Zhao Jing’s smiling face froze suddenly.
But Qin Yue seemed oblivious to her sudden change in expression and continued, “Don’t blame His Highness and the Consort either. Your birth mother’s act of swapping you is a grave crime that could implicate the entire royal family. Even you wouldn’t have escaped its consequences. His Highness didn’t pursue your birth mother’s wrongdoing; that was already an act of leniency on your behalf.”
“Uncle!”
Zhao Jing shouted. Qin Yue’s words were like a series of knives stabbing directly into her heart, reminding her of her lowly status. She was filled with anger, and her head throbbed with pain.
“What’s so great about Qi Yuyao? Just because she’s the biological daughter of the Prince’s Consort, everyone loves her now that she’s back? What about me? I grew up in this palace since childhood, and suddenly someone comes out of nowhere and takes my identity, takes my parents, and yet you all say she’s the true County Princess with noble royal blood. Have any of you considered me?” Zhao Jing’s eyes were red, and she cried hysterically, “I’m just not willing to forget the fifteen years of nurturing from His Highness and the Consort. I’ve given her my identity, but you still don’t want me. What have I done wrong?”
At first, Zhao Jing had only intended to act, but as she spoke, even she couldn’t distinguish whether her tears were genuine or fake.
“Jing’er, why are you saying such things? How did Yuyao take your identity? She’s His Highness’s biological daughter, and it’s only natural for her to acknowledge her roots!” Qin Yue was taken aback, and he furrowed his brow.
“Besides, even though she has returned, has the Consort treated you differently than before? I heard from a maid that the Consort’s treatment of you is even better than that of Yuyao. She even intends to adopt you as her goddaughter. If you’re reluctant to forget the Consort’s kindness, then after being adopted as her goddaughter, wouldn’t it be the same as before?”
Zhao Jing clenched her teeth. How could it be the same? There was a huge difference between being a goddaughter and being a daughter. With her birth mother being who she was, who in their right mind would let her, the daughter of a criminal, become the mistress of the house?
“Announcing His Highness.”
The voice of a maid outside the door reached the hall. Qin Yue breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked to the door, just in time to see Prince Chen’s robe-clad figure striding towards him.
Zhao Jing’s expression became flustered for a moment. She hurriedly wiped away the tears from her face with a handkerchief and retreated to the side.
“Your Highness,” Qin Yue bowed and saluted.
“Why is Zhao Jing here?” Qi Heng stepped into the hall, walking straight to the main seat at the top without looking around.
Zhao Jing was completely ignored. She gritted her teeth and bowed, saying, “Jing’er pays respects to Father.”
Qi Heng glanced at her indifferently and spoke without any mercy, “Withdraw.”
“Jing’er knows that Father doesn’t like to see me. I… I just heard that Uncle had come, so I came… Jing’er will leave now.” Zhao Jing’s face turned pale, like a delicate blade of grass battered by the wind. She performed a farewell salute and then covered her face, quickly leaving.
Even Qin Yue, a rough man, felt that something was amiss. He pointed to Zhao Jing’s retreating figure and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong with her? Clearly, it was me and His Highness who had something to discuss, and His Highness asked her to leave. Why does it seem like she’s been wronged?”
“Don’t worry about it. Ever since Yuyao returned, she has been like this,” Qi Heng said indifferently.
Qin Yue didn’t press the matter further and turned his attention to the purpose of his visit. He said with concern, “The Emperor seems determined to take back the Tiger Seal from you this time. What are your plans, Your Highness?”
A maid brought in tea, placing it silently in front of Qi Heng before discreetly withdrawing.
“What do you think I should do?” Qi Heng held the teacup, looking at him with a sly smile.
Qin Yue scratched his head awkwardly, “I’ve always stood by Your Highness’s side. Whatever Your Highness decides, I’ll wholeheartedly support.”
“The Emperor is my legitimate elder brother. If I take any action, it might raise concerns throughout the realm,” Qi Heng put down the teacup. “How is the situation in Anling?”
“It’s not looking good,” Qin Yue shook his head. “I received a message from our covert agents that there seems to be a correspondence between the Wei State and Northern Qi.”
“It’s not like the previous small skirmishes this time. If it were just Wei State attacking, our forces could hold the line. But if Wei State and Northern Qi join forces to attack, with the advantageous terrain of Zhao Pass, they won’t be able to breach it. However, it’s doubtful whether Anling can hold out.”
The news of Wei and Qi joining forces didn’t come as a surprise to Qi Heng, as it had happened in the previous life as well.
At this moment, the realm was divided into three parts: Jin State controlled the southern region, Wei State was situated in the desert, and Northern Qi held vast grasslands to the north. In terms of military strength, the Jin State couldn’t match the renowned Northern Qi cavalry. As for the spirit of the soldiers, they were not as fierce as the warriors from Wei State, known as the Desert Poison Wolves.
Jin State, with its fertile lands and years of rest and recuperation, had lost its fighting spirit. It was like a wealthy child walking the streets, and its grand palace was on the verge of collapse.
In that previous life, Qi Heng had handed over the Tiger Seal. Under the decree of Emperor Jin Yuan, Qin Yue led the troops to Anling. Although the Tiger Seal was said to be able to command an army of 300,000, in reality, Jin State’s total forces numbered around 150,000, with the majority being veterans.
