Chapter 214 Why wasn't it Qiu Heng who went to the marriage alliance?

Xue Quan looked up at the smiling Emperor Jingping, his mind in turmoil.

Qiu Heng is escorting the bride, so why is Han'er the right person to be the wedding envoy?

It wasn't Qiu Heng who went to marry into the royal family.

Why wasn't it Qiu Heng who went to marry into the royal family? Xue Quan thought regretfully.

"What, are you reluctant to part with him?" Emperor Jingping asked with a smile when Xue Quan remained silent.

Xue Quan quickly composed himself and bowed, saying, "It is Xue Han's honor to be able to escort Princess Rongning to Xijiang. This servant is happy for him."

Emperor Jingping glanced at Xue Han and smiled, "Young people should get more experience so they can share my burdens in the future."

"Your Majesty is too kind to him."

When they finally had a chance to speak alone, Xue Quan stared at Xue Han with suspicion in his eyes: "Why did His Majesty choose you as the envoy for the wedding?"

Could it be that this kid asked for it on his own initiative?

"His Majesty probably thinks that with Princess Suiyun escorting me to the wedding, I will be more devoted. During the autumn hunt, didn't I tell His Majesty that I was in love with Princess Suiyun? I suppose His Majesty has remembered that..."

"As I see it, you must be Princess Xinyue Suiyun, right?" Xue Quan asked casually.

Xue Han paused for a moment, then asked, "Do you think that I am not suitable for Princess Suiyun?"

"Of course it's inappropriate!"

Xue Quan cultivated the ability to remain calm and collected in front of Emperor Jingping, but he couldn't be bothered to control his emotions in front of his adopted son.

“You come from a humble background. Although your father supports you, people will still laugh at you behind your back, saying you are the adopted son of a eunuch. You need to marry a lady from a prestigious family, not a rebellious woman like Princess Suiyun.”

More importantly, he couldn't see the connection between the deaths of Han Wu and the others and that girl.

If that girl gets close to Han'er, gets close to him, he might be the next one to die.

But he would never voice such unsubstantiated speculation.

"I understand, child."

"It's good that you understand. Since the Emperor arranged this mission for you, do your job well and stay away from Princess Suiyun."

Xue Quan didn't understand anything about love between men and women, but he did have some understanding of his adopted son.

This guy keeps saying he feels guilty towards that girl, but I think it's more than that. He'll only feel at ease after we get back from Xijiang and the marriage is settled.

After dealing with Xue Quan, Xue Han returned to the Imperial City Guard to arrange matters for his absence from the capital.

Qiu Heng had planned to visit the Kang Prince's Mansion the next day to inform him of her intention to escort Princess Rong Ning to her wedding, but unexpectedly, Ling Yun arrived directly at the Yongqing Earl's Mansion near dusk.

"His Majesty wants you to escort Princess Rongning to her wedding?"

"Brother Ling found out so quickly."

Ling Yun, who was always calm and collected, was now solemn, her breathing rapid as if she had rushed there: "Aheng, I will go to the palace tomorrow and ask His Majesty to choose someone else."

"Brother Ling, the imperial decree has been issued."

“I know.” Ling Yun’s breathing became more steady. “But things can be accomplished by human effort. Even the current emperor has changed his mind before.”

"Brother Ling," Qiu Heng called softly, "I'm willing to go."

"What did you say?"

"I'm willing to go."

"Aheng—" Lingyun asked, puzzled, "Why?"

Traveling long distances to foreign lands, facing so many unknown risks and hardships, who would willingly go?

"Brother Ling, you've forgotten, I'm not really a delicate noble lady. For someone like me who has been running wild all over the mountains since I was a child, going on a long trip is nothing. I can even keep Princess Rong Ning company."

Ling Yun was slightly taken aback: "Aheng sympathizes with Princess Rongning?"

"A little bit," Qiu Heng said, lowering her eyes slightly.

