diskusbooks Chapter 223 Same Enemy
Chapter 223 Same Enemy
Consort Xiande's brows furrowed slightly. She rose and walked to the palace gate, telling the maids and eunuchs guarding the door to move away, and then closed the door.
Turning her head, Consort Xiande looked at Qiao Qingshu with deep affection and seriousness, and said...
"Who told you these things? Was it the old lady?"
Apart from Old Madam Xiao and herself, everyone else involved in this matter back then was dealt with and dealt with, so it's impossible for the news to get out.
Qiao Qingshu sighed, feeling saddened by the thought that Consort Xiande would soon pass away due to illness.
"Your Majesty, since I know about this, I'm sure others will find out in the future. The people of the first branch of the family are eyeing the second branch with covetous eyes, and this matter cannot be kept secret."
The eldest son's family must have known about this in their previous life. So when the Consort died, the Crown Prince was assassinated in the hunting grounds, and Xiao Zhijie was far away in the Northwest, it was even suspected that the eldest son's family was behind it, killing Xiao Zhijie on the battlefield. Xiao Chengyan was then given a crescent-shaped birthmark and replaced Xiao Zhijie as a prince, eventually ascending the throne smoothly.
Consort Xiande was no match for Xiao Zhijie.
The Imperial Concubine's brows furrowed tightly, and her face finally revealed a worried expression.
"Then what should we do? We sent Zhijie out of the palace in the first place because the infighting within the palace was very dangerous. How come it is still so frightening now that she has been sent outside the palace?"
As if remembering something, Consort Xiande raised her head, grasped Qiao Qingshu's hand, and said urgently,
"Why don't you leave and go far away from the capital? I'll ask the old lady to separate the family property. You two young couple might be safe living away from the capital. You don't need to worry about food, clothing, or shelter. I will take good care of you."
Qiao Qingshu frowned. Escape?
Since her rebirth, she has never thought of running away; she always faces challenges head-on!
Are we now going to flee for Xiao Zhijie's safety?
She didn't want to; she hadn't properly taken revenge on Xiao Chengyan and the rest of the main branch of the family yet!
She shook her head firmly.
"Your Majesty, this is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as Xiao Zhijie's identity is confirmed by the Emperor, he will be a prince, and perhaps even the future emperor."
Upon hearing this, Consort Xiande took several steps back. How could she possibly imagine such a thing!
Now that the Empress holds great power in the harem, if Xiao Zhijie's true identity were to be discovered, he would certainly not live more than a few days.
Qiao Qingshu did not think so. In her previous life, after the Crown Prince was assassinated at the hunting grounds, the Empress went mad and was no longer able to manage any affairs of the harem. All matters of the harem, big and small, were handed over to Consort Xiande. If the Consort had not fallen ill soon after, she might have been able to be made Empress Dowager after Xiao Zhijie became emperor.
However, all this glory was stolen by the eldest branch of the family. Madam Xing became Xiao Chengyan's foster mother on the surface, and after Xiao Chengyan became emperor, she even brought him into the palace to live together. The eldest son of the Xiao family was also untouchable in the court and the country, while the real second branch of the family was ostracized.
After the loss of his son, the second master of the Xiao family was depressed and had no interest in court affairs. He retired early and returned to his hometown. At that time, the girl who was originally married to the dead Xiao Zhijie also found someone she liked. The two elders married her off as their adopted daughter and promised her a generous dowry.
From then on, the second master of the Xiao family and his wife, Su Yunzhen, lived out the rest of their lives in a small courtyard.
Consort Xiande said with a hint of fear on her face,
"Shu'er, I never thought of such a thing, and the struggle for the throne is really dangerous."
Qiao Qingshu, however, was confident. This was one of the advantages of being reborn: she could foresee the future and seize every opportunity to turn the tide.
She said with a smile,
"Your Majesty, we do not seek to seize the throne, but only to ensure peace. However, if the other party harbors murderous intent, we must take precautions."
She then added,
"It's ridiculous, really. We've talked so much here, and the person involved still knows nothing. I'll tell him when I get back, and I'll take his opinion into consideration when he wants to do it."
After saying that, as if remembering something, he whispered a few words in the Empress's ear, which startled her greatly.
After leaving the Empress's palace, Qiao Qingshu returned to her original room. On the way, she encountered the furious Princess Yongxian, who, upon seeing Qiao Qingshu, erupted in a rage.
"Where did you run off to? I've been looking everywhere for you! You scared me to death! If Mother sees you like this, she'll scold me to death!"
Qiao Qingshu smiled ingratiatingly, her face showing a hint of confusion.
"Princess, I'm so sorry. This palace is just too big. I accidentally went out through the back door, but I didn't know the way and wandered around for a long time. Luckily, you found me."
Princess Yongxian saw that Qiao Qingshu was in a good mood, and because she had received a lot of rare fruits, she did not hold it against Qiao Qingshu.
He simply waved his hand and urged them on.
"Hurry up and come home with me!"
Qiao Qingshu obediently followed behind and boarded the phoenix sedan chair with Princess Yongxian.
When he returned home, he was surprised to see Madam Xing standing at the entrance of the second house's courtyard, looking around furtively.
Qiao Qingshu stepped forward and patted her on the shoulder, saying,
"Madam, what are you looking at so intently?"
Madam Xing was so engrossed in watching that she was startled and trembled all over.
Upon seeing that it was Qiao Qingshu, he quickly brushed her hand away and said unhappily,
"I came to see Yunzhen and see if her illness is any better."
Qiao Qingshu observed her meaningful smile.
"Since you're visiting someone in the hospital, why don't you go inside and take a look? Why are you hiding here at the door peeking? Anyone who doesn't know better would think that the First Madam is eavesdropping."
Xiao Zhijie, who was serving Su Yunzhen her medicine inside the house, heard voices outside and went out to see what was going on.
Madam Xing stormed off in a huff, while Qiao Qingshu wore a bewildered smile.
He stepped forward and asked softly,
"What's going on here?"
Qiao Qingshu looked up at him, then pulled him back into the house. Su Yunzhen smiled as she saw her come in.
"Shu'er's back. Are you hungry?"
Qiao Qingshu closed the doors and windows tightly, turned around and looked at the two of them seriously, and told them in detail about Xiao Zhijie's background.
After she finished speaking, the room remained silent for a long time. Xiao Zhijie was stunned, and Su Yunzhen was also stunned. Neither of them could utter a single word.
Qiao Qingshu stepped forward and tugged at Xiao Zhijie's sleeve, saying,
“I know you’re surprised, but don’t be. This is a serious matter, and you need an explanation.”
Su Yunzhen asked, puzzled.
What do you mean?
Qiao Qingshu frowned sharply. Judging from Madam Xing's furtive behavior just now, she suspected that the eldest branch of the family might already know about this matter.
The most pressing issue is Xiao Zhijie's attitude.
"If you don't want to fight with them, listen to Consort Xiande and find a reason to leave the capital. If you want the status of a prince, stay here and we'll plan our battle for it."
Xiao Zhijie slowly raised his eyes, a certainty in them that was hard to describe.
"I will not leave Beijing. I will stay here."
Qiao Qingshu was slightly taken aback. She thought Xiao Zhijie would choose to leave with her parents. She had already decided that if they wanted to leave, she would help them take care of everything, but she would stay because she still had a great grudge to avenge.
At this moment, a slight smile appeared on Qiao Qingshu's lips. Since that was the case, then naturally she would stand together with the second wife.
After all, they have the same enemy.