The Lady Sima, who had said, "Money is not a problem," was naturally infuriated when she heard Yi Qing's exorbitant demand.
But thinking of Xiao Jinghong, she didn't dare to show her anger too blatantly. She gritted her teeth and said, "You're so heartless!"
Yi Qing raised her hand to look at her nails and sneered, "If you can find someone else, don't bother me. I didn't want to take on this business in the first place. It was you who forced it on me. I only reluctantly agreed out of pity for you."
The Lady Sima was so angry that she almost fainted.
Yi Qing added, "I really don't want to get involved in this matter. But I do have a piece of advice for you. Do you want to hear it?"
The Lady Sima was now truly afraid of her. She subconsciously asked, "How much?"
Yi Qing was amused by her wary look. She waved her finger and said, "This one is free. No money needed."
"Then tell me quickly."
Only then did Yi Qing speak slowly, "Have you forgotten how you returned to the capital back then?"
She was truly being kind.
The Lady Sima should go and plead with the Empress Dowager. As the Emperor's stepmother, the Empress Dowager carried weight in her words.
Of course, this was what Yi Qing thought based on the Lady Sima's thought - process.
If the Lady Sima really went, the Emperor would have something to say to the Empress Dowager. "The harem is not allowed to interfere in state affairs. You did interfere, didn't you? Fine, we're closer than mother and son. Our bond is deep, and I'll pretend nothing happened. But you should see what crime that boy committed.
That was a matter that could shake the very foundation of the country! An unforgivable crime!
Yi Qing thought to herself secretly, "You useless Emperor. I'm handing you a ready - made excuse. Don't say I didn't help you."
This was also her way of repaying the Emperor.
Sure enough, the Lady Sima's eyes lit up.
However, the light in her eyes dimmed quickly.
She hesitated and said, "Regarding the Empress Dowager... The Earl of Yi'an said that we shouldn't always go to her for help."
Yi Qing sneered inwardly. She didn't expect the Earl of Yi'an to have such awareness.
Back then, that despicable man and that heartless woman had harmed Lady Fan. Now it seemed that the Lady Sima wasn't very capable in the fight. It meant that the main culprit was probably the Earl of Yi'an.
It didn't matter. Since the Lady Sima was hesitating, Yi Qing could give her a little push.
"The Earl of Yi'an hasn't come up with a way to save Xiao Jinghong. It was you who decided to spend the money to see him. So, it's not certain that he's smarter than you in handling things, right?" Yi Qing said calmly. "You can no longer have children, but the Earl of Yi'an can. So, never think that he'll care about your son as much as you do!"
These words hit the Lady Sima right where it hurt.
"I'll take my leave." Yi Qing stood up and pretended to leave.
"Wait." The Lady Sima called out to her. "If, if I need to find you, where should I go?"
"Send a visiting card directly to the Deng Mansion, addressed to Nanny Wu. Someone will receive it. Then I'll contact you."
The Lady Sima was shocked. She never expected that this old woman in front of her would have such status in the Deng Mansion.
Who else's servant could be so overbearing?
After Yi Qing returned to the mansion, she told Xiao Tian, "Go to the palace and tell the Emperor so that he'll be prepared."
Xiao Tian asked, "How do you know the Lady Sima will definitely go to the palace?"
"She won't be able to resist." Yi Qing said. "She's not very smart and is desperate for a solution. Most importantly, when she thinks of that one hundred thousand taels of silver, she'll definitely go."
Seeing her excited look, Xiao Tian smiled and reached out to touch her head. "You've calculated everything. How did you grow such a smart brain? If you were a man, you could be a military advisor."
Yi Qing's eyes curved into a smile at his praise. She kissed his cheek and propped her chin on her hand. "Maybe it's like sometimes I can't help but wonder how your face was formed. How can you be so good - looking?"
Xiao Tian always thought that his overly handsome face had brought him a lot of trouble, so he always wore a mask in public.
But now that it could make her so infatuated, he suddenly felt that his face was still useful.
Yi Qing asked again, "Are you busy with something these days?"
Xiao Tian looked at her with a smile. "Why do you say that?"
Yi Qing mumbled, "If you weren't busy, you would accompany me when I go out, wouldn't you?"
"I didn't accompany you, but I did send someone to protect you secretly." Xiao Tian was happy that she was attached to him, although this attachment might just be his own assumption.
"I know." Yi Qing tilted her head and looked at him. "Did the Emperor assign you another task?"
Xiao Tian nodded but didn't intend to say more.
Yi Qing knew she shouldn't ask further. She snorted and said, "It must be something bad."
Xiao Tian said, "I may have to go on a trip soon. Do you want to come with me? If you do, you'll have to pretend to be my concubine."
"What do you mean by 'pretend to be my concubine'?" Yi Qing was unhappy. "Aren't I already?"
Xiao Tian reached out and pinched her puffy face. "It means pretending to be a concubine or something. I'm afraid it will wrong you."
"It's not wronging me." Yi Qing laughed. "I want to be the kind of concubine who gets so much favor that I can overpower the wife!"
Xiao Tian was laughed heartily by her words.
Yi Qing said, "When are we leaving? Should we take Baozi with us to broaden his horizons?"
Seeing her eager look, Xiao Tian smiled and said, "Aren't you going to ask me where we're going?"
"Oh, right. Where are we going?"
"Are you so happy just thinking about going with me that you forgot to ask?"
Yi Qing blushed a little but refused to admit it. She slapped his hand away and said, "Don't flatter yourself."
Looking at her expression, Xiao Tian's smile deepened.
"Don't be in a hurry. It will probably be a few days. As for Baozi, don't take him with us for now. I'm afraid I won't be able to take good care of him on the road." Xiao Tian said. "If we leave, we'll let him stay with Lu Tianxun in the academy."
Baozi was very independent, so Xiao Tian was completely at ease.
Yi Qing clapped her hands and said, "That's good. When the Lady Sima comes to the door then, she'll be turned away."
"Wouldn't that be a waste of all your scheming?" Xiao Tian said.
"You know my plan?" Yi Qing raised her eyebrows and looked at him. "Tell me about it."
"You asked for an exorbitant price and forced her to go to the Empress Dowager, making the Empress Dowager in the wrong in front of the Emperor. This fulfills the Emperor's instructions. Then, when the Lady Sima is desperate and wants to raise money, with her character, she certainly won't be willing to take money from her own pocket. So, she'll definitely try to get something from the General's Mansion. When she comes to the door, you show your trump card and let her know that everything in the General's Mansion now belongs to you. That will surely make her furious, right?"
"Right." Yi Qing hooked Xiao Tian's chin. "You really are the one I've chosen. You're so smart. But you missed one thing. She won't be so easily deceived. She will definitely want to verify that I can speak to Deng Xiao. So, at that time, we'll probably have to stage a play for her."
"Just tell me what you need me to do."
"Need you? Perform well in bed. Hahaha..." Yi Qing's laughter was unrestrained and carefree.
Xiao Tian picked her up. "Yes, my concubine. Let me enjoy myself today."