Chapter 120: Seeing Through His Plan to Hook Up with Princess Jin?!
The welcoming banquet was held on the top floor of the city lord's building in Tiehuaer City. In addition to Xie Xuanlan and his subordinates, the new city lord of Tiehuaer City, Mr. Tang, was also present.
City Lord Tang, formerly the Chief Clerk of Zhanzhou, was a cautious, almost timid individual. He was ostracized for years because he dared not participate in the collusion between Kang Zhizhou and the Tartars, as well as his corruption and embezzlement. After Kang Zhizhou was questioned while reporting to Yunjing, officials affiliated with Kang's faction were implicated. Tang was forced to step in and maintain Zhanzhou's affairs. His performance was so good that he caught the attention of Xie Xuanlan, who forcibly brought him to Tiehuaer City to serve as temporary city lord.
City Lord Tang was miserable about this. He didn't even have the courage to follow Kang Huayu in corruption, so how could he dare to rebel with Xie Xuanlan!
When Lord Tang heard today that the imperial court had sent an imperial envoy to supervise the army and investigate the Princess of Jin, the Princess of Kang Zhizhou, he was as excited as if he had seen rain after a severe drought. When they met at the banquet, he immediately rushed to the Princess of Jin, his expression excited and his eyes tearful, making people suspect that he would fall to his knees and shout "injustice" in the next moment.
"Ah, Your Highness Princess Jin, it's truly a great honor for you to come to this foreign land and convey the will of His Majesty and His Highness the Prince of Jin. Thank you so much! It's been hard work, so much effort!"
"Your Highness, Princess Jin, since the court has commended General Xie, are there any plans for us state officials?"
From the fireflies, it could be seen that City Lord Tang was extremely apprehensive, fearing that he would be charged with treason by the imperial court.
Not only City Lord Tang, but all the civil and military officials present were looking at Congying with eager anticipation, hoping that she could make the court's attitude clear and give everyone a reassurance.
Cong Ying cleared her throat and assumed the airs of the Princess of Jin, saying, "I am the Princess of Jin, and also an imperial envoy. I represent the King of Jin privately and the imperial court publicly. I hereby promise you all that as long as you can sacrifice yourselves for the sake of martial arts and bring peace to the people at home, you will all be good ministers of the Great Zhou. Not only will you have nothing to worry about, but you will also be rewarded according to your merits in the future!"
Everyone was delighted to hear this, and they stood up to toast her, saying, "Long live the Princess of Jin."
Only one person sneered and crushed the thin porcelain teacup with his bare hands, making it look like his nose was not a nose and his eyes were not eyes.
Xie Xuanlan glanced at his colleagues, all beaming with joy, and said sarcastically, "I've been through life and death with you, my comrades, and have led you to great achievements, yet I've never seen you moved to tears. I never thought that Princess Jin could win you over with just one sentence—"
He turned to Cong Ying again, with a smile on his face, but his eyes were cold and dark, with a hint of resentment.
When others complimented her, they kept calling her Princess Jin, but she accepted it with a clear conscience.
He said, "It seems that you find the identity of Princess Jin very useful."
The jealousy spread far and wide, and Cong Ying was choked and coughed a few times with her hands covering her lips. The maid quickly brought her some water.
Cong Ying pointed at the vinegar dish on the table and said, "They say Northwest vinegar is sour and spicy. Today I tried it and it's really true. I can't stand it. Take it away."
She was actually evasive and avoided the question!
Xie Xuanlan was about to stand up and confront her, but was quickly stopped by Zhao Mingchuan who was standing beside him.
Zhao Mingchuan whispered to him, "I know you're unhappy with the military supervisor sent by the court, but she's the Princess of Jin, maybe even the future Empress. Her conciliatory attitude is quite generous! We can't really rebel, can we? Thank you, Commander-in-Chief, and Third Young Master. If you have any complaints, we can discuss them privately. Don't spoil the fun for everyone right now."
Xie Xuanlan broke free from his hand and sneered, "You know shit."
At this time, Cong Ying filled her teacup and raised her glass to him, using tea instead of wine. "This princess is here on official business. I hope the soldiers can drive out the Western Tartars and allow the people of Western Province to live and work in peace. As for personal grudges, they should be put aside for now. Do you agree with this, General Xie?"
Zhao Mingchuan nudged Xie Xuanlan gently with his elbow. "Princess, you're expressing your husband's opinion. That's quite generous of you! Hurry up and say 'yes.'"
Xie Xuanlan remained silent.
City Lord Tang, who had always been as timid as a quail in front of Xie Xuanlan, was also a little anxious, fearing that he would anger the noble and be reported back. He stood up and said, "Please don't be offended, Your Highness. Commander Xie was too happy and a little drunk."
Cong Ying smiled softly: "Even if Xie Shuai is drunk and forgets who he is, he won't embarrass me."
Hearing this, Xie Xuanlan raised his eyelids.
The two of them looked at each other, and in public, there was a flow of emotions that was unknown to others.
