Chapter 92 Kiss Marks Mottled; Bullied

Chapter 92: Bruised Kiss Marks – Bullied

The next day was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which should have been a lively time to see off the New Year, but the Qin residence was unusually quiet.

New Year's customs: a lantern-viewing festival during the New Year, and temple fairs on the Lantern Festival. But Qin Jiao had been kidnapped by a child trafficker at a temple fair when he was seven, and ever since then he had disliked the Lantern Festival.

In previous years, the Qin residence would be bustling with excitement during the Lantern Festival, and Qin Jiao felt annoyed but couldn't say anything. This year, however, a strange gloom had taken the cheer out of the festivities, and Qin Jiao finally had a few peaceful days.

After the New Year passed, Qin Jiao spent his days eagerly awaiting Luo Bei’s return from Nan Prefecture and Luo Ri’s findings regarding Qin Chaole and Miao Mao. Although he had lightly tested Qin Chaole that day in Qin Yuanshan’s study, Qin Jiao knew that alone was not enough.

But in the end, before Luo Bei or Luo Ri arrived, Qin Jiao first received news that a delegation from the grassland foreign tribes was coming to the court.

"I heard that this time, the delegation is led by the High Priest of the Mengqin Tribe, Wu Fei," Jiang Qingrong, who was well-informed, whispered to Qin Jiao.

"I know of this High Priest. He is the right-hand man of the current grassland leader, Wu Tuyin," Qin Jiao said.

"Yes, it's rumored that High Priest Wu Fei stands eight feet tall, with a divine eye on his forehead, and the foreign tribes regard him as a son of the gods, holding him in high esteem," Jiang Qingrong continued. "This time he's coming to the capital, supposedly to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday, but who knows what mischief they’re plotting."

Qin Jiao had also heard that the peace faction and war faction had been arguing for days over Wu Fei’s visit.

The war faction said: The foreign tribes are cunning; having just been defeated less than a year ago, their dispatch of a delegation must be a trick. They should not be allowed to come!

The peace faction countered: In war, envoys are not to be killed; war harms the people. Why not take this opportunity to negotiate peace? They suggested treating them courteously, with a mix of kindness and authority, to show the greatness of our nation.

The two factions argued for days, until finally Lin Wen and the Prince of Lingnan, former bitter enemies, reached a consensus.

In the world of nations, there are no eternal enemies. The way of governance should be benevolent, winning the hearts of all under heaven.

Thus, Wu Fei’s visit was decided.

Jiang Qingrong continued muttering, "In my opinion, we shouldn’t have agreed to let the foreign tribes come. I have a feeling they’re up to something."

Qin Jiao chuckled lightly, "Deal with each situation as it comes. Whatever they plan, we have nothing to fear."

The Prince of Lingnan had decisively defeated Wu Tuyin at Jing Pass earlier in the year, so their delegation came with much lower confidence. Qin Jiao wasn’t too worried.

Jiang Qingrong suddenly realized, "That’s true. Their own internal strife has barely died down; they probably don’t have the energy to travel thousands of miles just to cause trouble."

Beyond Jing Pass, the foreign tribes consisted of numerous fierce nomadic clans occupying the grasslands. The men were robust and skilled in horse archery, while the women were equally capable and bold. Three years ago, Wu Tuyin, leader of the Mengqin tribe, launched a surprise attack on Jing Pass when the Tianyuan Dynasty was without a ruler. The war lasted three years, ending with Wu Tuyin’s defeat.

As for Wu Tuyin, he was no pushover.

During the three-year conflict, with troops stretched thin, Wu Tuyin simultaneously resisted Xie Nai while instructing Wu Fei to use various means to subdue other grassland tribes and bring them under his control. It was said that after Wu Tuyin’s defeat, some tribes refused to submit and tried to rebel internally, but he crushed them with an iron fist. Thus, although ultimately defeated, the Mengqin tribe united the clans under a single command, becoming the leading foreign tribe.

"Besides, the Prince of Lingnan is in charge of receiving the delegation this time, so even if they come with ill intentions, we have nothing to fear," Jiang Qingrong laughed boldly. "We’ll show them what’s what!"

