NFBE Chapter 163 From now on, every year will be smooth sailing.
Chapter 163 From now on, every year will be smooth sailing.
As dawn was approaching, the emperor wearily rubbed his temples, then waved his hand and said, "It's getting late, my beloved ministers, you may all leave."
Everyone stood up, bowed respectfully, and took their leave.
Xu Jiaojiao and Zhao Yunzheng exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile at each other.
Although tonight was full of twists and turns, thankfully it ended well.
The officials stepped forward to congratulate Prince Chen and Xu Guanghe, and many ladies also came to congratulate Xu Jiaojiao.
Although Xu Jiaojiao didn't really want to deal with them, she still forced a smile and greeted them one by one.
"Cough cough..."
Jia Rong's voice rang out from behind the group.
Upon hearing this, the ladies immediately stepped aside, making way for Jia Rong.
Jia Rong stepped forward, affectionately took Xu Jiaojiao's hand, and said with tears in her eyes, "Jiaojiao, congratulations."
Xu Jiaojiao's nose tingled, and she almost burst into tears: "Jiarong, thank you..."
There were many people around, so the two of them couldn't say too much, but when their eyes met, everything was understood without words.
Once both of them had calmed down, Xu Jiaojiao sniffed, pulled Jia Rong aside, and sighed, "Your Highness, you said you would let me see a good show tonight, but I've been the one putting on a show all night, ruining your good show. I'm so sorry..."
Jia Rong couldn't help but glance at Tu Zhannan, who happened to be looking at her as well.
Their eyes met, Jia Rong blushed, and quickly turned her head away.
She waved her hand, concealing her disappointment, and forced a smile: "Sigh, what difference does it make who's performing? As long as the ending is good, that's enough..."
Sensing Jia Rong's unhappiness, Xu Jiaojiao probably guessed what was going on: "Is the good show Your Highness mentioned related to General Xiao Tu?"
Jia Rong nodded slightly.
She had already planned to have her father and mother discover Li Mingyu's affair with Shen Yunxiang, so that she could use this as a legitimate reason to annul her engagement with Li Mingyu.
She invited Xu Jiaojiao to the banquet because she wanted Xu Jiaojiao to witness that she was working hard for happiness.
Unfortunately... Xie Peining ruined everything...
But it's okay, there will always be other opportunities. Let Second Brother and Sister Jiao Jiao be happy this time, and next time it will be her turn.
Thinking of this, Jia Rong laughed heartlessly again: "Hey, it's all a small matter, not worth mentioning."
Just then, a maid came and called out that the Empress was looking for Jia Rong.
Jia Rong had no choice but to say goodbye to Xu Jiaojiao reluctantly and ran off to find his mother.
After Jia Rong left, a tired Xu Jiaojiao also planned to leave the main hall.
She glanced around the main hall, searching for Xu Guanghe and Xu Qingran.
Xu Guanghe was still socializing with the officials, while Xu Qingran looked at her with complicated emotions, sitting quietly in her seat, watching her without saying a word.
Seeing her looking over, Xu Qingran forced a smile, stood up, and walked towards her: "Sister..."
For a fleeting moment, Xu Jiaojiao saw a melancholy in Xu Qingran's eyes that didn't belong to someone her age.
She couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache, and stepped forward to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Xu Qingran's ear: "You must be exhausted after worrying all night, let's go home..."
Xu Qingran nodded slightly: "Okay..."
After gesturing to Xu Guanghe, the two linked arms and walked out of the main hall together.
The night breeze brushed my face, carrying a slight chill.
Xu Qingran looked up at the falling snowflakes and murmured, "Sister, thank you. If you hadn't taken the blame for that jade pendant for me today, I'm afraid I would have already..."
She hesitated, not wanting to say something so unlucky on the first day of the new year.
Xu Jiaojiao gently patted her hand and smiled calmly: "Qingran, we are sisters, there's no need to say these things. You just need to remember to be upright and honest, and to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity."
She paused, then looked at Xu Qingran, her eyes full of earnestness: "Qingran, don't be afraid. No matter what happens, your sister will protect you..."
Xu Qingran's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears: "Sister, thank you..."
As they were talking, they heard footsteps behind them. Xu Jiaojiao turned around and saw Zhao Yunzheng walking towards them.
Although he walked slowly, his gaze remained fixed on Xu Jiaojiao, his eyes full of tenderness and concern.
Seeing this, Xu Qingran wisely let go of Xu Jiaojiao's hand and said softly, "Sister, I'll go wait for you by the carriage."
Xu Jiaojiao nodded, watched Xu Qingran leave, and then turned to meet Zhao Yunzheng's gaze.
"Your Highness," she called softly, her voice tinged with weariness, but more so with the relief of surviving a calamity.
Seeing her fatigue, Zhao Yunzheng took a few steps closer, reached out and supported her waist to make it easier for her to stand.
He whispered with concern, "I'm sorry to have frightened you today."
Xu Jiaojiao shook her head, her gaze towards Prince Chen tender and affectionate: "It's truly kind of Your Highness to go to such trouble."
Zhao Yunzheng's heart skipped a beat, and his heartache deepened.
His darling is always thinking of him, but she doesn't know how to take care of herself at all.
Fortunately, he will soon be able to marry Jiaojiao and take good care of her.
Thinking of this, Zhao Yunzheng's eyes lit up with a smile: "Fortunately, tonight was a close call. On the first day of the new year, Father bestowed a marriage upon us. With such a good omen, we are sure to have a smooth year ahead."
Xu Jiaojiao couldn't help but laugh: "When did Your Highness start saying such mystical things? But I'll take your good wishes, Your Highness. May everything go smoothly for us this year, next year, the year after, and every year thereafter!"
Zhao Yunzheng's eyes were also full of smiles: "Yes, every year from now on will be smooth sailing!"
……
The next day.
The palace sent an imperial edict bestowing upon Xu Jiaojiao the title of "Princess Anning," along with an auspicious day determined by the Imperial Observatory.
The couple set their wedding date for three months later, in the beautiful spring season when flowers bloom and birds sing.
News of Prince Chen's engagement to Xu Jiaojiao spread rapidly throughout the capital.
When Bai Yiru, who missed the banquet, woke up, everything had changed.
With Xie Peining exiled, the Xie family fell silent and became completely obedient. Now, only she and her two concubines, Zhou and Cao, remain in the Prince Chen's mansion.
This should have been a piece of news that made her happy. However, along with this news, she also heard that Xu Jiaojiao had been granted the title of Princess and betrothed to Prince Chen as his principal wife.
The usually dignified and self-possessed Bai Yiru, for the first time ever, smashed all the vases, teacups, and porcelain cups in Qingxue Courtyard...
The servants knelt in a huddle, trembling and not daring to utter a sound.
Intense resentment and jealousy caused Bai Yiru to completely lose her mind. She was unwilling to admit that she was inferior to a maid, and even less willing to be trampled on by a maid in the future, bowing her head and kneeling every day.
Her pride and self-respect would never allow such a thing to happen.
At this moment, Bai Yiru was filled with murderous intent.
Xie Peining is useless and can't handle Xu Jiaojiao. It's okay, she'll do what Xie Peining can't do!
She can definitely do better than Xie Peining!
……
For the remaining month or so, Xu Jiaojiao was immersed in the joy of preparing for her wedding.
As her wedding date approached, her belly grew larger and larger, and she was about to give birth.
The birth was no small matter, and with so many people and eyes in the Xu household, it was difficult to conceal. To prevent any accidents, Zhao Yunzheng found an excuse to move Xu Jiaojiao to a villa in the suburbs of Beijing…