After Transmigration, I Snag a Stunning Bigwig as My Husband-Chapter 757 - 755: Covet

From the Lantern Festival to the general amnesty, and then to the banquet...

The successive blows left the Empress Dowager feeling suffocated.

Princess Duanhui’s words brought a metallic taste to the Empress Dowager’s throat.

If it were true, she would likely die of anger!

But the facts were indeed such.

After the banquet, the Emperor summoned Princess Jiuling and Princess Fuqing to the Imperial Garden for a chat.

In the pavilion, from Princess Jiuling’s account, the Emperor learned of her arduous journey back to Daqi from Southern Liang.

On her way back, Princess Jiuling endured considerable hardship.

In Southern Liang, if not for the Hidden Guard of Prince Zhenbei Mansion and the son of Prime Minister Zhao of Southern Liang risking their lives to protect her, she would never have escaped the pursuit of Southern Liang to set foot again on her homeland’s soil.

Upon entering Daqi, the dangers did not lessen, but rather intensified.

There were blockades ahead and pursuers behind; several times, her life hung by a thread.

Fortunately, the Heir of Prince Zhenbei arrived in time; otherwise, she might not have returned.

Speaking of Xie Jingchen, Princess Jiuling had nothing but praise for him.

Truly worthy of being Prince Zhenbei’s legitimate son, his military strategies were like divine.

First, he made a feint, leading the assassins away, bringing them to Princess Duanhui’s fief.

Princess Jiuling and Princess Duanhui had never been on good terms.

Princess Jiuling was forced to marry into Southern Liang due to the Empress Dowager’s pressure.

Princess Duanhui, though spared from marrying into another state, was not favored by the Emperor, so she resided in her fief long-term.

Whenever Princess Jiuling and Princess Duanhui met, it would end in a spat. For her safety, she ought to skirt around Princess Duanhui’s fief, but who could have expected them to do the opposite?

The last time Marquis Dongxiang sent grain and grass to the border, Duke Chong sent people to kill him.

In the end, Marquis Dongxiang took a large detour, avoiding confrontation, and returned safely to the Capital.

This time, Duke Chong learned his lesson.

But Xie Jingchen’s route was completely different from that of his father-in-law.

He deliberately chose the most dangerous paths.

Duke Chong, "..."

Sooner or later, he’ll be played to death by this father-in-law and son-in-law pair.

They stayed for a few days at Princess Duanhui’s fief before she set off for the Capital.

They followed in disguise all the way, finally blending into the entourage returning to the Capital with Princess Duanhui just in time.

Under the pretense of officials presenting gifts, they infiltrated undetected, unnoticed.

All these years, the Emperor seldom heard Princess Jiuling speak a few words, let alone praise anyone.

This was the first time.

The Emperor listened and commented, "The strategy was decent, but the person is somewhat pedantic."

Princess Jiuling looked at the Emperor, "Why does Imperial Brother say so?"

In Princess Jiuling’s view, the art of war is sophisticated, far removed from the term pedantic.

If the Emperor harbors biases against a courtier, it could affect their prospects.

Having received a great favor, Princess Jiuling intends to return the courtesy and plans to inquire, offering Xie Jingchen a good word before the Emperor.

Eunuch Fu beside them almost suffered internal injuries from holding back his words.

No one understands better than he the meaning behind the Emperor’s words.

To recognize the princess, the Emperor specifically summoned the Heir of Prince Zhenbei into the palace for a severe scolding and reprimand, giving pointers.

However, it had no effect whatsoever.

Unsuccessful in his tasks, how could the Emperor show him any good face?

Within the pavilion, the Emperor and Princess Jiuling were leisurely chatting as siblings.

Not far away, Princess Fuqing was admiring the flowers with her maid.

Princess Jiuling was worried and looked over several times.

Seeing her daughter not running around, she felt somewhat relieved.

The Emperor noticed and said, "Why bring the daughter of Prince Jing back to Daqi?"

"Imperial Brother, Fuqing is my daughter," Princess Jiuling replied.

"Southern Liang covets Daqi greedily. I am well aware that returning to the Capital may not bode well, but leaving Fuqing in Southern Liang gives me no peace, even if I return."

"I plan to find a good match for Fuqing in Daqi before Prince Jin of Nangang comes to fetch me."

