Chapter 175 - 175: Lin Mengyao’s Plan

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Your Majesty, 1 believe Prince Qing makes a valid point. This matter is grave, and we should deliberate thoroughly.”

Lin Ruhai quickly interjected, noting Xiao Nanye’s aggressive posture.

Before he could complete his thought, Xiao Nanye scoffed, “General Lin, despite inheriting your title from your elder brother and hailing from a military lineage, where is your warrior’s spirit?”

Unease clouded Lin Ruhai’s eyes at the taunt.

Emperor Qi Ming, who was sitting on the dragon throne, tired of the argument, glanced outside and declared, “Enough. It’s getting late. We’ll continue tomorrow. Everyone, go home.”

Then, everyone left the palace.

Outside the palace gates, Lin Ruhai approached Xiao Junhao. After offering a respectful bow, he said softly, “Your Highness, how is Yao Er?”

“Lord Lin, don’t worry. The poison in Yao Er’s body has been cured,” Xiao Junhao reassured.

“That’s good.”

Knowing that Lin Mengyao was fine, Lin Ruhai couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief.

Mindful of Emperor Qi Ming’s preference for distance between the prince and officials, Xiao Junhao exchanged brief pleasantries before boarding his carriage.

Upon reaching the Qing Mansion’s entrance, news reached Xiao Junhao that Lin Mengyao had regained consciousness. Dawn was breaking, and without hesitation, he hastened to her chambers.

Feeling disoriented, Lin Mengyao tried to rise and bow upon seeing Xiao Junhao. However, he quickly interjected, “Rest. No need for formalities in your state.”

She settled back onto the bed.

Xiao Junhao sat beside her, his expression filled with concern. “Are you still feeling unwell?”

“I apologize for worrying you, Your Highness. Yao Er is fine now,” she assured him.

“That’s a relief.”

She could sense his unease. “Your Highness, is something troubling you?”

From the moment he entered the room, Lin Mengyao noticed a shift in his demeanor. Though his tone remained gentle, his eyes held a trace of frustration.

“King Chujiang has rebelled,” he revealed.

Given Lin Mengyao’s unique abilities, Xiao Junhao was often candid with her about courtly affairs. Thus, upon her inquiry, Xiao Junhao briefly told her what happened in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Lin Mengyao listened quietly as Xiao Junhao spoke.

After Xiao Junhao finished speaking, Lin Mengyao said in a low voice, “Your Highness, this could be an opportunity for you.”

His eyes flashed with uncertainty at her suggestion.

Holding his gaze, she continued in an even softer tone, “Your Highness, you and King Cheng have never seen eye to eye. Given the circumstances, why not use this chance to get rid of King Cheng?”

“It’s said that the battlefield is unpredictable. 1 believe King Chujiang is no ordinary adversary.”

Although Lin Mengyao’s voice was very soft, Xiao Junhao still heard every word. When he thought of how Xiao Nanye had mocked him at the Palace of Heavenly Purity today, his eyes darkened.

After pondering for a while, a decision seemingly made, he smiled warmly at Lin Mengyao. “Yao Er, I am truly fortunate to have you by my side.”

“Get well quickly. Once you’re healed, 1 will ask father to bestow a marriage.”

“I understand, Your Highness.”

Hearing Xiao Junhao’s words, Lin Mengyao’s eyes revealed a hint of shyness, but she still nodded.

The day was already brightening outside. Xiao Junhao’s eyes looked heavy with exhaustion. Seeing his weariness, Lin Mengyao quickly said, “Your Highness, you seem weary. Perhaps you should return and rest.”

Acknowledging his fatigue and heeding Lin Mengyao’s advice, Xiao Junhao simply nodded and departed.

After he left, Lin Mengyao turned to her maid and inquired,” Who helped me cure the poison in my body?”

The maid, upon hearing Lin Mengyao’s query, approached and whispered, “Miss, it was the eldest daughter of the Jiang family who cured you.”

“Who?”

“The Eldest Young Miss from the Jiang family.”

Lin Mengyao’s eyes widened in astonishment upon hearing this. The very poison, crafted from the Seven-Colored Flower and formulated by her master, was initially intended for Xiao Nanye.

She had assumed her master had returned to treat her. Never had she imagined that her savior was Jian Peihuan.

Clutching the blanket next to her, a myriad of emotions flitted across Lin Mengyao’s eyes.

As for courtly affairs, Jian Peihuan was blissfully unaware.

As dawn broke, Jiang Sijin pushed open the door to Jiang Peihuan’s room. Observing her elder sister, who had just awakened, Jiang Sijin suggested gently, “Elder sister, let’s go to the city today and stroll around. I’ve been in the military camp all month, and 1 haven’t been out for a long time.”

Jiang Peihuan didn’t really want to go out, but she couldn’t resist Jiang Sijin’s persistence and finally nodded in agreement.

They both boarded a carriage and left the general’s mansion.

Once on the streets, Jiang Sijin didn’t want to stay in the carriage any longer, and she started looking at the street stalls.

Jiang Sijin was sampling food from every stall she passed. Soon, Yue Er’s hands were full of various snacks. Seeing Jiang Sijin still wanting to buy more, Jiang Peihuan couldn’t help but comment, “Are you planning to bring the whole street back home?”

With Jiang Peihuan’s intervention, Jiang Sijin didn’t buy any more food but instead headed to the Hundred Treasure Pavilion.

Jiang Peihuan didn’t like wearing jewelry, so she sat down on a chair and started observing the items inside the cabinet. She noticed a piece of jade.

The jade was still in its raw form and hadn’t been carved.

Jiang Peihuan had always wanted to give something to Xiao Nanye, considering the many gifts he had given her. Other than a dress, she hadn’t given him anything in return.

“Elder sister, what are you looking at?”

Turning around, Jiang Sijin saw Jiang Peihuan staring at something in the cabinet and quickly approached her.

“Young lady, are you interested in this jade?”

The store manager, a sharp observer. When he saw Jian Peihuan’s appearance, he knew that she had taken a fancy to this piece of jade and quickly went forward.

Hearing him, Jiang Peihuan pointed to the jade and asked, “Is this jade for sale?”

“Yes, it is.”

The store manager continued, “Young lady, this jade is of top-quality material. It was originally intended to be carved into a seal. However, our craftsmen felt it would be better suited as a pendant. But carving it into a pendant would result in significant waste, so our boss decided to just display it as is.”

What he left unsaid was that if someone wanted it carved into a pendant, the loss would be on them. But Jiang Peihuan understood.

The jade was pure white with a faint hint of red, indicating its excellent quality.

Turning to the store manager, Jiang Peihuan softly inquired, “How much is this jade?”

The manager responded, “Given its rarity, the jade carries a premium price tag of 50,000 taels..”