On the seventh day of the ninth lunar month, it was the fortieth birthday of the Princess Consort of Ruyang.
The Prince of Ruyang's Mansion held a grand celebration, inviting almost all the powerful and influential figures in the capital.
This is absolutely not an exaggeration.
In fact, it wasn't just the powerful and wealthy; even the nobles in the palace treated the Prince of Ruyang's residence with great respect.
As an elder, the Empress Dowager naturally had no reason to congratulate a junior on their birthday, and she would not go in person.
However, the Empress Dowager still bestowed many gifts, which she sent to the Prince of Ruyang's residence in advance by her trusted palace servants.
Empress Xie goes without saying; as the matriarch of the Helian royal family, she would personally attend banquets for any respected elders in the clan who celebrated their birthdays.
Empress Dowager Xiao, who was enjoying her grandchildren at Yong'an Palace, also bestowed congratulatory gifts upon the Princess of Ruyang, even though she did not have much of a relationship with her and had rarely appeared in public in the past few years.
It can be said that the three most honored women in the palace all expressed their desire to be close to her.
Following the example set by those in power, even those not closely associated with the Prince of Ruyang's household flocked to the banquet.
From early morning, the area in front of the Ruyang Prince's Mansion was bustling with activity, with a constant stream of carriages and guests.
The large number of vehicles and horses blocked most of the street.
"The last time the capital was this lively was at Chen Ni's wedding!"
Xie Zhen dismounted and glanced at the completely blocked street, then clicked his tongue in surprise.
Even the most mature young people can occasionally speak without thinking.
As the emperor's brother-in-law and the head of the Xie family, he was a highly respected figure in the capital.
He received the invitation from the Prince of Ruyang's residence well in advance, even though he wasn't particularly enthusiastic about such social interactions.
Unfortunately, as the years went by, many noblewomen in the capital suddenly realized that Empress Xie's younger brother was already twelve or thirteen years old.
It's time to discuss marriage.
Although men can marry later.
However, wealthy families traditionally begin arranging marriages several years in advance.
The wedding ceremony, with its three letters and six rites, is far too complicated.
A complete process can take three to four years in some cases.
Moreover, Xie Zhen's background, social standing, and power make him undoubtedly the most eligible bachelor in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
If you act too late, someone else will snatch it away.
Unfortunately, the Xie family had no matriarch, and Xie Zhen's only elder sister was the reigning empress.
Many noblewomen, even those who were interested in Xie Zhen, felt helpless and didn't know how to make a move.
The various banquets and gatherings in the capital city were the best, and one of the few, opportunities available.
You can imagine that every time Xie Zhen went to a banquet, he would always encounter enthusiastic female elders, as well as the kind of eyes that look like wolves eyeing fat meat!
I can't stand it!
Xie Zhen really couldn't take it anymore!
He's still a child.
Furthermore, a true man should establish his career before starting a family.
He aspired to be a champion since he was a child.
His older sister and brother-in-law also had high hopes for him.
After he turned ten, his elder sister handed over all the Xie family's servants to him.
The number of people wasn't too large, only about four hundred.
Xie Zhen used these troops as an experiment, training his own private army according to his elder sister's method of training soldiers.
Two years ago, the emperor personally led an expedition, and Xie Zhen also wanted to go.
He really wanted to dominate the battlefield and achieve great things.
Unfortunately, his older sister and brother-in-law disagreed, feeling that he was too young and could not withstand the cruelty and hardship of war.
Xie Zhen: ...Sigh, although he was not convinced, he also knew that his elder sister and brother-in-law were doing it for his own good!
Two years have passed, and he will soon be thirteen years old.
They must be quite old by now!
Xie Yuan: "Good, he's not a little kid anymore! My little chubby boy has grown up!"
"Don't worry, your older sister will definitely give you the opportunity to show your skills!"
My sister's words, as if coaxing a child, still ring in my ears.
As it turned out, the opportunity really did come.
Xie Zhen collected his thoughts and continued to utter unpleasant complaints like a somewhat willful young boy.
"Ah Zhen, watch your words!"
Yuwen Hao followed behind Xie Zhen. When he heard Xie Zhen mention "Chen the Traitor," his expression changed slightly.
Chen Ni is Chen Fuli, the heir of the Marquis of Anle.
He was also the leader of the Yellow Sect who was severely punished by the imperial court three years ago!
"...Ah Zhen's words shouldn't be implying anything, right?"
"Coincidence! It must be a coincidence! Perhaps he's getting old and starting to be a bit willful, which is why he speaks so recklessly!"
Yuwen Hao's face remained serene and refined, as elegant and noble as his nickname, "Jade Gentleman."
However, a bad premonition suddenly arose in his heart.
He always felt that Xie Zhen's words had a deeper meaning.
"I must be overthinking it!"
"...Xie Zhen is just a teenager, how could she have so many thoughts?"
"Furthermore, the army has already entered the city, and they have gunpowder! This time, everything will be foolproof!"
Yuwen Hao tried his best to encourage himself.
Now is the most critical moment, and even if he wanted to back down, it would be too late.
He had no choice but to take a desperate gamble and burn his bridges.
Fortunately, Xie Zhen was by his side.
If something were to happen, he would still have a way out!
Taking a deep breath, Yuwen Hao continued with a warm smile, like an elder brother, admonishing Xie Zhen, "Today is the birthday of the Princess Consort of Ruyang, a joyous day. Do not say anything unlucky."
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhen rubbed his nose and said, "Yes! Brother, I was wrong!"
"Actually, I just said it offhand, as I felt!"
As she spoke, Xie Zhen chuckled twice, her manner somewhat childlike.
Seeing his expression, Yuwen Hao's tense nerves finally relaxed: That's right, Xie Zhen is just a kid, what does he know?
Xie Zhen smiled sheepishly as she began to walk towards the Prince's residence.
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