The title 'Qingfu' could only be used by the emperor, while 'Zhao Jun' was not restricted in this way.
The fact that Xu Qin was so delighted by the nickname "Chen Xiao" was something no one had expected.
Seeing Xu Qin's worthless appearance, Xu Qian was speechless but also felt a bit happy for him.
But he couldn't stand Xu Qin's behavior and immediately said, "Let's not stand here chatting, let's go inside and have a meal."
Then the nine people entered the mansion in a large group.
When the group arrived at the dining hall, they found that the table was already set with a variety of dishes. The most eye-catching dish among the dishes was the golden pastry, which was Chen Xiao's favorite Jian Chui Gao (a type of steamed rice cake).
Zhao Siyuan was slightly taken aback when she saw it. It turned out that Xu Qian had prepared it all along, but he hadn't mentioned it when she brought it up in the carriage.
Xu Qin also noticed the pastry, but pursed his lips and remained silent.
Xi Xi deliberately didn't mention Xu Qin's matter to Chen Xiao, knowing that Chen Xiao might be a little petty. After seeing the steamed cake, she quickly spoke up, appropriately reminding Chen Xiao:
"Did you see that plate of pastries in front of the main seat? It's your favorite. When you dined at the Zhao residence before, Xu Qin would personally cook for you. It seems Xu Qian still cares about Xu Qin and you."
When Chen Xiao saw the golden pastries, she already felt she loved them, let alone after Xi Xi said so. She took her seat in the main seat first, with Xi Xi and Xu Ruyu taking the seats on either side of her.
Xi Xi is a 'celestial being', so it's perfectly normal for her to sit next to Chen Xiao. Xu Ruyu is also a Jade Consort, so Xu Qian has no objection and chooses to sit next to Xu Ruyu. Next are Zhao Siyuan and Xu Qin, the young couple who sit next to Xu Qian.
Xi Xi called Yuan Yin to sit next to her, so only Qi Yanyun and Xu Ruyan were left to sit down.
Seeing this, Xu Ruyan smiled gently at Qi Yanyun and sat down next to Yuan Yin. Qi Yanyun found it amusing and then sat in the last empty seat.
That is, between Xu Ruyan and Xu Qin.
With this, Xu Qin understood that Xu Ruyan was infatuated with Yuan Yin, and that Xu Ruyu and Chen Xiao were a couple.
Xu Qian is truly blessed; he has two sons, both of whom are extremely talented, and both have now found their respective partners.
However, he is not the same as before. His state of mind has changed. Now that he sees Xu Qian doing well, he feels no hatred, jealousy, or dissatisfaction.
Seeing Xu Qian like this, he felt relieved.
The past events were all due to his selfishness and stubbornness, which led to that outcome. Later, when he tried to say something to Xu Qian, Xu Qian refused to talk to him.
He also paid attention to Xu Qian's life and heard that Xu Qian and Chu Yanxi, who was then the crown prince, admired each other, but for some reason they did not end up together and never saw each other again.
Chu Yanxi was very easygoing and did not make any changes to the matter. After ascending the throne, he did whatever he wanted, taking many concubines and establishing an empress, but still promoted Xu Qian to prime minister as usual.
However, Xu Qian's reaction to this matter was much stronger.
After Xu Qian was promoted to prime minister, he never went to court again and stayed in his residence all day, rarely even leaving the house.
Later, it is unknown when he had wives, concubines, and children.
Xu Qin had been paying attention to Xu Qian's life, and since Zhao Siyuan and Chu Yanxi had a good relationship, he also became acquainted with Chu Yanxi.
However, Zhao Siyuan never inquired about Chu Yanxi's private affairs, nor did he tell Chu Yanxi about her. He also never asked Chu Yanxi about Xu Qian.
Therefore, only the parties involved know the true situation regarding these two individuals.
Seeing the current situation, Xu Qin recalled the problem that had troubled him for many years: the matter between Xu Qian and Chu Yanxi. He had always worried that it was because of his influence that Xu Qian had missed his lover.
But Zhao Siyuan's sudden words interrupted Xu Qin's thoughts.
Zhao Siyuan asked Xu Qian in a low voice, "We are having a meal in the mansion, but why don't we see your wives and concubines? Do you also follow this system of hierarchy and social status?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Qin slowly turned his gaze to Xu Qian, his eyes filled with thoughts of "No way" and "I look down on you".
Xu Ruyu was sitting next to Xu Qian. Since Xu Qian could hear everything, he naturally heard it too. He thought of Xu Qian's wives and concubines, namely his birth mother and Xu Ruyan's birth mother, as well as several concubines.
Xu Qian's wives and concubines never dined with them, even when Xu Qian was not in the mansion and it was just him and Xu Ruyan.
So he was also very curious about how Xu Qian would answer.
Xu Qian noticed a bright gaze on his left and a casual glance on his right.
I really think Zhao Siyuan is good at stirring up topics.
But that's not all. Zhao Siyuan's voice was low, but Xixi was still there!
Xi Xi had been very curious about this for a long time, but since she could only appear beside the host, she couldn't appear in front of a local like Xu Qian without permission.
Unless her host takes her to Xu Qian.
But it's clear that Chu Yanxi hasn't seen Xu Qian since she ascended the throne, so she can't see him either.
She could only briefly see Xu Qian through the light screen when he was given a random task.
However, the timing of random tasks is also random. The last time she issued a task to Xu Qian was not long after Chu Yanxi's talent show. She was surprised to find that Xu Qian already had a large number of wives and concubines and two children.
She had no idea what had happened, and there was no record of it. She didn't dare to ask Chu Yanxi, so she could only keep it to herself.
He kept it bottled up for twenty years.
So when she heard Zhao Siyuan ask this question, she gave Zhao Siyuan three hundred thumbs up in her heart. She truly lived up to her reputation as the sharp-tongued King Zhao, still as direct and barbed as ever.
So she decided to play the wingman, pretending to share the same question, "Is Lord Zhao asking about Xiao Xu's wives and concubines?"
Seeing that Xi Xi was putting on an act again, Zhao Siyuan quickly chimed in, "I thought I was being quiet, but you heard me. Your Excellency, I'm so sorry, but I didn't mean anything by it. I was just worried that the women hadn't eaten yet."
She apologized verbally, but her expression showed no remorse, and she emphasized the word "women." It was clear that Zhao Siyuan hadn't given up on the matter.
Xu Qian had received this question from her before, but there weren't so many people present then. Besides, now there was the 'fairy god' Xi Xi talking to him, and Yan Xi's daughter was also present.
Seeing the question in Chen Xiao's eyes, he felt a little powerless for the first time.
Xu Qian appeared calm and composed, facing the gazes of the other eight people, but in reality, his heart was riddled with wounds.
How should he answer? Should he tell the truth and say that the women didn't want to eat with him? Or should he say that the women didn't want to see him at all?
They rarely even see their own sons, let alone him.
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