boyutpedia Chapter 664 Prince Jing, beware of the fierce dog!
Chapter 664 Prince Jing, beware of the fierce dog!
After Su Lingyue and Xiao Yu had breakfast, Yan Qing hurriedly came in and told them about He Wen's resignation and what they had said at Zuixianju.
With Grand Tutor He gone, the main branch of the He family is now just He Wen and his son He Yulin. He Yulin is ill, leaving only He Wen. Why is he resigning from his post?
Su Lingyue was somewhat incredulous, "Did you hear that right? What illness does Young Master He have? Is it so serious that Lord He has to resign from his post to take care of him?"
Yan Qing said, "The He family is tight-lipped and we couldn't get any information out of them, but I found out that when the young master of the He family was taken away from Zuixianju yesterday, he was accompanied by a young lady."
Thinking of something, he lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "I heard they were very cautious when they left. Some of the guys who saw them said that something probably happened between the two of them."
Given Su Lingyue's temperament, she would probably have scolded He Yulin for philandering, but to her surprise, Su Lingyue just stared blankly into thought after hearing it.
"princess?"
“That shouldn’t be the case.” Su Lingyue looked at Yan Qing with a puzzled expression and said, “The waiters who deliver wine and dishes at Zuixianju would never allow female maids to go to the male guest rooms.”
Even though Su Lingyue disliked He Yulin, she still knew his character; he wasn't the type to philander.
Yan Qing slapped his forehead, remembering this too.
As Wan Ning's ex-husband, he cannot have a bad reputation, as that would drag Wan Ning down.
"Your Highness, why don't we send Yan Qing to the He family to inquire about the situation?" Su Lingyue tugged at Xiao Yu's sleeve.
Xiao Yu had been listening to their conversation the whole time, but his focus was on He Wen's resignation.
Since Grand Tutor He passed away, he felt obligated to take care of Grand Tutor He's descendants.
Xiao Yu held Su Lingyue's small hand and said gently, "Yue'er, have you forgotten? Today is the day our two families are to divorce."
After being reminded by Xiao Yu, Su Lingyue also remembered this matter.
It is indeed inconvenient to disturb you today.
Xiao Yu gently squeezed her fingertips, his face calm as he said, "The matter has already occurred, there's no need to rush. We'll go to the Qin family banquet tomorrow and ask Miss Qin before making any further plans."
Yes, they will definitely talk about the He family's situation when they meet today.
Su Lingyue stopped dwelling on the matter and instead discussed with Xiao Yuyan the possibility of moving from Furong Pavilion to Muyun Pavilion in two days.
*
Having not set foot in the General's Mansion for more than two years, it seems that nothing has changed when I come here again.
Madam Qin, accompanied by her housekeeper, personally greeted them at the entrance.
Upon seeing Xiao Yu and Su Lingyue arrive, they immediately stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings, Your Highness and Your Highness. Your presence is an honor to our General's Mansion."
Xiao Yu raised his hand, "Madam, you may dispense with the formalities."
Madam Qin straightened up, her face filled with sincere apology, and said, "Your Highness, please don't be offended. When we first wrote the invitations, Ning'er said that Your Highness had been resting in bed recently and it would be inconvenient to disturb you. I didn't expect Your Highness to be so well. It's truly a cause for celebration!"
Xiao Yu said gently, "It's nothing, just an old ailment."
Madam Qin sized up the two people in front of her.
The young lady of the Su family, whom we hadn't seen for two years, had now grown into a graceful and beautiful young woman, her beauty even more radiant than any flower. Her light blue brocade dress seemed to pale in comparison to her radiance.
Unlike her radiant beauty, Prince Su beside her looked exceptionally pale and thin, as serene as snow, his demeanor exuding an air of refined elegance and aloofness.
One is like a profusion of flowers in the world, and the other is like a bright moon in the starry sky. These two people with such different temperaments stand together without any sense of incongruity.
However, seeing someone still wearing a cotton-padded coat in the sweltering heat of summer...
Seeing that Madam Qin's gaze was fixed on Xiao Yu's cloak with a hint of worry.
Su Lingyue greeted her with a smile: "Madam, are you settling back into the capital?"
