High-class Spring Joy

"What things are you going to do or not do?"

Qinghe hadn't reacted yet. She sipped her tea and subconsciously replied with a sentence, but then she suddenly realized what Fei Sheng had said and kept thinking about it.

Once she realized that the two words Fei Sheng had said were indeed the two words she remembered, Qinghe's teacup slipped from her hand and fell to the ground with a thud.

Qinghe was completely stunned, as if she were a stone statue. She didn't dare to look at Feisheng next to her, nor did she dare to ask what Feisheng meant by what he had just said.

Qinghe's first reaction was to pinch her thigh, afraid that she was just dreaming. But as soon as she pinched it, she felt pain in her leg, and only then did she relax and fully realize what was happening.

It's not a dream...

It's really not a dream, not at all...

Little by little, it's not a dream...

Fei Sheng is real, and what Fei Sheng said is real, so those two words he just uttered were truly facts, and not just two words Qing He imagined?

Empress??

Did Fei Sheng just ask her if she wanted to be empress?

No, no, no, that's definitely not right. She must have misheard. If it's not a dream, then she must have a fever. She must be hallucinating somewhere.

Qinghe covered her face and quickly shook her head, trying to shake off those unrealistic thoughts. But to her surprise, this action attracted the attention of Feisheng, who was standing next to her.

Fei Sheng looked at Qing He in front of him, shaking his head and nodding, pinching her thigh and doing this and that, as if he didn't know what he was doing, like he was sleepwalking.

Qinghe then placed the back of her hand against her forehead and immediately noticed something was wrong: "Something's not right... I don't have a fever, isn't this temperature normal?"

As she spoke, Qinghe pinched her ears again and gently patted her ears with her palms. Finding that the sound she could hear was fine, I came to the conclusion: "There's nothing wrong with your ears, so what's the problem?"

After ruling out all her own problems, Qinghe turned to look at Feisheng beside her, just then hearing a sneer from the side:

"I must say, you really are different from ordinary women. Most women, upon hearing something like this, would either beam with joy, crying and wailing as they rush to agree, afraid I'd change my mind. Or they'd coldly refuse, or feign refusal with an air of righteous indignation, actually putting on a show of playing hard to get. But your reaction is something I didn't expect. Pinching your thigh, touching your forehead, pulling your ear—could it be that you've finally realized you're not dreaming, and what I said wasn't just a dream?"

Upon hearing Fei Sheng's words, Qing He immediately realized what was happening and suddenly thought of a possibility: "Yes, it's very possible that you're just talking in your sleep, or you've mistaken someone for someone else and are just spouting nonsense. And how old are you? You're already worrying about these things... Does your father... does the Emperor of Northern Frontier know that you're worrying about this kind of thing for him? Does he know that the empress you're trying to find for him is an ordinary commoner with no status, no birth, no background, nothing at all? And she already has a child. If you're not talking in your sleep, what are you talking about?"

Qinghe certainly didn't naively believe that she had the qualifications to be the Empress of the Northern Frontier Kingdom. So, as long as both parties were clear about it, Qinghe felt there was nothing shameful about having given birth or been married. Since men could have multiple wives, concubines, and other women, including bed warmers, they could enjoy the benefits without lifting a finger.

It's perfectly normal for a woman to remarry because her feelings for him have faded. Qinghe doesn't think there's anything shameful about it, nor does she think there's anything unfair about it.

However, Qinghe also understands that there are too many things in this world that he does not consider as a standard. Most people in this world would think that a woman who has given birth, been married, or even had an entanglement with other men is not clean enough.

Qinghe had never thought that way, and she certainly couldn't believe Feisheng's words.

Fei Sheng pursed his lips, looked at Qing He in front of him, and shook his head helplessly: "When you saved me, you said you were after wealth and glory, gold and silver treasures, the more the better. I believed you and even gave you the opportunity to rise to prominence. Although you may not be the most noble woman in the world after becoming the Empress of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, at least within the Northern Frontier Kingdom, apart from my Empress Dowager, you are indeed the most noble woman. The wealth and glory you mentioned, inexhaustible, that's the best and most worry-free method. As for my father, you don't need to worry about him. Just tell me, are you willing? Do you want to?"

