Chapter 258 Good News

Qiu Heng blinked and changed the subject: "I haven't had breakfast yet, so I'm heading back to Cold Fragrance Residence."

"Stop right there."

"Grandmother, is there something else?"

"Did you hear what I just said? Have Xue Han come to propose soon."

They were both in the prime of youth and in love; what if something went wrong?

"This... we need to discuss it carefully."

The old lady raised an eyebrow: "Why?"

" That master is skilled in divination and physiognomy. He said I cannot discuss marriage before I turn twenty, or else—"

"Or else what?"

"Or else it will bring disaster to my family."

The old lady looked at Qiu Heng with suspicion.

Would getting married really bring disaster to her family? Could it be that Qiu Heng, knowing she believed in such things, was fooling her?

"I've rarely heard of such a saying."

"Grandmother doesn't believe me?" Qiu Heng sighed deeply. "Xue Han is responsible, capable, and handsome. I like him. If it weren't for the master's warning, do you think I'd have any reason not to discuss marriage with him?"

Yes, such a fine young man—

The old lady suddenly snapped back to reality.

She had almost been led astray by this wretched girl. What’s so good about him?! What kind of decent person takes a girl out all night?

Xue Han, that shameless scoundrel!

Seeing the sparkle in Qiu Heng's eyes, the old lady had no choice but to believe her: whether Xue Han was good or bad, Sixth Girl truly liked him. Her reluctance to discuss marriage was likely due to what that master had predicted.

Having to wait until she turned twenty—

The old lady did a quick mental count and waved her hand in resignation: "Go back to Cold Fragrance Residence."

"Your granddaughter will take her leave now."

Qiu Heng walked out of Thousand Pines Hall and let out a sigh.

Even though she’d been caught red-handed, at least Grandmother wouldn’t push her to get married anymore. That was an unexpected gain.

As soon as she entered Cold Fragrance Residence, Fang Zhou grabbed Qiu Heng's hand: "Miss, I think Grandmother suspects you were faking illness."

"Our Fang Zhou is so clever."

Fang Zhou gasped: "Grandmother really suspects?"

"Not only does she suspect—she sent people to wait by the wall... She told me to use the side gate from now on."

Fang Zhou almost cried: "Grandmother is so kind."

She wouldn’t have to be terrified every time the young lady snuck out anymore.

"Get me something to eat, please."

Qiu Heng went to the pigeon coop and played with the homing pigeons for a bit, rolled up the note she’d written and slipped it into a small tube, then released the pigeon.

The white pigeon spread its wings and quickly flew out of the Earl Yongqing's mansion.

Xue Han had a quick breakfast and was sitting in his study reading.

The cooing sound reached him, and Xue Han immediately set down the book he’d barely touched, walked to the window, and pushed it open.

The pigeon flew in and strutted across the desk by the window.

Xue Han stroked the pigeon, took out the note, and unfolded it. One glance, and his heart sank completely.

He should have known—good omens rarely come true, but the bad ones always do.

On the eighth day of the lunar new year, the lookout he had sent reported that Honored Consort Yu's people had not gone to Taoran Tower.

On the ninth, tenth... until the thirteenth day of the first month, there was no activity from Jade Dawn Palace.

But there was a major development at court.

An urgent dispatch arrived from the western border—no, it was actually good news.

The Western Jiang forces had pulled back!

Emperor Jingping was overjoyed and laughed heartily: "You see, ministers? Western Jiang is in civil strife and won’t be able to look outward for three to five years!"

The report made it clear: the Western Jiang army, led by Prince Chiyan's father (the king), had invaded Great Xia, but their tribal forces were insufficient, and his other brothers took the chance to take over. Prince Chiyan's father had to rush back to deal with the chaos, and several powerful tribes were now fighting to become King of Western Jiang.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is wise, and heaven blesses our dynasty!"

Emperor Jingping beamed at his ministers’ resounding congratulations.

