webnovelvip Chapter 69 Jiang Qingxue ran into an acquaintance!
Chapter 69 Jiang Qingxue ran into an acquaintance!
Fan Li said in a low voice:
"Your Highness, His Majesty's arrival is fraught with danger. Rotating troops, investigating Miss Jiang's background, hosting banquets for officials... every step is a test, a warning."
Sikong Xuan said in a deep voice:
"The most troublesome thing is that he specifically asked Fan Li to lead the way. He clearly wants to get information out of Fan Li."
Tie Tu roared:
"How about... we find an opportunity at the banquet tonight..."
He made a throat-slitting gesture.
"No!" Xu Longxiang shouted, stopping him sternly. "To make a move now would be suicide!"
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down:
"Pass down the order: all officials must attend tonight's banquet. Tell them to keep their mouths shut and not utter a single word they shouldn't!"
"yes!"
"Furthermore," Xu Longxiang said, looking at Fan Li,
"Mr. Fan, be careful when you take His Majesty out tomorrow. Answer whatever he asks, but only give the surface-level answers and don't go into too much detail. Especially regarding Qingxue's background... just say what we prepared beforehand."
Fan Li nodded:
"Understood."
Xu Longxiang looked towards the direction of Tingtao Garden, his eyes flashing with cold light:
"Qin Mu... if you want to play, I'll play with you. Let's see who plays whom to the death in the end."
He turned and strode away.
His back was straight, yet it conveyed a tragic and resolute air.
Inside Tingtao Garden, Qin Mu stood by the window, watching Xu Longxiang's departing figure, a cold smile curving his lips.
........
Inside Tingtao Garden, the air is filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.
This guest courtyard is indeed, as Xu Longxiang said, the best place in the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion.
The courtyard features a three-entrance layout with a stream of flowing water. Several century-old plum trees grow along the stream, and although they are not yet in bloom, their gnarled branches cast sparse shadows in the afternoon sun, exuding a unique and ancient charm.
The main house is a five-room open hall with sandalwood pillars and bluestone flooring. Although the furnishings are not as luxurious as those of the royal palace, they exude the unique solemnity and grandeur of the northern border.
Qin Mu sat down on the rosewood armchair in the center, and a palace maid immediately served him warm tea.
He took the teacup, but did not drink it immediately. Instead, he looked up at Jiang Qingxue standing in front of him.
She kept her eyes lowered, the hem of her light green, wide-sleeved fairy dress spread out on the ground, and her slender shoulders were faintly visible under her moon-white gauze long shirt.
Her long, jet-black hair was styled into a flying bun, and the jade hairpin gleamed with a warm yet cold luster under the sunlight streaming in through the window.
Qin Mu's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he suddenly smiled.
His smile was gentle, like the warm spring sun, yet it made Jiang Qingxue's heart leap into her throat.
"This Prince Zhenbei's mansion truly lives up to its reputation."
Qin Mu put down his teacup, looked around, and spoke with admiration.
"The pavilions and towers offer ever-changing views, possessing both the exquisite beauty of Jiangnan gardens and the grandeur of a northern mansion. The Xu family's three generations of management have truly been remarkable."
He paused, then his gaze returned to Jiang Qingxue:
"My beloved concubine, have you ever lived in this palace? Are you familiar with it?"
The question was asked casually, as if it were just a casual conversation between a husband and wife.
But to Jiang Qingxue's ears, it sounded like a thunderclap!
She felt all the blood rush to her head in an instant, only to freeze into ice in the next second.
Have you stayed there?
It's more than just a place I've lived in.
She lived in this palace for a full twenty years!
From an infant in swaddling clothes to a graceful young woman, every blue brick, every blade of grass, every corridor, and every pavilion here... is etched deep in her memory.
She was familiar with the morning bells and evening drums here, the changing seasons, every face here, and even the mechanism to open the secret room in Xu Longxiang's study, and the entrance to the underground passage of Zhenyue Hall...
That was her home.
It was the place she thought she would live in for the rest of her life.
But now, she has to stand here as "Consort Xue" and face this man's questions.
Jiang Qingxue felt her mind go blank; her lips moved, but no sound came out.
