Chapter 54: The scene was quite awkward.

Chapter 54: The scene was quite awkward.

The eighteenth prince had only one child's bow on his tray.

Xie Hongrui received one more prize than him: a children's bow and a small dagger.

Xie Hongrui's expression immediately changed when he didn't see any bows and crossbows. He shouted to the Emperor, "Grandfather, why don't I have any bows and crossbows?"

The emperor was unaware that there were no bows or crossbows among the gifts; these gifts were all prepared according to the established customs of previous years.

He then encouraged him, saying, "You came in second place, so your reward will definitely be less than the first place. If you want a crossbow, you'll have to show off your skills in next year's competition."

Xie Hongrui couldn't hear any of this. He turned around and said domineeringly, "Xie Chengze, I'll exchange my two items for a crossbow."

As he spoke, he ignored Xie Chengze's reply and tried to snatch the crossbow from the tray.

Xie Chengze seemed to have anticipated this, turning around and clutching his prize to avoid being snatched.

Xie Hongrui, having failed to obtain the crossbow he so desperately desired, loudly accused him, "Xie Chengze, I've already lost out by exchanging two of my prizes for just one of yours. What more do you want?"

Xie Chengze said with a cold face, "I like bows and crossbows too, why should I exchange them with you? Besides, an exchange is only an exchange if both of us agree. If you do it alone, then it's coercion. Didn't your mother teach you that?"

Xie Hongrui really wanted that crossbow, so he snatched it from his tray, shouting, "Give it to me!"

Just as Xie Chengze was about to take the item away, he kicked Xie Hongrui in the leg.

Xie Hongrui fell to the ground in pain and burst into tears, pointing at Xie Chengze and complaining, "Grandfather, Xie Chengze hit me!"

The fight between the two children happened in an instant; before anyone could react, Xie Hongrui was knocked to the ground.

"He stole my prize." Xie Chengze's face was tense, and he looked very aggrieved.

"Grandfather, I want the crossbow, I want Xie Chengze's!" Xie Hongrui started throwing a tantrum when he couldn't get it, rolling around on the ground and yelling.

Only then did everyone realize that they had all misunderstood Prince Chengze.

"Indeed, what Prince Chengze said was not wrong at all; Prince Hongrui really wanted to steal his crossbow!"

"I also thought His Highness Chengze was going too far, but now it seems that His Highness Chengze is incredibly wise and saw through it all long ago."

"Oh! It's just kids playing around, it's nothing serious."

That's not true!

"It's just a crossbow, so let's add another one!"

"What's the point of adding another round? What's the point of the competition then? Everyone should just throw tantrums and act like that. That's not acceptable."

The sounds from below continued to come, and Xue Qingning's face remained calm, as if she had been slapped several times in the face.

The emperor was also somewhat troubled by this scene.

Xue Qingning had no choice but to stand up and say to the Emperor, "Father, please calm down. I will take Hongrui away first and teach him properly when we get back."

Xue Qingning's maid came up and pulled Xie Hongrui away.

Just when everyone thought the matter was over, Xie Hongrui suddenly broke free from the maid and rushed towards the west steps.

He rushed into Xie Yan's arms and burst into tears, "Uncle Jing, if he hadn't taken my first place, the crossbow would have been Hong'er's."

"Uncle Jing, please help Hong'er get it! Isn't Hong'er your favorite?"

At this moment, the main hall was completely silent.

All the previous rumors seemed to be confirmed at this moment.

Everyone remained silent, simply watching the scene unfold.

Everyone is speculating about what Xie Yan will do.

Xie Chengze also sensed something was wrong, turned around, and saw a scene that saddened him.

Xie Hongrui was in his father's arms, a place he had never had and never dared to dream of.

Xie Hongrui, however, was able to obtain it easily.

Xie Chengze's face was covered with a thin layer of frost, and his little hands gripped the tray tightly.

The sadness in her eyes was replaced by indifference.

