Chapter 27 Request for Exchange
Thinking that given Madam Zheng's personality, she would not send anyone to the building to look for her unless it was urgent, Qingwu gave Shanshan a few instructions, left Baozhu in Zhuangyuan Building, and took Yuzhu and Qiangwei to the Xi family.
After getting into the carriage, Qing Wu asked, "Why did mother come to see me?"
Qiangwei, who was sitting in the corner of the carriage, shuddered. After a moment's hesitation, she whispered, "Madam Tong is back, and... the crown prince has been deposed and demoted to a commoner."
Qing Wu was unaware of what was happening at first, and it took him a long while to react. He immediately sat up straight, "How could this be? The Crown Prince... was deposed?! Is this true?"
"This is the news brought back by Madam Tong. It can't be false."
Confirming this was true, Qing Wu unconsciously grasped the cushions of his seat. Thinking of the young man who had fallen to the grass, he felt extremely sorry for him. He asked in confusion, "His leg is already broken. Why would Your Majesty... cripple him now?"
How could parents who love their son bear to hurt him again when he is at his most vulnerable?
However, no one could answer this question. Even Xiao Ji himself had not fully understood it, let alone a servant?
Qiangwei remained silent, and Qingwu didn't speak to her either, pondering silently. With such a serious incident, it was no wonder her mother asked her to go back. But what was the point of asking her to go back?
The atmosphere suddenly became depressing, and the originally clear sky gradually became gloomy. When they were halfway through the journey, the carriage was shaking and the curtains were swaying, and Qingwu realized that it was drizzling outside the carriage.
She couldn't help but worry about Song Yunhe for a moment, but this worry was fleeting. Compared to a broken leg, getting wet by a little drizzle was nothing.
Qingwu's thoughts were still lingering on the young prince. Her mind still clung to his youthful grandeur. How could he have undergone such a drastic change in just ten days? A crown prince transformed into a commoner with a broken leg? Even if Qingwu wasn't in his position, she couldn't help but feel a pang of distress.
Thinking about his relationship with the Xi family, Qingwu realized that the crown prince's dethronement might endanger the Xi family and bring disaster to his father who was serving in Jingzhou. He couldn't help but feel anxious and urged, "Hurry up, hurry up! Go home quickly."
No matter how close she is to her mother or how at odds she is with her twin sisters, they are her family and her blood relatives after all. How can Qingwu not worry?
The coachman whipped the horse, and the horse galloped away. Amid the rumbling of the wheels, Qiangwei quickly looked up at Qingwu, then lowered her head even lower, hiding the reluctance in her eyes.
Soon the carriage arrived at the Xi Mansion. Qingwu took the umbrella that Yuzhu opened and hurried to Ning'an Courtyard. As soon as she arrived under the eaves, she threw the umbrella in, and then the servants outside the door closed the door.
Qingwu had no doubts, but felt that what they were discussing today was indeed inappropriate for others to hear. She looked into the room and saw two people standing inside: her mother and her twin sisters.
"Is my eldest brother back?"
At this moment, he no longer cared about any formalities. Qingwu looked at the two of them and asked directly.
With my father away, my mother and my eldest brother made the decision. My eldest brother, Xi Qingbai, had been studying at the Bailu Academy outside Beijing. With something like this happening, it was only logical that he should return.
"I've already invited them, and they should be here soon."
Madam Zheng replied, looking at Qingwu, whose expression was pure worry for them. She wanted to say something directly, but it was difficult to say it at this moment. She blinked her eyes and said, "Please sit down first."
Xi Qingtong keenly caught this hesitation, and she suddenly felt anxious. She blinked and tears welled up in her eyes again.
Seeing her beloved daughter sobbing again, Madam Zheng's heart, which had just softened, hardened again. She said, "Qingwu, you know everything about your sister, right?"
Qing Wu nodded and looked unconsciously at the twin sister sitting there crying. Even though he had many disagreements with her in the past, he couldn't help but feel pity for her now. How could she accept such a situation when she was so proud and arrogant?
After hesitating for a moment, Qing Wu took a few steps forward, walked to Xi Qingtong, put his hand on her shoulder and patted her gently, saying softly, "Sister, don't be afraid, we will definitely help you."
She hadn't called "sister" for a very long time, and the person being called couldn't help but tremble. Xi Qingtong raised her head and looked at Qingwu, and was touched by the pure concern in her eyes. She lowered her eyes in an instant, and felt a little ashamed in her heart.
But the shame was replaced by fear and unwillingness in just a few moments. Do I have to live a miserable life just because of the guilt?
Seeing that her mother still didn't speak for her, Xi Qingtong suddenly stood up from the chair and rushed towards the wall next to her! Fortunately, Qingwu was quick-witted and grabbed Xi Qingtong's sleeve in time, preventing her from slamming into the wall.
Mrs. Zheng reacted immediately and hugged Xi Qingtong, "Qingtong! What are you doing!" Mrs. Zheng's voice trembled and her eyes turned red instantly.
Mrs. Zheng, who was dressed elegantly, was now sitting on the ground. She held her daughter in her arms and comforted her, touching her flushed forehead and tears falling down her face.
Xi Qingtong leaned against her mother's arms, her body trembling constantly, tears streaming down her face, and she murmured, "The Crown Prince is like this now, and the rest of my life... I might as well just die!"
Both of them knew that she was a proud person, so Madam Zheng and Qingwu did not think Xi Qingtong's behavior was fake. Hearing the endless despair and fear in these words, Qingwu also felt sad. He helped the two of them up and tried his best to stabilize the morale of the troops.
"Sister, there's more to it than that. There's always a way."
Qingwu's mind was working rapidly, thinking about how to break the deadlock. She didn't notice that her mother's eyes were completely on her. The next moment, her hand was suddenly held.
Qing Wu was startled, and then she heard the most shocking words in her life -
"Switch your identities."
The spring rain was drizzling outside the house, and the person who had just arrived at the door suddenly stopped.
Qingwu's hand was held tightly by her mother, but she did not feel any warmth, only a slight chill penetrating into her bones. After a long while, she moved her lips and asked:
"Mother, what did you say? Say it again?"
She thought she was hallucinating, but the graceful woman who used to be the most respectful of rules and decency was actually begging her with tears.
"Qingwu, I beg you, please switch with your sister. Your sister has been raised pampered since she was a child. How can she bear to suffer like that with the deposed crown prince?"
Qingwu was completely frozen in place. She seemed not to understand what people were saying. What did "change" mean?
She asked softly, almost like a madman, "How do I change it?" Her hands were already trembling slightly.
"You and your sister are twin sisters. No one can tell you apart except those close to you. Switch identities. From now on, you will be her and she will be you."
Hearing this almost absurd statement, Qing Wu finally couldn't help but said in disbelief: "Exchange? Mother, do you know that my sisters and I have already married separately?"
Her mother actually asked her to switch identities with her twin sister!
This is simply a huge joke. She has been married to Song Yunhe for three months, and her twin sisters have been in the Eastern Palace for more than a month. How can the two be swapped?
Madam Zheng's face also flashed with embarrassment, but she glanced at her little daughter, who was sitting on the chair behind her crying and just about to commit suicide, and she still hardened her heart: "The deposed crown prince has not consummated his marriage with your sister, and you have not consummated your marriage with Yunhe either. Why can't you change?"
Before Qingwu could ponder why her mother knew about her bedroom affairs, she heard her say, "Tong'er has been spoiled and can't live the life of a commoner. You grew up in the countryside, so you're used to it, aren't you?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
