Chapter 466 Lantern Festival Banquet 4

Having been imprisoned for so long, Xie Ling'er had learned to behave herself and respectfully returned Prince Huyan's greeting, saying, "Ling'er greets the young prince."

Prince Huyan continued, "After our hasty farewell that day, I have grown quite fond of the Ninth Princess, and thus wish to propose to her as my queen."

Xie Ling'er didn't even refuse. "After meeting the little prince, I also thought he was very good. I thought I would never see him again. I didn't expect to see him again." These were words that someone had taught her to say.

Prince Huyan looked somewhat embarrassed, but he still tried to remain calm, explaining that he had only seen the portrait of the Ninth Princess.

Everyone sighed upon hearing this, realizing that the Ninth Princess had already fallen in love with the Hu prince so quickly, after only meeting him once.

Xie Shang frowned, a look of doubt rising in his eyes. He glanced at Jiang Fenghua, who remained calm and watched the scene unfold before her.

She had been staring intently at Prince Huyan's expression. He clearly looked like he was seeing Xie Ling'er for the first time. He said he would marry no one but her after just one meeting. It was probably someone who taught him to say that on purpose!

It was obvious that this was also Xie Ling'er's first time meeting Prince Huyan. Someone must have already informed Xie Ling'er that the Hu prince would publicly propose to her on the Lantern Festival, and she only needed to agree to escape the palace openly through marriage.

The relationship between the Hu tribes and the Great Zhou Dynasty had been tense for decades. Since the last war, when the Hu tribes were driven out of Great Zhou territory, they had become more subdued. War is inherently costly and exhausting, and Great Zhou certainly does not want to ignite another war. Furthermore, if the two countries could truly form a marriage alliance, it would indeed be a very good way to maintain diplomatic relations.

It must have been Su Qingqing's idea. Since the Hu prince took the initiative to propose to Xie Ling'er, he must know Su Qingqing's identity. Su Qingqing is only in her thirties and is extremely beautiful. With her looks, it wouldn't be difficult for her to bewitch men.

At this critical juncture, the Hu tribe came to propose marriage, and Xie Ling'er was already considering marrying them.

Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "Ling'er, do you really want to marry Prince Huyan?"

Xie Ling'er suddenly knelt in the main hall, "Ling'er no longer has a father and mother. Ling'er is now of marriageable age. Didn't my brother say before that he hoped Ling'er could marry someone she loves? Now that Ling'er has someone she loves, I believe my brother will be very happy. So please grant my wish, my brother. Ling'er wants to marry him."

To outsiders, Su Qingqing had long since died of illness in the cold palace.

The Empress Dowager sat to one side. She was someone who found Xie Ling'er's face annoying, and without thinking, she said, "Since the Ninth Princess wants to get married, then let her get married! If she marries someone far away, I won't have to see her and be bothered by her."

"Marriage is a serious matter and cannot be taken lightly. To marry so far away, for the sake of the Ninth Princess's happiness, the Ninth Princess should think it through!" Jiang Fenghua said deliberately.

Xie Ling'er looked at Jiang Fenghua sitting side by side with her brother, and a hint of hatred flashed in her eyes. She quickly concealed it and said respectfully, "Your Majesty the Empress is thinking of Ling'er's feelings. Ling'er's mind is made up." Jiang Fenghua is a troublemaker, and her fifth brother is now on her side. If she stays, they won't let her have a good life. It's better to go to her mother.

Prince Huyan suddenly knelt down, "I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish to be with the Ninth Princess. I truly love the Ninth Princess and will definitely treat her very well."

Xie Shang pretended not to know anything and said in a deep voice, "This matter is not urgent. Prince, please get up first, and we will discuss it after the Lantern Festival."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Huyan slowly stood up. He secretly glanced at Xie Ling'er, who was even more beautiful than in the portrait.

The banquet continued, with singing and dancing never stopping. The ministers in the hall toasted each other, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

At this moment, Xie Ling'er was also seated at the banquet. She picked up her wine cup, walked up to Jiang Fenghua, and said, "In the past, I was ignorant and offended Her Majesty the Empress. I hope Her Majesty the Empress can forgive me. I would like to offer a toast to Fifth Sister-in-law!"

Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "I am not in a position to drink alcohol, so why don't you ask Your Majesty to drink a cup on my behalf?" She handed the wine cup directly to Xie Shang, her fingers stroking her belly.

Xie Shang took the wine cup from her hand, his eyes full of doting affection. "I will drink this for the Empress. Ling'er has been disrespectful to you in the past. I will forgive her after drinking this cup of wine!"

"What kind of person does Your Majesty think of me? How could I possibly hold a grudge against the Ninth Princess? She's just an immature child. What's past is past, let's just let bygones be bygones," she said.

Seeing her so happy, Xie Ling'er couldn't help but feel sad for the deceased Wan-jie. Back then, Wan-jie and Fifth Brother were also happy and joyful. Why not build a good relationship with her now and find an opportunity to make her die along with her unborn child to accompany Wan-jie in death?

Jiang Fenghua knew Xie Ling'er well. Such attentiveness must mean she was up to something bad. Many people were watching her pregnancy. In her previous life, she couldn't protect her child, but in this life, she was protecting her like the apple of her eye.

Over the years, those who disliked her must have thought of harming her two children, but they never had the chance. She didn't want her lifeline to be controlled by others.

As darkness fell, the lanterns throughout the palace were lit, instantly transforming the surroundings into a dazzling spectacle.

Tang Qianran quickly said, "The fireworks are about to start. Please, Your Majesty and all the distinguished guests, move outside to enjoy the lantern display."

Xie Shang glanced at her, and the Empress Dowager quickly explained, "Today's Lantern Festival banquet was personally organized by Consort Tang at my request. Consort Tang said the main event is yet to come, and I'm eager to see what ingenious ideas Consort Tang has. I'm getting impatient. Consort Tang, please accompany the Emperor to admire the lanterns! The Empress is pregnant, so please don't squeeze into crowded places to avoid hurting the baby."

Tang Qianran quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will introduce you to him..."

Jiang Fenghua was slightly taken aback, her bright eyes fixed on Xie Shang.

Xie Shang glanced at Tang Qianran with a deep look in his eyes and said in a deep voice, "The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine have gone to great lengths. With me protecting you, you won't be able to squeeze past the Empress."

Instead, he took Jiang Fenghua's hand and said to the crowd, "Envoys, please move to the city tower and enjoy the fireworks and lanterns with me."

The envoy from Wu Kingdom said, "I have long heard that the Lantern Festival in the Great Zhou Dynasty is even more lively and prosperous than during the day. Your Majesty, please."

The envoys from the other countries also remarked, "We are truly fortunate to witness such a grand festival of the Great Zhou Kingdom."

After the envoys showered them with praise, they extolled the grand Lantern Festival feast of the Great Zhou Kingdom as something unparalleled in the world, filling them with anticipation for the upcoming performances.

Upon hearing this, Tang Qianran quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I have made all the arrangements and am just waiting for Your Majesty and the envoys to come and watch."

Xie Shang thought to himself: The Great Zhou Dynasty will become more and more prosperous.