Ten years of dormancy: Starting as a martial arts master at the pinnacle

"The master pleaded countless times for this marriage. He's completely lost face..."

"This Prince Qin's mansion, give me a straight answer, whether it's going to work out or not."

The fourth wife was about to say something fair when she was immediately met with a fierce glare from the first wife.

"Shut up!"

Who among them doesn't harbor some resentment?

Although she usually disliked Luo Qingqing, this niece was more favored than the old lady's own granddaughters and grandsons.

Ultimately, however, it was the entire Ministry of Rites that lost face this time.

The marriage arranged by His Majesty back then was also due to the prestige of the Minister's family.

If there weren't no suitable granddaughters, how could it have been Luo Qingqing, a niece, who was chosen?

But conflicts within one's own family are things that should remain within the family.

Ultimately, their Ministry of Personnel maintained a unified stance and presented a united front against external threats.

"The carriage is here!"

"It was indeed a carriage from the Prince of Qin's residence that brought it back."

While the ladies watched the spectacle, they also felt a pang of sadness.

It seems that their marriage to the Prince of Qin's family has completely fallen through.

Luo Qingqing was no longer able to be arrogant.

Without the Qin Prince's family as a marriage partner, the Minister's family's life in the capital will probably not be as good as before.

The Minister is getting old, and his sons are not very capable.

The only thing they could boast about was Luo Qingqing's father, who was also the son-in-law of the Minister's family.

He is the deputy chief constable of the Six Doors, and also a powerful martial artist.

Although not considered outstanding among the powerful departments of the imperial court.

But he's definitely a powerhouse...

Thinking that his family would have to rely on the Luo family in the future.

They felt even worse.

Especially the first and second wives of the Minister's mansion, they even complained a bit about why Luo Qingqing had taken it upon herself to go to the Prince of Qin's mansion.

Wouldn't it be better for her to just wait patiently for the result?

Whether it's one year or two, at least for the next year or two, they can still benefit from the prestige of the Prince Qin's mansion.

Their children can also use this opportunity to secure a good future.

Unfortunately, everything is ruined now.

Just as everyone was thinking this, the carriage stopped at the gate.

The first person to get off the carriage was not Luo Qingqing, but the driver.

The coachman was dressed in silk, and the fabric looked even better than the fabric worn by the ladies.

Upon seeing these ladies from the Minister's household, the man's attitude was neither servile nor arrogant: "I am Zhuang Qian, the steward of the Prince's Mansion. Greetings to the gentlemen and ladies of the Minister's household!"

"You're too kind, sir."

"Tea has been prepared in the mansion. Please come in for a chat, steward."

The eldest son of the Minister's mansion approached Zhuang Qian with a beaming smile.

Although he was an official, no matter how low his rank was.

But as an official, he had little influence over the steward of the Prince's mansion.

It is said that even a seventh-rank official is in front of the prime minister's door.

The steward of the Prince of Qin's mansion, and a steward capable of carrying out such a task, is far more than a seventh-rank official.

"Then I shall accept it without hesitation."

Zhuang Qian had already received instructions from Li Changqing that the people from the Minister's Mansion would definitely try to get information out of him.

If he leaves, there will be no evidence to corroborate what Luo Qingqing said.

Therefore, he cannot leave.

The carriage curtain opened, and Luo Qingqing, along with her maids and servants, stepped down from the carriage.

"Uncle, Aunt!"

Her little face was flushed, and her voice was soft and sweet.

If they hadn't watched her grow up from childhood, the young masters and ladies of the Minister's mansion would never have dreamed that their niece could be so charming.

This doesn't seem like someone who was turned away at the Qin Prince's mansion.

The First Madam was startled.

Her daughter is only one year younger than Luo Qingqing. If Luo Qingqing can't win her over, the First Madam has other intentions.

But now it seems that things are quite different from what she expected.

This girl actually managed to accomplish what even her master couldn't?

This girl's life is just too good.

Although they were angry, no one in the Minister's mansion dared to show their displeasure on their faces.

Originally, Luo Qingqing was favored in the Minister's mansion because of her father's influence.

Who told her father to dote on his precious daughter like the apple of his eye?

The deputy chief constable of the Six Doors, the second-in-command, a fourth-rank official.

Even in Kyoto, this would be considered a high-ranking official with real power.

Not to mention now.

Given Luo Qingqing's status, she was not worthy of the legitimate son of the royal family.

But who could blame them when their master had made a great contribution to the Ministry of Justice and was promoted to Minister?

His Majesty the Emperor was overjoyed and bestowed this special favor upon him.

That's how the arranged marriage happened back then.

If the Prince of Qin's residence hadn't mentioned it, everyone would have assumed the marriage was off.

Even the Minister of Justice was no exception.

Unexpectedly, the young prince agreed.

Luo Qingqing is the future Princess Consort of Qinghe, and may even become the Empress.

How sharp are the eyes of the First Madam?

Looking at Luo Qingqing's girlish coquettishness, how could she not understand whose promise she had received?

Previously, they shared a common hatred for the enemy, and the First Madam could unite against external forces.

Now she can only watch helplessly as her niece, who once dominated her son and daughter in the household, is about to soar to great heights.

The jealousy burning in her heart was almost bursting out of her nostrils.

It was the second and third wives who took Luo Qingqing's hands, one on each side.

"Oh, Qingqing's back!"

"Have you seen His Highness the King of Qin?"

"You silly child, you're going to the Prince of Qin's residence without even asking an elder to accompany you."

An unmarried girl ran away to her fiancé's house alone.

No matter how you look at it, it's against etiquette.

Luo Qingqing's wet nurse almost rolled her eyes to the heavens.

How could you not have called your elders?

It's just that the young lady's mother is not at home because of matters at the sect.

Chief Constable Luo was on duty at the yamen again.

Before Luo Qingqing left, she had called several uncles and aunts.

But they all shook their heads like rattles, advising the young lady not to go.

Now it's all good, just like those discouraging words from before, they weren't the ones who said them.

"His Highness the King of Qin has entered the palace; I only saw my sister-in-law and the Prince."

When she said the last two words, Luo Qingqing's voice suddenly became softer.

She herself realized this and looked down on herself very much.

She was a renowned detective in the Six Doors (a government agency).

When did you become as shy and timid as other girls?

"Have you seen the young prince?"

"Our Qingqing is truly blessed. I wonder about this Prince..."

The ladies tried to get more information out of her.

There was a flurry of activity inside the gate, and a woman who looked to be around 50 years old came out.

Although this old woman was a servant, the clothes she wore were made of fine materials, something that even low-ranking officials might not be able to afford.

"Miss, the master and madam request your presence."

The Minister and his wife had obviously received the news and hurriedly sent someone to summon them.

The ladies surrounding Luo Qingqing also fell silent.

They thought to themselves, "Seeing only the young prince might not be enough."

The young prince has just been found, and it is said that he has not even met the princess yet. What can he possibly be in charge of?

……