SFS Chapter 281 Consort Ling's Schemes
Chapter 281 Consort Ling's Schemes
In a short while, the curtain of the Northern Qi carriage moved, and a palace maid stepped down first and lifted the curtain.
A slender figure emerged from the carriage, wearing a light pink dress embroidered with gold, which shone brilliantly in the sunlight.
Shen Qingtan saw Princess Guangning standing on the carriage shaft, not getting off, but looking towards her.
Princess Guangning's hair was styled in a cloud-like curl, and the pearl hairpins in her hair and the pearl earrings she wore made her radiant.
Especially her willow-leaf eyes, which are naturally alluring, are captivating when she stares at people.
Shen Qingtan's gaze lingered on Princess Guangning's face for a moment, then she curtsied and continued to descend the wooden steps from the carriage.
Princess Guangning watched Shen Qingtan's retreating figure when she heard her maid say, "Princess, this is Princess Jiahe, daughter of the Prince of Zhenbei, and also the granddaughter of the Duke's family."
Princess Guangning couldn't help but think of what Prince Qi had said: that all the young men of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion were upright, handsome, and dashing men.
She had seen the military generals of Northern Qi; their faces were rugged, their bodies powerful, and they exuded a menacing aura. She then felt that the King of Qi's words were exaggerated. He had only flattered her to make her willingly marry the son of the Prince of Zhenbei.
Now that he has seen Shen Qingtan, he is somewhat convinced of what Prince Qi said.
Princess Guangning was perfectly clear-headed; no matter which prince she married, she would never have a good life.
After all, marrying her meant losing the throne.
Marrying the son of the Prince of Zhenbei was the best outcome for her.
Although the Prince of Zhenbei is a god of war, he is extremely protective of his own. It is said that his offspring have the same qualities as their father. If she gains their approval, he will definitely protect her at all costs.
Unfortunately, she cannot marry into the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion.
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Shen Qingtan rode in a sedan chair to Yanxiang Palace.
The sedan chair stopped, and Liuyue called out from outside, "Second Madam, we've arrived at Yanxiang Palace. Please get out of the sedan chair."
Immediately afterwards, a hand reached into the sedan chair.
Shen Qingtan extended her hand, and the instant her palm touched hers, she sensed something was wrong. When she tried to pull her hand back, it was grasped.
The next moment, a handsome face peered into the sedan chair.
“Sister-in-law, my cousin asked me to take care of you at the flower banquet.” Qi Chuyin held Shen Qingtan’s hand and led her out of the sedan chair: “I will stay by your side throughout the entire flower banquet.”
Shen Qingtan looked at Qi Chuyin in surprise, never expecting that Zhao Yi would ask someone to take care of her.
This was the first time Shen Qingtan had seen Qi Chuyin. She was half a finger taller than Shen Qingtan, with long hair tied in a high ponytail, and wearing black clothes, which made her look neat and dashing.
"Cousin, thank you for your help."
Shen Qingtan lowered her eyes to look at the two people's hands clasped together.
Perhaps because Qi Chuyin practiced martial arts, her palms had developed a thick layer of calluses, which is why she recognized that it wasn't Liu Yue's hand.
Qi Chuyin followed Shen Qingtan's gaze and saw that Shen Qingtan's hands were small and soft, as if they had no bones.
She pinched it once, then pinched it again.
Suddenly, she remembered what Shen Lue had said: "Qi Chuyin, are you really a woman? Holding your hand feels just like holding my own. If your hand were as soft as a woman's, I wouldn't have failed to recognize that you are a woman."
Qi Chuyin couldn't imagine what a girl's hands should look like.
Shen San, a man so dim-witted, has he ever even held a girl's hand? Yet he dares to say that girls' hands are soft?
Qi Chuyin assumed that Shen San hadn't recognized her as a girl and was trying to make amends because he felt too embarrassed.
Only when she held Shen Qingtan's hand today did she realize with a start that Shen San had indeed not lied to her.
Girls' hands are really soft.
