Chapter 146 Princess Pingyang

In April, the Wen family sent another invitation, inviting everyone from the Xie family to come to their house to appreciate the flowers.

The Wen family is a prominent family in the capital, with many children and a large mansion. Meng Qinghui had been living a carefree life in Guangling City for many years. After returning to the capital, she was not used to living there. So, she bought another house for herself to live in, saying that her husband had too much work to do in the government office. Lord Wen also acted as if he was overwhelmed by the family's red tape.

The Wen family had never dared to neglect this sage, so seeing how hard their son worked, they agreed.

It was mid-spring, and the Yaohuang peonies in the Wenzhai Garden were in full bloom, making it a prime time for viewing. Everyone in the Xie family had heard the news long ago and wanted to go and enjoy the flowers.

The family went out. Xie Yuduo still rode a horse, Chen Qi sat in a car alone, Xiao Ling took the eldest daughter Xie Huaiming in the second car, and the maid took the young master Xie Huailang in the third car.

The two houses were located in prosperous areas. They were not too far away, and it didn't take long to reach Wen's residence.

Since coming to the capital half a year ago, the Xie family has visited the Wen family at least dozens of times. The two families are close friends, and there are no outsiders. In addition, the children always want to play together, so men and women always sit together at the same table.

But this time, as soon as Chen Qi got out of the car, he felt something was wrong.

At the gate of the Wen family, Lord Wen in his neat official robe and Madam Meng with hair adorned with pearls and jade appeared together and greeted them solemnly, but both of them looked solemn without a trace of smile on their faces.

In the past, Lord Wen would never wear an official robe, and Meng Qinghui would not dress so formally.

This... doesn't seem like the usual way of appreciating flowers.

Chen Qi held her daughter's hand, feeling suspicious, and turned to look at Xie Yuduo, who happened to be looking at her.

The couple looked at each other, and both felt something was strange.

As soon as Chen Qi approached, Meng couldn't help but take two steps forward, grabbed her hand, and whispered something in her ear.

"Today, we have distinguished guests in my house. When you meet them later, you must dress neatly and behave respectfully. There must not be any mistakes..."

Chen Qi felt nervous after hearing what Meng said.

"Why, is your mother-in-law here?"

Meng Qinghui frowned, his face turned slightly pale, and his hands were slightly sweaty.

"No, no... I don't quite understand what happened. They only arrived a quarter of an hour earlier than you... They said they were waiting for you, but they didn't tell us what it was about..."

There are not many people in this world who can make Meng from Hedong, who has seen a lot of the world, so frightened that her face turns pale.

Chen Qi held her slightly trembling hand and motioned her to hold steady.

"Don't panic. First, who are we going to see? Who is this distinguished guest?"

Meng was in a state of confusion, but she calmed down a little after hearing this, and put her hands close to Shen Qi's ears.

"This is...Princess Pingyang."

Shen Qi was stunned.

When she attended banquets in the past, she heard the nobles in the capital gossip about how Princess Pingyang was the only biological aunt of the current emperor and a highly respected member of the royal family.

But she is not just a simple royal relative.

Sixteen years ago, there was a riot in the northern border. Princess Pingyang's husband led his troops to fight the enemy, but unfortunately he died in the battlefield and sacrificed his life for his country.

Princess Pingyang was only 24 years old at the time. Her husband had just passed away, but she had no time to grieve. Instead, she led the remaining soldiers and old subordinates, dispatched troops and generals, and attacked the enemy in a cunning way. She eventually repelled the enemy and held on to the last five cities, preventing the entire northern border from falling into the hands of the enemy.

After Princess Pingyang returned to the capital, the late emperor fell seriously ill and was dying. Before his death, he took his sister's hand and entrusted her to take care of the young prince and protect the vast empire.

Princess Pingyang had just lost her husband, and her most beloved royal brother was about to pass away, placing a heavy burden on her shoulders.

With tears in her eyes, she nodded in agreement.

When the previous emperor passed away, the young prince ascended the throne. The princess followed her brother's will and assisted the new emperor from the age of 25 to 35, serving as regent for ten years.

It was not until four or five years ago, when she saw the new emperor coming of age and getting married, that she abdicated and returned power to the emperor. She is still the most trusted royal relative and important minister of the new emperor.

In terms of origin, achievements, and status, these are people that Shen Qi could never reach.

Chen Qi couldn't understand why Princess Pingyang, the daughter of an emperor and a descendant of a noble family, who had been in power for ten years, would wait for a merchant's wife like her?

Before leaving, Chen Qi looked back and saw Lord Wen also pulling Xie Yuduo and whispering something.

Obviously, the person Xie Yuduo was going to meet was also an unattainable guest.

The group split into two groups. Lord Wen led Xie Yuduo to the study in the front, while Meng Qinghui accompanied Chen Qi and took the Xie children to the garden in the back.

In April, the Yaohuang peonies are in full bloom.

In front of the graceful and elegant peonies, Princess Pingyang sat alone facing the wind. The bright yellow on her body was more dazzling than the large area of Yaohuang peonies.

Chen Qi's heart was beating like a drum. She straightened her clothes and looked solemn. She led the children to kneel and kowtow according to the rules.

“Mrs. Shen, please stand up.”

Princess Pingyang was nearly forty years old, with a calm complexion and a smile on her face. She was not a particularly beautiful woman, but she exuded a noble aura that was naturally majestic without even being angry.

This was a man who once controlled the world. As a merchant's wife, Chen Qi really didn't dare to act rashly. Even Meng Qinghui, who was used to seeing the nobles in the capital, and even though he was the descendant of a sage, was extremely cautious and methodical today, very much in accordance with the rules.

Princess Pingyang was very approachable. She asked everyone to stand up, immediately gave them seats, and served them tea.

After they sat down, Princess Pingyang spoke to Shen Qi cordially, asking when they arrived in the capital, how long the journey took, whether they had gotten used to living in the capital for the past six months, and how the children at home were doing...

These are all common words, and nothing important is mentioned.

Chen Qi calmed his mind, chose his words carefully, and answered politely.

Here, everyone chatted about family matters for half a day. Seeing that everyone present had relaxed a little, and the children of the Xie family were no longer as reserved and shy as when they first arrived, the eldest princess put down the teacup in her hand and looked at Xie Huaiming behind Chen Qi with a smile.

"Is this the eldest daughter of the Xie family?"

When Chen Qi saw that the princess was asking about her own child, she quickly stood up and led her daughter to pay her respects again.

Princess Pingyang smiled slightly, asked someone to stand up, and waved Ming'er to come to her side.

"Come, little girl, come to me."

Ming'er had already noticed that today was different from the past, so she put away her usual little paws and acted exceptionally dignified and lovely. She walked up to her obediently, standing gracefully.

The eldest princess smiled and took her hand, then held Xiao Ming'er in her arms with an appreciative smile on her face.

"Your name is Huai Ming? What a nice name. What a dignified girl, very much like Madam Shen's demeanor. I like her very much."

The princess turned back to look at Chen Qi, who looked uneasy, but still had a smile on her face.

"Mrs. Shen, I have no children in my life, and I am still empty-handed. If you are willing, I would like to adopt Miss Huai Ming as my goddaughter. What do you think?"

Chen Qi felt a chill in her heart.

That year, the wife of the prefect in Guangling City gave her daughter an exceptionally generous gift, and Xie Yuduo paid 120,000 taels of silver.

Today, Princess Pingyang, who had been in power as regent for ten years, could actually give such an extraordinary honor to a merchant's daughter. What exactly does she want the Xie family to pay?