Chapter 25: The Night Banquet

Just after Huo Aying walked out for a quarter of an hour, Zhan Li reported cautiously: "Sir, Han Zhong has a letter to report!"

Xie Chengyi immediately corrected his thoughts and said, "Let's go!"

After unfolding the letter and reading it carefully, Xie Chengyi closed his eyes and clenched his hands.

"Young Prince Nanjing has made a move." Xie Chengyi almost suppressed the trembling in his heart. If he were still at the border, he would have drawn his gun and ridden his horse to attack.

"How should I reply to Han Zhong?" The soldier's soul in Zhan Li almost burned up instantly when he heard the prince say the word "Nanjing".

Xie Chengyi had been waiting for this moment for three years. Three years ago, he and the young prince of Nanjing fought in the Battle of Feihuai, which shocked the entire Northern Jin Dynasty. Although the young prince of Nanjing was a prince, he was a talented leader. The two were evenly matched and fought for seven days and seven nights. However, Northern Jin Dynasty did not gain much advantage. At the critical moment, Xie Chengyi took advantage of the young prince's arrogance and used a strategy of sowing discord to steal the border city of Southern Jin Dynasty. This also led to the young prince's rampage. He swore that he would make Northern Jin Dynasty pay double the price in three years.

The entire Northern Jin was immersed in the joy of victory and did not take the young prince's words seriously at all. His Majesty even felt that Northern Jin was strong enough and no longer needed to fear the small border countries, so Xie Chengyi's memorial was shelved. In desperation, Xie Chengyi had to strengthen the border defense and stayed at the border almost day and night. Unexpectedly, an anonymous report was presented to His Majesty, and at this critical moment, he was left out.

Three years have passed, and Xie Chengyi has a feeling that the young prince is not here with good intentions...

"Keep waiting." This was almost the worst option, but Xie Chengyi had no choice. If he dared to take action, he would not even have the chance to confront the young prince.

"But the border doesn't wait for anyone!" Zhan Li said anxiously.

"This news will reach the palace tomorrow at the earliest. Let's see how Your Majesty handles it." Xie Chengyi wanted to maintain stability for Northern Jin, but under the emperor's feet, he had to believe in one sentence: the difference between the monarch and his subjects...

***
In the South Hall, at a night banquet, the lights were bright, and everyone was sitting in gorgeous clothes with smiles on their faces.

At this moment, Xie Chongkun's dignity as the head of the family was fully demonstrated.

Guan Yulan acted like a mistress, so proud and outspoken, because she knew very well that the Marquis would protect her the most in front of outsiders.

Princess Xie Hejun of Jinyang is naturally incomparable in her bearing and temperament. Moreover, it is with Xie Hejun's support that Guan Yulan feels more confident.

Liu Wutong sat down with her young son Xie Chengfeng, and they were dressed more modestly than usual. As soon as they sat down, they saw Xie Chengyi and Huo Aying enter one after the other.

Xie Chengyi looked more elegant in a wide-sleeved brocade robe, and his every step was full of energy, with an aura so compelling that it was impossible to ignore him; while the always mysterious Huo Aying wore a moon-colored plain brocade long skirt with a few simple jade hairpins, and she also had bright eyes and white teeth, and was pure and otherworldly.

Seeing Huo Aying like this, Liu Wutong couldn't understand why Guan Yulan wanted to hide?

His son Xie Chengfeng, who was standing beside him, stared in amazement, "Who is this?"

Liu Wutong said unhappily, "Madam's niece."

Now, Xie Chengfeng became even more interested, "Mom, is it possible——"

Before she finished speaking, Liu Wutong immediately gave up the idea and said, "No way!"

Xie Chengfeng, who was disinterested, was reluctantly going out for a drink, but Liu Wutong glared at him. This place would not tolerate her son's willfulness.

"Mom, why do you have to pull me here?" Xie Chengfeng is already fifteen years old, and is a famous young man in the capital. He has mastered everything except killing people.

Liu Wutong was so angry that she pinched Cheng Feng fiercely. Cheng Feng grimaced in pain and lowered his voice and said, "Can't you see that your father and grandmother are here? Why do you have to go out? Are you going to Jiyue Tower to find those sluts again?"