Madam Qin then turned her gaze to Su Lingyue and said with a smile, "It's your own home, you'll get used to it after a couple of days. Please come in, both of you." She then personally led the way for the two of them.
Compared to two years ago, Madam Qin's appearance has hardly changed. Although she is over fifty, she still looks energetic and has bright eyes, which is quite different from the noble ladies in the capital.
Upon arriving at the hanging flower gate, Madam Qin said, "Today's welcoming banquet is also a thank-you banquet. I have been away from the capital for many years, and Wan Ning has received a lot of care from many people while in the capital, so I thought I would invite them all to sit down."
After saying that, she walked up to Xiao Yu and Su Lingyue, and solemnly bowed, saying, "I especially want to thank Your Highness and Your Highness. If it weren't for you, my Ning'er would have lost her life. Thank you for taking care of her."
Su Lingyue had always handled Qin Wanning's affairs. Now that she had received the thanks, Xiao Yu gave Su Lingyue a gentle smile and gestured for her to accept the thanks.
Su Lingyue stepped forward and helped Madam Qin up.
Since Madam Qin expressed her gratitude, she happened to have a favor to ask her to do.
“Wan Ning and I are very close friends. Now that I have become a princess, I naturally need to take good care of her. However, since you wish to express your gratitude, I happen to have a favor to ask you.”
Madam Qin was taken aback.
She hadn't expected the Princess Consort of Su to be so direct.
Ordinary people shouldn't make excuses first, and then subtly guide the person thanking them to discover their true feelings.
She suddenly smiled.
Ning'er had mostly been around cheerful and straightforward people since childhood. She married into the He family because she valued He Yulin's honest and open-minded nature, as well as his ability to scheme and take advantage of others.
Over the years, although she had only met Su Lingyue a few times, she was able to become Ning'er's close friend, so she must not be that kind of person.
It's very endearing that a young girl can be so straightforward.
Madam Qin smiled gently and asked, "I wonder what Your Highness needs me to do? As long as it is within my power, I will do my best."
Su Lingyue said, "This matter is somewhat private. I wonder if Madam could find some time to talk to me about it after the banquet?"
Private?
Madam Qin looked at Su Lingyue with a puzzled expression, then, as if remembering something, she looked at Xiao Yu beside her.
The couple has been married for over a year, but there has been no good news yet.
Could it be about praying for a child?
Madam Qin and her husband had been loving and affectionate for many years and had three children, two sons and two daughters, which was considered a happy life.
Thinking of this, Madam Qin chuckled and readily agreed, "Alright, we'll discuss it in detail after the banquet."
Xiao Yu lowered his eyes and glanced at Su Lingyue, noticing the joy on her face and a hint of doubt in her eyes.
*
The Qin family is not in the capital most of the year, so there are not many people here today.
When Su Lingyue and Xiao Yu entered, they saw Li Huaizhi, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and his wife; the Duchess of Yingguo and her son and daughter-in-law, as well as her granddaughter; Feng Jiyuan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, and his wife; two couples from the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of War, whose official positions were not high; and two officials from the Hanlin Academy and the Grand Secretariat, along with their wives.
One of them was quite strange; it turned out to be Liu Fang, the commander of the Imperial Guards. What was he doing here?
Moreover, this man was quite strange; he had concubines but never married.
What a weirdo.
Su Lingyue didn't pay attention to them. After everyone greeted her, Su Lingyue sat down with Xiao Yu at their seats.
There weren't many people today, and since most of them were married couples, there were no separate tables for men and women; instead, they were seated in pairs.
They had barely sat down when an unpleasant voice rang out from the doorway.
"Uncle and Aunt, what a coincidence!"
Su Lingyue and Xiao Yu looked up and saw Prince Jing walking in from outside, fanning himself with a fan, his face full of smug satisfaction.
Behind him stood his principal wife, Gao Ruyan. True to her name, she was graceful and elegant, her appearance refined and otherworldly. She wore a flowing apricot-colored brocade dress with intertwined floral patterns, which accentuated her noble and refined demeanor.
