Chapter 352: Soon to be a Widow
Qin Muye’s injury had happened so suddenly that Qin Shiyi didn’t waste time on pleasantries. She only gave her a few instructions and had someone deliver a Space Ring filled with a large amount of defensive equipment.
The entry and exit procedures for the Lower District were complex, and its military administration was exceptionally strict. All passage required a rigorous application process; even the Royal Family had to apply in advance.
For the sake of convenience, Qin Shiyi temporarily granted Jiang Qingli the title of Special Advisor, which would also make it easier for her to stay by Xie Youchen’s side.
She also promised her that once the mission was complete, she would be granted another official position.
Qin Shiyi had interrupted a meeting to see Jiang Qingli, and she had to return to it after they were done speaking.
She stood and gazed at Jiang Qingli. Her gray-blue eyes, so similar to Qin Muye’s, held a trace of hesitation that seemed at odds with her station.
Jiang Qingli asked, "Do you have a message you’d like me to pass on to Qin Muye?"
"No," Qin Shiyi replied. Then, as if considering the worst-case scenario, she added slowly, "If Muye cannot be saved, I want you to bury him on-site in the Twelve Cities."
Before Jiang Qingli could even react, Qin Shiyi had already slipped a Sapphire Ring from her ring finger and was holding it out.
"This was Qin Muye’s father’s," Qin Shiyi explained. "It has a storage function, and inside are some of his photographs and letters. I don’t think Muye would object to it being a burial offering."
Just as she finished speaking, someone hurried over to report on an urgent matter.
Qin Shiyi gave Jiang Qingli a nod and turned to leave.
She had only taken a single step when a girl’s clear voice sounded from behind.
"Your Majesty, I will bring Qin Muye back alive," Jiang Qingli said with determination. "Autumn will be here soon. You can add maple leaf cookies to the afternoon tea menu—Qin Muye loves them."
Qin Shiyi paused for a few seconds before continuing on her way.
But only the handmaiden at her side saw the fleeting, appreciative smile in her eyes.
-
On the way back, Jiang Qingli called Yi Nuo and told him to pack his bags.
As she was hanging up, she arrived at the garage.
Jiang Qingli found the car she had arrived in. Just as her hand touched the handle, she heard a woman’s voice call from behind, "Jiang Qingli?"
The clicking of high heels sounded. Jiang Qingli turned around to see Qin Yu in a long black dress and vibrant red lipstick. A young man was trailing behind her.
"You’re coming with us to the Lower District tonight?" Although she asked, Qin Yu’s expression held no surprise.
After all, Qin Yu and Qin Xiangning were also part of the escorting party and, like Jiang Qingli, had been granted the title of "Special Advisor," so of course they understood the full picture.
When Jiang Qingli nodded, Qin Yu smiled. "You two must be so close, for you to dare go to such a dangerous place... How confident are you that you can save Qin Muye?"
Jiang Qingli sidestepped her hand, her voice calm. "I won’t know until I get there."
A disdainful scoff sounded.
The intense stare was palpable.
Jiang Qingli looked up, finally getting a clear look at the young man’s appearance.
The young man was about eighteen or nineteen, with a white wolf-cut hairstyle, the ends of his hair tinged with black. His red eyes looked down on Jiang Qingli with a hint of contempt.
’This must be Qin Xiangning.’
Jiang Qingli gave him a nod. "Ninth Prince."
Qin Yu glanced around before waving Qin Xiangning over. "Xiangning, you were at the military academy, so you haven’t met your seventh sister-in-law yet, have you? Come on, say hello."
"Sister-in-law?"
Hearing the term, Qin Xiangning raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a sneer. "I’m afraid she’ll be a widow in a few days."
The air froze in an instant.
Qin Yu put on a surprised expression and looked apologetically at Jiang Qingli. "Ah, this boy... Qingli, don’t take it to heart."
Jiang Qingli ignored Qin Yu.
She took a few steps forward until she was right in front of Qin Xiangning and said expressionlessly, "Say that again."
The moment their eyes met, Qin Xiangning saw the fury churning in hers.
Perhaps finding her anger completely unthreatening, he curled his lips and slowly parted his red lips, provocatively drawing out the word, "Wi—"
The first syllable had barely left his lips when a sharp pain slammed into his cheek.
The punch knocked Qin Xiangning’s entire face to the side.
When he came to, he stared at Jiang Qingli in disbelief. "You hit me?"
’In his entire life, this was the first time anyone had ever dared to hit him!’
Qin Xiangning was instantly consumed by rage. The hands at his sides balled into fists, and just as he was about to lunge forward, he heard her say, "I did. What about it?"
’She dares to ask?!’
Qin Xiangning’s eyes widened. "You—"
"Your Highnesses are of noble status, but you should still mind your words."
Jiang Qingli cut him off, her dark eyes as frigid as a blizzard.
She shot a glance at Qin Xiangning and said flatly, "Next time, I won’t bother with a warning. I’ll just hit you. Go on and try me."
With that, she opened the car door and got inside.
She didn’t spare them a single glance.
She closed the door, and the car’s interior was peaceful.
An ordinary driver would have been scared witless by now.
Although Princes weren’t as valued as Princesses, striking a Prince—if he decided to make an issue of it—would land you in a cell for a few days, at the very least.
But the one in the driver’s seat was Xie Youchen’s driver.
Accustomed to Xie Youchen’s own domineering ways, the driver didn’t say a word upon seeing Jiang Qingli strike Qin Xiangning. He simply waited for her to get settled before calmly remarking, "Miss Jiang, there are wet wipes in the glove compartment."
"Thank you," said Jiang Qingli.
She found the wet wipes, pulled one out, and wiped the hand she had just used to strike Qin Xiangning.
The driver asked, "Should we leave now?"
Jiang Qingli was about to nod, but she caught sight of the pair standing outside. She raised an eyebrow. "In a minute. Drive past them on our way out."
"Understood."
The driver carried out her order as if it had come from Xie Youchen himself.
The car slowly pulled away.
Qin Xiangning stood a short distance away, the anger on his face yet to dissipate.
Just as he was about to say something, a car passed in front of him. The window was cracked open, and the girl inside glanced in his direction.
’So she knows she’s in trouble now, does she?’
’If she apologizes now, I can still let her off!’
Qin Xiangning had just twisted his lips into a mocking sneer when he saw Jiang Qingli suddenly reach her hand out toward him—
The next second, a wet wipe slapped him across the face.
Jiang Qingli had even angled the throw perfectly. It struck his face with a loud SLAP, the force of it so great it was as if she meant to suffocate him.
And with that, the car sped up, carrying Jiang Qingli away as it left him in the dust.
Qin Xiangning was about to explode with rage. "That woman..." he seethed.
He took a deep breath, and two snow-white wings unfurled from his back.
He was actually about to fly after Jiang Qingli.
"That’s enough." Qin Yu raised a hand to stop her brother from giving chase. Her tone was stern. "If Mother hears about this, you’ll be put in confinement, no doubt about it."
"I didn’t see you trying to stop me when I was having fun insulting her," Qin Xiangning said, his lips curling into a cold smirk. "Scared you’ll be punished along with me now?"
Qin Yu’s brow twitched.
This younger brother of hers had been sharp-tongued since childhood; she didn’t enjoy dealing with him either.
With a sigh, Qin Yu’s voice softened as she patted his shoulder. "Xiangning, be more composed. This isn’t the only way to get back at her."
"Think about it. What is Jiang Qingli most worried about right now?"
"It’s Qin Muye’s safety."