SGEIRS -Chapter 549 Setting Her Sights on Jingxi

Emperor Jingwen caught the change in the Third Prince’s expression. His gaze shifted to the Seventh Princess, and he asked with amused interest, “I wonder which family’s young lord it is, to earn such favor from the Seventh Princess?”

Ignoring her brother’s warning look, the Seventh Princess turned toward the banquet tables on the left. Her eyes settled on a civil official dressed in a crimson court robe, his features refined and jade-like. Pointing at him, she said, “It’s this gentleman.”

The moment she spoke, everyone followed the direction of her finger. When they saw who she meant, they all froze. Wasn’t this the Marquis of Changxing, the man famous for doting on his wife? For Anguo’s Seventh Princess to have taken a liking to him—this was bound to be entertaining.

Seeing this, Meng Jinyao was quite surprised. She knew her husband’s face was very popular with young ladies, but she hadn’t expected that at his age—if he had married early, he could already be a grandfather—there would still be young girls who fancied him.

Old Madam Gu instinctively turned her head to look at her daughter-in-law and said softly, “A-Yao, don’t worry. Yaoling will handle this.”

“I understand, Mother,” Meng Jinyao replied.

She was only a little surprised, but inwardly she was very calm. She knew her husband would have no interest in the Seventh Princess, and the Emperor certainly wouldn’t arrange a marriage between a married official and Anguo’s Seventh Princess.

Gu Jingxi paused for a moment, clearly not expecting the Seventh Princess to set her sights on him. He soon rose to his feet, cupped his hands toward the Emperor in salute, then turned and saluted the Seventh Princess as well. “I already have a wife. Thank you, Seventh Princess, for your esteem.”

The Seventh Princess stared at him in shock. “Y-you’re already married?”

An awkward silence instantly fell over the hall.

Emperor Jingwen hurriedly smiled to smooth things over. “Seventh Princess, Minister Gu is already thirty-two this year. At an age where one could be a grandfather, it’s perfectly normal for him to have a family.”

Hearing this, the Seventh Princess looked at Gu Jingxi’s immortal-like face—features as fine as jade, skin smooth and fair, not a wrinkle in sight. No matter how she looked at him, he didn’t seem that old at all. It felt like a thunderbolt had struck her. She widened her eyes in disbelief. “W-what? He’s already thirty-two?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “I am indeed thirty-two, already married, and I now have a son. My wife is also present in the hall.” As he spoke, his gaze fell on Meng Jinyao, his eyes gentle and brimming with affection.

Sensing his gaze, Meng Jinyao lifted her head slightly and met his eyes, a faint smile curving her lips.

The Seventh Princess muttered blankly, “At such an age… couldn’t he be my father?”

After saying that, she hurriedly shook her head, then followed the direction of Gu Jingxi’s gaze. When she saw the radiant and dignified young matron, a wave of embarrassment washed over her. She had just declared love at first sight with another woman’s husband—right in front of his wife. But judging by his face, how could anyone tell he was already thirty-two? That really couldn’t be blamed on her.

Emperor Jingwen said, “Given Minister Gu’s age, he indeed could be the Seventh Princess’s father.”

Afraid that his sister might speak without thinking again, the Third Prince quickly stepped in. “Your Majesty, my younger sister has been raised deep within the palace since childhood and has hardly seen any men. Yesterday, she saw this lord rescue a young child and thought him kind and virtuous—a good man—and mistakenly took that feeling for affection. She’s just a young girl; how could she truly understand what liking someone means? We’ve made Your Majesty and everyone here laugh.”

Emperor Jingwen replied, “It’s of no consequence. The Seventh Princess has only just arrived in Zhao and hasn’t seen many young men. She may take a look around. If she finds someone she likes, I’ll bestow a marriage for you then. My Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and Third Princess are all around your ages. Young people get along easily, and they’re familiar with the capital. Another day, I’ll have them take you around and play host. Who knows—if the Seventh Princess meets more people, she might just find her ideal husband.”

