Qing Xia shook her head, “You don’t offend others, yet others come to offend you. I can’t let them always bully you like this.”
“Silly girl.” Qin Zhiyan smiled, his expression indulgent and warm as he said softly, “If they want to bully me, it’s not that easy. Do you have so little confidence in your future husband?”
Hearing this, Qing Xia pressed her lips tightly together, but finally couldn’t help laughing softly. The frosty expression on her face instantly melted away. She clenched her small fist and lightly punched Qin Zhiyan’s chest, saying, “Annoying! Like a dough figurine, always giving in to them.”
The afternoon sunlight was warm and bright. Qing Xia’s smile bloomed like a flower, almost dazzling Qin Zhiyan’s eyes for a moment. Seeing Qing Xia pull back her fist, he quickly grabbed her hand with sharp reflexes. Qing Xia cried out in surprise, seeing five black fingerprints immediately left on her snow-white hand.
A sharp scream suddenly rang out from the flower room. Two maids bringing tea and snacks to the flower room froze instantly. The guards standing outside the door exchanged glances, and the two maids immediately understood, retreating with suggestive expressions on their faces.
Around dinner time, the two thousand-household generals who had been waiting at Tingsong Pavilion all afternoon without being able to see Prince Xuan wake from his afternoon nap finally left the prince’s mansion reluctantly and unwillingly.
Early the next morning, Lian Zhou was summoned to the study. The Third Prince Qin sat leaning back in his soft chair wearing light robes with loose sashes, his expression slightly weary. He rubbed his temples with one hand, eyes closed, and said in a deep voice, “How did the investigation go?”
Lian Zhou said in a deep voice, “Southern Chu, Eastern Qi, Xichuan, as well as the Western Sea tributary states, various Nanjiang tribes, and Xiongnu tribes have all sent people to investigate around Bailu Plain. The Crown Prince, Second Prince, Fourth Prince, and Sixth Prince all have spies infiltrating Xichuan. Yan Hui’s swallows have stationed themselves at Bailu Fortress, but they haven’t hindered the crowds much.”
Qin Zhiyan nodded without speaking, his eyes slightly closed, showing no discernible emotion.
Lian Zhou thought for a moment and continued in a deep voice, “Through Zhu Yuanqing’s messenger, we successfully intercepted several carrier pigeons flying into the valley, but what they said was extremely strange—not forming sentences, all coded symbols. We recorded them and let them go.”
“Also,” Lian Zhou thought for a long time before finally saying in a deep voice, “Miss instructed Zhu Yuanqing to modify the blueprints so they couldn’t succeed immediately—requiring three to five years of effort to decode before completion. This subordinate feels this is somewhat inappropriate and doesn’t know if Miss discussed this with Your Highness.”
Qin Zhiyan’s lips curved in a gentle smile as he pondered, “Since she told you, she wasn’t trying to hide it from me. From now on, whatever Miss instructs you to do, you don’t need to report to me—just follow her orders.”
“Yes,” Lian Zhou said with a firm tone, “But this subordinate doesn’t understand—if that’s the case, why does Your Highness secretly monitor the correspondence to and from Penglai Valley behind Miss’s back?”
Qin Zhiyan sneered coldly and said slowly, “The forces behind the seven Qingpeng divisions run extremely deep. Those other unknown grain and money divisions control the people’s livelihood—with a thousand years of accumulation, they absolutely won’t be content to be controlled by others. Moreover, since that Liang Si has such capabilities, how could he start strong but end weak without achieving anything? There must be something hidden here that I can’t see through yet. Yima’er accidentally gained the respect of Penglai’s Ministry of Works, which will definitely attract the covetous attention of those with ulterior motives. Rather than constantly guarding against thieves, it’s better to take the initiative and draw them out, catching them for peace of mind.”
“Then?” Lian Zhou pondered, “If that’s the case, do we still need to hide this from Miss?”
Qin Zhiyan slightly closed his eyes, weakly resting his head against the soft chair, bending his elbow to support his head, and said softly, “Let me handle these matters for her. Have those inspection hall matrons and Imperial Medical Academy physicians all been dealt with cleanly?”
Lian Zhou nodded, “This morning at the north city gate, Lieutenant Yu personally escorted them out. Miss saw this and had me ask about it. I told her they were being sent to serve as slaves at the Sima Bureau.”
Qin Zhiyan nodded, “Well done. Though Yima’er seems strong, she actually has the softest heart. If she knew the truth, she’d inevitably feel uneasy. I’ve been away from Xianyang too long—these people in the palace have become lawless. This killing of chickens to warn the monkeys should make them more cautious in the future.”
“What about Noble Consort Yao?”
“No need to pay attention,” Qin Zhiyan waved his hand and said softly, “They can’t stir up any major trouble. Have Qing Lin keep an eye on things—as long as nothing happens, that’s fine.”
“Yes.” Lian Zhou said respectfully. Suddenly hearing footsteps outside, he quickly stood aside with lowered hands as Qing Xia entered carrying steaming ginseng tea.
Seeing her, Qin Zhiyan smiled slightly and said, “Didn’t you say you were going to take up your post at the Construction Bureau today? Why are you still dawdling here?”
Qing Xia grinned and walked in with a smile, “I’ll leave after watching you obediently finish drinking this.”
Qin Zhiyan shook his head helplessly, took the tea and blew on it gently. Suddenly remembering something, he looked up at Qing Xia and said, “Have Lian Zhou take some people with you later.”
“Lian Zhou needs to come too?” Qing Xia frowned, “Better to leave him at home.”
“No need,” After taking a sip of the ginseng tea, Qin Zhiyan’s expression became slightly grave as he said meaningfully, “These are unsettled times—having a few more swords for protection is always good.”