Fei Sheng said that although his father did not have any special or unforgettable impression of Qing He under the circumstances today, there was one thing that was extremely rare and that was much more important than appearance, figure, or background.

That was the fragrance emanating from Qinghe, which made the Emperor feel very comfortable and helped him sleep. For those who suffer from chronic insomnia or nightmares, the power and specialness of the word "sleep aid" are self-evident.

Based on just those two words, Fei Sheng felt that there was a 70-80% chance of success for what he was thinking.

This is why Fei Sheng dared to summon Qing He and ask for her opinion even before his father had developed any special feelings for her.

"I do want wealth and riches, gold and silver treasures. Who doesn't want gold and silver treasures? I was just talking nonsense back then. After all, if I hadn't said that, you wouldn't have let me treat your wounds."

Qinghe explained helplessly, feeling both helpless and amused. Helpless because who would have thought the child would take it seriously? Amused because the child not only took it seriously, but also actually had the identity and ability to fulfill this request.

"Leaving that aside, I already have a fiancé with whom I'm engaged, and we even have a child. Naturally, I can't be the kind of person who breaks faith with someone else, much less someone who's fickle and greedy. Besides, I know my status is unworthy of His Majesty the Emperor of the Northern Frontier Kingdom. It was just a joke back then, so you don't need to take it seriously or hold it against you. But since you want to repay me, I won't refuse any real wealth and honor, gold and silver. I'm a very materialistic person; I'll take any kind of gold and silver, I'm not picky, even copper coins will do. In short, anything that makes me richer than I am now will do."

Qinghe said honestly, her eyes lighting up with greed when money was mentioned, like a starving wolf.

Now it was Fei Sheng's turn to remain silent.

How to say it...

So, neither his father nor the girl in front of him are romantically involved, right?

How can they even be so in sync in their gestures and speed of rejection?

Qinghe naturally couldn't agree to it, nor could she even dream about it. She didn't think it was a cushy job, nor did she think that becoming the Empress of the Northern Frontier Kingdom would make her any happier.

Putting everything else aside, let's just talk about the most basic thing: if she really becomes the Empress of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, from the moment she agrees to the throne until she returns to the country and finally becomes the Empress, Qinghe probably won't know how many assassination attempts she will have to endure. Once she's in the harem of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, Qinghe doesn't know how many schemes and plots she will have to face every day, and she might not even be able to save her life.

Qinghe was very clear about this. She wisely knew that she might not even be able to handle a domestic power struggle, let alone a palace intrigue.

She still preferred to open a small shop in the streets and alleys of Bianjing. She didn't need to be rich; she just wanted to be able to support herself and her child, to ensure they had enough to eat and wear, and for her child to be able to attend school smoothly.

Although such days are ordinary and commonplace, and many people may think they lack ambition, Qinghe feels that peace and joy are enough.

Qinghe refused decisively. Seeing Fei Sheng open his mouth as if he wanted to continue persuading her, she quickly said, "Alright, you don't need to say anymore. Whether it's gold and silver treasures, wealth and honor, or any status and power, I think that as the young prince of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, if you really want to repay my kindness, there are more ways than this. You don't necessarily have to become the empress of the Northern Frontier Kingdom or anything like that. There are other ways to repay my kindness. Why should I choose the most dangerous one? Besides, I am very self-aware."

Fei Sheng wanted to say something more, but then there was another knock on the door, and the servant's voice came from outside:

"His Highness sent someone from the North Garden to invite Miss Qinghe over, saying that the Emperor of Song Kingdom summoned her."

At this moment, even if Fei Sheng had something else he wanted to say, he had nothing left to say and couldn't express it.

Only Qinghe seemed to have received a life-saving blessing, and hurriedly waved her hand: "Since His Majesty has summoned me, I will go first. Your Highness, please rest first."

After saying that, Qinghe pushed open the door and went out without hesitation.

But as soon as he reached the courtyard gate, he saw Chen Sha and... the Third Young Master standing to the side.

Qinghe was stunned. Even in the darkness of the night, her gaze seemed to automatically find its way, and her first reaction was to fall directly on the Third Young Master. At that moment, the Third Young Master was talking to the eunuch next to him.

