Chapter 242
Chapter 242
In the future, this Red Earth City will be made as safe as possible. Every time someone enters or leaves, they will be inspected. If they were truly bandits, they would have been caught since they returned from the robbery.
Returning to the present situation, Yueqian did not include explanations about the workings of Red Earth City. She merely highlighted important points, such as the roads, to make it easier to understand and navigate for visitors. Of course, people from the Hu Region wouldn’t have that much time, but it was easier to understand.
In fact, opening the Region’s map for others to see is highly inappropriate because it could open an avenue for easy attacks.
However, this situation is different. The other party is the Hu Region. If they truly wanted to deal with the people of Bai Region, would they need to look at a map? Bringing a larger army could easily handle it. Therefore, it was not necessary at all.
The emperor and nobles thought the same. Therefore, everyone told Yueqian to prepare for this. She needed to make a map and clearly mark points on the map, indicating where the Ming Fa flowers were planted, how much yield they produced, how much medicine they could make, and how many people they could treat. That was all she had to do.
She and her husband spent a considerable amount of time on this. After a few days, they heard news from Concubine Ji regarding her servant. It was said that the servant had a quarrel with a court lady of the Second Prince, and thus was severely punished by being sold off.
The fact that the other party sent this news was actually to save face for her, the original owner. Yueqian understood that the other party wanted to apologize to her through this action. Otherwise, how could a newly adopted servant cause trouble so quickly? It seemed like a setup by the two concubines.
Yueqian didn’t think much of the two victims. She simply replied to the letter, thanking both for their help, and showing that she did not hold a grudge against them for unknowingly cooperating with Consort Gui.
In fact, she had heard that the new consort, Consort Jia, was not ineffective. Though she was quiet, she managed the Second Prince’s harem with an iron fist. Wherever she went, people were afraid.
This woman had only been there a few days but had memorized all the palace rules and enforced them strictly. Right was right, wrong was wrong, with no leniency whatsoever.
It was said that many consorts had been whipped until their backs were scarred for breaking the rules, unlike when Consort Gui was in charge. Consort Gui truly loved the Second Prince and did not want to appear harsh in front of him, often pretending to be kind-hearted.
As a result, many concubines who committed wrongs went unpunished, leading to the current situation. Otherwise, how could someone be whipped every other day? Concubine Ji and Concubine Ping had also suffered quite a bit. They received their punishment in this manner. Yueqian did not wish to hold any grudges anymore.
However, time waits for no one. Despite the many events in the Bai Region, the delegation from the Hu Region finally arrived.
Everyone in the Region had to wake up at the crack of dawn to welcome the delegation from the Hu Region. Even many of the townspeople were excited. Everyone knew how important the people from the Hu Region were.
Today, Mu Heng was dressed in full regalia, the official attire granted by the emperor. Yueqian, on the other hand, dressed simply yet elegantly. She now had a lot of wealth and was the owner of the Jade Cold Palace. How could she dress as shabbily as before? Thus, she looked exceptionally beautiful today, different from when she was Young Miss Qin, who dressed luxuriously but looked very much like a peacock.
If those who had known eldest Young Miss Qin Yueqian before saw her now, they might be shocked by her transformation. The villainess who always stood out as a laughingstock was now standing confidently, becoming a beauty capable of catching the eyes of many men.
Since they were part of the welcoming committee, they had to stand in orderly rows. Others didn’t find it too difficult, but Yueqian, being pregnant, was allowed to sit and rest while waiting. This privilege was not easily granted and was, of course, due to the Wang’s orders, allowing her to sit and wait.
She raised her fan and waved it gently without much concern. Today, men and women were not separated, but Mu Heng, being one of the nobles, albeit a lower-ranking one, had to stand farther away from their group.
Yueqian glanced at her husband standing at the end of the officials’ row and smiled slightly. Today, he was especially handsome, perfectly fitting the image of a man who could capture the hearts of beauties.
Seeing the appearance of the young misses from prominent families, Yueqian couldn’t help but smirk. It was a laughable coincidence. The status of the eldest young miss of the Wei family was so high that she stood at the front of all the women. Coupled with Mu Heng’s position at the end of the officials’ row, it resulted in Mu Heng being at the front, while Wei Mudan stood in the row behind him.
This beautiful woman was as stunning as ever. Her face was exquisite and dignified, making everyone take a second look at her beauty. Dressed in light pink with golden embroidery adding a touch of luxury, people’s eyes were often drawn to her attire and her adorned face that complemented it perfectly.
