Chapter 72 Abandoned

The Anding Marquis mansion searched high and low for Zhao Qing Qing’s whereabouts. The Zhao family and all of Zhao Qing Qing’s properties were searched, but she was nowhere to be found~

Thinking about what the Anding Marquis wife said, that Zhao Qing Qing’s carriage headed towards the direction of the Blue Stone Alley that day, the Mr. Hou expression turned dark~

At the Peng Shang Shu Mansion.

The Fifth Prince, disguised as a eunuch, was sitting opposite Zhao Qing Qing.

“Teacher, you acted impulsively~”

Unlike his usual timid and weak demeanor, the Fifth Prince appeared calm and composed. Despite his young age, he already had a calculating look.

At this moment, Zhao Qing Qing also regretted killing An Shaoyu. Although it relieved her anger, it disrupted all her plans.

But she didn’t want to admit her regret, “Without An Shaoyu, without the Anding Marquis mansion, I can still help you succeed. In this court, it’s not only the Anding Marquis mansion that has insignificant military power in hand.”

“The weapon in my hand is the key.”

Zhao Qing Qing looked at the Fifth Prince. She knew that the Peng family was not too keen on protecting her.

She had to convince the Fifth Prince.

“Teacher, what exactly is this weapon you were talking about?”

Even to the Fifth Prince, Zhao Qing Qing had no intention of revealing it, “When the time comes, I will present it to you Your Highness.”

“Since this item is so important, and you can’t go out now to prevent any dissent among your subordinates, why not tell me where it is, and I will take care of it.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qing Qing’s eyes revealed a sense of desolation, “Your Highness, back then, you had nothing, even the Virtuous Consort and the Peng family were unwilling to help you. It was me who led you step by step to where you are today, strategizing for you, earning money to buy people’s hearts. Now that I’ve just killed An Shaoyu, are you also thinking of abandoning me?”

There was a moment of avoidance in the Fifth Prince’s gaze, then he looked at Zhao Qing Qing sincerely, “Teacher, what are you saying? You are the person I trust the most. How could I possibly abandon you.”

“If you have everything arranged, I won’t ask further.”

Zhao Qing Qing remained noncommittal.

She had decisively killed An Shaoyu, but she still felt deeply hurt.

She had once believed in him so much, her feelings for him were genuine~

Seeing Zhao Qing Qing in a bad mood, the Fifth Prince reassured her, “Teacher, stay at the Peng Mansion with peace of mind. I will find a way to resolve this matter. I sneaked out of the palace today and must hurry back. I will come to see you another day.”

Zhao Qing Qing nodded.

Outside the pavilion, Peng Shang Shu and his eldest son, the father and brother of the Virtuous Consort, were waiting.

The Fifth Prince went over and bowed, “Grandfather, Uncle.”

Peng Shang Shu the fifth prince grandfather, “Your Highness is a royal descendant, you shouldn’t bow to an old minister.”

The Fifth Prince obediently replied, “Of course you’re the father of my mother.  It’s only natural to bow to you Grandfather.”

Both Peng Shang Shu and his son were very pleased and asked, “Your Highness, did Zhao Qing Qing mention where the powerful weapon is?”

The Fifth Prince shook his head.

Peng’s elder brother sighed, “I wonder where Zhao Qing Qing got it from and where she kept it. How significant is it?”

Peng Shang Shu said, “In that case, let’s first protect Zhao Qing Qing.”

“Thank you, Grandfather and Uncle~”

“Your Highness is too polite.”

The father and son quietly sent the Fifth Prince back to the palace.

—–

The next day.

The Anding Marquis sent an invitation to see Peng Shang Shu.

Although he had just experienced the pain of losing a son, the Anding Marquis did not lose his composure and remained calm.

Peng Shang Shu invited the Anding Marquis to the hall and greeted him with a sorrowful expression, “Mr. Hou, please accept my condolences. Don’t be too sad and it will harm your health.”

The Anding Marquis furrowed his brows, unable to contain his sorrow, “Misfortune has befallen the family, misfortune!”

“That Zhao Qing Qing, that merchant’s daughter, is truly ungrateful. I don’t know where she ran off to, and we still haven’t found her.” The Anding Marquis spoke while closely watching Peng Shang Shu’s face.

Peng Shang Shu remained expressionless and responded, “Indeed, she is despicable, incredibly jealous!”

The Anding Marquis glanced at the servants around the reception hall.

Peng Shang Shu’s eyelids twitched, and he ordered the servants to leave the room.

The Anding Marquis’s expression turned serious, “Mr. Peng, let’s speak frankly. Hand over Zhao Qing Qing!”

Peng Shang Shu maintained his expression, “Mr. Hou, I don’t understand what you’re saying. How could your daughter-in-law end up at our house!”

The Anding Marquis wrote the character in front of them on the table.

Peng Shang Shu was about to deny it when Mr. Hou interrupted, “One of the maids in the house saw Zhao Qing Qing’s carriage coming in this direction.”

Peng Shang Shu cursed Zhao Qing Qing in his heart: she said she wouldn’t be found.

After a moment of contemplation, Peng Shang Shu changed his tone to a more sincere one, “Mr. Hou, Zhao Qing Qing still has something that the fifth prince needs. Once I obtain this item, I will immediately hand this woman over to you for disposal.”

A glint appeared in the eyes of the Mr. Hou, “Is this true?”

“I would never deceive you! Mr. Hou, this woman is just a merchant’s daughter. If she didn’t have some usefulness, I wouldn’t have jeopardized the relationship between you and me for her.”

“This merchant’s daughter once mentioned that you also have high hopes for the Fifth Prince. I hope you will continue to support the fifth prince in the future. Don’t let this merchant’s daughter ruin the mutual appreciation between you and the Highness.”

The Anding Marquis relaxed his expression, seemingly comforted by the thought of being able to deal with Zhao Qing Qing in the future, “As long as Mr. Peng keeps his promise, I am willing to help him achieve great things.”

Originally, he established a connection with the Fifth Prince through Zhao Qing Qing. Now that Zhao Qing Qing had killed his son, the line between him and the Fifth Prince was cut off. His visit today had two purposes.

One was to hold Zhao Qing Qing accountable, and the other was to use this incident to establish a connection with the Fifth Prince.

Since his son was already dead and couldn’t be brought back to life, he decided to take advantage of the situation to secure more benefits for his family, especially since he still had two sons.

“Good!”

“Mr. Hou, rest assured. Once I have the item in hand, I will naturally hand Zhao Qing Qing over to you.”

After a pleasant conversation between the two, they bid farewell.

Meanwhile, Peng Shang Shu’s eldest daughter-in-law arrived at Zhao Qing Qing’s place and inform her.

“Your father-in-law came, but he has already been sent away by my father.”

“Thank you for letting me know.”