Shen Qing's cheeks flushed bright red from the kiss. Her legs felt weak, and she could only lean against him in a rather shameful position, gasping for breath.
This damned man! He was clearly taking advantage of her on purpose!
At this moment, Ji Junye, who had taken advantage, had no intention of letting her go. He placed his hand on her back and gently stroked it down her spine from time to time. "Didn't you say you wanted to explain?"
Shen Qing: "???"
Shen Qing pulled herself out of his embrace. Her almond eyes widened in disbelief. After the kiss, he still wanted her to explain?
Ji Junye, however, didn't think there was anything wrong with it. He looked wronged. "Qingqing, you promised to give me a proper status. Now you're going back on your word. How can this little compensation be enough?"
Shen Qing thought he was becoming more and more shameless. She let out a cold laugh and said calmly, "I didn't say it would be now..."
She had only said that she would take this opportunity to get the divorce letter. It was he who had equated the two things on his own.
Now it was Ji Junye's turn to look at her in disbelief. "Then what about Xu Yanchi? Even if it's difficult to get a divorce, it's not impossible. It would just take some time."
She just didn't want to give him a proper status.
"Because I've changed my mind. I don't want to let them off so easily."
Ji Junye remained unmoved and continued to look at her calmly.
Shen Qing sighed inwardly. She carefully chose her words. "Actually, there's another reason. Xu Yanchi has a very powerful trump card in his hand. I want to find this thing."
"What trump card?"
Shen Qing paused for a moment. When the jade seal was lost, there were only rumors for a very short period of time, which were quickly suppressed. She wasn't sure if it was the jade seal. Otherwise, how could she explain how she knew about it?
Rebirth was another of her secrets. Although she had already confessed it to Ji Junye, it didn't mean she didn't have her own privacy.
She would never tell anyone about her rebirth.
"I don't know exactly what it is. But according to my information, it should be something that can affect the succession of the throne. Xu Yanchi seems to be inclined to defect to the King of Jin. I thought that if this thing fell into the hands of the King of Jin, it would probably be very unfavorable to us."
Ji Junye didn't think Shen Qing was exaggerating. She wasn't that kind of person. If she said it directly, it was probably quite likely.
Seeing that he was listening, Shen Qing continued, "The King of Jin has been biding his time for many years. Although he failed this time, he probably won't give up so easily. Aye, you'd better keep a closer eye on him."
In her previous life, the King of Jin had even invaded the imperial city and become the final winner. Although he was suspicious and hypocritical, his accumulated strength couldn't be underestimated.
"I know. Thank you for your advice, Qingqing."
"Stop joking. We're talking about serious business."
His words made Shen Qing feel a little embarrassed. She couldn't help but punch him.
Ji Junye was in a very good mood. Every word Shen Qing had said just now showed that she was thinking about him. In the past, she would never have said such things. Now she should really consider them to be on the same side.
Since they were on the same side, could being a family be far behind?
Ji Junye rushed over right after the morning court. There were still many things in the court that needed his attention. After staying for a while and having a simple meal, he left.
After Ji Junye left, Shen Qing called Yingxiu and Zhuxing over. "From today on, keep an eye on the mansion. Report any slightest sign of trouble to me."
She would assign Yingxiu to the public surveillance, while Zhuxing and the secret guards left by Ji Junye would be in charge of the covert surveillance. She would surround the Guangping Marquis Mansion like an iron bucket and see how Xu Yanchi could pass on any information!
"Especially the two new concubines. Keep a closer eye on their every move."
They were both the King of Jin's people. She mustn't let her guard down.
"Yes!"
Although Yingxiu still cried easily, after Shen Qing's training during this period, she was already capable of handling things on her own. Shen Qing was relieved to leave these matters to her.
Zhuxing said, "Don't worry, Miss. I'll specifically assign people to keep an eye on the Cold Courtyard."
Especially Concubine Wei. She seemed to be a restless person.
Just as they were talking about Concubine Wei, a little maid came to report that Concubine Wei had come.
Zhuxing frowned. "What does she want now?"
The little maid replied, "Concubine Wei said she made some ginseng soup and brought it for the miss."
Shen Qing pondered for a moment. "Let her in."
"Your servant pays respects to the madam."
"Your servant knew that the madam is blessed by the heavens and will surely turn bad luck into good luck. Your servant specially made this ginseng soup for the madam with her own hands."
Concubine Wei smiled brightly. She took out a delicate small bowl from the food box. The ginseng soup inside was still steaming.
Shen Qing's expression remained calm. "I never eat food from outside. Concubine Wei, you don't have to go to so much trouble."
Concubine Wei didn't expect Shen Qing to be so straightforward. She didn't understand. Didn't the madam seem to be wavering before? Why was she suddenly so firmly rejecting her?
She bit her lower lip unwillingly. "Your servant just wants to share the madam's worries..."
"As long as you behave yourself, no one will treat you badly."
If she didn't behave herself, then it would be another matter.
"Yes, your servant will surely behave!"
Concubine Wei's face brightened. They had tried so hard to climb up, wasn't it just to have a good life? Since the marquis was unreliable, she naturally had to find a new backer for herself.
Speaking of which, Concubine Wei quite admired Shen Qing. She had even managed to win over the emperor. If she wasn't afraid of making the madam angry, she would have wanted to learn some tricks from her.
Concubine Wei swayed her waist and left. As soon as she left, Shen Qing's eyes turned cold. "Keep a close eye on her."
Zhuxing responded.
Yingxiu poured out the bowl of ginseng soup. The miss was pregnant. She had to be more careful about her diet. Who knew if Concubine Wei had some malicious intentions?
——
As soon as Jiang and Shen Mian left the marquis mansion, they were captured and taken to a valley outside the capital. There were several bamboo houses inside, with two old women cleaning. There were also guards outside.
The leader showed his token. "His Majesty has decreed that Shen Mian is forbidden to leave this place for the rest of her life. Otherwise, she will be killed without mercy!"
Shen Mian took a terrified step back. "I don't want to! I don't want to stay here for the rest of my life!"
Staying in this kind of place for the rest of her life was no different from being dead!
"You don't have a choice!"
The leader waved his hand, and two old women stepped forward to drag Shen Mian in.
Shen Mian struggled desperately. "Mother, save me! I don't want to stay here for the rest of my life! Mother!"
Jiang closed her eyes, as if making a decision. "This is the deal I made with His Majesty. You'd better stay here from now on. I'll send someone to bring you things. You won't lack anything."
Shen Mian's heart sank like a stone. She was dragged in by the two old women.
Ji Junye also had people add an excessive amount of mandala to Shen Mian's food. Mandala had a hallucinogenic effect. If taken for a long time, it would make a person seem like a fool.
He was never a soft - hearted person. The fact that he was willing to spare Shen Mian didn't mean that she could live a carefree life under a different identity.
Since she had done something wrong, he had to eliminate all potential threats.
He didn't want Shen Mian to jump out and ruin his and Qingqing's good mood one day.