Chapter 512: 512 Wei Qingwan's heart is in a mess_1

Wei Qingwan’s mind began to race quickly.

She could see the level of concern King Yu had for matters concerning Wei Qingruo. If she could provide useful information, it would surely be a good opportunity to achieve some merits in their eyes.

Yet, like everyone else, she wasn’t clear about Wei Qingruo’s past experiences. If she fabricated stories and said the wrong thing, it might backfire.

After some thought, Wei Qingwan decided it would be safer to choose a cautious response, one that wouldn’t lead to mistakes.

Thus, Wei Qingwan stated, “When my sister was young, she was sickly. My parents followed the advice of a fortune teller and sent her to the countryside to recover. During that period, she learnt from the local farmers about cultivation and also studied under a master craftsman for a while.”

Wei Qingwan dared not deny what Wei Ruo had publicly spoken. She had to passively choose to help Wei Ruo keep up the lie. Because once the lie about Wei Ruo’s rural life was exposed, her own identity may also be revealed.

“I’ve already heard about these. Tell me something I don’t know. For example, that cannon she mentioned. Is it really as formidable as she said, capable of repelling the Japanese Pirates?” Chu Heng asked.

“Since my sister mentioned it today, it should be true.” Wei Qingwan replied.

Taking into account Wei Qingruo wouldn’t dare deceive the emperor, Wei Qingwan deduced that since Wei Qingruo dared present such a thing at the mid-autumn palace banquet, it must be real.

“Did she ever tell you beforehand about her ability to manufacture the Thunderbolt Bullet and the copper device that improves its throwing distance?” Chu Heng inquired again.

“My sister rarely returned home after she got married, and I’m not very clear about her recent activities.” Wei Qingwan explained.

“Then do you know where to find your sister’s master?” Chu Heng asked.

“I’m not sure… I’ve never met the master.” Wei Qingwan answered nervously, her head bowed.

“Do you know why your sister offered this device to the Emperor? Was she trying to use it to gain something for King Rui?”

“I … I don’t know…” Wei Qingwan once again declared her ignorance.

“What do you know then?” Chu Heng was dissatisfied, and his expression turned stern.

Wei Qingwan was frightened, looking absolutely panic-stricken.

Qi Shijing observed Wei Qingwan’s reaction and timely intervened, persuading Chu Heng, “Prince, stay calm. How could a normal person expect that a noble lady from Duke Residence would study skills that are usually only learnt by men, and obtaining this opportunity was because Queen Rui spent many years in the countryside. The matter was certainly not widely disclosed, in order to maintain her being dignified in society. It is not surprising that our little sister knows nothing.”

Listening to Qi Shijing’s persuasion, Chu Heng’s expression slightly improved.

It wasn’t so much that he found Qi Shijing’s words reasonable, but her comments made him aware of his loss of composure.

He then asked Wei Qingwan: “What about you? Your sister once apprenticed herself to a skilled master, have you learnt anything similar?”

“I… I haven’t.” Wei Qingwan answered softly, her voice trembling slightly.

“What else have you learnt then?”

“I’ve read women’s textbooks, observed women’s commandments, and also learnt embroidery, needlework, bookkeeping, tea making, and incense burning…” Wei Qingwan listed this things she had learnt.

The more Chu Heng heard, the more disappointed he became.

All the things Wei Qingwan could do were things that any ordinary lady from a grand family should know.

While knowing these things was good, he found them useless.

Noticing the disappointment in Chu Heng’s eyes, Wei Qingwan’s heart clenched.

She didn’t understand why things had turned out this way. Suddenly, what she learned seemed useless, whilst the obscure skills Qingruo had picked up in the countryside were sought after by the prince.

“Alright, you may leave.”

Chu Heng waved her away impatiently.

With a face full of grievance, Wei Qingwan looked at Qi Shijing with tearful eyes.

Qi Shijing comforted her with her gaze: “It’s late already, you should go back to your Cuiting Pavilion and rest.”

Qi Shijing gestured for a servant to escort Wei Qingwan out.

After Wei Qingwan was taken away, Qi Shijing continued talking to Chu Heng: “Cousin, do not worry. Judging by the situation today, it may not necessarily be a bad thing for us.”

“What do you think?” Chu Heng asked.

“The object offered by King Rui could be beneficial to the court and to our border defense. This land will eventually be yours, so the object will also be used for you in the future.” Qi Shijing responded.

“It is too early to say that this land will belong to me. The ones currently standing in my way are King Jing, Chu Lan and King Rui, Chu Yi.”

“Indeed, we must be cautious with King Jing. But King Rui is weak and unlikely to live long. You don’t need to worry too much about him.”

“Although King Rui is weak, the Emperor favours him. Now he has even got a capable wife. How can I not worry? What if he is just pretending to be sick? Wouldn’t that give him the chance to catch me off guard? After all, Chu Yi is the grandson of the late Duke Xu, and the Duke Xu Residence and the Empress Xu were…”

“We have repeatedly confirmed that King Rui will not live long. Cousin, you even sent someone to spy on King Rui’s residence during the night, several times. We obtained a clear answer that he indeed won’t live long. And there’s no reason for him to fake his illness. If he does not build his strength and influence in the court now, even if the Emperor decides to pass the throne to him in the future, he wouldn’t be able to hold onto it. By pretending to be sick, he is cutting off his own retreat. Even if he is not sick, he is the same as being sick.” Qi Shijing analyzed.

Chu Heng thought for a moment and seemed to find her analysis quite reasonable.

Chu Heng: “You do make some valid points. I was just a bit too anxious a moment ago.”

Qi Shijing: “The commotion from King Jing’s side recently has been relatively large, and the Emperor has repeatedly rewarded King Jing. Coupled with the troubling trivial matters at hand, today an unexpected incident occurred. It’s normal for cousin to be a bit anxious and perplexed.”

Chu Heng: “Chu Lan alone is already enough to give me a headache. I really don’t want King Rui to add to the troubles.”

Qi Shijing: “We can first make use of King Rui, draw him to our side to jointly deal with King Jing. Once everything is settled, we can eliminate him and his lineage from Duke Xu Residence, forever ending any future threat.”

Chu Heng: “Shijing does seem to have a point.”

Qi Shijing: “Cousin’s worry is also my concern.”

Chu Heng looked at Qi Shijing and said softly, “My cousin understands me, having such a wife, what more could a husband ask for.”

Qi Shijing lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes covering her eyes, revealing a shy expression.

Then Chu Heng stretched out his hand to pull Qi Shijing into his arms, tenderly kissing her.

The servants around, seeing the scene, wisely withdrew.

In the room, shadows swayed, and soft moans mixed with heavy breathing sounds.

Meanwhile, Wei Qingwan, accompanied by Cuihe, returned alone to the Cuiting Pavilion.

Once inside, Wei Qingwan sat down on a chair, her gaze fixed, fists clenched tight.