northernbook Chapter 324
Chapter 324
Nalan Jingwen quickly looked away, perfunctorily raised his wine glass, and toasted Xiao Jin.
"Your Highness, we are truly ashamed that we have not treated you well this time. If you would like, this old minister has a daughter of similar age named Xiao Li. How about she accompanies you on a tour of the capital tomorrow?"
Xiao Jin tentatively asked, and Nalan Jingwen smiled slightly at her overture, "Isn't this too much trouble?"
"How could it be troublesome? You are an honored guest of our country, and we should do our best to accommodate you."
Nalan Jingwen did not refuse, "Then I'll have to trouble you."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jin secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and the grip on her wine glass loosened slightly.
Nalan Jingwen didn't hear what she was saying, and chatted with her casually, looking languid and not paying any attention to her. It wasn't until A Nian was helped up by a palace servant, perhaps because she was too drunk, that she was helped to walk towards the back. Shen Xi, who was chatting with others on the other side, also moved. Shortly after A Nian left, she refused the officials who came forward to offer her a toast and also went in A Nian's direction.
Seeing Shen Xi's behavior, the officials all wisely left. In the court today, Shen Xi's position is of great importance, and no one dares to speak ill of her. Nalan Jingwen frowned slightly, and then heard Xiao Jin ask a question as if it were unintentional.
"Your Highness, will you wait until His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne before leaving this time?"
Nalan Jingwen finally looked up at her, her eyes filled with emotions that Xiao Jin couldn't understand.
"nature."
After saying that, she strode off in the direction A-Nian had left. Xiao Jin's gaze followed her back, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She waved to a palace servant beside her, who leaned in to listen, then nodded and left. She glanced once more in the direction Nalan Jingwen had gone before turning back and leaving with her hands behind her back.
With the most important figures gone, everyone at the banquet fell silent in unison, each with their own thoughts. Beneath the eerie calm lay a turbulent undercurrent.
Nalan Jingwen followed the path to the Imperial Garden, where a familiar figure sat in a pavilion. Two or three palace servants stood guard outside the pavilion. He propped his head up with one hand, closed his eyes, and his long, dark eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes. Even the bright moonlight overhead paled in comparison to him.
However, another figure gradually approached the pavilion. Nalan Jingwen paused and hid behind the blooming peonies. The lush foliage concealed her figure, but allowed her to see everything in the pavilion clearly.
The palace servants outside the pavilion ignored Shen Xi's approach and did not stop her. It wasn't until Shen Xi stood in front of A Nian that she waved her hand. Upon seeing this, the palace servants bowed and retreated. Soon, only the two of them remained in the pavilion. Shen Xi looked at the person in front of her and said, "Your subject Shen Xi greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Although she paid her respects, she did not bow; her tall figure almost completely enveloped Anian.
Ah Nian's long eyelashes trembled, and he slowly opened his eyes. He couldn't see, but he calmly asked, "Lord Shen, is there something you need to report?"
Shen Xi stared intently at his face, showing no respect whatsoever. A strange light flickered in her eyes, suppressing a surging darkness. When she heard Anian's question, she merely curled her lips and said, "When I asked Your Highness last time, had Your Highness considered it carefully?"
Ah Nian seemed to take a moment to process what she was talking about, "Now that I am blind, I am afraid I will not be able to watch the lantern festival with Lord Shen."
"I know Your Highness is currently unable to travel, so I have specially purchased a boat to invite Your Highness to travel with me, enjoy some tea, and listen to some music. This is also a way to celebrate the festival with the people."
She didn't budge an inch, seemingly insisting that he come with her. The pleasure boat sounded nice, but it was more like she was treating him like a male prostitute in a brothel, for people to admire at will.
From Nalan Jingwen's perspective, A'Nian's hands, hanging by his sides, were clenched into fists, as if he was suppressing something.
But now Shen Xi wields immense power, and no one can do anything to her. Even though she is an outsider and a woman, she can appear in the harem so casually, and no one dares to say a word against her.
Ah Nian's face grew paler and paler, his lips pressed tightly together, his nails almost digging into the flesh of his palms. "I have just returned to the country. The journey was bumpy and I haven't had a good rest yet. Besides, I'm busy with official duties. Let's talk about this later."
The smile on Shen Xi's face disappeared at some point. Her dark eyes stared intently at the person in front of her as she spoke slowly.
"It was my oversight; let's discuss this matter another day."
Before Ah Nian's tense body could relax, he heard the woman in front of him continue, "Now that the Baiji royal family is dwindling in number, does Your Highness have any plans?"
Ah Nian seemed a little confused about what she meant, tilting her pale face up with a look of doubt in her eyes.
"What does Lord Shen mean?"
"Now that you have returned to your country, shouldn't you begin preparations for selecting a concubine to enter the palace and bear children for the Baiji royal family? This is also for the sake of Baiji's kingdom and future!"
She no longer hesitated and spoke frankly. Ah Nian's face became even paler, almost like a transparent sheet of paper, and he swayed precariously.
Shen Xi seemed oblivious to his expression and continued, "Your Highness has just returned to the country and may not be very familiar with the situation. However, I have quite a few talented young men under my command. If Your Highness does not mind, I will have their portraits sent up tomorrow for you to choose from."
Ah Nian straightened his back. "Isn't it too early to say these things now?"
He hasn't even ascended the throne yet, and the woman in front of him is already eyeing the position beside him. Once he gives birth to a princess, he will be like a discarded pawn, easily dragged off the throne by anyone.
Shen Xi chuckled softly, the sound of which seemed particularly eerie in the quiet Imperial Garden.
“If Your Highness finds this troublesome, then I have a better option.”
"what?"
Ah Nian was stunned.
Shen Xi slowly approached him, "Your Highness, I am willing to share your burdens."
Ah Nian froze, how could he not understand her meaning? She coveted the position beside him. If she were to enter the harem, then he, the emperor, would be nothing but a figurehead, completely abandoned, like a puppet, only able to be manipulated by others.
Even if Shen Xi doesn't usurp the throne, it's no different from sitting in that position.
Shen Xihao leisurely admired his stiff expression, then reached out to touch his face.
Ah Nian seemed oblivious, letting the hand approach her. Just as it was about to touch her, a deep voice came from behind, interrupting her movements.
"Your Highness."
A flash of murderous intent crossed Shen Xi's eyes, but it vanished in an instant. She quickly put on a smile and turned to look at the person who had come.
Nalan Jingwen ignored her gaze and walked up to Anian. "Your Highness, what brings you here?"
Hearing Nalan Jingwen's voice, he finally came to his senses, moved his somewhat stiff body, and looked in Nalan Jingwen's direction.
Upon hearing this, Nalan Jing said again, "Didn't Your Highness send a palace servant to find me, saying that you had something to discuss?"