Spring Mansion Intrigue 021 Investigating the Truth

  Qin Songtao brought the letter of introduction given by his father-in-law to Shengjing, and went to pay respects to the main officials of the Hanlin Academy with the people arranged by his father-in-law. These people directly decided how long he would have to wait before officially getting an official position in the Hanlin Academy. However, Ning Daren, the head of the Hanlin Academy, refused to see him and didn't give him any face.

  He exhausted his mind but didn't find out the reason, yet he heard news from home that Ning Fu had sent someone to Qin Fu because of Shen Huan and even helped Qin Yun get into Licheng Academy, which made Qin Songtao extremely angry.

  At first, his father-in-law came forward and he couldn't enter Linton Academy. Later, it was also because he wasn't from an official academy that he couldn't participate in the imperial examination as a student, even if he passed with honors, he couldn't be directly appointed as an official. But Qin Yu entered at just 14 years old, making it clear that Qin Yu's future might be more promising than his own, this was a slap in the face, hurting his self-esteem, so when he came back, he was probing for weaknesses.

  With a sad face and red eyes, he choked with sobs, "It was Young Master Ning's people who found me hanging from the tree at the bottom of the cliff and rescued me. The coffins for my parents were also bought by Young Master Ning with his own silver. Young Master Ning is a great good person."

  Qin Songtao nodded his head, "Xing Huan indeed met a good person, I'll find an opportunity to properly thank Duke Ning."

  Chen Huan didn't respond, but instead thought of using his relationship with Ning to get ahead.

  Don't even think about it!

  Qin Gongxun hastily asked, "Who is this Ning gentleman?"

  Qin Gongxun kept staring at Chen Huan, trying to find some other reason. Seeing his father ask, he had no choice but to say, "Ning is the older brother of Rui's princess consort. His father is the Duke of Rong."

  A low murmur of surprise rose from within the house.

  This morning there were only two princes in total, apart from Prince Rui, it was just the external surname prince, Duke of Rong.

  It's also a surprise, it turns out to be like this.

  Qin Gongxun hastily looked at Chen Huan and intentionally said, "Lord Cao said that he can give a thank-you letter to Ning Gongzi. The children are all young and can't grasp the measure, so it's better for Songtao to write a personal thank-you letter."

  Qin Songtao was delighted when he heard this and nodded his head, "Exactly, that's what an uncle should do."

  Lü's expression was complex, she didn't expect that Shen Huan could actually recognize the high-ranking official who directly grasped her son's lifeblood.

  Chen Huan quietly didn't speak, continuing to lower her eyelids and not respond.

  "That's great! I was worried about how to thank Ning Gongzi, and now with Third Uncle's letter, it couldn't be better." Qin Yu excitedly nodded his head, feeling like his value had doubled.

  Qin Songtao's expression suddenly relaxed, and a hint of a smile played on his lips. He was still a child, easy to tease.

  Sighs in disappointment, stupid brother.

  Qin Songtao took the tea from Autumn Ying, took a sip, put down the teacup, reached out and held Su's hand, looking at her gently, "Yudie, have you been well these days?"

  Su's face turned red, "It's all good. Song Tao, you've worked hard."

  Qiu Ying saw this, smiled and beckoned the maids to all retreat, gently closing the door.

  Qin Songtao pulled her over and wrapped his arm around her waist, gently pinching it with his hand, saying pitifully, "You've lost weight."

  Su's face turned red with shame and she said in a low voice, "The maid is still outside."

  Qin Songtao smiled and pressed her onto his lap, stroking her face. "As an old couple, Yan'er has grown up so big, the maids are all used to it, why are you still shy?"

  Su Yu Die dodged his hand while pretending to be angry, "Oh dear, you've really become slick-tongued after going on a trip to Shengjing."

  "I really miss you." Qin Songtao looked at his wife's delicate face, which was flushed with a red glow, and his emotions surged.

  Su Yu's heart skipped a beat, but she still didn't dare to be too presumptuous, having been raised with traditional feminine virtues. She struggled to get up and said, "I was just thinking of discussing something with you."

  "Alright, you said so." Qin Songtao pressed her back onto his thigh again, and the hand supporting her waist gently caressed her. The woman in his arms trembled slightly, and his lips curled up into a smile. Su Shi was completely devoted to him, and he was very confident about this.

  "Qiuying... you're already 17, you should have more people serving you..." Before he could finish speaking, his chin was grasped by Qin Songtao, and her own rosy face was reflected in his dark pupils, seeing him collect his smile, seriously staring at her.

  "Nonsense! When I married you, I said it before, in this life there is only one woman for me, and I will never take a concubine."

  Su Yu's eyes were slightly red around the rims. A husband like him was what many women dreamed of, and he was infinitely better than competing with other women for favor in the palace.

  In the midst of excitement, she couldn't bear to maintain her composure as a woman, and couldn't help but bury her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist, whispering, "Song Tao, it's a pity I didn't give you a son..."

  "Then we were born."

  Song Tao...

  "Jade Butterfly, I will definitely make you a first-rank imperial concubine, and let you enjoy the highest honor and prestige."

  Su Yu Die heard this and got excited, her hands unconsciously exerting force, Qin Songtao took the opportunity to kiss her fragrant cheek.

  Outside the door, Autumn Ying stood dazed under the window, fiddling with her handkerchief, feeling empty inside. Although she knew that Grandfather and Grandmother had a deep affection for each other, she never thought that Grandfather would never take a concubine or a mistress. She and Autumn Kui were both carefully selected by the Su family as attendants, their looks were top-notch, and in the Qin household, they also considered themselves superior to others due to their excellent conditions. According to custom, attendant maids were prepared for Grandfather's concubines, which was also the best destination for maids, but now it seemed that her expectations had no hope, what would she do with her future?

  "Has Aunt Autumn's parents taken their afternoon nap?" Qin Yan's voice broke into Autumn's thoughts, and she smiled softly, "Second Miss, Third Master and Third Madam are whispering to each other."

  Qin Yan's face turned red as she smiled and said, "Then I'll come find Father later." She was about to turn around.

  "Yan'er, come in." Qin Songtao called out from inside the door.

  Qin Yan Lian stepped forward with a gentle pace, and politely greeted her father, "Daughter has seen Father."

  Qin Songtao looked at his beautiful and elegant daughter, smiled and said, "Good, good, those ladies in the capital are not as good as our Yanyan, she is even better than her mother was when she was young."

  Su looked at her carefully raised daughter with a heart full of comfort.

  Qin Yan got up, and only then did she reveal a sweet smile of a young girl. "Daughter will not let Father regret having a daughter."

  "Nonsense! When have I ever said that I regretted giving birth to you?" Qin Songtao lovingly stroked her hair, "My daughter will be even stronger than a son in the future."

  Qin Yan nodded vigorously, "Don't worry, Father, I will definitely be able to do it."

  "Dad bought you some rouge and powder that can only be found in the capital, as well as silk fabrics that are popular among the nobles in the capital. A daughter's family should be beautiful and elegant."

  Qin Yan looked delighted as Qin Songtao took out a wooden box, inside which were colorful brocade boxes, a piece of crimson silk embroidered with a hundred butterflies, and a piece of the same color cloud-patterned gauze, truly things she had never seen before.

  "Choose two lip balms and give them to Qin Wan and Chen Huan."

  Qin Yan saw her father deliberately mention them, and smiled saying, "Daughter knows."

  Qin Songtao fondly patted her head, "Yan'er is really clever."

  "Song Tao, don't you think Shen Huan is a bit strange?" Su asked.

  Qin Songtao did not answer directly, "Sit down."