The alliance between Nanjiang Country and Xuan Li must be broken. If she could use Xuan Li to punish Dan Zhen, that would be the best. But … Jiang Ruan covered her belly, and big drops of sweat rolled down from her forehead. There was also a trace of fear in her heart. In her previous life, she was Pei 'er's mother, but Pei' er was not her biological child. This was the first time she was pregnant, and the first time she had her own child. When she was in the palace, she had seen countless concubines who were pregnant with children, and finally had miscarriages in various ways. Of course, this was due to someone with ulterior motives, but it also showed that children were very fragile.
The emperor originally wanted to appoint Xiao Shao, but she didn't know why it became Xuan Pei in the end. Qi Man did not intend to tell Xuan Li about Xiao Shao's identity, but when Xuan Li questioned her at this moment, she just smiled and said, "If Your Highness finds me to blame, you are looking for the wrong person. We can only find an imperial edict, and the imperial edict in the palace was not made by us. "
"I don't have to lie to you, because His Majesty did not make a decision before that. His Majesty is such a shrewd person, so he made two imperial edicts and intended to hand over these two imperial edicts to a loyal confidant. The situation in the court can change dramatically overnight. If anything happens, as long as one of them is destroyed, the other one will be taken out and announced to the world immediately. Eighth Highness, His Majesty is your father, and the relationship between you and your father is very deep. Don't you know His Majesty's temperament? "
Her words were light, but they smashed into Xuan Li's heart like heavy iron. How could it be him? How could it be him? If it was him, didn't he leave his own imperial edict these days and give Xuan Pei the opportunity to seize the first opportunity? Jiang Ruan deliberately did this!
But he obviously did not come for this today. Xuan Li looked at Jiang Ruan and asked with a sneer, "That imperial edict, you deliberately lured me, right?"
In Nanjiang Country, there was a princess of the previous dynasty and a holy maiden of the current dynasty. The relationship between them was subtle. Moreover, with Dan Zhen's temperament, he may not recognize this princess who caused the demise of Nanjiang Country. Moreover, Qi Man and Dan Zhen had different personalities. Qi Man was the best at hiding and enduring silently. Thus, perhaps even the burning of the imperial edict had been deliberately allowed by Qi Man.
This joy was so dazzling in Xuan Li's eyes, as if it was mocking him for being ridiculous. Step by step, he walked towards Jiang Ruan. His movements were full of pressure, like a ferocious beast facing its prey. He walked to the front of Jiang Ruan's table, placed both hands on the table, and looked down at Jiang Ruan from top to bottom. Suddenly, he sneered and said, "Wangfei seems to be living well. These days, you seem to have mellowed out a little."
At this moment, the mute servant hurriedly walked in. As soon as she entered the room, she turned around and closed the door. In her hand was a food basket that was usually used to deliver meals. Then, he lifted the lid of the basket and took out a bowl from inside.
The mute servant said, "My father worked for Xuan Li. When the matter was exposed, Xuan Li, in order to protect himself and prevent others from finding out that it was related to him, ordered people to slaughter my entire family of ninety-three people. I was outside at that time and had a lucky escape. The debt of ninety-three lives, I will get it back from him one day. For so many years, I have spent all my family's wealth in search of an opportunity. "
"I mixed in with the people of Xuan Li fu and pretended to be mute. When I heard that the housekeeper was recruiting people to serve an important person, he chose me. Being mute makes things easier. From the beginning, I had this idea. Pretending to be mute, I might be able to find an opportunity to come into contact with Xuan Li's secrets. The heavens have eyes and have finally given me this opportunity. "
Now, Jiang Ruan could see that the medicine was indeed an abortion-stabilizing medicine. The mute servant should have long known that she was pregnant. Speaking of which, it made sense. No matter how much she tried to hide it, the people she interacted with day and night would find out that she was unusual. Those who hid in the courtyard to monitor her could be ignored. In the same room, it was somewhat difficult to hide it flawlessly. However, the mute servant actually said that she was not sent by Xiao Shao. If she was not Xiao Shao's person, why would she help her so much?