At these words, the thoughts of those present varied greatly. Though the Emperor mentioned the Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and Third Princess, anyone with a brain could tell that the Third Princess was only mentioned in passing. In reality, he was encouraging the Third and Fourth Princes to interact with the Seventh Princess—implying that either of them might marry Anguo’s Seventh Princess. Wouldn’t that mean the Third and Fourth Princes had no chance at the position of Crown Prince?

On second thought, it made sense. The Third Prince’s birth mother came from a humble background, and he himself was mediocre, with no strong supporters. Though the Fourth Prince was gifted, he was frail and often ill. Neither was suitable to become the future ruler of Zhao.

At present, the most suitable candidates for Crown Prince were the increasingly prominent Second Prince, and the Sixth Prince born to the Empress. The late Crown Prince Huizhao had also been the Empress’s son. Many officials who once supported the Crown Prince had already shifted their allegiance to the Sixth Prince, while others had turned to the Second Prince, and some still wavered. After all, although the Sixth Prince was the legitimate son, he was only seven years old—still very young and mischievous—and it was too early to tell whether he could contend with the Second Prince.

At this moment, the happiest person of all was none other than the Second Prince. Though he had never considered his Third and Fourth brothers as rivals, hearing his father speak this way still delighted him. It meant that in his father’s heart, the Third and Fourth Princes had never been considered. Given the current situation, as long as he worked a little harder, the position of Crown Prince would be his.

The Third Prince replied respectfully, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Having made a fool of herself, the Seventh Princess now had a way out and immediately took it. As soon as her brother finished speaking, her voice rang out, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Thus, this insignificant little interlude passed. The banquet continued. As music filled the hall, graceful dancers entered and began to dance, and everyone’s attention was diverted. What had just happened with the Seventh Princess was quickly forgotten.

After the banquet dispersed, the princes and ministers each left the palace with their families. No one was truly drunk—at most, they were a little tipsy. After all, in the palace one had to be careful with words and actions. If one said or did something inappropriate after drinking, the light punishment would be discipline; the heavy one, losing one’s head.

The Third Prince and Fourth Prince walked side by side. The Fourth Prince was weak, so the Third Prince slowed his pace to accommodate him. But they hadn’t gone far when the Fourth Prince broke into a coughing fit. The Third Prince hurriedly patted his back gently.

Concerned, the Third Prince asked, “Fourth Brother, are you all right?”

The Fourth Prince suppressed the cough, caught his breath, and replied, “I’m fine. It’s just that the wind was strong today, so I was affected. I’ve worried Third Brother.”

At that moment, a familiar voice sounded behind them. “Then Fourth Brother must take good care of your health. Father just said at the banquet that you, Third Brother, and Third Sister should play host properly and take Anguo’s Third Prince and Seventh Princess around the capital.”

The Fourth Prince turned around and said coolly, “There’s no need for Second Brother to concern himself.”

The Second Prince glanced at his sickly pale face, flushed red from the violent coughing, and at his frail frame that looked as though it might topple over at a gust of wind. Smiling, he said, “I’m only kindly reminding Fourth Brother. With your weak body, don’t collapse in front of the Third Prince and Seventh Princess and scare them. Otherwise, they might think it’s their fault—that they exhausted you and made you ill—and feel guilty. If it truly won’t do, you can always tell Father. The Third Prince and Seventh Princess may not know about your health, but Father certainly does. Don’t force yourself.”

The Fourth Prince’s expression stiffened slightly. “Thank you for the reminder, Second Brother. I know my limits and will act accordingly.”

The Second Prince said, “That’s good. Your Second Sister-in-law is waiting for me. We brothers can chat another day.”

“Safe travels, Second Brother,” the Third Prince said.

“Safe travels, Second Brother,” the Fourth Prince echoed.

The Second Prince nodded slightly and walked away. As he left, the corner of his eye flicked toward his two brothers, a contemptuous smile curling on his lips—one a timid good-for-nothing, the other a half-dead invalid.