Chapter 10 Scheming

It was impossible, nor was it necessary, to completely eradicate Gao Minyue by taking advantage of this opportunity.

However, if she could take this opportunity to put on a show of deep affection in front of Xie Jin Yan, then it would be worth it.

Stepping out of Qingning Courtyard, the smile on Yu Qingwu's face suddenly disappeared, replaced by a meaningful coldness.

All the way to the secluded path leading to Vermilion Bird Courtyard, she glanced coldly towards the rockery and said, "Come out."

The person behind the rockery stiffened slightly, and quickly walked out.

It was Chun Tao.

She walked with light, broken steps to Yu Qingwu, knelt down with a "plop," and said, "Crown Princess, this servant is willing to dedicate myself to your service, even to die for you, only asking that you can save my family's lives. Please, Crown Princess, show me a clear path."

Hearing this, Yu Qingwu did not answer immediately.

She leisurely sized up Chun Tao kneeling on the ground, a faint smile on her lips, but her eyes were icy cold.

So cold, like a knife.

Even a single glance made the other person's back feel chilled.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Chun Tao felt a little apprehensive in her heart.

But thinking that she had nowhere else to go, she mustered her courage and spoke again, "Crown Princess, you deliberately said just now to let this servant act according to the original plan, and also said that you were going to find His Highness, weren't you hinting for this servant to wait for you outside? Because you don't want Mama Xun to know your real plan, so you have to avoid her."

As she spoke, Chun Tao added another sentence to Yu Qingwu, "This servant has no way to go now. Whether it's to save my life or for my family, I'm willing to serve the Crown Princess."

After listening to her words, Yu Qingwu still did not express her opinion.

She only looked at Chun Tao with a smile that was not a smile. After a moment, she smiled and said, "You are very smart."

Yes, Chun Tao was very smart.

So smart that she understood with just a slight hint.

Just as she said, Yu Qingwu's words just now, saying to let her act according to the original plan, were indeed hinting for her to wait outside.

After all, plotting to harm the imperial heir was a serious crime. If she really acted according to the original plan, Chun Tao would likely become Ah Yue's scapegoat. Even if she wasn't a scapegoat, she would have to take the blame.

But Yu Qingwu also said that if she didn't listen, she would also take her family's lives.

Death either way, Chun Tao naturally had to ask her for a way out. Therefore, she also said that she was going to find Xie Jin Yan, which was hinting for Chun Tao to wait for her on the road leading to Vermilion Bird Courtyard.

And similarly, there were too many people on the main road to Vermilion Bird Courtyard. If she wanted to discuss something, she naturally had to choose a secluded path with few people.

Looking around, Yu Qingwu gently walked closer to Chun Tao, lowered her voice, and said coldly, "Since you are a smart person, I won't waste my breath with you. Perhaps you have already guessed that I am not pregnant, so there is no need for any contraception soup."

"You only need to injure me, injure me in a way that makes His Highness feel as much heartache as possible."

"Also, you don't have to tell me how you plan to do it. After all, if I know, the performance won't be realistic..."

This Crown Princess was truly ruthless in order to get rid of her opponent.

Chun Tao's face couldn't help but change, and a hint of apprehension appeared in her eyes as she asked, "Crown Princess, but... if you don't let me know, what if someone dies?"

"If someone dies, then you can only blame yourself for not being capable."

"I have no need to protect useless people."

Yes, she now needed to cultivate her own people. Although Mama Xun was good, she was ultimately sent to her by Xie Jin Yan. Although the two martial maids had martial arts skills, they were clearly sent by the Empress to monitor her.

She now needed a confidante, a confidante who was smart enough and ruthless enough.

Chun Tao was smart enough. Although she had been disrespectful to her in the past and had been arrogant because of Gao Minyue, she thought that if Gao Minyue hadn't killed her younger brother, she wouldn't have betrayed her master. This was very understandable.

But if she saved her and could also ensure wealth for her entire family, Chun Tao might not be loyal.

Chun Tao was originally apprehensive. After hearing Yu Qingwu's words, she instantly understood, and even a hint of joy appeared in her eyes. She quickly knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "This servant thanks the Crown Princess in advance for her kindness. The Crown Princess can rest assured that this servant will do my best and make sure everything is watertight."

"Don't say that yet. Whether I promote you or not depends on your own abilities. Go and do your work."

Yu Qingwu waved her hand, which was considered an agreement.

Chun Tao kowtowed to her again, and retreated with joy.

Compared to a master as stupid and vicious as Gao, following someone like the Crown Princess was clearly more promising.

She was naturally happy...

When she rose to prominence with the Crown Princess, she might even be able to avenge her younger brother.

With excitement in her heart, Chun Tao's pace also became lighter.

Yu Qingwu stood there, watching her expressionlessly for a moment, and then continued to walk towards the depths of the path.

The warm afternoon sun rose slightly, and the weather gradually warmed up again. When she arrived at Vermilion Bird Courtyard, a thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Xie Jin Yan was staring at a memorial with his cheek propped up. Seeing Yu Qingwu enter, he slowly put it down, raised his eyes to size her up, and said, "Aren't you supposed to be busy moving things? Why are you here?"

"And you've worked up a sweat."

Yu Qingwu smiled slightly, but did not answer. Instead, she walked behind Xie Jin Yan, gently placed her soft palms on his shoulders, glanced at the mountain of memorials on the desk, and asked, "Is Your Highness busy?"

"It's okay. Does Shijie have something to say?" Xie Jin Yan responded with a smile, and then took her hand, teasingly saying, "Shijie is very diligent today, and even gives Gu a shoulder massage. What is it? Do you want to ask Gu for something?"

"Is it to see Shen Ke's joke, or do you want to go to the Capital Magistrate to see the progress of your cousin Yu Zhen's case?"

After thinking about it, Xie Jin Yan felt that he could only think about these two things.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, the woman in front of him shook her head and said softly, "Neither. Your concubine can go to Cousin Yu Zhen's place by herself later. Your Highness is busy with important matters, so there is no need to accompany your concubine."

"Your concubine is here now because of Ah Yue's maid, Chun Tao."

She frowned slightly, and her voice lowered a little as she spoke softly, "That Chun Tao came to find your concubine just now, saying that Ah Yue asked her to give your concubine an abortifacient. She couldn't bear the crime of plotting to harm the imperial heir, so she refused. Ah Yue threatened her with her family's lives. Previously, Ah Yue imprisoned her entire family, causing her younger brother to die of illness."

"She said she was willing to serve your concubine, only asking that your concubine could protect her family's lives."

"Your concubine doesn't need her to serve, but I feel that she is indeed a bit pitiful, and I want to ask Your Highness to help rescue her family."

"Shijie, have you changed your personality? You, asking Gu to help save an irrelevant person?" After listening to Yu Qingwu's request, Xie Jin Yan was first stunned, and then laughed, asking her, "Shijie, did that Chun Tao make some kind of deal with you?"

Heh, it must be said that Xie Jin Yan was really good material for being an emperor, sharp and incisive, almost hitting the nail on the head.

But she couldn't admit it. If she admitted it, how could she... completely win his heart, break the barrier between them, and dispel his suspicion that she still had old feelings for Xiao Fengyun.

Looking at each other, Yu Qingwu frowned slightly, and there was some grievance in her eyes as she娇嗔 (jiāochēn - act coquettishly), "In Your Highness's eyes, is your concubine that kind of selfish and vicious person?"