Chapter 297: Chapter 297: Go On, Don’t Make Me Look Down on You
On the final night of the spring hunt, a bonfire banquet was held.
Various officials brought their family members to join the feast.
It was not until the sky began to darken that the Emperor and Empress arrived fashionably late.
The crowd kneeled, greeting them in unison with respectful voices.
Emperor He, with a smiling demeanour yet not lacking in majesty, glanced around the circle. After taking his seat, everyone rose and returned to theirs.
Eunuch Ying, acting under orders, went to tally the game. Before departing, his gaze inadvertently met that of Ji Zhui, who was donned in a four-clawed python robe.
Then quickly looked away.
When the tally showed Ji Wang was even more successful than Ji Zhui, Eunuch Ying’s hand paused on the ledger. Suddenly, in a high-pitched voice that seemed casual, he spoke out, "Where has the wild wolf hunted by His Highness the Crown Prince last night gone?"
Many young masters skilled in horseback shooting entered the hunting grounds, yet none dared to steal the show; naturally, it ended in a covert struggle between two princes.
The eunuch managing the game, being rather foolish, hurriedly replied, "Eunuch, you must have misremembered; His Highness the Crown Prince did not hunt a wild wolf. I’ve been guarding this place, there can be no mistake."
Eunuch Ying merely lifted his eyelids slightly, "Isn’t that it?"
The eunuch followed his gaze.
"That was shot by the Governor Mansion’s young master."
Eunuch Ying boldly marked the wild wolf under Ji Zhui’s name with his pen.
Seeing this, panic flickered in the eunuch’s eyes. He dared not even breathe too heavily, and the next moment, his face was heavily patted by Eunuch Ying, "Do you know what to say now?"
The eunuch trembled, kneeling down quickly, "The Crown Prince is the heir apparent; all under heaven will be his in the future, and this wild wolf will also belong to His Highness."
Over here,
Princess Consort Jing smiled gently, "It’s unknown which young lord will come out on top this time. The Emperor may have to reward them."
Ji Shimin, who usually didn’t get along with her, suddenly chimed in.
"Father, your son guesses it might be Heir Xie."
After finishing her sentence, she maintained her restraint, sneaking a glance towards Xie Xun’s direction.
"Emperor," Empress Dowager Mu observed and suddenly spoke.
"Xiao Wu was ill and recuperating outside the palace in her early years, and her marriage affairs have been delayed repeatedly. She has yet to be wed, and as her father, you should be more concerned."
Not a word about Xie Xun, yet it seemed every word hinted at him.
Emperor He smiled, "Yes, everything will be as Mother says."
"That sounds more like it. I know you love Xiao Wu, but she can’t stay in the palace forever."
Empress Dowager Mu turned her head and addressed the Empress, "The Emperor, preoccupied with state affairs, may inadvertently neglect. As the master of the Six Palaces, you should be the one handling this."
"Xiao Wu, if you have someone in mind, you must tell me; I will make the decision on your behalf. As a princess, which young lord would refuse?"
Ji Shimin concealed her joy, "Yes."
The Imperial Family had learned their lesson. They could no longer play the game of arranged marriages like before, for those incidents had struck at their core, fearing an unforeseen calamity.
This time, although Xie Xun had relinquished his military power, the prestige he had accumulated over the years was no less than that of Cui Bai in the past.
How could Emperor He not be satisfied?
However, even so, it was enough to give Xie Xun a hard time. At least, the Imperial Family had shown their hand and extended an olive branch. Even if Xie Xun intended to avoid it, acting confused time and again, who else would dare to marry their daughter into Duke Fu’s Mansion?
Commander Yan’s eyes flashed, sensing trouble. He looked at the person sitting beside him and hesitated, but could not resist speaking in a low voice, "Ah Xun, you are of age; it is appropriate to settle your marriage early to prevent any complications."
Xie Xun maintained his consistently gentle demeanor, but his words were utterly unsparing.
