Chapter 57: An Xiang How could he wear the same item as Qing Jia? ...
After explaining his intentions to Wen Shuo, Yu Qing recalled what had just happened and a layer of doubt arose in his heart.
Chen Wenhua’s distinguished guest is Xie Jing?
Thinking about it carefully, not long ago at the banquet on the Nanhu pleasure boat, several people frequently talked to Xie Jing, and they seemed to be members of the Chen family.
More than thirty years ago, when Yu Qing was not yet born, the Chen family was ranked first among the noble families in the capital, and the head of the family was appointed Prime Minister. The current emperor's ascension to the throne was inseparable from the support of the Chen family, and the queen was Prime Minister Chen's daughter.
After Prime Minister Chen's passing, the Chen family's heyday came to an end. Each generation declined, and there was no one left to shoulder the responsibilities. However, after all, the family had a strong ancestral legacy, a complex network of influence, and was the Empress's maternal family, with the Crown Prince by their side. Even if they declined, a lean camel would still be bigger than a horse.
Ever since the third prince was deposed and the queen lost power, even though the emperor did not confiscate the family's property or implicate others, the Chen family has been silent for a long time.
Even though a centipede is dead, its body is still cleaving. The Chen family is still struggling and trying every possible way to break the impasse.
Chen Wenhua was the nephew of the Empress and a prominent figure among his peers. His intentions in flirting with Xie Jing were obviously not pure.
Xie Jing entered the royal family alone, without any family support, yet he was quite favored. He was like a man holding a treasure, which was bound to attract covetousness and jealousy.
He is now in the limelight and enjoying a moment of glory. He may not be able to see through the ulterior motives of those who are pursuing him. After all, he is a young man who has never been involved in disputes. He is blinded by power and can easily take a wrong step, be used by others, and eventually get stuck in the vortex and unable to escape.
After all, she brought the person back, so should she give him a few words of warning?
Yu Qing thought about it for a moment and decided to give up.
The two of them were not related, so she had no right to advise the other party, and Xie Jing had no reason to listen to her words.
If he is clear-headed and can see through things clearly, he can avoid the troubles on his own without anyone else's advice; if he cannot see through it and is tempted by others with benefits, then no amount of advice from others will be of any use.
·
A few days later, at the grand court meeting, Xie Jing officially entered the court. Although he had not yet received his official position, he stood before the palace in a dazzling array, dressed in a crimson-purple python robe and a gold and jade belt. He truly had the aura of a high-ranking official of the royal family.
She was also somewhat curious, wondering if he would take this opportunity to make a name for himself and rise to prominence. However, this court meeting was ultimately as uneventful as any other. King Jing offered no witty remarks or original political views; he simply attended the court meeting, going through the motions.
What was she expecting? Yu Qing couldn't help but shake his head and sneer as the court was dismissed.
Now she finally realized that the strength of Xie Jing lies in the fact that no matter whether he loses or not, he will never lose the battle. No matter what happens inside, he will never lose face. She was a little frightened by this. Thinking about it carefully, Xie Jing didn't even know all the roads in the capital, so how could he shine in the court? He even lost all his money in the game of throwing pots a few days ago.
"Prince."
Someone called out softly from behind, Yu Qing turned around and found that it was Wen Xu.
The two exchanged a silent glance, and Yu Qing understood. "Master Wen, are you returning home? I just happened to be going to the market today."
Wen Xu nodded and said, "We are going the same way. I will give you a ride."
The two walked side by side through the long street. When they reached a deserted place, they both went up to Wen Xu and said, "Please forgive my inability to assist with the matter entrusted to me by the prince."
Yu Qing paused for a moment, then said, "Nothing, thank you Brother Wen for your concern."
Wen Xu said softly, "This matter involves Concubine Rong and His Royal Highness Prince Rui. It's no small matter. It's not that I'm unwilling to help, but it's really difficult to investigate."
Wen Xu stopped talking at that point, and Yu Qing understood.
Before the fall of the Eastern Palace, the government and the country were in turmoil, and the Wen family also experienced several dangerous and turbulent times. In the end, Prince Rui came forward to protect Wen Xu once.
Therefore, it was understandable that he was now turning to King Rui. Since he was working for King Rui, he naturally couldn't help Yu Qing investigate his master. Even if there was anything, he had to keep it secret from Yu Qing.
"I understand," Yu Qing said, "Brother Wen, don't worry."
It was just a try, so it doesn't matter if Wen Xu can't help.
"Prince," Wen Xu sighed, "You are aware of the current situation. No matter what you plan, it is best not to resist the Second Prince..."
Yu Qing pursed her lips helplessly and sighed, "I didn't have that intention. It was all for personal reasons."
Even if she really found out some palace secrets, she didn't want to expose anyone.
Whose identity is fake, who is confusing the public, who is deceiving the superiors and using the royal bloodline to make a fuss, it has nothing to do with her.
She just wanted to find the truth and make herself believe that it was possible and reasonable for the two people to be so similar. Whether it was a coincidence or a human construct, everything had a cause.
Otherwise, she really couldn't stop having wild thoughts and couldn't stop doubting day after day.
Sometimes, when she thought of Xie Jing, she would really have unrealistic thoughts... Is there a possibility that it could be... ?
Wen Xu looked at Yu Qing's furrowed brows with a hesitant expression, and finally said, "Sir, I think that if you continue to investigate further along this path, you may not get any results. It's better to change your approach."
Yu Qing was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding what Wen Xu meant.
“…Thank you.”
Before Yu Qing left, Wen Xu thought for a moment and then tactfully said, "Prince, I know your family is of noble character and has never shunned the powerful. However, His Royal Highness Prince Rui has asked me about you many times and is very optimistic about you. He truly values talent."
