"Your majesty, I apologize for my actions", she apologized first before proceeding to explain.
He Rui's ears were focused to hear the excuse she had that almost made him an incapable escort.
"The Southwest has always been damp and the season wasn't particularly favorable. According to calculations, we figured out the rains in the Southwest would be heavier than before.
The terrains had always been steep and the waters have been recently unstable making it unable to travel by water.
If I had waited behind for Prince Jing, I am afraid not only would I have delayed my return but Prince Jing might have also encountered very unfavorable conditions and that would not have ended well", Sang Xue'er explained.
He Jingcheng saw reasons in her words.
"The rains in the Southwest have been reported to be very heavy in the Southwest and necessary precautions are being taken. You have keen insight. I won't blame you", He Jingcheng said.
"I thank Your majesty for your grace", Sang Xue'er curtsied.
He Rui had nothing to say to her. They exchanged glances and Sang Xue'er held her head high.
"You once said you had two princes in mind regarding the marriage alliance. Have you decided who to choose?" He Jingcheng brought up the topic of her marriage again.
Before Sang Xue'er could speak, He Xuan walked in casually in white robes and his white fan.
He stopped in front of He Jingcheng and with his usual carefree smile, bowed, "greetings, Father"
"Rise. You have not changed your habit of arriving late, have you?" He Jingcheng scolded though his tone didn't sound scolding but instead sounded indulgent.
"Father, what can I say? As the ancients say, 'it is not too late to mend the fold".
He Xuan answered with a smile then he turned to the others, "I hope I did not miss anything important"
"You came just in time. Her Grace is about to choose her groom", Consort Feng, his mother, said with a smile that could clearly read 'we will see about your coming late when you get home'
He smiled nervously.
"Have your seat", He Jingcheng said.
He walked towards his seat but just as he was about to sit down, Sang Xue'er's next words stopped him.
"I choose Prince Ning"
He Xuan was speechless and the room went quiet. No one expected her to announce it so decisively.
All attention shifted to her then at He Xuan who was still frozen.
"I have watched Prince Ning these days and I find that he is different from others. He has such grace that I can't explain. When I look at him....." she said turning to him, "...there is a feeling I can't explain"
Lingxi smiled and took a bite of the osmanthus cake on her plate to hold in her laughter.
With Sang Xue'er's personality, uttering those words must have taken a lot of effort.
"You expected it, right?" He Yu commented staring at her with his usual smile.
Lingxi who held the cake in her hand paused and turned to him. She was about to drop the cake down but He Yu bent down and took a bite of it from the same place she had eaten from.
She was speechless, "you..."
However, she could not scold him in front of everyone and could only glare at him a bit.
He Yu, on the other hand, did not mind eating from the same place as Lingxi. In his heart, that was even an indirect kiss.
The others, however, felt like they were watching two dramas at the same time.
He Xuan who was still speechless and frozen finally found his words.
He straightened himself up and looked frantic, "no... no... that's not it", he walked in front of He Jingcheng.
"Father, I have no such feelings for her. I don't want to get married to her. Don't you care about me the most?" he asked.
He turned to Sang Xue'er, "there's nothing to like about me. I'm a lazy, indifferent and unconcerned prince. I even have a reputation of being shameless and a ladies' man", he said the words so urgently wanting everyone to fully understand the message.
His mother, Consort Feng, felt like going up to him and giving him a thrashing.
"What kind of lady would like someone like me?" he said spreading his arms dramatically wanting everyone to see the point.
And the point, they did see.
"Third brother, your actions are quite embarrassing", He Ming was the first to point out in a polite manner.
No one had ever seen someone so proudly make use of a terrible reputation.
"It's exactly because you are different that I like you. As for those rumors, I only trust what I see. And from what I see, your highness is an elegant scholar and a gentleman", Sang Xue'er reaffirmed her choice.
He Xuan could not believe his ears.
He let out a slight scoff, unbelieving, "Look at me - do I look like a gentleman?"
Sang Xue'er turned to He Jingcheng, "love is blind. I have truly fallen for His Highness, Prince Ning"
He Xuan looked at her in disbelief.
---
The carriage outside the palace was already set to leave.
Qin Yan scanned the round imperial instruction tablet in his hand.
"Although you are smart, observant and skilled in martial arts, He Yan is also not to be underestimated. He may try to use his rank against you", Lingxi explained the reason for the tablet.
"Hmm", that was all he had to say.
"He uses etiquette as his greatest shield. I'd love to see how well his sense of etiquette works for him"
Qin Yan placed the token on his waist.
"It's going to be a long journey", Lingxi said as she opened the box Xin Lan was holding and picked the sachet.
She tied it on his waist, "the Northwest is known for having many insects especially sun flies. This will keep them away"
She finished tying it and handed the box to him, "I've prepared medical supplies in case of any accidents. There are different medications for internal and external injuries. I also made incense to help you sleep since you have insomnia"
Lingxi had prepared all she thought he needed, "there are also clothes, shoes and beddings. The things used in the army are quite substandard. You must not suffer there"
Qin Yan almost found it funny since both of them had traveled together for many years and he had faced greater hardships.
"I also prepared snacks for the journey. You must eat well and take good care of yourself", Lingxi added and was about to say more when He Yu who had been listening in amusement interrupted.
"It's enough now. Qin Yan is not a child. He can take care of himself just fine", he said.
He removed a token from his sleeves and handed it to Qin Yan.
"You've already given me the Wu army token. What's this for?" Qin Yan asked.
"You were entrusted in mentoring Prince Cheng. The Wu army token is only entrusted to you till Prince Cheng is ready for the responsibility. This is my personal token granted by the late emperor. Seeing it is the same as seeing me"
Qin Yan studied the token He Yu gave him. On it was engraved 'Jiuyuan'.
"With this token, you will have authority and unrestricted access in the Northwest", He Yu added.
Qin Yan nodded, "I'll keep it safe", he said before turning his attention to Lingxi, "now that I'm gone, who will protect you?"
"I..." Lingxi wanted to say but He Yu interrupted. He placed his hand around her shoulders and pulled her close, "I'll protect her, no need to worry"
Lingxi sighed and tapped his hand for him to remove it from her shoulders. He did reluctantly.
"My brother is returning to the Palace very soon. There is no need to worry about my safety", she assured him.
Qin Yan bowed and turned to go as He Yan approached them. He greeted He Yu and Lingxi.
"Granduncle, grandaunt", he bowed, "I would like to bid both of you farewell"
"Farewell, Prince Cheng, take care of yourself", He Yu said.
"I will"
"You have a long journey ahead of you, be careful on the road", Lingxi said but all three knew this was not about the road.