Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1443 Sincere sincerity, but only met with falsehood (197)

Xia Feng assumed Bing Qiao was disheartened after experiencing a major upheaval and didn't notice the subtle change in her attitude. He still eagerly urged, "Why not?"

“I will beg Her Majesty to grant you mercy and send you out of the palace to find a safe place to live in anonymity. With your looks and intelligence, you may well meet a good man who doesn’t mind your past and truly loves you.”

Even if life is a little poor, it's still better than being tormented in a den of dragons and tigers!

Upon hearing this, Bingqiao paused in her work and sneered inwardly.

A poor but good man?

She went to great lengths, even risking her innocence, not for things that are unseen and intangible, but for wealth and glory that are within her reach!

If one is truly sent out of the palace, loses their innocence, and has no one to rely on, then that would be a complete loss.

Going to the Prince's mansion, though a dangerous place, was also an opportunity.

As long as she can find a way to quell the anger of the Prince of Jin, she will have no worries about not having fine silks and satins and fine food in the future.

Bingqiao suppressed her impatience and stopped Xia Feng, who was about to turn around: "Sister Xia Feng, I appreciate your kindness. But there's no need for you to beg the Empress for my sake. I don't want to put you in a difficult position."

Seeing her so aggrieved, Xia Feng felt even more heartbroken and insisted, "We are sisters after all. It was my fault for not taking good care of you today, which is why you have suffered such a disaster."

"How could I possibly stand by and watch you jump into the fire? I must beg the Empress!"

Seeing that Xia Feng was determined to ruin things, Bing Qiao became furious. She grabbed Xia Feng's arm tightly and her voice turned cold: "I said, it's not necessary!"

Xia Feng stared at her in astonishment: "Bingqiao, you..."

Bingqiao looked directly into Xia Feng's eyes, finally tearing away her last bit of pretense: "I think going to the Prince's mansion would be a good idea."

Xia Feng is considered one of Fu Qu's successors and is being groomed for her success, so she must have exceptional qualities. She is straightforward, but by no means dull-witted.

Bingqiao's undisguised indifference and words were like a wake-up call, instantly sobering Xia Feng up.

It turns out that Bingqiao's past warm and intimate interactions with her, which she called her sister, were all an act!

Beneath the other person's gentle and diligent exterior lies a heart yearning to climb the social ladder!

Having figured this out, Xia Feng felt a chill run through his heart.

She looked at Bingqiao, who was tightening her bundle, and her voice trembled slightly: "You...all the kindness you showed me before, was it all fake?"

"You've long harbored the intention to curry favor with your master?"

Upon hearing this, Bingqiao paused in her act of tying the bundle.

Since the pretense had already been broken and she was about to leave Yongshou Palace, she decided to stop pretending and turned around, saying in a defiant manner, "So what if it is?"

Bingqiao sized Xia Feng up and down, her tone undisguisedly sarcastic: "Who in the palace doesn't want to rise to the top and become a master? Who doesn't want to live a life of privilege?"

"Xia Feng, don't tell me you haven't thought about it!"

"If one day, an opportunity were to be presented to you, to climb into the emperor's bed, or to curry favor with some powerful person... dare you say you wouldn't be tempted, wouldn't seize the opportunity?!"

Xia Feng was so angry that he trembled all over, his chest heaving violently.

She pointed at Bingqiao, her voice filled with humiliated anger: "...You! You!"

"It's true that people strive for higher positions and water flows downhill. But one should do so with integrity, not with such despicable intentions and underhanded methods!"

"How are you any different from those petty, scheming villains now?!"

Bingqiao snorted coldly, too lazy to argue with Xia Feng anymore. She grabbed the bundle on the table, turned around and left: "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together!"

She needed to leave the palace before the gates were locked.

Watching Bingqiao's retreating figure without any hesitation, Xia Feng's eyes suddenly reddened.

She treated Bingqiao with utmost sincerity, only to be met with insincerity in return...

The sadness of being deceived and let down made Xia Feng's throat tighten with emotion.

After this incident, the palace maid, who once possessed a certain naivety and sincerity, seemed to have been given a clear-headed and cold-blooded nature overnight by the cruel reality.

The inner palace is indeed the place that best fosters growth and tempers the human heart.

……

Jin Palace.

The emperor issued an edict ordering the Prince of Jin to move to the Prince's residence.

The Prince's mansion, which was once heavily guarded and staffed with solemnity, was now like a hornet's nest that had been poked open.

The servants, their faces filled with panic and unease, moved about busily carrying chests and furniture.

Shouts, clattering sounds, and whispers mingled together; where was the dignity and order that a royal palace should have been?

Several scholars, resembling advisors, gathered under the eaves, their faces filled with anxiety, constantly peering into the inner courtyard. They clearly wanted to see the Prince of Jin to discuss countermeasures, but were all turned away outside.

Previously, Consort Qi had been in charge of most of the affairs of the household, but now that she had been beaten unconscious and was unable to manage things, the staff felt completely lost, like ants on a hot plate.

When Bingqiao was led by two eunuchs to the Prince of Jin's residence, she saw a scene of panic and chaos.

She was dressed in a slightly worn dress, carrying only a small bundle in her hand, and stood out awkwardly amidst the chaos.

Seeing the scene before her, so different from what she had imagined, Bingqiao's heart sank.

The Prince of Jin's mansion was not the orderly and opulent place she had envisioned; instead, it was a scene of utter decay, with its members scattering like leaves in the wind.

Especially after coming from the strictly regulated and beautifully furnished Yongshou Palace, the huge sense of contrast was overwhelming, causing Bingqiao to subconsciously frown.

However, she quickly suppressed this displeasure.

Bingqiao took a deep breath and straightened her back.

In any case, she was no longer the servant who had to read other people's faces and be driven around by others.

From this day forward, she will be a concubine in this household, practically a mistress!

The current chaos is only temporary. As long as she keeps her mind calm and seizes the opportunity, there will always be a day when the clouds part and she can live a truly luxurious life!

With this thought, a glimmer of light rekindled in Bingqiao's eyes, deeply concealing her unease and disdain.

Bingqiao was led through the bustling front yard.

Wherever she went, whether it was servants hurriedly carrying things or staff members with solemn expressions, their gazes fell on her with undisguised hostility.

Everyone in the manor knows that the prince, who was once a noble prince, has fallen to an awkward county prince overnight, all because of the palace maids who came from Yongshou Palace!

If it weren't for her, the Prince's mansion would never have ended up like this!

However, since the prince has not yet given his orders, even though everyone is filled with hatred, they dare not openly do anything to someone sent from the palace.

Soon a servant went in to inform the Prince of Jin.

Before long, a middle-aged man who looked like a steward came out with a stern face. He glanced at Bingqiao and said coldly, "The prince wants to see you. Come with me!"

Bingqiao's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm and followed the steward through several corridors to a study.

The steward pushed open the door and stepped aside to let her in.

The study was dimly lit. Prince Jin stood with his hands behind his back by the window, exuding an undisguised chill.