Chapter 813: If you think you are an eagle, how can you be at peace in a cage?

Mr. Guo was still not satisfied and had just smashed a vase when someone came to report that the Nan family had sent someone to apologize.

Upon learning that the apology sent by the Nan family's old lady was exactly the same as the one sent by the Xu family, Mr. Guo sat in his chair with a look of despair, muttering bitterly, "There's absolutely no hope now..."

No need to fight or compete.

Before the battle to seize the fruits of victory even began, the Guo family was completely expelled.

The Guo family was in a gloomy mood, and the situation of the family that went out with Guo Jia today was not much better.

The noise outside reached the Lingnan Palace. The old prince, who had been ill for a long time, showed a hint of amusement on his face. "Did Yanran really say that?"

The person who replied lowered his head and said, "It's exactly the same."

"Miss Yanran is naturally proud and neither humble nor overbearing. Her manners and attitude are very decent."

It is rare for a teenage girl to suddenly encounter such a disgusting thing, but she remains calm and composed, and does not feel sorry for herself. Instead, she handles the matter with dignity and moderation.

The old prince waved his hand to signal the visitor to leave, and jokingly looked at the old man and said, "Your granddaughter's temperament is not similar to that of her parents. She is more like your eldest grandson's wife, gentle on the outside but strong on the inside."

The old prince was weak during his illness. After taking medicine, his complexion seemed a little better, but the chessboard he set up was just for show and he could not play many moves.

The old man, holding the chess pieces and playing against himself, laughed at the sound and said, "She was spoiled when she was young, and she wasn't like this. Later, she spent more time with her eldest sister-in-law, and she probably picked up some habits through osmosis."

"He is just a child. Everything he says and does is taught by adults. He does not deserve such praise from His Majesty."

The great wizard sitting nearby interjected, "Old Master, you are being too modest."

"In my opinion, Yanran is a truly excellent child. She's quick to grasp things, and is a down-to-earth and studious person. With just a few simple pointers, she can learn very well. She hasn't been studying medicine for long, but her medical and poison techniques have already shown initial success. If that's not considered good, then what else could be better?"

The great wizard himself has no children, and is always particularly gentle to younger generations.

Those who are talented are even more favored.

If it weren't for Old Master Qi and Old Master Bai who acted quickly and took Xu Yanran under their wing, the great wizard would have loved her so much that he would have even thought of taking her as his disciple.

Elder Qi silently glanced at the Great Wizard, who smiled wryly and said, "There's no need to be so vigilant."

"A gentleman does not take away what others like. I understand this."

Old Qi snorted and continued to grind the herbs in his hand.

The old prince's smile grew wider: "The Xu family's children are all very well-educated. I like them all, big and small."

"Come to think of it, how many years younger is Yanran than Yubai?"

The old man said calmly, "Ten years old."

The old prince said with a smile: "It is indeed a twist of fate. Otherwise, if both families had always been in Kyoto, they could be considered childhood sweethearts."

The old man didn't put down the chess piece he was holding.

Old Qi snorted, neither lightly nor heavily, and said strangely, "I'm afraid your Highness is wrong about what he said."

"Childhood sweetheart?"

Old Qi raised his lip and sneered without hesitation: "Childhood sweethearts mean two young people have no suspicion of each other, and the boy is riding on his childhood sweetheart."

"If the young prince had married early and had a son around the same age as my Yanran, then he could have barely been considered a match."

"No matter how old he is, he can still call me dad. How can this be considered childhood sweethearts?"

Old Qi has always been a ruthless person and doesn't give face to anyone except Sang Zhixia.

Even though the person he was facing was the respected King of Lingnan, he refused to be polite in his words.

The great wizard's prepared words were of no use, and he was choked by these words and his brow turned black.

"Qi Jie, if you can't speak, you can shut up."

Old Qi chuckled twice and fell silent. The old prince noticed the old man who had been silent and smiling all the time, and shook his head helplessly: "Forget it, I know you can't bear to let go."

"A gentleman does not take away what others like. I understand this."

The old man pretended not to understand and laughed, "Your Highness, it's being polite of you to say that."

"But those naughty kids of mine got spoiled when they were in the Northwest. They're all restless and won't settle down."

"It was fine when he was little, but now that he's grown up, everyone says he can't sit still at home. He always wants to go out and explore the beautiful country, to see all the mountains and rivers. Whose child wouldn't make people worry when they talk about it?"

