Talk

All the officials' eyes were fixed on the tall man standing in the front row.

He was only in his early twenties, yet he was to be appointed Minister of War, a high-ranking official of the first rank.

Of the several ministers in the court, all except him had waited until their hair turned white before they were promoted to the first rank.

This person has a limitless future.

As expected, as soon as the court session began, His Majesty announced an imperial edict: Xie Qi, the former Vice Minister of War, was promoted to Minister of War and concurrently appointed as Commander of the Imperial Guards.

He held both official positions and military power, and for a time his power was overwhelming.

After the court session, many officials wanted to invite Xie Qi to court, but Xie Qi politely declined them all.

He only stopped when Jiang Nanyue, the Minister of Revenue, coldly blocked him outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Inside the Qingya Pavilion outside the palace, Jiangnan Yue and Xie Qi sat facing each other at a table.

The steam from the tea rose gently, hovering between the two of them.

Xie Qi chuckled, breaking the silence, "Lord Jiang invited me here, presumably for the sake of your daughter."

Jiang Nanyue snorted coldly, "Since Lord Xie is already aware of this, I would like to ask, how does Lord Xie plan to deal with this matter?"

Xie Qi took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Marriage is a major life event, a matter of parental consent and matchmaker's words. I shouldn't..."

"Xie Qi!" Jiang Nanyue roared, "Don't try to fob me off with such high-sounding excuses. Everyone knows that Lord Xie has long been acting independently. Not to mention your father, Marquis Ningyuan, even the Empress in the palace probably can't control you."

Xie Qi lowered his eyes and clicked his tongue. "There are many misunderstandings between your daughter and me. I know I have no way to explain myself. May I ask, Lord Jiang, what do you want me to do?"

Jiang Nan Yue was so angry at his feigned ignorance that his face turned pale, and he suppressed the urge to attack him.

"Feiwan is my eldest daughter. She was frail from childhood, and it took a lot of effort to raise her. I originally intended to find her a wealthy but ordinary family so that she could live a carefree and peaceful life."

"But now, her reputation is in jeopardy because of you, so how can she find another suitable husband?"

Jiang Nanyue clenched his fist until the veins bulged. After holding back for a long time, he finally spoke again, "Lord Xie, my daughter is beautiful, talented and virtuous. She is more than a match for you."

Xie Qi raised an eyebrow. "I suppose Lord Jiang is aware that someone was plotting behind the scenes yesterday, with the aim of making me marry Miss Jiang. Even so, Lord Jiang, would you agree to do as the villains wish?"

Jiang Nanyue said coldly, "I don't care what the villain's purpose is. Now that things have come to this, I only wish that my daughter can live a worry-free life."

Xie Qi stared at the tea in his cup in silence for a moment, then looked up and asked, "In that case, may I speak with Miss Jiang in person?"

Jiang Nanyue thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay."

After Jiang Nanyue returned to his residence, Jiang Liwan summoned him to her side and told her everything he had discussed with Xie Qi.

"He wants to see me?"

Li Wan asked in surprise, "They parted on bad terms at his residence last time, so what's the point of seeing her this time?"

Jiang Nanyue noticed her hesitation and asked softly, "Feiwan, there's no one else here. Tell your father the truth: are you willing to marry Xie Qi?"

Li Wan lowered her head guiltily. As a resident of Niutian Village, she was naturally unwilling.

As Jiang Feiwan of the Jiang family, she was unsure whether she was willing.

However, regardless of who she was, marrying Xie Qi was the best way to prevent the tragic deaths of 120,000 soldiers, so she had no choice but to marry him.

So Li Wan nodded, "Father, your daughter is willing to marry Xie Qi."

Jiang Nanyue sighed helplessly, "Alright, in a couple of days, I'll have your mother bring you to meet him."