dognovel Chapter 114 First Meeting with Min Xiang
Chapter 114 First Meeting with Min Xiang
Very few people in the world know that in addition to being an expert in both calligraphy and painting, Qin Qi also possessed the ability to remember everything he saw.
He had followed Gu Liang's orders and gone to Qingzhou ahead of time, where he obtained the Book of Ten Thousand People. After reading it, he placed the Book of Ten Thousand People along with the corpse on the road that Marquis Zhongjing would inevitably take on his return, making him believe that he had acquired it.
Qin Qi found similar cloth, writing brushes, ink, and other materials to the Wanmin Book and made a replica. He also added the content about the private investigation of iron mines in Yu County and hid the cloth in the artificial hill at the birthday banquet.
Their goal was to expose the affairs of Yu County, forcing the emperor to punish Wen Xiangyu and bring down the Wen family.
"I heard this case has been handed over to Marquis Guangde?" the eldest princess asked. "That kind-hearted Marquis Guangde, what can he possibly find out from that investigation?"
Qin Qi said in a deep voice, "The Marquis of Guangde is not as simple as we thought. Back then, he hinted to His Highness to send troops. Although we don't know why he did so, the Wen Xiangyu case has become a well-known topic, and our people have secretly added some evidence to it. He didn't want to offend anyone, so he had no choice."
The eldest princess curled her lip.
“Those three marquises are really complicated. That night you went to handle the affairs of the students at the birthday banquet, and afterwards you wrote quite a few articles. Your brother thought that they would praise his great achievements and the Empress Dowager’s kindness. Look, now look what happened. It’s good that he wasn’t scolded.”
Qin Qi smiled and said, "Everyone is criticizing the Wen family, so what does it have to do with the emperor?"
The eldest princess snatched the fan back from his hand. "Tch, do you think I don't know what's going on outside? They all say that the emperor is controlled by the treacherous concubine, and the entire court is under her control. If the emperor hears these words, not to mention what will happen to this Wen Xiangyu, even the Imperial Noble Consort and Gu Yuan will be in trouble."
Qin Qi's smile deepened. "Nan Shu is truly intelligent."
"Tch." The eldest princess rolled her eyes. "You're all so cunning, like a hornet's nest. I just casually touched the Imperial Noble Consort, and that kid called me childish."
She did want to take action directly, but it was the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, and not everyone could be like Gu Liang, who could just bring people in as they pleased, even if they were covered in blood.
A smile appeared in Qin Qi's eyes as he thought of a plan. "How about inviting Princess Liang to visit the manor another day? She suits your taste so well, she will definitely thank you properly."
"Never mind, never mind." The princess waved her hand. "I've been claiming to be ill lately, so let's not let the young lady get any attention again."
Recently, the officials of all the courts have been very careful, especially with the addition of the Prince of Chu. They dare not even catch the emperor's eye, for fear of angering him.
The eldest princess had no connection with Qin Qi, and sometimes looked at Gu Liang as if he were her son, so she naturally felt disappointed in him.
"Tell that kid not to stay in the army all the time, but to go back and spend more time with the girl. Just in case the girl is like him and never goes home, let him have more meals and play more games of chess with her."
The princess's eyes lit up. "That little girl seems to love playing chess. The two of them could have a friendly match."
“Well,” Qin Qi said, “I dare not offer any advice. Young people should just handle things themselves. As for me, I just want to stay with my wife.”
The princess smiled and fanned him with her fan, saying, "You're hopeless."
Qin Qi smiled calmly and took out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve. "I specially had some newly made dye made to color your nails, Madam."
The eldest princess smiled and extended her slender hand.
He stroked it gently.
"Nan Shu's hands are intoxicating just to look at." His voice was low and gentle as it brushed past my ear.
Such mushy words, spoken by him, did not sound vulgar at all; rather, they were like a mellow and smooth Tusu wine, carrying a hint of allure.
No one knew that this self-disciplined and courteous scholar, whom everyone praised as talented, harbored an unspeakable apology in his heart.
He felt sorry for her, sorry for not having met and gotten to know her sooner.
This feeling of apology has never faded with time.
If he could do it all over again, he would definitely have expressed his feelings to her at their first meeting. Even if it would have earned her disgust, it would have saved her from heartbreak for over ten years. That way, even if she was heartbroken, the memory of a young man who had openly expressed his feelings to her would have brought her some comfort.
The princess showed a shy expression, and Qin Qi dared not apply too much pressure when painting her nails, for fear of hurting her.
He thought he would never have the chance to tell her those unspoken feelings, those deep-seated loves buried in his heart.
Gu Chuzhu will never know that he was willing to be used by Gu Liang because Gu Liang told him...
"Work for me, and I'll let you marry me, I'll let you marry my aunt."
In the height of summer, it's rare to have so many clouds. Clusters of clouds surround the blazing sun, reducing half of the heat.
"I've already done what I promised you," Jiang Zhi said, looking at Jiu Xia.
Jiu Xia's full name is Yu Jiu Xia. However, after the Yu family was implicated in a case, Jiu Xia survived. In order to continue living and not be discovered, she naturally had to conceal her surname.
Naturally, she did not reveal her full name while the Prince of Chu was alive.
Jiuxia replied, "Thank you."
"I didn't avenge you for nothing," Jiang Zhi said, raising her eyes. "What about yours?"
Yu Jiuxia smiled and said, "In another three months, your brother's leg ailment will be 80% recovered."
Jiang Zhi nodded in satisfaction and instructed Wu Shi beside him, "Let's go."
The meaning is understood at noon.
She had arranged for Wu Shi to visit Xiling Pavilion in advance, as the triennial autumn examination of the Great Yan Dynasty was approaching.
Beijing was more lively than in previous years.
Today, she was going to meet Min Xiang at Xiling Pavilion. She remembered that she met Min Xiang at this time in her previous life.
“Min Xiang is a man of courage and resourcefulness. If he could hold a high position, he would be a useful person.” Jiang Zhi looked at Wu Shi and said.
At noon, while holding Jiang Zhi's hand, she agreed with what Jiang Zhi said.
“I booked a private room on the second floor, from which I can see the lobby on the first floor at a glance.”
Some students who had finished the provincial examinations arrived in Yanjing early on.
In order to attract more customers, the owners of Xiling Pavilion naturally came up with ways to attract customers.
Every year during the autumn imperial examinations, the Xiling Pavilion in Yanjing would specially set up examination questions on the first floor of the main hall.
The exam questions changed daily, and the format was also unpredictable, attracting many young masters from prominent families in Yanjing.
Xiling Pavilion's reputation soared, naturally attracting many students who were preparing for the autumn examinations. Everyone wanted to try their hand at writing and boost their confidence.
Inside the main hall, many young masters from prominent families were already standing.
Some came to enjoy tea and chat, while others came to see what kind of test the owner of Xiling Pavilion had set for them today.
Jiang Zhi, carrying Wu Shi, headed towards Xiling Pavilion.
As soon as you step inside, you hear the laughter and chatter of talented men.