Watching this unfold, Qu Jinshu couldn’t help finding it ironic.
He Xiujun had always thought that all he needed to do was fight battles as a general. He never bothered himself with anything else, leaving her to handle all the troublesome matters.
That was why, even now, he still had no idea what kind of man the Emperor truly was.
The Emperor might not care whether Prince Jing lived or died, but he cared about his own dignity and the security of his throne.
He Xiujun had won many battles and earned quite a reputation among the common people.
That might have been fine if he had kept a low profile. Unfortunately, he simply didn’t know when to hold back.
How could the Emperor possibly tolerate having such a subject under his command?
Although Lin Zhong came from a military background, he was quite sharp tongued.
He Xiujun would have to pay the price for offending him.
A demotion of three ranks? Wasn’t that practically trampling the pride of the mighty Young General He underfoot?
He might be highly skilled in martial arts, but with a hundred strokes of the cane awaiting him, he would probably end up half crippled.
“Are you the one who saved my Tenth Imperial Brother?”
Qu Jinshu had just returned to the crowd and steadied herself when a small figure approached her.
She turned and immediately recognized the person before her.
“Eleventh Princess.”
She quickly bowed in greeting.
The Eleventh Princess was Zhao Qinghuan, the daughter of Consort Ying.
The Ying family was of modest influence and stayed out of political struggles. Consort Ying had no sons, only one daughter. Thus, although her position in the harem was not particularly high, her life was not especially difficult either.
As a result, Zhao Qinghuan had grown up with a kind and lively disposition.
In the entire imperial palace, if there was any prince or princess who genuinely cared about Zhao Jingxing, it was none other than the young girl standing before her.
“Your Highness flatters me. It was simply my duty,” Qu Jinshu replied quietly.
“You’re amazing! I was beside Imperial Grandmother at the time, and when Lord Lin told us what happened last night, I was absolutely terrified just listening to it. Anyone else would probably have been scared out of their wits. And General He… I used to think of him as a hero. I never imagined he could be such a person.”
Whenever Zhao Qinghuan mentioned He Xiujun, her face filled with disappointment.
“Qu Zhao, come forward.”
The Empress Dowager called her.
Having already retreated to the back, Qu Jinshu had no choice but to step forward once more.
“Was it you who saved Prince Jing? Our warriors of Xiling truly are extraordinary.”
“Since there is punishment, there must also be rewards. Lord Qu, you have both courage and wisdom, and you protected Prince Jing. I intend to reward you handsomely.”
The Emperor spoke as well. “What should I bestow upon you?”
As the Emperor spoke, the eyes of the Qu family members lit up with excitement.
Only Qu Jinshu remained completely composed, neither elated by the prospect of a reward nor troubled by anything else.
“How about a promotion, Lord Qu?” the Emperor suggested, testing her reaction.
The real Qu Zhao, who was standing behind Qu Sheng, practically wanted to rush forward and kowtow to the Emperor on Qu Jinshu’s behalf.
But Qu Jinshu shook her head. “Your Majesty, I am humbled by your kindness. I am but a rough soldier, and the position I hold now is already more than I deserve. I have yet to accomplish anything substantial in this post. To receive a promotion for this would make me feel deeply ashamed.”
She’s lost her mind!
Why would that wretched woman turn it down?!
Qu Zhao was so furious that he wanted to beat Qu Jinshu to death.
Even Qu Sheng’s expression darkened.
Rising through the ranks was something countless people dreamed of, yet she had simply rejected it!
Qu Jinshu remained calm.
How could she possibly let Qu Zhao climb the ranks by stepping over her blood and sacrifices?
The Emperor had not expected her to say such a thing either.
He stroked his beard, looking pleased. “To have such thoughts is a blessing for Xiling. Having a subject like you is a fortune for our country. I have already rewarded you with gold, silver, jewels, and fertile land. Perhaps it is time to give you something different.”
