Spring Mansion Intrigue 022 Buying People's Hearts

  Looking at this perfect wife and daughter, Qin Songtao felt a surge of hot blood in his heart. With such a family, how could he not have the opportunity to rise to a higher position?

  "This time entering the capital, I have already set foot in the imperial court halfway. Therefore, I must understand the direction of the imperial court. The Emperor is 42 years old this year, and all the princes except the second prince are too young to be considered, the Crown Prince is eighteen but does not have the support of his mother's family, so his position is unstable. None of them are suitable for Yan'er. Next year happens to be the year of selecting imperial consorts, it's just that... I'm putting Yan'er at a disadvantage."

  Qin Yanjiao smiled shyly, "It's not humiliating, originally marrying anyone is the same, so, to marry with value, let alone it's the current emperor..."

  Su's heart ached as she pulled Qin Yan's hand, "Actually, Mother really didn't want you to enter the palace."

  Qin Songtao, however, did not think so. He said, "The emperor's body is strong and healthy, so it's still unknown who the future heir will be. Once the imperial power is in the wrong position, it will be irretrievable for ten thousand years. Therefore, Yan'er's best position is beside that person who is above all others."

  Su Shi and Qin Yan nodded together.

  Qin Yan entering the palace was a direction she had set for herself since childhood. It was also Qin Songtao's reason for striving to enter officialdom, and if he could obtain even an eighth-rank official position next year, Qin Yan would be qualified to participate in the selection of imperial concubines. With Qin Yan's talent and virtue, once she rose high, she would provide the greatest help to Qin Gongxuan.

  They complement each other like father and daughter, serving as a stepping stone for one another.

  "In the current imperial court, there are two major powers: one is led by Prince Rui's family of Manchu nobles, and the other is led by the father of the Crown Princess, Duke Xun. Now, I must not offend either side. To stand firm, I must not make enemies. And my first goal is to take down the head of the Hanlin Academy, who is a thorn in my side. Ning Gongzi, who saved Shen Huan, has already been heard by Yu Die today. So, you should treat her well, and maybe we can use her to get close to Lord Ning."

  Su nodded, "I know, but the Su and Rui families have been secretly vying with each other."

  She was clear about the background of the Chu family. Her father was a distant relative of the Chu family, and her father's rapid rise to power was naturally due to his relationship with the Chu family, aside from money.

  "That's why I couldn't afford to offend the people of Ruiqin Wang, otherwise, being seen as a member of the Chu family, I would be trampled on and my career would be ruined before it even took off, that would be too unjust."

  Su's expression turned serious and she anxiously grasped Qin Songtao, "What if Master Ning doesn't like you, what will we do?"

  Qin Songtao shook his head, "I've heard that Lord Ning is a just and impartial man, I haven't offended him, so there shouldn't be any problem. Perhaps it's precisely because Lord Ning is clean and honest that he doesn't want to meet me."

  "I hope so."

  Qin Yan nodded slowly, "The daughter knows what to do, Chen Huan is a little girl, easy to coax."

  Qin Songtao smiled with relief and said, "Yan'er is clever."

  Qin Yan specially selected three boxes of the best perfume from her parents' house. Later, after thinking about it, she put one box back.

  "Qiu Kui, go to the box where unused jewelry is kept and find the pearl flower that Father brought back from Shengjing last year. I'll give it to Qin Xiang later. Just say it's something Father brought back this time, and I'm giving it to her specially." Qiu Kui agreed and went to dig one out.

  That night, the Qin family set up a banquet in the name of the seventh day after Qin An's death and invited Zhou Ding brothers to come and eat. It was also to give some congratulations to Qin Songtan. Zhou Ding and his brothers were polite and courteous as guests. They couldn't help but praise Qin Songtan greatly. At the dinner table, Qin Songtan congratulated Qin Yu on being admitted to Liti Book Academy, which made him so excited that he drank a lot of wine, his face flushed red, and he was dizzy. He was supported by Xiao An to go to the toilet.

