Chapter 191: How Dare They Scheme Against Me
The Imperial Consort immediately got up from the soft couch, no longer arrogant as before, and also knelt down. “Your servant has seen His Majesty.”
She secretly thought in her heart that Emperor Qin probably hadn’t seen what she had done just now.
Emperor Qin’s expression was very ugly, and he didn’t tell the Imperial Consort to get up either.
Seeing this, the Imperial Consort’s heart skipped a beat, and she also understood that the words she had said just now had probably all been heard by Emperor Qin.
After a long while, Emperor Qin finally spoke, “All of you, get up.”
The Imperial Consort stood up and directly came to Emperor Qin’s side with a face full of frailty.
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t know if it was because she had knelt for too long, but when she got up, she staggered a bit, though she quickly steadied herself.
Emperor Qin gave the Imperial Consort a very ugly sideways glance.
The Imperial Consort’s heart suddenly trembled, and she secretly glared fiercely at Jiang Ruanxi. “The rumors say Miss Ling has poor health; it seems it’s true. Miss Ling, you must take good care of your body. After all, you are the future Crown Princess, and there will be many matters in the Crown Prince’s Manor that need you to manage in the future.”
“Thank you, Imperial Consort, for your care. Your servant will certainly keep the Imperial Consort’s words in mind.” Jiang Ruanxi lowered her head and said weakly.
This appearance made Emperor Qin even more displeased with the Imperial Consort, and he gave her a cold sideways glance.
The Imperial Consort hated Jiang Ruanxi to death in her heart. If Emperor Qin weren’t here, the Imperial Consort would have wanted to deal with her.
She actually dared to scheme against her.
Composing her emotions, the Imperial Consort no longer paid attention to Jiang Ruanxi and said to Emperor Qin in a gentle manner, “Your Majesty came back from court so early today.”
Emperor Qin did not answer her question directly but gave her a faint glance. “You summoned the future Crown Princess here today; is there some matter?”
The Imperial Consort was stunned, but she quickly reacted. “Your Majesty is joking. Your servant only wanted to apologize to Miss Ling because of what happened with the Fifth Princess yesterday.”
“Oh, have you apologized now?” Emperor Qin said deeply.
The Imperial Consort stepped forward to take Emperor Qin’s hand, but it was dodged. The Imperial Consort didn’t mind and smiled, saying, “Your Majesty, your servant chatted a lot with Miss Ling just now. We have cleared up everything. Miss Ling is also a sensible child and said that everything is in the past.”
As she spoke, she shifted her gaze to Jiang Ruanxi. “Isn’t that right, Miss Ling?”
It seemed like a question, but her gaze was not friendly. “Yes, the Imperial Consort is right.”
Jiang Ruanxi said with lowered brows.
Only then did Emperor Qin’s expression ease considerably. “Since everything has been cleared up, let Miss Ling leave first. Her health is not good; if she has a relapse later, I’m afraid the Crown Prince will come to find trouble with me again.”
The Imperial Consort’s face was embarrassed, but she still pretended to know nothing and smiled. “It is your servant who was inconsiderate. Your servant will have someone send Miss Ling out of the palace right away.”
After speaking, she nodded to the palace maid nearby. The palace maid stepped forward and said to Jiang Ruanxi, “Miss Ling, please.”
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t want to stay here any longer either. After paying her respects to them, as she raised her head and turned to leave, her peripheral vision caught sight of the jade pendant on the Imperial Consort.
She showed a slightly incredulous expression.
That jade pendant was actually identical to the one Jiang Changjun had given her.
Could it be that the Imperial Consort is also from Nameless Valley?
Now was not the time to ask. Jiang Ruanxi left without a change in expression.
After she left, the Imperial Consort stepped forward to pour a cup of tea for Emperor Qin and pretended to casually say, “Your Majesty, why do I feel that Miss Ling doesn’t quite look like she did five years ago?”
Emperor Qin took it and drank a sip. In the past, if the Imperial Consort showed weakness like this, he would have softened immediately, but thinking of the scene he had just seen, he instead felt a bit impatient and said, “Miss Ling already said that over these years in the countryside, she took some special medicine, so her appearance is a bit different from before. I think it looks quite normal.”
Seeing that his expression was as usual with no fluctuations, the Imperial Consort continued, “Your Majesty is right, but your servant heard today that the First Madam of the Lin Family, who is the daughter of the He Family, actually mistook Miss Ling for the late Second Madam Lin. Your Majesty, don’t you think this matter is a bit strange?”
“What’s so strange about it? I’ve met that Second Madam Lin a few times too. Her facial features do look somewhat similar, but that day when she fell into the water, it was verified—the mole was real. Upon closer inspection, there are actually big differences from Second Madam Lin.”
At this point, Emperor Qin’s expression became somewhat displeased. “Enough. Second Madam Lin died long ago. Bringing up a dead person now is bad luck.”
The Imperial Consort was a smart woman. Seeing that Emperor Qin showed signs of anger, she pursed her lips. “Your Majesty is right; it was probably just a misunderstanding.”
Emperor Qin nodded, and taking advantage of his good mood, the Imperial Consort brought up the matter of the Fifth Princess again.
“Your Majesty, Jiao’er, she…”
“The matter with the Fifth Princess is entirely her own fault. This time, if she doesn’t properly reflect in seclusion, she absolutely cannot be released.”
Before she could finish, Emperor Qin directly and firmly interrupted her.
Looking at Emperor Qin whose face was growing increasingly grim, the Imperial Consort also knew that now was not a good time to speak certain words, so she went along with him. “Your Majesty is right. Jiao’er is so unruly because I, as her imperial mother, have failed in my teachings. When I get back, your servant will definitely scold her severely.”
Only after her words did Emperor Qin’s expression improve somewhat, and his tone also softened considerably.
“Mm. She is my daughter, and I do care for her, but this time she really went too far. Now the memorials concerning her are piling up on my desk. Those old ministers are taking the opportunity to stir up trouble and make things difficult for me. If Jiao’er’s matter isn’t handled properly, even if I favor her so much, I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect her.”
The Imperial Consort was secretly shocked in her heart. At first, she thought the situation wasn’t too serious, but now it seemed unexpectedly grave.
“Your Majesty, your servant understands Your Majesty’s intentions toward us mother and daughter.”
The Imperial Consort coughed lightly twice, her eyes glistening with tears.
She had a pitiable appearance.
She stepped forward and leaned against him, her tone soft like water. “Your Majesty.”
Her affectionate call made Emperor Qin’s heart soften like a puddle of water, but thinking of what he had just seen and the matter with Wei Jiao, he steeled his heart and directly pushed her away. “If the Imperial Consort has time, it’s best to go talk to the Fifth Princess.”
Then he stood up. “I have other matters; I’m leaving first.”
The Imperial Consort’s face stiffened slightly. She knew that if she said any more, she might not be able to keep him, and it could even lead to an unpleasant fuss.
“Your servant respectfully sees off the Emperor.”
The Imperial Consort appeared extremely compliant, suppressing the resentment in her heart, and saw Emperor Qin to the door.
The instant Emperor Qin disappeared, her frail face immediately turned ugly.
What a formidable Ling Family; no wonder the Fifth Princess suffered at her hands.
It seems she really is the eldest daughter of the Ling Family; otherwise, why would the Ling Family, after hiding for so many years, reveal their strength for the sake of someone merely impersonating?
“Your Highness, the Fifth Princess requests an audience.”