A huge weight had been lifted from his chest.

Xue Quan exchanged a glance with a trusted official.

Taking advantage of the excited buzz over the good news, that official suddenly spoke as if an idea had just occurred to him: "When you think about it, Princess Rongning and her party killing the King and Prince of Western Jiang was an immense good deed. Not only did they teach Western Jiang a lesson for breaking the treaty and boost the prestige of Great Xia, but they also plunged Western Jiang into internal chaos..."

The hall went quiet, and then voices of agreement slowly rose.

Emperor Jingping was in an excellent mood. Hearing this, he found it reasonable and nodded: "Rongning is truly remarkable. Going to Western Jiang for a peace marriage, surviving a deadly ordeal, and enduring so much hardship..."

Emperor Jingping immediately ordered generous rewards to be sent to Prince Fu's mansion. He glanced at Xue Quan: "What has Xue Han been doing lately?"

Xue Quan replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, Xue Han has been at home these past few days and has rarely gone out."

"He’s young—staying cooped up at home is no life. Summon Xue Han to the palace."

By the time Xue Han arrived, Emperor Jingping was already in the banquet hall.

The palace music played melodiously, the dancers were graceful, and though the feast was hastily arranged, everything proceeded smoothly.

"Your servant Xue Han greets Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingping, holding a golden dragon-patterned cup, gently swirled the wine inside and looked at the young man bowing before him.

"I heard from Xue Quan that you've been staying at home lately, rarely going out?"

"Your Majesty, since the New Year has been fairly leisurely, your humble official has been indulging in laziness."

Emperor Jingping showed a disapproving look: "Among the younger generation, you are a capable one. You must not let yourself waste away. Here's what I'll do—put the Imperial City Bureau back under your control, so I have less to worry about."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingping felt reinstating him wasn't enough, so he also bestowed a considerable amount of gold, silver, and jewels upon Xue Han.

As for County Princess Suiyun—

The slightly intoxicated Emperor Jingping pictured a lively, beautiful young girl in his mind.

A thorny flower, troublesome, and had a murky relationship with Xue Han...

His dislike for her won out, but since he had already rewarded Rong Ning and Xue Han, it wouldn't be right to leave her out.

Emperor Jingping halved the gold, silver, and silk he had given Xue Han and indifferently ordered it sent to the Earl Yongqing's mansion.

At the Earl Yongqing's residence, after the eunuch delivered the imperial edict and left, a group stood around the pile of rewards in the courtyard, momentarily silent.

The Sixth Miss has received the emperor’s favor again!

Among them, Earl Yongqing was most bitter about it.

These rewards were all for Sixth Girl. So he suffered in prison, spent New Year’s in jail, and now all the credit went to Sixth Girl.

The Old Madam glanced at Earl Yongqing, a smirk curling at her lips: "What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and carry these imperial gifts to Cold Fragrance Retreat. Be careful not to damage them. Sixth Miss’s trip to Western Jiang was a success. Come to Thousand Pines Hall for dinner tonight."

Qiu Heng silently watched the people of Cold Fragrance Retreat arranging the items, then smiled at the Old Madam’s remark.

The civil war in Western Jiang was supposed to break out years later, set off by the King of Xijiang’s death. She had carefully figured it out and sparked it ahead of schedule, but she was nervous, fearing that the internal turmoil might not occur, sparking a war between the two nations.

But on reflection, what if she was wrong? Even if there was bloodshed and war, at least it gave the Xia people some pride. Either way, it couldn’t be worse than what history had recorded.

Fortunately, her gamble paid off.

A cooing sound was heard, and a white dove landed on Qiu Heng's outstretched hand.

Qiu Heng untied the thin tube attached to the dove and took out the note.

Fang Zhou leaned in and asked with a grin, "Miss, is that a love letter from Lord Xue?"

Qiu Heng, ignoring Fang Zhou's teasing, curled her lips and said, "Xue Han said Hu Si will be back in a few days."