Ch 58: Backing
Just now, Meng Qingjiao was the first to attack, her words leading everyone to suspect Meng Tingyue. This move had already displeased Qiao Yanfeng. At this moment, seeing Princess Luo Jia enter the room leisurely, Qiao Yanfeng immediately spoke, his tone carrying a hint of reproach: “Didn’t you go out with your sister-in-law? How could you let your sister-in-law return alone?”
“Did you eat gunpowder? Your tone is so bad.” Princess Luo Jia said unhappily, glancing at Qiao Tingfeng. “This Princess just went to take care of some matters. Crown Princess originally insisted on accompanying this Princess; it was this Princess who considered her frail and susceptible to catching a cold from the wind, so she let her return first.”
Qiao Tingfeng felt a little surprised, never expecting Princess Luo Jia to be so kind, but still followed up, “So it was like that. Then you must explain clearly to avoid misunderstandings.”
“Misunderstanding?” Princess Luo Jia slightly frowned, her eyes moving, carefully observing everything around her, capturing the subtle expressions of everyone in the room.
Until she noticed the imperceptible dodge in Meng Qingjiao’s eyes, she had some guesses in her heart.
After a moment’s thought, she took light steps, quickly reaching Meng Tingyue, and in a nearly declarative manner said, “She is the most respected Crown Princess in my heart, her weight in my heart is equal to my Imperial Brother. Whoever opposes her is my enemy, Luo Jia’s enemy.”
“And also my Jingbei Prince’s Mansion’s enemy,” Qiao Tingfeng added.
Hearing this, Princess Luo Jia pretended to glare unhappily at Qiao Tingfeng, but only softly snorted, without truly refuting.
Having one more person stand by the Crown Princess’s side and support her is naturally a good thing.
As soon as the two spoke, everyone’s respect for Meng Tingyue increased.
Regardless of whether this Crown Princess is deeply favored by the Crown Prince, just having these two big shots supporting her, she can walk sideways in Jingdu.
Meng Qingjiao was naturally so jealous that she wanted to wring the handkerchief in her hand, her heart full of resentment.
Princess Luo Jia gracefully took a seat, with a playful look between her brows, lightly glancing at the accompanying attendant, “Have all the things been displayed?”
The attendant respectfully replied, “Reporting to the Princess, only the last item remains.”
“Since that’s the case, display the remaining item quickly. After the display, let’s play something else,” Princess Luo Jia’s tone held a hint of impatience.
Play something else?
Everyone looked at each other, their curiosity even greater.
Princess Luo Jia curled her lips into a faint smile, but did not explain further, instead affectionately holding Meng Tingyue’s hand, unwilling to say more.
After the last treasure was displayed, everyone had a target in mind they wanted to buy.
But unexpectedly, Princess Luo Jia said, “Today, let’s change the rules; we won’t hold an auction.”
As soon as these words came out, several Madams couldn’t help but show anxious expressions, whispering to each other: “No auction? Then what about the treasures we have our eyes on?”
Their trip was well-prepared, bringing plenty of silver, hoping to find one or two favorite items at the Princess’s Mansion as precious gifts for Old Madam Zhongyong Hou’s birthday next month.
“Don’t worry, we’re not having an auction today. Today, we’ll play a game. The Champion can choose one treasure they like as the grand prize.” Princess Luo Jia gently raised her hand, carelessly glancing over the surrounding dazzling, invaluable treasures.
“So, what exactly are we going to play?” Someone couldn’t hold back their curiosity and softly asked.
“Naturally, something simple and easy to understand that everyone can participate in.” Princess Luo Jia, under everyone’s eager anticipation, slowly opened her lips, a faint smile curving her lips, “Let’s play Arrow Throwing. The top four can each choose a prize from this Princess, how about that?”
As soon as these words came out, they instantly stirred ripples in everyone’s hearts. Amidst laughter and cheers, the atmosphere was pushed to a climax.
Some rejoiced, some worried.
The words ‘Arrow Throwing’ instantly pulled Meng Qingjiao’s thoughts back to that unbearable memory.
Although no rumors were heard in Jingdu after that day, her embarrassing moment was truly seen by others.
Several people who were present that day were also here today.
Prince Qing instantly looked sideways to observe Meng Qingjiao’s emotions. Seeing her pale face, with a hint of helplessness, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of pity and self-blame, secretly blaming Luo Jia’s carelessness.
Luo Jia’s gaze inadvertently swept across Meng Qingjiao’s bloodless face, a flash of inexplicable joy in her eyes, fleeting.
With her Crown Princess protected by her, nobody could bully her, not even the female second in the plot.
Meng Tingyue’s eyes trembled slightly, slowly falling on Princess Luo Jia, was it intentional or accidental?
She leaned more towards the former.
But the matter of that day must have been sealed by Prince Qing, and it wouldn’t be spread. How did Princess Luo Jia, who was not in Jingdu, find out?
Everyone came to the Arrow Throwing grounds.
Coincidentally, the grounds were the same as last time.
Meng Qingjiao was ashamed and angry to death, directly blaming everything on Meng Tingyue, believing it to be a carefully planned conspiracy between the two, just to make her recall this humiliating matter.
Prince Qing embraced Meng Qingjiao silently to comfort her, but his face turned to Luo Jia with a blaming look, “Why not change the place? This place doesn’t seem suitable for Arrow Throwing.”
“Fifth Imperial Brother, isn’t this where we usually play Arrow Throwing? Why has it suddenly become unsuitable? If I remember correctly, this location was chosen by you, Fifth Imperial Brother, after you overruled everyone else’s suggestions.” Princess Luo Jia looked at Prince Qing with bright, slightly cunning eyes, her gaze meaningful.
Upon hearing this, Prince Qing’s throat choked slightly, as if gently grasped by an invisible hand.
Among his brothers, his Arrow Throwing skills were unparalleled. Even his brothers who had gone to their fiefdoms, when they gathered in the past, it was he who proposed playing Arrow Throwing in Crane Wind Pavilion, and it was he who chose this spot in Crane Wind Pavilion.
This place is spacious, with beautiful scenery. To be fair, it is indeed a suitable place for Arrow Throwing.
But who knew what would happen afterwards.
Ultimately, the culprit is still Meng Tingyue.
Thinking of this, Prince Qing’s gaze towards Meng Tingyue also carried a hint of coldness.
Meng Tingyue inadvertently met the gaze of Prince Qing and Meng Qingjiao, instantly guessing their thoughts.
A touch of irony arose in her heart, her gaze shifting away from them, ignoring them.
“As usual, the men form one team, and the women another. Each team selects one Champion and one Runner-up, for a total of four people. These four people can each pick a prize from this Princess.” Princess Luo Jia stated concisely, her words carrying an undeniable authority.
Everyone was familiar with these rules, waiting for the Princess’s order to begin the competition.
“As for Fifth Imperial Brother and Fifth Imperial Sister-in-law, you two should each choose a representative. However, if Fifth Imperial Brother participates personally, it would be a little unfair.” Princess Luo Jia smiled slightly, her words implying a hint of teasing, clearly knowing the Fifth Imperial Brother’s abilities.
“I heard that Fifth Imperial Sister-in-law’s Arrow Throwing skills are excellent. Let this Princess see them, then.”
