Nian Family.
Main Hall.
Nian Jiaojiao glanced at her husbands, but they were all looking down in thought. Feeling uncertain of their minds, she became a little apprehensive.
At this moment, Yu Chuan spoke first.
"Wife, do you have any favored princes?"
Nian Jiaojiao sat up straight, feeling this was a question that could lead to her doom.
She subconsciously replied:
"Do you have any you favor?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Nian Jiaojiao almost bit off her tongue. She regretted it immediately.
What kind of question was that? They hadn't even met those princes.
However, Nian Jiaojiao's words made the husbands present unable to help but laugh.
Yu Chuan said helplessly:
"Wife, we haven't met any princes, and besides, it is you who will be marrying husbands."
I will be marrying husbands?
Nian Jiaojiao was stunned, "You don't object to me marrying husbands?"
Nan Qing spoke at this time:
"Are you perhaps planning to defy the imperial decree? We only hope that you will marry a princely husband, not a lord."
Xing Yun, standing beside them, quickly nodded in agreement, "Mmm, mmm, mmm. Princes are such powerful figures. If their temperaments are also bad, will they bully us in the future?"
Nian Jiaojiao understood their worries after hearing this.
"So, you were thinking for so long just because you're afraid I'll find a difficult prince?"
Yu Chuan and the other four looked at each other, then nodded.
Nian Jiaojiao put a hand to her forehead:
"Don't worry, personality will definitely be a top priority," she didn't want to marry someone and then have a messy situation.
...
Prince's Manor.
In the room.
The servants outside the door had been dismissed by their master, so there was no one in the entire courtyard.
Bai Qingqing knelt on one knee before the person sitting on the chaise lounge.
"Holy Son, why have you personally come to the Royal City this time?"
At this moment, Bai Qingqing did not know that the Black Lotus Sect had been annihilated. Otherwise, with his personality, as the Prince Consort he would not have been so polite to a lone commander.
Jun Ye admired and played with the teacup in his hand, speaking lazily:
"Hmm, you seem to be living quite well~"
Bai Qingqing couldn't gauge the meaning behind his words and could only follow along, saying:
"This is all thanks to the Holy Son's good arrangements. Without the Holy Son, how could this humble one have today."
Jun Ye curved his lips, "Speak, what useful information have you gathered?"
Bai Qingqing perked up his spirits and immediately replied respectfully:
"Now, the Duke of Duan and his strategists are acting frequently. The Empress likely won't be able to hold on much longer. Holy Son, when will we start our movement?"
Jun Ye glanced at him, "Don't ask what you shouldn't."
With these words, Bai Qingqing lowered his head and fell silent.
Although Jun Ye's expression was blank, he sighed in his heart.
The Black Lotus Sect was gone, so what movement could there be? It seemed he could only seize the time to restore the Black Lotus Sect to its former glory and wait for the next Empress's death before making a move...
Xu Ji'an, standing behind Jun Ye, also thought of the annihilated Black Lotus Sect with a hint of melancholy.
As the three fell into silence, the sound of a servant came from outside the door.
"Seventeenth Prince Consort."
Bai Qingqing glanced at Jun Ye and Xu Ji'an, then frowned towards the door, saying:
"What is it? Didn't I instruct you not to disturb me?"
The servant said:
"Strategist Zhong requests an audience. We told her that the Prince Consort needed to rest, but she insists on seeing the Prince Consort now."
Bai Qingqing looked towards Jun Ye and Xu Ji'an again.
Jun Ye tapped the tabletop lightly with his finger and slowly said:
"See her."
Bai Qingqing understood his intention and immediately said to the outside:
"Bring her over."
Bai Qingqing sat on a stone bench outside the room, while the servant brought the strategist over.
This strategist performed a perfunctory bow and then glanced at the servant behind her, saying:
"Seventeenth Prince Consort, I have something important to report. I hope you will dismiss those around you."
Bai Qingqing waved his hand at the servant, and soon, only he and the strategist were left in the courtyard.
"What is so important? If you find me with trivial matters, be careful, I'll report you to the Prince."
Strategist Zhong said unhurriedly:
"Nian Jiaojiao."
Bai Qingqing was startled. A hint of panic flashed in his eyes upon hearing the name, but he quickly regained his composure.
"What Nian Jiaojiao? I don't know what you're talking about."
The strategist said, "Oh? That's strange. From what I know, you and the newly appointed top scholar come from the same village. If you say you don't know someone from your own village, it's rather odd."