Queen Mother Tian smiled and patted Su Yao's hand: "Xiao Wu usually likes to make trouble, let's ignore him."
Xiao Heng went to inspect the military camp, but inspecting the military camp is not something that can be done overnight. He had already decided to be away for half a month and would not come back until the end of the year. Even if he wanted to come back, it would not be an easy decision. Xiao Heng was not a person who ignored the overall situation. Empress Dowager Tian was afraid that if Xiao Heng did not come back, Su Yao would feel neglected.
The fifth prince scratched his head and said nothing more.
Yin Congqing gently advised him, "Your Highness, please stop talking nonsense."
The fifth prince became serious and lowered his voice to Yin Congqing: "How could I be talking nonsense? I was telling the truth! If you don't believe me, just wait and see!"
The palace of Empress Dowager Tian was bustling with activity. Singing and dancing soon began. Empress Dowager Tian pointed at the eleventh princess who had arrived late and laughed: "Look at this lazy little bug. We said today was a banquet, but she still came so late. She deserves to be punished!"
The Eleventh Princess smiled, walked forward and called her grandmother softly, then she curled up beside Queen Mother Tian and didn't move.
Su Yao turned to look at her and saw that her eyes were red. Even though she covered them with powder, one could still see the traces of her crying.
The Eleventh Princess has always been favored in the palace. Both Emperor Yuanfeng and Concubine Pang like her very much. She seldom cries, but today she cried before the palace banquet started. Su Yao was a little worried. After a while, when she got up to go to the Guangfeng Jiyue Palace for the banquet, she softly asked the Eleventh Princess what was wrong.
The Eleventh Princess' eyes turned red again when she heard this. She had a good relationship with Su Yao, and now that Su Yao asked her, she did not hide it. She pursed her lips in grievance and almost cried again: "My mother said that the Japanese sent an envoy to marry a princess of the Imperial Dynasty. A minister said that I am the most suitable age, and I am the daughter of the Imperial Concubine..."
She couldn't help it, and even though she knew that today was a palace banquet, she still cried in front of Concubine Pang.
In the past, the eleventh princess didn't want to get married. What's the good of getting married? She saw too many of her companions getting married. Before getting married, her companions were full of vitality, but after getting married, they were like withered flowers, lifeless and stagnant.
When she heard that she was going to marry a Japanese man, she was so angry and scared that she couldn't even eat.
I heard that the Japanese people were very violent and narrow-minded. If nothing else, they always invaded the coast and massacred so many people. They were not human at all! Princess Eleven was afraid of marrying there.
But Concubine Pang said coldly that as a princess, enjoying the people's offerings and unlimited honor, she should be aware of making contributions to the country. If the court finally decided to agree to the request of the Japanese envoys, then the Eleventh Princess would go to marry.
The Eleventh Princess was unwilling. She was extremely scared in her heart. Even her mother said so. She really didn't know what hope she had in life.
Su Yao also frowned. She had not expected that the court would actually propose a marriage alliance.
Especially since the Japanese pirates had just invaded Songjiang Prefecture and killed so many civilians and soldiers.
Holding Princess Eleven's hand, Su Yao comforted her softly, "Don't worry, His Majesty may not agree."
These words could not comfort the Eleventh Princess. She knew best in her heart that her father might love her, but he was also a wise monarch. If Emperor Yuanfeng really needed her to marry, he would not reject those envoys.
Seeing that the two of them were very close and talking about something together, Zhao Qingye frowned slightly in annoyance.
The Fifth Prince's words just now were like a thorn in her heart. She felt uncomfortable all over and was counting the time on pins and needles, fearing that Xiao Heng would suddenly appear.
In the past, she always looked forward to meeting Xiao Heng. Even if Xiao Heng didn't talk to her, she would be happy all day long as she could see him. But today, she was very afraid that Xiao Heng would come.
The palace was brightly lit with singing and dancing. Zhao Qingye's eyes were always on Su Yao, and he would glance at her after a while.
The fifth prince and his wife were talking quietly, and the seventh prince and his wife were talking about something happy. They both laughed, and the seventh prince's wife even reached out and patted the seventh prince gently. The sixth prince smiled and was about to turn around and talk to Zhao Qingye, but he saw Zhao Qingye staring at Su Yao.
He frowned, and a guess slowly emerged from the bottom of his heart, making his mood sink to the bottom.
But Zhao Qingye still didn't look at him, because at this moment, a eunuch outside suddenly announced loudly: "The Crown Prince has arrived!"
Xiao Heng is back! Xiao Heng is actually back!
Zhao Qingye's hands suddenly grabbed the cushion under her. Because she used too much force, her long nails accidentally broke. She felt a heart-wrenching pain and her face was distorted with pain.
Queen Mother Tian was also somewhat shocked: "He actually came back?"
As they were talking, Xiao Heng had already entered the hall. He was wearing a long robe with white python sleeves and a jade belt around his waist. He looked elegant and refined, like a banished immortal under the moon.
Emperor Yuanfeng was also very happy to see him: "Why did you come back in such a hurry? Didn't you say you would be gone for half a month?"
Xiao Heng said lightly, "The Ministry of Industry did a great job this time. I went with the Shenji Battalion to test the new muskets. I felt that both the firepower and the range were much better than before in Yunnan, so I simply rushed back. There is nothing else to do, and my godfather and the others are here."
It sounds so nice, but translated it means, I have finished the most important thing and then I came back, and Song Xiangyu is handling all other matters.
Emperor Yuanfeng didn't know what to say to his grandson, but seeing that he looked exhausted, he asked him to take his seat quickly.
Xiao Heng went straight to the seat next to Xiang Xiwei, very self-consciously.
The Eleventh Princess was originally thinking about something, but when she saw Xiao Heng walking towards her, she subconsciously moved to the side.
There happened to be an empty seat in the middle, so Xiao Heng sat down without blushing or feeling nervous.
The fifth prince suddenly burst out laughing.
Everyone looked towards him.
The fifth prince didn't care about that. He just smiled and asked Empress Dowager Tian, "Grandmother, what did I say? I said he would definitely be able to come back. So, did your grandson lie to you?"
Queen Mother Tian couldn't help laughing: "Yes, you are so smart, monkey!"
Everyone laughed.
Emperor Yuanfeng didn't know the reason, so he turned his head to look at Concubine Pang. After hearing Concubine Pang whisper the reason, he also laughed: "This child has always been cold-hearted. I am really worried about him. Now that I know he knows how to please people, I feel relieved."