With Prince Jing's mother-in-law, as well as his principal wife and concubines, present, Su Lingyue was certain he wouldn't dare cause trouble. So, adopting the air of an elder, she said calmly, "I haven't yet congratulated my royal nephew on his wedding day. Today, since your principal wife and concubines are both here, I, along with the prince, wish you a happy marriage and a long and happy life together. In the future, you must treat your new bride well and not hurt the feelings of Lord Gao and the Duke of Ying."
Prince Jing's eyes were full of smiles as he nodded slightly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After speaking, he looked at Xiao Yu and asked with a smile, "I heard that my royal uncle was seriously ill a while ago. I didn't expect that he would be able to go out and walk around now. It's really a cause for celebration! By the way, I really liked the wedding gift that my royal uncle sent me. I want to give him a gift in return, but I don't know what to give to please him. I'll go back and prepare it."
Xiao Chang'an's smugness became increasingly undisguised, and his gaze towards Xiao Yu was full of provocation and disdain.
Others might not understand, but only Xiao Yu could comprehend it.
He was taking advantage of Yunting's power to provoke them.
He has the other half of the Spirit Fire Grass, but he refuses to give it up. Now, with Yun Ting's help, no one in the capital can touch him.
Even Xiao Yu, the former master of Yunting, is not an option.
Xiao Yu's hands, resting on his knees, clenched slightly, but his face remained indifferent. "Your wedding gift was just something the steward picked out randomly from the storeroom. I've never seen it before, and there's no need for a return gift. My palace has plenty of that kind of junk."
Prince Jing smiled and said, "Oh? Is that so! Then I will accept your kind offer, Uncle. I wonder if my aunt would like a return gift?"
After speaking, his aggressive gaze landed subtly on Su Lingyue.
"unnecessary."
Before Su Lingyue could answer, Xiao Yu grabbed her hand tightly, refusing on her behalf.
Sensing something was wrong, Su Lingyue looked up and saw Xiao Yu saying coldly, "I heard that you have a fierce dog in your backyard. You should know that a fierce dog that is not leashed cannot be tamed. Prince Jing, you must be careful, lest you be bitten by that fierce dog one day and regret it later."
When the topic of Xiao Chang'an's recent worries was brought up, the smile on Xiao Chang'an's face vanished instantly, replaced by a forced composure.
He smirked. "No need for you to worry, Uncle. I can easily keep an eye on my dog."
After saying that, he was about to sit down in his original seat.
Madam Qin had been standing at the doorway and naturally noticed what had just happened inside the hall.
It was obvious that Prince Su and Prince Jing, uncle and nephew, were not on good terms. She was unaware of this, which is why she sent an invitation to Prince Jing, who had taken the initiative to come.
If I had known this would happen, I would have stopped King Jing from coming no matter what.
After all, this was a thank-you banquet, and the people who should be thanked the most were Prince Su and his wife. Now, they have been displeased instead.
Just as Prince Jing was about to take his seat, Lady Qin hurriedly came over with a smile and said, "Your Highness, please wait!"
Under the astonished gazes of Prince Jing and Gao Ruyan, Madam Qin pointed to the seat next to the Duchess of Yingguo, who was also Prince Jing's mother-in-law, and said, "Your Highness should sit here. It's cooler here near the door because of the breeze. It's stuffy inside, and it will spoil Your Highness's enjoyment of the banquet."
Xiao Chang'an and Xiao Yu knew each other too well, especially since Xiao Yu had just poked Xiao Chang'an in the lungs. He didn't want to sit opposite Xiao Yu at the moment, so he went along with it and sat next to his concubine mother.
Su Lingyue, like everyone else in the hall, breathed a sigh of relief. A few moments later, the hall was filled with the sounds of conversation and laughter again.
Xiao Yu was still holding Su Lingyue's hand tightly.
She looked up at Xiao Yu and saw that he was staring blankly at the teacup in front of him, as if he was thinking about something, his eyes were dark and deep.
Their conversation just now seemed to contain hidden meanings, but she couldn't understand it.
"Your Highness?" Su Lingyue shook her arm.
Xiao Yu snapped out of his reverie and said gently, "It's alright, I was just thinking about something. Don't worry, he won't dare to come over and get in my way again."
But Xiao Yu's grip on her hand didn't loosen at all.