Chapter 516: Chapter 516: Wei Qingwan Seeks Help_1

“Yes, I understand…” Wei Qingwan replied.

“I believe you do, little sister. You are a smart woman, and also the prince’s confidante. I know you will do your utmost for him,” Qi Shijing said with a satisfied look on her face.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good, then I’ll have to trouble you with this task today.”

“Yes.”

Wei Qingwan had no choice but to agree.

Qi Shijing had made her intentions this clear. If she were to refuse, she would not only be letting Qi Shijing down, but also risking the prince’s disappointment in her.

She could not let that happen.

So, Wei Qingwan accepted the task.

After Qi Shijing left, Wei Qingwan asked Cuihe to help her freshen up.

“Make my face look paler, and use old clothes.” Wei Qingwan instructed.

“Mistress, what are you doing? This will surely give Queen Rui a chance to ridicule you!” Cuihe objected.

“Doesn’t Wei Qingruo enjoy making fun of me the most? Well then, let her have her way.” Wei Qingwan replied.

“Mistress, you’re being too hard on yourself.” Cuihe said sadly.

“What else can I do? The queen has already made it clear. This is not just about me, or about her; it could affect the prince’s grand plans and should not be taken lightly. If by satisfying Wei Qingruo’s wish to humiliate me, we can help the prince succeed, then a sacrifice on my part is nothing.”

Wei Qingwan looked at her reflection in the mirror, her decision already made.

“Mistress, I am sure the prince will be moved when he learns of the great sacrifice you have made for him,” Cuihe hurriedly said.

“I hope so.” Wei Qingwan of course hoped that her actions would earn her the prince’s favour.

She had been married for some time, but still, she had not been blessed with the prince’s affections.

If things continued this way, her situation would be very dire…

Because of this, the current matter was extremely important to her, so much so that she was willing to endure humiliation from Wei Qingruo in exchange for progress.

###

King Rui Residence.

Songzhu Garden.

“Miss, someone from King Yu Residence is here. It’s your younger sister. She requests an audience,” Lin Fang reported to Wei Ruo, who was sitting in the garden roasting sweet potatoes and pheasant.

“Let her in.”

Wei Ruo was not surprised at all that Wei Qingwan would come.

King Yu had sent a note to her second brother, who declined a visit due to poor health. If King Yu still wished to see them, he would surely send Wei Qingwan.

She was just unsure whether they had discovered the truth about her relationship with Wei Qingwan.

If they had, they wouldn’t have made this blunder, would they?

Today, she had some free time. Making the most of the lovely autumn sun, she and Meimei were enjoying some goodies in the backyard. It was a good opportunity to get a sense of what charade Wei Qingwan planned to play.

Shortly after, Wei Qingwan arrived at Songzhu Garden, guided by a servant from King Rui Residence.

The moment she stepped in, she saw fruits and vegetables scattered all over the courtyard, and crawling plants that she did not recognize covered the garden walls.

Having walked a distance into the courtyard, Wei Qingwan saw Wei Ruo sitting on a rattan chair, with a newly brewed pot of green tea on the similar rattan table in front of her, next to newly baked sweet potatoes and taro. She seemed to be in a relaxed state.

Wei Qingwan approached Wei Ruo, paid her respects and said, “Greetings to her majesty, the Queen.”

Wei Ruo eyed Wei Qingwan’s outfit of the day.

“What’s this? Your appearance makes it seem like life has been tough for you in the King Yu Residence?” Wei Ruo said, casting a mocking glance.

Wei Qingwan bowed her head, looking aggrieved, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

Cuihe, who accompanied Wei Qingwan, helped her to answer, “Your majesty, Queen Rui, may not know but our mistress has been having a hard time at the King Yu Residence. The Prince does not like our mistress because she doesn’t have a powerful family to back her up, therefore, she has been neglected…”

Wei Ruo raised an eyebrow, looking amazed, so this was a poor-little-me act?

“So, why are you here? Your weak family background has resulted in your lack of favor. Take that matter up with your family, not me.” Wei Ruo asked.

“Sister…”

“Stop right there, it’s fine to pretend when others are around, but now that it’s just us, you don’t need to act so lovingly calling me sister.” Wei Ruo interrupted.

“Sister, I was wrong in the past. I made many mistakes and said many hurtful words. I hope you can forgive me,”.”

Wei Qingwan knelt down in front of Wei Ruo with a thud, her eyes full of tears, as she apologized to Wei Ruo word by word.

Wei Ruo examined her, then commented, “I must admit, your apology is definitely more genuine than the previous one.”

After saying this, Wei Ruo leisurely started sipping her tea.

Wei Qingwan continued, “Sister, it was me who wronged you in the past. I’ve come to ask you today shamelessly, hoping that you can help me for old times’ sake, as we are both daughters of the Wei Family.”

“Help you with what?” Wei Ruo asked, her tone indifferent.

“Sister, regarding the Shenwu Cannon matter, if you could put in a good word for King Yu in front of the Emperor, he will never forget the kindness of King Rui,” said Wei Qingwan.

The Shenwu Cannon was a nickname given by the court to the heavy front-loaded rifled cannon that was made for Wei Ruo.

“What’s the use of him remembering that?” Wei Ruo continued questioning.

“About this…” Wei Qingwan didn’t know how to answer.

Seeing her difficulty, Wei Ruo helped to carry on for her: “Are you trying to say, if King Yu remembers the kindness of King Rui, he will treat the King Rui Residence well once he ascends to the throne in the future? Even if King Rui passes away, leaving me as the widow Queen Rui behind, you are willing to take care of me?”

Wei Qingwan stiffened her face, paused for a moment, and explained, “That’s not what it means, I was just saying that King Yu will be grateful to King Rui, I had no other intentions, and I would not dare to curse King Rui.”

“Then why does my King Rui Residence need King Yu to remember us?” Wei Ruo asked back.

“Sister…” Wei Qingwan was baffled by Wei Ruo’s question.

Noticing that things were not going well, Cuihe quickly put forward the box of pearls Qi Shijing had given her in front of Wei Ruo.

“Her Majesty, the Queen of King Rui, this is a gift from our Queen of King Yu to you, we hope you will like it.”

Wei Ruo lifted her eyes slightly, Xiumei stepped forward to receive the box.

Xiumei opened the box, Wei Ruo just glanced at it indifferently, her face unchanging.

It was just pearls. She was not a stranger to them. She had received many large, plump, and round pearls as rewards.

“Thank Queen Yu for me,” Wei Ruo answered at a leisurely pace.

“We hope that Queen Rui would put in a few good words for our King Yu,” Cuihe said.

“I can’t promise that,” Wei Ruo answered.

Such a direct refusal left Wei Qingwan pale as a sheet. She felt deeply humiliated, yet she had to swallow her sadness, and once again pleaded, “Sister, what would it take for you to help?”