Chapter 395 Mother-in-law Meets Son-in-law
Southern Emperor Xie Zhen held a state banquet in Wangchun Garden to entertain Xiao Nanyue.
There are pavilions and towers scattered throughout the garden, and lotus flowers are in full bloom in the pond. Although the layout is elegant, it cannot conceal a somewhat subtle atmosphere.
Xie Zhen sat in the main seat, frowning slightly.
Even though he was extremely reluctant, since he had decided to marry his daughter off, he could not lose the bearing of a king. He was also afraid that if he made things too difficult for him, Xiao Nanyan would treat his daughter poorly in the future. Therefore, he could not be too cold to his future son-in-law.
The banquet had already been prepared. Amber wine was placed in the green jade cups, and Nanzhao's special delicacies were laid out on the white jade plates.
Southern Queen Jiang Qingyue sat next to Xie Zhen. She was also dressed in gorgeous clothes today, and her demeanor was graceful and elegant.
Crown Prince Xie Lan and dozens of important officials sat on both sides, having been waiting for a long time.
"Father, the Regent Prince of Tianqi, Xiao Nanyan, has arrived!"
Xie Zhan was the first to step into the hall, his voice still a little stiff.
Xie Zhen nodded: "Please come in!"
The ceremonial officer sang loudly:
"Please invite the Regent Prince of Tianqi, Xiao Nanyan, into the palace!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to the palace gate.
Outside the palace gate, a young man in black clothes walked in with steady steps.
But he was seen wearing a black robe and a jade belt, his face was like a crown of jade reflecting the morning sun, his eyes were like cold stars shining in the night sky, his bones were naturally formed, and he walked like the bright moon among the pines, with his own clear light.
Although he was in a foreign court, he had an air of looking down on the world and did not feel cramped at all.
The ministers of Nan Zhao all looked at him sideways, some with caution, some with secret scrutiny, but they all had to admit that this Regent of Tianqi did have a stunning appearance and extraordinary character. When he looked around, he had the demeanor of a thousand chariots and the power of thousands of troops.
Queen Nan Jiang Qingyue looked at him very carefully. At first, she was a bit picky about her son-in-law, but the more she looked, the more frightened she became.
Xiao Nanyan was a man of extraordinary appearance and grace, and standing next to his daughter, they were a perfect match.
She suddenly understood why her daughter fell in love with him at first sight. It was no wonder that such a person could make her daughter suffer from love and hate and still be entangled with him today.
Jiang Jingyue looked at Xiao Nanyan, and the wariness in her eyes gradually disappeared. Instead, she felt a bit of genuine affection for him. She couldn't help but whisper to Xie Zhen beside her:
"Look...it's a good one."
Xie Zhen glanced at Xiao Nanyue and snorted coldly, but did not refute.
Xiao Nanyan walked to the center of the hall and nodded slightly to Xie Zhen and Jiang Jingyue:
"Xiao Nanyan greets the Southern Emperor and the Southern Empress!"
Xie Zhen raised his hand and gestured:
"Prince Xiao, please take a seat. You have had a hard time traveling."
Xiao Nanyue thanked him and sat down opposite the seat facing Crown Prince Xie Lan.
His eyes casually swept across the table, but he didn't see the face he had been thinking about day and night. His heart was slightly moved, but his face remained calm.
He knew that Xiyan was about to get married, and according to etiquette it was not appropriate for her to appear at the banquet for foreign officials at this time.
Xie Zhen picked up the green jade wine cup and said in a deep voice:
"Your Highness Prince Xiao has come from afar and must have been exhausted on the way. This glass of wine is just to welcome you home." His tone was flat, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry, but it also lacked some of the sharpness that he had when they first met.
Xiao Nanyan raised his glass in response:
"Thank you, Emperor Nan, for your kindness. Nanzhao is a picturesque place, and Jiangdu is even more blessed with natural beauty. This visit has broadened my horizons."
Seeing that the atmosphere had eased slightly, Nan Houjiang Jingyue spoke softly:
"Prince Xiao is in charge of the Tianqi government at such a young age, which shows his extraordinary talent."
The moment Xiao Nanyan's eyes met her face, his heart trembled slightly.
Although Queen Nan was already middle-aged, with only a red gold and kingfisher hairpin in her hair, her beauty could not be concealed. Her eyebrows were surprisingly similar to Xi Yan's, but with a bit more gentleness and grace accumulated over the years.
She sat beside Xie Zhen, and when her eyes fell on him, although there was scrutiny, there was no hostility at all. Instead, there was a bit of gentleness of an elder towards a younger person.
Xiao Nanyue sighed inwardly, no wonder Yanyan was so stunningly beautiful, it turned out that she looked very much like her mother.
He felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart. Twenty years later, his Yanyan would probably look like this, less sharp and more calm, but still the person he held dear to his heart.
Xiao Nanyan quickly collected his thoughts, picked up the jade cup in front of him, and a gentle smile appeared on the corner of his lips. His tone was more respectful than before when he was talking to the Southern Emperor:
"Your Majesty, your compliments are unmerited. Nan Yan was merely fulfilling his duties. Compared to the achievements of the Southern Emperor and Your Majesty in governing Nan Zhao, his achievements are truly insignificant."
Jiang Qingyue nodded slightly, raised her wine glass, covered her sleeve with her hands and took a sip of the wine in the glass. The smile in her eyes became more genuine.
The banquet began with the sound of stringed instruments and the clinking of glasses. Although there was still a slight sense of alienation, the tension was less intense.
Jiang Jingyue looked at Xiao Nanyan from time to time. Seeing that he behaved properly and responded appropriately, she whispered to Xie Zhen beside her:
"It seems that Yan'er's vision is not bad."
Xie Zhen naturally knew that his daughter had good vision. How could a man who could capture five cities of Nanzhao and destroy Qixing Mountain in just two months be bad?
However, deep down, he admired the young man Xiao Nanyue very much. If it weren't for the bad things he had done to Xiyan in the past, it would be really an honor to have such a son-in-law.
If he treats his daughter sincerely in the future, it will be a happy marriage.
Thinking of this, although Xie Zhen didn't say anything, the tense lines of his jaw softened a little.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
