind her, immediately chased after her anxiously, "Sister Tong, please listen to my explanation!"
People must have some backbone. Xia Tong was prepared to stalemate with the other party for a while before forgiving him. After all, he was from the Duke's Mansion, and she must not offend him. After all, they were just plastic sisters.
Hearing the footsteps from behind, Xia Tong quickened her pace, but she almost bumped into someone at the corner of the corridor. She didn't stay and just passed by, but suddenly heard Lin Qin's surprised voice behind her.
"Your Highness has met the Crown Prince."
Xia Tong paused and slowly turned her head, only to see a man behind her in a black robe with an upright figure, a handsome profile, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and a calm expression. Beside him was a black-clad follower holding a sword, with a cold face that was particularly scary.
Lin Qin seemed very surprised as well, and was half-crouching there. Fortunately, no one passed by in the corridor. It was the first time she saw the male lead. He was indeed very handsome. His aura showed that he was the protagonist, and he had the face of a male lead, unlike that big pervert. He exuded the aura that anyone who approached would die. At this moment, Xia Tong glanced at Fang Yu, and seemed to be hesitating whether to go over to greet him?
After a pause, Xia Tong took a few steps back obediently, bowed, but did not speak.
The woman's eyes were still red. The two seemed to have had an argument. Considering the recent marriage between the Duke's Mansion and the Xiahou Mansion, the Guanglu Temple incident was no secret. Xiao Jing put his hands behind his back, glanced at Xia Tong indifferently, and opened his lips slightly, "No need to be polite."
Standing up together with Lin Qin, Xia Tong did not dare to look at the male lead any more. After all, they were all the female lead's. Just as she was about to leave first, she heard the other party suddenly say in a leisurely manner: "The queen mother is often bored in the palace, so you should go to the palace to accompany her when you are free."
Xia Tong: “…”
She had to raise her head and meet the man's gaze in disbelief. The other party was also looking at her, with no emotion on his handsome and three-dimensional face, as if he was talking about something insignificant.
However, Lin Qin on the side couldn't help but tighten her palms, and a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes.
"Hasn't the Empress been so annoyed by the trivialities of the six palaces that she can't sleep day and night and her hair has turned white?"
Suddenly, a light male voice was heard not far away. Xia Tong looked in the direction where the voice came from, wondering who was so bold as to disrespect the queen. But when she saw that arrogant and lazy figure, she was so scared that she immediately lowered her head, trying her best to reduce her presence.
Seeing the person coming, Xiao Jing's eyes changed slightly, and a faint smile suddenly appeared on his face, "It's rare that the Regent King is concerned about me. There has been no major events in the palace recently, and it is rare for the Queen Mother to have free time."
At some point, no one passed by in the corridor anymore. Lin Qin was trembling with fear. She had once seen the Regent kill her distant cousin on the spot, and that scene still frightened her to this day.
"How can the Queen be free? Isn't she choosing a concubine for the Crown Prince?" The man slowly approached and glanced around. When he saw the jade bracelet on Xia Tong's hand, he couldn't help but curl his lips slightly and glanced at Lin Qin. "This girl from the Duke's Mansion is a perfect match for the Crown Prince."
After saying this, Lin Qin on the other side couldn't help but blushing, and for a moment she felt that the Regent was not so annoying after all.
However, the man holding the sword behind Gu Qin couldn't help but stare at Xia Tong's wrist with a strange look on his face.
"Your Highness, please be careful with your words. This matter concerns a woman's reputation and is not a joke." Xiao Jing frowned slightly and put his hands behind his back as if he was displeased.
The atmosphere seemed a little stiff. Xia Tong tried hard to be an invisible person, but she secretly cursed herself for not checking the almanac before going out today, and unexpectedly ran into the quarrel between the villain and the male protagonist.
Gently stroking the jade ring, Gu Qin continued to walk forward. When passing by, he glanced at her and said, "This is not a joke. I think the prince and the young lady of the Duke's Mansion are a perfect match. I will definitely ask the emperor to help the prince."
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