Chapter 36: She covets the throne of queen.

When Cong Ying went to Prince Jin's mansion to deliver flowers, she deliberately did not inform him in advance, hoping to avoid Prince Jin. As a result, as soon as she entered the door, she saw Prince Jin standing under the screen wall.

His black cloak and jade crown were just like the black plum blossom in her arms, fragile and noble, as if it could not be touched or blown. He folded his hands on his jade crutch and looked at her with a smile.

"Aying rarely visits, why didn't you send someone to let us know?"

The Prince of Jin walked slowly towards her and said, "I have prepared a generous gift to add to your beauties."

Before a woman gets married, her relatives and friends give her money and property as dowry, which is called adding to her dowry.

Cong Ying brought Mo Mei, who was in her arms, towards him, putting some distance between them. Without meeting his gaze, she said calmly, "Your Highness is well-informed. It seems he already knows about my engagement to Third Young Master Xie. Your Highness is kind-hearted and will bless me, right?"

The King of Jin said, "Since I have added to your dowry, I naturally hope that you will find a happy marriage. Zisu, bring me the gift list."

Zi Su presented a piece of red paper, which was unfolded by Ying. The first thing he noticed was the handwriting on the paper.

His calligraphy is unexpectedly different from his own gentle feeling. There is a lot of power hidden in the strokes, like the edge of a hanging knife. One can tell at first sight that the calligrapher is awe-inspiring and has achieved great accomplishments.

However, what surprised Cong Ying even more was that the character "Prince of Jin" was exactly the same as that of Mr. Xie San in terms of divine bones. It was as if it was written by Mr. Xie San himself, who had deliberately made a clumsy cover-up.

Cong Ying was startled and felt that the word was as if Xie Xuanlan's eyes were staring at her.

Feeling guilty, she quickly closed the gift list and handed it back to the King of Jin: "I cannot accept it. Please take it back, Your Highness."

Prince Jin smiled gently and said, "What are you afraid of? I won't tell Xie San."

Cong Ying lowered her eyes even more: "Then this servant cannot accept it."

The King of Jin sighed and said, "I have been busy for three days for this generous gift, and I have missed my medical consultation and medication. Even if you don't want to accept it, at least take a look at it, so that I don't have to work in vain."

At his insistence, Congying opened the red paper gift list again. What was written on it were not valuables such as gold, silver, and treasures, but many rare and unique ancient books. The more Congying read, the wider her eyes opened. Finally, she closed them with a snap: "No."

This priceless treasure is like a person's true feelings. If you know that you cannot repay it, you should not accept it.

She is too afraid of owing others.

The King of Jin had no intention of forcing her to accept it on the spot. He smiled and said, "As long as you like it."

Cong Ying felt that there was something strange about him. After sending Mo Mei off, she was about to leave. Prince Jin watched her figure turn around the screen wall and disappear from Prince Jin's Mansion. Then he withdrew his gaze and touched the flower branch with care.

Witnessing all this, Zi Su finally couldn't help but ask, "Are you really willing to do this to Fourth Lady Jiang?"

The King of Jin looked at the branch and said, "What can I do if I'm unwilling?"

Zi Su said, "In terms of character and appearance, you are not much inferior to Xie San, and in terms of power and status, you are far superior. Moreover, last time at Xuandu Temple, I saw that Jiang Si Niang was not completely ruthless towards you. You may not be unable to compete with the Third Young Master."

King Jin: "Well said. Whose servant are you?"

Perilla: “…”

Of course she remembered that she was the Third Young Master's eyes and ears, but judging by the facts, she clearly felt that His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin had a deeper affection for Madam Jiang Si and understood her thoughts and preferences better.

Zi Su shut up in frustration, but then she heard Prince Jin say, "I hope she gets what she wants and don't want to cause her any more trouble. But you just said something very good. From now on, whatever amount of silver Xie San gives you, Prince Jin's Mansion will give you double."

Zi Su: "Your Highness is wise!"

The next day, Prince Jin sealed the boxes of ancient books that Cong Ying had refused to accept with red seals and had them carried to Xie's house.

