C248

Chapter 248 - Rites of Heavenly Worship 4

Jin Qiao’er had already been completely scared senseless, and her entire body trembled without a word.

In a moment of desperation, she could only feign unconsciousness.

Since Wei Qing found her unpleasing to the eye, he would naturally not allow her to succeed!

She laughed contemptuously and walked forward. The silver needle mercilessly stabbed into her arm.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!"

This howl was like a pig being butchered, causing the empress dowager's disgust to deepen.

Since ancient times, many palace concubines had chosen to pretend to be pregnant in order to fight for the favor, before bribing the imperial physician and finding a scapegoat.

Obviously, Wei Qing was the scapegoat that she had found today.

However, this trick would be too clumsy if it was used too much!

Jin Qiao’er's eyes were red as she looked at the Queen, hoping that she would plead for mercy.

And yet, the empress felt utterly humiliated!

Jin Qiao’er's action not only slapped her own face, it also caused the crown prince's face to be stepped on the ground.

Xiao Hanqi never thought that Jin Qiao’er was fake. He looked at her coldly, "Jin Qiao’er, you have so much guts to even dare to deceive me!"

Jin Qiao’er's tears were like beads with broken strings, rustling non-stop.

Wei Qing observed the entire scene coldly and looked at Xiao Qingqian.

Xiao Hanqi frowned, then knelt down towards the empress dowager and the rest. "Royal Grandmother, royal father, empress, this son never thought that Jin Qiao’er would actually do such a vile thing. This son promises you that he will definitely not cover for her!"

Tutor Jin was startled, this move of the crown prince meant that he wanted to throw Jin Qiao’er off the hook!

He knelt down shakily and cried his eyes out, "Your majesty, Empress Dowager, this old subject swear on his head that Qiao Er will never do such a stupid thing. Someone must have instigated this!"

Suddenly, Xiao Hanqi's face changed.

Everyone knew that it was easy to add flowers to the flowers, and it was difficult to bring coal into the snow. Tutor Jin usually seemed to support him, but he never would have thought that once he met with an accident, he would actually drag him down!

The corner of Wei Qing's mouth lifted slightly.

Seeing such a dog-eat-dog scene, it was truly quite interesting.

Xiao Qingqian gave Chen Cheng a meaningful glance, and Chen Cheng slightly nodded, before quietly retreating.

"Tutor Jin, what do you mean by that?" Xiao Hanqi's face was filled with anger, "Are you trying to drag me down with you?"

Tutor Jin stared at him coldly, "Your Highness, this old subject did not say anything, but if Your Highness is willing, then this old subject has nothing to say!"

Xiao Hanqi clenched his hand tightly under his sleeve, and a creaking sound came from his joints.

The empress dowager looked at Felerol and said angrily, "I will naturally investigate the matter of Jin Qiao’er's fake pregnancy. It is truly unlucky for Rites of Heavenly Worship to have gotten into such a state!"

The empress could clearly sense the empress dowager's anger, so she could only remain silent, hoping that she wouldn't bring disaster upon her son. Everything was fine.

However...

Chen Cheng cupped his fists as he kneeled down. "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, Prince, your subordinate has already investigated the cause of the collapse of the platform!"

The crease between Old Emperor's eyebrows that was already a crease deepened as he narrowed his eyes, and looked at Xiao Hanqi with an unfathomable look.

This glance caused the hairs on Xiao Hanqi's body to stand on end and his expression to become extremely ugly.

"Speak!"

Chen Cheng pointed to one of the pieces of wood that acted as a support and said: "There are some marks on it that have been sawed by steel wire and have not been completely sawed off. Therefore, when Your Highness goes up to check, nothing bad will happen!"

Xiao Hanqi's forehead was quickly drenched in sweat, but he did not dare wipe it, afraid that the Old Emperor would become even more suspicious.

"It looks like someone did it on purpose. Luckily, Prince Chu was nimble and caught the Great Master, otherwise, it would have led to a tragedy!"

Xiao Hanqi nervously pursed his lips, but Xiao Qingqian directly pulled up his robes and knelt down, "royal father, this son has failed his duty, and is willing to accept any punishment!"

Old Emperor looked at him with eyes full of gratification and praise. Although he was indeed responsible for this matter, it was not the main responsibility.

"When this matter is investigated, we will naturally reward and punish them!"

With that said, the Old Emperor took the lead and left.

The day in Rites of Heavenly Worship quickly ended, and the courtiers and officials followed after.

Prime Minister Wei glanced at Wei Qing with unconcealable concern in her eyes.

"Now you have to be more careful." Wei Qing looked at Xiao Qingqian.

"What do you mean?"

"The Rites of Heavenly Worship in the day has already made a joke, and it will be out very soon. If another accident were to happen at night, the Emperor would not so easily protect you!"

Wei Qing's words caused her to sink into deep thought.

He muttered to himself for a moment before coming to a realization. "This King understands. Thank you for the reminder, Royal Concubine Wang!"

Wei Qing smiled faintly. The sunlight fell upon her body, causing her to look so beautiful that it seemed impossible to look at.

Xiao Qingqian held her face, and as if there was no one else present, he pressed a kiss on her forehead, and turned to leave.

Sensing that everyone was looking at him flirtatiously, Wei Qing's face was burning. She was about to leave the place quickly, but was stopped by An Ran.

"Third Sister-in-Law!"

Wei Qing had originally planned to pretend that she did not hear it, but then, the peaceful voice became much louder. If she continued to pretend she didn't hear her, she would definitely provoke peace.

He stopped unwillingly and looked at An Ran with a red face.

An Ran teased: "Third Sister-in-Law, have you ever seen pig liver?"

"Princess Tranquil is going too far!" Wei Qing scolded.

"Third Sister-in-Law, third brother treats you differently from the other girls."

Wei Qing already knew what An Ning wanted to say next, and everyone was urging her to accept Xiao Qingqian. No matter if it was Die'er, his own father, An Jing, or the empress dowager …

However, she was unwilling!

Seeing that Wei Qing did not reply after a long time, she sighed, "Why don't you go to my place first?"

Wei Qing tilted his head and looked at her, as if she had something that he wanted to tell her.

After everyone had left, Xiao Qingqian asked Chen Cheng not to stay here any longer and to check the sequence of events that occurred during the night with the shooting of arrows.

"Don't let anything happen to him!" Xiao Qingqian warned Chen Cheng sincerely and earnestly.

Chen Cheng nodded, "This subordinate will protect you with my life!"

"Go!"

Today, this Rites of Heavenly Worship was completely deliberately giving Xiao Hanqi the chance. However, if there was an accident at night, then royal father would definitely not let him live either.

*

The carriage stopped right outside of Princess Mansion. When Wei Qing got off the carriage, she frowned: "Whose ghost cry is this?"

An Ran blinked at her. "What do you think?"