Qi Chuyin seemed to have discovered something new and extraordinary, and held onto Shen Qingtan's hand tightly. She only let go of Shen Qingtan's hand after they entered the main hall of Yanxiang Palace.
After deciding to leave the palace, she shared her experiences with Shen San.
Unaware of Qi Chuyin's thoughts, Shen Qingtan bowed respectfully to Consort Ling.
"Jiahe, it has been a long time since I last saw you." Consort Ling said with a smile and a friendly tone, "Now that you have been recognized by your ancestors, I have not yet congratulated you."
At this point, Consort Ling sighed, "If it weren't for Shen Liu's evil intentions, you wouldn't have been separated from your biological parents. It was also because of them that your marriage with Zhao Erlang came about, which shows that you two are destined for each other."
Seeing that Consort Ling pretended nothing had happened and continued to chat intimately with her, Shen Qingtan felt that Consort Ling was truly composed.
"Your Majesty is right," Shen Qingtan said, feigning shyness. "The Second Master and I are destined for each other. Even without Shen Liushi, we would have eventually come together."
“That makes perfect sense.” Consort Ling’s smile remained unchanged: “The Northern Qi sent Princess Guangning to the Great Zhou for a marriage alliance, but they have not yet found her destined husband. Princess Guangning’s marriage is no ordinary matter; it concerns the alliance between the two countries and cannot be taken lightly. I have specially organized this flower-viewing banquet so that Princess Guangning can become familiar with the customs and culture of the Great Zhou and choose a good husband as soon as possible.”
Shen Qingtan frowned slightly, trying to figure out what Consort Ling was thinking.
"Jiahe, you have always been methodical and thorough in your actions, and I trust you the most. Today, you will accompany Princess Guangning to the flower viewing banquet."
Before Shen Qingtan could speak, Consort Ling continued, "Miss Qi grew up in the Northern Border, which borders Northern Qi, and is extremely familiar with the customs and culture of Northern Qi. I have the utmost confidence in having you two cousins entertain Princess Guangning."
Upon hearing Consort Ling's arrangement, Shen Qingtan subconsciously suspected that Consort Ling was plotting to frame her and Qi Chuyin.
On second thought, she dismissed the idea.
Consort Ling is currently being neglected by Emperor Jing'an, and her situation in the harem is far from good.
Consort Ling is holding a grand flower-viewing banquet today and has invited Princess Guangning to attend.
If Princess Guangning were to have an incident at Yanxiang Palace, even if the blame cannot be traced back to Consort Ling, Consort Ling would still be held responsible.
Given Consort Ling's cunning, she would never do something so foolish.
Consort Ling's brows furrowed with worry: "His Majesty has not had a proper rest these days because of the matter of Northern Qi. If we can find a good husband for Princess Guangning, it would be a way to share His Majesty's burden."
With these accusations raining down on her, if Shen Qingtan didn't agree, she would be seen as lacking common sense, and might even be manipulated by someone with ulterior motives, thus hindering Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi had just been promoted, and countless eyes were watching him from behind.
Having devised a plan, Shen Qingtan smiled and said, "It is my honor to be able to share the burdens of Your Highness."
Consort Ling suggested sharing the Emperor's burdens, while Shen Qingtan replied that she was sharing Consort Ling's burdens.
Consort Ling dealt with Shen Qingtan once again, and Shen Qingtan's words and actions remained impeccable.
She asked Huichun, who was standing beside her, "Where is Princess Guangning?"
Hui Chun replied, "Princess Guangning is admiring the flowers in the garden behind the side hall."
Consort Ling instructed, "Take Princess Jiahe and Miss Qi to the back garden to find Princess Guangning."
"Yes." Hui Chun led Shen Qingtan and Qi Chuyin to the back garden of the side hall.
Consort Ling watched Shen Qingtan's departing figure and took a sip of her tea.
The Emperor wanted to marry Princess Guangning to Prince Yu. If Princess Guangning was unwilling to marry, the Emperor would naturally not force her.
This solved the problem at its root.
Shen Qingtan and Qi Chuyin followed Huichun to the back garden, where they saw Princess Guangning standing in front of a window, seemingly witnessing something extremely terrifying, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.