However, she did not expect that Xiao Shao would subdue the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Qi Man's heart was filled with hatred, but later on, she slowly thought things through. Rather than beating the grass and alerting the enemy now, it would be better to wait for Xiao Shao to obtain everything and then lose everything. Wouldn't that be even more painful? She did not expect that Xiao Shao would actually stay together with Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan was a scheming woman. Initially, in the Minister's fu, she had watched as the concubines in the fu fought with each other as an outsider. Step by step, Jiang Ruan had reached this stage. If not for her relationship with Xiao Shao, Qi Man originally felt that she would somewhat admire Jiang Ruan's unscrupulous nature.
His expression suddenly became gloomy, and he was like a completely different person from his usual warm and gentle appearance. Due to his warped expression, he seemed a little ugly. He fiercely said, "So what? The imperial edict is still in our hands. As long as we take it out, Xuan Pei will not be a legitimate heir. This world's rivers and mountains are mine, and it has always been mine! "
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. Although her face was somewhat pale because of Xuan Li's actions, she still spoke clearly, "Your Highness, what I am talking about is that imperial edict. The imperial edict in my hands is the real one. When I brought that imperial edict out of the palace, I did not intend to be bait. I originally intended to take that imperial edict away. " Jiang Ruan looked at Xuan Li's somewhat startled expression and continued, "But does Your Highness know why I want to take that imperial edict away? Because that imperial edict is an edict of succession, but the name on it is not the thirteenth prince, but Xuan Pei. Therefore, I want to take that imperial edict away. "
A trace of vigilance flashed in Xuan Li's eyes, "Do you know what this place is?"
Jiang Ruan steeled her heart. She was not someone who easily trusted others, but for the sake of the child in her belly, she also had a kind of intuition. Without saying anything further, she gulped down the bowl of medicine.
But if it was not Xuan Li, was it that inexperienced and inexperienced Xuan Pei? These words could deceive others, but it was not easy to deceive Qi Man. Only she knew what the emperor's intentions were. This world's rivers and mountains were indeed surnamed Xuan, but the person who originally sat on this position should have been Crown Prince Hong Xi. Therefore, the person who ascended to the throne now should also be Crown Prince Hong Xi's son.
After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Ruan felt the pain in her abdomen slightly ease. The mute maid had already cleared the bowls and chopsticks, laid out the rest of the dishes, and personally helped her up to sit on a chair. Jiang Ruan asked, "Were you sent by Xiao Shao?"
"Your Highness, I'm afraid you will be disappointed." Jiang Ruan looked at her with pity, but that pity seemed to contain some ridicule, as if she was watching a show, "There is no longer that imperial edict."
"The land of Buddhism is a good place to cultivate one's moral character. If one's heart is broadened, everything will naturally be fine." Jiang Ruan replied with a smile.
The mute maid was startled and shook her head.
Jiang Ruan was startled. At this moment, she did not have the time to be surprised when the mute maid could speak. She only looked at the bowl of medicine and her heart shivered. Immediately, she recalled the scene in her previous life when she saw the imperial concubines in the palace pouring saffron into the mouths of women. She looked at the mute maid warily and asked, "What is this?"
Very strange, Jiang Ruan was a strange woman. He had seen countless women in his life, but every time he met Jiang Ruan, a strange feeling would arise in his heart. Xuan Li could probably feel a little of that feeling, it was a desire to possess.
The expression on Xuan Li's face fluctuated uncertainly. Suddenly, he lifted the curtain and strode out. After Xuan Li left, Qi Man's expression gradually sank. She suddenly put on her outer robe and turned to walk out.
Xuan Li had actually come. Jiang Ruan was slightly stunned, but immediately understood. It seemed that the matter had already happened, and Xuan Li had also come to denounce her. These days, she had been imprisoned in this strange place and had no way of knowing anything about the situation outside. At this moment, when she suddenly saw Xuan Li and looked at his current expression, it was most likely successful. The corners of Jiang Ruan's mouth unconsciously curled up, and a trace of joy flashed in her eyes.
