The place where Prince Qi was confined was Jia Luofeng, next to the imperial mausoleum.
The scenery was beautiful and the environment was quite good.
Not only that, but there were dedicated people to take care of him, and his provisions were in accordance with the prince's standard.
Even more outrageous was that Princess Qi and the other concubines from Prince Qi's mansion had to go along to serve Prince Qi.
In other words, aside from the lack of personal freedom, Prince Qi was essentially confined in solitude.
"The Emperor is benevolent," Xiao Yun said. "But for Prince Qi, without freedom and unable to contend for the throne, life is worse than death."
"What about Princess Yin Yue? Is she also confined with them?"
The Emperor was not as polite to Princess Yin Yue. Nominally, she was confined to Jia Luofeng with Prince Qi, but it wouldn't be long before she would "die of illness." In reality, she had already been secretly executed.
"The envoy from Xia Kingdom, along with Princess Jinyang, quietly left Duanjing and returned to Xia Kingdom. They thought the Emperor didn't know, but it was the Emperor who instructed them to leave, which is why they were able to depart so smoothly."
"The Emperor is indeed benevolent," Wang Qingyao said. "Anyone else would have killed all the Xia Kingdom envoys and the princess?"
"Killing them would have given Xia Kingdom a pretext. Letting them go back allows the ruler of Xia Kingdom to know what happened. Besides, that large contingent of Xia Kingdom soldiers is still in our hands. The ruler of Xia Kingdom can only suffer in silence."
The day before everyone from Prince Qi's mansion departed for Jia Luofeng, someone delivered a message to Wang Qingyao, saying that Han Suiqin wanted to see her.
Han Suiqin was now in a precarious position. The day Prince Qi's confinement was announced, the Wang family severed ties with Han Suiqin. Those of the Han family remaining in Duanjing, before the Emperor's anger fell upon them, hurried back to Jiangling Commandery overnight.
Han Suiqin, as Princess Qi, only enjoyed brief glory before her marriage. From the moment she married into Prince Qi's mansion, her dreams were shattered, and now she was facing confinement. One could wonder if this was a case of the wicked getting their just deserts.
Wang Qingyao had nothing to say to Han Suiqin and didn't know what she wanted.
She didn't dare to act on her own this time and consulted with Xiao Yun.
Xiao Yun thought for a moment and said, "Why go? No!"
However, since Wang Qingyao was discussing it with Xiao Yun, it meant she wanted to go.
Xiao Yun felt a bit displeased when he realized this. Had she forgotten the dangers of their last visit to Prince Qi's mansion?
"Things are different now," Wang Qingyao said. "Prince Qi's mansion is surrounded by soldiers, both inside and out. If you send more people to protect me, what could possibly go wrong! Han Suiqin is in this state; she can't harm me. I suspect she has something to ask for my help."
"Do you have to go?"
"It's not that I absolutely have to go, it's just... meeting once won't hurt. It can be considered accumulating merit for the unborn child."
She also wanted to ask her what her intentions were when she drugged the person who had helped her.
Xiao Yun pondered for a while. Indeed, meeting once wouldn't be an issue. At this time, everyone in Prince Qi's mansion was like a trapped beast in a cage, not worth mentioning.
If Wang Qingyao wanted to go, then let her.
This time, she didn't need to bring many people. Wang Qingyao only brought Zhenzhu. Secretly, Xiao Yun had arranged for many people to protect her. After informing the guards, they readily let her in, without any difficulty. Wang Qingyao had planned to reveal her Dragon Subduing Token if they refused.
It seemed Xiao Yun had a lot of influence, and many people would readily grant favors for him.
Wang Qingyao stopped at the second gate and didn't go further inside. She sent someone to inform Han Suiqin.
At this time, Prince Qi was confined to his own courtyard. Before he was sent to Jia Luofeng, he couldn't even leave his courtyard.
Others were slightly better off and could still move around within the mansion.
Now that Princess Yin Yue was dead, Han Suiqin was the most prominent figure in the inner quarters.
Wang Qingyao sat on a stone bench at the second gate and thought for a while. She felt that the current situation was actually the best for Han Suiqin. Living with the man she loved in a place of natural beauty, with ample food and clothing, spending her days composing poetry, playing music, and painting – it was simply a life fit for an immortal.
Han Suiqin arrived not long after, her steps hurried.
Wang Qingyao watched from a distance and noticed she had gained a little weight. When she got closer, her complexion was indeed much better than before.
"Second Sister," Han Suiqin said. "I knew you would come to see me. You are kind-hearted, you wouldn't..."
Wang Qingyao's expression and tone were indifferent as she interrupted her: "Speak quickly if you have something to say."
Han Suiqin dared not waste time and said rapidly, "Second Sister, can you get me out of here?"
Wang Qingyao raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"I am still so young. I don't want to be confined for the rest of my life. I don't want to be like a prisoner, unable to go anywhere. Second Sister, I beg you. I know your capabilities, and I know Prince Ding An's capabilities. I beg you to help me!"
Tears streamed down her face as she spoke.
Wang Qingyao stared into her eyes for a moment and asked, "Why did you drug my tea?"
Han Suiqin froze and stammered, "I didn't..."
"If you don't tell the truth, I'm leaving."
Han Suiqin said urgently, "Princess Yin Yue ordered me to do it. I had no choice. She said if your child didn't die, she would kill my child. I, I, I... I just wanted to protect my child..."