sbdcsierra Chapter 1097: Was she happy when she saw the pair of jade discs? (103 million rewards)
Chapter 1097: Was she happy when she saw the pair of jade discs? (103 million rewards)
Just as the door closed, the gentle and decent smile on Lin Wan's face disappeared without a trace in an instant, like mist blown away by the cold wind.
Instead, there was an almost icy calm, except for the pain surging in the depths of those drooped eyes.
She did not leave immediately, but stood quietly outside the closed study door, her back straight, like a temperatureless jade sculpture.
Lin Xiu's suppressed cough could be faintly heard from inside the room, as well as the slight sound of papers turning.
To her ears, the coughing sounded no longer sickly, but hypocritical!
Lin Wan suddenly remembered that when she married her husband, she was dressed in red and was the envy of the whole city.
She thought she had found her true love and they would live in harmony from then on.
She took care of the house for him, was filial to her parents-in-law, and even...even endured the pressure of being childless and silently drank bowl after bowl of bitter fertility medicine!
But the result?
The result was that her husband, for the sake of a sensitive and shameless married woman, went to great lengths to deceive and trick her, and might even... have lost a life!
The disappearance of Doctor Liu always weighed heavily on Lin Wan's heart.
She walked towards her room step by step, but her thoughts became clearer.
Before, she thought that her husband was bewitched by Shen Nanqiao's seductive tactics.
But the more Lin Wan thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong.
The family has a blood feud with Concubine Chen. Even if the husband wants to find a woman, it is impossible for him to find Concubine Chen's sister.
So...why is this?
Or... he was simply attracted by Shen Nanqiao's identity and her tenuous blood relationship with Concubine Chen?
He's taking advantage of that woman!
Use her hatred and her stupidity to deal with Concubine Chen, who holds great power in the harem?
This realization instantly made Lin Wan's heart sink into an ice cellar...
It turned out that in her husband's eyes, her dignity as the legal wife, the love she had given and the grievances she had endured, were no match for his ambition to climb up the social ladder...
"Ah……"
A very light sneer escaped from Lin Wan's tightly pursed lips, carrying with it endless sadness and self-mockery.
She slowly raised her eyes, and there was no trace of tenderness or gentleness in them anymore, only icy hatred left.
……
Jin Palace.
There was only a dim candle lit in the study, and the light and shadow danced on the handsome but slightly gloomy face of Prince Jin.
Concubine Qi stood respectfully in front of the desk with her head bowed, her posture gentle. The thick makeup on her face looked even paler in the dim light, like a carefully painted mask.
She raised her eyes slightly, looked at the face of Prince Jin, and said in a brisk voice, "Your Majesty, I have already presented the Golden Thread Starlight Jade at the birthday banquet of Concubine Chen according to your instructions."
"She accepted it, and asked me to tell His Majesty that she had received His Majesty's kindness. She hoped that His Majesty would reflect on his mistakes in his palace and live up to His Majesty's expectations."
Concubine Qi deliberately emphasized the words "your heart has been received", implying that Concubine Chen seemed to have appreciated her kindness.
In her opinion, the prince's move was undoubtedly wise. Concubine Chen was in the limelight, so it was better to show her goodwill than to make enemies. This expensive gift was the best way to test the waters.
The Prince of Jin's originally careless gaze suddenly focused when he heard the words "Noble Concubine Chen".
His slender fingers unconsciously stroked the edge of the teacup. His voice sounded calm, but with a hint of tension that was barely noticeable: "Was she... happy when she saw the pair of jade discs?"
Concubine Qi was slightly startled.
The prince was not asking about Concubine Chen’s reaction.
It's not about attitude.
But... are you happy?
This focus seems a bit too strange...
A subtle sense of disobedience passed through her heart, but Concubine Qi did not dare to delve into it. She just thought that the prince was concerned about whether the gift was to her liking in order to judge the effectiveness of his attempt to win her over.
She tried hard to recall Shen Zhinian's expression at the time, and replied carefully: "Your Highness, Concubine Chen did not show much emotion at the time."
"However, she was smiling and happy when she accepted the gift. She even praised the jade bi for its rarity and said she liked it very much. I think... she must be happy."
The King of Jin repeated these four words in a low voice, as if he was savoring some delicacy: "I like it very much..."
The candlelight reflected in his bottomless eyes, and a cluster of dim and unclear light jumped out.
The corners of his lips seemed to curl up slightly, like relief, or some kind of twisted satisfaction: "As long as she likes it... that's good."
This tone, this demeanor...
Concubine Qi felt even more uncomfortable.
The prince's attention to Concubine Chen seems to go beyond simple enticement?
She suppressed her doubts and asked tentatively, "Your Highness, next...how should we further win over Concubine Chen? Is there anything else I need to do?"
"It's just that... Concubine Chen is deeply loved by the emperor and is very thoughtful. I'm afraid it's difficult to really impress her with ordinary means..."
Prince Jin's fingers that were stroking the teacup suddenly stopped.
He raised his eyes and their gaze fell heavily on Concubine Qi. His eyes were no longer the scrutiny or calculation of the past. Instead, they were covered with a thick fog, carrying emotions that Concubine Qi could not understand.
"The matter of winning over Concubine Chen..."
The King of Jin's voice returned to its usual gentle and steady tone, but it also revealed a coldness that brooked no room for questioning: "You have done very well, but you don't have to worry about it anymore. I have my own ideas."
Have your own opinion?
Concubine Qi's heart skipped a beat.
Does the prince mean that he thinks she is meddling in other people's business?
Or... is there some conspiracy behind the so-called winning over that she is not aware of?
Concubine Qi did not dare to ask any more questions, and quickly lowered her head and said respectfully, "Yes, I understand."
"If Your Majesty has no other instructions, I will take my leave."
King Jin waved his hand, his eyes returning to the book spread out in front of him, as if the inquiry with strange emotions just now had never happened.
Concubine Qi bowed and cautiously left the study.
The heavy door closed behind him, isolating the depressing and strange atmosphere in the study.
The cool autumn night breeze blew across the courtyard, causing Concubine Qi to wrap her cloak tightly around her.
She stood in the corridor, looking at the sparse stars in the sky. The lingering sense of disharmony in her heart was eventually replaced by another more familiar emotion.
Lost...
Today... the prince did not take any action.
He didn't even say a harsh word to her, but just told her coldly not to worry and sent her out.
Concubine Qi subconsciously stroked her cheeks which were covered with thick powder. This was the makeup she had carefully applied, waiting to endure the pain.
She even... vaguely looked forward to that familiar, humiliating slap or whipping.
But today there is nothing.
The prince's mind seemed to be completely occupied by the pair of jade discs that were given away and the high and mighty Concubine Chen.
To her, there is only complete neglect...
A feeling of loss gripped Concubine Qi.
She walked down the stairs slowly, her steps a little unsteady.
What a pity...I won’t be able to get beaten today.