Everyone said that Crown Prince Hong Xi's son had died in that war, but Qi Man knew that he had not died. He hated Crown Prince Hong Xi, he also hated Xiang Xiaoyuan, he hated the current Emperor, and the one he hated the most was Crown Prince Hong Xi's son. That slut and Crown Prince Hong Xi had actually given birth to a vile spawn. She wanted Xiang Xiaoyuan's flesh and blood to die a horrible death.
He had seen countless beauties. Even the holy maiden of the southern border, Dan Zhen, was a beauty that could cause the downfall of cities and countries. But in Xuan Li's eyes, she was nothing more than a good-looking fool. But Jiang Ruan was different. This woman was cunning, scheming, independent, ruthless, and she was also born with such a beautiful face. If she stood next to him, they would be a good match. This woman had the qualifications to stand side by side with him. Xuan Li's gaze was somewhat absent-minded and infatuated. His hands tightly grasped Jiang Ruan's neck, and he almost leaned in close to her face.
Jiang Ruan's words seemed to be far away yet near at the same time. In a split second, Xuan Li's entire mind was filled with these words. He suddenly felt that his chest had stopped, as if all the blood in his entire body had congealed. It was clearly a warm spring day with flowers blooming, but it was as cold as the nine coldest days. He knew that Jiang Ruan would not lie about this kind of thing. Jiang Ruan's smile was sincere and joyful. That imperial edict really did not exist ….
"Yuan Chuan, when did you become so long-winded?" Dan Zhen frowned and looked at him.
"Yes." Dan Zhen admitted without thinking.
Now that such a big thing had happened, Qi Man naturally wanted to first find that imperial edict and send it to Xuan Li. Who knew that after searching left and right, she could not find the imperial edict. Naturally, anxiety arose in his heart. Yuan Chuan almost immediately thought of Dan Zhen. Dan Zhen did not come into contact with outsiders all year round and had always been obeyed. Even in this place, she was not the kind of person to listen to other people's orders. Before Qi Man came to denounce him, Yuan Chuan hurriedly came to find Dan Zhen to clarify things.
"What?" Xuan Li frowned.
Yuan Chuan thought about it, but in the end, he did not say anything to Dan Zhen. He was afraid that even if he told Dan Zhen about this matter now, Dan Zhen would not realize how serious the matter was. Now that another imperial edict had appeared, the contents of the previous imperial edict in Jiang Ruan's hands would be unknown. Xuan Li would definitely want to get to the bottom of it, but in the end, if he knew that it had been burned by Dan Zhen, his ally Xuan Li could not be trusted. Now that his great plan had been ruined, who knew how he would treat Dan Zhen? Now, she could only go to find Qi Man first and explain the matter to Qi Man. At least, Qi Man and Dan Zhen were royal relatives of Nan Jiang Country. In front of Xuan Li, they were all in the same boat. There was no reason to be partial to others.
Jiang Ruan glanced at the mute maid. The anxiety on this maid's face did not seem to be faked. These days, she had not shown anything special and had not been able to speak. Jiang Ruan thought that this was a mute maid that Xuan Li had found to serve people. Usually, she deliberately hid it from the mute maid, but now that she thought about it carefully, it seemed that the mute maid had never done anything to hurt her. Even many times, she had unintentionally helped her.
Jiang Ruan was silent for a moment and said, "Okay, deal."
"It is not difficult to guess." Jiang Ruan also smiled, "But even if I can guess it, I can't get out. Isn't Your Highness clearer than me on this point?"
Qi Man looked at the young man in front of her. This young prince of the Great Jin dynasty had a long reputation. Even when he was young, he had enjoyed a good reputation among the people. Regardless of talent or temperament, he was excellent. At least on the surface, he seemed to be impeccable. It seemed that in the eyes of the Emperor, his position was also extremely high, but in the end, the Emperor's imperial edict did not write his name. This was enough to make the people in the world somewhat surprised.
