Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 154 The Western Chi Kingdom Delegation

Taihe Hall.

Apart from Zhao Xingjin, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager, everyone else arrived first.

Although attending such a grand occasion, Xie Jiu was thinking of her recently deceased mother, Yang Shi, and did not want to dress up elaborately. Her attire remained simple and elegant. However, in order not to lose face in front of the people of Xichi, she still put effort into her jewelry and clothing, which were simple yet luxurious.

She originally dressed simply because her mother had just passed away, but unexpectedly, it made her stand out even more among the bright colors.

This is not surprising; for important occasions, one naturally needs to dress formally.

"That must be the currently favored Consort Xie."

Unbeknownst to Xie Jiu, Shangguan Yi, the head of the Xichi Kingdom delegation, had his gaze fixed on her.

Shangguan Yi was about the same age as Xie Mingshen, but he was thinner. He had round eyes that made him look very energetic, but also revealed a sharp, aloof scholar's air, unlike Xie Mingshen, whose smile was gentle and who seemed like a kind elder in an ordinary family.

The person reminded by him at this moment was Gao Sui, the fifteen-year-old Prince Yi, the uncle of the King of Xichi Kingdom.

"I heard that Consort Xie's mother recently passed away, and she was dressed in the most simple and plain clothes. Her appearance is also outstanding among all the concubines, so it's probably true," Gao Sui nodded.

A hint of disdain flashed in Shangguan Yi's eyes. "A fickle woman, she's probably just putting on an act now."

They had inquired about the situation in Dajing before they came, and since Xie Jiu's matter was new to them, they naturally heard about it.

Knowing that this new favorite of the Great Jing Emperor was the wife of a subject, and that she was already entangled with Zhao Xingjin before divorcing her ex-husband, the traditionally rigid Shangguan Yi had no good feelings towards Xie Jiu.

Some even felt that, as a renowned scholarly family in Dajing, the Xie family should make Xie Jiu atone for his sins with his death, thereby preserving the reputation of the Xie family members and their women.

"Lord Shangguan, please be careful with your words. This is not Xichi. We came to Dajing to foster good relations between our two countries. Please do not cause any trouble."

Another middle-aged man spoke in a deep voice. He was Zhao Zaiyan, the imperial censor of Xichi Kingdom and the deputy of the Xichi Kingdom delegation.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yi raised his hand to smooth his sleeves and then fell silent, saying no more.

Gao Sui glanced at the two of them, then said softly, "We all know how the emperor of Dajing ascended the throne. He is definitely not a simple person. Please do not be careless at tonight's banquet and lest you tarnish the reputation of Xichi."

"Your Highness, rest assured, we will do our utmost." Zhao Zaiyan nodded.

Meanwhile, Xie Jiu, whose name was mentioned in their conversation, was looking at his sister-in-law Fan Shi's seat not far away.

The two women, aunt and sister-in-law, exchanged glances and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

There really wasn't a chance to say a few words in private, so this was the only way we could greet each other.

"My sister-in-law is well-preserved and looks no different from when she left Beijing a few years ago. It's clear that she and my brother have a harmonious relationship and that everything is going well at home, so there's no need to worry." Xie Jiu withdrew his gaze and sighed softly.

There was envy in those words.

Yes, who wouldn't envy someone with a happy family?

Chunrong looked at him with a hint of heartache. “As the saying goes, after the worst comes the best. Consort Jieyu is sure to have good fortune in the future. Things will definitely get better and better for her.”

"Thank you for your kind words." Xie Jiu smiled, though somewhat reluctantly.

Just then, she noticed that Qingfang was staring intently at the ministers' seats opposite her, as if trying to identify something.

"What's wrong?" Xie Jiu asked.

Qingfang squinted, somewhat uncertain, "Jieyu, the person at the end of the table across from us seems to be Zhou Zhiqing."

Wu Qingchan's husband, Zhou Zhiqing. Only when she mentioned him did Xie Jiu recall Wu Qingchan, her former sister-in-law, and her gaze followed her.

"That's true." Chunrong said in a low voice.

Xie Jiu thought for a moment, "I heard the Emperor mention that some people from the Hanlin Academy also came to this state banquet, so I suppose that's why."

Those who represent their country on diplomatic missions are usually intelligent, talented, and eloquent. In order to gain the upper hand and secure more benefits at the formal negotiating table, they inevitably engage in some open and covert competition.

Composing poems to express one's aspirations and engaging in debates and games are the most common activities, so it is essential to have plenty of talented scholars who excel in these areas on standby, lest one be at a disadvantage in a contest.

Zhao Xingjin wasn't the only one who made such preparations; the delegation from Xichi Kingdom also included many talented individuals.

This was all arranged in advance.

"I wonder how Miss Wu is doing with him. He doesn't seem as peaceful as he used to be," Qingfang said.

Chunrong shook her head slightly. "It was never going to be good. They liked the daughter of a marquis, but now they've married a convicted official's wife. Once the novelty wears off, even without the interference of the Zhou family elders, it won't end well."

Zhou Zhiqing wanted to marry a woman from a wealthy family, but he was unwilling to lower himself and still maintained his aloof attitude, using the word "true love" to disguise his desire for the Wu family's wealth.

If he truly loved Wu Qingchan, he should have proposed to her when they first fell in love. Even if he was rejected, it wouldn't have been right for him to secretly entangle himself with a young lady from a respectable family.

Later, when the Wu family encountered trouble, he never showed up until Wu Qingchan wrote to him asking him to marry her, at which point he finally came.

Knowing that Wu Qingchan brought almost no dowry, he still used Wu Qingchan's money to buy the small house they now live in, and after the marriage, he did not write to inform his parents back home immediately.

Wu Qingchan is indeed having a hard time right now. She had a fight with her mother-in-law and accidentally fell. After experiencing abdominal pain, she started bleeding and discovered that she was pregnant.

Instead of reflecting on her malicious mistreatment of her daughter-in-law, Zhou Zhiqing's mother scolded Wu Qingchan for being useless and causing her to lose her grandson.

Wu Qingchan, who was very straightforward, cried every day during her postpartum period. Zhou Zhiqing felt sorry for her, but when Zhou Zhiqing's mother saw this, she also cried every day. Whenever she saw Zhou Zhiqing, she would pull him aside and say bad things about Wu Qingchan.

Caught between his mother-in-law and wife, Zhou Zhiqing was in a terrible predicament. To avoid these two women, he had been staying at the yamen (government office) for a long time, using the excuse of being busy with official business.

Of course, Xie Jiu is unaware of these things and is not particularly interested in them.

Therefore, he only said it lightly at this moment.

"Who cares about them? It's none of our business anyway."

Chunrong and Qingfang exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves, "Of course it is," and then stopped bringing it up.

Just as the master and servants finished their chat, a commotion came from the entrance of the main hall.

Zhao Xingjin arrived.

Together with the Empress Dowager and the Empress.

To show their filial piety, Zhao Xingjin and the Empress helped the Empress Dowager in, one on each side. The Empress Dowager smiled kindly, and the family appeared to be harmonious and close.

As they entered the hall, everyone present immediately rose to pay their respects. Only after Zhao Xingjin sat down in the main seat and said "Rise," did the banquet officially begin.

"Your Highness, how are you feeling after a day in the capital? Are you settling in comfortably at the Huitong Hall? If there is anything you find uncomfortable, please be sure to let me know. Since you have come from afar, I must do my best to be a good host."

Zhao Xingjin's first words were directed at the people of Xichi Kingdom.

His tone was gentle and caring, showing great consideration.