Chapter 554 A woman who craves vanity
Jiang Fenghua cornered Xie Shang in the room. She keenly sensed that his identity was not simply that of a powerful nobleman. She said directly to Xie Shang, "You knew all along that Meng Yao was not suitable to be the king. You helped him so much because you wanted the Southern Kingdom."
"It wasn't that I knew beforehand. I only found out after I met him and had someone investigate. As for why I'm helping him so much, didn't I already tell you? I'm helping the people of the Southern Kingdom. Pushing him to the throne will at least prevent the Southern Kingdom from going to war with the Great Zhou. I'm doing this sincerely."
Xie Shang added, "Before coming to the Southern Kingdom, I knew that the internal strife there was serious. The Meng brothers were not united, and there were instigators behind the scenes encouraging them to rebel and seize the throne."
The royal brothers of the Great Zhou Kingdom were not united, but at least they dared not offend Xie Shang and feared the late emperor, thus avoiding a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Jiang Fenghua boldly guessed, "So you already knew that it was the vassal state that was causing trouble. When the Southern Kingdom was in chaos, the vassal state had an opportunity to cross the strait and occupy the Southern Kingdom, thereby using the Southern Kingdom to attack the Great Zhou."
Xie Shang's eyes were full of admiration. "Ruan Ruan can only use your intelligence when you are with me. After entering the palace, there may be surprises, but it will also be very dangerous. Do you dare to come with me?"
Xie Shang was flirting with Jiang Fenghua again, and she noticed it. Regardless of his identity, her competitive spirit was ignited: "What's there to be afraid of? Is the Southern Kingdom's palace a den of wolves and tigers?"
His deep understanding of the internal situation of the Southern Kingdom can only mean that the Great Zhou has a complete grasp of the Southern Kingdom and that the Southern Kingdom is incapable of causing any trouble. Fortunately, the King of the Southern Kingdom has no ambition, which is why the Southern Kingdom can rely on the Great Zhou.
However, she dared not guess whether Xie Qiyun had any ambitions.
When Xie Shang and Jiang Fenghua arrived at the Southern Kingdom's palace, Meng Li personally greeted them at the palace gate.
The moment Meng Li saw Jiang Fenghua, his eyes kept glancing at her. Jiang Fenghua, whose face was veiled, sensed Meng Li's ulterior motives. A beautiful woman can't hide from another man's eyes with just a veil.
She thought: If she could get rid of this man without lifting a finger, why should she bother?
"Thank you, Master Xie and Madam Xie, please come inside," Meng Li said.
Xie Shang took Jiang Fenghua's hand and said, "Please, Your Excellency."
Jiang Fenghua shook off Xie Shang's hand and deliberately asked, "May I ask who invited us to the palace today? It's so luxurious and magnificent! I never thought I'd be able to enter the palace! I've never been to such a rich and majestic place in my life."
Envy was evident in her eyes.
Hearing her say that, Meng Li knew she was a woman who craved wealth. He even thought that he was a prince and had a sense of superiority: "Now that we are in the palace, I will tell you the truth, Mr. Xie. I am the fourth prince, Meng Li. The people who really invited you are the Grand Consort and the eldest prince. There is also a distinguished guest in the palace today. I will introduce him to you. With cooperation with the Southern Kingdom, Mr. Xie's business will definitely grow bigger and bigger."
Xie Shang quickly bowed, "I was truly blind to recognize His Highness the Fourth Prince. I am deeply sorry for my disrespect."
Meng Li smiled and said, "Thank you for your formality, we're friends now."
"This humble servant greets the Fourth Prince," Jiang Fenghua quickly replied.
"Madam Xie, there's no need for such formalities," Meng Li said, giving her a flirtatious wink.
"Fourth Prince, please call me Miss Jiang. Xie Dongjia and I are not officially married yet. Actually, he has a wife at home, and it would be quite embarrassing for his wife to hear that," she said gently.
Meng Li was taken aback. "I see."
Xie Shang pinched her hand, "That's enough!"
Jiang Fenghua glared at him back. "Mind your own business. Didn't you say that only concubines could be brought out?"
With a smile on her face, Jiang Fenghua chatted with the Fourth Prince as they arrived at the banquet hall.
