The second prince stood between them, looked at his siblings, then looked at the eldest prince, and did not say anything.

The eldest prince's eyes fell on Jiang Qingqing, and he said without hesitation: "Sister, actually..."

"It's normal for adults to be forced to do things against their will. Big brother must have his reasons for doing this. This piece of fat meat is just this small. I really shouldn't have occupied it for so long and not let my two brothers share this happiness."

Jiang Qingqing decisively interrupted the eldest prince's hesitant words.

She didn't want to listen and was too lazy to listen.

We are all adults and know each other's plans, so why make the situation seem so forced?

Without hesitation, she picked up her skirt, turned around, went down the stairs and walked away.

Jiang Chen glanced at his eldest brother in front of him, his expression still indifferent and distant. He bowed to the eldest prince and the second prince, and without saying a word, he turned around and followed Jiang Qingqing's footsteps.

The second prince stood there, watching his younger brother and sister walk away. He then turned his gaze to the eldest prince.

"Brother, you shouldn't have made this matter so ugly. I'm not the unreasonable person." He looked at the eldest prince's solemn expression, and his words at this moment seemed like hindsight.

The eldest prince was not as kind to the second prince as he was to Jiang Chen and Jiang Qingqing.

He restrained the emotions in his eyes and said to the Second Prince indifferently: "Second brother is not much better."

After saying this, the eldest prince flicked his sleeves and turned away.

Only the Second Prince was left standing at the door of the imperial study, watching his brothers, sisters and brothers leave one by one, with a smile on his face. His phoenix eyes, which were somewhat similar to Emperor Qing's, were now full of calculating thoughts.

Jiang Qingqing and the others simply stayed in the palace for a few days. Looking at the lively atmosphere in the palace, three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The welcoming banquet hosted by Empress Xu and Concubine Zhao was also coming to an end.

Three days later, Jiang Qingqing woke up early in the morning and asked Gan Yuan and Gan Lin to help her wash and change clothes.

She put on her favorite pink palace dress in her childhood, and pinned a hairpin in her hair. She was a pink and tender little girl back then, but now she has become a graceful young lady.

Then he followed Jiang Chen and the team that was welcoming the triumphant return of Xiao's army to the gate of the imperial city.

Jiang Qingqing, in her pink and braided bun, stood out among the crowd of people welcoming the royal family, and she happened to be standing in the center.

About half a cup of tea later, there was movement in front of the imperial city and the city gate opened.

Jiang Qingqing was the first one who could see through the crack of the open main gate of the imperial city a majestic man in silver armor riding a horse walking towards her.

At that moment, she had to admit it.

The moment she saw Xiao Linting, her heart began to pound.

Xiao Linting's horse stopped dozens of steps away from Jiang Qingqing.

The eldest prince, as the eldest son of the Tianqi Emperor, was also the main speaker at this moment. Lao Chen's few polite words basically said that he was thanking the Xiao family for their contributions on behalf of the people of Tianqi.

As the eldest prince was speaking, Jiang Qingqing looked at the heroic young general on horseback with bright and smiling eyes.

After Jiang Chen finished speaking, Jiang Qingqing took a step forward, and her eyes met with Xiao Linting's.

The corners of both of their mouths couldn't help but curl up in joy.

"Welcome to the triumphant prince." I've been waiting for you.

"I have lived up to everyone's expectations and have returned with good news." Xiao Linting looked deeply at Jiang Qingqing's petite body, and his hands holding the reins tightened and loosened.

After that, there were some rules and etiquette for welcoming the triumphant army, and Jiang Qingqing got on the carriage back to the palace.

As the carriage wheels started turning, Gan Yuan changed his gratified expression and said to Jiang Qingqing with a serious look, "In the past three days, the Third Prince had some verbal clashes with the First Prince from time to time. The Third Prince was originally working with the Ministry of Revenue to compile the list of rewards for the welcoming banquet, but the First Prince insisted on using the deputy officers, and the Third Prince insisted on rewarding the main force of the Xiao family. As a result, there were several disputes."

"What was the reaction of those old officials of the Xu family in the previous dynasty?"

Jiang Qingqing lowered her head and asked back.

Gan Yuan pursed his lips and said, "They have changed their previous style and actively reused the deputy officers and soldiers. It seems that they have already decided on the list of their own people. What do you think, Your Highness?"

"No problem, my brother can handle it. He is just a candidate for the reward list. It doesn't matter if he wins or loses. But since the former eldest prince and his men did not hide their edge and directly targeted my brother, it seems that they are ready to attack with all their strength."

"Your Highness, do we need to make any preparations?"

Jiang Qingqing raised her hand and pinched her tired brows.

"My greatest supporter is back. What else do I need to prepare? The eldest prince is the eldest son of Tianqi after all. As long as he doesn't do anything excessive, my father will just turn a blind eye. It's just that the Xu family is a little impatient. My father is now in his prime, not to mention that the harem has added a lot of brothers and sisters recently, right? According to my father's character, I think he hasn't prepared a candidate yet. Those who can keep calm will be the biggest winners."

The topic became more and more straightforward, but after all, they were outside, and even though everyone around them was their own people, Jiang Qingqing still stopped talking about this topic.

She turned around quickly and said, "When we enter the palace, Concubine Zhao will probably show her affection to me. I can't say anything actively, so you have to do the hard work. Do you understand what I mean?"

Gan Yuan nodded.

She had been serving Jiang Qingqing for at least five or six years. At this moment, the master and servant had an unspoken decision, and they understood it with just one look.

As expected.

Jiang Qingqing's carriage had just arrived at the gate of the imperial city, and the person who came to greet her was none other than Zi Lian, the head maid of Chuxiu Palace.

"Your Highness, you are back. I wonder if you are free right now? My queen thought that you and Prince Xiao were close when you were young, so she wanted to ask you about Prince Xiao's preferences so that she can give him a suitable gift."

Zi Lian held her lower abdomen with both hands, nodded slightly, and spoke respectfully.

Jiang Qingqing was supported by Gan Yuan. After she stood steadily, she looked up and said to Zilian with a smile: "Your Majesty rarely takes the initiative to do this in the past. Qingqing dare not delay. Aunt Zilian, please lead the way."

When Jiang Qingqing stepped into Chuxiu Palace, Concubine Zhao, who was dressed elegantly in the main seat, saw her coming and immediately raised her eyebrows and looked at Jiang Qingqing kindly, as if she were really a kind elder.

"Our Qingqing is getting more and more beautiful now. I don't know which boy will marry her."

Jiang Qingqing lowered her head pretending to be shy.

Concubine Zhao had a small stool brought in and placed next to her. She dismissed everyone in the palace and left only the two of them and their personal maid.

"Let's talk about what's really in our hearts."