Chapter 149 Mutual affection?

After seeing her brother off, Su Jingyao sat back on the phoenix chariot with a thoughtful look on her face.

In such a short time, she managed to win the heart of her brother, which was quite amazing.

"Miaoyun, go to the Qianqing Palace." Su Jingyao ordered in a cold tone.

Soon, Su Jingyao's phoenix sedan arrived at the Qianqing Palace.

Along the way, the palace maids and eunuchs made way for her, and she arrived at Yu's study room unhindered.

Jun Zechen was concentrating on processing memorials when he felt a slight movement and subconsciously looked up.

When he saw it was her, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and the red brush in his hand stopped temporarily.

"Yaoyao, why are you here at this hour?"

Su Jingyao did not answer immediately, but waved her hand gently, signaling everyone to leave.

Then she walked to Jun Zechen.

"Is your majesty busy?"

"Fortunately, some daily memorials have been cancelled."

Seeing that he was not too busy, Su Jingyao lifted her skirt slightly and took the initiative to sit in his arms.

Jun Zecheng took the opportunity to stretch out his arms and embrace her slender waist.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, making it difficult for Jun Zechen to see her expression for a moment.

Su Jingyao's tentative voice came slowly from Jun Zechen's shoulder, like a wisp of smoke, appearing and disappearing.

"Are your majesty familiar with the Lord of Qingping County?"

When Jun Zechen heard this question, his eyes flickered unconsciously like a candle blown by the wind.

"Of course I'm not familiar with him. Why are you asking that, Yaoyao?"

Jun Zechen's voice was slightly tense when he answered.

Although I knew Qi Wanyin when I was a child, I was not very familiar with her.

"The last time my mother came to Kunning Palace, she said she wanted to hold a Qushui Banquet for my brother and invite the young men and women in the capital to recite poems and write couplets. My brother is twenty-four years old, and it's time for him to get married and have children."

Su Jingyao's voice was soft and gentle, yet it carried a hint of something else.

"If I want to arrange a marriage between my brother and the Lord of Qingping County, what do you think, Your Majesty?"

Su Jingyao's hands tapped lightly on his chest carelessly, and each tap seemed to hit Jun Zechen's heart.

"The Princess of Qingping County is my cousin, but she did not grow up in the Qi family and her life experience is rather rough. Let her decide her marriage."

Jun Zechen frowned, his expression became a little serious, and he spoke slowly.

Su Jingyao's fingers, which were tapping casually, suddenly stopped, as if they were frozen.

Is Jun Zechen rejecting her?

Is this unfamiliar?

In this era, women's marriages were mostly arranged by their parents and matchmakers.

Although the Qi family did not acknowledge the identity of the Qingping County Lord, since the Queen Mother had raised her for a period of time, she was also a member of the Qi family.

Did Jun Zechen promise her freedom of marriage before?

Although Su Jingyao did not say that Qi Wanyin must marry her brother, Jun Zechen's attitude made her a little upset.

"Your Majesty may not be familiar with the Lord of Qingping County, but you are certainly more familiar with her than I am. What do you think of the Lord of Qingping County's character?"

Su Jingyao had a seemingly gentle smile on her face, but the smile did not reach her eyes.

All she heard from her brother just now was praise for the Lord of Qingping County. She wanted to see what kind of praise Jun Zechen could come up with.

When Jun Zechen heard this, his brows furrowed slightly and he fell into deep thought, as if he was really thinking seriously.

He did not notice the unusual tone of the woman in his arms.

"Qi Wanyin's identity is complicated. The Qi family does not acknowledge this granddaughter. Her father, my uncle, asked my mother to take care of her, so she lived in the palace for several years."

Jun Zechen spoke slowly, his eyes looking distant, as if he was lost in memories.

"Perhaps she is very sensible because she has been able to read people's expressions since she was young. I heard from my mother that she once studied with the princesses and was more serious than any other princess."

An expression of admiration emerged on Jun Zechen's face.

"At first, the Queen Mother disliked her, but later she gradually came to like her and often praised her for her courtesy, chastity and filial piety."

"She is also a person who doesn't care about fame and fortune. She can take it and let it go..."

Jun Zechen became more and more absorbed in his conversation, not noticing at all that the look in Su Jingyao's eyes was growing darker.

Unfamiliar?

Su Jingyao snorted in her heart, this exaggeration was almost unstoppable.

Su Jingyao didn't want to listen anymore and got up from Jun Zechen's lap.

The action was so swift that Jun Zechen was caught off guard.

Jun Zechen looked puzzled and puzzled: "Yaoyao?"

