Chapter 42: Thank you Xinyi, "I am very pleased with you"
"I am very pleased with you."
Upon hearing this, Xie Xuanhui's arm around Xiao Wangshu's waist suddenly tightened. His eyes, always filled with hostility and paranoia, suddenly sank into a deep pool of stars, shimmering and glittering. He looked up at Xiao Wangshu, almost in disbelief, yet filled with immense ecstasy.
"You... say it again." His voice was a little hoarse, with an unspeakable friendship in his pleading.
This time, Xiao Wangshu didn't repeat himself. He simply lowered his head and gently rested his forehead against his, their noses touching and their breaths mingling. In the candlelight, he could clearly see his reflection in the prince's eyes, and the burning emotion that threatened to overflow. His heart, which had grown cold, began to beat vigorously once again.
"Your Highness,"
He called softly, with a rare, complete dependence and relaxation in his tone.
"I am very pleased with you."
These words seemed to have unlocked some kind of shackles. The moment their lips touched, it was as if several fireworks exploded in their minds. Then the gentle, tentative touch turned into a fierce plunder. They bit each other as if they wanted to tear each other apart and eat them up - along with the strong love.
Their clothes had become loose at some point, and they held each other tightly, their palms burning hot and scorching. The moment their palms touched the cold skin, extreme pleasure overflowed from their mouths.
The candlelight crackled, and one spark after another exploded.
"Your Highness..." Xiao Wangshu's voice was low and lingering, with a hint of imperceptible desire.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince simply held Xiao Wangshu's waist tightly, silently agreeing to all his requests.
Then the world started spinning in the next second.
Behind him was a soft bed, and in front of him was the person he loved most.
Layer upon layer of gauze curtains fell, and the candlelight became gentle and hazy through the gauze curtains, outlining two figures overlapping on the bed.
It started raining outside the house at some point, with thunder and lightning flashing without stopping. Birds hid under the eaves and cried mournfully. They huddled together and shivered in the cold night, and only had a moment to breathe when the sudden rain stopped, and they combed their wet fur.
Until the candle in the house burned out and the sound of rain gradually faded.
"Sir, there are guests coming."
The next morning, Nian Yue knocked on the door.
Not long after, Xiao Wangshu came out in neat clothes. Nian Yue was about to go in to clean up but was stopped.
"He hasn't woken up yet, wait a minute."
Hearing this, Nian Yue reacted instantly, and there was a teasing smile in her eyes, which made Xiao Wangshu feel a little embarrassed.
He coughed lightly and changed the subject:
"Which guest is it?"
Speaking of business, Nian Yue also became serious. She took out a ring from her bosom and said:
"The guest didn't mention his name. He just handed this thing to Nianyue and said, 'Young Master, once you see it, you'll know who he is.'"
Xiao Wangshu recognized the thing as soon as he received it. It was the ring that the prince often wore, but the identity of this guest was obvious.
When he entered the reception room, he saw a tall man in a cloak with his back to him, admiring a landscape painting on the wall. He turned around when he heard the noise. After all, his face was two points similar to the prince and six points similar to His Majesty.
"Your Highness, Xiao Wangshu greets Her Royal Highness Princess Anping."
Seeing someone looking at him, Xiao Wangshu bowed politely.
After taking a few quick steps to help the man up, Princess Anping said:
"It's been a long time since anyone called me like this," he said, but he was not asking Xiao Wangshu. He sighed and continued, "Since you know it's me, I believe His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already told you why I came this time." Her voice was a little tired, but still dignified and graceful.
"Yes, His Highness has told me that the princess did not come back this time to seek marriage for the prince of Beiliang." The princess was invited to take a seat, and Xiao Wangshu sat at the bottom with her.
"Of course not."
Xie Xinyi sneered, a fierce look flashing in his eyes.
“That was just a pretext to pressure Duan Yang and test the imperial court.
I have been running Beiliang for several years. How could I send another 'princess' there to share power?
My real purpose is to seek support from my son's maternal family.
Although he is the legitimate son, the internal forces of Beiliang are complicated. The king is getting older, and the other princes are eyeing him covetously. Without strong support, it may be difficult for him to ascend the throne smoothly."
After a moment's silence, Xiao Wangshu said, "Princess, I admire your foresight. However, the Zhongshan treasury is empty and they are already struggling to take care of themselves. And His Majesty... I'm afraid he may not be willing to interfere in Beiliang's internal affairs."
Some things don't need to be said too clearly. Xie Xinyi and Xiao Wangshu both understood the emperor's thoughts.
"I understand." Xie Xinyi sighed. "So, what I need is for Zhongshan to stand behind my son at a critical moment and act as a deterrent. Furthermore, it would be best if they could secretly provide some food and military equipment under the guise of 'trade'. If they can't, there's still His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Xiao Wangshu nodded but did not say anything final. He just said:
"This matter requires long-term consideration. Your Highness the Crown Prince and I will do our best to deal with it. However,"
He changed the subject and looked at Xie Xinyi.
"Your Highness, I have an unwelcome request."
"Oh? But you can say it."
"Regarding the selection of the marriage partner... His Majesty has decided to appoint my sister Xiao Yanran as princess and send her to Beiliang." Xiao Wangshu said solemnly.
"I know this matter won't hinder Princess's plans. I only ask that you take care of Yanran in Beiliang. She's still young and far away from home... After all, we have a friendship since childhood. I only wish her peace for the rest of her life."
Xie Xinyi raised her eyebrows in surprise, looked at Xiao Wangshu for a moment, and suddenly smiled:
"I didn't expect that Lord Xiao would actually care about his sister. But, is this Lord Xiao's request, or His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's?"
"It is naturally my request."
