“Alas… I am also worried about this matter!” Qin Zhihong said worriedly to Madam Qin.
“Father, Mother, don’t be afraid. Aunt is dead, and our relationship with the Duke of Lin’s mansion has long been severed. If Father did not commit any major offense, the Emperor will not do anything to our Qin mansion,” Qin Xixue said confidently as she just stepped into the room.
“Xue’er, Father knows this, but Father used to…” As Qin Zhihong spoke, his heart tightened, and a cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead. He casually pulled up his sleeve to wipe away the fine sweat.
“Father, since Lin Zhenfei is in prison anyway, as long as we deny it, the Emperor can’t do anything to us. Moreover, we are so close to Prince Ning now, the affairs of the Empress and the Duke of Lin’s mansion have even less to do with us.” Qin Xixue said, raising her hand to adjust the veil on her face. Although her expression could not be seen, her sinister gaze indicated that she was a wicked person.
Madam Qin suddenly felt enlightened after hearing Qin Xixue’s words. “Yes! Xue’er is right. Since Qin Minzhi is dead, we have no more connection with the Duke of Lin’s mansion.”
“Mmm, Xue’er’s words indeed make sense!” Qin Zhihong also agreed with Qin Xixue’s statement.
Just then, the housekeeper hurried in. “Master, Madam, Eldest Young Lady, Prince Ning has arrived.”
“Quickly, quickly invite Prince Ning into the mansion!” Hearing that Prince Ning had arrived, Qin Zhihong’s face instantly lit up with a smile, as did Madam Qin. However, of the three, Qin Xixue was the most excited. Before the housekeeper could even finish speaking, she ran out to personally greet Prince Ning. Seeing this, Qin Zhihong and Madam Qin shook their heads.
“Your Highness Prince Ning, you’re here!” Qin Xixue said, looking at Prince Ning with a shy expression.
“Yes, Xue’er, I have nothing to do today, so I came to see you.” Prince Ning looked at Qin Xixue with gentle eyes.
“You are a prince, how can you have nothing to do?” Qin Xixue playfully chided upon hearing this.
“Don’t worry, I came after finishing my official duties. I came specifically to see you, and also to discuss matters with Prime Minister Qin,” Prince Ning said with a slight smile.
“We are also discussing matters as a family. It’s perfect that you’re here,” Qin Zhihong, who had just walked behind Qin Xixue, suddenly interjected. Then, the Qin family of three quickly invited Prince Ning into the room to discuss the changes that had occurred in the palace that day.
“Prime Minister Qin, the fact that Your Imperial Father did not punish or deal with you at the morning court today means that the Empress’s assassination attempt on Your Imperial Father is unrelated to you. You do not need to worry about this matter,” Prince Ning said seriously.
“Alas… but this humble minister has served as an official with the Duke of Lin for many years. How can we not have any interaction?” Qin Zhihong sighed.
“Prime Minister Qin, rest assured, my Imperial Father will not punish two high-ranking court officials at the same time. Otherwise, this action would inevitably cause turmoil in the court, so my Imperial Father will not be so foolish. After a few days, I will go into the palace and ask my Imperial Father to grant me a marriage with Xue’er. When the Qin Prime Minister’s mansion is related to Prince Ning’s mansion, my Imperial Father will reduce his suspicion of your Qin mansion,” Prince Ning said after some thought.
Qin Zhihong, Madam Qin, and Qin Xixue, who were present, were stunned into silence by Prince Ning’s words.
“Your Highness Prince Ning, you, you just said you are going into the palace to ask the Emperor for a marriage decree?” Madam Qin looked at him in disbelief.
“Yes, Madam Qin. In fact, I have liked Xue’er for a long time, but Xue’er’s heart was entirely set on my second brother, so I could only hide my love for her in my heart.” Prince Ning said, looking at Qin Xixue with feigned affection. Upon hearing Prince Ning’s words, Qin Xixue’s ears immediately flushed red. After he finished speaking, Qin Zhihong and Madam Qin exchanged glances, and they both secretly rejoiced, “Oh, so that’s how it is!” Then, Prince Ning nodded vigorously.
…
Leng Ruoli still went to Anji Tang for her consultations as usual. As it approached noon, Jun Mohan sat down beside Leng Ruoli with a playful smile. Leng Ruoli looked up at Jun Mohan’s smiling face and asked curiously, “Why are you smiling so happily today?”
“Li’er, I have a piece of great news for you.” Jun Mohan suddenly leaned close to Leng Ruoli’s ear and said mysteriously.
“What good news could make you so happy?” Leng Ruoli asked him, very confused. Because she had arrived at Anji Tang early in the morning, she was still unaware of the matters concerning the Empress.
“Last night, the Empress’s assassination attempt on my Imperial Father failed, and she was killed by my Imperial Father instead. At the morning court today, my Imperial Father issued an imperial decree that anyone related to the Empress would have their families confiscated and be executed.”
“Really? That is truly great news!” Leng Ruoli was also delighted upon hearing this.
“Really, I wouldn’t joke with you about such matters,” Jun Mohan replied with a solemn tone.
“Hahaha…” Immediately, the two of them burst into laughter on the spot, leaving everyone in Anji Tang bewildered.
Not long after, Xing’er led a woman in from the entrance of the clinic. “Princess Consort, this young lady says she has something urgent to find you about.” Hearing this, Leng Ruoli, who was attending to a patient, looked up at the woman Xing’er had brought in. The woman was quite beautiful, with a slender figure, exquisite features, fair skin, and captivating eyes. She wore a pale pink, cinched-waist dress and a butterfly tassel in her hair. Her makeup and attire were delicate and refined, giving her the appearance of a lady from a wealthy family.
“Miss, may I ask what you need?” Leng Ruoli asked the woman.
Upon hearing Leng Ruoli’s question, the woman immediately knelt down. “Princess Consort Leng, please help me,” the woman said, choking back tears. The woman’s action completely bewildered Leng Ruoli.
“Miss, please get up and speak if you have a request. I, Leng Ruoli, do not like this kind of formality.” Leng Ruoli said with a dark expression. These ancient people were truly annoying, kneeling down at the slightest provocation. Seeing Leng Ruoli’s displeased expression, the young lady quickly stood up. At this point, Leng Ruoli’s expression improved slightly.
“Princess Consort Leng, this concubine did not know your customs and did not mean to offend you. Please, Princess Consort…”
“Alright, tell me what it is,” Leng Ruoli asked dismissively.
“Thank you, Princess Consort. However, what I have to say is of great importance. May I ask if Princess Consort would allow me to speak in private?” the young lady said with a sense of mystery.
Leng Ruoli was slightly taken aback. She looked at the woman again and finally nodded. “Of course, then come with me to the resting hall.”
“Okay, thank you, Princess Consort!” The young lady nodded and followed Leng Ruoli into the resting hall of Anji Tang. At this moment, only Jun Mohan was sitting by the tea table, drinking tea in the resting hall. Seeing a man radiating a chilling aura sitting in the resting hall, the young lady trembled.
“Don’t be afraid, he won’t prevent us from talking,” Leng Ruoli said, then gestured to a chair nearby, inviting the woman to sit down.
“Princess Consort Leng, my name is Tao Xiangqing. I was originally the daughter of Tao Zhihang, the salt official of Leizhou in the East Sea… and now I am a concubine of the Duke of Lin.” The woman truthfully revealed her identity to Leng Ruoli.