Shen Nanzi was also shocked by this scene. He knew Xie Yan's personality and knew that he would bully Xie Chengze and protect Xie Hongrui.

You can bully her, but you absolutely cannot bully her children.

She stood up, preparing to bring Xie Chengze back.

Shen Minghan also stood up, gesturing for her to go back, and then walked to the center of the main hall.

"Your Majesty, my nephew has won first place today, and I am very pleased."

"I promised him that if I got into the top three, I would stay at the Grand Commandant's residence for a few days."

"My sons at home are all eagerly awaiting my return! I would like to take my nephew and leave first!"

"Your Majesty, I once again respectfully wish you good health!"

Anyone with eyes could see that Grand Commandant Shen was protecting his bullied nephew.

How could the Emperor possibly stop them now? Wouldn't they be ashamed of themselves at this moment? He could only wave them off.

With the Emperor's permission, Shen Minghan bent down and said to Xie Chengze, "Cheng'er, hold onto the spoils. With your uncle here, no one can take them away."

Xie Chengze nodded and gripped the tray tightly.

Shen Minghan picked him up and said, "Let's go! Let's go back to the Grand Commandant's mansion with your uncle."

Xie Chengze's tense face finally broke into a smile. As he passed Xie Yan, he turned his head and leaned on Shen Minghan's shoulder.

He didn't even glance over there.

Shen Nanzi glared at Xie Yan with hatred, holding Xue Qingning's son in front of so many people, wondering how he could salvage Xue Qingning's reputation.

As Xie Chengze left, Xie Hongrui cried even harder, and no one knew what Xie Yan had whispered in his ear!

Xie Hongrui actually stopped crying and even laughed as he rushed into Xie Yan's arms.

In the end, he was successfully taken away by Xue Qingning's maid.

Shen Nanzi could guess that Xie Hongrui had probably promised to give Cheng'er his crossbow.

Thinking of this possibility, Shen Nanzi snorted coldly. Xie Yan, who wanted to take Cheng'er's crossbow, could only dream about it!

In addition to the birthday celebration song and dance performances, delicacies were also served one after another.

In an instant, the previous farce was overshadowed by the soft music and the enticing aroma of delicious food.

Looking at the Chongde Hall, Shen Nanzi felt a mixture of sorrow and joy.

As long as someone whitewashes the truth, life will continue as peaceful and prosperous.

Her life had to be presented as peaceful, even though it was already rotten and reeking.

After the birthday banquet ended, it was already pitch black outside Chongde Hall.

Xie Yan watched Shen Nanzi leave. Since Xie Chengze left, she hadn't looked at him even once.

Even though he stared at her several times, she never looked up.

They just kept drinking, one glass after another.

Between them, at some point, she stopped taking the initiative to contact him!

He was angry with her for looking at him like that, but she didn't take the initiative to come to him.

He just didn't know what to say to her?

What could he possibly say between them?

Letting her live is the greatest mercy we can show her.

As everyone left, he also left the palace, and the night wind sobered him up considerably.

Riding his horse, he soon saw the carriage where Shen Nanzi was sitting. Lie Feng was sitting by the door with one leg bent.

She was leaning to one side, seemingly talking to Shen Nanzi inside the carriage!

On the quiet cobblestone road, only the sound of horse-drawn cart wheels could be heard.

He followed at a leisurely pace, step by step, until they reached the Prince Jing's residence.

The carriage stopped, and he saw a biting wind rushing into the carriage. His fingers tightened unconsciously around the reins.

How could a strong wind get into her car?

While he was still in a daze, he heard her drunken voice: "Liefeng, you're still the best. Besides my older brother, you're the one who treats me the best!"

"Miss, you're drunk."

"I'm not drunk, I can still drink a little more. If I drink too much, I can endure this hellish life a little longer!"

"Miss, you're very drunk. How about Liefeng carries you home?"

"good!"

Hearing her soft, sweet voice, Xie Yan frowned, used his riding crop to open the carriage window, and stared coldly into the carriage!