The old prince closed his eyes and smiled: "That's great."

"Men should fight on the frontiers and protect the stability of a country. Women should travel across thousands of mountains and rivers and see the beauty of the world. They should not be confined to the inner chambers, nor should they enjoy the comforts of wealth and luxury. Such a noble ambition is something others cannot even dream of."

The old man changed the subject while jokingly talking, and when he saw that the old prince looked tired, he stood up and said goodbye obediently.

The old prince's condition is unstable, and the palace needs someone he trusts to take charge.

Therefore, the old man and Mr. Qi will not leave the palace for the time being, and they will live together in a small courtyard.

After sending the two away, the great wizard looked helplessly at the absent-minded old prince: "Prince, since we just brought up this topic, why don't you continue?"

The rumors outside were not written by the old prince, but he had this idea more than once.

No matter from which perspective, Xu Yanran is an excellent choice.

He was born into a glorious family, his mother's family was powerful, and there were many talented people in his clan.

There is only Xu Yanran in the third house. She does not need to worry about promoting her mother's family members to seize power for her mother's family, nor does she have to worry about the monopoly of power by her in-laws.

With Xu Yanran entering Jiang Yubai's inner palace, Jiang Yubai's direct bloodline will prosper together with the entire Xu family, which is equivalent to completely tying the Xu family to this ship.

As long as the royal bloodline is alive, the Xu family should devote themselves wholeheartedly to the royal family for generations to come.

Just in Xu Yanran's generation, her younger brothers would fight for her and would do anything to defend the country for Jiang Yubai.

This should have been the best option.

In-laws have always been a means of winning people’s hearts.

But when he thought of what Xu Yanran said, a trace of helplessness flashed across the old prince's face.

"The child said that she was an eagle soaring in the sky..."

If you think you are an eagle, how can you be at peace in a cage?

The Great Wizard said bitterly, "But if it weren't for Yanran, we wouldn't be able to find a suitable person to choose as a queen from among the daughters of the Xu family."

Xu Jinxi is too young and can’t wait.

It's even worse for Xu Yu's daughter. Nuonuo and Jiang Yubai are of different generations, so it's not excessive for her to call Jiang Yubai her godfather when she sees him.

The great wizard wanted to say something, but the old prince sighed and said, "Forget it, that's all."

"I was stubborn."

He wanted to provide another layer of insurance for Jiang Yubai's kingdom before he died, but when he thought about it carefully, it was unnecessary.

The great wizard whispered, "In fact, if you ask, the Xu family will agree."

There will inevitably be struggles, but Yanran is a sensible child, and she will be willing to do it even if it is for the prosperity of the family.

The old prince waved his hand and said, "Xu Yu has withdrawn from the battlefield and handed over military power. The Xu family has already lost one Xu Yu to show their attitude. How can I bear to take away another precious child from them?"

"Xu Yu has returned to Lingnan and is willing to serve as a sharp blade in my hands. This is more than enough."

The great wizard opened his mouth, hesitant to speak, and the old prince smiled bitterly and said, "People are most afraid of greed."

"Once you want everything, and try to get the best of everything, the affection you've earned through life and death will be worn away."

"This is actually quite good... too much is as bad as too little..."

The effect of the medicine gradually took effect, and the old prince fell into a deep sleep.

At the same time, the group of people who went out to seek justice were politely sent out of the house by the other party.

Aunt Xu remained calm throughout the whole process until she got on the carriage and held Sang Zhixia's hand tightly. Sang Zhixia was caught off guard and her hand was covered in moisture.

Sang Zhixia mistakenly thought that Aunt Xu was frightened and whispered, "Aunt Xu, it's okay."

"After what happened today, we've made an example of them and they won't dare to talk nonsense anymore. Our Yanran won't be affected in any way."

Aunt Xu lifted the carriage curtain and took a look outside. She was sure that the people following the carriage were all Sang Zhixia's men. She let out a long sigh and said in a voice that only Sang Zhixia could hear, suppressing her fear: "I'm not afraid of what others say, but of the person in the palace."

Sang Zhixia was stunned at first, then realized something and widened her eyes silently.

"Aunt San, you mean..."

"Silly girl."

Aunt Xu leaned weakly against the side of the carriage and said cryptically, "Do you really think that all these people in our family who come and go in the royal city all day are deaf and blind?"

"Qingfang can't even go out three times a month. She can hear the rumors, how could we not know anything about it?"