Chapter 90: The Xie family will come to apologize...

Chapter 90: The Xie family will come to apologize...

Regarding the Xie family's visit to apologize, Qin Ji was only half right. The Xie family did indeed send an invitation to see him, but the people coming were not Xie Tong, but Madam Xie and Xie Miaoguo.

"It seems I overestimated myself. Xie Tong has no intention of forming an alliance with our Prince Cheng's Mansion, at least not at present."

Xie Tong was a cunning old fox who wouldn't listen to reason. Qin Ji originally thought that since Xie Tong was able to let the rumors spread all over the capital, it was a sign that he was trying to get closer to Qin Ji.

Although Qin Ji himself had no intention of marrying a daughter of the Xie family as his princess, he would be happy to get closer to the Xie family and even cooperate with them in the future.

Xie Tong's meaning was probably the exact opposite of Qin Ji's.

He didn't mind his daughter having some romantic rumors with Prince Cheng, but Xie Tong himself wanted to keep his distance from the prince.

Considering the long-standing love-hate relationship between the Second Prince and Miss Xie in the capital, and the Second Prince's well-known unrequited love for Miss Xie, it's likely that Xie Tong originally hoped his youngest daughter, Prince Cheng, could replicate this relationship.

Unfortunately, Qin Ji had absolutely no interest in being a subject of the Xie family's daughter. So when he saw the invitation that had arrived today, he casually tossed it on the table and replied to Xiao Yan, "Since it was the Xie family mother and daughter who sent the invitation, you should meet with them later to let them complete the formal apology process."

“Okay.” Xiao Yan nodded and stopped talking about the Xie family mother and daughter. Instead, she brought up another matter: “Now that we’re back in the capital, shouldn’t we hold a banquet? Do you have any ideas about the venue and the guests?”

Xiao Yan pushed open the window and looked at the few wilted flowers and trees in the yard. These were obviously newly planted, and they looked listless, their roots not having grown properly yet.

Yesterday was too rushed, and she didn't even have time to walk around the entire Prince Cheng's Mansion in the capital. But judging from the state of the main courtyard, the other courtyards that were not yet renovated must not be in good condition either.

If the banquet were held in this still-unfinished residence, it would seem somewhat embarrassing for Prince Cheng to make his debut among the powerful and influential circles of the capital. But if the banquet were held in another residence, wouldn't it be seen as disrespectful to the Emperor, given that this was Prince Cheng's residence personally bestowed by the Emperor?

"Just hold a family banquet here, inviting only close relatives. Have you finished reading that clan register?"

Seeing Xiao Yan nod, Qin Ji continued, "Then we'll just invite Father and Mother, their brothers and sisters in the capital, and Princess Qingya."

Invitations will be sent to the Emperor, Empress, and the younger brothers of the Eighth Prince who are still in the palace, as well as the unmarried sisters of the Fifth Princess. However, they will probably not attend. Whether Princess Qingya will come depends on her mood at the time.

After hearing Qin Ji's words, Xiao Yanhui did a quick mental calculation and realized that this was indeed a small banquet.

Princess Qingya is the current emperor's younger sister. She married the Duke of Wu in her early years and has been living as a widow in her palace ever since his death. Given her status and the fact that she is the emperor's sister, whether or not to give her face depends entirely on her mood.

Among the princesses, three have already married and are married in the capital. The second princess, Shuhe, is the only princess under the Empress's care. Since the death of the eldest prince, she has also been the Empress's only child. She has always remembered the Emperor and Empress's favor since she was a child. Her husband, Wen Ziming, comes from a family of scholars and was the top scholar in the previous year. He is now a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy.

The Third Princess Changning was born to Consort Xian and was also the elder sister of the Fifth Prince Li Sheng. She married into the Xue family, Consort Xian's maternal family. The Fifth Princess Changle married Guo Ji, the youngest son of Guo Dingbei who remained in the capital.

After some consideration, it was determined that only three princesses were eligible to attend the banquet.

As for the princes, only the Second Prince Li Fang and the Fifth Prince Li Sheng had reached adulthood and remained in the capital. The Seventh Prince Li Ye and the Eighth Prince Li Xuan were the same age. The Seventh Prince was seventeen at the time, while the Eighth Prince had just turned sixteen.

They have not yet been granted titles, but many ministers in the court have already submitted memorials urging His Majesty to grant these two princes marriages and titles of nobility as soon as possible.

Aside from Princess Qingya, whose attendance was uncertain, the banquet was essentially just a small gathering of three princesses and their husbands, and four princes and their families.

Whether they are close in private or not, they are nominally blood relatives. It is indeed appropriate to invite them to the first banquet of the Prince Cheng’s Mansion. Moreover, they are all close relatives. Even if the mansion is old and undignified, would they laugh at their brother?

As long as this first banquet is held at Prince Cheng's residence, it doesn't matter what happens afterward.

"For other social interactions, I'll book Xiankelai Restaurant to entertain guests and let Shen Zhibai handle it."

