After Transmigrating as a Wealthy Woman: Donβt You Dare Touch My Baby! [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 79
To express her gratitude to the First Prince, Jing Rui, for dispatching troops to aid her during the conflict at Mount Leiming, Zhu Xingtong visited the First Princeβs manor, accompanied by her “Lady Consort.”
“Xiao Ci pays his respects to the Eldest Princess and Miss Zhong,” greeted the Marquis of Relaxation, bowing with impeccable etiquette and a sensible demeanor.
Qin Yao followed suit immediately. “Qin Yao pays his respects to the Eldest Princess and Miss Zhong.”
Both men looked refreshed; it appeared their stay in the manor had been quite comfortable.
“Where is Jing Rui?” Zhu Xingtong inquired.
Speak of the devilβfootsteps approached from behind, accompanied by a light, suppressed cough. “Imperial Sister, I am here,” he called out.
Zhu Xingtong turned to see Jing Ruiβs pale complexion and grew worried. “Are you ill again?”
“It is merely a slight chill Iβve caught.”
“It is my fault,” Qin Yao said apologetically. “The night air was cold yesterday, yet I detained the First Prince for quite some time.”
“It matters not. Master Qin and I found each otherβs company congenial, so we spoke a bit longer than intended.”
“You must pay more attention to your health,” Zhu Xingtong said helplessly. “With a body as frail as yours, if you aren’t careful, you might depart this world any day. If that happens, who else can I rely on?”
Jing Rui: “…”
“Imperial Sister…”
“I have come to thank you for sending the troops,” Zhu Xingtong said as she took a seat unceremoniously. “Otherwise, who knows how many would have perished on Mount Leiming. I never realized before that you were such a clever and resourceful soul.”
Jing Rui, being of a steady temperament, only offered a faint smile at her praise. “The military power was granted by you, Imperial Sister. Naturally, I must hold your affairs close to my heart.”
“Let us move past the pleasantries,” Zhu Xingtong said, her expression turning serious. “You have read the note I sent. Have the arrangements been made?”
Jing Rui nodded. “The spy planted near the General of the Realm has been apprehended. However, these men were loyal death-sworn agents; once they realized they had failed, they committed suicide by poison. We failed to secure any direct evidence against the Second Prince. He is likely still in the dark, but in a few days, when he receives no word from his spy, he will surely grow suspicious.”
“No matter. It is enough that General Qin is safe.”
“Indeed. I surmised that since he targeted General Qin for the military tally, his next target would inevitably be Master Qin. Therefore, I took the liberty of inviting both the Marquis and Master Qin to my manor for protection.”
“Your reasoning is sound.” Zhu Xingtong carefully observed the First Prince.
Jing Rui was only seventeen, not yet of age for his capping ceremony, yet he was remarkably mature. Aside from his physical frailty, his intellect was sharp. The original owner of this body had been foolish to cling to her bond with the Second Prince, missing out on such an excellent brother as Jing Rui. If nothing else, Jing Rui understood gratitude, whereas Jing Yi was a true “white-eyed wolf”βan ingrate.
“Your Highness!” Qin Yao suddenly stepped forward and knelt with a thud. He cupped his hands in apology. “Due to the matter involving Xiao Ci, I harbored misunderstandings toward you. Now, Your Highness and the First Prince have disregarded my past offenses to save my father. I have no way to repay such kindness, so I submit myself for punishment at your discretion.”
Xiao Ci hurried to join him. “Old Qin, don’t say that. Since this was all for my sake, I should be the one apologizing.” He hitched up his robes, intending to kneel as well.
Zhu Xingtong waved them off. “You’re still surviving on ginseng tea; what are you kneeling for? Everyone, stand up.”
Xiao Ci chuckled. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Back to business. In a few days, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival. A banquet will be held in the palace. Jing Rui, you are in charge of the Martial Judiciary; you must ensure the internal and external security of the Imperial Guards. The Second Prince is losing his composure. Given his nature, within these few days, he will…” Zhu Xingtong trailed off, leaving an intentional silence. Everyone present understood her implication.
“I understand.”
Just then, an attendant reported from outside: “Your Highness, the Second Prince has arrived.”
The announcement startled everyone. Jing Yi was here? What was his purpose?
“Did he come alone?” Jing Rui asked, his eyes darkening.
“Yes, Your Highness. The Second Prince says it has been too long since he shared a drink with you. He brought two jars of fine wine… insisting on drinking until one of you falls.”
Jing Rui rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Tell him I have a chill and cannot entertain guests.”
The attendant trembled. “But… the Second Prince forced his way in. He has already seated himself in the front hall. He is certain you are home and insists on a cup. If you do not go… he likely won’t leave.”
Jing Rui paused. The Second Princeβs intentions were glaringly obvious.
“Imperial Sister, when one offers unprovoked kindness, they surely harbor ill intent. It seems I have truly become an eyesore to Jing Yi.” Jing Rui stood up. “Imperial Sister, I’m afraid I cannot keep you company further.”
Zhu Xingtong stood as well, smiling. “Why? Can I not join in when you drink with Jing Yi?”
Jing Rui faltered. “Imperial Sister, you mean…?”
Zhu Xingtong beckoned, and Qiu Qin descended from the wall, awaiting orders.
