Cultivation Quick Transmigration: The Believer Girl is Lacking Money and Morals

"No need for thanks." The Crown Prince waved his hand. "We are brothers, and we grew up together since childhood. If you have talent, I will naturally give you an important position."

As he spoke, he suddenly became serious and said, "Shi Yan, you are well aware of the situation in the court. The Third Prince has been making a lot of moves lately, and Consort Shu is frequently making moves in the inner palace. I, as the Crown Prince, may seem to be in a prestigious position, but in reality, I depend entirely on Father Emperor's will."

Xiao Shiyan looked up and met the Crown Prince's serious gaze: "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

"It's not really an order," the Crown Prince smiled. "I'm just reminding you that you've married a woman from the Liu family. Although she's a concubine's daughter, you're still related to the Liu family by marriage. In the future, people will inevitably link you to the Liu family and Consort Shu. You should be aware of that."

"Your Majesty, I understand." Xiao Shiyan said calmly, "The Prince Xian's Mansion is loyal only to the Emperor and the Crown Prince. This will never change."

The Crown Prince still trusted Xiao Shiyan very much; the other party trusted him as much as the Prince Xian trusted his father.

Moreover, he had grown up with Xiao Shiyan, studied and practiced martial arts together, and knew the other's character.

"I trust you," he said, picking up his teacup and gesturing to Xiao Shiyan.

Xiao Shiyan also raised his cup: "To His Highness the Crown Prince."

The two chatted briefly for a while, and seeing that it was getting late, Xiao Shiyan got up to say goodbye.

The Crown Prince personally escorted him to the palace gate before speaking: "In a few days, the Eastern Palace will host a banquet. Please bring your wife with you so I can get to know her."

Xiao Shiyan agreed with the gesture.

The Xu family's courtyard in the alley is much tidier than it was when they first got married a few days ago.

Several new bouquets have been placed in the yard, and some flower buds have already appeared on them.

The lanterns under the eaves were hung up during the wedding.

Although it is still extremely simple, it has a touch of tranquility and serenity.

At this moment, a charcoal brazier was burning in the east wing. Liu Qiongqiong, dressed in a light purple jacket with a rabbit fur vest over it, was sitting next to the brazier reading a book.

At this moment, Xu Jingming pushed the door open and came in from the outside, bringing with him a chill.

He took off his snow-covered robe and hung it to one side, walked to the charcoal brazier to warm himself for a while, and then sat down opposite Liu Qiongqiong.

Liu Qiongqiong put down the book she was reading, poured the man a cup of hot tea, and handed it to him: "You're back quite early today."

Xu Jingming took the tea, warmed his hands with it, and then replied, "Yes, the wind and snow are heavy today, so my superiors told me to leave work early."

Looking at his wife's slightly thin face, Xu Jingming felt a little guilty.

If it weren't for that... the other party wouldn't be suffering here with him.

Now, I not only have to take care of his daily life and meals, but also manage the household chores. It's really hard work.

Setting down his teacup, Xu Jingming grasped Liu Qiongqiong's hand: "You've worked hard these past few days."

Liu Qiongqiong squeezed the man's hand back and shook her head: "Husband and wife are one, how can there be any grievances?"

She paused, then slowly lowered her eyes, not wanting the man to see the complexity in them: "Actually... during the last time we went back to my parents' home, Liu Chenchen and I talked a lot, but I haven't told you yet."

Xu Jingming held her hand, offering silent encouragement without pressing her for answers.

Sensing the man's meaning, Liu Qiongqiong pursed her lips: "She said she didn't think she was wrong, but she would still give me some compensation?"

She looked up at the man and said, "As long as she is the Crown Prince's consort, she will promote you, provided that I don't cause trouble for her."

As for what Liu Chenchen said, she never mentioned the matter of taking a concubine.

Xu Jingming remained silent, still holding her hand and looking at her.