"Yuan Chuan knows his mistake." The man in grey quickly admitted his mistake, but then he thought of something and immediately said hurriedly, "Please forgive Yuan Chuan for offending me. It is really urgent. May I ask Holy Maiden, is the imperial edict that was taken from Jiang Ruan with you?"
Then the mute maid ran to Jiang Ruan's side and helped her up. She brought the bowl in her hand to Jiang Ruan and whispered, "Quickly drink."
Now, her stomach felt like it was being twisted. She clutched her stomach with one hand and almost fainted from the pain. She gritted her teeth and hesitated to call for help. If she called for help, she would not be able to hide the fact that she had a child in her stomach. If she did not call for help and had a miscarriage, she would never forgive herself for the rest of her life.
"I burned it." Without waiting for Yuan Chuan to finish speaking, Dan Zhen interrupted him. Yuan Chuan was startled, and his face under the mask stiffened for a moment. He, who had always talked and laughed calmly, paused for a while before saying, "Holy Maiden, is what you said true?"
Xuan Li was bewildered. He knew that Jiang Ruan always liked to lie to people, but the Emperor really had such a temperament. The Emperor was naturally suspicious, and he was good at leaving leeway when doing things. Leaving behind two imperial edicts was indeed something he could do. But according to Jiang Ruan, the name of the other imperial edict …
He absentmindedly let go of Jiang Ruan's hand, turned around, and stumbled towards the door. Just as he stepped out of the door, he suddenly felt a sweetness in his throat and a mouthful of blood spurted out onto the bluestone pavement in front of the door. But he seemed to have not seen half of it and continued to walk forward.
Jiang Ruan laughed softly.
"I did not do it on purpose." Jiang Ruan seemed to have seen through his thoughts and continued to speak, "Grand Tutor Liu and Thirteenth Prince originally had a teacher-student relationship. For such a scholar, one can probably only use emotion to influence him. Grand Tutor Liu was originally Thirteenth Prince's person, so naturally, he would help Thirteenth Prince. I originally wanted to bring the other imperial edict back to the fu to destroy. Just as you thought, once these two imperial edicts were released, the world would inevitably be in chaos. The only way was to burn one and keep the other. What was burned was the path of the emperor, and what was left was the path of the imperial family. But I didn't expect that someone would kidnap me on the way. After I came here, I slowly understood and guessed that the person behind it was you. Since a freak combination of factors could also achieve my goal, why not? So I did not say anything. Now, looking at Your Highness's appearance, I more or less understand. It seems that the imperial edict has already been released, isn't it? "
Jiang Ruan seemed to be somewhat confused. She tilted her head, and her pair of charming eyes seemed to contain a trace of innocence. She said, "Didn't the princess of Nanjiang tell you that the imperial edict had already been burned by the Saintess of Nanjiang?" She lowered her eyelids, "At that time, the Saintess probably thought that it was Thirteenth Prince's imperial edict and that it would have to be burned. She probably wanted to win your favor, so she took the initiative to do it. But … "Jiang Ruan smiled slightly," What she burned was Your Highness's imperial edict. "
The mute servant stood by Jiang Ruan's side and added food. With her back to the window, she leaned over and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Xuan Li harmed my entire family, I want revenge."
"Then who are you?" Jiang Ruan asked suspiciously.
Xuan Li's heart jumped. He pinched her chin and said word by word, "What did you say?"
"Your Highness, I'm afraid you have misunderstood." Jiang Ruan panted for a long time and finally began to speak. She was still a little uncomfortable, so she retched a little. Finally, she said, "That imperial edict is real."
Jiang Ruan stared into his eyes and smiled, "Oh, it's you, Your Highness."
The incense from the silver candles rose in spirals. Even though it was a remote courtyard in the capital, the fragrance seemed to contain a faintly discernible aura of a foreign land. The woman dressed in red reclined on the couch and played with a small copper bell in her hand. There seemed to be the sound of a bell in the distance. Obviously, this was a temple. The smoke from the temple and the smoke from the incense in the room were mixed together, so it was hard to tell who was who.
