For a moment, Xie Xuanji couldn’t tell if it was true or if the couple across from him was doing it deliberately.
The trio each had their own thoughts, but no matter what they were thinking about, after watching the meeting carefully, they all silently dispelled the conjecture of the couple putting on a show. Words could be faked, but actions couldn’t deceive. Xie Xuanchen and Mu Mingtang have a calm demeanour and their small movements with each other were perfectly natural. It didn’t seem like they were trying to show off at all.
So this was their actual way of getting along? The three people from Prince Jin’s mansion felt somewhat slighted even though it wasn’t directed at them.
After finally waiting for the duo to finish their meal, Xie Xuanji took a look at the situation and talked about today’s intention, “Second Brother, there are many natural and man-made disasters this year, so our Father Emperor wanted to take advantage of the new year to get rid of the bad luck. Hence, he’s going to invite people into the palace to get rid of the filth and turbidity to ensure that the New Year will be blessed with good weather and remain a peaceful country. Because there are many sacrificial occasions, it would be great if Second Brother could attend.”
Mu Mingtang understood that theEmperor asked Xie Xuanji to be a mediator between the two and requested Xie Xuanchen to appear out in public as a charm. Ever since Xie Xuanchen didn’t bother to hide the fact that he kicked many servants out of his mansion, many people have privately inquired as to what happened on the Mid-Autumn Festival and Xie Xuanchen’s illness. Not only people in the capital talked about it, but even other nations’ military Generals became active.
It was also a coincidence that during the Shangyuan period, the palace almost ran out of water before they made a lantern offering dedicated to Xie Xuanchen. In the winter, there was also a severe cold disaster. Therefore, rumours about the Emperor’s improper ruling and divine punishment inevitably arose among the people. The Emperor was afraid that the rumours would continue to worsen and he was even more afraid that it was truly a punishment from the heavens, so he wanted to regroup and cheer his people up during the New Year.
At this time, the Emperor was going to ask Xie Xuanchen out to cooperate. He undoubtedly wanted to convey to the outside world the illusion that Xie Xuanchen and the Emperor were still in harmony in order to stabilise those Generals who were about to move. The Emperor himself didn’t want to be the one asking, so he had Xie Xuanji come over. Firstly, it was to find out what Xie Xuanchen was doing without leaving the mansion and secondly, to persuade him to come forward by beating around the bush.
Mu Mingtang didn’t speak and instead, quietly looked at Xie Xuanchen. After Xie Xuanchen washed his hands, he took a dry handkerchief and wiped the water off his fingers. His fingers were slender and well-proportioned and he looked like a jade carving. And this pair of hands, which were cleaner and more delicate than most, actually have tiny calluses on the sides of his fingers. They were proficient in bending bows and archery but also wielding knives and guns.
Xie Xuanchen wiped his fingers slowly while the others at the table did not dare to urge them, all watching quietly. Jiang Mingwei didn’t pay attention to it before, but now she realised that Xie Xuanchen really didn’t look like someone who joined the army. After all, he was already beautiful, but his hands were also pretty as well.