"What are you talking about, mom? Am I that kind of person?" Xie Chengfeng curled his lips, but his eyes were still staring at Huo Aying.

"Yes," Liu Wutong answered without any doubt.

"Mom, this fairy sister is so beautiful..." Xie Chengfeng was restless both physically and mentally.

Liu Wutong glanced at her son, slapped him on the head, frowned and warned him: "I'm telling you, you can't have any ideas about this woman. None of the women in the Guan family are good!"

Xie Chengfeng nodded impatiently.

Qiao'er pursed her lips, looked at Xie Chengfeng's expression, and poured him a glass of wine, her face and eyes burning.

Xie Chengfeng slowly sniffed the scent of Qiao'er's makeup, and his eyes immediately drifted away...

The old lady glanced at Liu Wutong and Xie Chengfeng who were whispering, her eyes slightly solemn.

At this moment, Liu Wutong was extremely regretful for not letting He Ni come back. Half a month ago, Cheng Feng's twin sister He Ni went to Hangzhou. She usually didn't care much about He Ni, and Hangzhou was the ancestral home of the Xie family and the old lady agreed, so she let He Ni go. If He Ni was here, she could also get a smile from the old lady.

"Mom, just wait until your son becomes successful. Not only the Marquis' Mansion, but the entire Northern Jin will respect you. I will make sure that you will never suffer any grievances again!" Xie Chengfeng looked at his lonely mother and patted his chest to promise.

Liu Wutong felt warm and sweet in her heart.

After seeing that everyone was present, Xie Chongkun raised his glass and said, "Today is the Xie family banquet to celebrate Mr. He's return and my mother's health!"

Guan Yulan and the others raised their glasses and leaned forward slightly.

Although He Jun was more respected than all of them in this mansion, he was still filial. "He Jun wishes Grandmother good health and longevity!"

Everyone immediately said in unison: "I wish the old lady good health and a long life!"

"Good, good, good." The old lady looked at her grandchildren and nephews who were surrounding her with a peaceful expression.

Xie Chengyi never liked to say polite words, he just watched quietly with a smile on his face. The old lady knew her grandson's temperament, so she didn't point him out, she was just at ease just seeing him there.

After a round of drinks, everyone's expressions relaxed a little.

"Where is Chenglin?" The old lady looked around but didn't see her second grandson, so she looked at Xie Chongkun and asked.

Liu Wutong was stunned. It was true. The eldest son was not here.

"Chenglin accompanied me to the Ministry of Justice today. He is now serving as a clerk in the Ministry of Justice. I asked him to meet Lord Su tonight as a courtesy." Xie Chongkun said proudly.

The old lady nodded and said with satisfaction: "Chenglin is a pragmatic child, a good seedling." As she spoke, her eyes fell on Liu Wutong who looked indifferent.

Liu Wutong smiled bitterly. Is the position of Lingshi worth publicizing?

Xie Chengfeng muttered with disdain: "A low-level clerk is also called an official? Dad is a founding hero, and my eldest brother is a pillar of the country. Isn't it a slap in our face that my second brother only found the clerk?"

Without her son's reminder, Liu Wutong also thought so. She didn't like her biological eldest son very much. Now, she felt that he was incompetent. Xie Chengyi was almost a big shot, but he was still just a small official. Wasn't this obviously a thorn in her side? It would be better not to do it!
"Aying, come to grandma!" The old lady deliberately raised her voice.

When everyone saw the beautiful woman being called, they all looked at her with great curiosity.

Huo Aying was flattered and walked over with a smile, "Old lady."

The old lady looked at Huo Aying with a light smile, and said to He Jun with a smile: "He Jun, you know what, your cousin Aying is very thoughtful. Since she came to the Marquis' Mansion, she has been entertaining me a lot. Now she has no father or mother, and came to the capital to live with your mother. Since she is so well-behaved and prudent, we should also take good care of this child."

