After Transmigrating as a Wealthy Woman: Don’t You Dare Touch My Baby! [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 73

“Jing Yi greets Eldest Imperial Sister.”

“Subject Qin Yao pays respects to the Eldest Princess.”

“Sit.” Zhu Xingtong sat in the high seat, offering a light smile. “Jing Yi, how do you have the time to visit my manor?”

The Second Prince was the image of a refined, gentle scholar. Looking at him, it was hard to imagine that in the original book, he was the one who eventually ascended the throne.

“I heard Sister is getting married soon, yet my manor hasn’t received a single invitation. Feeling neglected, I hurried over to see for myself,” Jing Yi said, his smile as warm as a spring breeze.

“Then why did you bring Officer Qin with you? Does Officer Qin want an invitation as well?” Zhu Xingtong turned her gaze to Qin Yao.

Compared to the Marquis, Qin Yao appeared significantly more mature and steady. He replied solemnly, “If I were to receive a wedding invitation from the Princess, I would be overwhelmed by the honor. However, I have come today regarding my friend, the Marquis of Xiaoyao, Xiao Ci.”

“I am aware that Xiao Ci angered the Princess by visiting a brothel. It was only right for the Princess to punish him. But I heard he was severely injured and has not returned home for days. I only recently learned he was still here.”

“I see.” Zhu Xingtong looked away. “Xiao Ci is staying at the manor because of my upcoming wedding. As my friend, he volunteered to stay and have a drink before leaving.”

Qin Yao obviously didn’t believe a word of it. He had no interest in playing word games. While Jing Xia held military power, Qin Yao’s father also held a Tiger Tally. Unlike the foolish Third Prince, Qin Yao felt no fear toward Jing Xia. “I wish to see the Marquis. I ask for the Princess’s permission.”

Zhu Xingtong narrowed her eyes. “And if I refuse?”

“You—” Qin Yao frowned, but the Second Prince pulled him back with a sigh. “Qin Yao, how can you speak to Sister with such an attitude? Have you no sense of status?”

Reminded of his place, Qin Yao lowered his head. “I have overstepped.”

In truth, Qin Yao resented the Princess. She had beaten his friend on his wedding day and was now holding him captive even after the engagement was canceled. Furthermore, the rumors in the city had painted Xiao Ci as an unprecedented scumbag. Qin Yao didn’t believe his friend was that bad; he suspected the Princess had manufactured the rumors to justify the broken engagement.

“Fine. He is in the West Wing,” Zhu Xingtong said. “I’ve provided him with the best food and drink; it’s not as if I’ve mistreated him. Someone, take Officer Qin to see the Marquis.”

The “White-Eyed Wolf”

Once Qin Yao was led away, Jing Yi remained. His face gave Zhu Xingtong a sense of familiarity she couldn’t quite place. He was handsome, with deep-set, narrow eyes that should have made him look cold, but his frequent smiles bridged the distance.

“Jing Yi, aren’t you going to see the Marquis?”

“I came for two reasons. One was because Qin Yao asked for help. The second… I am confused and hope Sister can enlighten me.”

“Oh?”

Jing Yi sighed. “Sister, you are angry with me.” He frowned slightly. “You gave those thousands of soldiers at Mount Panlong to the First Brother. I asked you for those men many times in the past, yet you gave them to him without a second thought.”

Zhu Xingtong leaned back in her chair and laughed. “The Eldest Brother gave me the ‘sincerity’ I required. But you, Jing Yi… you only ever try to coax me with sweet words.”

She stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Jing Yi, do you think your Imperial Sister is a stupid woman?”

Jing Yi’s expression stiffened. He shook his head. “In my heart, Sister is incomparably wise.”

“If that’s the case, then wait until you can show me ‘sincerity’ before you come complaining about why the Eldest Brother has what you don’t.” She patted his shoulder, stepped past him, and walked away.

As they brushed past each other, Jing Yi caught the faint scent of ambergris on her robes. Usually, he was her favorite brother; she never spared a glance for the sickly Jing Rui or the idiotic Jing Xun. But now, her gaze told him plainly: I don’t like you. Get out.

His smile faded. What had gone wrong?

The Reason: Zhu Xingtong knew Jing Yi was a “xenophobe.” In the original timeline, after becoming Emperor, he ruthlessly expelled foreigners. He even executed the Marquis for marrying a foreign princess, showing zero mercy.

Worse, Jing Yi was a “white-eyed wolf” (an ungrateful ingrate). When Jing Xia was forced into a bad marriage, he did nothing. He likely hoped the Emperor would strip her of her power so he could inherit it. Since Zhong Ying had foreign blood, Zhu Xingtong decided right then: the next Emperor of Great Rong was going to be someone else.

The Warning in the West Wing

Meanwhile, Zhong Ying had gone to the West Wing to see Xiao Ci before Qin Yao arrived. She only said two sentences:

“Do you want to live?”

Xiao Ci, currently chugging ginseng tea, looked at her with a “ready-to-die” expression. “How have I offended Miss Zhong now?”

Zhong Ying: “…” “I am asking you if you want to live.”

“Naturally, I do.” Though he felt living was getting harder by the day, considering he’d been forced to write martial arts manuals for days on end.

“If you want to live, tell Qin Yao not to seek death. The Second Prince’s faction is not a good destination.” Seeing his expression turn serious, she left.

Moments later, Qin Yao rushed in. “Old Xiao! How are you?”

“I’m fine. Eating well, sleeping well. Very happy.”

“Did the Princess mistreat you?”

“No,” Xiao Ci said, thinking of Zhong Ying. “But her wife nearly worked me to death.” He realized Zhong Ying’s warning wasn’t random. “Qin Yao, how did you get into the manor?”

Qin Yao explained he had sought out the Second Prince after the Third Prince had his “accident.”

“The Second Prince is not a good man,” Xiao Ci said firmly, rubbing his temples. He remembered his “dreams”—in that life, Qin Yao’s father was assassinated by the Second Prince, and Qin Yao himself was eventually executed after the First Prince lost the succession war.

If this were before, Xiao Ci might have encouraged Qin Yao to side with the winner (the Second Prince). But everything had changed since the Princess canceled the wedding.

“Whatever happens, I’ve decided,” Xiao Ci whispered. “I’m sticking with the Eldest Princess! Whatever she says, I’ll do. She doesn’t want the throne, but she has the army! That’s the safest place to be.”

Qin Yao was speechless. “Did she beat the brains out of you? You nearly died, and now you’re taking her side?”

Xiao Ci snorted. “It was a misunderstanding. Look, haven’t I gotten fatter recently?”

“You… actually have gained weight.”

“I am the Marquis of Xiaoyao. All I want is a comfortable life. Stick with the Princess, brother. She has power, money, and no desire for the throne. It’s the best deal in town.”

Xiao Ci winked at him. Come on, join me in being ‘persecuted’ by the Madam!

Qin Yao looked at his friend and wondered if he’d truly lost his mind. But seeing Xiao Ci’s relaxed state, he felt a weight lift from his chest. The Princess was clearly treating him well.