After a long moment, Xie Xuanlan finally raised his glass, stood up, and said to Cong Ying, "The Imperial Envoy has put his personal interests above his own, and I admire you. Since you are the military supervisor, please rest assured in the city. We, the soldiers, will never let the Imperial Envoy down."
After speaking, he looked around at everyone and said, "Whether you are the Prince of Jin or the Princess of Jin, these are not military titles. From now on, you should all follow me in calling me the Imperial Envoy, so as to establish the correct name and follow the rules."
Everyone nodded frequently, thinking that this sounded like a normal thing to say.
So we raised our glasses to congratulate the envoy on his good health.
Xie Xuanlan finished his drink and gestured to Cong Ying, "Does the Imperial Envoy agree?"
Having said this, Jung Ying took a step back and nodded, saying, "That's right."
This little disturbance arose without any reason and died down without a trace. It was soon forgotten by everyone, and the banquet returned to a lively atmosphere of chatting and laughing.
However, due to the wartime martial law, drinking was prohibited, and everyone felt that it was a bit of a waste. Some idiot got a little antsy and shouted, "The city lord used to keep a group of beautiful concubines. Why not call them out to accompany the wine?"
Someone objected: "Today we are here to entertain the princess... no, we are here to welcome the imperial envoy. How can we invite Meiji to entertain us?"
The idiot said, "Just dance. Everyone can see it. Besides, we have handsome boys too—mmmm—"
Someone beside him covered his mouth with his hands: "I am from Jin... If this gets to the court, will you be killed?"
Congying smiled faintly. She knew that there were many rude generals in the army, but she didn't bother with them.
Xie Xuanlan said coldly, "I think you've drunk three cups of horse urine and are completely lost. If you don't shut up, I'll cut off your tongue and use it as a drink."
Erbaiwu scratched his head and laughed, "Hehe," "Princess Jin is magnanimous and won't complain to Prince Jin, so why should Commander Xie be angry?"
Xie Xuanlan was choked by these words and laughed out of anger.
Well, well, now he has nothing to do with others and doesn’t even have the right to speak.
Seeing his extremely grim expression, and the anger he had managed to suppress threatening to explode again, Cong Ying quickly changed the subject, "The Western Tartars' dance and music are uninteresting. When you all return triumphantly to the court, it wouldn't be too late to enjoy the music and dance in Yunjing. I've heard that there are swordplay, spearplay, and wrestling fights in the army. This imperial envoy would very much like to witness them. I wonder if you would be so lucky as to witness them?"
Everyone at the table was eager to try it out after hearing this.
On the one hand, they do like to drink martial arts when they get together. On the other hand, the military supervisor holds their future in his hands, so everyone wants to perform well. Moreover, with such a beauty, who wouldn’t want to be a hero?
Several people shouted "I'll do it" and jumped into the open space between the tables. Just as they were about to show off their skills, they saw Xie Xuanlan slowly stand up and walk down.
Everyone was so shocked that their eyes almost popped out of their heads.
Doesn't this person always scoff at banquet fights as monkey shows and therefore never participate?
In the bitter cold of winter, Xie Xuanlan wore only a single ochre garment, his black hair half tied up, the attire of a young man from an aristocratic family. Compared to the burly, armored soldiers present, he looked frail and unassuming, yet no one dared to treat him as a gigolo. Seeing him leave, they all waved their hands and returned to their seats.
"Is this all you can do in front of the imperial envoy? What are you afraid of? I'll spare your hands."
Xie Xuanlan leisurely put his hands behind his back, a smile on his face, raised his chin at the idiot, and ordered: "You come."
The military order was as heavy as a mountain. The idiot was forced to go on the field. He gritted his teeth and yelled, punching Xie Xuanlan.
His boxing style was quite famous, having killed no fewer than a hundred Western Tartar barbarians with it, and in two months he had risen from a nobody to a captain of a thousand men. He was using this boxing style to teach others, and inevitably became conceited. Seeing Xie Xuanlan tied his hands, he thought he had a chance, and so he unleashed dozens of punches, each one brushing past Xie Xuanlan's body.
Then Xie Xuanlan raised his leg and swept it across his shoulder, kicking him to the ground with just one move.
If it were an enemy, this kick would have broken his neck.
Everyone knew that General Xie was brave and a master of military strategy, but when they faced him in a martial arts performance, they still couldn't help but gasp.
Xie Xuanlan glanced around the room and called out the people who had called out "Princess Jin" the most times. "You three look quite energetic today. Come up and let me give you some pointers."
The three of them attacked together, armed with knives and guns, but they were unable to escape being knocked down by a kick.
Zhao Mingchuan looked at the tragic scene and couldn't help scratching his head. He muttered to himself, "Did these people provoke him? Why are they so angry?"
Cong Ying then turned to Zhao Mingchuan and asked, "General Zhao, General Xie didn't move his arm. Was he injured?"
Zhao Mingchuan was slightly surprised: "Qin Shi has good eyesight. He was shot by an arrow half a month ago, but it was not in the arm, but in the shoulder."
In order to highlight Xie Xuanlan's bravery in front of the military supervisor, Zhao Mingchuan recounted the situation where he fought one against a hundred people.