After a long silence, he sighed deeply and took her other hand into his own: "It's my fault for being incompetent. You've suffered so much, and you still have to rely on your half-sister to deal with me."

Liu Qiongqiong smiled gently and leaned into the man's arms, her voice tender and dependent: "Husband, please don't say that. We are one. Only when you are well can I be well."

He spoke gentle words, but his eyes were clear and lucid.

It's three parts real and seven parts acted.

There aren't that many deep feelings in the world. She wanted this man to remember her kindness and know her sacrifices.

Sure enough, Xu Jingming hugged his wife tightly, his voice full of tenderness: "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for? Qiongqiong, don't worry, I will definitely work hard to make sure you can live a good life soon."

Liu Qiongqiong nodded gently in his arms, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips.

She was not entirely resigned to it.

In the beginning, hatred gnawed at her heart, making her restless at night.

No matter how eloquently Liu Chenchen spoke, that was supposed to be her life, but she forcibly took it away and then offered it to her.

That's utterly absurd.

She also has a younger aunt and the third prince.

She had also considered that if Xu Jingming were to get close to the Third Prince, he might be able to trample her underfoot in the future.

But when Consort Shu summoned her to the palace last time, her illusions were completely shattered.

In Yonghe Palace, Consort Shu dismissed everyone else, leaving only herself to speak.

While her words seemed affectionate and caring, she was actually subtly probing Liu Chenchen's movements at the Prince Xian's residence, inquiring about the Prince Xian and his son's attitude towards the Crown Prince, and even hinting that now that she had married into the Xu family, she should share more of the Third Prince's burdens and learn more about the movements of scholars and literati from Xu Jingming...

At that moment, Liu Qiongqiong suddenly woke up.

The way Consort Shu looked at her was less like she was looking at a beloved niece and more like she was looking at a still useful pawn.

As for her father, Liu Wenyuan, the reason he insisted on betrothing her to the Prince Xian's heir instead of the Third Prince was probably because he didn't have much confidence in the Third Prince.

On the surface, marrying her off to the Prince Xian's heir was to win over the Prince Xian's family to the Third Prince, but in reality, it was also to leave herself a way out.

He could neither offend Consort Shu nor secretly curry favor with the Crown Prince.

If the Third Prince succeeds, the Liu family will still be considered imperial relatives; if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Liu family will be credited with supporting the emperor. That's true shrewdness!

As for Liu Chenchen, she dared to show disrespect to Consort Shu, but then turned around and fawned over the Empress Dowager, and even received a reward... This half-sister of hers is extraordinary in her courage, vision, and methods.

It would be unwise to make an enemy of her.

Having figured all this out, Liu Qiongqiong's initial resentment was finally completely suppressed by the weighing of reality.

Now that the move has been made, we must proceed with caution from the beginning.

The next day, Xu Jingming went to an inconspicuous teahouse in the east of the city.

Xiao Shiyan had been waiting for a while in the private room on the second floor.

The two did not exchange many pleasantries.

Xu Jingming got straight to the point, recounting the content of Liu Qiongqiong and Liu Chenchen's conversation, highlighting what he could say, and also expressing the attitude of the couple.

Xiao Shiyan showed no expression after hearing this, simply nodding to indicate that he could go back and wait.

A month later, the seventh-rank compiler of the Hanlin Academy was officially promoted to the fifth-rank reader of the Hanlin Academy.

Not only did he get promoted two levels, but more importantly, he got this position.

He was of exceptionally high rank and status, and could not be obtained without the recommendation of a high-ranking official in the court.

Liu Qiongqiong became even more silent after learning the news.

Xu Jingming held his wife's hand and repeatedly said thank you.

He'll have to rely on himself; it would be good if he could climb to the fifth rank in at least six years.

As for Consort Shu and the Third Prince...

A complex emotion flashed in Liu Qiongqiong's eyes.

They never made any promises. Just like Liu Chenchen said, "Every man for himself."

She had no other choice.