“But Tong’er, I just love him. Even if he doesn’t love me, I can endure it. But he can’t keep me at arm’s length. Moreover, he acts as if you betrayed him because of my interference and won’t listen to my explanation. I feel so wronged.”
“Orange, I will explain this to him. Don’t worry.”
“That’s good.” Ji Chen leaned on her shoulder, sobbing for a while before stopping.
“But why didn’t you tell me you liked my master?”
Ji Chen wiped her eyes: “I didn’t dare to hope before. But now, as we’re about to shed our identities, I feel I’m not unworthy of him, just lacking an opportunity. I don’t know if you had feelings for him before, but I know he likes you since childhood, and I’m willing to wait. After all, you and the young master of the Jiang family are a predestined match that can’t be broken.”
Gu Qingtong nodded, understanding, thinking that when they return to the capital, she should clarify things with Young Master Yuqing to ease her childhood friend’s mind.
“Tong’er, you’re so good.
“Ji Chen leaned on her shoulder, softly speaking, then whispered in her ear, glancing at the silent Lü Guo, ‘Tong’er, Lü Guo is Brother Yuqing’s person. You must be careful in the future.’
Gu Qingtong was stunned. She had always known Lü Guo had someone behind her and suspected it was Ruan Niang or Han Yue’an, but never expected it to be Young Master Yuqing.
Ji Chen twisted her mouth: ‘Brother Yuqing truly cares for you. You must be good with the young master of the Jiang family and be wary of Lü Guo. She may seem harmless, but she has more tricks than Luo Xiao.’
‘How do you know?’ Gu Qingtong smiled helplessly, then frowned.
‘Luo Xiao, for some reason, hates you intensely. That day when I disguised myself as you and left the Flower and Moon Pavilion with Lü Guo, she secretly ran to Stern Xiang’s residence to report. Afterward, we were followed by Stern Xiang’s men and had to circle around to shake them off.’
‘What happened to Luo Xiao?’
‘She was beaten to death with clubs by the Pavilion Master.’
‘What?’ Although Gu Qingtong had no feelings for Luo Xiao, being beaten to death was truly cruel.
‘Tong’er, you must also be careful of Luo Xue. However, after Luo Xiao’s incident, the Pavilion Master certainly won’t let her stay with you. If the Pavilion Master were more ruthless, he might send her to the official courtesans.’
‘Would my adoptive father really do that?’
“
“No, since Luo Xue has been relatively obedient around you and hasn’t caused trouble in the Flower and Moon Pavilion, the Pavilion Master is waiting for her to reveal her true colors or test her sincerity. But I heard that since Luo Xiao was beaten to death, she has been ill, delirious, and hasn’t recovered.”
“You’re quite well-informed.”
“Mang Xiang is still in the pavilion, and others are watching. These things naturally can’t escape my ears. Tong’er, many things you disdain to do, I will do. You just need to focus on the palace and the divine soldiers. I’ll take care of the Flower and Moon Pavilion for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Tong’er, it was my Ji family that has burdened you. If I don’t do something for you, I’ll be uneasy.” Ji Chen’s face was sorrowful, pressing her chest.
“Orange, our friendship is so deep. Don’t dwell on the past. Even Liang Luoxi, who is my distant cousin, doesn’t treat me as close as we are, yet she sees me as a threat. Why don’t we become sworn sisters when we return to the capital?”
“Okay, I’m lucky to be close to the future lady of the marquis’s residence.”
Hearing her mention the title of marquis’s lady, Gu Qingtong felt slightly uncomfortable: “Orange, do you know what kind of person the lady of the Zhen Yuan Marquis residence is?”
“The lady of the Zhen Yuan Marquis residence?”
“
This time and space was not somewhere she wanted to come, and she didn’t have much desire to leave. After interacting with them for so long, she had developed an inexplicable bond; she had also established a relationship with Jiang Shang Heng and would grow old together; she had promised General Qie Xi’s request, so she had to consider the future.
The Lady of the Zhen Yuan Marquis Mansion clearly did not like her, and this might become an obstacle between her and Jiang Shangheng in the future.
Ji Chen saw her complex expression and comforted her by touching the back of her hand: “I only know that the Marquis’s Lady is the Rui Prince’s biological sister, the Emperor’s eldest princess, and not an easy person to deal with. The Zhen Yuan Marquis, as rumor has it, is afraid of his wife.”
“Is that so.” Gu Qingxiu found these relationships quite complicated and troublesome.
“Tonguer, because of the Rui Prince’s situation, the Zhen Yuan Marquis Mansion will surely be impacted. You and Young Master Jiang must be careful.”
“Mm.” Gu Qingxiu also thought about this – with the Rui Prince’s rebellion, if the Marquis’s Lady is not clear-headed, the Crown Prince’s ascension will definitely involve cleaning out the Zhen Yuan Marquis Mansion.
“Tonguer, don’t worry. With Concubine Xin there, she won’t dare to make things difficult for you.
Moreover, you have now invited the Divine Soldiers and are a major contributor to the Crown Prince’s ascension. Your marriage to Young Master Jiang will not be ruined because of her. It’s just that Lady Jiang originally relied on the former Emperor’s prestige to show off for over a decade. After the change of rulers, the Crown Prince won’t care about her, so she will have no capital to be arrogant.”
“Mm.” Ji Chen’s comfort did not make Gu Qingxiu feel at ease, but instead made her feel there were more troublesome matters. However, now she finally understood her current situation and began to secretly calculate.
Because Ruan Niang deliberately slowed down, Gu Qingxiu arrived in the capital city by the evening of the second day.
The city gates were tightly closed, and the Divine Soldiers were blocked outside: it seemed the Rui Prince had begun his rebellion.
“Qingqing.” Jiang Shangheng saw the group approaching and hurriedly directed them to the side.
“Shangheng, what’s happening?”
“The Emperor passed away last night. The Crown Prince, Concubine Xin, and all officials are in the palace. The Rui Prince has locked the city gates and started forcing his way into the palace this morning. General Qia is preparing to attack the city. You all hide well and don’t get caught in the crossfire.”
“Understood, don’t worry.” Gu Qingxiu saw his forehead was covered in sweat and carefully wiped it with a silk handkerchief.
However, her gaze passed over his shoulder and saw Yu Qer approaching General Qia, seemingly discussing something and pointing at the troops setting up ladders on the city walls.
Jiang Shangheng followed her gaze and frowned, pushing Gu Qingxiu to Ji Chen’s side: “Qingqing, stay here properly. I’m going to find General Qia.”
“Mm.”
Ji Chen watched Jiang Shangheng leave, and poked Gu Qingxiu’s arm: “Young Master Jiang is indeed handsome. Truly a perfect match.”
“Go away.” Gu Qingxiu glanced at her, “You haven’t seen Jiang Shangheng being mischievous. When he’s naughty, he’s worse than a rogue.”
“Tonguer, that’s good.”
“Orange, your mouth is more slippery than anyone’s. I wonder who you learned it from.”
Ji Chen heard her teasing and smiled mysteriously: “Can you guess?”
“I don’t want to guess.”
“I learned it from you.”
“Nonsense!” Gu Qingxiu glared at her and tickled her, “Let’s see you talk nonsense again.”
Ji Chen looked at Gu Qingxiu glaring and laughed heartily, but soon calmed down: “Tonguer, Young Master Jiang’s personality will definitely not let you down.”
“If he dares to let me down, I’ll make him a eunuch.”
Ji Chen was stunned for a moment, then understood: “Tonguer, you are truly a heroic woman.”
