Chapter 104: Qin Jiao Trapped

Chapter 104: Qin Jiao Trapped

The detached villa at the Northern Suburb Forest Farm was built beside a winding mountain stream boardwalk.

In early spring, the mountain stream suddenly swelled, and overlapping layers of jagged rocks, piercing through the spring chill of the stream, startled the new swallows under the eaves into fluttering and chirping. A luminous white pear blossom branch swayed gently, spreading out a full view of spring's brilliance.

"We've arrived, Young Master Qin, please." Eunuch Bai made a gesture for Qin Jiao to proceed.

"Am I going in alone?" Qin Jiao paused at the half-closed carved door.

It wasn't that Qin Jiao was overthinking, but Xie Nai had previously mentioned that Xie Chengyi was recuperating in this villa after his illness.

What if he pushed open the door and was caught by Xie Chengyi? Wouldn't that be like walking right into the tiger's mouth?

Eunuch Bai glared with wide eyes and raised brows: "Surely you don't expect me to find a dozen people to carry you in on an eight-person sedan chair?"

Qin Jiao: "..."

So what exactly had he done to offend this Eunuch Bai, that he was so relentlessly determined to make things difficult for him? Once wasn't enough, then twice, and now a third time.

"Brother."

Just as Qin Jiao was pondering, the half-closed carved door opened from within, revealing Qin Chaole's handsome face.

Qin Jiao was somewhat puzzled: "Third brother is here too?"

Qin Chaole seemed to have completely forgotten the discord that had occurred between them during the "archery contest" earlier. He explained in a low voice: "The Noble Consort Dowager has summoned both of us at the same time."

Hearing this, Qin Jiao discreetly glanced at Qin Yuanshan and Eunuch Bai, hesitating inwardly. Qin Chaole, as if seeing through his concerns, slowly said: "The Second Prince's leg injury has relapsed, and he is not in the hall at the moment."

Qin Jiao raised his eyes to look at Qin Chaole but said nothing.

As if unaware of Qin Jiao's thoughtful gaze, "Hurry in," Qin Chaole reached out and pulled Qin Jiao, and the two entered the hall together.

"Bang—"

As soon as they entered, the heavy carved door slammed shut.

Eunuch Bai shook the duster in his hand and said: "Lord Vice Minister, Guard Luo, please wait here and have some tea."

Luo Yue stood cold-faced, unmoving: "No need."

"Fine, suit yourself." Eunuch Bai's expression was with a wry smile, then he looked at Qin Yuanshan: "Lord Qin, let's go."

Qin Yuanshan: "Very well, you go first, Eunuch..."

Qin Jiao and Qin Chaole stepped into the hall and first saw a dozen palace maids holding various utensils and food. Then a stern-faced matron came over and led them deeper inside.

Accompanied by the sound of the babbling stream and the chirping of new swallows, Qin Jiao met the legendary Consort Dowager Ying.

She appeared to be about fifty years old, wearing a palace robe with a dark blue water-wave pattern, a diancui (kingfisher-feather) forehead ornament, exuding dignity and nobility. The mountain stream gurgled, gradually forming a small pool below the villa. Because of the slight chill near the water, Consort Dowager Ying had a thin silver mink blanket draped over her legs.

At that moment, two young maids were kneeling to pound her legs, while two others were massaging her shoulders and temples on either side. Miao Mao also stood nearby, apparently having just finished a consultation for Consort Dowager Ying.

"You are Qin Jiao?" Consort Dowager Ying at the head slightly raised her eyes to scan Qin Jiao.

"Your Highness, this commoner is indeed Qin Jiao."

As Qin Jiao knelt to pay his respects, he couldn't help thinking: Xie Chengyi, Eunuch Bai, and Consort Dowager Ying were truly of the same ilk—the first thing they all asked when they saw him was, "You are Qin Jiao?"

Clearly, they had already investigated him thoroughly, yet they pretended to be ignorant. He wondered what the fun was in that.

Qin Jiao grumbled inwardly.

"You certainly have a handsome face." Consort Dowager Ying did not tell Qin Jiao to rise but instead began to appraise his looks.

Qin Jiao immediately lowered his head deeply: "Your Highness flatters me."

Consort Dowager Ying then looked at Qin Chaole, who was kneeling beside Qin Jiao. "Qin Yuanshan is truly blessed to have two such handsome sons. No wonder my worthless son is so bewitched by you that he's lost his mind."

"Your Highness, this commoner would never dare. You must be mistaken."

"Your Highness, please see clearly. How could Chaole do such a thing!"

At Consort Dowager Ying's words, Qin Jiao and Qin Chaole responded—one with a righteous and stern rebuttal, the other prostrating even lower, his face filled with terror.

