At dusk, when Ximen Zhanying came out of Shenhou Mansion, the sky was already quite dark.
Her current mood was like the sky at dusk, very dark. For her, today was really a terrible day.
She really didn't understand why Prince Dong Qi was targeting her.
But she understood that if Longtai really decreed a marriage and would marry her to Dong Qi, at that time, even Ximen Wuhen would not be able to change it. The emperor's word was true, and once the decree was promulgated, there was no reason to take it back.
Compared to ordinary girls, she knows better what it means to distinguish between public and private matters.
She grew up in the environment of Shenhou Mansion. At home, she was the apple of Ximen Wuhen's eye. Even if he pulled off Ximen Wuhen's beard, Ximen Wuhen would just smile and bear it. But when he arrived at Shenhou Mansion, he Even if there is a slight mistake, Ximen Wuhen will scold him in front of everyone, without paying attention to the slightest father-daughter relationship.
So she realized what it means to distinguish between public and private matters at a very young age.
She naturally also knew the importance of the Prince of Dong Qi. Since this person begged for a marriage from the Chu State, it would be difficult for His Majesty the Emperor to refuse the request of the Prince of Dong Qi in view of the overall situation.
She thought about making a big fuss with Ximen Wuhen after she went back, but she knew her father very well. For many years, Ximen Wuhen had always put state affairs first in everything. If this marriage was really beneficial to Chu State, and His Majesty the Emperor personally granted the marriage, and I am afraid that Ximen Wuhen would not refuse.
Ever since she learned the news, she had been in a very low mood. Even though Qu Xiaocang and Yan Lingxian came over to persuade her, she remained silent.
Count on Qining
Qi Ning has indeed entered the palace, but Ximen Zhanying is deeply doubtful whether the young marquis can turn things around. She does not doubt Qi Ning's ability, but for such a big event, can Qi Ning really change the emperor's mind
Walking aimlessly on the street, she didn't even know where she was going. It wasn't until she heard a voice calling her name from the side that Ximen Zhanying came back to her senses. She turned around and saw only one person. An old beggar in ragged clothes was sitting at the foot of the wall, looking at him with a smile.
When Ximen Zhanying saw the old beggar's face, he was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but look around. In a daze, he walked into an alley without knowing when. There was no one around except the old beggar sitting at the foot of the wall with a smile. Looking at myself.
"Wei...Senior Wei?" Ximen Zhanying thought she was dazzled and opened her beautiful eyes wide.
The old beggar in front of him is none other than the leader Wei who saved his life in Xiangyang and later defeated Lu Shanghe at the Qingmu Conference. Now he has become the leader of the Beggar Clan.
This old beggar magically appeared in front of him.
Ximen Zhanying couldn't believe it. The old beggar smiled and said, "Good girl, we meet again. How have you been recently?"
The familiar voice made Ximen Zhanying burst with joy and said anxiously: "Senior Wei, is it really you? You... are you really in the capital?"
Qi Ning told her that she had met the master before, but when she saw the old beggar appeared, Ximen Zhanying was sure it was true.
The old beggar was naturally Qi Ning's disguise. With Zhong Ya's dexterous skills, it would be easy to transform into an old beggar again.
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Good girl, I came to Beijing this time to see my apprentice, and then to see you by the way, but I see that after you came out of the Shenhou Mansion, you didn't care about your home, are you unhappy?"
Hearing Qi Ning's gentle tone, Ximen Zhanying felt even more aggrieved for some reason. She felt sour and said, "Wei...Senior Wei, I...I'm in trouble." But his eyes were red.
Qi Ning stood up and said: "Don't cry, don't cry, good girl, the sky has not fallen. No matter how big the problem is, we can find a way to solve it." He patted his belly and said: "Let's find a place to eat. thing, and then tell me your grievances, how about we think of a solution together?"
When Ximen Zhanying saw this old beggar with great magical powers, he felt that his heart seemed to be more at ease. It was like a savior descended from the sky, and he hurriedly said: "Senior Wei, you... what do you want to eat? I... I'll treat you to something delicious. .”
"No, no, no," Qining said with a smile, "Just find a small restaurant and have a bowl of noodles."
Ximen Zhanying was naturally very familiar with the environment in the capital, and soon took Qining to a noodle shop. The business of this noodle shop was not very good, but the people who came to eat noodles were all repeat customers.
Boiling sesame oil is poured on top of the noodles, then garnished with chopped green onions, and a plate of pork head meat and stir-fried kidneys are placed on the table, which has already whetted one's appetite.
Qi Ning has really not eaten since he was busy in the morning. Let’s not talk nonsense. He drank a bowl of noodles and ordered another bowl. Seeing the old beggar’s appetite, Ximen Zhanying thought that if there was no marriage fee, It's so annoying, I'm afraid I can eat a big bowl of it too.
"Are you saying that the emperor wants to marry you to Dong Qi?" After hearing Ximen Zhanying express his grievances, Qining immediately waved his hands and said: "No, no, good girl, this can't be done."
"Senior Wei, why not?"