“Qiu Qin, I recall I have several jars of aged wine stored in the cellar. Go and fetch them. Since Jing Yi and Jing Rui wish to drink, two jars will hardly suffice. Also, bring the Imperial Longjing tea our Father gave me. Jing Rui is weak and should not drink; he shall have tea instead. As for the wine, I shall be the one to drink with the Second Prince.”
“Princess, your tolerance for alcohol is also quite poor,” Zhong Ying, who had been an “invisible” observer for a long time, finally spoke up.
Zhu Xingtong: “…” She suddenly remembered that her “cub” didn’t like her drinking much.
“Just this once!” Zhu Xingtong whispered, covering her mouth and leaning toward Zhong Ying.
Zhong Ying: “…”
“What if you get drunk?”
Zhu Xingtong sighed, looking up at the sky. “Getting drunk might be a good thing. Perhaps when I wake up tomorrow, the world will have changed.” She patted Zhong Yingβs shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll try my best not to get drunk. But if I do, I’ll have to ask my Lady Consort to carry me back home.”
Unaware of Zhong Ying’s prowess, Jing Rui smiled and said, “If she gets drunk, I will personally send people to escort her back. Please, Sister…” He looked at Zhong Ying, momentarily unsure of how to address her.
“You may call me Sister as well,” Zhong Ying said.
“Very well. Rest assured, Sister.”
“Mhm.” Zhong Ying patted Zhu Xingtongβs waist. “Remember to drink less.”
Zhu Xingtong nodded brightly. “I will!” She was genuinely curious to taste these decades-old jars of ancient brew.
Xiao Ci watched from the side, looking utterly baffled. What is with this Miss Zhong?Β The First Prince and the Princess were going to deal with the Second Prince, yet they spoke as naturally as if they were just meeting a friend for a casual drink.
Xiao Ci looked at his friend Qin Yao. Do you understand this?Β Qin Yao shook his head; he didn’t quite get it either. But he sensed a deeper meaning: perhaps the Princess and Miss Zhong simply didn’t take the Second Prince seriously at all. When someone doesn’t even qualify to be in your sight, why feel nervous about them showing up with wine?
In the front hall, Jing Yi waited for a long time before the two finally arrived. He wasn’t surprised by Jing Ruiβs pale face, but seeing Zhu Xingtong and Zhong Ying following behind caused him to stiffen for a moment.
“Jing Yi pays his respects to Elder Brother and Imperial Sister.” He offered a warm, genial smile. “I thought today was a fine day to share a few cups with Elder Brother. I didn’t expect Imperial Sister to be here as well. That is perfectβlet us all drink together.”
None could see the stiffness behind his smile. What a coincidence that Jing Xia is here! As I thought, these two have been in contact behind my back!
“I was recently intercepted by martial arts thugs at Mount Leiming. If Jing Rui hadn’t sent troops, it would have been difficult for me to escape unscathed. Thus, I came to visit today. Since you are here as well, letβs have a few drinks. Since we left the palace to establish our own manors, it has been years since we gathered like this.” Zhu Xingtong waved her hand. “Attendants, prepare a banquet.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The servants hurried to the kitchen, and the four moved toward the garden. Among the three siblings sat the “masked woman,” making Jing Yi feel uneasy. He asked, “Imperial Sister, this lady is…?”
“This lady is Imperial Sisterβs consort. As you know, she married a woman after breaking her engagement. This is the one,” Jing Rui answered.
“So this is Imperial Sisterβs consort.” Jing Yi assumed a humble posture and greeted Zhong Ying. “I am the Second Prince, Jing Yi. How should I address you, Madam?”
Zhong Ying didn’t even grant him a glance. “Is ‘Madam’ not an address?”
Jing Yi: “…” Truly the wife Jing Xia choseβanother one with eyes on the top of her head.
“Sister, why do you always wear a veil?” Jing Rui was actually curious about the face beneath the fabric.
Zhong Ying glanced at him. “Do you wish to see?”
Jing Rui suddenly felt nervous. “If it is inconvenient, then…”
“Itβs not that it’s inconvenient. Itβs just that everyone who sees this face falls in love with me,” Zhong Ying said plainly, a hint of unavoidable helplessness in her voice.
Jing Rui laughed. “Then I shall not look. If I were to fall for you, Imperial Sister would surely be angry with me.”
“My anger is secondary,” Zhu Xingtong said, patting her brotherβs shoulder with mock tragedy. “Don’t get close; falling for her will only lead to misfortune.”
Zhong Ying: “…” Is this my choice?
“Not everyone falls for it,” Zhong Ying thought to herself. The Marquis of Relaxation had seen her face and seemed perfectly fine. Speaking of which, she was curious.
“System, why wasn’t the Marquis affected by the ‘Femme Fatale’ aura?” She had seen him without a veil before.
γScanning… Scan complete.γ γBecause the Marquisβs mind is consumed by the desire for survival. His desire for carnal beauty is extremely low. He is classified as ‘Mentally Resolute, Immune to Control.’γ
So that was it.
γIt is safe for the Host to show her face to the First Prince, Jing Rui.γ
“Oh? Why?”
γBefore the Second Prince arrived, Jing Ruiβs ‘True Dragon Index’ was 50%. Now, it has reached 100%. The True Son of Heaven is immune to mental control.γ
Zhong Ying was speechless. It seemed the Second Princeβs arrival was truly a death wish.
Meanwhile, Jing Yi watched the three of them chatting and laughing. The hatred in his heart grew like vines nourished by rain, spreading uncontrollably.
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