A Different Skeleton
Disaster relief funds?
Concubine Xiao replied, "I know."
Jing Yi continued, "A few days ago, Imperial Father mentioned it in front of Jing Rong and me. He didn't make it clear, but I think he's considering choosing one of us to investigate the case in Yufu County."
Concubine Xiao finally understood what was going on.
She frowned slightly, "Your Imperial Father is trying to avoid a fight for the throne, so he's sending one of us away! It can be considered … an exile. "
"Imperial Mother is right."
"What about your Imperial Father's decision? Who should he choose? "
"He didn't say it directly. He's probably waiting for Jing Rong and me to speak."
In other words, Qi Zhen was a cunning fox.
Concubine Xiao understood. "Your Imperial Father isn't muddle-headed and should know what to do. After all, Jing Hua's rebellion was your meritorious service, so he won't let you go to Yufu County. The ministers of the imperial court also turned to you because of your meritorious service in rescuing the Emperor. At this critical juncture, the position of Crown Prince must belong to you."
In other words, her son also had the ability to be the Crown Prince.
After all, Jing Rong's current status in the imperial court couldn't be compared to Jing Yi's.
Jing Yi's lips curled into a smile. "If it wasn't for Imperial Mother's plan, allowing this son to use Teacher Pan, who was by Jing Hua's side, to incite Jing Hua to rebel and bribe Lord Zhang of the Dispatch Bureau, this matter wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
Concubine Xiao's expression was sinister as she took two steps forward, "The Crown Prince has fallen. Now, as long as you marry the Ji Family's daughter and win over the Ji brothers, the throne will be yours sooner or later. Jing Rong is just a powerless gust of wind."
After saying that, he sighed again.
"It's a pity that Kong Yu. This Concubine used her to replace the Ji Family's daughter in marrying Jing Hua. Although Jing Hua has been crippled, she is still a former Crown Princess. Sooner or later, His Majesty will take pity on her and betroth her to someone else. Unfortunately, she couldn't accept it and left with Jing Hua. What a pity."
Pretentious!
There was a hint of sympathy for Kong Yu in her tone.
Jing Yi listened but didn't express his own opinion.
He didn't stay long in Zhangzhi Hall. When he was about to leave, he ran into Jing Xuan in the courtyard outside the hall.
It had only been a few days since they last saw each other, but they seemed a little distant. Jing Xuan didn't even look at him and directly walked past him.
"Stop!"
Jing Yi scolded.
Jing Xuan paused, but she didn't turn around. Instead, she asked, "What's the matter, Imperial Brother?"
"What's wrong with you? Why are you so depressed? "
"Did I?" Jing Xuan smiled and stiffly turned around. There was a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. "How can you see that I'm unhappy, Imperial Brother? I can't wait to be happy. Eldest Imperial Brother is dead, and Imperial Brother, you should be the Crown Prince soon. In the future, you can even become the Emperor. Why would I be unhappy?"
"Who told you this nonsense?"
"I said it myself."
"Nonsense. As a princess, don't you know that there are some things that should be said and some things that shouldn't be said?"
Jing Yi was obviously angry.
But —
The smile on Jing Xuan's lips gradually turned cold. Her eyes reddened and she sniffled.
She tightened her neck and raised her chin. "Of course Imperial Sister knows what Imperial Brother said, but Imperial Sister never knew that Imperial Brother's heart was so cruel that he wouldn't even let his own brother go. I really don't know if there will be a day when I will also become a chess piece in Imperial Brother's hands. My life and death will be decided by you."
The meaning of these words was very clear.
It turned out that Jing Xuan had heard the conversation between him and Concubine Xiao.
Jing Yi was alarmed. He reached out and grabbed Jing Xuan. His face was cold as he solemnly said, "Jing Xuan, what Imperial Brother did was out of helplessness. But no matter what, I will protect you. You are not a chess piece, do you understand?"
Finished speaking, Jing Xuan brushed him away.
She took a few steps back.
She reprimanded, "What right do you have to protect me? From the beginning, you were just like Imperial Mother. You could sacrifice anyone for your own benefit. If it weren't for you and Imperial Mother, Older Sister Yu wouldn't have come to the palace, wouldn't have been used by you to marry Eldest Brother, and wouldn't have died. It's all of you, it's all of you who killed her. "
Her voice grew louder and louder.
Jing Yi wanted to reach out and grab her again, but she took a few more steps back.
His discomfort just now turned into anger as he said, "I'm going to tell Imperial Father about everything you and Imperial Mother said."
As she spoke, she planned to leave for Fuyang Hall.
Before Jing Yi could pull her back or even call out to her, Concubine Xiao's voice came from behind him.
"Men, tie up the princess."
Yes, she said tie her up.
The eunuchs obeyed and stepped forward to grab Jing Xuan.
"Let me go. Let me go. I want to find Imperial Father."
Jing Xuan struggled and gritted her teeth.
Concubine Xiao walked in front of Xuan Er with her lotus steps. Her eyes darkened as she said in a soft voice, "Xuan 'er, Imperial Mother did everything for you and your Imperial Brother. You should understand this."
"I don't understand." Jing Xuan roared, "Imperial Mother, it was you who killed Older Sister Yu. It was you and Imperial Brother who killed Eldest Brother. I'm going to tell Imperial Father …"
Slap!
She slapped Jing Xuan hard across the face.
Jing Xuan's head was tilted to the side, blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.
Everyone present was dumbfounded.
Even Jing Yi was stunned.
The slap was effective. Jing Xuan stopped struggling and shouting. She turned her face to the side, motionless for a long time.
Concubine Xiao's palm was burning with pain, but she didn't feel the slightest bit of heartache or regret. She even ordered, "Take the princess away. Without this consort's order, she is not allowed to leave the palace. Otherwise, this consort will have your heads."
"Yes!"
The eunuchs didn't dare to disobey. They took the puppet Jing Xuan away.
After a while …
Jing Yi stepped forward. "Imperial Mother, this matter …"
"Don't worry. I won't let Xuan 'er see your Imperial Father."
"Mm."
Jing Yi left with peace of mind.
… …
On the other side.
After leaving the palace, Jing Rong went straight to Bamboo Creek Garden.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Ji Yunshu in front of one of the coffins.
She was mumbling something under her breath.
Jing Rong coughed lightly. Ji Yunshu tilted her head. "Are you done?"
"Mm."
"Did you go to the Kong Residence?"
"Mm. The portrait has been given to Madame Kong."
Ji Yunshu nodded in response.
She didn't say anything else.
Jing Rong walked to her side and wrinkled his nose. He peeked into the coffin and saw that the pile of white bones was still stained with some sticky satin fabric. It was dark in color and mixed with some mud, giving off a damp feeling.
It didn't look like it had been fourteen years.
She frowned and asked in confusion, "Why is this skeleton different from the others?"
"It's different."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
