"Thank you for your help these past few days, Lord Wei."
At the Wei residence, after meeting with officials who were aligned with Wei Sheng, Gu Qingling quickly brought Wei Sheng into her sphere of influence.
"Your Highness is too kind. It would be my honor to serve Your Highness in the future."
Upon hearing this, Wei Sheng's smile became more genuine. Over the years, he had been cautious and meticulous in expanding his sphere of influence, all for this moment—the merit of following the emperor who was about to be in his hands.
He became a trusted and powerful minister who held immense influence in the court.
"Lord Wei must also know about the situation in Heng County."
When Gu Qingling mentioned Heng County, Wei Sheng immediately became cautious. "The matter in Heng County has caused such a big stir, it would be difficult for me not to know about it."
"My third brother has been ordered to investigate this matter in Heng County." Gu Qingling sipped his tea. "I feel that my third brother, having suddenly become the Empress Dowager's stepson, is somewhat unaware of his own identity."
Wei Sheng's pupils contracted involuntarily. His Highness... wants to take the Third Prince's life?
Just what he wanted.
Thinking of this, Wei Sheng immediately replied, "Whether the Third Prince handles this matter well or badly, it will not benefit Your Highness at all, and it has truly put Your Highness in a dilemma."
If Gu Qingyan investigates this matter thoroughly, Gu Qingling's prestige will be damaged.
If Gu Qingyan fails to investigate this matter thoroughly, then Gu Qingling, who recommended Gu Qingyan, will also not benefit from it.
“Yes.” Gu Qingling gave Wei Sheng a meaningful look. “Since that’s the case, I think Lord Wei is a smart man and must have a better solution.”
As she spoke, the teacup in Gu Qingling's hand "inadvertently" fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.
"Just like this teacup, if it breaks by accident, there's no way to blame anyone."
"Your Highness understands."
Wei Sheng's eyes were filled with murderous intent. Gu Qingyan, Gu Qingyan, your investigation of Heng County was already going against this official.
I was just wondering how to get rid of you completely, but you've ended up provoking the Crown Prince instead. If you have anyone to blame, it's your bad luck.
......
Yichun Garden.
"Please come in, sir." The madam of Yichun Garden greeted the guests with her flamboyant attire. The private rooms on the second floor were occupied by prominent officials and dignitaries, and only girls who were specifically requested could go upstairs to serve them.
"This gentleman looks like it's his first time here... Come in quickly and see if there's a girl you like." Disguised, Bai Qian looked every bit the handsome young master, and no one would associate the "young master" in front of them with Bai Qian.
"I'm in a good mood today. I've heard there are a few girls in Yichun Garden who are very flexible." Bai Qian deftly put away her fan. "Call them over to dance for me."
As she spoke, Bai Qian stuffed a gold ingot into her mother's hand, and her mother immediately beamed with joy. "Young master, please wait a moment, I will go and call someone right away."
Inside the private room, Bai Qian sipped her wine while observing the four girls standing in a row in front of her with great interest.
"This humble servant is Huan'er."
"This humble servant is Ying'er."
"This humble servant is Bing'er."
"This humble servant is... Mei'er."
Bang! The wine glass was slammed onto the table. Bai Qian casually put her legs up on the table and said, "Jump! If you jump well, I'll reward you handsomely."
Because of Bai Qian's movements, the crane pendant around her waist was more clearly exposed to the air.
Bai Qian clearly felt Mei'er's gaze fixed on her waist, but she still pretended to be engrossed in wine and women.
After dancing several songs, Bai Qian threw a few gold ingots to each of the girls.
"You danced well. Mei'er, stay and keep this young master company."
Mei'er was extremely beautiful, with eyes that seemed to speak volumes and were incredibly alluring.
Bai Qian pulled Mei'er into his arms, their breaths mingling. Mei'er reached out and tapped Bai Qian's chest, then moved down to the crane on his back. "This thing on your waist is quite peculiar, young master."
Bai Qian revealed a sly smile upon hearing this, "It's just something that everyone in the family knows how to do."
Mei'er's eyes immediately reddened. She had been waiting here for a long time and finally saw the person in front of her.
"I recognize this item too. If you like it, I'll fold one for you."
......
For three consecutive days, Bai Qian lingered at Yichun Garden.
It wasn't until the fourth day that Bai Qian changed into women's clothing and entered the palace.
"Your Majesty, I've been so envious these past few days," Bai Qian muttered resentfully. "Why is it that men can go to brothels to enjoy themselves, while women can only stay at home to be good wives and mothers?"
Jiang Yu smiled and gestured towards Bai Qian, "Did you find out any news?"
Bai Qian straightened her expression and said, "That Mei'er is indeed from Heng County. She said that there were about twenty people who were kidnapped with her, and the kidnappers would decide where they were taken based on their appearance."
"Deciding where to go based on appearance?"
Jiang Yu's heart sank to the bottom.
"If she is born into a modest family, she will be changed to a respectable family and sent to a minister's household as a concubine. If she is born beautiful, she will be trained to be a slender horse or sent to a brothel. If she is born ugly... no one knows where she will be sent."
Bang! Jiang Yu swept everything off the table and onto the floor. The missing woman from Heng County was treated so cruelly.
"Any further news?"
Jiang Yu's voice was as cold as ice, and even Bai Qian held her breath.
“Mei’er said that out of those twenty people, only she was sent to Yichun Garden.” Bai Qian’s voice grew softer. “Also… she said that those women should all be in the capital, and the person behind them is a high-ranking official in the capital.”
"I understand. Thank you, Axi, for this matter."
Bai Qian quickly shook her head, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance and we need to send a letter to the Third Prince as soon as possible."
"Furthermore, we must pay even closer attention to the safety of the Third Prince."
If the interests of powerful figures in the capital are threatened, those people will not hesitate to act ruthlessly, regardless of their status as princes.
"Axi, do me one more favor."
......
The day of the flower viewing party was sunny and breezy.
The ladies of the capital, along with their daughters, entered the palace one after another, while the imperial concubines waited at Zhaoning Palace early in the morning.
"These flowers were personally selected by His Majesty and the Third Prince," a lady said with a smile. "I think Her Majesty the Empress is the most blessed person!"
"That's right, you have two princes and a princess. The princess has been by Your Majesty's side all day."
"My husband says that the Emperor now holds the Empress in high esteem, and the couple is deeply in love!"
Inside the room, Jiang Yu was drawing her eyebrows and eyes. Listening to the conversation in the courtyard, Jiang Yu twitched the corners of her mouth.
[The platform has already been set up for Consort Rong. How she performs from now on is up to her.]
"Your Majesty," Wanji said as he entered, "Consort Rong has arrived."
Jiang Yu slowly stood up. "Now that Consort Rong has arrived, it is time for me to make my appearance as well."
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