A play... a grand play
*
Three days later, at the Princess's villa.
Plum blossoms and snow vie for spring's favor, their subtle fragrance wafting in the air. The capital's powerful and influential figures gather, seemingly in an atmosphere of refined elegance and peace, but beneath the surface, undercurrents surge. Everyone knows that this is Marquis Zhenyuan, Xiao Zhouyan's first public appearance since the "loss of his wife," making it exceptionally significant.
Xu Qingyao sat in front of the dressing mirror, letting Yuejian do her makeup.
She wore a newly made scarlet brocade dress commissioned by Xiao Zhouyan, with delicate pearls adorning the collar and cuffs, exuding both luxury and elegance. The person in the mirror still had the same features, but her eyes were much calmer than before.
"Madam, you look so beautiful like this." Yuejian exclaimed softly, her eyes slightly red. "The general ordered that you must appear in a grand and glorious manner."
Xu Qingyao smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying. Whether it was glamorous or not was not important; what mattered was that this was her first step back into the vortex of power as Xu Qingyao.
When the carriage arrived at the villa, it unsurprisingly caused some whispers.
The crowd looked at Xiao Zhouyan and the woman beside him wearing a thin veil with complicated expressions. Although their faces were not visible, their slender figures and overall demeanor were enough to spark their imaginations.
Xiao Zhouyan remained calm and accepted the scrutiny from all sides. He occasionally nodded to familiar officials, but he was very protective of Xu Qingyao beside him, and his behavior revealed an unspoken intimacy.
Until the arrival of the eldest princess.
The eldest princess was nearly forty years old, still possessing a captivating charm, with a royal air of authority and a subtle, almost imperceptible aloofness between her brows.
Her gaze swept over everyone present, lingering briefly on Xiao Zhouyan before finally settling on Xu Qingyao beside him.
"Zhouyan, who is this?" The princess's voice was gentle, with just the right amount of curiosity.
Xiao Zhouyan cupped his hands in greeting, his tone steady: "Your Highness, this is my wife, Qingyao."
The moment the words were spoken, the entire garden fell silent.
Everyone was stunned, staring incredulously at the woman wearing the veil.
Xu Qingyao?
Wasn't she already dead in South Vietnam?
Are the remains gone?
The eldest princess also showed just the right amount of surprise: "Qingyao? I remember..." She paused, her gaze sharpening as she carefully examined Xu Qingyao, "Come forward and let me take a look."
Xu Qingyao stepped forward as instructed and gave a slight curtsy. The princess reached out and gently lifted her veil.
Against the backdrop of crimson, the woman's face was delicate and beautiful, with a hint of weariness in her eyes, which only made her seem more pitiful.
Who else could it be but Xu Qingyao?
An uproar erupted in the park!
"This...how is this possible?"
"It wasn't said that he fell off a cliff..."
"Could it be a ghost?"
Faced with various surprised and uncertain gazes, Xu Qingyao stood quietly with her eyes lowered, her posture gentle, but her heart was unusually calm.
She knew that the play had already begun.
The princess stared at her for a moment, then suddenly reached out and touched her wrist to check her pulse, closing her eyes to examine it closely.
Everyone held their breath, wondering what the princess intended to do.
After a long while, the princess opened her eyes, a strange light flashing in them, which then turned into understanding and amazement.
She released her grip, looked at Xiao Zhouyan, and said with a touch of emotion, "Zhouyan, you've kept this from me for so long!"
Xiao Zhouyan bowed: "Please forgive me, Your Highness."
The eldest princess waved her hand, her gaze returning to Xu Qingyao. Her voice was soft, yet clearly heard by everyone:
"This woman's fate is extraordinary, not one of those destined for an early death. Her previous near-death experience was preordained and required this method to avert. Now that the calamity has passed, she will naturally return. Moreover..."
She paused, then gave Xiao Zhouyan a meaningful look. "Judging from his pulse, it seems there is a sign that he will have a son. The Marquis's family may have an heir."
These words are incredibly informative, like a boulder thrown into a lake, creating ripples everywhere!
A peculiar destiny? A faked death to avoid calamity? And now she's back? And...pregnant?!
In an instant, all sorts of gazes fell upon Xu Qingyao, some surprised, some inquisitive, some suddenly realizing, some calculating... and so on.
If anyone else had said these words, they would have been considered nonsense, but coming from the mouth of the eldest princess, who was skilled in physiognomy and medicine, they carried a completely different weight.
Moreover, it involves such a major matter as the offspring of the Marquis of Zhenyuan!
Xu Qingyao lowered her head slightly at the opportune moment, concealing the emotions in her eyes.
The eldest princess cooperated as expected, not only confirming the legitimacy of her "faking her death to avoid disaster," but also adding the extra bargaining chip of "pregnancy."