Xuan Li looked at the woman in front of him and said all this with a smile. She did not mind her current identity in the slightest, and even told Xuan Li her plan as if they were good friends. Hearing this, Xuan Li's heart felt like it was blocked by a ball of cotton. He gritted his teeth and thought to himself, at that time, Qi Man had only said that the imperial edict was absolutely real, so he did not think too much about it. Who would have thought that such a thing would happen? On the contrary, Jiang Ruan's calculations were good, but it was actually his own doing? What was this!
Since there was an imperial edict in Xuan Pei's hands, then Jiang Ruan's action of hiding an imperial edict from the palace was almost a diversion. It would make people lower their guard against Xuan Pei in the palace, and then when Xuan Li was at his most complacent, it would give him a fatal blow and cause him to lose face. This was Jiang Ruan's intention. She had planned it from the beginning. She was that bait, in order to completely attract Xuan Li's attention.
Qi Man's expression changed slightly, and then her lips curled into a smile, "That imperial edict is actually not important. Shouldn't Your Highness be asking about Hong 'an Junzhu now? In fact, Your Highness also understands that we have been tricked in this matter. Hong 'an Junzhu deliberately did this. And she has succeeded. "
Jiang Ruan said thoughtfully, "So, do you want to help me?"
Unfortunately, Xiao Shao's identity had not been exposed, and he was still alive. However, Qi Man also thought that it was not bad. Everything that Xiao Shao originally thought had been turned upside down, and the world he had stayed in was all a false lie. Not everyone could bear the truth, especially when they had lost everything in one night, and even had to bear the infamy of being a traitor.
Jiang Ruan sat in front of the table on the couch, leisurely reading a book. The area below her chest was blocked by the table, so it was not possible to see her increasingly protruding belly. However, although the loose clothes could cover some of it, her face was becoming more and more plump. Every day, she sat here leisurely reading a book, but it was only an act. Naturally, she was thinking about other things.
Dan Zhen snorted lightly, and Yuan Chuan turned and left. However, before Yuan Chuan could find Qi Man to clarify things, Xuan Li had already found Qi Man first.
Yuan Chuan thought like this, and only hesitated for a moment. Under Dan Zhen's questioning gaze, he smiled bitterly, "It's just a small matter, this subordinate will settle it. Holy Maiden, please be at ease, and be sure to pay attention to your own safety. "
Jiang Ruan sat back in her original position, and her abdomen began to slightly cramp. Xuan Li had used too much strength in his hands, and in the end, it had still affected her pregnancy. Just now, she had forced herself to put on such a show with Xuan Li. Naturally, that imperial edict did not have Xuan Li's name on it, but an imperial edict to pass the throne to Xiao Shao. However, only by telling Xuan Li that it was his imperial edict of succession would Xuan Li, who had an extremely strong self-esteem, feel that it was a huge blow. More importantly, if she told him that the imperial edict was burned by the Holy Maiden of Nanjiang, Xuan Li would certainly not let the Holy Maiden of Nanjiang off. During these days of house arrest, Jiang Ruan could roughly see that the relationship between Qi Man and Dan Zhen was not very good. That day, when Dan Zhen burned the imperial edict, Qi Man did not have the time to attend the evening party, but afterwards, she would definitely have heard the news. However, Qi Man did not even look for her, and instead continued to live in harmony as if nothing had happened. Perhaps Qi Man also knew that if something really went wrong, Xuan Li would definitely find trouble with Dan Zhen.
Jiang Ruan frowned, "Then why are you here?"
He looked at Jiang Ruan and said in a threatening tone, "The other imperial edict of succession, whose name was written on it?"
Xuan Li looked at her with uncertainty. Among all the women he had seen in his life, this woman was the most cunning and difficult to deal with. This place was Qi Man's base camp, and no one could find their way here. Just the fact that Jiang Ruan could guess that it was a temple was already very suspicious. Who knew if she had the opportunity to inform Xiao Shao's people? Although Qi Man had made a solemn vow, how could Jiang Ruan be that easy to deal with?
Jiang Ruan was slightly startled. No matter what, she had not thought that this would be the reason. She said, "What deep hatred do you have with her?"