Sighing here, Princess Jiuling said, "I had originally taken a liking to the Heir of Prince Zhenbei, never expecting he was already married."

The Emperor frowned tightly.

Eunuch Fu’s mouth twitched frantically.

Has Princess Jiuling become muddled?

The Heir of Prince Zhenbei is destined to inherit Prince Zhenbei Mansion and hold military power.

Though Princess Fuqing has been raised by Princess Jiuling since childhood, she is not Princess Jiuling’s biological daughter.

If she marries the Heir of Prince Zhenbei, and if Princess Fuqing becomes confused, wouldn’t she cause disaster in Prince Zhenbei Mansion?

The wife of the Heir of Prince Zhenbei took great pains to overthrow the Old Madam of Prince Zhenbei Mansion and suppress Princess Nanzhang, restoring some tranquility to Prince Zhenbei Mansion.

These are things Eunuch Fu dares only to think in his heart, not say aloud.

The Emperor feels sorry for Princess Jiuling.

If not for his incompetence as an elder brother, unable to protect her, she wouldn’t have been sent to Southern Liang for marriage, resulting in not even a biological child under her care.

The daughter raised from a young age is treated as if she were her own, naturally considerate of her future.

While Princess Jiuling mentioned Xie Jingchen here, Princess Fuqing over there had been distracted by the peonies.

The maid, who had been serving her closely and was the only maid brought out from Prince Jin of Nangang’s residence, knew Princess Fuqing’s concerns and said, "Is the Commandery Princess distracted by the fact that the Heir of Prince Zhenbei married someone?"

Princess Fuqing did not respond.

The maid continued, "What does it matter if he married? Just two years ago, wasn’t Prince Mingyue’s Consort already married under similar circumstances? Yet, in the end, the Prince Consort separated from his wife for her sake?"

"I observed that the Emperor of Daqi treats the Princess Consort exceptionally well, and the Commandery Princess, being the Princess Consort’s cherished treasure, might as well have her way."

The gleam in Princess Fuqing’s eyes brightened momentarily from its initial dimness.

As she watched a figure in the distance go from hazy to clear, her eyes shone even more brightly.

She lifted her foot and walked forward.

The approaching person was none other than Xie Jingchen and Su Jin.

Princess Fuqing quickly walked over.

Her gaze fixed intensely on Xie Jingchen, to the point where Su Jin wondered if she had somehow mastered an invisibility technique.

Given her notorious reputation as fierce as a bandit, and being a daughter unrecognized by the Emperor, either of these identities would draw attention wherever she went, eyes following her every move.

Being so ignored was a first for her.

Honestly, it was a bit disconcerting.

"Brother Chen..."

Before arriving, her voice preceded her.

Su Jin discreetly rubbed the goosebumps on her arms.

Princess Fuqing stepped forward.

Xie Jingchen looked at Su Jin, "Are you tired, my wife?"

Su Jin, ".....???"

Before she could react, Xie Jingchen swooped her up in his arms.

There is always time to show off one’s affection.

And so, Xie Jingchen carried Su Jin and walked past Princess Fuqing.

Su Jin, "....."

Xie Jingchen carried Su Jin away.

Xingxing followed behind, hands on her hips, retorting as she passed Princess Fuqing, "Who’s your Brother Chen?!"

"Don’t randomly acknowledge brothers in the future!"

"My lady is your sister, and you should address our young master as brother-in-law."

Xingxing had wanted to say these words back in the grand hall.

Our young master was courageously claimed by our mistress; after detoxification and care, he has become handsome and elegant, and now you dare covet him?

This is courting disaster, you know?

No one had ever dared speak to Princess Fuqing this way, especially not a maid.

Princess Fuqing was incensed; her maid indignantly said, "Is a little maid like you allowed to speak here?!"

"Do you not know who my lady is?!"

Xingxing rolled her eyes, "Why should I care who your Commandery Princess is?"

"You only need to remember: this Imperial Palace is my lady’s turf."

"Dare to provoke my lady, and even if your family is in Southern Liang, you’ll be carried back!"

In terms of dominance, Xingxing had truly inherited the essence of Marquis Dongxiang.

Forget about a maid from Southern Liang; even Princess Fuqing couldn’t match her.

Having tossed out her words, Xingxing turned around and eagerly chased after Su Jin.