Since Qin Ji had said so, Xiao Yan Hui didn't interfere further; her mind was already mostly on the upcoming family banquet.

Firstly, this was a banquet she needed to personally organize. Secondly, she was quite curious about many of the people who were coming to the banquet. The most important person was naturally the second prince, the male protagonist of the novel, followed by the second prince's family. She wondered if he would bring his family, and if so, which ones would they be?

It's impossible for the female lead, Su Jinyue, to be involved. Where is she right now? Has she even reunited with the Second Prince? Besides, although the Second Prince has developed special feelings for the female lead, they haven't reached the point of being deeply in love, and the female lead's status isn't high enough.

The other concubine in the Second Prince's residence, Concubine Su, was not as favored as Concubine Guo, who came from the Guo family of Marquis Dingbei. Therefore, it is highly likely that the person who accompanied the Second Prince to the banquet was Concubine Guo.

"Consort Guo, the Guo family!" Xiao Yan suddenly remembered something she had overlooked for quite some time.

Xiao Yan Hui suddenly stood up and said to Qin Ji, "Qin Ji, did the Shen siblings we rescued on the road come back to the Prince's Mansion with us?"

Since their first meeting, the two siblings had acted with extreme disrespect and never appeared in front of Xiao Yan Hui again. If she hadn't thought of the Guo family, she would have completely forgotten about the two siblings.

If they followed them into the Prince Cheng's residence, and if the Second Prince really brought Consort Guo to the banquet, they had a blood feud with the Guo family. If they actually did anything, the Prince Cheng's residence would be in big trouble.

Even without mentioning the Guo family, just talking about the Second Prince, everyone knows that the Second Prince has a close relationship with the Guo family. If the two siblings want to take revenge, targeting the Second Prince might be a better way to find their enemy than targeting the Guo family.

Thinking of the brother and sister, Xiao Yan Hui was truly nervous. They were mortal enemies; it wouldn't be surprising if they did anything.

"Don't worry, I've already asked Wei Sa to find them another place to stay. They should have changed their identities by now and are staying at the home of Shen Yushi's old friend." Qin Ji gently patted Xiao Yan Hui's back a few times.

"These two siblings, even before we needed them, they were more composed than you think." They were originally just two random pieces placed casually, but judging from their performance along the way, these two might play a big role in the future.

"Yes, yes, I was just being dramatic, okay?" Hearing Qin Ji say that everything was arranged, Xiao Yan returned to her seat with peace of mind.

“I’m just worried that something might happen to the Second Prince in our residence. If that happens…” Xiao Yan turned to Qin Ji and spread her hands: “You’ll be taking the blame for nothing.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Ji jokingly replied, "I think if any of us brothers were to die unexpectedly, it wouldn't be considered taking the blame if we randomly assigned any adult who is still alive to the position."

"I've witnessed the Second Prince's brotherly affection for you along the way, and the others... are they the same?" Xiao Yan touched her hands, which were already covered in goosebumps. Once again, Qin Ji's nonchalant manner revealed just how ruthless the power struggles among these princes were.

"You think only the second son made a move along the way? Li Sheng definitely got involved too, and I'm not sure about Li Ye, but he might have also been involved." Qin Ji said sarcastically, "This is the kind of life-and-death family bond that the royal family has. You might experience more of it later."

"Don't laugh like that, it's creepy." Turning her head, she suddenly met Qin Ji's gloomy eyes and the cold, mocking curve of his lips. Xiao Yanhui stretched out two fingers to support the corners of his mouth.

After curving his lips into a hearty smile, Xiao Yan met Qin Ji's gaze again. This time, seeing the genuine smile in his eyes, she nodded in satisfaction.

"Good, keep your expression."

Qin Ji casually pulled the person who was wreaking havoc on her face into her arms, then suddenly pulled her head back a little and opened her mouth to bite her hand. Like a cat that was purring when petted one second and suddenly wanted to bite the next.

Xiao Yan reacted quickly, pulling her finger away from the corner of his mouth, and then protested indignantly, "Hey, how childish are you? I'm comforting you, and you're planning to bite me."

"Are you sure this is comforting?" Qin Ji stopped biting her hand and leaned down to gently bite Xiao Yan Hui's lips. Then he gave her a peck kiss as if to soothe her. After that, he went a step further and, despite her attempts to avoid him, kissed her pink cheeks and delicate nose like a chick pecking at rice.

"Ugh... Don't come any closer, you bastard... Are you going to kiss me or... or spit all over my face! You filthy thing, get out of my way."

Xiao Yan was both protesting and trying to avoid the situation, and was panting heavily, feeling both ashamed and angry.

......

"Yan Hui, I've arranged a matron and two eunuchs. When you have time, would you like to meet them? If you're satisfied, you can keep them by your side; if not, we'll choose again. Also, would you like to add a few more maids to your side?"

After a long period of playful banter, the two finally got back to serious matters.