  Chen Huan and his sisters were having dinner together when he saw Xiang Li secretly slipping out, so he quickly followed her from behind.

  From a distance, Xiang Yu saw that she and her brother were heading in different directions. Xiang Yu passed through the hanging flower gate and entered the large garden, only then did she let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, she heard a rustling sound of clothes. In the quiet night garden, it sounded particularly clear. She suddenly felt strange, tiptoed over to the wall, and perked up her ears to listen. She heard a faint panting voice saying "don't want", "let others see".

  Chen Huan furrowed her brow, she had seen such things many times before, but who was Xiang Xing being intimate with? How dare they be so bold as to secretly meet and flirt in the grand garden? Besides the old master's attendants, which male servant dared to enter the grand garden?

  Before long, Xianglian came in from the gate with hanging flowers, tidying her hair on her way to the flower hall for dinner.

  Chen Huan hid behind the door, motionless.

  After a while, a tall and thin figure emerged, swaggering out of the inner courtyard.

  The sky is too dark, can't see clearly, and for a moment, I couldn't think of who it was.

  Chen Huan returned to the flower hall, Qin Yan carefully looked at her face and touched her forehead with concern, "Does your stomach hurt?"

  Chen Huan covered her smile and said, "A little."

  "Don't eat cold dishes then, hurry up and drink a mouthful of hot soup." As she spoke, she personally helped her hold a bowl of hot soup in front of her.

  Xing Huan sweetly said, "Thank you, Second Sister."

  Qin Yan smiled warmly and looked at her as she bowed her head to drink the soup, "We're sisters of the same family, why be so polite, it's like we're strangers."

  Chen Huan held Qin Wan's hand in the dim light and whispered, "Brother is fine." Qin Wan let out a sigh of relief.

  "Okahijiki, bring me the gift Father brought."

  Autumn melon handed over two exquisite brocade boxes from behind Qin Yan.

  "This is the most famous Yunyan Pavilion's fragrance powder in Shengjing, all the ladies in the palace like to use it. Just apply a little bit on your face and you'll smell good for three days and three nights." As she spoke, she placed a box in front of Qin Wan and Chen Huan each.

  "Second sister is being biased! What about me?" Qin Xiang pouted and stopped talking.

  "Didn't I already give you a pearl hairpin?" Qin Yan said with a smile.

  "I don't want it, I want perfume!" Qin Xiang was originally overjoyed when she received the pearl flower, but her mother said that this pearl flower was an old product, and estimated that Qin Yan didn't like wearing it herself, so she took it out to coax her. Originally, she had been holding back a belly full of anger, and seeing Qin Yan give such high-end perfume made her even angrier.

  Qin Yan feared that she would make a scene in public and lose face, so she smiled and patted Qin Xiang, saying "Second sister has something good to give you, I'll give it to you tomorrow."

  "Don't be lazy." Qin Xiang finally stopped after hearing this.

  Qin Wan couldn't take it anymore. "Everyone in the manor knows what kind of person Er Mei is, and that's exactly why she has a good temper; otherwise, this would be considered extremely disrespectful."

  "Big sister, it's okay, Xiang'er is still young." Qin Yan's beautiful smile made everyone feel that she was a model of a traditional Chinese lady.

  Chen Huan suddenly pushed the powder box in front of her to Qin Xiang, smiling sweetly and saying, "Huan'er and sister can use one box, this box Chen Huan will borrow flowers to offer Buddha instead of second sister to give to third sister."

  She didn't want to provoke jealousy at all. Although Qin Xiang was just a caterpillar to her, many caterpillars were also annoying.

  Qin Yan's eyes sparkled and she smiled, saying "Huan'er is really sensible."

  Qin Xiang hastily grabbed the box and stuffed it into her bosom. Whether she understood or not was unimportant, what mattered was that she got what she wanted.

  A dinner eaten with relish and harmony, a truly harmonious scene.

  The next day, Xing Huan dragged his reluctant brother out of the door.