Now, who would dare to easily question her "resurrection"?
The royal family would not allow any mishap to occur to the descendants of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.
Xiao Zhouyan stepped forward at the opportune moment, shielding Xu Qingyao to his side, and bowed deeply to the Princess: "Thank you, Your Highness, for clearing my wife's name."
The eldest princess nodded with a smile: "This is the will of Heaven, and also a blessing for the Marquis's mansion."
She looked around at everyone, her tone regaining its composure, "Now that we've talked things out, it's a joyous occasion. Everyone, please disperse and don't disturb Qingyao's rest."
Everyone seemed to wake from a dream and rushed forward to offer their congratulations, but behind their smiles, each had their own thoughts.
Xu Qingyao, escorted by Xiao Zhouyan, left Plum Garden ahead of schedule.
The carriage drove away from the villa, shutting out the noise and exploration behind it.
Inside the carriage, Xu Qingyao removed her veil and raised an eyebrow at Xiao Zhouyan: "Pregnant?"
Xiao Zhouyan's expression remained unchanged: "It's an expedient measure, and it's more likely to silence public opinion. Besides..." His gaze fell on her flat stomach, meaningfully, "it might not be fake."
Xu Qingyao choked, recalling that misty morning in Nanyue, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned to look out the window.
Has this man even considered such details?
**
The news that Lady Zhenyuan had "come back to life" and was suspected of being pregnant spread like wildfire throughout the capital.
The authorities have remained silent on this matter, but the princess's words are undoubtedly the best endorsement.
The Duke of Wei's family was overjoyed and wept, immediately sending people to visit them. The Emperor also sent gifts to appease them and show his favor.
Xu Qingyao's life seemed to have returned to normal; she was still the reclusive lady of the Marquis's mansion. But only she knew that everything was different.
She no longer needed to pretend, no longer needed to constantly worry about her identity being exposed. Xiao Zhouyan had created a perfect reason for her return, placing her in a relatively safe position.
She could legitimately stay in the Marquis's mansion and observe the political turmoil from the sidelines.
However...
On this day, the Fifth Prince, Chu Huaijin, came to visit.
He is now in charge of some military affairs and is full of vigor, but he still maintains a superficial respect for Xiao Zhouyan.
"Congratulations, General. It is a great joy that your wife has returned safely." Chu Huaijin smiled warmly, but his gaze seemed to sweep over Xu Qingyao almost imperceptibly.
Xiao Zhouyan responded calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
Chu Huaijin changed the subject: "The northern border is temporarily stable now, but Yan Zhan of Li Kingdom has not given up his ambitions, and the border still needs a great general to guard it. The Marquis has been recuperating for a long time. I wonder when he can return to the northern border? The court cannot do without the Marquis."
These words sounded like a show of reliance, but in reality, they contained a hidden meaning. They were both a test of Xiao Zhouyan's attitude and a reminder to him not to forget his place.
Before Xiao Zhouyan could answer, Xu Qingyao gently put down her teacup, her voice soft yet clear:
“Your Highness is absolutely right. However, I have heard that the northern frontier is bitterly cold, which is not suitable for pregnancy. The general cherishes me and our unborn child, and I am sure His Majesty can understand.”
She looked up at Chu Huaijin, her eyes pure and innocent, as if she had just said it casually.
Chu Huaijin's smile froze slightly, then returned to normal: "What you say is true, Madam. It was I who did not consider things thoroughly." He gave Xu Qingyao a deep look and did not mention the matter of the Northern Frontier again.
After seeing Chu Huaijin off, Xiao Zhouyan looked at Xu Qingyao with a hint of inquiry in his eyes: "Do you know that your words just now may have disrupted many of his plans?"
Xu Qingyao picked up a newly made plum blossom cake, took a slow and deliberate bite, and swallowed it before saying, "He's impatient, and His Majesty doesn't like it. I was just telling the truth for His Majesty... and the General."
She paused, then added, "Moreover, it's said that one of Chu Huaijin's recently powerful advisors is a spy planted by Shen Rou years ago."
Xiao Zhouyan's eyes narrowed: "Is the information reliable?"
"Eight or nine out of ten." Xu Qingyao nodded.
This was an unexpected surprise discovered when the system actively scanned and analyzed the interpersonal relationships of its officials after its energy was restored. The seemingly gentle tentacles extended far beyond their expectations.
Xiao Zhouyan was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "It seems that my wife, who loves watching plays, occasionally sings a few lines herself."
Xu Qingyao lowered her eyes and continued to savor her plum blossom cake.
She just didn't want this show to end too soon.
After all, Shen Rou has not yet shown up, and Yan Zhan is still eyeing Li Kingdom covetously. This grand drama has only just begun.
...
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