Chapter 126 Calculation
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The jade pendant was engraved with an exquisite four-clawed dragon, a pattern clearly reserved for members of the royal family. This meant the original owner of the jade pendant must not have been Jiang Xiyan, but another member of the royal family.
Considering Jiang Xiyan's identity, even if she received the emperor's personal order, it is estimated that she would not be awarded such a jade pendant. The most likely scenario is that this thing was given by a member of the royal family. Judging from the people Jiang Xiyan has interacted with, this member of the royal family is most likely Xiao Mingzheng in his youth.
Since it was a gift from Xiao Mingzheng, how could Jiang Xiyan give it to someone else? Even if one takes a step back, it is impossible for Jiang Xiyan to accidentally misplace the item. After all, considering the importance a woman places on a man, such an absurd mistake is absolutely impossible.
But now the jade pendant had been delivered to her. Zhong Min thought about it and realized there was only one possibility: Jiang Xiyan had done it on purpose. She couldn't figure out her purpose, but it definitely wasn't a good thing. So, she absolutely couldn't accept it. Not only could she not accept it, but she had to return it in front of Jiang Xiyan, clearly showing the original.
Thinking of this, Zhong Min did not sit still. Instead, he picked up his things, called Xier, and headed straight towards Tingyu Pavilion.
When he arrived, he happened to see Concubine Liu there. It seemed that the two of them were getting along quite well, talking and laughing like old friends. Anyone who didn't know the situation would surely envy Xiao Mingzheng for the harmonious relationship and good management of his wife and concubines.
Seeing this, Zhong Min thought to herself that this was better. If Concubine Liu were here, she could serve as a witness for her, so that there wouldn't be any unclear situations in the future.
"Sister Min, why are you back again? Please take a seat. Concubine Liu just arrived. Now that you're here, it would be more lively if the three of us could chat together." Jiang Xiyan smiled with an innocent smile, as if she were seeing a family member. As she spoke, she ordered the maid to serve tea and some snacks.
Seeing this, Zhong Min repeatedly stopped her, saying, "Miss Jiang, there's no need to bother."
After saying this, she nodded and smiled to Liu who was standing beside her and said hello: "Your Majesty, Zhong Min didn't know you were here. Please forgive me if I disturbed you."
Liu naturally said nothing, and nodded and smiled slightly as a return gesture. Originally, Concubine Liu had been very optimistic about Zhong Min, thinking that she would at least be given the title of concubine by the prince like her. However, she had not expected this girl to be so noble-minded, and actually disdained such empty titles, saying that she only wished to live an ordinary life.
When she heard all this that day, she had assumed the girl was just saying nice things, but she hadn't expected that she truly felt the same way. Liu Shi naturally saw that the prince had feelings for this girl, so if she hadn't disagreed, how could the prince not take her as his concubine? Furthermore, the prince had issued an edict, ordering everyone in the palace to treat Zhong Min as a distinguished guest, but hadn't agreed to let her leave immediately. This alone was enough to show that the prince still didn't want to let this girl go.
Now, before one wave of troubles has settled, another wave of troubles arises. Today, the emperor sent another old friend to the prince, who is extremely beautiful. It seems that the prince is quite concerned about Jiang Xi Yang. It is difficult for her to predict how the situation will develop in the future. But she is also a smart person. She will not provoke anyone and will treat everyone well. In the end, she estimates that the position of the princess will be between these two people in the future.
"Miss Min'er, you're worrying too much. I also heard that there's a new stunningly beautiful lady in the mansion, so I couldn't help but come over to see her. Sister Jiang is very easy-going, and we get along quite well. We were just talking about some interesting things in the mansion, and there wasn't anything else serious. It would be rude to disturb her." Liu replied very politely, and she seemed quite happy.
That was the case. Coming to see Jiang Xiyan was just a social occasion. It wasn't like any real sisterly love. There wasn't any heartfelt words to say. They were all just social remarks.
Seeing this, Zhong Min smiled at Liu with a hint of gratitude, and then without further ado, he took the gift box from Xier's hand and turned to Jiang Xiyan and said, "Miss Jiang, I left in a hurry just now and didn't see clearly what you gave me. When I returned to take a look, I found that it was so valuable. So I really can't accept it. Please take it back."
Jiang Xiyan hadn't expected Zhong Min to return a gift, so she naturally didn't accept the gift box. "What are you doing, Sister Min? There's no reason to take something back after giving it away. It doesn't matter if it's expensive or not. It's just a token of my love. Why should Sister Min care so much?"
"If it were anything else, no matter how valuable it was, I would have shamelessly accepted it, but I simply can't accept something like this." Zhong Min said as he opened the gift box and took out the jade pendant. "Miss Jiang, this thing must have some history. You should take it and keep it for yourself."