"Whether you dare or not, you know in your hearts." Consort Dowager Ying waved her hand, and the maids pounding her legs silently withdrew. She stood up and slowly walked before Qin Jiao and Qin Chaole, her voice icy:

"Do not think I am unaware of the despicable things you have done!"

At this moment, Qin Jiao finally understood why Eunuch Bai had such malice toward him—like mistress, like servant.

The hall fell silent, making the sound of the mountain stream even more melodious.

Consort Dowager Ying's words were sharp, her gaze like a knife. "I summoned you today to give you a warning. Chengyi is the most noble prince of the Tianyuan Dynasty. I will never allow him to go astray because of you."

Qin Jiao, neither servile nor arrogant, replied: "There is a saying: 'Strict self-discipline is the foundation of character.' But if the Second Prince himself is not upright, how can he blame the innocent?"

Consort Dowager Ying was furious: "How dare you!"

"Your Highness, calm down!"

Seeing their mistress enraged, the roomful of maids and eunuchs knelt in panic, dropping like dumplings into boiling water. Miao Mao also knelt with the others, trying to soothe Consort Dowager Ying: "Please calm your mind, Your Highness, you are already prone to excessive worry; you must not let anger harm your health."

"With such a vexing situation, how can I not be angry!" Consort Dowager Ying said bitterly. "My son is weak-willed, letting these frivolous temptresses lure him away."

Qin Jiao, neither servile nor arrogant, replied: "It is Your Highness who is blinded by a single leaf, unable to see the true nature."

Qin Jiao felt he had grievances he couldn't voice. What frivolous temptresses? Consort Dowager Ying's victim-blaming logic was truly indescribable.

"Is it I who am blinded by a leaf, or are you two brothers shameless and discontent with your proper station?"

Consort Dowager Ying sneered disdainfully, pointing at Qin Chaole, who had remained silent. "This Qin Chaole has been bewitching my son for three years. Do you think I didn't know? I didn't punish him only because I didn't want to hurt my son's heart!"

"Chaole would never dare to bewitch the Second Prince. I beg Your Highness to see clearly." As Qin Chaole spoke, his slender body trembled slightly, as if terrified.

"Your Highness's words are incorrect." Qin Jiao gave a cold, silent laugh. "As the saying goes, 'It takes two to tango,' doesn't it?"

Qin Jiao did not hide from Consort Dowager Ying and Qin Chaole that he knew about the relationship between Xie Chengyi and Qin Chaole. He wasn't intentionally speaking for Qin Chaole, but because in the current situation, he and Qin Chaole were forced into the same boat.

If Consort Dowager Ying insisted that Qin Chaole had deliberately bewitched Xie Chengyi, then Qin Jiao himself would also be splashed with mud.

"And what kind of decent goods do you think you are?" Consort Dowager Ying looked down at Qin Jiao. "I heard that Lin Wen recently broke off his engagement with you, and now the guard waiting outside the hall is a close guard of the Prince of Lingnan."

"Leaving Lin Wen, then getting entangled with the Prince of Lingnan, and even seducing my son in between—I truly have never seen a character like you. Even a femme fatale wouldn't be as capable as you." Consort Dowager Ying said contemptuously.

Even a clay figurine has a temper, let alone Qin Jiao, who was not a clay figurine. Being slandered and mocked by Consort Dowager Ying for no reason, he could no longer maintain his calm and composed demeanor.

Qin Jiao's tone became somewhat sharp: "Your Highness's skill in twisting right and wrong is also something this commoner has encountered for the first time."

Qin Jiao tried to keep quiet, but he just couldn't help himself. He snorted in derision and said, "As a commoner, I never got it before how the Second Prince, despite his noble status, could have developed such immoral and disgraceful conduct. Now I see he learned it all from you, Your Highness."

Seeing that Qin Jiao seemed to be losing all restraint, Miao Mao quickly admonished, "Don't be reckless, Young Master Qin! That's a huge offense!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Noble Consort Dowager Ying suddenly hurled her teacup to the ground with a fierce crash. Amidst the flying shards of porcelain, the stern nanny who had led them in abruptly charged toward Qin Jiao.

"Such a sharp tongue, defying your superiors!" Noble Consort Dowager Ying said, twisting her mouth into a flat, expressionless smile. "Vice Minister of Rites has failed in teaching his son. Nanny Yan, teach him some manners."

"Yes!"

Nanny Yan responded while reaching out toward Qin Jiao.

"Noble Consort Dowager, forgive us! My elder brother was just momentarily out of his mind. He did not mean to offend Your Highness. Please be merciful!"

Just as Nanny Yan's hand reached out, Qin Chaole leaned forward to shield Qin Jiao. Qin Jiao turned his head and gave Qin Chaole a half-smiling look, but said nothing.

"Someone, seize him!" Nanny Yan had no interest in watching any display of brotherly affection. With a wave of her hand, several young eunuchs swarmed around Qin Jiao...

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