Chapter 103 Framing

Chapter 103 Framing

All the officials listened attentively.

The Emperor hesitated for a moment, then said, "Since you are willing, and your father is also willing to test you, you can first take up the post of Attendant-in-Ordinary and get familiar with it."

As soon as the words were spoken, all the officials lowered their heads and offered their congratulations in unison, "Congratulations to His Highness the Sixth Prince, may your future be bright and may you live up to His Majesty's expectations."

Xie Yu turned around and bowed to the officials in thanks.

After the morning court session ended, Xie Yu was surrounded by many court officials.

On the steps outside the main hall, Imperial Censor Zhang and Xie Yan walked down step by step.

"Your Highness Prince Jing, your expression is truly remarkable! I admire you to the fullest."

Xie Yan, dressed in a scarlet official robe, frowned as he looked at the sun outside.

Imperial Censor Zhang wiped the sweat from his brow: "Your Majesty, is this a plan to personally tutor the Sixth Prince?"

"Do you think the Emperor is building momentum for the Sixth Prince?"

Xie Yan said, "The Emperor's mind is unfathomable."

However, he knew that the Sixth Prince would soon have many supporters.

Xie Yu had an impeccable reputation, and Consort Wei was trusted by the Emperor. Furthermore, the relationship between father and son was closer than that between the other princes.

"The envoy is going to have a grand affair! I knew this would fall on you again." Imperial Censor Zhang's tone carried a hint of sympathy for him.

"That's really true!"

These thankless and arduous tasks always fell to Prince Jing.

If you mess it up, you'll be punished and scolded.

It's done perfectly, not a single bad word.

A well-executed task doesn't require a large reward.

Prince Jing is truly useful and inexpensive.

"It's alright!" Xie Yan replied indifferently; he had long been used to it over the years.

Once they reached the square, the officials dispersed to return to their respective offices to handle their affairs.

When Imperial Censor Zhang saw Xue Yubai waiting in the distance, he bowed and took his leave.

Xie Yan walked up to him, and Xue Yubai said, "I have received orders that the Emperor will hold a summer sacrifice."

This is the first time I've ever heard of a summer festival.

Xie Yan raised an eyebrow, a hint of doubt in his eyes, "What kind of category is it?"

"It's not clear yet," Xue Yubai said.

"Grand sacrifices have already been held on the first and fifth days of the Lunar New Year, why is it necessary to do this again?"

Xie Yan was puzzled.

Xue Yubai was also puzzled.

However, they all thought of the same thing.

The two exchanged a glance and hurried out of the palace.

Outside the palace, next to Xie Yan's carriage, was another one.

By this time, most of the officials had already left, and the area in front of the palace was not bustling.

The sun was too scorching, so Xie Yan got into the carriage.

Xue Yubai also got into the next car, the two carriages were extremely close together.

The curtains of the two carriages were opened, and Xue Qingning sat by the window.

She remained elegant, her fair face lightly made up, like a lotus emerging from clear water, exuding a refined and graceful air.

She nodded slightly to Xie Yan, her gaze falling on the side seat of Xie Yan's carriage, where several scrolls were placed.

When Xie Yan saw that it was her, he looked away.

Xue Yubai poked his head out and said in a very low voice, "Xie Yan, it's not a sacrificial prayer, is it?"

When Xue Yubai said this, Xue Qingning looked away from the carriage.

After a moment's reaction, his eyes brightened slightly, and from the change in his expression, he guessed what it was about.

"Can the date be set?" Xie Yan asked.

"Ten days later." Xue Yubai's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement.

Xue Qingning's gaze fell on Xie Yan's face, and she saw that his expression was indifferent, and she could not tell whether he was happy or sad.

He's becoming more and more profound!

I couldn't help but think of the anger that lingered on his face when he was with Shen Nanzi.

As I was pondering this, the sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached.

"Whoa!" Arima stopped on the other side.

The carriage curtain was opened, and Wuying's face appeared. "Your Highness, I have already made an appointment with the framing master you requested."

"Let's go!" Xie Yan said calmly.

As his voice fell, the carriage started moving, and the wheels instinctively rolled backward a little.

In the midst of this inertia, a scroll fell from the side seat, its rope snapping open in the carriage, and it quickly unfolded.

Upon seeing this, Xie Yan immediately bent down, picked it up, and closed it.

The carriage followed, gradually disappearing from Xue Qingning's sight.

Cracks appeared on Xue Qingning's usually calm and composed face.

What did she just look at?

It's a painting!

The painting depicts a woman!

Although the woman's entire body was not clearly visible, the intricate patterns and gorgeous colors were striking.

With her flamboyant makeup and arrogant demeanor, who else could it be but Shen Nanzi?

It was a portrait of a single person, usually kept privately.

Moreover, she recognized Xie Yan's painting style; he was adept at using minimalist brushstrokes to capture the essence of the objects he painted.

Why would Xie Yan paint Shen Nanzi?!