Cold sweat slid down my back, soaking my inner shirt, sticky and icy.
"Hmm?" Qin Mu raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly puzzled by her silence.
Jiang Qingxue suddenly came to her senses and said softly:
"Your Majesty, I have never lived in a royal residence. I come from a humble background; how could I be worthy to live in such a place..."
Qin Mu looked at her quietly, his deep eyes lingering on her pale face for a moment, as if scrutinizing and probing.
Then he nodded:
"That's a pity. It seems I'll just have to wander around aimlessly."
He stood up, straightened his robes, and turned his gaze to Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning beside him:
"Would you two like to go for a walk?"
Su Wanqing immediately stood up, curtsied, and said:
"Your Majesty, I am willing to accompany you. I have long heard of the magnificent Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, and it is my honor to see it today."
Lu Wanning also stood up timidly and whispered:
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty also wishes to go and see."
Qin Mu smiled slightly:
"Let's go together then."
After saying that, he strode towards the door.
Jiang Qingxue stood there, watching his back, her heart pounding.
Let him go and wander around?
Let him roam freely in this mansion where she has lived for twenty years?
No!
We absolutely cannot let him wander around aimlessly!
Jiang Qingxue rushed forward almost instinctively, her voice urgent:
"Your Majesty! Your concubine... Your concubine will stay with you!"
Qin Mu looked at Jiang Qingxue for a moment, then suddenly smiled, a gentle smile:
"Since my beloved consort is so kind, then let's go together."
He turned around and continued walking outside.
Jiang Qingxue felt as if she had been granted a pardon and hurriedly followed, but she still kept her head down and dared not look at anyone.
Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning followed.
The four of them walked out of Tingtao Garden and strolled slowly along the path paved with bluestone slabs.
The afternoon sun shone brightly, casting a warm golden hue on the pavilions and towers of the Prince's Mansion.
But Jiang Qingxue felt no warmth at all.
She followed half a step behind Qin Mu, her head always down, her eyes fixed on the tips of her shoes. She dared not look up, dared not look around, and dared not even breathe too heavily.
She is afraid.
I'm afraid of seeing familiar sights; I can't control my emotions.
I'm afraid that if I run into someone I know, my identity will be exposed.
Even more frightening... were Qin Mu's eyes, which seemed to see through everything.
Qin Mu walked slowly, enjoying the scenery around him with great interest as he went.
"This artificial hill is well-built and has some of the charm of Suzhou gardens."
"The koi in this pond are quite plump."
"That old locust tree must be at least two hundred years old, right?"
He would occasionally offer a few comments, his tone relaxed, as if he were truly just strolling through the garden and enjoying the scenery.
Su Wanqing would occasionally chime in, her voice gentle:
"Your Majesty is right, the gardens of this Prince's Palace are indeed ingenious."
Lu Wanning timidly echoed:
"Yes, yes...it's so beautiful..."
Only Jiang Qingxue remained silent.
She followed Qin Mu mechanically, like a soulless puppet, taking each step cautiously, as if walking on thin ice.
She even prayed silently in her heart.
I pray I don't run into anyone I know.
I pray that Qin Mu will not go to those sensitive places.
I pray this "tour" ends soon.
However, what you fear most is what comes to pass.
As the group turned through a moon gate and entered the garden on the west side—
A maid carrying a tray walked towards us.
The maid was about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing the uniform blue cloth skirt worn by servants in the Prince's mansion, with her hair styled in double buns. She had delicate features and was walking quickly with her head down, clearly having a task to perform.
As she approached, she saw Qin Mu and his entourage. She quickly stopped, stepped aside, bowed, and prepared to let the distinguished guests pass first.
This was an ordinary scene.
This is the proper etiquette for servants in the Prince's mansion when they encounter distinguished guests.
But just as the maid lowered her head, her gaze inadvertently swept over Jiang Qingxue's skirt.
That light green, flowing, fairy-like dress with wide sleeves, that moon-white, sheer long gown, and the extremely delicate orchid patterns embroidered in silver thread on the hem of the skirt…
The maid's pupils suddenly contracted!