0p0 Chapter 245 Tit for tat
Chapter 245 Tit for tat
When the group rushed to the capital and reported the news to Emperor Shengwu, their expectations were that he would remain calm.
Emperor Shengwu simply nodded and said, "I understand."
There is nothing else.
Jiang Lige was puzzled, but due to his status he couldn't ask too much, so he had to wait until they left Emperor Shengwu's territory before turning around and asking Ning Yunxiao.
"What does His Majesty mean by this reaction? Did he know this long ago? Or does he not care? Or is it something else?"
After pondering for a moment, Ning Yunxiao finally understood and explained from Emperor Shengwu's perspective.
"After all, the Xu family died bearing the infamy of traitors. Even if the entire family perished, it was still a one-sided story. Your Majesty is the Emperor of Shengling. It's impossible for him to start a war just for the one-sided story of a famous minister of Southern Chu. For now, the only option is to hold back."
After Ning Yunxiao's reminder, Jiang Lige gradually understood and said belatedly, "Indeed, at least until Nanchu makes a move, we can only hold our troops in place."
"It's not just because of this." Ning Yunxiao continued, "To govern a country well, power is secondary. Whether the people live and work in peace and contentment is the key to whether a king is qualified. Now it's the New Year, so these unpleasant matters must be postponed. Whether it's the ministers or the officials, everyone wants to have a good New Year."
Jiang Lige nodded, "That's right."
Perhaps worried that Jiang Lige was overthinking things, Ning Yunxiao reached out and touched her head, smiling, "Alright, let's just do what we can, and let His Majesty worry about the rest. Tomorrow is the annual banquet, will you come with me?"
"Okay." Jiang Lige agreed without hesitation, then leaned towards Ning Yunxiao listlessly, saying in a delicate voice, "Yunxiao, I'm tired~"
"Of course I'm tired after traveling all this time."
After Ning Yunxiao finished speaking, before Jiang Lige could react, he was grabbed by the person in front of him and pulled into his arms, with his feet hanging in the air, and then he was held steadily in Ning Yunxiao's arms.
No matter how thick-skinned Jiang Lige was, he was still embarrassed to see such intimate actions in broad daylight. He hurriedly punched Ning Yunxiao's chest, blushing and lowering his voice.
"Your Highness, put me down and I can walk by myself!"
Ning Yunxiao, however, was already striding forward with her in his arms, not avoiding the gazes of others. He smiled and said, "Aren't you tired? Just stay put. I'll take you back to Qingge Cottage."
"It would be so embarrassing if someone saw us!"
Ning Yunxiao remained unmoved. "They were just insignificant people. It's perfectly reasonable for them to see him hugging his fiancée."
"..."
Jiang Lige struggled in vain, and couldn't argue with Ning Yunxiao, so he simply buried his face in Ning Yunxiao's arms.
Never mind, let it be. As long as she doesn't feel other people's stares, she won't feel embarrassed.
Cover your ears and steal the bell.
……
Sheng Ling's New Year's Festival is similar to the customs of Southern Chu, but it is more lively and, correspondingly, the rules are more complicated.
Early the next morning, Jiang Lige was pulled out of bed by Song Yue and the others, and was beaten up from head to toe. Then, wearing a gorgeous dress of pearls and jade, he forced himself to enter the Funing Palace.
Ever since Ning Yunxiao was named the Crown Prince, Empress Dowager Jiang's Funing Palace has surpassed Empress Xiao's and become the most lively place in the imperial city.
As soon as Jiang Lige walked in, he saw the whole hall filled with people, both familiar and unfamiliar.
Jiang Lige followed the rules and walked forward to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Jiang and Empress Xiao respectively, and then sat down next to Empress Dowager Jiang.
Compared to the past, Empress Xiao is now much more obedient. Even though she still looks down on Jiang Lige, a foreign princess with a domineering temperament, she always appears much more polite.
After all, Ning Yunxiao has become the crown prince. Although he is her "son" in public, the relationship between the two has never been harmonious. If she doesn't repair the relationship now, there is no guarantee that Ning Yunxiao will use her as a scapegoat after Emperor Shengwu passes away.
Thinking of this, Empress Xiao smiled at Jiang Lige in a friendly manner and praised him in a rare moment: "It's been a while since I last saw you, Zhaohua. I heard a few days ago that you weren't feeling well. Are you feeling much better now?"
Some time ago, Jiang Lige and Ning Yunxiao's trip to the border town could not be known to outsiders, so Jiang Lige kept claiming to be sick and unable to go out.
That's why Empress Xiao asked this question.
Jiang Lige also smiled and said, "Thank you, Queen, for your concern. I also want to thank you for sending such precious medicinal herbs. Zhaohua was able to recover so quickly."
Empress Xiao was also very satisfied with Jiang Lige's understanding. She smiled and said, "Look at this sweet little mouth. It must be the mother's teaching!"
Empress Dowager Jiang smiled kindly, "Look, the Queen is really sweet-mouthed!"
The two great gods were exchanging polite words on the high platform. Jiang Lige was in the middle, occasionally saying a few words, but more often his eyes were fixed on the position below.
Almost at a glance, Jiang Lige's eyes fell on Princess Jingyu. It wasn't that Jiang Lige did it on purpose, but the look was so sharp and ill-intentioned that Jiang Lige could hardly ignore it.
Speaking of which, the last time I fought with Princess Jingyu was when Jiang Chuchu teamed up with her to marry me to Ning Luyang as a concubine.
Unexpectedly, the plan was broken by Jiang Lige, and Princess Jingyu completely offended Empress Xiao. Now when the two meet, they wish they could tear off a piece of each other's flesh.
As for Jiang Chuchu, her situation was even worse.
Look, at the royal family’s annual banquet, the seat that belonged to Princess Xu was occupied by the concubine of the Xiao family.
That’s right, Xiao was Ning Luyang’s legal wife, so it was natural that she should come to such an occasion, not Jiang Chuchu, the concubine.
I wonder how Jiang Chuchu feels being dominated by the concubine whom she looks down upon every day?
Thinking of this, Jiang Lige couldn't help but feel in a good mood. He raised his glass casually and raised it towards Princess Jingyu provocatively.
Although no words were spoken, the meaning of "I am happy to see that you are having a hard time" was expressed very clearly.
Princess Jingyu had never been subjected to such humiliation before, and she sarcastically said, "Oh, look how out of touch I am with the news! I didn't even know Princess Zhaohua was unwell a few days ago. What happened to her out of nowhere? Is it because of the Xu family's rebellion?"
"Jingyu!" Jiang Lige didn't even need to respond before she heard Empress Dowager Jiang beside her fly into a rage and scold her, "You are the eldest princess, don't you know that the harem is not allowed to discuss politics?"
Princess Jingyu tsk-tsk'd, her tone drawn out with a touch of malice. "It's true that the harem isn't allowed to discuss government affairs, but what I'm talking about right now is a family matter, right? After all, the Xu family is Princess Zhaohua's maternal family. Ultimately, I'm also concerned about the future happiness of my nephew, the Crown Prince. After all, the position of Crown Princess isn't something that anyone can hold!"
"Whether I'm happy or not, I'm afraid it's not Princess Jingyu's turn to judge."