Seeing Tan Jiao's appearance, Tan Hongbo seemed to understand Ling Xiao's feelings at this moment.
He felt sorry for Tan Jiao who had been in love with him for a long time but could not get the love she wanted, but he was also relieved that Wei Xun fell in love with his friend's sister. Tan Hongbo was torn between the two and had a headache.
"Jiao'er, I'm not saying this. But now the rumor is that the Crown Prince and the Prince are competing for Sister Wanwan's heart. If the Emperor really intends to grant a marriage between the Prince and Sister Wanwan, what about the Crown Prince?" Tan Hongbo sighed helplessly.
Even if he wanted to comfort Tan Jiao, he couldn't lie with his eyes open.
"One is his biological son, and the other is his biological nephew. The emperor is also in a difficult position. We can only see what the three of them think." Tan Hongbo stood up and took Tan Jiao's hand, pulling her to sit on the chair. "I know you like the prince, and I would be happy if he became my brother-in-law. But after all, the prince's intention is the most important thing in this matter, and there is nothing I can do about it."
Tan Hongbo slowed down his tone and tried to soothe Tan Jiao. But he made things worse, and in just a few words, Tan Jiao burst into tears.
"Impossible, impossible." Tan Jiao kept muttering.
Tan Hongbo was in a panic and really didn't know what to do.
"The prince has never liked women since he was young. I am the only one who can go to school with him and play with him. I am the only exception." Tan Jiao grabbed Tan Hongbo's sleeve as if she was grabbing a life-saving straw. "Brother, in the prince's heart, I am different from other girls, right?"
Tan Hongbo felt uncomfortable watching Tan Jiao suffer. He only hated that there was only one Wei Xun in the world and he couldn't be divided into two, one to chase Ling Qingwan and the other to be with his sister.
"Sister, you are the apple of my Tan family's eye. You can marry any man you want, not to mention Tokyo City, but the whole Dai Viet. Why do you have to hang yourself on a tree?" Tan Hongbo tactfully persuaded Tan Jiao to let go.
Tan Jiao was not a fool, so she naturally understood what Tan Hongbo meant. She reluctantly let go of his hand and hung her head in disappointment.
"You should learn from your brother. I have a very good attitude. There are so many beautiful girls in this world. I won't cling to one person." Tan Hongbo pretended to be indifferent. While speaking, a trace of loneliness flashed across his eyes.
Soon, this strange feeling was suppressed by Tan Hongbo.
Tan Hongbo still racked his brains to comfort Tan Jiao. Tan Jiao was depressed for a long while, but finally her mood improved.
"You're right. The prince is not the only outstanding man in the world. Even if he doesn't like me, there will be others who like me." Tan Jiao sniffed and raised her head slightly.
Tan Hongbo was happy and patted Tan Jiao's shoulder honestly.
"This is my sister, Tan Hongbo."
Tan Jiao was a pretty girl with a pair of twinkling almond-shaped eyes and tears hanging on her long and curled eyelashes, making her look extremely pitiful.
No matter how much the rumors about Wei Xun and Song Zhiqing pursuing Ling Qingwan spread, the Marquis' Mansion remained calm. Especially in Iris Pavilion, Ling Qingwan was still the same as usual, going to the temple every morning to pay her respects to Old Master Ling and the others, and then returning to her own courtyard to rest.
Ling Qingwan still had several of the notebooks that Tan Hongbo had brought her that she hadn't finished reading, so she had something to do.
But God just didn't go Ling Qingwan's way. After a few days of worry-free life, someone came from the palace and summoned Ling Qingwan to the imperial palace to pay homage to the emperor.
This was the first time Ling Qingwan had seen the emperor after her rebirth. In fact, Ling Qingwan had not had much contact with the emperor in her previous life, and she had no idea what kind of person the emperor was.
She remembered that the emperor believed Song Zhiqing's words very much. Even when Song Zhiqing falsely accused General Shen of adultery and treason, he did not hesitate to execute the entire general's family.
Because of this incident, Ling Qingwan didn't have a good impression of the emperor.
After an elaborate and formal washing and dressing process, Ling Qingwan set off for the palace.
It was cold outside, so Qiao'er closed the curtains on the doors and windows to prevent the wind from coming in. Ling Qing was wearing a long coat with golden floral brocade and a moon-white embroidered skirt, and was resting in a corner with a stove to warm her hands.
After shaking for three or two incense sticks, the carriage stopped. Ling Qingwan was very sleepy, and before the servant reminded her, she woke up first, lifted the door curtain, and got off the carriage with the help of the servant.
At the palace gate, a familiar figure came into view.
Song Zhiqing likes to wear blue clothes with a white rufu lining, looking like a handsome young man. When he saw Ling Qingwan, he stopped.
… Is it too late to go back now? Ling Qingwan was already repulsed by Song Zhiqing to the point that she wanted to turn around and leave when she saw him entering the palace.
"Miss Wanwan." Song Zhiqing was delighted and took a few steps forward to greet Ling Qingwan. "What are you doing in the palace?"
"Your Highness, what are you doing in the palace?" Ling Qingwan asked Song Zhiqing.
If Song Zhiqing was also here to see the emperor, she would turn around and leave without saying anything. Ling Qingwan guessed that the emperor could also do such a wicked thing.
"There are some matters in the court that need to be discussed with officials." Song Zhiqing told Ling Qingwan.
Ling Qingwan frowned. How come she had never noticed that Song Zhiqing had such a good temper before? Or maybe Song Zhiqing had all his bad temper on her alone.
Thinking of this, Ling Qingwan felt even more uncomfortable.
"Then you and I are taking different paths." Ling Qingwan nodded at Song Zhiqing, and then prepared to bypass Song Zhiqing to go in.
"It's okay. From the South Gate to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, we are on the same route. It just so happens that this is your first time entering the palace, so it's okay for me to take you with me." Song Zhiqing took the initiative to volunteer and took on the responsibility of leading Ling Qingwan.
Ling Qingwan was so depressed. She was racking her brains to figure out how to politely reject Song Zhiqing, when she saw another familiar figure.
What a good day it is today, I can meet acquaintances just by walking a few steps. Ling Qingwan got excited and waved her hand hurriedly, calling Wei Xun over.
She clearly saw that Wei Xun and Song Zhiqing showed surprised expressions almost at the same time. Ling Qingwan could no longer care about so much, and took this opportunity to secretly warn Song Zhiqing to give up.
"Cousin." Finally, Song Zhiqing called Wei Xun.
So Wei Xun is younger than Song Zhiqing? Countless question marks flashed through Ling Qingwan's mind.
The reason why she was so shocked was not because of the mismatch in appearance and age. In fact, no matter how stern Wei Xun looked every day, Ling Qingwan would admit that he was only sixteen or seventeen years old. But Wei Xun was able to lead hundreds of thousands of troops to defend the peace of Dai Viet at such a young age. What could Song Zhiqing do? He only knew how to look at the ice sculptures.
Thanks to Song Zhiqing for comparison, Ling Qingwan now has a better and better impression of Wei Xun.
"Your Highness, the Seventh Prince is also going to see the Emperor. I will go in with him." Without thinking too much, Ling Qingwan turned sideways and stood shoulder to shoulder with Wei Xun. The two of them stood opposite Song Zhiqing.
At this moment, Song Zhiqing's face darkened, and it looked as ugly as it could be.
Of course, Wei Xun was in the same situation. He knew nothing and just stood there like a tool.
"If there's nothing else, we'll leave first." After saying hello to Song Zhiqing, Ling Qingwan entered the palace gate with Wei Xun.