Chapter 112: Borrowing the Power of King Xuan

“I used to think that King Xuan was not a good man. Firstly, he is cold-hearted and has committed many wrongdoings, which makes him bad. Secondly, he holds military power and is likely to get involved in future conflicts. Moreover, the Emperor is not pleased with you, only allowing you to be a concubine, which means you will inevitably suffer. But now, looking at it, with your beauty, you are like a gem, and in this world, having such beauty can be a curse. If you married anyone else, it might cause more trouble. The world won’t blame men for having improper thoughts, only blaming you for being a disaster because of your beauty,” Madam Xue said, looking at her daughter with love.

Xue Qingyin nodded in agreement.

Madam Xue smiled and poked her with a finger: “Don’t just nod. You need to understand that since King Xuan treats you well, you must do your part and be more considerate toward him…”

Xue Qingyin immediately responded, “I have been considerate to him.”

She even had a meal with him yesterday.

If it were a few days ago, she would have gone to sleep by herself!

Madam Xue was a little skeptical.

She continued, “Also, you must not act recklessly anymore, cannot be selfish, cannot…”

Xue Qingyin quickly interrupted, “Mother, will I even live if I keep doing that?”

Madam Xue choked, “What do you mean, you won’t live?”

Xue Qingyin said, “If I am always thinking about King Xuan, then I will lose my own soul.”

Madam Xue glared at her, “What kind of reasoning is that?”

Xue Qingyin argued, “I need to live comfortably first, then I can think about King Xuan.”

Madam Xue scolded her, “You selfish thing.”

Xue Qingyin laughed, “Selfishness is better than suffering.”

Madam Xue had no words left, so she stopped talking.

One day, Mother would grow old and die.

Madam Xue didn’t say this out loud.

“We still have something to do today, Mother, stop lecturing,” Xue Qingyin said.

“What is it?” Madam Xue asked quickly, concerned.

Xue Qingyin smiled brightly, “Let’s go ahead and visit the properties.”

Madam Xue was furious but also wanted to laugh.

It seemed that everything she had just said had gone unheard by Xue Qingyin.

Inviting King Xuan to inspect the properties—what kind of behavior was that?

Wasn’t this using King Xuan’s authority to intimidate the people in charge of the properties?

But at that moment, King Xuan responded, “Alright.”

Even Madam Xue couldn’t say anything, and neither could Xue Chengdong.

He was followed by He Songning, who gave Xue Qingyin a cold, scrutinizing glance.

But Xue Qingyin didn’t look at him, as if the girl who used to cling to her brother was no longer her.

Without hesitation, Xue Qingyin moved ahead, and the group switched to the Xue family’s carriage.

Using the carriage from King Xuan’s estate was a bit too conspicuous.

The next day, there would likely be a report sent to the Emperor about how King Xuan’s concubine was acting strangely, even using his name for business matters—this would definitely tarnish the royal image.

Once they were on the carriage, Xue Qingyin said, “After we finish this inspection today, Mother should go back to the Xu family.”

Madam Xue froze for a moment.

Xue Qingyin asked when she didn’t respond, “Or has Father already reconciled with you? Are you willing to return to him?”

Madam Xue fell silent for a while, then shook her head, “No.” She added, “This matter, I will listen to you.” She turned and looked out of the window, sighing, “The one in the middle is always confused.”

Xue Qingyin said, “Where are we now? My father hasn’t even finished grieving yet. Mother, don’t be soft-hearted.”

Madam Xue couldn’t help but laugh, “Where did you learn to talk like that? Even your father is being schemed against?”

Xue Qingyin replied, “I can’t be bothered scheming against others, but when it comes to scheming against my father, that’s when I’m most excited.”

Madam Xue couldn’t hold back and laughed even louder.

Indeed, who told Xue Chengdong, as a father, to fail in his responsibilities? His daughter had once been so fond of him. Now, he had deeply offended her, and he deserved it!

Not long after, they arrived at the first shop.