Qin Jiao nodded in agreement.

The Prince of Lingnan was like a guardian deity; his role was more about intimidation and deterrence than hospitality.

Speaking of the Prince of Lingnan, Jiang Qingrong’s eyes flickered as he looked at Qin Jiao. "I heard that when Chancellor Lin went to the Qin residence to break off the engagement a few days ago, the Prince of Lingnan was also present?"

Qin Jiao stopped, his teacup halfway to his lips. "How do you know?"

Jiang Qingrong gave a sly grin. "I have a source."

Qin Jiao thought for a moment. "Qin Han?"

Jiang Qingrong didn’t deny it, which all but confirmed Qin Jiao’s guess.

"I didn't realize you've become so close with Qin Han." Qin Jiao tapped the table. "Madam Yu is a scheming person; you and Qin Han need to think carefully..."

That night, Qin Ji and Qin Han were whispering, clearly having something to tell him, but after the New Year, the two siblings acted as if nothing had happened. Qin Jiao thought that Yu Shuhan must have told them something to calm them down.

"Where are your thoughts going?" Jiang Qingrong interrupted Qin Jiao. "I just thought the spicy roasted lamb tendons she gave me were good, and when I reciprocated with date paste cakes, we chatted casually and your name came up."

"If you say so." Qin Jiao spread his hands, with a teasing look that said, 'Say what you want—I won't believe you anyway.'

Annoyed by the look, Jiang Qingrong said, "Fine, you're making fun of this Prince, aren't you! I haven't even asked you yet, what's up with your neck?"

Jiang Qingrong pointed at the mottled marks on Qin Jiao's neck, like red plum blossoms.

Qin Jiao looked at Jiang Qingrong, startled, he quickly covered his neck, his face slightly red.

Jiang Qingrong had a triumphant expression as if he had regained the upper hand. "What are you covering? I've seen it for a while now."

Jiang Qingrong hadn't seen Qin Jiao for a long time, so today he finally managed to invite him out for tea.

Qin Jiao was always sensitive to cold, so at first Jiang Qingrong didn't pay attention to the fox fur scarf around his neck. It wasn't until just now, when the charcoal fire in the private room made Qin Jiao so warm he unconsciously loosened his scarf, that Jiang Qingrong noticed the dotted red marks on his neck.

They were all adults, and Jiang Qingrong didn't intend to gossip, but who knew that although he didn't gossip about others, others would gossip about him?

Could Prince Jiang let that slide?

"Spring hasn't even started yet; don't tell me those are mosquito bites on your neck."

"Just drink your tea!"

Jiang Qingrong's voice was teasing, and Qin Jiao didn't dare to respond, only drinking his tea while silently cursing that scoundrel Xie Nai in his heart.

It was both funny and frustrating. After they parted at the stall on Jinxing South Street that night, when Qin Jiao next saw Xie Nai, he still "had a spat" with him, and in the end, Qin Jiao "came off worse," getting "picked on" quite badly.

Let's go back to a few days earlier, the day Lin Wen came to the Qin mansion to annul the engagement.

"Eldest Young Master, it's terrible! Prime Minister Lin has come to the mansion again to annul the engagement!" Early in the morning, Steward Wen rushed into Mount Sunset Residence in a panic.

At that time, Qin Jiao had just finished his breakfast. As soon as Cong Shuang heard Steward Wen's words, she couldn't help showing a delighted expression: "Young Master, let's hurry to the front hall and see."

Lin Wen's coming again to annul the engagement was completely within Qin Jiao's expectations. Earlier, Lin Wen had been busy with the Market Inspectorate affairs, and now he must have found the time. Naturally, Qin Jiao was willing to cooperate with him in dissolving the engagement.

After following Steward Wen to the front hall, the first person Qin Jiao saw wasn't Lin Wen, but his cousin Ning Zhong, who was studying in Lingbei. What a coincidence—Qin Jiao had mentioned Ning Zhong to Xie Nai just the other day.

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