Chapter 13: Queen Jiang

I never expected that the problem in Chentang Pass would be this serious!

Through the windows on both sides of the carriage, Queen Jiang saw the people of Chentang Pass on either side of the road.

Most of them wore ragged clothes, and because of the cold, they could only huddle in corners, shivering.

Queen Jiang also saw many dirty children picking up insects to eat.

Seeing this, Queen Jiang felt a faint pang in her heart.

She is naturally soft-hearted; how could she bear to see this?

"Qingluan, have people distribute some clothing and food to these folks!"

Queen Jiang spoke.

"Yes!"

A maid respectfully replied, and immediately ordered her subordinates to take some clothing and food from the carriage behind and distribute them to the people of Chentang Pass on both sides of the road.

The people of Chentang Pass who received clothing and food also knelt before the queen's carriage, paying their respects.

Seeing this, Lady Yin's eyes flickered slightly.

All of this was actually arranged by the Prince Consort.

Although the situation in Chentang Pass was terrible, thanks to Lady Yin's efforts, it was not as bad as it seemed.

However, knowing Queen Jiang was about to arrive, Ao Yifan suggested arranging some people to wear tattered clothes and appear where she would pass, in order to win her sympathy.

This way, they could also hold a strong emotional card in the upcoming negotiations.

As for those children eating insects, well, Lady Yin said they had nothing to do with her and the Prince Consort's arrangements; she didn't know which mischievous kids they were, and she wasn't afraid they'd upset their stomachs.

Soon, the sound of spanking and the children's cries reached Lady Yin's ears; she knew that this insect‑eating child had finally been given a proper childhood.

"I thought you were exaggerating in your letter, Suzhi, but the reality is even worse than I imagined."

Queen Jiang said: "The supplies I brought this time are limited, but I will write to my father afterward and have him send the rest over."

Hearing this, Lady Yin was overjoyed; she hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

"Imperial Sister‑in‑law, I thank you on behalf of all the people of Chentang Pass!"

Lady Yin said with a smile.

Hearing that, Queen Jiang blinked and said: "Why thank me? You also produced the so‑called ten‑year mining rights of the East Sea, didn't you? Besides, this is surely that good Prince Consort of yours scheming again."

"Hehe, indeed, nothing can be hidden from you, Imperial Sister‑in‑law."

Lady Yin gave a hehe laugh.

"Ah, your Prince Consort is too clever; I'm afraid you'll end up suffering later!"

Looking at this silly princess, Queen Jiang sighed again.

"No way, Imperial Sister‑in‑law; the Prince Consort obeys me—he even follows my order to find someone else to bear children, without any objection."

Lady Yin said.

"Huh?"

Queen Jiang stared, dumbfounded, as if she had just heard something shocking.

"Suzhi, what's going on?"

At that moment, Lady Yin explained that bearing children had taken too long, she was exhausted, so she had her maid take her place, and the Prince Consort obediently went along.

After hearing Lady Yin's account, even Queen Jiang, who usually paid attention to her deportment, was shocked enough to open her mouth slightly.

"Suzhi, are you sure the Prince Consort agreed to this only reluctantly?"

Queen Jiang's expression turned odd; she realized this princess of hers might not be innocent, but truly foolish!

"Of course!"

Lady Yin said: "Imperial Sister‑in‑law, you don't know—the Prince Consort used to cling to me for hours on end, even wanting to… well, anyway, I was utterly exhausted, so I sent him to find Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai; at first he was very unwilling, but after I gave him a firm order, he reluctantly agreed."

"This…"

Queen Jiang was at a loss for words.

She was quite certain that this silly princess had been deceived.

However, hearing that the princess's Prince Consort demanded several hours at a time, she also felt a flutter in her heart.

"Still, this isn't Suzhi's fault—if it were me, a few hours would probably… well, what am I thinking?"

Queen Jiang's fair cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly cleared her mind.

After all, Queen Jiang and King Zhou treated each other with respect; even observing the rites of the Duke of Zhou, she followed the laws strictly—taking only a taste and stopping—so she could never behave as wantonly as the princess's Prince Consort.

"This matter, it seems I must properly guide Suzhi so she won't keep being deceived."

Queen Jiang thought about this, but also felt a bit torn.

After all, these matters are too private; she also didn't know how to bring them up.

……

"Queen, our manor is poor; please forgive us!"

Having brought Queen Jiang to the seat of honor, Ao Yifan said with a smile.

Hearing that, Queen Jiang glanced at the food on the table, nodded lightly, and said: "Now Chentang Pass faces many difficulties; if you can lead by example, I am deeply relieved."

"Furthermore, plain tea and simple meals are the truth; although I am queen, I also know the principle of sharing food with the people."

Saying this, Queen Jiang picked up a small vegetable and began to chew it slowly.

The meal was eaten very simply.

Afterward, they briefly discussed the matter of material aid from the Marquis Dongbo's tribe, and then Lady Yin saw Queen Jiang off to rest.

After all, the other party was weary from travel, so it was not suitable to overtax them.

……

At night, Ao Yifan held Lady Yin in his arms and whispered: "Lady, your Imperial Sister‑in‑law may soon face great calamity!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lady Yin instantly grew tense and sat up from Ao Yifan's embrace.

"Prince Consort, what do you mean by that?"

Lady Yin said anxiously.

She had a very good relationship with Queen Jiang, even treating her as she would her own mother.

At this moment, hearing the Prince Consort say that her imperial sister-in-law was in trouble, how could Lady Yin not be anxious?

"Madam!"

Holding Lady Yin once again in his arms, Ao Yifan said, "I have a secret art that can read a person's appearance; on the queen I saw a tremendous surge of calamitous energy!"

"Calamitous energy? What is that?"

Lady Yin asked, puzzled.

"Madam, in this world, some people are born to undergo calamity; it is the way of heaven turning to make up for itself!"

Ao Yifan explained slowly: "I fear your imperial sister-in-law is one of those people; moreover, the calamitous energy on her is immense, and I estimate it may be a deadly calamity!"

"How could that be?"

Lady Yin's face instantly turned deathly pale.

"Prince Consort, what should we do?"

Grasping Ao Yifan's arm tightly, Lady Yin urged, "I don't want anything to happen to my imperial sister-in-law; since you can see the deadly calamity on her, you must have a way to resolve it, right?"

"Well..."

Ao Yifan's face showed a hint of hesitation, as if he wanted to speak but held back.

"Prince Consort, what exactly are you hesitating about? If you can save my imperial sister-in-law, I will give you anything you want—even the valley and grain path you have always desired..."

Lady Yin hadn't finished speaking when Ao Yifan cut her off.

"Madam, don't you know me? I am not the sort to take advantage of someone's peril; however, this deadly calamity of your imperial sister-in-law likely lies upon her closest kin, and I fear I cannot help!"

Ao Yifan said helplessly.