Madam Xue and Xue Qingyin both got out of the carriage.

Xue Qingyin turned around and said, “There’s no need for His Highness to get out.”

This left Madam Xue puzzled.

She had specially invited King Xuan to come along, wasn’t it to take advantage of his influence? Why now was she not letting him show up?

Xue Qingyin entered the shop and casually inspected it. She also glanced over the account books and asked about the shop’s situation.

At that moment, she looked at Nong Xia.

Nong Xia immediately showed an anxious expression: “Miss, are you done looking? Let’s hurry back. His Highness King Xuan is still waiting for you in the carriage.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the people in the shop instantly changed their expressions, becoming even more fearful and respectful than before.

They knew they were not worthy to invite His Highness King Xuan into the shop for tea, so they bowed and said, “Don’t worry, Miss. We won’t dare to deceive you about the shop’s matters. In the future, we will make sure to report to you regularly. And… we shouldn’t keep His Highness waiting too long.”

If King Xuan waited too long, he definitely wouldn’t get angry with his concubine.

But their anger would naturally fall on them.

They couldn’t bear it.

Xue Qingyin lazily responded, “It’s best if you make things easier for me. Mother, Nong Xia, let’s go.”

This process repeated at each shop.

Every time Xue Qingyin looked at Nong Xia, Nong Xia would trot out the same set of words. And each time, she became more skilled.

After the operation, Madam Xue was dumbfounded.

King Xuan didn’t have to show up, thus preserving the royal dignity and preventing this noble prince from interfering in commercial matters.

But King Xuan’s influence was still effective.

The people in charge would surely remember this and know that the young lady was greatly favored at King Xuan’s residence, so no one would dare deceive her.

When the inspection was nearly over, Xue Qingyin finally said to King Xuan, “Your Highness, you have important matters to attend to, so please don’t stay with us. I’ll return to the residence on my own later.”

Madam Xue almost wanted to grab her daughter’s shoulder and shake her violently.

How could she use someone and then send them away?

That’s King Xuan!

King Xuan’s gaze flickered, but he didn’t seem surprised. He gave a slight nod and said, “Farewell, Mother-in-law.”

Madam Xue’s face turned hot, feeling that she might not have raised her daughter well. She hesitated, not daring to return King Xuan’s courtesy, and stepped aside.

After King Xuan finished speaking, he didn’t leave immediately.

He walked over to Xue Qingyin and softly said, “I’ll leave someone behind to protect you in secret.”

Xue Qingyin obediently nodded.

King Xuan suddenly felt a tingling sensation in his fingertips.

He reached out and patted her head, then turned and mounted his horse, galloping away.

Madam Xue, watching this, couldn’t help but sigh in confusion.

She had thought him cold and aloof, but it turned out he had a good temperament!

After returning to the carriage with Madam Xue, they didn’t know how long they had traveled, when the driver said, “Side Concubine, Madam, we’ve arrived.”

Madam Xue lifted the curtain, but outside was not the familiar door of the Xu family.

Instead, it was an unfamiliar residence.

The house was not large, but when the gatekeeper saw them, he immediately came up to greet them: “May I ask who you are?”

Xue Qingyin, wearing a veil, asked, “Is your master’s name Lin Bo? He has three sons, named Lin Wu, Lin Tong, and Lin Song?”

The gatekeeper was not surprised, smiling: “That’s correct. May I ask which of our young masters is your friend?”

Their master had many friends, and the young masters had learned a few skills, but mostly they made connections with beautiful women.

Therefore, seeing a woman come wasn’t unusual.

Xue Qingyin took out a letter from her sleeve. “Give this to your master. It’s a letter from the Eastern Palace. He must come meet me immediately. I have a big business deal for him. No excuses.”

Elsewhere.

In the Eastern Palace.

Jiang Hua slowly walked to the Crown Prince and whispered, “We’ve investigated. The talk around the capital about this King Xuan’s concubine is mostly about her being arrogant and mindless. She’s beautiful, but a fool.”