sjar Chapter 570 The two sisters' circumstances were even more drastically different.
Chapter 570 The two sisters' circumstances were even more drastically different.
The sedan chair stopped in front of the Zhao residence, and a maidservant stepped forward to lift the curtain.
But only Zhao Qingzhi came down.
Her hair was adorned with jewels and her makeup was exquisite, but her face still showed an undeniable paleness and haggardness.
She tried to straighten her back and forced a smile at her parents.
Anyone can see it clearly.
When she returned to her parents' home after her wedding, her husband didn't accompany her.
The smiles on the faces of Vice Minister Zhao and his wife froze instantly, and a strong sense of foreboding welled up in their hearts.
The main hall of the Zhao family residence.
Old Madam Zhao sat in the main seat, holding Zhao Qinghan's hand, and carefully examined her.
"You look good. It seems Chenyu has taken good care of you."
Chu Chenyu peeled an orange for Zhao Qinghan, carefully removing all the white pith before handing it to her.
"Grandmother, rest assured, your son-in-law will not let Qinghan suffer any injustice."
The old lady nodded with satisfaction as she watched the natural intimacy between the two.
Just then, Zhao Qingzhi walked in.
Her clothes, though adorned with riches and splendor, resembled an ill-fitting theatrical costume, making her appear exceptionally lonely.
"Grandmother." She stepped forward and bowed, her voice slightly weak.
Old Madam Zhao's gaze lingered on her for a moment, then she asked casually, "Where is the young prince? Why didn't he come back with you?"
Zhao Qingzhi's fingers tightened around her sleeve. She forced a smile and said, looking down, "He... he's very busy with official duties and really can't get away."
Even she herself wasn't confident in saying that.
Newlyweds, what official business is more important than accompanying your wife on her homecoming visit?
The old lady didn't press further, only giving her a meaningful look before turning back to continue talking to Zhao Qinghan.
This was more embarrassing for Zhao Qingzhi than any reprimand.
At the banquet, the two sisters' circumstances were vastly different.
Chu Chenyu kept serving food to Zhao Qinghan, and every now and then he would whisper something in her ear, making her smile.
There seemed to be an invisible barrier between the two, isolating them from others.
Meanwhile, the bowl and chopsticks in front of Zhao Qingzhi were barely touched.
She sat alone, listening to her sister and brother-in-law's laughter, which she found extremely grating. The delicacies on the table tasted like wax to her mouth.
Looking at their two daughters, one radiant and the other forlorn and haggard, Vice Minister Zhao and his wife felt a mix of emotions.
The resentment towards the Prince Yong's mansion weighed heavily on his heart.
Outside the city, at the Princess's residence.
As the sun set, Lin Xingyao stood in the empty courtyard.
Although it is ornately decorated, it is far less grand than the Prince Yong's mansion. More importantly, it is far from the center of power, like an exquisite cage.
"Mother, when are we going home?" Lin Jiayou asked.
Lin Xingyao looked down at her son's innocent little face, and a wave of sadness washed over her.
She gently stroked her son's cheek, her voice choked with emotion: "You'er, be good, we'll be back soon."
She turned to the nanny beside her and instructed, "Take You'er back to the room first, I have something to do."
After the nanny left with the child, the gentleness on Lin Xingyao's face vanished instantly, replaced by an almost insane hatred.
She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms.
"Zhao Qingzhi!" she gritted her teeth, "You think you can rest easy just by kicking me out? Dream on!"
A short while later, a middle-aged man with tattered clothes and a sleazy face was quietly brought in.
He knelt tremblingly before Lin Xingyao, smiling obsequiously, "Your Highness, I am Wei Chengde."
Lin Xingyao looked down at him, her voice icy: "The Wei family wasn't even executed along with their entire clan. The late emperor was truly merciful."
Fearing that Lin Xingyao might kill him in anger, Wei Chengde quickly said, "Although my surname is Wei, I am worlds apart from Wei Qiming..."
Lin Xingyao took out a heavy money bag from her sleeve and threw it in front of Wei Chengde. "I need you to do something for me."
"After this is done, not only will you receive a generous reward, but I will also find a way to help you restore the Wei family's prestige."
Wei Chengde's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly kowtowed, "Whatever Your Highness commands, I will gladly die for you!"
Lin Xingyao leaned closer to him and whispered a few words.
Wei Chengde's face gradually turned horrified, but when he saw the money bag, he gritted his teeth and nodded.
"Remember, do it cleanly and neatly, don't give anything away," Lin Xingyao warned as a final reminder.
The following evening, Zhao Qingzhi's carriage was on its way back to the Yong Prince's Mansion from the Zhao residence.
Inside the carriage, Zhao Qingzhi leaned against the cushions, her face still pale.
Her experience at her parents' home today made her even more aware of the difficulties she was in.
Although Grandmother didn't say it explicitly, the disappointment in her eyes said it all.
"Princess Consort, the road ahead is narrow. Shall we take a detour?" the sedan bearers asked from outside.
Zhao Qingzhi closed her eyes wearily. "Let's take the shortest route."
She just wanted to get back to the manor as soon as possible, hide in that cold new room, and stop having to maintain the dignity of a princess consort in front of others.
However, just as the carriage reached a secluded section of the road, a sudden scream rang out.
"kill!"
Several masked men in black suddenly rushed out from the roadside, wielding knives and swords, and headed straight for the carriage.
"Protect the Crown Princess!" The guards immediately drew their swords to meet the enemy.
Zhao Qingzhi was terrified by the sudden turn of events inside the carriage. Through the gap in the curtain, she saw the villains fighting and shouting, "The Prince Yong's Mansion killed my entire Wei family! Today, they will pay for this in blood!"
"The Wei family?" Zhao Qingzhi's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly thought of Wei Qiming from back then.
The two sides fought fiercely, amidst the flashing swords and clashing blades. The horses, startled, suddenly neighed and dragged the carriage out of control.
"Oh no! The horses are startled!" The coachman tried desperately to control the reins, but couldn't hold on at all.
The carriage sped toward the roadside, where a teahouse stood, where several guests were resting.
Inside the teahouse, Chu Ruohan was leading Gu Qingchen, preparing to board a carriage and leave.
"Qingchen, come back quickly!" Chu Ruohan hurriedly chased after him.
Just then, the out-of-control carriage came hurtling towards the mother and daughter!
"Watch out!" the other guests in the teahouse exclaimed.
Gu Qingchen was so frightened that he stood there in shock. Seeing this, Chu Ruohan rushed over without hesitation, hugged her daughter tightly in her arms, and shielded the child with her own body.
"boom!"
The carriage crashed heavily into the pillar of the teahouse, the loud impact echoing throughout the surrounding area.
The sedan chair overturned, and a woman's scream of pain came from inside.
Chu Ruohan didn't bother to brush the dust off her clothes and hurriedly checked if her daughter was injured.
Fortunately, she reacted quickly and was only frightened; she was otherwise unharmed.
At this moment, a woman climbed out of the tilted sedan chair; it was Zhao Qingzhi.
Her hairpins were scattered all over the ground, and there was a shallow scratch on her face; she looked utterly disheveled.
"Help! Someone is trying to kill me!" Zhao Qingzhi rushed over to Chu Ruohan as if she were grasping at a straw.