Ji Wanxin knew that when her sister was in a fit of anger, it was useless to reason with her. It would be more productive to clean up the inside of the carriage.
Ji Muqing’s anger continued to flare. She clenched her hands into fists and repeated herself, “Wanxin, listen to me well. That damn girl is our enemy. We must retaliate when we see her. You better drill that quickly into your head.”
Ji Wanxin remained silent.
Because of her silence, Ji Muqing added, “In Eldest Brother’s letter, he said that she is currently living in the Rong Estate.”
“Huh?”
“He mentioned that she had solved two big cases in the capital and was noticed by the Emperor,” she snorted. “Isn’t that amusing? It seems that she is now busy helping Prince Rong investigate the Lin Capital case. It’s clear she found a big patron to back her up. I wonder what kind of poison she fed him to make him protect her the same way he did in Jinjiang.” Her words were spoken out of jealousy.
Ji Wanxin was tidying up things, but when she heard the matter between Ji Yunshu and Jing Rong, her gentle eyes suddenly turned icy, and her hand tightly clenched the cup of tea she was holding.
Ji Muqing did not look at her sister. Rather, she jabbed the latter with her elbow and slyly smiled. “That’s right! Does Shen Changqin, the son of the Minister of Rites know that you are coming? Wait until I become the Crown Prince’s consort, Father will then plan your meeting with Shen Changqin.”
“Stop speaking nonsense!” Ji Wanxin twisted away from her elder sister.
“What are you being shy for? Sooner or later, he will be your husband. It’s not like meeting beforehand is against etiquette. Besides, isn’t that one of the reasons why Father wanted the both of us to come to the capital?” Ji Muqing’s tone concealed some hidden meaning.
Ji Wanxin was reluctant to continue on that topic. “You don’t need to worry about the matter between him and me.” She sat down and faintly uttered, “It’s better if you think about yourself.”
“Me? Why?” Ji Muqing pointed at herself.
Her charming eyebrows rose, showing a cute and arrogant appearance. She smiled. “What do I need to think about? In any case, that position is mine. No one can move me since that was the deceased Empress’s edict, and the Empress was the Crown Prince’s birth mother. Moreover, the Emperor’s words are gold – he can’t go back on his words.”
Ah! It certainly could not happen that the Emperor would replace her as the Crown Prince’s consort.
Ji Wanxin spoke with faint anxiety, “But you are going to the capital for the selection of the Crown Prince’s princess. There will be many maidens. If there is an accident, then you…”
Ji Muqing interrupted her with several ‘Pooh! Pooh! Pooh!’ She fiercely glared at Ji Wanxin. “Don’t speak nonsense! What accident? What kind of accident will occur? Everything has long been settled, and nothing can change the fact that I will be the Crown Princess. The selection is only for appearances’ sake. Furthermore, don’t you know how great Eldest Brother’s and Second Brother’s influence are at the court?” Her tone was brimming with displeasure.
Ji Wanxin had only said a few words, but Ji Muqing overwhelmed her with arguments.
Ji Wanxin explained herself, “I was merely telling you so you can make some preparations to avoid…”
“Fine! I know! You don’t need to remind me – I already know. I should not have let you come with me, how annoying!”
Ji Wanxin was used to her sister’s attitude, so she ignored her. Silence filled the carriage as neither wanted to converse with the other anymore.
The carriage sped up so they could reach Yu Province quickly. From there, it would take two days to reach the capital. With their arrival, the maelstrom inside the capital would only intensify.