Qi Ning sighed: "Why do you think I came to the capital this time? Good girl, when I was in Xiangyang, didn't I tell you that my apprentice would call Zhan Ying's name when he went to bed at night? I thought to myself, I am his master, and if my apprentice has such a wish, how can I, the master, not help him fulfill his wish?"
Ximen Zhanying blushed and lowered his head slightly, before Qi Ning continued: "I found out later, it turns out that good girl, you are the daughter of the god, the good girl that my apprentice has always missed. Do you still remember what I said, If my apprentice can marry a girl like you, it will be his blessing. This boy did not disappoint me. He has good taste and likes you. That’s why I didn’t tell him." He picked up a piece of stir-fried kidney and threw it into his wallet. In his mouth, he said while eating: "I told him last time that a good girl like you must not be missed. If he doesn't hurry up, someone else will snatch this good girl like you away. I won't treat her well." polite."
Before today, Ximen Zhanying would have been elated when he heard what the old beggar said, but now he felt a little bitter and said softly: "Senior Wei, I... how should I get through this hurdle in front of me?"
"Girl, don't be afraid." Qining said, "By the way, has my apprentice ever expressed his feelings for you? Did he say he likes you?"
Ximen Zhanying's pretty face turned red and she was very embarrassed, but she still nodded and said softly: "He...he said it today."
"What about you?" Qining looked into Ximen Zhanying's eyes: "Are you satisfied with him? Do you like him? Let's put it this way, do you want to marry him?"
Ximen Zhanying's voice was even lower: "I... I told him too." Biting his lip, he said slightly reproachfully: "Senior Wei, Qi... Qining delayed saying it until today, and now... it's too late now. "
"It's too late." Qining smiled and said, "As long as you two are in love and have firm beliefs, this marriage cannot be broken up."
"But... But if the emperor really issues an edict, what should we do?" Ximen Zhanying gritted his teeth and said, "Is it possible to resist the edict?"
Qi Ning put down his chopsticks, leaned forward slightly, and asked: "Good girl, your father is a god. If he doesn't agree with this matter, the people of Dong Qi will never take you away."
"Senior Wei, I have thought about it too." Ximen Zhanying sighed softly: "But my father is loyal to the Chu State. If it is really the emperor's will, my father will never resist it."
"No matter how ruthless your father is, he will never watch you marry far away from Dong Qi." Qi Ning said solemnly: "I also believe that if the emperor directly issued an order, your father might not resist it, but as long as the emperor does not Decree, there is room for maneuver in this matter. If you have a way to prevent this marriage, your father will definitely be happy to see it happen."
"Stop it?" Ximen Zhanying blinked and asked, "Senior Wei, I have been thinking about it for a long time today, but I just can't think of a way. Do you have any good ideas?"
Qi Ning thought for a moment, stood up, came closer, beckoned Ximen Zhanying to come close to his ear, Ximen Zhanying hesitated for a moment, then came closer, Qining whispered a few words, Ximen Zhanying opened his eyes slightly, waiting for Qi Ning After sitting down again, Ximen Zhanying said: "Senior Wei, what can this do? Could it be... Could this prevent the Crown Prince of Dong Qi from proposing for marriage?"
"If you can convince the Lord God to say this to the court, at least you can take the initiative in your own hands." Qi Ning said with a smile: "The Lord Ximen is a veteran of two dynasties and a very important minister of the Chu State. When he said this in court, it was not considered as rejecting the Dong Qi people, and it would not prevent the Dong Qi people from coming to power, but rather it created a problem for the Dong Qi people."
"But... But can I do it?" Ximen Zhanying said with some anxiety: "I... I'm afraid that I won't be able to...!"
"You don't have to worry about this." Qi Ning smiled and said: "As far as I know, there will be a court meeting early tomorrow morning. As long as the gods go as promised, it can be delayed for a few days. If everything goes well, you can come back at this time tomorrow Meet me here, I will find a way to help you when the time comes."
Ximen Zhanying thought for a moment and then said: "There is no other way. We can only do what the seniors said."
"That's good." Qining said: "When you go back later, as long as you convince the god, things will be easy to handle tomorrow." After a pause, he said softly: "By the way, I heard that the god I haven't been feeling well lately. Is it convenient for me to go to court tomorrow?"
Ximen Zhanying said: "My father was indeed in poor health a few days ago, but his mood has improved a lot in the past two days. He should be able to go to court." Then he clenched his fist and said, "Even if he doesn't want to go, I will carry him on my back." Go, he can't just watch the emperor issue an order to send me to Dong Qi."
Qi Ning laughed and said, "That's right, that's right. If he doesn't go, you can find someone to carry him to the hall." He picked up the chopsticks again and said with a smile, "By the way, good girl, you like my apprentice." , what do you like about him? Do you like his handsome appearance, or do you like his kindness? Or do you like other advantages in him? "
Ximen Zhanying picked up the chopsticks and said: "Senior Wei, actually... In fact, he is not good-looking, and his character is not very good. He does not have many advantages, but he has a lot of bad habits."
Qi Ning was stunned, turned around and said loudly: "Secretary, let's have another plate of stir-fried kidneys!"