“How about I bestow upon you a golden token granting immunity from the death penalty?”
A golden token granting immunity from death! That was perfect!
Qu Zhao couldn’t have been more pleased. No matter what trouble he got into in the future, this token would protect him.
But in the very next moment, his smile froze completely.
Because Qu Jinshu actually said, “Thank you, Your Majesty. However, I would like to ask Your Majesty to grant this golden token to someone else, with the condition that only she may use it.”
What did she want?!
Had she gone mad?
Even Qu Sheng, who had also been eyeing the token, grew anxious when he heard that it could only be used by someone else.
“Oh? Who do you want to give it to?” The Emperor had never heard such a request before.
“My half younger sister, Qu Jinshu.”
So…
She was Qu Jinshu!
Not far away, Zhao Jingxing, who had been idly turning his wine cup between his fingers, suddenly stopped. The clear water inside reflected his expression, and a glint flashed in his eyes.
He finally knew who she was.
Qu Zhao’s double. The Qu family’s concubine born daughter, Qu Jinshu.
Qu Jinshu?
Everyone looked puzzled. The Qu family actually had another concubine born daughter?
And why would a legitimate son ask the Emperor for a golden token granting immunity from death on behalf of a concubine born daughter?
Before the Emperor could ask, Qu Jinshu explained, “My younger sister Jinshu and I have always been very close. She has always been sensible and considerate. When she was young, she learned that our father was in poor health, so she voluntarily went to a temple to pray and observe a vegetarian diet. She remained there for more than ten years, and it was thanks to her devotion that Father recovered his health.”
As she spoke, the people around them turned their scrutinizing gazes toward Qu Sheng, their expressions rather peculiar.
The Marquis of Jingyuan had been in poor health?
Could he have been suffering from some hidden ailment?
Qu Sheng nearly spat blood.
When had he ever been in poor health?
But with this wicked daughter wearing Qu Zhao’s face and making such claims before the Emperor, he could only accept them. Otherwise, he would be guilty of deceiving the Emperor.
Thus, he could only grit his teeth and force a smile as he nodded.
Qu Jinshu continued, “Recently, she finally returned to the capital. The younger brothers and sisters in our household have always had my protection, but she has had nothing. So I would like to ask Your Majesty to grant her this reward.”
So that was it.
Everyone suddenly understood.
“That explains it! The Qu family is known for producing beauties. Their legitimate daughter, Qu Ya, is a famous beauty and talented young lady in the capital. Their other concubine born daughters are no less impressive. Yet I had never heard of a Qu Jinshu before. Now I understand why.”
“Then this young lady must be quite filial.”
“Indeed. Not everyone could endure more than ten years of prayer and a vegetarian diet. Just look at how robust Marquis Qu is now. He can still go out drinking and enjoying himself. That shows just how sincere the young lady’s prayers must have been.”
“Lord Qu is also quite considerate, treating even his haft sister so well.”
“The values upheld by the Marquis’s household are truly enviable.”
Qu Jinshu immediately earned a great deal of praise.
That was exactly what she wanted.
In her previous life, she had been ignorant of everything and allowed the Qu and He families to spread malicious rumors about her. As a result, everyone in the capital had come to regard her as a thoroughly disgraceful woman.
In this life, she would strike first.
As the people around them continued to whisper and discuss the matter, Qu Sheng and Qu Zhao could only swallow their resentment and keep smiling.
They were already thinking that once they returned home, they would make Qu Jinshu pay dearly for this.
The Emperor nodded. “I knew I had judged you correctly, Lord Qu. You truly care for your younger sister. Since this is your request, I shall grant it.”
The eunuch beside him immediately raised his shrill voice and announced: “By imperial decree, one golden token granting immunity from the death penalty is bestowed upon Qu Jinshu, the concubine born daughter of the Marquis’s household. This token may only be used by her!”
Only then did Qu Jinshu finally breathe a small sigh of relief.