The day Jiang Wei returned to the court, the whole country was shocked. He was a young and energetic general and a hero of the entire dynasty.
The young man was sitting on a horse in bright clothes, holding a red tasseled spear in his palm. There was a mixture of childishness and solemnity in his eyes and eyebrows. The corners of his mouth were slightly raised, showing a bit of rebelliousness. People around him all worshiped him when they saw him.
"General Jiang is back! General Jiang is back!"
"Welcome General Jiang back to the court! Welcome General Jiang back to the court!"
The streets were crowded with common people who came out to watch. They were dressed in plain clothes, but their eyes were full of admiration when they looked at Jiang Wei. Nowadays, there was war at the border, and the court was in urgent need of a change of dynasty. The upper officials exploited the people, and the people's lives became more and more difficult. The appearance of Jiang Wei gave the people hope of life. The young general was full of vigor and vitality. He had repelled several attacks at the border. Now he had won the battle and returned to the court, which really caused a scene of thousands of people emptying the streets.
There was even a grand buffet in the general's mansion.
The wounds on Shen Xining's face have healed, but she still wears a veil to avoid attracting attention. She looks at the people coming and going in the mansion, but feels a little uneasy.
Jiang Wei walked slowly from the door, and people stood on both sides, as if they were holding some kind of ceremony. The prince moved to Shen Xining's side without knowing when, and laughed softly.
"Is Miss Shen feeling better now? I heard that you had a sudden facial illness some time ago and have been unable to go out and see people. I have been busy with official duties and have not found time to visit you. I wonder if Miss Shen blames you?"
Shen Xining bowed obediently, the veil on her face floating in the wind, bringing with it a charm and appeal that begged people to explore further. Her fair neck was suddenly revealed to the prince, which made his eyes dazzled and he was slightly dazed.
"Your Highness is joking. It was Xining who was really rude. He was ill and delayed the engagement. Your Highness is not angry yet and has left my Shen family with enough face. This is a great fortune for my Shen family."
Shen Xining blinked slightly, and his eyes met the prince's. A cunning look flashed in his eyes. The prince narrowed his eyes, came back to his senses, and said in a low voice.
"It is my honor to be married to the Shen family. I heard that you have always been in good health. How did you suddenly become ill? Could it be that you were injured while traveling with General Jiang?"
Shen Xining was shocked, and spoke after thinking for a while.
"Your Highness, you are joking. Jiang Wei and I grew up together, and our two families have a close relationship. If Jiang Wei hurts me, my father will be the first to disagree."
The prince nodded, understanding what was going on. However, Shen Xiyao appeared out of nowhere and bowed obediently. However, she did not notice that the prince frowned slightly after smelling the scent of powder on her body.
"Your Highness, I am sorry for being rude. I just saw you talking to my sister. I have heard that your Highness is a scholar. I have read some of the Four Books and Five Classics at home, but there are too few people to talk to at home. I came forward to disturb you. I hope I did not disturb your Highness."
hiss.
It's quite funny.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has always been tired of reading. He only spent money to spread the reputation of loving reading in order to have a good reputation with the current emperor. If Shen Xiyao really understands knowledge and has read the articles he wrote, he would be able to see that His Royal Highness probably hopes that all these literati will die.
Shen Xining successfully saw that the veins on the Crown Prince's forehead were throbbing.
It seems that Shen Xiyao is determined to win the prince. She drugged her and tried to please the prince. Shen Xining doesn't mind helping Shen Xiyao.
Shen Xining doesn't care about the so-called imperial power and wealth, and she doesn't care even more about marrying into the palace and becoming the queen. All she cares about is the Shen family. This was her mother's last wish before her death, so Shen Xining will protect the Shen family no matter what.
What the prince wanted might not be the Shen family, but the relationship between the Shen family and Jiang Wei. What he asked just now was just to confirm the relationship between her and Jiang Wei. At least, in the eyes of the prince now, if he married someone from the Shen family, on the one hand, there would be a civil official in charge, and the hearts of the people of the world would be won; on the other hand, Jiang Wei would obey him. For the imperial power, civil officials could be had, but such military generals were rare when the world was not yet pacified.
"Your Highness, when your sister was studying at home in the private school, the teacher often praised her for being extremely intelligent. Thinking about it today, I think she was also eager to learn."
The prince frowned slightly, but he could only continue the conversation.
"In that case, I have a few good books that I would like to give to you."
Shen Xiyao's eyes lit up.
"Thank you very much, Your Highness."
The two of them walked away slowly. The hairpin on Shen Xiyao's head swayed violently, which revealed the owner's mood.
What an impatient fool.
But now, things are becoming more and more confusing. If everything is really going so smoothly, the prince would have already taken the position of Empress Dowager as easy as pie. Why would he bother to deal with a sickly person
At this moment, a sudden noise came from somewhere, instantly causing a commotion among everyone in the courtyard.
"Oh no! Oh no! There's an assassin! There's an assassin!"
The maid beside Shen Xining suddenly panicked and pulled Shen Xining to run away.
"Miss, hurry up, it's not advisable to stay here for long, it's safer over there!"
“Don’t be afraid!”
Shen Xining scolded.
What is this place? The Jiang family, where generations of generals have been, let it be possible to be assassinated in other places, but it is impossible here. Moreover, if there really is an assassin, there are people from the Jiang family. At a banquet like today, the guards are even stricter. What kind of thief can come and go at will? The more chaotic it is, the more you learn to become a target.
"Let's go find Jiang Wei."
As soon as Shen Xining finished her words, her wrist was suddenly grabbed by someone and she was dragged into the water.
"Hmm..."
The water reached her nasal cavity. Shen Xining's eyes widened and she prepared to swim upstream without saying a word. She had been in poor health since childhood and Mrs. Shen was quite worried about her before she passed away. She watched her strengthen her body, and swimming was one of the things she did, so it was no problem for her.
But as soon as Shen Xining made a move, her legs and arms were entangled by someone like an octopus. The man's eyes were clear, and there was obviously a hint of teasing in his eyes.
It’s Xie Zhaoan!
Why is he here too!
Hasn't he been ill since he returned to the capital that day? Moreover, everyone in Kyoto knew that the Fourth Prince of the capital was frail and sickly. He was not interested in anyone's affairs in the court and declined everyone's invitations to banquets. He was the least valued prince in the court. Now that he came, people ignored his existence even more.
Today Jiang Wei returned to the court, and the four princes and two princesses in the capital were all invited, but no one thought Xie Zhaoan would come. Even Shen Xining had forgotten about him since that day. How could they meet here today!