Chapter 83: Granted Marriage, Prince Consort

As soon as Aying finished packing up from Songhuayuan and entered Songheyuan, she saw Xie Heni.

"Sister Aying." He Ni, who was sitting, immediately stood up and came to greet her.

Ah Ying was stunned, "Why aren't you sleeping?"

Xie Heni looked sad and said, "I can't sleep. I miss my brother. Is there anything I can think of now? I'm scared..."

Aying was touched by Xie Heni's eyes, and the worry that had been suppressed in her heart slowly overflowed.

"Where is the second young master?" Aying turned and asked Su Jian.

"He should be in Juexiayuan now."

Ah Ying said to Xie Heni, "Let's go and see what the Second Young Master has to say."

Several people walked hurriedly towards Juexia Courtyard.

Xie Chenglin had hardly slept for the past two days. Everything was developing as his brother had expected, but for some reason, the ban on the Marquis' Mansion had been lifted, but his brother and father had not returned yet.

Ah Kuan jumped up the steps, met Xie Chenglin, and said with a bow, "Second Master, Guard Zhan has sent a message that the Crown Prince and the Marquis are no longer in the Ministry of Justice prison."

Xie Chenglin immediately stood up and asked with a serious look, "Where are you now?"

A Kuan shook his head.

Afterwards, Xie Chenglin saw the figures of Aying and He Ni.

"Aying, Heni." After all, Xie Chenglin grew up with Xie Chengyi, so he was calm when they met.

"Second Young Master." Aying bowed.

He Ni looked at Xie Chenglin worriedly, "Second brother, why hasn't our eldest brother come back yet?"

Xie Chenglin immediately comforted him, "Zhan Li sent a message saying that my elder brother and father are no longer in the prison of the Ministry of Justice."

"Is he coming back?" He Ni's eyes lit up for a moment.

Aying couldn't help but stare at Xie Chenglin.

"I'm not sure about that." Xie Chenglin answered truthfully.

Ah Ying calmed down and said, "If the ban on the Marquis' Mansion has been lifted, it means that His Majesty knows about this matter and has seen the evidence."

He Ni responded first: "It shows that His Majesty trusts father and elder brother!"

Ah Ying pondered for a moment, "I trust him, but since he's not in the prison of the Ministry of Justice, there is only one possibility."

Ah Ying looked at Xie Chenglin, their eyes darkened, and they said in unison: "In the palace!"

He Ni looked at her second brother in confusion, then looked at her sister A Ying, "In the palace?"

***
Xuanming Hall.

Xiao Wenzhan leaned on the warm couch, his face weak and pale. He looked at Xie Chengyi who was kneeling in a precarious manner, and his eyes moved slightly.

"It has been found out that this incident was caused by Chu Chengdong from the Xu Mansion who was resentful and deliberately caused trouble. The Xie family did not overstep the line." Xiao Wenzhan said slowly.

Xie Chengyi immediately asked, "Where is Lord Yao?"

Xiao Wenzhang looked straight at Xie Chengyi, "My dear Yao, please come quickly. You don't have close contact with the court officials. Naturally, if you report something, it is nonsense."

Hearing this, Xie Chengyi's heart moved slightly, and he felt at ease.

However, Your Majesty specifically emphasized that Lord Yao should not associate with court officials. Does that mean you are concerned about winning over Lord Yao?
"Your Majesty is wise." Xie Chengyi nodded slightly, also looking around. Although Xie Chengyi had not been in the court these days, he knew that there must be a lot of discussion in the court, not only because of the chaos of party disputes and the brothers' cruelty, but also perhaps because of speculation about the health of His Majesty. His Majesty is not a weak person. In the past, when the world was pacified, His Majesty was a hero on horseback and a good general in the army. His martial arts and courage were well-deserved to be the number one person in Northern Jin. Although he is getting older, he is not so weak.

He didn't want to speculate too much, but he had to be fully prepared.

And right now, it seems that His Majesty does not look very well.

