Volume 1 Chapter 016 Brother's Privilege

  It was in the afternoon, on a summer day in Beijing, extremely hot, with the scorching sun shining brightly. The city gate was packed with people who came to welcome, among whom were Prince Xia Jinwu of the Xia Kingdom and Prime Minister Han Xiran.

  This time, Crown Prince Xia Jinhans personally went to war and won a complete victory. The Emperor of the Xia Kingdom was overjoyed and ordered Xia Jinhans to take care of the border city affairs. After leaving behind the soldiers who were stationed there, he immediately returned to the capital, showing how much the emperor doted on this crown prince.

  Judging from the grand occasion before our eyes, even the third prince and the head of the officials, Left Chancellor Han Xiran, came out to welcome him in person. It can be seen that this time, the crown prince's first expedition achieved such great merit, it must have made that high-and-mighty emperor feel very pleased.

  Shangguan Linger looked at the grand procession outside the carriage, but felt a little uneasy in her heart.

  It's hard to say whether Xia Jinhan's meritorious service is a good thing or a bad thing for him. Since ancient times, emperors have always been suspicious and ruthless, and Xia Jinhan is only 16 years old, not only talented but also with outstanding military strategy, now he has even demonstrated his astonishing abilities on the battlefield, as the crown prince, if he continues to stand out like this, will he...

  Shangguan Qing'er looked at Xia Jinhan with some concern, then shifted her gaze to the Third Prince, Xia Jinwu.

  That Xia Jin Yu also had a very handsome and beautiful face, with a pair of gloomy eyes. Although his face was smiling, it gave people a very ominous feeling. The coldness on him was different from the coldness on Xia Jin Han's body. Xia Jin Han's coolness and indifference gave people a sense of rejection, making them feel chilled to the bone, but he was just cold. But the Third Prince had an aura of evil all over his body, making people feel very uncomfortable when looking at him.

  Looking at Xia Jinhan again, he sat upright on the horseback, his expression icy cold, his straight waist and handsome side face made Shangguan Qing'er look a little infatuated.

  Alas, this prince is still more pleasing to the eye, no matter how you look at him.

  At this time, the Left Prime Minister Han Xiyan, who was wearing a dark red official uniform, looked at Xia Jincheng with a deep and mysterious gaze, smiled and said: "The Prime Minister congratulates the Crown Prince on his great victory. The Crown Prince defeated Zhao Guo, and His Majesty is overjoyed. He specially ordered the Prime Minister and the Third Imperial Son to come together to welcome you and host a banquet for you."

  Xia Jin looked at the Third Prince with a cold and distant gaze, then turned to look at Han Xiuran, saying in a chilly tone, "Third Brother and Prime Minister Zuo have made their move."

  Han Xiyan's face, as smooth as jade, revealed a faint smile, and she said politely yet distantly, "This is the proper thing to do. Your Highness has returned after a long journey, and must be tired from traveling by boat and carriage. Please return to the palace first, and rest well. The Emperor has already set up a banquet for tonight."

  For some reason, Shangguan Qing'er always felt that Han Xiyan's words were laced with hidden meaning. She followed the sound of his voice and looked in his direction, and when she saw that soft, gentle, and refined face, which was as beautiful as a woman's, her mouth watered and almost drooled.

  She had always heard that ancient times were full of beautiful men, and indeed, Xia Zhan Han was handsome enough to make people jealous. However, they all seemed a bit too cold, giving off an unapproachable vibe. But Han Xi Ran was different; at just over twenty years old, he had a subtle smile playing on his lips, his narrow eyes sparkling with amusement, and his thin lips pressed together in a way that made him seem very approachable.

  It seemed that he had sensed his gaze, Han Xiyan furrowed his brow and looked in the direction of Shangguan Qing'er. When he saw the small face poking out of the carriage, Han Xiyan was taken aback for a moment before curling up the corners of his mouth to reveal a warm smile.

  Shangguan Qing'er's face turned red, and if it weren't for the pear blossom pulling her into the carriage behind her, she estimated that in the next moment, Han Xiran would see her drooling.

  Xia Jin Han simply nodded slightly at Han Xi Ran and the Third Prince, then waved his hand and slowly walked through the empty streets.

  On both sides of the road were crowded with people, they all put down their work at hand, wanting to catch a glimpse of the young and promising Prince.

  Especially those young ladies, each and every one of them standing in the crowd with their maids by their side, craning their necks, gazing adoringly at the man on horseback in white attire, cold yet stunningly handsome, like a celestial being. Some women even started discussing among themselves which one was more handsome, the Crown Prince or the Left Minister and the Third Imperial Son.

  Shangguan Qing'er, even in the carriage, heard the whispers of those people. She disdainfully curled her lips and said, "Of course, our family's Jin brother is the most handsome. Hmph!"

  Lihua couldn't help but steal a glance at her and smile, "You're not ashamed either, don't you know who was just drooling over Minister Zuo?"

  Shangguan Qing'er let out a light cough, looking at Lihua without any embarrassment, her voice soft and sweet yet pretending to be serious, "Lihua jiejie, that's different, in Qing'er's heart, gege will always be the first."

  The pear flower couldn't help but look at the little ghost's big horse, and she couldn't help but pinch her chubby little face, saying, "No wonder the lord likes you so much, it turns out you're so good at flattering."

  Shangguan Qing'er, dissatisfied, glared at Lihua, struggled free from her grasp and muttered, "Sister Lihua, you're not allowed to pinch my face, that's a privilege reserved for brother..."

  During this period of time, Shangguan Qing'er and Lihua's relationship has undergone many changes. Perhaps it was because Shangguan Qing'er's sensible yet slightly spoiled appearance was too cute, Lihua couldn't help but imitate Xia Jinghan's way of teasing her, occasionally pinching her chubby little face, then watching her pout and laughing with joy.

  Shangguan Qing'er looked at Lihua with a wronged expression, her eyes welling up with tears, and soon became misty. "Sister Lihua is bullying me, waaahhh..."

  She said, as if she was about to cry at any moment. This made Lihua involuntarily tense up.

  This little girl's crying skills are all well-versed, once she starts crying, the whole sky will darken and it won't stop no matter what. Last time after being stabbed, due to fright, she cried for more than two hours, if not for His Highness personally stepping in, I reckon she would have continued crying nonstop.

  Later, when staying in a hostel, the young master didn't let her stay in the same room as him, and she pouted and burst into loud sobs.

  Her Highness couldn't stand the child's crying, and as soon as she cried, Her Highness immediately had someone prepare a small bed for her, placed right beside Her Highness' own bed, and only then did the child stop crying.

  So, Pear Blossom is now most afraid of seeing Shangguan Qing'er cry. Seeing her like this, she hastily said, "Miss Qing'er, look, the capital city is so lively! In the future, let His Highness take you out to have fun, okay?"

  Shangguan Qing'er knew that Li Hua was most afraid of her crying, but in fact she didn't really want to cry. It's just that since she was a child, she had to show some childish characteristics, otherwise, being so clever and quick-witted all the time would inevitably arouse other people's suspicion. Especially with Xia Jinhans cautious man, she still hoped he could be her backing, couldn't afford to offend him.

  Digression

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