Xiao Wangshu understood the meaning behind Xie Xinyi's words, but he couldn't involve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in this matter.
"Okay, I promise you. As long as she behaves herself, I can ensure she has no worries for the day I'm in Beiliang. I can even let her live a more honorable life than an ordinary noblewoman in Zhongshan. After all, she's a princess and a member of my family."
She lowered her voice, a shrewd calculation flashed in her eyes.
"It's just that Lord Xiao owes me a favor."
"Of course. I would like to thank Her Royal Highness the Princess first." Xiao Wangshu stood up and bowed solemnly.
"No need to thank me, we just got what we needed." Xie Xinyi waved her hand and put her hood back on.
"I shouldn't stay here any longer. Everything should be done according to the plan. Tell Xuanhui to rest assured that the Imperial Sister... will always stand by him."
After saying this, she left as quietly as she came.
The following day, the Emperor issued an imperial decree conferring upon Xiao Yanran, the daughter of Minister of Rites Xiao Jingshan, the title of "Princess Changle." She was to depart soon with the Northern Liang delegation for a marriage alliance. The decree also ordered the release of Xiao Huaian and his reinstatement.
Perhaps to completely appease Beiliang, or perhaps to silence those in the court who believed that a court lady should not be married off in place of a real princess, the emperor, following the Sixth Prince's seemingly unintentional suggestion, issued another imperial decree granting the marriage:
Princess Duanyang Xie Tingyi was married to Yao Ce and a date was chosen for the wedding.
This decree surprised many. While the Fourth Prince's line had benefited from an alliance with the imperial family, the Emperor's move was clearly intended as a check and balance. It satisfied Concubine Liu's desire not to marry her daughter far away, while also preventing the Fourth Prince from becoming too close to the now powerful Yao Ce. Yao Ce was the only one extremely dissatisfied, but since the decree had been issued, he had no choice but to disobey.
As for the Sixth Prince, he hid himself perfectly behind the scenes. Even Xiao Wangshu had to admire his methods.
Half a month later, the palace held a banquet to see off the Beiliang delegation and Princess Changle, who had learned the etiquette in the palace for half a month.
At the banquet, there was singing and dancing, drinking and chatting, and everyone was laughing and talking.
The emperor of Zhongshan Kingdom sat high on the dragon throne with Empress Guan at his side, and the first two persons on both sides were the leader of the delegation and Princess Changle Xiao Yanran who was about to go on a long journey.
She was dressed in a gorgeous princess gown, with exquisite makeup, and was surrounded by wealth, but she could not hide the sadness and sorrow in her eyes. She only forced a smile when she looked at her father and brother with complicated expressions sitting opposite her. Her mother did not have an imperial decree, and she could not even see her mother before leaving.
After three rounds of drinks, when the atmosphere was at its peak, a prince slowly walked into the hall amid the eunuchs' loud greetings.
He is about forty years old, and his face is somewhat similar to the emperor, but he is more romantic and passionate. There is always a smile on his lips that makes people feel like spring breeze. He is the younger brother of the current emperor, Prince of Liang Xie Yimeng, who has been traveling abroad for many years and has only recently returned to Beijing.
"I am late, please forgive me, my emperor."
King Liang saluted, his voice was a little casual, and even his salute movements were not standard.
But the emperor didn't care, and at this moment he was obviously in a good mood, he just laughed and waved his hands:
"No problem, my royal brother has arrived just in time. It's just the right time for us to drink a toast to the friendship between Zhongshan and Beiliang!"
Prince Liang responded with a smile, his eyes sweeping across the room seemingly unintentionally. When his gaze met that of the Sixth Prince Xie Yongheng, he nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly, then naturally looked away and sat down in his seat under the guidance of the eunuch.
At this moment, Prince Xie Xuanhui, who had been sitting quietly at the table as if invisible, put down the wine glass in his hand and slowly stood up.
His action instantly captured the attention of everyone in the hall. Since his illness, the Crown Prince had been a recluse, often silent even at banquets, often leaving them mid-sentence due to his illness. Sometimes, he couldn't even attend banquets. Unconsciously, the ministers had come to equate the Crown Prince with "waiting to die," and such an action was a rare sight.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince walked straight to the center of the hall and bowed to the Emperor. When he raised his head, the usual gloomy and violent look on his face seemed to have dissipated a lot. Although he was still pale, his eyes looked clear and firm.
He spoke, his voice clear and steady, enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly:
"Father, I have something to report. Thanks to your grace, the imperial physician has carefully treated my old illness that has been lingering on my bed for many years."
He paused, facing countless looks of doubt, inquiry, and shock, and slowly said,
"He has improved significantly in recent days. I, your son, have fully recovered."
As soon as the words fell, the whole hall fell silent.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the prince, who stood tall and straight and looked like he had been reborn.
The Fourth Prince's wine glass shook imperceptibly, spilling a little. The Sixth Prince seemed to have anticipated this, but the strength of his grip still betrayed his emotions, and the gentle smile on Prince Liang's face froze slightly.
As for the emperor on the high platform, his expression was visibly ugly, but within two seconds he reacted and forced a smile:
"Xuan Hui, you...are you serious?!"
"Your son dare not deceive your father." The prince lowered his head, his tone respectful but unquestionable.
So this banquet, which was originally held to see off the princess who was to be married off to a foreign country, suddenly changed because of the Crown Prince's earth-shattering words. Everyone's thoughts were instantly pulled back from the distant Beiliang to the turbulent court of Bianliang.
A new storm was brewing at this very moment. Xiao Wangshu, seated at the table, simply stared at His Highness's back. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his flesh without him even noticing, simply because he knew.
Your Highness's journey has just begun.
The author has something to say:
----------------------
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