At this time, it seems that it is okay for Your Majesty to be more cautious.

"Have you invited anyone to this palace banquet?" Xiao Wenjian asked.

Xie Chengyi nodded slightly, "Jinxian happened to be going to the palace to pay respects to the Queen Mother, so I came in with her."

"Oh?" Xiao Wenjian seemed quite surprised.

"There are so many gossipers in my palace. Some even say that you and Jin Xian are a perfect match and we are preparing for a marriage between our two families." Xiao Wenzhan narrowed his eyes and looked at Xie Chengyi.

Yao Hongmiao was mentioned twice, and even if Xie Chengyi was honest, he knew that His Majesty was concerned, so he replied with a clear face: "I only regard Jinxian as my sister, Your Majesty, please do not listen to those rumors."

Xiao Wenzhang's eyes changed slightly, "Oh? Really?"

Xie Chengyi nodded seriously.

"Then do you have a girl from aristocratic family that you like? You have been stationed on the border for the country for ten years. Now that you have finally settled down, you should put marriage on the agenda. Otherwise, someone will say that I am deliberately treating you coldly." Xiao Wenzhan said this in a slightly slow tone.

Xie Chengyi immediately replied: "I am terrified!"

Xie Chengyi lowered his head and couldn't help but secretly wonder if this was a granted marriage?
"I think you are not young anymore. I don't think it's appropriate for you to be alone all the time. There are so many women in Northern Jin, there must be someone you like. Why not do it today? If there is someone you like, I can be the matchmaker and sign the red line for you." Xiao Wenzhan said cheerfully.

Xie Chengyi made up his mind and said solemnly, "I am a humble man. I have achieved so much thanks to your majesty's love. Serving the country is what I should do. I dare not expect to be granted marriage."

Xiao Wenzhan was a little doubtful. After ten years, he was not sure about Xie Chengyi's thoughts.

"You are not in a hurry to marry Jin Xian, and you don't have any noble daughters in your sight..." Gao Pan walked over quietly and handed over a cup of tea. Xiao Wenzhan picked up the tea, but his eyes were still glancing at Xie Chengyi.

Seeing His Majesty so gloomy, Xie Chengyi understood that today was more like His Majesty testing him than being interrogated.

Test whether he has any ulterior motives.

Test whether he has any unusual movements.

If he marries the daughter of a high-ranking official in the capital, I am afraid that Your Majesty will still worry that he is forming a clique for personal gain.

And he only has one chance to completely get out of this predicament.

Xie Chengyi bowed his head solemnly, "Chengyi dare not deceive your majesty. The reason why I have not had any second thoughts about the girl from the noble family in the capital is because - I already have someone in my heart!"

Xiao Wenzhang, who was sipping tea, paused, put down the tea bowl slightly, looked at Xie Chengyi, and said in deep thought: "Who is so attractive to you?"

Xie Chengyi raised his eyes, looked directly at Xiao Wenzhang, and said with certainty: "The person I love is Huo Aying!"

Xiao Wenzhang's narrowed eyes focused instantly, and he asked in surprise: "A Ying?"

Outside the Xuanming Palace, Xiao Chuyi, who was standing by the door, suddenly felt cold on her face. Huo Aying? Her beloved brother Chengyi actually liked Huo Aying???
"No! I don't agree!" Xiao Chuyi was angrily and walked into the Xuanming Hall.

She doesn't care about those red tapes. If she doesn't fight for it, her brother Chengyi will become someone else's husband.

The moment Xie Chengyi saw Xiao Chuyi come in, his eyes became even darker.

Xiao Wenzhang couldn't help but scold: "This kid! It's already this time, and he's still so willful?"

Xiao Chuyi was very determined. She walked to Xie Chengyi, knelt down beside him, and kowtowed solemnly, saying, "I, your son, request your permission. Please, father, grant Brother Chengyi the title of your consort!!!"

Xie Chengyi: If not now, when?