Yu Qing smiled when he heard this: "Brother Wen, are you acting as a lobbyist too?"
Wen Xu said helplessly: "It's just a casual remark. It's okay if the prince pretends he didn't hear it."
"Well, I appreciate Brother Wen's kindness," Yu Qing said, "I'll think about it carefully."
In fact, Yu Qing was also watching.
It is undeniable that after getting to know him, Prince Rui is indeed much better than the previous princes. His ability and vision alone are enough to make him worthy of being a leader.
Although his personal morals are not necessarily good, as he despises his own sister and tries to use beauties to win over his ministers, at least he is better than the previous prince who drugged her at the palace banquet, right?
The emperor is old, and although he has recovered from the cold, he has not resumed his court meetings. Many matters are still handled by the princes and some important ministers.
In this situation, everyone had to think carefully, and Yu Qing was no exception. If one had to choose someone from the royal family, Prince Rui would definitely be the first choice.
However, she also did not forget the doubts during the Northern Barbarian Rebellion.
Is the person who collaborates with the enemy King Rui?
"Actually, Prince Rui has had an idea recently," Wen Xu revealed when he saw that Yu Qing wasn't completely opposed. "He wants to set up another organization outside of the Golden Feather Guard to weaken its power. He's currently considering a candidate for the leadership position... Prince, you could really give it some thought."
·
With Wen Xu's words in mind, Yu Qing was not surprised at all when he received the summons from Guanlan Palace a few days later.
"I've been busy lately, wanting to summon the prince, but I couldn't find the time," Prince Rui said with a smile. "Today, I finally have plenty of time. How is the old marquis's illness?"
Yu Qing nodded and said, "The weather has warmed up, and my father has been taking good care of himself recently."
"When I was a young boy, I was attacked by a ferocious beast while hunting. It was the old marquis who saved me from the beast's mouth. I will always remember this kindness," King Rui said. "On the Shangsi Festival last year, my mother also prayed for the old marquis's health. I hope your father will live a long and blessed life."
Yu Qing said, "I would like to thank Your Highness and Your Majesty on behalf of my father."
Prince Rui said, "Years ago, when you reported your work, you expressed your willingness to be stationed at the frontier. I know your noble character. You have also been fighting for many years abroad, and I have been treating you badly by always sending you away. Now that the border is relatively stable, a capable minister like you, the Crown Prince, might as well stay in the capital. Your parents are old, and this way you can take better care of them, and your family can be reunited and enjoy the happiness of home. What do you think?"
It was difficult to find a reason to refuse by appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him. Moreover, as King Rui said, Yu Qing was reluctant to leave his parents.
Yu Qing said, "Your Highness is right. I will stay in the capital then."
Prince Rui looked at Yu Qing's calm eyes and unhurried expression. This young prince was not only brave and good at fighting, but also had a calm and clear mind. He really needed such a good general... But when he thought of the unclear relationship between him and Xie Jing, Prince Rui felt complicated every time he saw Yu Qing.
He pursed his throat, putting aside personal matters and discussing business. "The Golden Feathered Guard has existed for decades and is the finest imperial guard in the imperial city. However, there have been numerous incidents of inadequate protection and lax patrols. This prince is intent on rectifying this, but the complexities of the situation implicate many parties, and the problems are deeply ingrained. Therefore, this prince is considering establishing an additional guard in the capital. I have already discussed the initial plan with my father, and intend to submit this matter to the next Grand Court..."
Yu Qing pondered for a moment and did not give King Rui an immediate answer. He just asked him to think about it for a while.
Once this was said, Chengdu would eventually agree. Therefore, Prince Rui readily agreed. When Yu Qing left the palace, he even stood up and personally walked a few steps outside.
Yu Qing suddenly smelled a faint fragrance.
The closer Prince Rui was, the more obvious it became.
She was so familiar with the smell that she was startled and subconsciously looked over. She saw a delicate and small sachet hanging around King Rui's waist.
Prince Rui found it very strange that Yu Qing was silent but his eyes suddenly became fixed on him.
"how?"
Yu Qing came back to his senses and said, "I'm sorry for being so abrupt," and then said, "May I ask, Your Highness, where did this come from?"
Prince Rui looked down and his pupils shrank. He saw a ring on his waist, but he immediately realized that Yu Qing was asking about the sachet.
He was surprised for a moment, thinking that this was indeed the recipe given by Xie Jing, but it was mainly a mixture of vanilla ingredients, with a weak smell, and not as obvious and easy to distinguish as incense.
Yu Qing could tell it was Xie Jing's just by smelling it? That seemed a bit exaggerated.
His thoughts raced as he covered it up, "Oh, this was brought out from my mother's palace. It contains some spices and amulets. Is there something wrong with this item?"
"...No problem," Yu Qing said, "I just remembered that my wife once gave me a sachet like this."
Prince Rui: “…”
"I see," Prince Rui smiled. "My mother's maids often embroider these patterns. They're very common."
If it originated from Concubine Rong's palace, then it's not surprising that Qing Jia and Prince Rui both knew about this spice...
However, hers was not embroidered by a maid, but by the princess herself, Yu Qing thought.
This sachet, along with its subtle fragrance, made her feel a little melancholy and subtly unhappy.
In the past, she was the only one who had it, and it was also given to her by Qingjia.
Now that Prince Rui was wearing it, she felt a certain resentment. How could he wear the same item as Qingjia? Her temperament wasn't elegant, her character wasn't noble, and she certainly wasn't as refined as a jade or a heart as delicate as a flower. She didn't like anyone else tainting the princess's gentle, serene fragrance.
"Your Highness, there is no need to see me off." Yu Qing said, nodded respectfully and left the hall, his expression indifferent as he turned around.
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