"Commander Yan, it would be better if you don’t use such familiarity. Matters of Duke Fu’s Mansion, after all, are not your concern."
These words whitened Commander Yan’s face, "But aren’t you afraid..."
Xie Xun did not wish to listen further, turning his head to speak with Xie Yinong.
Commander Yan stayed silent, his expression shifting to one of dejection.
The Governor’s wife, seeing this, felt extremely displeased, "The master takes into account past events and kindly reminds, but has the Xie family ever once appreciated it?"
"Even the gift boxes sent during the holidays have been rejected time and again. Duke Fu’s Mansion really acts high and mighty, forcing you, the master, to repeatedly bow and scrape."
"Could it be that year—"
Commander Yan with a stern face rebuked, "Shut up."
The voices of the husband and wife were very low. But they fully reached Yan Mi’s ears.
Yan Mi lowered her head, frantically drinking the scalding hot water. But it couldn’t drive away the chill on her body.
The old grievances between Duke Fu’s Mansion and the Governor Mansion are never going to be settled. She could marry anyone, but just couldn’t enter the doors of the Xie Family.
It wouldn’t be him anyway, then... the Wei Family would do.
Watching the gazes that fell on Xie Xun, one after another in pursuit, Shen Hua was beside herself with anger. The hand hidden in her sleeve trembled with restraint.
"What’s wrong with you?" Cui Rong noticed her unease.
Shen Hua: "Hold on to me."
"Ah?"
The girl whispered mournfully, "I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist rushing forward to make that old witch bleed."
Cui Rong’s eyes lit up: "Then what are you hesitating for? Go! I’ve been annoyed with her for a long time."
"Such a good opportunity, why should I drag you along?"
"Go, don’t make me look down on you."
Cui Rong was so happy that it even made the decorative knob on her head shake.
Shen Hua sneered coldly. Looking up, she saw Xie Xun’s calming gaze.
He gave her a slight shake of the head.
Shen Hua wilted immediately.
Fortunately, at this moment, Eunuch Ying returned, presenting something respectfully.
Emperor He, cunning and calculated, quickly diverted the pressure released by Empress Dowager Mu, making it appear as if the Imperial Family never coerced anyone.
"I will give careful consideration to Xiao Wu’s matter."
"Not just Shimin. The Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince’s chambers should also take in new members."
Upon hearing this, the Empress hastily stood up and bowed: "Yes, your concubine will bear it in mind."
These few lines of dialogue sent the minds of all the officials spinning, wishing they could present a suitable girl from their own house to volunteer.
Wei Zhuzhu straightened up at once.
She cunningly showed off her best profile.
If she could become a person in the Crown Prince’s or Fourth Prince’s chambers, what would Wei Yingying, the Third Prince Consort, count for!
Even a person like Shen Hua would have to respectfully kneel before her!
Ji Wang had been sitting quietly from the start. Upon hearing these words, her heart was filled with panic.
She felt resentful towards Emperor He.
By now, he had already married and had children. But the marriage prospects for her second brother had still not been settled. Perhaps Emperor He had completely forgotten.
But she remembered.
Before leaving the palace, Ji Cong, who was even taller than Ji Wang, clung to her arm, sobbing uncontrollably, "Fourth brother, why doesn’t Father let me go to the spring hunt? Does he find me embarrassing?"
"I’m not stupid."
Yet Ji Wang remembered when a young Ji Cong, before the misfortune, sat in front of her bed, gently patting her back. Though he was not much older than her, he had the bearing of a protective elder brother.
— Ah Wang, look how frightened you are, it’s just a nightmare, all of it is fake, brother is here.
Her second brother, if nothing had ever happened, would surely have been brilliant!
And all of this was ruined by the Eastern Palace!
Yet Father chose to feign ignorance to this day.
He even had the mind to grant her a concubine. But he had never considered Ji Cong, not even slightly.