Su Jingyao still had a faint smile on her face, and did not show any dissatisfaction.

"Mother will hold a Qushui Banquet in half a month. Many young men and women in the capital will attend."

"I am also going to invite the Qingping County Lord. As for who the Qingping County Lord takes a fancy to, that is up to her."

"Through your majesty's oral description, I have also come to understand the character of the Qingping County Lord. On the day of the Qushui Banquet, I will carefully choose a husband for the Qingping County Lord. Your majesty, rest assured."

"Well, she may be more fragile and sensitive inside. Yaoyao will try her best to let her make her own choice."

Jun Zechen's eyes were filled with concern.

"Yes, I am tired. I will go back to Kunning Palace first."

"Okay, I'll come to Kunning Palace to have lunch with you later."

Su Jingyao still had a seemingly gentle smile on her face and nodded gently.

However, the moment she turned around, her lips were straightened and there was coldness in her eyes.

Could it be that Jun Zechen thought that she would force the Lord of Qingping County?

Since her brother likes her, if she forces the marriage between the Lord of Qingping County and her brother, does Jun Zechen intend to turn against her?

Her brother praised the Qingping County Lord for her coldness and nobleness, while Jun Zechen praised her for her sensibleness and indifference.

Su Jingyao really wanted to get to know this woman better.

But does Jun Zechen know what kind of personality Su Jingyao has?

If this woman had any connection with him, the Qingping County Lord would marry her off without hesitation, regardless of whether she liked her or not.

Su Jingyao's eyes were unusually firm, even a little fierce.

Su Jingyao doesn't care about other people's lives.

She only cares about her own interests and feelings.

She never thought of herself as a good person.

Jun Zechen sat on the dragon chair, his eyes following her back, his brows slightly furrowed.

I always felt that something was wrong with her.

Then he stood up and took a few quick steps, blocking her way.

Su Jingyao was caught off guard and was startled by his sudden action.

Her delicate figure trembled, and she almost didn't have time to retract the expression on her face.

"Unhappy? Or jealous?"

Su Jingyao pursed her lips, remained silent, and lowered her eyes, avoiding his fiery gaze.

Seeing this, Jun Zechen sighed helplessly.

"There has never been anything between me and Qi Wanyin. She was only fourteen years old when she left the capital. Although she wanted to marry me, I rejected her at that time. It is even more impossible now."

Jun Zechen's tone was sincere and firm.

Qi Wanyin just felt ostracized when she was a child, so she naturally admired him as a brother.

Qi Wanyin was young at that time, and Jun Zechen didn't take it seriously at first, and he doesn't take it seriously now.

He thought for a moment and decided to speak it out, because he was worried that this woman might hear some gossip from somewhere else, and then he would not be able to comfort her.

"I didn't tell Yaoyao because I was afraid you would think too much."

Jun Zechen's eyes were full of tenderness.

"Your Majesty, do you know that your guilty look makes me think too much?"

Su Jingyao finally couldn't help but speak, with a hint of anger in her tone.

Jun Zechen quickly pulled the person back, not with much force, but with a tenderness that could not be refused.

"Please stay with me in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. You can ask me any questions you have. Don't keep them to yourself."

His voice was low and gentle, as if it could melt people's hearts.

Half a month later, Qushui Banquet.

Today, the Su Mansion has been promoted to a Duke's Mansion.

The Qushui Banquet hosted by Mrs. Rongguo today was extremely lively.

Almost all the unmarried young men and women in the capital came.

Whether they were legitimate daughters of aristocratic families or concubines' daughters of lower status, they were all invited.

This time, Lady Rongguo held the Qushui Banquet in the Peony Garden of the Duke's Mansion.

The various colors of peonies in the garden compete with each other for beauty, creating a scene of blooming flowers.

The young men and ladies sat at separate tables, with pavilions and towers scattered around them. The breeze brought bursts of flower fragrance.

There will be activities such as guessing riddles, flower viewing, and poetry writing later.

Many young ladies in the capital city frequently attend various banquets all year round, and they all have their own small groups that they are familiar with.

Some sat gracefully on exquisite embroidered stools with sweet smiles, while others stood slenderly, holding round fans with graceful postures, admiring the flowers and chatting in soft voices.

Qi Wanyin, the ruler of Qingping County, is only twenty years old. She grew up in the palace until she was fourteen.

Although she knew some young ladies in the capital, the young ladies who came to attend the Qushui Banquet today were all younger than her, so they did not know each other.

At this moment, she was wearing a lake blue long dress with a fitted waist. The skirt was fluttering and a white ribbon was tied around her waist, which made her figure more graceful.