He sat in the hall's honored seat, as relaxed as if he were at home. As Xie Xuanlan walked in, he heard him gesturing to his servants, "Destroy all the musk; it smells terrible. Replace it with agarwood. This will be the case from now on."

"Don't drink strong tea either. Cold spring tea is best, and don't add honey."

"What's that on the folding screen? The Book of Filial Piety? It's unlucky. Change it to something more elegant and refined."

Xie Xuanlan stood by the door and listened for a long while before finally saying, "Your Highness the Prince of Jin is acting like a bandit by barging in unannounced. He's also interfering with our household's food, acting like my housekeeper. In short, he doesn't act like a guest."

The Prince of Jin looked him up and down, his eyes like an elder examining a younger man, a father-in-law finding fault with his useless son-in-law. He said with great disdain, "You're drinking so early in the morning?"

He also said, "People who are not good at drinking hate the smell of alcohol on others. Third Young Master, you'd better give up from now on."

Xie Xuanlan: “……?”

Not to mention that he only drank a small cup. It was the Xinlingchun wine brewed with a new method that the winery sent to him for tasting. How could the King of Jin's dog nose be so easily irritated? Moreover, what does it have to do with him whether he drank or not, and when he drank?

As soon as he raised his eyebrows, King Jin knew what he was thinking and said earnestly, "I'm doing this for your own good."

Xie Xuanlan was a little impatient: "What on earth are you doing here?"

King Jin: "Give a gift."

He clapped his hands, and the attendants brought in two camphorwood boxes with red seals. Xie Xuanlan was about to tear them open when he heard the King of Jin say, "Don't touch them. Wait until you're married before opening them."

Xie Xuanlan sneered: "It seems it's not for me."

The King of Jin did not comment.

"Who prefers agarwood to musk, pure tea to strong tea, landscape screen to the Book of Filial Piety? And these—"

Xie Xuanlan kicked the camphorwood box. "The musty smell of paper and ink can't be contained. His Highness the Prince of Jin wanted to give her a gift, but how did it end up in my Xie family through a different channel? It can't be that she refused to accept it, and you're being sentimental, right?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the atmosphere in the flower hall suddenly became cold.

However, it was only for a moment, as if the terrifying sinister look when he raised his eyes was just an illusion. King Jin quickly swallowed his anger and picked up the teacup to take a sip.

When she looked up again, her demeanor was gentle and serene, as she spoke to Xie San kindly, "She's afraid you'll be displeased, so she refuses to accept these ancient books. But these are her cherished treasures, which she's been searching for for so long. Can you bear to let her miss out on these treasures she's dreamed of for so many years because of your momentary capriciousness? I advise you to be more magnanimous and pass them on for me. At worst, you can just not admit that they were my gifts."

Xie Xuanlan strangely felt like a concubine who had just entered the mansion and was being taught the rules.

His forehead throbbed. "This is too much! Someone get some fire and burn it all!"

Prince Jin slowly scraped the tea foam and said, "That's her only preference."

Xie Xuanlan: "Burned!"

Prince Jin didn't believe that he was really willing to burn it, and was waiting to see how he would find a way out. At this moment, Prime Minister Xie rushed over after hearing the news, and he was accompanied by Mrs. Xie Miaozhu, the sixth wife of Xie.

Xie Xiang was very polite and said, "Your Highness, Prince Jin, I apologize for not coming to greet you."

His eyes first swept over the camphorwood box with a red seal, and then he actually nodded to Xie Miaozhu with a smile. Before the King of Jin understood the meaning of this nod, he saw Xie Miaozhu, dressed in gorgeous clothes and makeup, walking up to him.

Xie Miaozhu's expression was gentle and reserved. She gave him a graceful and graceful yet delicate cross-arm salute. "Your humble servant, Xie Miaozhu, has long heard of your illustrious name. I am honored to meet you today."

The King of Jin choked on a mouthful of tea: "Cough cough - cough cough -"

My dear sister, why are you pretending to be so high and mighty?

Xie Miaozhu was Prime Minister Xie's only daughter. Indulged and pampered by her parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law, she was arrogant and domineering, oblivious to the proper etiquette of a boudoir. In her previous life, after marrying the Prince of Huai, she caused chaos in the palace daily, ultimately setting the entire Ying Palace ablaze, forcing the Prince of Huai to flee to the palace in his inner garments to file a complaint.

