Chapter 8: Changes due to opportunities
"calm."
Qiu Xuan immediately held Jing Beian's arm and whispered, "Don't be impulsive. No matter what you decide to do, you won't gain anything if you make a scene."
Today was the Fourth Prince's lucky day, and anyone looking for trouble would suffer. Furthermore, the Yunyang Marquisate was now openly close to the Fourth Prince. If he stood up and tried to undermine the Fourth Prince at this moment, even if he didn't want to die, Qiu Xuan would still want to die.
Jing Beian's sleeve slipped out of Qiu Xuan's hand. Qiu Xuan heard him chuckle, "It's too late for you to remind me. They've all come to see me."
The eunuch who delivered the decree had already left. The Fourth Prince received several stern glares from the Princess, but he had no idea what to do next. Everyone at the table, intentionally or unintentionally, cast their gazes on Marquis Yunyang.
"Pick up your glass." Qiu Xuan clasped her hands together. "It's time for you to toast His Royal Highness Prince Lu."
"Your Highness, Prince of Lu, is so valiant and brave that the barbarians have retreated in fear. The people of Liang Province are all grateful for your virtue and benevolent rule. We, your subjects, only wish to follow your Highness, demonstrate our diligence, and ensure the stability of the border city, so that no one will dare to invade again."
Qiuxuan recited in a low voice. Fortunately, Jing Beian had sharp ears and could hear and recite every word he heard.
All the ministers at the table, even though they had different thoughts, raised their glasses at this moment to congratulate the Fourth Prince on his victory in his first battle.
When Marquis Yunyang picked up the wine glass, the eldest princess visibly breathed a sigh of relief and glared at Jiang Jue.
Jiang Jue immediately said, "Well said, Marquis Yunyang said it well." Before he finished speaking, he hurriedly poured the wine into his stomach. He was better at this than saying nice things.
The eldest princess naturally took over the conversation and said a lot of words praising Jing Bei'an for his bravery in battle and the loyalty of the Yunyang Marquisate for generations.
The palace maid left the eldest princess's side and came with a wine jug to add more wine for the fourth prince.
"Having such loyal ministers and capable generals is a blessing from Heaven and from my father... It's because of my father's ability to appoint talented people to the right positions. I respect my father!"
Qiu Xuan picked up the wine glass and secretly looked at the Fourth Prince. Jiang Jue looked very confused. He just held the wine glass tightly, as if it was his life-saving talisman.
Although the Fourth Prince was less than twenty years old at this time, it was understandable that he seemed a little immature when facing the court officials.
But when the current emperor took up his sword and ascended the throne, he was only about this age.
"I didn't expect you to be so smart." Jing Beian said with a smile.
"You're not bad either, at least you have sharp ears." Qiu Xuan gathered his sleeves.
Palace music sounded leisurely, and dancers descended into the banquet like fairies and goddesses. Everyone's attention was quickly attracted by this beautiful scene.
As the wine continues to flow and the food smells delicious, the smiles on people's faces become more sincere.
The most difficult time finally passed. There was laughter throughout the banquet, and even the eldest princess was amused by the jokes of the wife of Marquis Anguo.
As the wine flowed, no one paid any attention to how embarrassed the Fourth Prince was.
Qiu Xuan saw the Fourth Prince open his mouth, and the maid beside him immediately leaned over to remind him, but he insisted that he clearly said "Fei Fei".
The palace maid said something again, and Jiang Jue looked up at the eldest princess.
Qiu Xuan subconsciously looked over and found that the eldest princess was looking at her.
He seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and seemed to be drunk but not drunk, as if he just unconsciously cast his eyes here.
Qiu Xuan clutched her sleeves, and at this moment, Jiang Jue stood up and walked towards the eldest princess.
"Fei Fei has also made contributions. I want to ask for a reward for Fei Fei." The Fourth Prince mustered up his courage. "She deserves a fiefdom..."
The princess burst out laughing: "As for the fief of food and land, where are you going to give her?"
"I can give her some of mine..."
"Yours?" The princess pointed to a plate of lychees on the table. "Do you know where they come from?"
"Nanchu," Jiang Jue said immediately, "Take the sea route through the Qingzhou Canal and enter the capital."
"You remember that clearly."
"Feifei told me."
The eldest princess peeled a lychee with her own hands and handed it to Jiang Jue. From a distance, it looked like a happy scene of an elder loving his nephew.
But what the Fourth Prince said as he swallowed the lychee was a cold remark.
"The fiefdom His Majesty gave you is within the territory of Nanchu. Didn't you notice?"
"How could Father..."
"Go back to your seat."
"Guess what the princess said?" Jing Beian suddenly asked.
Qiu Xuan took a bite of the lychee and asked, "What do you think the Fourth Prince asked?"
"I guess he wants to take credit for Feifei."
"Her Royal Highness the Princess naturally declined." The lychees weren't as sweet as they used to be. "Not only did she refuse the Fourth Prince's request, she also came to appease you."
"Me?" Jing Beian smiled. "That's right, otherwise who would fight for them?"
However, the eldest princess still surprised Qiu Xuan and came in person.
"You look much better than the last time we met," the princess said to Jing Bei'an. "I heard that His Majesty has gifted you a manor. Coincidentally, my manor is right next door, so I'll give it to you as well. There's a good spring in the manor; brewing tea with this water can cure illness and ward off disasters."
As the princess spoke, the palace maid behind her presented her with an exquisite box.
It’s more of a silence than a reward.
Qiu Xuan glanced at Jing Beian nervously, fearing that he would knock over the box and leave in anger.
Unexpectedly, Jing Bei'an took it respectfully: "Thank you, Your Highness."
The princess nodded in satisfaction and continued, "I already know that marrying Feifei is not what you want. But now that Feifei is pregnant, this matter needs careful consideration."
"Your Highness's difficulties, I understand."
Which prince?
"Qiu Xuan, you've always been sensible." The eldest princess lovingly held Qiu Xuan's arm. "Good child, it's you who's been wronged this time."
"I'm not wronged," Qiu Xuan said, bowing his head. "Princess Feifei is also very good."
"She is impatient and doesn't take things seriously. If she makes you feel embarrassed in any way, just tell me." The eldest princess held Qiu Xuan's hand tightly.
"Princess Feifei often told me that she missed Her Royal Highness the Princess, and asked me to pay her respects to you on her behalf." Qiu Xuan bowed slowly.
"Good children, you are all good children." The eldest princess patted Qiu Xuan's hand, "Let Feifei take good care of herself. I will go visit her."
*
"If you really care about Feifei, then take her out. The Princess's Mansion is her family home, who can say no?"
"Madam is right." Jing Beian lifted the car curtain and got in.
"Your Majesty should ride a horse. It's so unbecoming of a military commander to let outsiders see you riding in a carriage." Qiu Xuan said with a frown.
"Did I disturb you from talking to yourself? Please bear with me. After all, this carriage is named Jing, and my surname is Jing too now."
Qiuxuan ignored him, but Jing Beian didn't give up.
"We just worked together so well. Shouldn't you praise your husband for his adaptability?" Jing Beian came forward. "Or should I praise your wife for her cunningness?"
As he spoke, he suddenly grabbed Qiu Xuan's arm, swung his sleeve, and threw out many notes folded into different shapes.
"The princess is pregnant."
"This one says 'The Princess is Pregnant with a Prince'."
Jing Beian looked at them one by one and met Qiu Xuan's wary eyes: "Which note did you hand out?"
*
"Aunt, why are you here?"
The fourth prince rushed forward, but the eldest princess raised her hand and slapped him without giving him any explanation.
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