Today, she had only flipped through two pages when the door was suddenly pushed open. Jiang Ruan looked up and saw the mute maid's panic-stricken face, and then Xuan Li's gloomy expression.
Jiang Ruan was already unable to breathe from his grip, but she slowly closed her eyes. Xuan Li was suddenly shocked and immediately let go. Jiang Ruan still had a use for him, and he still needed to use her to make a deal with Xiao Shao. She absolutely could not die now. As soon as he let go, Jiang Ruan immediately covered her neck and started coughing. Xuan Li seemed to suddenly think of Jiang Ruan's identity. That's right, she was the princess of Jinying Wang fu, Xiao Shao's woman. Although this woman was intelligent, from the beginning to the end, she had been opposing him. She was a scourge!
What he had burned was Your Highness's imperial edict of succession ah.
"Birth control medicine." The mute maid appeared to be very anxious, "Quickly drink it, I don't know when their people will arrive."
"Where is that imperial edict?" Xuan Li asked coldly. Xuan Pei's imperial edict had already caused him to lose all face and become the laughingstock of the entire Great Jin court. Even those who had decided to follow him now secretly looked at him strangely. More and more people began to choose to seek refuge with Xuan Pei, as if after Xuan Pei became the legitimate heir to the throne, there would be a bright and broad road ahead. Now, Xuan Li only wanted to figure out what was going on.
Yuan Chuan's heart relaxed and he hurriedly said, "Then where is that imperial edict now, right now …."
This smile instantly poked at Xuan Li's most humiliated and angry thoughts. He suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed Jiang Ruan's neck. His hand was wide and strong, and Jiang Ruan's white and slender neck was in his palm. His hand slowly tightened, and the woman's neck seemed to be broken in his hand. Xuan Li narrowed his eyes, his gaze lingering on that beautiful and bright face.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Whoever has enmity with Xuan Li, I will help that person." The mute maid said, "Now, I am alone. Although I have tried my best to find an opportunity, I do not know if I can succeed in the end. I know that you are the princess of Jinying Wang fu. Jinying Wang fu is quite powerful, and you are also capable. Otherwise, Xuan Li would not be so afraid of you, and even put you under house arrest. I know that you must have a way to deal with him. "
"Why are there two imperial edicts?" Xuan Li said coldly, "You are lying to me."
At this moment, a person suddenly rushed in from outside. The grey-clothed man rushed in and even forgot to knock on the door. The woman in red was startled, and immediately stood up and said angrily, "How dare you!"
Jiang Ruan understood. She had originally thought that it was Xiao Shao's person, but she did not expect that this person was someone who had enmity with Xuan Li. As the saying goes, revenge is revenge, and resentment is resentment. Xuan Li had brought this upon himself, and retribution was not pleasant. Thinking of the mute maid's life experience, she could not help but sigh. Xuan Li was a person who looked amiable on the outside, but was ruthless on the inside. It was not the first time that he had exterminated an entire family. Thinking of something, Jiang Ruan asked, "Then why did you help me?"
Crown Prince Hong Xi was an intelligent man, and he would certainly protect his son's life. Qi Man had concealed her identity in the Great Jin dynasty, and had completely changed her appearance. She did not even hesitate to become an unfavored concubine in the residence of a minister, and had saved her life amidst the decades of jealousy in the inner courtyard. Later, she had finally found Xiao Shao, so she had tampered with the matter of the old Jinying Wang couple, and had even made use of the conflict between the Emperor and Jinying Wang fu.
"This place is too far from the capital," the mute maid said, "Xiao Wangye will not be able to find this place. Moreover, there are people guarding everywhere, so I am also unable to send out any messages. However, now that you are pregnant, if people find out, they will be able to take advantage of Xiao Wangye's greater weakness. I want to help you, so I will try my best to find an opportunity. Once there is an opportunity, I will help you escape. However, you must promise me that if you escape, you will definitely avenge my entire family. It will be difficult for me to accomplish anything by myself, but you will definitely be able to kill Xuan Li. "
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