"Oh, Sister Jiang is really generous. This is a top-grade jade pendant with dragon carvings on it. It's obviously something used by the royal family. It's extremely valuable!" Liu, who was standing by, couldn't help but praise the jade pendant after seeing it. It was obvious that she was also a connoisseur.
Jiang Xiyan paused for a moment upon seeing this, then quickly took it with an incredulous look on her face and said to Zhong Min, "Oh my God, how did this jade pendant end up in Sister Min's hands? Luckily, Sister Min returned it to me, otherwise, I would have been so worried."
Jiang Xiyan turned around and scolded the two personal maids she had brought with her, "You two are so heartless. How could you be so rash? You almost ruined my plan. Didn't I tell you to keep this thing safe? You actually confused it with the gift for Sister Min. Luckily it was Sister Min. If it was someone else, what would you do?"
Upon hearing this, the two maids knelt down and begged for mercy, saying they knew they were wrong and would never do it again. Liu, of course, had no idea what was going on. She glanced at Zhong Min in confusion, but seeing his calm expression, as if he'd expected it, she immediately understood a good part of what was going on.
After Jiang Xiyan lectured the two maids, she smiled apologetically at Liu and Zhong Min, and then explained, "My two sisters, you don't know this, but this jade pendant was given to me by Brother Zheng when I was a child. I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. I'd be willing to give away anything else, no matter how valuable it is, but I absolutely cannot bear to give this thing away. After all, it was given to me by Brother Zheng himself, so of course I have to take good care of it. Who would have thought that these two useless servants could not handle such a small matter and almost caused such a big trouble. Fortunately, it was Sister Min'er. I really don't know how to thank her enough."
"Miss Jiang, you're too kind. This thing is too valuable. Originally, I didn't dare to accept it. Now that I know its origin, I dare not take it away from someone else. Now it has been returned to its rightful owner, and I am relieved." Zhong Min was not surprised by this answer at all. He said calmly, "Well, since there is nothing else, I won't disturb you any further. Your Majesty and Miss can continue their conversation. Zhong Min will take his leave first."
Seeing Zhong Min was about to leave, Liu stood up and turned to Jiang Xiyan, saying with a smile, "Sister Jiang, you've been exhausted from the journey. I shouldn't have come here to bother you today, but I really admire your reputation and wanted to meet you in person sooner rather than later, so I couldn't help but come straight here. Since Miss Min'er is leaving too, I'll go too. Sister, have a good rest. We can chat and play together another day."
"In that case, Xiyan will not keep you two sisters here any longer. Take care, sisters. I will visit you another day." Jiang Xiyan did not want to keep them any longer. As she spoke, she prepared to personally see Liu and Zhong Min out.
"Sister, there's no need to see me off. Don't get tired and take a rest." Seeing this, Liu naturally didn't let Jiang Xiyan see her off anymore. After saying this, she smiled again and turned to leave.
Zhong Min didn't say anything else, just nodded slightly, and followed Liu's speed to leave Tingyu Pavilion.
Shortly after leaving Payu Pavilion, Zhong Min was about to go back when Liu invited him to walk in the garden. Seeing that Liu looked like she had something to say, Zhong Min couldn't delay, so he nodded and slowly followed her.
"I wonder if the Queen has any advice for me. Zhong Min is all ears." Zhong Min never liked to hide things, so she spoke directly after a while.
Seeing this, Liu Shi didn't beat around the bush and said, "Miss Min'er is quick-witted, so I'll be frank with you. You're a very kind-hearted woman, and you must have suspected what happened today. I don't mean to stir up trouble, but I just feel that Jiang Xiyan isn't as simple-minded as she appears. Not to mention it was a gift from the prince himself, the jade pendant itself is so valuable, and she had clearly instructed us to do so. How could a personal maid mistakenly send it to you? Fortunately, Miss Min'er is smart and discovered it and sent it back quickly. Otherwise, who knows what he would have done to you after the prince returned."
Hearing Liu's directness, Zhong Min couldn't help but pause and questioned, "Why would Her Majesty tell Zhong Min all this? After all, whether she did it intentionally or unintentionally, these things have nothing to do with Her Majesty."
"I'm not one to say high-sounding things, but since you've asked, I'm not afraid to speak directly." Madam Liu paused and spoke to Zhong Min seriously, "Judging from Jiang Xiyan's behavior today, she's clearly not one to tolerate others. She's already been eager to plot against you since she arrived. It's clear she must have made all sorts of preparations before she even arrived. Although you're merely a distinguished guest at the palace, she undoubtedly knows the prince has special feelings for you, which is why she's so eager to trip you up. And the reason I'm telling you all this is simply for my own good."
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