Chapter 436 - 434: The Calamity of Her Lifetime (2 Updates)

Chapter 436: Chapter 434: The Calamity of Her Lifetime (2 Updates)

Xu Jing couldn’t quite see through the woman before her. She remained silent for a moment before speaking very officially, "If the Imperial Concubine truly wishes for this, the Holy Emperor will undoubtedly strive to fulfill your wish."

Princess Consort Ling looked directly at Xu Jing, with a faint smile that seemed to hold both amusement and skepticism, "Even though Miss Xu says that, the expression on your face clearly shows you don’t believe me.

That’s understandable, they say blood is thicker than water. No matter what I say, the Jiang Family blood that flows in me cannot be cut off. Not to mention, your husband ended up on a perilous battlefield because of the Jiang Family. It’s normal for Miss Xu to worry that I might side with those Jiang Family traitors.

When Miss Xu saw me for the first time, your expression seemed somewhat startled, likely mistaking me for someone else."

The corner of Xu Jing’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

She believed her momentary lapse had been quickly concealed.

Yet, who would have thought Princess Consort Ling would still notice?

"Let’s do this. To prove my sincerity, I’ll tell Miss Xu something."

Princess Consort Ling picked up a tea cup, took a light sip, and said in a calm voice, "Among the soldiers General Han brought, there are two named Qiao Yixing and Fang Yan, who Miss Xu can ask General Han to investigate. They should both be from the Jiang Family."

This unexpected statement from Princess Consort Ling gave everyone a slight shock, and Governor Zhang nearly instantly cast an incredulous glance at Xu Jing.

Xu Jing did not return his gaze, instead, she deeply looked at Princess Consort Ling and asked, "Since the Imperial Concubine knows they are from the Jiang Family, why didn’t you inform General Han beforehand?"

Princess Consort Ling glanced at Xu Jing with a light smile, "Miss Xu suspects that I’m playing some sort of trick? I didn’t inform General Han earlier because I only confirmed in the past two days that they were from the Jiang Family.

In fact, yesterday afternoon, after finishing my dinner, while I was taking a walk in the backyard of the inn, this soldier named Qiao Yixing suddenly emerged from a corner and bumped into me.

He took the opportunity to slip a note into my hand, and at that moment, I saw another soldier sneakingly watching us from a distance—that was Fang Yan.

I am sure Qiao Yixing is from the Jiang Family. As for whether Fang Yan is or not, I do not know.

Their names were discovered by Nanny Lu, even if Miss Xu hadn’t come today, I intended to inform General Han."

Xu Jing looked at her for a moment and said, "Is the Imperial Concubine willing to show me the note you received yesterday?"

"Why not," she replied.

Princess Consort Ling turned to Nanny Lu and said, "Nanny Lu, give the note to Miss Xu."

Nanny Lu, a woman in her fifties, dressed in a deep purple robe with her half-black, half-gray hair meticulously combed, had a stern face that gave off a no-nonsense aura.

She nodded and turned to a nearby vanity table, retrieving a folded piece of paper from beneath an opened three-tiered box, and respectfully handed it to Xu Jing, "Please have a look, Miss Xu."

The note, when folded, was small, about a quarter of a palm in size, but when unfolded, it was as large as a hand.

There wasn’t a word on it, only a seal stamped right in the center, with the character "Jiang" on it, grand and upright.

It was the Jiang Family’s seal!

At this point, Princess Consort Ling spoke, "This is the seal that only the Family Head of the Jiang Family can inherit. Others might not recognize it, but anyone from the Jiang Family would instantly know it.

Qiao Yixing gave me this note likely just to reveal his identity, hinting for me to find a chance to meet him."

This seemed to be a way of probing, testing Princess Consort Ling’s stance towards the Jiang Family.

Princess Consort Ling was now revealing such a monumental secret to her; could it be that she had indeed made up her mind not to collaborate with the Jiang Family?

Xu Jing looked at the note in her hand, silent for a long while.

Meanwhile, Governor Zhang couldn’t hold back and, after a bow, said, "I will immediately report this to General Han once I leave. If the Imperial Concubine discovers anything else, please share it with us promptly."

Princess Consort Ling gave a faint smile and replied, "Naturally, I wish for you to safely escort the Prince Ling and me to the Western Capital."