Meng Li said, "Please, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Fenghua left Xie Shang far behind, looking completely unsophisticated. "This is a place to eat? It's huge!"
She had a slender waist and a faint fragrance that was captivating.
Meng Li explained, "This is the banquet hall, the place in the palace where guests are entertained."
Jiang Fenghua walked straight inside and suddenly bumped into someone's chest. She exclaimed, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Jiang Fenghua sized up the man. He was dressed in a magnificent azure robe, his jet-black hair was tied up with a golden crown, and he was quite handsome, though not as refined as Xie Qiyun.
The man stared into Jiang Fenghua's beautiful eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's alright, did you hurt the girl?" What a beautiful woman.
"No..." She was quickly analyzing who the other person was. Xie Qiyun said there might be a surprise.
Meng Li arrived just a step later than her, and upon seeing the man in fine clothes, she quickly said, "Young Master Song has also arrived."
"Fourth Prince." Song Peng returned the greeting and then looked in Xie Shang's direction.
Xie Shang's face was very ugly, as if he had been cuckolded.
Song Peng smiled slightly, "And who is this?"
Meng Li said, "He is Xie Dongjia, a wealthy merchant from the Great Zhou Dynasty."
He then introduced, "This is Mr. Song, who specializes in the jewelry business."
Song Peng said, "Thank you for the pleasure of meeting me, sir. My name is Song Peng."
Xie Shang nodded, "Xie Qiyun."
The fourth prince said, "Everyone, please go and sit at the banquet. No one should stand. Today, all the guests who have come to the palace are distinguished guests."
Song Peng glanced at Jiang Fenghua twice more before heading to the banquet hall.
Xie Shang took Jiang Fenghua's hand and said in a deep voice, "Don't be impolite."
Jiang Fenghua blinked. "I understand!"
Just as the guests took their seats, a group of palace maids escorted a woman dressed in finery into the main hall, creating a grand spectacle.
Accompanying the woman was the eldest prince, Meng Ang. The woman was the principal wife of the Southern King, and also the Southern King's Grand Consort.
The fourth prince quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."
The others also stood up and bowed.
The Grand Queen Dowager smiled and said, "Welcome, distinguished guests. I have prepared a simple banquet for you. Please do not be shy and enjoy yourselves! Quickly pour wine for our distinguished guests."
The eldest prince said, "Please sit down!"
He was invited as a guest under the guise of the Grand Consort, but in reality, he wanted to meet the wealthy merchant from the Great Zhou Dynasty that the Fourth Prince had mentioned.
Meng Ang raised his wine bowl and said, "This prince toasts you all, welcome to the Southern Kingdom."
Before everyone could raise their glasses to drink, the Grand Consort said to Jiang Fenghua, "Does this young lady have a facial defect? Why is she always wearing a veil?"
Jiang Fenghua looked at Xie Shang with a hint of fear in her eyes, and then said gently, "Your Highness, I cannot show my face without your permission."
The Grand Consort said directly, "I just don't like the women of the Great Zhou Kingdom. They're so pretentious, and the etiquette of the Great Zhou is so outdated. What's the point if they can't show their faces and make a name for themselves?"
“However, I quite like the men of the Great Zhou Kingdom; they are all handsome.” The Grand Consort kept her eyes fixed on Xie Shang.
Upon hearing this, Xie Shang almost threw up his dinner from the night before.
Jiang Fenghua wondered: Did the Grand Consort think that her son had secured the throne, which is why she was being so unrestrained?
The atmosphere became extremely awkward. Meng Li quickly said, "Your Highness, you may not know this, but Miss Jiang is not ugly at all. She is a rare beauty. Thank you, Master Xie, for your good fortune to have such a beautiful woman by your side."
Jiang Fenghua's eyes narrowed into slits with a smile. "Fourth Prince, you flatter me. I am not that pretty."
“Miss Jiang, please don’t be modest,” he added. “Master Xie wants to buy pearls just to make Miss Jiang smile; it’s truly touching!”
"Since you're not ugly, take off your veil and show your true face." The Queen Dowager deliberately made things difficult, since they weren't going to leave the Southern Kingdom's palace today anyway.
Song Peng also squinted and stared in Jiang Fenghua's direction.
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