Cong Ying frowned upon hearing this, turned to look at Xie Xuanlan, and said softly, "He's acting too risky."
Her tone did not contain any praise and sounded a little strange, but Zhao Mingchuan couldn't tell exactly what was strange about it.
While he was talking, Xie Xuanlan turned his attention to City Lord Tang again. City Lord Tang waved his hands and complained, "I'm a scholar, I don't know how to wield a sword or a gun. Xie Shuai, please don't make fun of me. I dare not."
Ke Ying could tell he was taking revenge for personal gain, but she was afraid others would notice, so she said, "Xie Shuai, that's enough. You've already won the championship."
Xie Xuanlan looked at her and smiled slowly: "Since I have been named the champion, do you have any prizes for being an imperial envoy?"
Cong Ying was stunned. When did she say she wanted to give a prize?
Xie Xuanlan: "Should the envoy nominate himself, or should I choose?"
Cong Ying felt a little helpless: "I have nothing with me this time, I can only offer a cup of tea instead of wine, to thank you for your bravery."
Xie Xuanlan curled his lips, neither saying yes nor no, just looking at her meaningfully.
Zhao Mingchuan saw his eyes which seemed to contain both smile and anger, and he also felt it was very strange. He looked at the young and beautiful imperial envoy beside him, and suddenly he was startled, remembering a pair of adulterers who had secretly gotten together in his town.
This is clearly the flirting and flirting they've been rumored to be doing!
Zhao Mingchuan felt the wine he had swallowed explode in his head, and cold sweat broke out in waves:
This brat is so audacious! Is he trying to seduce the Princess of Jin and cuckold the Prince of Jin? He's really planning a rebellion!
Zhao Mingchuan, realizing this, became restless and felt as if a glaring guillotine was hanging over his head.
He felt so grief-stricken for a moment that he almost beat his chest and stamped his feet at Xie Xuanlan: Brother, there are good deaths and bad deaths. It is too cowardly to be caught as an adulterer and beaten to death!
His eyes kept flicking between the two of them. Cong Ying, being sensitive, naturally noticed, lowering her eyelashes and frowning slightly. Fortunately, the banquet was almost over, so she didn't need to say any more polite words, and Xie Xuanlan didn't make any more trouble.
When the banquet ended, the Venerable naturally left first. Xie Xuanlan said, "The accommodation arranged for the Imperial Envoy is in the City Lord's Building. Since this is the Imperial Envoy's first time here, I will take him to get acquainted with the route."
To Zhao Mingchuan, it sounded like: I'm going to sleep with the imperial envoy.
Zhao Mingchuan's temples were throbbing, and he quickly stood up: "I'll join you!"
Xie Xuanlan glanced at him coldly, but Zhao Mingchuan ignored him.
Ying sighed inwardly, "Please."
The two of them followed her out of the banquet hall. The northwest wind was biting, shaking Zheng Ying slightly. Xie Xuanlan wanted to take her cloak from the maid, but Zhao Mingchuan took it first and presented it to her with great enthusiasm.
Xie Xuanlan's face immediately turned cold: "How dare you!"
Zhao Mingchuan thought to himself: It was you who wanted to be so presumptuous first.
However, in front of the Imperial Envoy, he couldn't directly point out the Commander's dirty thoughts, so he just smiled and said to Cong Ying: "It's cold outside, Your Excellency, please go back quickly."
Cong Ying put on her cloak, nodded, and walked away, walking faster and faster. Xie Xuanlan had a lot of questions to ask her, and just as he was about to lift his legs to catch up, he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulders. Zhao Mingchuan jumped on him, strangled his neck and legs, and held him down like a big monkey.
If it weren't for the camaraderie, Xie Xuanlan would have thrown him off the city wall long ago. But now his expression was extremely grim, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Zhao Mingchuan! Did you drink fake wine? Why are you acting crazy for no reason?"
"Am I going crazy or are you?!"
Zhao Mingchuan panted, "Thank you, Third Master. You are such a damned ancestor! That's the Princess of Jin, one of the most noble women. No matter how beautiful she is, we can't have any evil thoughts about her! It's not like you're short of women. You can pick any beautiful girl in the four cities of Xizhou. I take back what I said last time about not letting you be a son-in-law of the Western Tartars. Even if you snatch the Western Tartar princess back to be your wife, it's better than having such evil thoughts! I beg you, Third Brother! Third Master! Third Ancestor!"
He held one of Xie Xuanlan's legs tightly, and he couldn't get it free.
He was angry and amused at the same time, and in this absurd amusement there was also a sense of sadness that he could not tell others.
No wonder that man was willing to let her come to Xizhou, no wonder she had to act so pretentiously in front of him. It turned out that the identity of Princess Jin was really an inviolable barrier in the eyes of others.
Who will ask him what he feels in his heart, and who will reminisce about the past with him?
Xie Xuanlan was extremely angry, but gradually calmed down. He closed his eyes, looked at the wind, and did not speak for a long time.
He said, "Okay, I'm not going."
-----------------------
The author has something to say: Zhao Mingchuan, believe him and you will have him in this life.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com