Brother Ling is a smart man; she certainly wouldn't believe him if he said he just wanted to go out and broaden his horizons.

After a brief silence, a hand came down and ruffled the girl's hair: "Aheng, you've already worked so hard, don't interfere in other people's fates anymore."

Qiu Heng's eyes welled up with tears, but she couldn't listen to him: "Brother Ling, you're overthinking it. I'm just seeing Princess Rongning off, just like I saw my second sister off in the spring. This trip might be a bit tiring, but there's no need to annoy His Majesty for such a little hardship, don't you think?"

Ling Yun frowned and remained silent.

“I have been going to the palace often during this period, and I can feel that Consort Yu is not friendly to me. His Majesty still appreciates me to some extent because of what I did before. If I displease His Majesty by refusing to send you to the palace, Consort Yu will be even more unscrupulous and it will be easy for her to cause me trouble.”

Qiu Heng smiled and said, "Brother Ling can't protect me every time."

Ling Yun remained silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh: "Then I'll arrange two maids who know martial arts for you."

"Need not."

"Aheng—"

"Xue Han is the envoy who escorted the bride; he'll take care of me if anything happens." Qiu Heng had no choice but to bring up Xue Han.

This trip to Xijiang will inevitably involve a life-or-death situation; why let more people get stuck there?

"You trust him that much?"

Qiu Heng lowered her eyes and said, "Mm."

After a long while, Ling Yun finally spoke: "Then I won't force you. Just remember, there are still many people in the capital who care about you, so you must come back safely."

"Don't worry, Brother Ling, I will be careful in everything."

"Are we going to the palace again tomorrow?"

Qiu Heng shook her head: "No need. Consort Yu told me to pack up and prepare, and wait patiently to leave."

"Then let's have lunch at the Prince's residence. Jiayi also wants to see you."

Qiu Heng agreed.

As night fell, Qiu Heng went to see Tao Da and the other three.

"I will soon be leaving the capital for Xijiang..." Qiu Heng recounted her story of escorting Princess Rongning to her wedding.

The four exchanged glances, shocked by the sudden news.

"Sixth Miss, I'll go with you," Nie Sanniang said. "You're going such a long way, you'll need someone to help you."

“I’ll go too,” Chen San said.

"No need for that. I'm here to give you something else to do."

"What's up?"

"Keep an eye on the Prince of Fu's residence. When you see him leave the house, keep a close watch on him and see where he goes and who he associates with..."

"Is this Prince Fu Princess Rongning's father?" Chen San asked.

Qiu Heng nodded.

"It sounds like someone who would sacrifice their family for their country."

Nie San Niang glared at Chen San: "Sixth Miss told us to keep an eye on things, so keep an eye on things. You're the one who talks too much nonsense."

"I was just asking," Chen San said, used to bickering with Nie San Niang.

"Then I'll go back." Qiu Heng stood up.

"Sixth Miss, we're waiting for you to come back."

Qiu Heng nodded and walked into the night.

The next morning, under a clear blue sky, Qiu Heng received an invitation from the Prince of Fu's residence before even going to the Prince of Kang's mansion.

The invitation was issued in the name of Princess Fu, and in addition to Qiu Heng, the old lady was also invited.

The old lady stared at the post, wanting to sigh.

This is the second time that I have been invited by the Prince of Fu's mansion with such earnest words. This is something I never dreamed of before Sixth Sister returned.

But compared to the shock I experienced, it wasn't worth it.

After replying to the Prince of Fu's residence that she would keep the appointment on time the next day, the old lady instructed Qiu Heng: "Go to the Prince of Kang's residence for lunch and then return. Do not go anywhere else."

"Okay."

Qiu Heng took Fang Zhou with her to the Kang Prince's Mansion.

Fangzhou remained silent throughout the journey.

Qiu Heng nudged her with her elbow: "Still angry?"

(End of this chapter)