Jin State had been pushed back repeatedly under the joint attacks of Qi and Wei. During this campaign, Qin Yue was severely injured and went missing. Jin State lost three cities in Anling, and if not for Qin Yue waking up and infiltrating the enemy’s rear lines despite his injuries to disrupt their reinforcements, they might have lost Huai’an as well.
While Qin Yue managed to halt the advances of Northern Qi and Wei, he was gravely wounded, with injuries to his internal organs. He never returned to the battlefield after that. Emperor Jin Yuan saw an opportunity and revoked the Tiger Seal from him, bestowing him the title of Grand General of the State, which seemed prestigious but was devoid of real power, making him a puppet.
As for Qin Yue’s fate afterward, Qi Heng had already passed away at that time, so he was unaware of Qin Yue’s ultimate destiny.
“When does His Majesty plan to depart?” Qi Heng inquired.
“At dawn tomorrow,” Qin Yue replied. “The main army is already stationed outside the city. However, concerning the Crown Prince, my lord, should you…”
He made a gesture of silencing, but of course, he didn’t mean to harm the Crown Prince. He just wanted to ensure that the Crown Prince couldn’t accompany the army.
“Qi Shao is not a problem,” Qi Heng waved his hand. “With him here, His Majesty can rest assured. If not him, it would be someone else.”
…
Back in Purple Bamboo Courtyard, Consort Qin was leading some people to bask in the sun in the courtyard. She had a pair of scissors in her hand and was standing in front of a flower pot, pruning the leaves.
“Mother, your health isn’t good. Why are you doing this activity?” Zhao Jing approached and took the scissors from Consort Qin’s hand, placing them aside. She then helped Consort Qin to sit at a stone table.
“I came out to enjoy the sun and find something to do,” Consort Qin smiled gently. “I heard from the maids that you went to see your uncle. Why are you back so soon?”
When Qin Yue was mentioned, Zhao Jing displayed an appropriate level of concern. “I heard that Uncle is going to Anling tomorrow.”
Zhao Jing was determined not to give up on winning over Qin Yue. After all, in her previous life, Qin Yue had risen to a high position. If she could win him over, with her knowledge of the future, she might even help him secure that position earlier. What was the title of a county princess compared to that?
Empress Qin seemed indifferent, saying, “Your uncle is a general; going out to fight a battle is normal.”
“No, I’m worried…” Zhao Jing shook Consort Qin’s arm gently. She glanced at the surrounding maids, and Consort Qin hesitated for a moment before saying, “All of you, leave us.”
The maids respectfully withdrew, and only then did Zhao Jing sit down on the stone bench next to Consort Qin. She spoke in a hushed tone, “I heard that this time, it’s a joint effort between Northern Qi and Wei. Moreover, there’s a cunning strategist in the Northern Qi army who excels at setting traps. I wanted to tell Uncle to be careful, but Father came back and drove me out.”
Consort Qin fixed her gaze on Zhao Jing for a moment, her expression inexplicably dark. “Jing’er, how did you learn about these things?”
Zhao Jing was startled by her reaction. “I… I just overheard people talking outside.”
Consort Qin realized she had overreacted and forced a gentle smile. “My worry must have scared you, didn’t it?”
Zhao Jing shook her head and clung to Consort Qin’s arm, acting coyly. “Jing’er is worried about Uncle. Perhaps, Mother, you could invite Uncle over so that I can talk to him.”
“It’s getting late. Your uncle has probably left by now. Later, I’ll have someone send a message to the general’s residence,” Consort Qin replied with a forced smile. “The sun has already set, and I’m tired. Let’s go back to our rooms.”
“Then I’ll help Mother back to our room,” Zhao Jing said.
Consort Qin got up and, with Zhao Jing’s support, returned to her room. Zhao Jing didn’t think much of it and, after ensuring she was comfortable, quietly left.
As soon as Zhao Jing left, Consort Qin uncovered the blanket and said, “Someone, bring me paper and a pen.”
A maid quickly brought paper and a pen. Consort Qin instructed the other maids to leave. Holding a fine brush, she wrote elegantly on the paper.
Once she finished writing, without waiting for the ink to dry, Empress Qin folded the letter carefully and sealed it tightly.
She handed the letter to her nursemaid, Wang Shi, and said, “Wang Shi, take this letter to Huan’er and have her go out for a while.”
Nursemaid Wang Shi silently tucked the letter into her sleeve.
“Do you think he’ll blame me?” Consort Qin’s eyes showed a hint of regret. “I couldn’t fulfill his request. I searched every corner of the study for that thing, but I couldn’t find it.”
Nursemaid Wang Shi looked at Consort Qin’s determined expression and hesitated, “Miss, why do you insist on helping that person? Lord doesn’t treat you poorly; why do you keep siding with him?”
Furthermore, she had never believed that the man genuinely loved her miss. If he truly loved her, how could he have stood by and watched her get married and have children with someone else?
Unfortunately, her miss was too naive and couldn’t see through this fact.
Consort Qin closed her eyes, her beautiful face cold and devoid of any emotion. “Blame can only fall on Qi Heng. He shouldn’t have coveted things that didn’t belong to him.”
Her eyes were filled with hatred. If it weren’t for the late emperor’s arranged marriage, she would never have been forced to marry Qi Heng, let alone bear a bastard child.
It was a pity that the child had inexplicably returned after fifteen years, a twist of fate that she despised.