She stood quietly by the pond in the peony garden, admiring the koi swimming in the pond with a focused gaze.

There was not the slightest trace of emotion on her cold face, as if she was completely unconcerned about the hustle and bustle around her, like an orchid isolated in a valley, lost in the world.

Su Jingxuan saw her standing there alone from a distance, so he walked over.

"I am meeting the Lord of Qingping County. Are you still used to the banquets in the capital?"

Su Jingxuan spoke in a gentle tone, with a smile as warm as a spring breeze on his face, and spoke in a soft voice.

Qi Wanyin heard the voice, turned around, and saw that it was Su Jingxuan. A faint smile instantly appeared in her eyes.

"Mr. Su, you don't have to be so polite. I haven't attended such a banquet for a long time, so I'm a little uncomfortable. But now that I'm back, I will try my best to overcome it."

There was a faint smile on her face, warm but not hot.

Mrs. Rongguo saw her son standing next to the Lord of Qingping County from a distance, frowned slightly, and sighed deeply.

Although the status of the Qingping County Magistrate was quite high, she was after all the concubine of the Qi family and had lived in a remote place like Canglang for six or seven years. She knew nothing about his character and personality.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Rongguo's face showed deep worry.

The Qushui Banquet was halfway through when Su Jingyao arrived amidst everyone's eager anticipation.

Xilu's loud voice rang out instantly, echoing throughout the entire banquet: "The Queen has arrived——"

Everyone at the banquet stopped talking, and the young men and women who were reciting poems and painting also stopped what they were doing.

"I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty live a thousand years and a thousand years."

Everyone shouted in unison, their voices uniform and they bowed their heads respectfully.

"Stand up."

Su Jingyao raised her hand slightly, with a graceful smile on her face, and spoke in a gentle voice.

"Everyone, continue. Don't worry about me."

Su Jingyao said this with a smile, which reduced the sense of distance and made people feel more intimate.

As soon as she arrived, she was immediately surrounded by a group of noble ladies, who all spoke flattering words to her.

Upon seeing this, Mrs. Rongguo quickly sent them away and walked quickly to Su Jingyao.

Then he took her to a quiet place.

"Yaoyao, that person over there is the Princess of Qingping County. Since she came, your brother has never left her side."

Mrs. Rongguo shook her head helplessly as she spoke, her eyes revealing her helplessness towards her son.

Su Jingyao looked in the direction her mother pointed, and by chance, the Lord of Qingping County also raised his eyes and looked over.

Her eyes were as clear as water, and she saluted Su Jingyao with just the right smile on her face, looking cool and moving yet dignified.

Su Jingyao also looked at her with a smile.

She is indeed a beautiful woman with outstanding temperament.

She has a graceful figure and pretty face, and her every frown and smile reveals the demeanor of a lady from a noble family.

When Su Jingxuan saw his sister, a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face.

Then he brought the Lord of Qingping County over.

Su Jingyao smiled and said, "The Qingping County Lord is indeed a beauty."

"The Empress is truly a beauty, more eye-catching than all the peonies in this garden."

The voice of the Lord of Qingping County was gentle, like a breeze blowing across the strings of a zither.

She had indeed never expected that the queen would be so beautiful, her face seemed like a masterpiece carefully crafted by God.

"Qingping County Lord is very good at speaking, she is beautiful and sweet-talking. Brother, I feel that I have a good relationship with Qingping County Lord today, and I want to chat with her for a few more words."

Su Jingxuan nodded hurriedly, "Then my mother and I will go and entertain the rest of the guests first."

Having said that, he reluctantly turned his gaze away from the Lord of Qingping County, and turned away with Lady Rongguo.

After Su Jingxuan and Mrs. Rongguo left, Su Jingyao asked softly, "Does the county lord have anyone he likes?"

Upon hearing this, the Lord of Qingping County lowered his eyes, and his long eyelashes covered the emotions in his eyes like a fan.

"have."

Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's, and she then looked at Su Jingxuan's departing back with a slightly shy look in her eyes.

Su Jingyao saw her expression and understood, then teased, "My brother?"

The Lord of Qingping County nodded gently, his movements gentle and shy.

Then these two people are in love with each other.

but......

Su Jingyao didn't know why, but she always felt something was weird.

A strange feeling lingered in her heart, making her frown slightly.

She asked tentatively, "If the Princess of Qingping County and my brother are in love with each other, how about I ask His Majesty to decree a marriage between you two?"

"Qingping has no family in the capital, so he will obey the Empress's wishes in everything."