As soon as he saw Xie Miaozhu, Prince Jin remembered the headache he had in his previous life when he had to deal with her aftermath.

This pretentious ladylike attitude puzzled him. He looked at Xie Xuanlan and saw that he was trying to suppress a smile, which seemed to contain a hint of gloating...

Xie Xiang said to the Prince of Jin earnestly, "Although your Highness the Prince of Jin is sincere in his intentions, you shouldn't come in person for such matters. If there is no imperial decree, you should ask your respected teacher for help."

What kind of thing is this? Prince Jin suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart.

Xie Miaozhu walked up to him with a cup of fresh tea and said bluntly, "Your Highness the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Huai are very different. As long as Your Highness is willing to grant Liu Niang the position of Queen, the Xie family will do their utmost to help Your Highness win the throne."

This time it was Prince Jin's turn to have his forehead throb. "What did you say?"

Xie Miaozhu gestured to the two boxes with red seals: "Your Highness, isn't this trip to discuss marriage with the Xie family?"

Prince Jin was nearly choked to death by her words. He became anxious and stroked his chest, coughing violently again.

In between his sickly gasps for breath, he looked at Xie Xuanlan, hoping that he could come forward to clarify this ridiculous misunderstanding. Unexpectedly, Xie Xuanlan curled up the corner of his mouth into a sneer and actually bowed to him.

Xie Xuanlan said, "Since ancient times, in-laws have been natural allies. My family is grateful for your trust and choice."

King Jin was stunned: "What do you mean?"

Xie Xuanlan: "Isn't the real purpose of the Prince of Jin's visit to persuade the Xie family to abandon their support for the Prince of Huai and support you instead?"

"Yes, but..." Prince Jin slowly took a breath, "I will never marry the daughter of the Xie family."

Xie Xuanlan looked at him coldly: "Your Highness only has empty words, but lacks sincerity."

After hearing this, King Jin felt his anger rising to his head. He picked up the teacup and threw it at Xie Xuanlan.

The porcelain cup fell to the ground with a clang, and the hot tea splashed all over Xie Xuanlan.

Prince Jin scolded him with a harsher tone than ever before, "I think you've lost your mind. You're even pushing your own sister into the fire. You know better than anyone that Xie Liu and I are not a good match!"

Xie Xuanlan sneered, "Your Highness is trying so hard to get close to the Xie family. Who do you want to be your perfect match with?"

"You know clearly in your heart—"

"Enough!" Xie Miaozhu finally couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted the quarrel with a grim expression.

At this moment, she was too lazy to pretend. She raised her long eyelashes and showed her arrogant attitude again: "I never expect your highness to be in love with me. The so-called good match is just one with matching family backgrounds and harmonious relationship between the ruler and the ministers. Xie will never give up the position of queen to someone else. If your highness does not even have this kind of sincerity, Xie would rather follow the Prince of Huai."

After saying that, he turned around and left, kicking the camphorwood box before leaving.

Although Prime Minister Xie's attitude in trying to smooth things over was mature, his meaning remained the same: "My daughter is unruly. She has been spoiled since she was a child. With her temper, I'm afraid she won't be able to stand being inferior to others in the future. I hope Your Highness will be more understanding and bear with me."

Unable to reason with the father and daughter, trapped in the power struggle, the Prince of Jin suppressed his anger and turned to Xie Xuanlan, "The Prince of Huai is jealous, narrow-minded, suspicious, and self-reliant. He is not fit to assist a wise ruler. You know that if the Xie family follows him, they will face a disastrous end. Moreover, he has recently become increasingly close to the Wang family and is no longer willing to rely fully on them."

However, Xie Xuanlan - his former self, although he looked on with a cold expression, had abandoned his rationality even earlier.

He said, "The grace of a gentleman will decline after three generations and be eliminated after five generations. This is the norm. I would rather see the Xie family decline. At least, no matter how wicked the Prince of Huai is, he won't covet my future wife. But the same cannot be said for you, Your Highness the Prince of Jin."