Bam!
Qi Zhen was angered. “Preposterous!” He lashed out. His anger was a deluge. “Although we did teach you that, we also taught you that – loyalty to your roots come first.”
Jing Rong lowered his eyebrows. He retained his calm, but his obstinacy could still be felt. “Son did not intend to contradict Imperial Father’s will, but rather only wished to tell Imperial Father to think twice as the Kong family…”
Before he could finish, Jing Yi cut in. “Jing Rong, we know that you are on good terms with Kong Yu, since you two grew up together. Anyone can see how close you two are. But don’t forget that before your identity as a childhood friend, you are this country’s prince. That distinction should be made loud and clear. Do you know the weight of your position?”
The corner of his mouth pulled into an unfathomable smile, appearing rather hypocritical! His words had pushed Jing Rong into a pit.
Qi Zhen was already angry, and if Jing Rong continued arguing, he was simply digging his grave. Then, Jing Hua planned to keep quarreling with Jing Yi. He intended to tease out the fact that since Jing Yi didn’t want his younger sister to be married off, he was thinking of pushing out his cousin instead?
‘In your dreams!’ Jing Hua looked at his father’s angry expression and raised his chin in an arrogant expression. He berated Jing Yi, “Jing Yi, you said so much, but in the end, could it be that you don’t want Jing Xuan to be sent to Qujiang?” His words exposed the truth.
He turned to his father and said, “Imperial Father, Qujiang King has dispatched people to propose a marriage. If Jing Xuan was married, this is the most appropriate choice. Whether or not we might wage war with Qujiang in the future is still uncertain. Please think about it, if one day Jing Xuan can become Qujiang’s queen, isn’t Qujiang considered to be within our hands? Besides, what Jing Rong said is correct. Kong Yu is the only direct descendant of the Kong family. If Mother Queen is still alive, she would also oppose this matter the same way as Jing Rong did.”
He used his dead mother as an excuse to move Qi Zhen. He was betting on the depth of his father’s love to his mother!
Qi Zhen’s expression darkened. He sighed and frowned.
Jing Yi narrowed his eyes at Jing Hua, and the latter rolled his eyes inwardly but didn’t spare a glance at him.
Fortunately, Jing Yi was a steady person. He calmed down and plead his father, “Imperial Father, Jing Xuan is still young, and her mind has no defenses. If we send her to Qujiang, it’d be the same as breaking her wings. In addition, all the ministers agreed that Kong Yu is the best candidate for this matter. What’s more, it’s an honor for her to be sent to Qujiang. It would be better…”
Qi Zhen raised his hand to interrupt him.
The buzzing noise was causing him to have a headache. If he had known earlier, he would have to think about it in private and make his decision on his own. Instead, he was bombarded by arguments left and right. ‘How bothersome! How infuriating!’
“All of you are dismissed!”
No one dared to refute the annoyed emperor. They all bowed in salute and withdrew.
Jing Rong was one of the last to leave. Just as he reached the exit, Jing Hua caught him.
He patted Jing Rong’s shoulder and spoke with a tint of complacency, showing a mystifying appearance. “So, did I show enough brotherhood? I know that you and Kong Yu have each other in the hearts. That’s why I helped you.”
‘Yes, I really ought to thank you! How about you piss off instead?’
Jing Rong couldn’t be bothered to talk to him, so he remained silent.
“You don’t have to worry too much. Imperial Father has yet to make an imperial edict, which means things can change. I’ll help you in the next two days by reporting to imperial father of your feelings for her, so he won’t make a hasty decision.”
“Your Highness…”
“Alright alright, you don’t have to thank me. Kong Yu is my cousin after all, and I know she only has eyes for you.” He acted as if he knew everything. “I am a generous person. I will forgive you even if you had stood on Jing Yi’s side in regards to that border matter.” Jing Hua added.
‘This Prince has a heart as wide as the ocean!’
Black lines formed on Jing Rong’s face, and he turned. “Thank you, Your Highness, I have some matters to attend to, so I best be going.”
“What matter?”
‘It’s none of your business!’ He did not say these words out loud, and so he instead said, “I have to handle some internal matters that require my immediate attention.”
“Oh!” Jing Hua said, and then curiously pulled Jing Rong back to ask. “That’s right, that Teacher Ji that you brought back, the last time I saw him was at Concubine Xiao’s birthday. I didn’t expect that man to be so formidable. He managed to solve that difficult missing girls case. If you have time, introduce him to me, alright?”
“Teacher Ji is not very friendly, so it’s best for you to not meet him.”
“Why? Such a talented person, don’t tell me you intend to keep hiding him forever?” Jing Hua said angrily.
Jing Rong shook his head and sighed. He then absentmindedly said some words before leaving Jing Hua behind.