!!

This made Xue Qingning's face turn pale and her body feel cold.

I still remember that they were young and unmarried at that time.

However, with the older brother's tacit approval, the two of them already knew each other's feelings.

Out of politeness, they exercised extreme restraint.

Instead, we meet even less.

At that time, he would occasionally paint in his brother's study.

She longed to see him, but he was taciturn, and she was also quiet.

Having been silent for a while, he boldly asked if he could paint a picture for her.

He said: I only paint objects and men, not women.

She asked knowingly: Why?

He said: The women drawn by a man can only be his companions.

companion!

Xie Yan never drew a picture for her, but he drew one for Shen Nanzi!

Xue Qingning couldn't believe it; had Xie Yan already taken Shen Nanzi as his partner?

If Shen Nanzi is the partner, then what about her?

They've been plotting this for so many years, so what is she to them?

Xue Qingning's eyes instantly filled with resentment and panic.

Xue Yubai noticed her unusual behavior. "What's wrong?"

Xue Qingning didn't want to tell him the truth because she knew he would only ask her to be tolerant.

He then changed the subject: "Xie Yan doesn't seem very happy!"

Xue Yubai knew what she meant, "The matter is not yet settled, how can he be happy with his temperament?"

There was a moment of silence between the two, then a faint ruthlessness rose in Xue Qingning's eyes, "If it doesn't work out, we can speed it up."

Xue Yubai said, "That was a last resort. Given the current situation, we don't even need to lift a finger."

“Brother is right,” she said obediently, but she had other plans in mind.

＊

With Xie Yu back, Shen Nanzi and her brother naturally had to meet him.

In the study of the Grand Commandant's residence.

"Congratulations on your first victory, Sixth Prince." Shen Minghan sat in the same spot as before.

Xie Yu sat at the head of the table, he sat to the lower left, and Shen Nanzi sat to the lower right.

Shen Nanzi gave him a thumbs up, and Xie Yu chuckled.

They took out two gift boxes, one and pushed them in front of Shen Minghan and the other in front of Shen Nanzi.

"A gift?" Shen Nanzi asked excitedly, her hand already ready to open it.

Shen Minghan stopped her abruptly, giving her a somewhat disdainful look, "You really don't know any of the rules of a princess. Can't you be a little more reserved?"

“We’re all acquaintances, why bother with those ridiculous rules?” Shen Nanzi brushed Shen Minghan’s hand away and opened the gift box.

"Wow!" came out of my mouth.

Shen Minghan took a look and saw that it was a jade bead bracelet. The pink beads were round and cute, and they were wrapped in gold floral decorations, making it extremely beautiful.

He then swallowed nervously, and after the initial shock, a hidden suspicion began to emerge in his eyes.

Could it be that the Sixth Prince's actions... are...?

Xie Yu spoke up in time, "I also brought one for Grand Commandant Shen's wife. The style is similar, as a small gift for Cangjue's return."

Shen Minghan's heart, which had been in his throat, immediately calmed down. He thought to himself: Thank goodness! Thank goodness!

He's being too perceptive!

How could that be related to such an incestuous relationship?

Shen Minghan immediately became serious, "Thank you, Sixth Prince. My wife will definitely like it."

Shen Minghan began to discuss matters of state with the Sixth Prince, while Shen Nanzi listened attentively.

"The Fourth Prince Xie Zhuo and the Fifth Prince Xie Heng are both unsuitable candidates for the position of Crown Prince. One is somewhat impulsive, and the other is not decisive."

"To be honest, Prince Jing's abilities and temperament make him more suitable for that position than anyone else."

Xie Yu and Shen Nanzi remained silent.

Shen Minghan added, "However, things in this world are unpredictable and will not go in a predetermined direction. Therefore, we need to make preparations in many ways."

"I have already made arrangements for the alliance in secret. They may contact you. You can simply agree to everything."

"We only care about the current predicament. Once it's over, we'll try to shirk our responsibilities. It's all for our own benefit. All crows under the sky are black."

Shen Nanzi looked at her brother and thought, "As expected of my brother, he's so despicable in order to achieve his goal."

"Then there are a few underage princes. They are currently too young to cause trouble. If they don't cause any trouble, we'll leave them alone for now."

"If there are any who are willing to stand with us through thick and thin, we will accept them."

"You should release as much information as possible about the Emperor's intention to make you the heir apparent, to confuse the public and recruit some opportunists."

"Something is better than nothing. Our current strategy is to have everything and put on a show of bravado."

Once Shen Minghan started talking, he wanted to tell Xie Yu all his analyses.

After all, time waits for no one, and Shen Minghan had already taken the worst possible measures regarding the Emperor's health.

Xie Yu listened quietly, occasionally offering his own insights.

Shen Nanzi was thinking of finding a breakthrough point in Xie Yan, preferably one that could hit the mark in one fell swoop.

Psychological warfare is superior to physical warfare.