Xiao Jinghan took a deep breath. Although he knew Yi Qing was deliberately making things difficult for him, he still had to play along.
Yi Qing looked at Xiao Jinghan with a smile. Easy questions were the norm, but life - threatening questions were true love.
Even Ke Shanlong was a bit flustered this time. Asking such a question in front of everyone, the arrogance of Lady Xiao really exceeded his imagination.
He even thought that Lady Xiao bringing people to question him was really just for an inquiry, with no other motives.
"The emperor is a wise ruler. He will surely not interfere in my personal affairs. Lady, please rest assured," Xiao Jinghan said with a smile.
There was no other way. To save his own skin, Xiao Jinghan directly dug a pit for the emperor. If the emperor really forced a marriage on him later, he would no longer be a wise ruler.
"The general is right. Then we won't disturb the banquet at the Ke Mansion any longer," Yi Qing said contentedly as she hooked her arm through Xiao Jinghan's. Without even saying goodbye, they turned around and left.
The faces of the people behind them were as ugly as could be. They had wanted to get in with the Xiao Mansion, but now it seemed like a suicidal move.
So all the noble ladies quickly took their leave, and the Ke Mansion instantly became deserted.
In the study, Ke Shanlong slapped Mu across the face. Mu was completely stunned by the blow.
"What on earth did you do?" Ke Shanlong was still wondering why Xiao Jinghan had come to his mansion. He was the kind of person who didn't even attend palace banquets.
"I was doing this for the good of the Ke family," Mu started to cry and make a scene.
Ke Shanlong slapped her again, and Mu dared not make a scene anymore. She obediently lowered her eyes and stood there.
She knew that Ke Shanlong was really angry, and the consequences of his anger were serious.
"I don't care what you've done. That woman and that girl have nothing to do with our Ke family from now on," Ke Shanlong said threateningly.
"Yes," Mu didn't dare to disobey.
No matter how unwilling she was, she didn't dare to go against Ke Shanlong's order at this moment.
Although Ke Shanlong was publicly humiliated, he didn't hold any grudges against Xiao Jinghan. It was just that the women in his family had unrealistic ideas and offended Lady Xiao. It had nothing to do with matters of the court.
He never wasted his energy on things he couldn't control, like going against Xiao Jinghan now.
Xiao Jinghan had been extremely powerful before, but now he knew how to hide his edge. Moreover, the Great Jin Dynasty needed Xiao Jinghan very much at present. The emperor couldn't do anything to Xiao Jinghan, so why should he hit a wall?
In the carriage, Yi Qing was "punished" by Xiao Jinghan until she begged for mercy. If it weren't for her pregnancy, Xiao Jinghan really could have made it hard for her to get out of the carriage.
"That Ke Shanlong is really decisive. He didn't hesitate at all," Yi Qing said, a bit in admiration of Ke Shanlong.
"Sang Sang means nothing to him. And the result of this matter was certain. Why should he struggle for someone who means nothing?"
"Just abandon his own daughter like that?" Yi Qing couldn't believe it.
"Although the Ke family only has one legitimate son, there are dozens of concubines' sons and daughters. Do you think he would care?"
Yi Qing thought about it. Concubines' sons and daughters were just like the servants born into the family. If they didn't have their father's affection, they would live a worse life than favored servants.
"Even so, Ke Shanlong is really bold. I think he knows the dark side of human nature very well and makes full use of it," Yi Qing said, looking at Xiao Jinghan.
Xiao Jinghan nodded. This was the key to how Ke Shanlong, without a large family background, had reached this position in the capital: "Let this matter end here."
"If the Ke family hadn't caused trouble, I wouldn't have bothered with them," Yi Qing leaned against Xiao Jinghan's arms.
When they returned to the general's mansion, Yi Qing ordered someone to send Shuang'er back to the backyard and kept Sang Sang.
"Thank you, Lady," Sang Sang knelt down and bowed.
"I've helped you solve the trouble from the Ke family, but you can't stay in the mansion anymore," Yi Qing said lazily, tilting her head and rubbing her temples.
Sang Sang looked up in disbelief.
"I helped you because we were master and servant. You didn't want to trouble me, but in fact, you didn't trust me. You don't need to stay in the general's mansion anymore," Yi Qing said lazily.
Sang Sang knelt there in a daze for a long time. Then she bowed deeply: "Thank you, Lady, for taking me in. Sang Sang is ashamed of you. I wish to be a beast in my next life and repay you without any selfishness."
As a human being, there are always many helplessness. Sang Sang was smart. She knew that there was already a rift between her and Lady Xiao. Once such a rift appeared, it could never be eliminated. It was better not to cause trouble for the lady.
Looking at Sang Sang's appearance, Yi Qing said, "You can't stay in the capital either. Once you leave the general's mansion, Lady Ke won't let you go. Think about where you can go in the next few days. When Ju Shuang comes back, I'll ask her to make arrangements for you."
"Thank you, Lady," Sang Sang bowed and left.
The people were Yi Qing's, so Xiao Jinghan didn't interfere. Even if such a person repented and was loyal in the future, she was not suitable to stay by their side.
At night, Yi Qing and Xiao Jinghan were reading books on either side. There was a slight tapping sound from under the floor. The two looked at each other, and Yi Qing quickly went to close the door.
Xiao Jinghan opened the entrance to the secret passage, and the emperor came up from below.
"The palace is having a good time every night. You still have time to come to my place," Yi Qing joked.
The emperor glanced at Yi Qing. If he didn't come, the God of War General might be lured away: "You could have picked anyone, but why did you have to provoke Ke Shanlong? Your commotion will make it even harder for Xiao Han to fit into the circle in the capital in the future."
"I don't want to fit into the circle in the capital," Xiao Jinghan said calmly.
He had thought about it for Yi Qing before, but now he didn't want to for her sake.
The emperor was instantly speechless. Why did he open his mouth and ask for a mouthful of dog food: "What exactly happened to the Ke family?"
"Ke Shanlong has too many concubines in his backyard, all managed by Lady Ke. It's normal for them to die of illness or be sold. There just happens to be a maid in my mansion who came from the Ke family. The Ke family tried to use this maid as an inside agent," Xiao Jinghan reported as if it were a work matter.
"This Ke family," the emperor was a bit angry.
He had always known that many people were trying to place people in the general's mansion. If it weren't for Yi Qing's unyielding character, the general's mansion might already be in a mess.
"However, it should be Lady Ke's idea," Xiao Jinghan thought that Ke Shanlong might be happy to see it happen but wouldn't participate.
"But Ke Shanlong can't get away from it either," the emperor said with an angry look on his face. Then he looked at Xiao Jinghan helplessly, "But the Great Jin Dynasty is in need of talents now. I'm sorry to trouble you about this."
Yi Qing rolled her eyes on one side. Others would give you a sweet date after slapping you.
The emperor was amazing. He would give you a sweet date and then slap you. Just ask if you dare to eat it.
"I understand, Your Majesty. But I've already said what I said. I hope Your Majesty can forgive me," Xiao Jinghan bowed.
When the emperor heard what Xiao Jinghan said, his expression instantly became very interesting.
Actually, he came here tonight just for this matter. Not to mention anything else, the national letter from the Northern Di had already been sent, specifically asking to marry Xiao Jinghan. Xiao Jinghan had made such a scene in public. If he refused the marriage later, what should the emperor do?