Qinghe had met that eunuch during the day; he was the chief eunuch who served the emperor of Song Kingdom.

Qinghe was surprised; she didn't know why the Third Young Master would be here so late at night.

When did the Third Young Master arrive? And why did he come? And why has he been waiting until now? Did the Emperor specially invite the Third Young Master to see her?

Qinghe felt that she didn't deserve this treatment and that there was no need to make such a big deal out of it.

She must never repeat the same mistake!

Now, they had no choice but to take a gamble. Qinghe felt extremely guilty and secretly clenched her palms until her knuckles turned white before reaching out. She placed one hand on his large palm and used the index finger of her other hand to write stroke by stroke on his palm.

At this moment, large raindrops began to fall uncontrollably, pelting Qinghe's body and the warm, large hands she was holding.

The cold rain made his large hands appear even hotter and hotter. Qinghe felt as if she were holding a hot iron, her heart pounding heavily in her chest. Even though the words "throne" were so simple, she took a long time to write them down, her hand trembling as she finished: "This servant can help Master..."

Unexpectedly, the large hand that had been lingering and caressing her neck suddenly tightened, a tremendous feeling of suffocation washed over her, and her feet gradually left the ground. She was now being lifted up by the neck—

"Who sent you?!"

"No...no, really no! I only heard of your reputation in the manor. Someone like you deserves...the best...things in the world...cough cough cough..." Qinghe tried with all her might to pry his hand off, but the difference in strength was too great, and he was completely unmoved.

Ning Wu narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her.

The person in front of him appeared slender and delicate in his palm, with red eyes overflowing with glistening tears, like a rabbit suddenly encountering a predator, constantly shrinking and struggling. Those clear peach blossom eyes were filled with despair and panic, looking like a dodder vine about to wither, extremely pitiful.

But he showed no mercy, letting go of her as she fell to the ground in the cold rain, and pronounced a death sentence: "Kill her."

"She seems like a well-behaved person, but it turns out she's trying to curry favor with you!" Eunuch Gao glared at Qinghe and pulled her away.

The immense fear and despair she felt before her death in her previous life returned like a venomous snake. Qinghe struggled fiercely: "Master! To you, keeping me alive is more useful than killing me!"

Ning Wu remained unmoved, his expression unchanged, like a bystander watching a play.

It was raining, and Qinghe's clothes were already thin. As she struggled and pulled with all her might, her collar came undone, and in the cold rain, the begonia flower pattern on her collarbone was vividly beautiful.

Ning Wu frowned almost imperceptibly.

"Let go."

After realizing what was happening, Grandpa Gao had no choice but to release Qinghe.

"Umbrella." Ningwu's gaze fell directly on Qinghe, who was sitting slumped in the pool.

Grandpa Gao dared not ask and hurriedly handed over an oil-paper umbrella.

Qinghe collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. The actions of the master and servant jolted her back to reality. She almost knelt beside Ningwu's palanquin, overwhelmed by fear of death and burning hatred, and revealed all her trump cards: "Your Excellency is my ladder to climb before the Emperor. Whatever Your Excellency desires, I will offer it with both hands!"

He didn't speak.

She knew this meant there was a possibility, and she grabbed the hem of his blood-red robe with both hands, her gaze growing even more determined: "Please, Master, have mercy on me."

Ning Wu didn't speak, staring for a moment. Just when Qing He was about to despair, the oil-paper umbrella in his hand finally tilted towards her, and all the wind and rain fell on him.

"Take it back."

……

The Governor's Office.

Qinghe was immersed in hot water. She didn't know how much strength she had used to dare to say those words, nor did she know how Ningwu had covered up the fact that she hadn't gone to Qianqing Palace, but she knew that she had to seize this excellent opportunity.

The hot water made her feel a little more relaxed. Just as she was thinking about what to do next, a maid knocked on the door and said that the supervisor had returned and wanted to see her.

Qinghe was served by several maids as she changed clothes, was perfumed, and had her makeup done. She was so serious and solemn that it seemed as if she was going to serve the emperor.