Guan Yulan was quite surprised, she really didn't expect that the old lady would value Aying so much. Even if there was a suspicion that she deliberately gave her a [status], it was also under her own name and to enhance the reputation of the Guan family. Therefore, she smiled at Aying with great concern.

Xie Hejun said with a smile on his face: "Sister Ying, from now on, please treat the Marquis' Mansion as your own home."

"That is to say, Aying is also destined to be with you. From now on, let Aying accompany you more and fulfill her filial duty for us." Guan Yulan said with a smile.

Huo Aying bowed quickly, "Thank you, auntie, thank you, sister."

Afterwards, he bowed solemnly to the old lady, and raised his eyes to express his sincere gratitude, "Aying has no father or mother. Thanks to the care of my aunt and the old lady, I have a place to stay. From now on, Aying will do my best to serve the old lady and aunt."

The old lady pretended to be angry and said, "Old lady? Don't be so formal in the future. Call me grandma! Just like these children!"

Ah Ying felt warm in her heart and said sweetly, "Yes, Grandma..."

Guan Yulan couldn't help but glance sideways and secretly criticize, isn't this too much?

Seeing his mother so happy, Xie Chongkun's expression showed a hint of deep thought.

Only Xie Chengyi was laughing without realizing it.

"Go meet the concubine, so that I won't forget you next time I see you." The old lady said with a hint of meaning and joked with a smile.

With the old lady's favor, how could Liu Wutong turn a blind eye? She smiled and said, "This niece is so beautiful, how could I forget her?"

Huo Aying tactfully walked up to Liu Wutong and bowed softly, saying, "Aying greets Madam."

"Hurry up, get up. Oh, Aying is so beautiful. She must be very famous in Qingzhou?" Liu Wutong's face was full of smiles, but Aying didn't feel any tenderness at all.

Guan Yulan's face froze when she heard this. Liu Wutong must have done this on purpose.

Fortunately, Huo Aying reacted quickly, lowered his eyebrows and said in a pleasant manner: "Madam, you are too kind. Aying has lived in Wushan since he was a child and rarely interacted with others. He is not famous in Qingzhou."

Such a submissive look made Xie Chengyi, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but chuckle. This woman really has excellent acting skills.

"How humble! Tomorrow, I will teach He Ni to be so gentle and docile." Liu Wutong's eyebrows were curved, and her tone couldn't hide the alienation.

Regardless of whether it was true or not, Guan Yulan saw that Liu Wutong's manners were still acceptable, and half smiled and half advised: "He Ni has a passionate and outspoken personality, and is not particular about trivial matters. Although she has a masculine temperament, she is also the glory of our mansion. She doesn't have to force herself to be a lady."

But in Liu Wutong's eyes, these words were naked contempt. It was no wonder that Liu Wutong thought too much. Girls from aristocratic families all respected dignified and elegant noble ladies. However, the daughter she gave birth to at the risk of her life was even wilder than Chengfeng since she was a child. She was a rare existence among all the aristocratic families in the capital. When the child was young, she always said that she had limited energy and could not take care of her. In fact, she really disliked He Ni, so she sent the Marquis to raise her under the old lady's lap.

Guan Yulan's complacency did not last long as she felt a cold light behind her. She turned her head slightly and saw the old lady's stern expression. Her heart trembled. She was so focused on being the fastest that she forgot that He Ni's biggest backer was not Liu Wutong, but this mother-in-law who was involved in everything.

In fact, there are only a few people in charge of the Xie family, and the old lady didn't let Aying greet the remaining few people.

On the surface, it seems that despite the hustle and bustle and the drinking and chatting, everyone seems a little tired.

As the old lady looked a little tired, Xie Chongkun said, "It's getting late, let's all rest."

"Yes."

Huo Aying and Su Jian were lazily walking on the corridor. Su Jian was the first to notice the prince turning the corner. She then tugged at the corner of Huo Aying's clothes, pointed in the distance and whispered, "Girl, here, the prince!"

Huo Aying said indifferently: "Who cares? Let's go!"

But when the words came from afar, Huo Aying's heart still trembled: "Prince, you are not interested in Miss Aying, are you?"

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