Qing Xia pursed her lips slightly, “I’m not afraid of them.”
Qin Zhiyan’s gaze was gentle. Looking up, he took her hand and said softly, “I know you’re not afraid of them, but with people by your side, I can rest easy staying at the mansion.”
Hearing this, Qing Xia’s face flushed slightly red. She smiled and nodded, “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Just then, urgent footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. Li Xian’s voice came from outside, flustered and exasperated, “Your Highness, the Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince have arrived and are waiting in the main hall.”
Qing Xia’s eyebrows shot up. She saw Lian Zhou open the door as Li Xian stood in the doorway, his face red with anger, gritting his teeth as he said, “Sister Qing, you should go take a look.”
Qing Xia frowned and demanded sternly, “What happened? What has you in such a state!”
“Sister Qing, they…”
“Let’s go.” Qin Zhiyan stood up and said in a deep voice, “Let’s see what tricks they’re playing now.”
Walking slowly all the way, they had just entered the main hall when suddenly a teacup crashed at their feet with a loud bang. The Ninth Prince Qin Zhimin stood in the center wearing a pine-green brocade robe, his bearing elegant as jade, angrily shouting, “Is this how Prince Xuan’s mansion treats guests?”
“Cough, cough.” A faint coughing sound suddenly arose. The two agitated people in the main hall were immediately startled and turned around in unison. Qing Xia supported Qin Zhiyan as they slowly walked in, her gaze coldly sweeping over the two men. Qin Zhiyan’s voice was mellow and calm as clouds as he said, “I’ve been away from the mansion for so long that I’ve been lax in disciplining the servants, causing my two brothers to laugh at us.”
The Seventh Prince was slightly stunned and said somewhat embarrassedly, “A few days ago, County Princess Minrui knelt before the Purple Gold Gate. We thought Third Brother had fallen seriously ill. Seeing Third Brother safe and sound today, we younger brothers can rest assured.”
Qin Zhiyan smiled lightly and said softly, “Thank you for your concern, Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother. This body of mine is just like this—up and down repeatedly, but it’s not quite ready to breathe its last breath yet.”
“Where does Third Brother get such talk? As the saying goes, people are in high spirits during happy occasions. Third Brother is about to marry County Princess Minrui—truly a wonderful event.”
Qin Zhiyan smiled, “Then I accept Seventh Brother’s auspicious words.”
Qin Zhimin, left aside embarrassedly, suddenly smiled coldly and stepped forward, saying loudly, “Hearing that Third Brother’s health was poor, this younger brother prepared some gifts for Third Brother. Please accept them, Third Brother.”
Qin Zhiyan’s eyebrows rose as he said in a deep voice, “Ninth Brother is thoughtful.”
Prince Qin Zhicheng was stunned, his expression changing drastically. Just as he was about to pull back Qin Zhimin, he saw Qin Zhimin turn around and pick up a brocade box from the table. Opening it, he said, “This is South Sea Jade Dew—a folk remedy this younger brother spent years collecting. It’s said to be personally formulated by the previous family head of the Xilin family from Southern Chu, with the miraculous effect of instantly clearing phlegm and cleansing the lungs. I bought this from someone with consumption who said that relying on this prescription, he lived over thirty years with the disease without dying—quite miraculous.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xian flew into a rage. Just as he was about to step forward, he was suddenly stopped by Qing Xia. They heard Qin Zhiyan smile faintly and say, “Ninth Brother has managed southern salt transport for years—truly well-connected to be able to find even such ancient prescriptions. Not simple at all.”
Qin Zhimin smiled, “Third Brother, don’t rush to praise me yet. Wait until I bring out the other two gifts—then it won’t be too late to praise me.” With that, he turned around and struggled to lift a huge wooden box, opening it with effort. Inside was clearly a jade-green thousand-armed Guanyin statue. He declared loudly, “This is a Buddha statue personally blessed by the accomplished master Xiuming from Nanji Mountain. It’s said that in the hands of the right person, it can open the heavenly eye, communicate with ghosts and spirits, open the path to heaven, and has the miraculous effect of helping people achieve transcendence. Third Brother, amazing, right? Do you believe it?”
Qing Xia’s eyes grew increasingly cold, but she saw Qin Zhiyan’s smile remain light without the slightest trace of anger, his voice calm as he said, “Indeed very miraculous, but unfortunately I don’t believe in Buddhism. Ninth Brother went to too much trouble.”
“Oh my!” Qin Zhimin suddenly slapped his forehead in apparent realization, “Look at this brain of mine! Never mind, never mind. Fortunately there’s still a third gift. Third Brother, please look.”
A giant sandalwood box over half a person’s height, wrapped in layers of brocade, was revealed. Qin Zhimin pretended to be mysterious as he slowly opened it, saying, “This is a thousand-year-old ginseng dug up by ginseng hunters in the northern Great Snow Plains. Its roots are over twenty meters long—truly a rare old ginseng. This younger brother went to great lengths to obtain it from someone, for Third Brother to use as a life-saving measure in critical moments.”
A sharp whistling sound suddenly rang out. Qing Xia instantly became like a leopard pouncing on its prey—grabbing the shoulder, seizing the elbow, striking with the knee, gripping the throat—all in one fluid motion. However, just as her movements stopped, a bright cold gleam suddenly flashed in the main hall. The usually gentle and refined Qin Zhiyan drew Li Xian’s sword in one swift motion, like a dragon entering the sea or winding lightning, pressing it against Qin Zhimin’s neck!
“Have I been too indulgent with you all in the past, making you forget the rules of my Prince Xuan’s mansion?”