Wei Mudan stood beside Consort Jia, who didn’t say much, merely standing in her proper position. Next to her was the consort of the Crown Prince, who stood with her close attendants. She had spoken a few words earlier, but it did not change Consort Jia’s expression. Only the Crown Prince’s consort seemed startled by the silence.
Watching the drama from afar, Yueqian felt the urge for a few cups of floral tea. At that moment, Consort Jia’s eyes met hers. Their gazes locked for a long time before Yueqian, still seated, respectfully acknowledged her. She had already paid her respect when they first met, but who would have thought that while she was enjoying the show, she would get caught.
Consort Jia turned to speak briefly with those around her before walking away. Since the delegation had not yet arrived, she was not too strict about maintaining the welcoming line.
"Furen Mu, how are you?" The other party asked in a calm tone, her face revealing little emotion. So, Yueqian could not discern her intentions. The beautiful pregnant woman glanced briefly at the consort and pretended to stand, prompting the other to stop her.
"No need to get up, please continue to rest," the consort said calmly. Yueqian thanked her and sat back down.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I have been experiencing severe morning sickness lately, but it’s getting better," she responded, mindful of the initial question that the other party asked.
"Is that so? Pregnancy must be very tiring for you. I have heard a lot about your reputation. Furthermore, the successful arrival of the Hu Region delegation is all due to your capabilities," Consort Jia remarked, her tone sincere despite maintaining a steady voice. Yueqian felt that she meant it.
"Thank you for acknowledging my small reputation, Your Highness. In truth, I haven’t done much, just applied some of the knowledge I had learned previously," Yueqian replied, her tone equally friendly.
"Is that so?" Consort Jia looked into Yueqian’s eyes, as if trying to read her thoughts. Yueqian smiled in return and met her sharp gaze steadily.
Who said only Consort Jia was curious about her thoughts? Yueqian was equally interested in what the stoic woman like Consort Jia who approached her first, had on her mind.
They stared at each other for a moment before the consort averted her gaze to avoid drawing attention.
"You are exactly as my senior described, intelligent but quite formidable," Consort Jia suddenly said, even calling Yueqian formidable, which raised her eyebrows in puzzlement.
"Senior?"
"Yes, the one you summoned with an arrow. The Wang you refer to is my senior disciple brother." Suddenly, this revelation left Yueqian feeling puzzled deep inside.
So, Consort Jia is the junior disciple of the Wang? What does this mean? Did the Wang plan to help his nephew by finding him a wife?
Of course, that wasn’t the case. It was all coincidental. Women who trained in martial arts were often not accepted by society, so Consort Jia had to secretly study without her parents’ knowledge, pretending to live with her grandfather to learn better. In reality, she had done something disgraceful, joining the same school as the Wang without him knowing.
It wasn’t until she became a consort and met the Wang face-to-face that she revealed the truth, which greatly surprised the Wang. He never expected to have a junior disciple from the same master. However, as the future empress, Consort Jia couldn’t disclose this.
But she had told Yueqian, indicating a high level of trust in her. Perhaps the Wang had said something, leading to this result.
Yueqian frowned further. A woman daring to study martial arts was certainly not seen as proper. Women of this era were expected to know only the arts and skills of pleasing their husbands, leaving combat to men. Yet, Consort Jia had shared this with her, and it seemed like a hint of looming trouble was beginning to surface.
"My senior praises you highly. I had thought of inviting you to the palace, but I heard you were busy preparing for the performance for the Hu Region delegation and didn’t want to disturb you."
"No need to worry, Your Highness. If you wish to see me, there is no need to hesitate. I am at your service," Yueqian responded politely, making Consort Jia chuckle.
"Not only are you thoughtful, but you are also quite skilled in performing," the noblewoman remarked, glancing at Yueqian with a sidelong look.
".............." The young woman remained silent, not saying a word. Consort Jia maintained her composure, yet she subtly extended her neck and glanced around politely, not appearing nervous at all. Whether it was due to her acting skills or her inherently cold demeanor, Yueqian couldn’t help but feel a certain admiration for her.
Seeing that no one around was paying much attention, the consort mouthed a few silent words and then departed, leaving Yueqian standing there, stunned.
"Your ex-fiancé is here too." Those seven syllables sent a shiver down Yueqian’s spine. An uneasy feeling settled in her chest. If those words meant what she thought, the upcoming events could become quite chaotic!