Xie Jin had been leaning against the courtyard gate, chatting aimlessly with Yun Shu.
From time to time, he winked at the maids in the courtyard, causing their little faces to turn red.
This also made Jing Heng’s face grow colder.
It was because Xie Jin had just winked at A'cha.
However, sensing Jing Heng's death stare, Xie Jin, ever the shrewd one, turned his teasing towards Yu Le and others.
Just then, he heard a servant's words and said to the servant, "General Li is very hospitable. Since our Princess Consort's status is noble, she will not be going to the palace with General Li. I, this young lord, will escort the Princess Consort to the palace later."
For a servant to arrogantly deliver an invitation to the palace, who did Li De think he was looking down on?
The servant did not dare to say anything and quickly relayed Xie Jin's words back.
Yun Shu heard Xie Jin's words and smiled, "Thank you, Young Lord Xie."
"Night King instructed me to protect the Princess Consort well, and I would never dare to disobey Night King's orders! Anyone who dares to slight the Princess Consort is my enemy, and I will find a way to make life difficult for anyone who opposes me." Xie Jin said these words with a smile, yet they sent shivers down one's spine.
Especially the maids who had been feeling flustered moments ago, their hearts trembled. xxs壹贰
Qiu Lu rolled his eyes. He knew Xie Jin well; his mouth could make the dead speak, and he was incredibly stingy. Now, with his pretense of concern for the Princess Consort, claiming it was upon the King's orders, it was all to ensure a more generous reward from the King in the future!
For money, Xie Jin would discard any pretense of dignity.
However, these words would be beneficial for the people of the General's manor to hear.
In reality, there was no need for extensive preparations to enter the palace, only a few personal belongings.
Since it was the first time Yun Shu would be meeting the Emperor of Xixia and others as the Night King's Princess Consort, she dressed herself up elaborately.
Yun Shu, who rarely adorned herself, astonished everyone the moment she stepped out of her room.
"My heavens!"
"The Night King's Princess Consort is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!"
"Indeed!"
Xie Jin, who had been casually adjusting his ornate robes, looked up and saw Yun Shu.
His eyes widened instantly.
He almost blurted out: You look so stunning, you could make the Night King's soul leave his body!
No wonder Zhan Tianye, even with amnesia, couldn't find any woman appealing. Having seen the best, how could he possibly be impressed by others!
Such beauty made his heart flutter.
Qiu Lu shoved Xie Jin hard. "Young Lord Xie, don't blame me for not warning you, but when it comes to the Princess Consort, the King is capable of killing someone over a vinegar jar."
Any more glances and he would have to intervene on behalf of the King!
Xie Jin swallowed his saliva and calmly looked at Qiu Lu. "I have the heart to, but not the guts. Rest assured."
Qiu Lu twitched his lips. Even if he had the guts, it wouldn't be allowed!
...
Li De, Madam Li, and the others were all ready.
They were even sitting together, drinking tea.
They would be departing after finishing their tea.
Upon hearing the servant relay Xie Jin's words, several of their faces turned displeased.
Especially Madam Li and her three daughters-in-law.
General Li's three sons had gone to the military camp outside the city two days ago and had not yet returned to the capital, so Madam Li and the others looked towards General Li.
General Li's thoughts were well-hidden.
His face showed no trace of anger.
Nor did it reveal any other emotion.
He remained serene.
"Since the Night King's Princess Consort is being escorted by Young Lord Xie, she naturally does not need to accompany us to the palace," General Li said.
Then he looked at Madam Li, "You all go prepare yourselves, we will depart for the palace shortly."
Madam Li, unable to hide the displeasure on her face, responded with a stiff, "Yes, husband."
She then instructed her three daughters-in-law to also prepare, as they would be taking their three grandsons to the grand palace banquet today.
After everyone had left, Li De's face instantly turned grim.
He muttered under his breath, "Utterly arrogant!"
A mere young lord, impoverished and burdened with debt, dared to be so insolent?
Or was this instigated by Yun Shu?
Thinking of Yun Shu, Li De's mind conjured the words "impenetrable" and "troublesome."
An ominous feeling crept into his heart.
Something unexpected might happen at today's banquet, and Yun Shu and those three children were uncontrollable.
He raised a hand and pressed his forehead.
Meanwhile, after Madam Li and the three daughters-in-law had left, the latter could no longer contain themselves.
"That Night King's Princess Consort puts on quite a show!"
"This is disregarding our General's manor, disregarding Father."
"When has anyone ever been so audacious towards someone from our General's manor? In all these years, it's only her!"
Madam Li's expression was grim. "Enough, stop talking. After all, she is from the Eastern Ning Kingdom, and a guest in the General's manor. No matter how displeased we are, we must endure. She won't be staying in the General's manor for long, and she will eventually leave Xixia country in disgrace."
The three daughters-in-law knew complaining was useless.
With discontent in their hearts, they each went to instruct their sons.
After all, entering the palace meant meeting the Emperor and many influential figures. They could not afford to lose face at the banquet; any disgrace would reflect on their grandfather and the General's manor, a matter of lifelong consequence.
Eventually, Li De and his party entered the palace first.
They missed Yun Shu's departure.
Half an hour later, Yun Shu and her entourage also set off for the palace.
This was Yun Shu's second time entering the imperial palace of Xixia.
It was not unfamiliar.
Coincidentally, she encountered Princess Ning De at the palace gates.
Yun Shu withdrew her gaze from the palace gates and met Princess Ning De's eyes.
Princess Ning De had actually arrived a step earlier and had been waiting for some time.
The two carriages were close.
Yun Shu gave a slight nod.
Princess Ning De nodded and spoke first, "Is the Night King's Princess Consort accustomed to living in the General's manor?"
"Everything in the General's manor is quite good," Yun Shu replied with a faint smile.
Princess Ning De's gaze flickered. Recalling what Qin Linglong had told her, and looking at Yun Shu, who was clearly even more stunningly beautiful today, a hint of coldness, imperceptible even to herself, tinged her smile. "So, the Night King's Princess Consort has already taken the lead."
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow. Took the lead? What did that mean?
Princess Ning De realized she had spoken out of turn. She lowered her head, her eyes veiled, and her tone turned cold. "It's good that the Night King's Princess Consort is accustomed to living in the General's manor."
It had to be said that Yun Shu was a master strategist, knowing where she could rest most securely.
By staying in Li De's residence, who would dare to act rashly?
Yun Shu smiled faintly and asked with a touch of distant courtesy, "Is Young Master Zhen's health been well recently?"
Although she had had some unpleasantness with Prince Pingyang's manor before, Zhen Lin had hired her with a hefty sum, and he was her patient. Since she had encountered someone, it was only polite to inquire.
Princess Ning De raised her eyes and looked at Yun Shu. "Has the Night King's Princess Consort heard anything?"