Xu Jing finally tore her gaze from the note and looked at Princess Consort Ling, "Is it customary for the Imperial Concubine to take walks in the courtyard after dinner?"

Perhaps this question was too abrupt, as Princess Consort Ling raised an eyebrow slightly before saying, "I am but a woman of the inner chambers, with little to occupy my time beyond reading, writing, and taking walks. Throughout this journey, it’s either being in the carriage or in the inns. Walking is the only activity left that can relieve some of my tension.

Whenever I have time, after meals, I always take a stroll."

Xu Jing nodded, "I’ve just paid a visit to Prince Ling. He has been suffering from a persistent chill due to the recent events, and I was worried if the Imperial Concubine might be similarly affected."

This seemed to suggest that Princess Consort Ling had a heart of stone, unmoved even by the deaths of those around her.

Nanny Lu immediately furrowed her brows, giving Xu Jing a look of implicit discontent, her voice slightly grave, "Miss Xu may not know, but the Imperial Concubine has been troubled by all that has happened; she hardly sleeps at night and often awakes very early. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent people to buy calming tea the other day.

After the Prince Ling was harmed, the Imperial Concubine has been constantly blaming herself, feeling that she drew the trouble to Princess Ling..."

After all, if Princess Consort Ling weren’t of the Jiang Family, they wouldn’t be hurriedly taken to the Western Capital.

Perhaps Princess Ling might not have met with such misfortune.

"Nanny Lu, there’s no need to speak further."

Princess Consort Ling lightly interrupted Nanny Lu, looked at Xu Jing with a faint smile, "Indeed, those poor souls met such terrible ends because of me.

Especially Dongxue; had I not woken up early that day, she might not have encountered misfortune...

The Jiang Family is truly my lifelong calamity. How I wish I hadn’t been born into the Jiang Family."

Yet her smile at this moment was evidently strained and bitter.

When mentioning the Jiang Family, a flash of undisguisable hatred flickered in her eyes.

Nanny Lu immediately said, "Please don’t say such things, Imperial Concubine. How can anyone blame you for this?"

Xu Jing watched them for a moment and said, "Indeed, blood ties are ordained by heaven, human decisions cannot change them. Imperial Concubine, please don’t dwell too much on it, lest it harms your health.

By the way, Nanny Lu, on the night Princess Ling was harmed, you went to her room. Could you details about that event?"

Perhaps seeing Xu Jing console Princess Consort Ling, Nanny Lu’s attitude towards Xu Jing softened, she nodded and said, "Certainly. That night, at the behest of the Imperial Concubine, I brought a cup of Calming Tea to Princess Ling. However, upon entering, Qiuwen informed me that Princess Ling had just fallen asleep after reading while leaning against the bed, and if I had delayed, they would’ve put out the lights to sleep."

So, I placed the tea on the table in the outer room, instructed Qiuwen that if Princess Ling woke before the tea completely cooled, she could have it; otherwise, let her and Bishui drink it themselves."

Xu Jing nodded, "The guards outside said you stayed in the room for a while before leaving, if just to place tea, there would be no need to tarry so long?"

"Indeed, but I noticed Qiuwen didn’t look well and worried something might be amiss, so I asked her a few more questions."

Xu Jing: "She didn’t look well?"

"Yes, I reckoned Qiuwen was just frightened; given the crimes happening lately, her nerves were frail. Serving by Princess Ling’s side, during such tumultuous times, I couldn’t help but admonish her to maintain composure and not affect the Princess."

Xu Jing mused, "Was the Princess already asleep at that time? Weren’t you afraid of disturbing her rest?"

Nanny Lu hesitated, "That was indeed thoughtless of me. I only acted out of concern, but I did take Qiuwen to a corner and spoke in hushed tones, hoping not to disturb the Princess."

Xu Jing nodded, suddenly turning to the side where Dongyang was standing, "I heard that Dongyang can’t speak?"

This time, it was Princess Consort Ling who answered, looking affectionately at Dongyang, "Indeed, this child was born mute. I met her on our first day in Qi State when she was small, kneeling by the roadside, selling herself to bury her father. Seeing it hurt my heart, I decided to take her in.

She was only around seven years old at the time, and look at her now, all grown."

Dongyang, hearing this, looked at Princess Consort Ling with a slightly embarrassed smile, her eyes gentle and innocent like a little puppy.