The Marquis Jing'an felt as though he were sitting on a bed of needles, but he did not let it show. He still needed to cultivate a good relationship with the Eldest Princess.
The Eldest Princess only knew that he had led the men who executed the Xu family.
For that, the Eldest Princess ought to thank him.
He forced up the corners of his mouth and replied, "Eldest Princess, it has been many years. I am honored that you still remember your subject."
The smile on the Eldest Princess's face deepened, while her hand beneath the table clenched tightly.
"Of course I remember. Marquis Xie, I shall never forget your kindness for as long as I live!"
Only after hearing this did the Marquis Jing'an relax.
Thank goodness. Thank goodness the Eldest Princess remembered his kindness.
The Eldest Princess rose with a smile and offered a toast to the emperor. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the return of your 'loyal' subject. May I take this joyous banquet as an opportunity to ask Your Majesty for a favor?"
Up on the dais, the emperor silently furrowed his brow.
With deep creases between his brows, he looked toward Xia Siheng.
Xia Siheng's gaze was dark as he gave a slight nod.
"Speak!" the emperor replied.
The Eldest Princess smiled. "Your Majesty once reciprocated my gifts by sending me a spirit medium, a specialty of the Great Xia Dynasty. But that medium has not adjusted well to life in my country. Now that this meritorious subject has returned, I shall give her to Marquis Xie, and wish him smooth sailing in all his affairs."
At those words,
silence fell over the hall.
The Eldest Princess was openly giving away something His Majesty had bestowed upon her.
No matter how one looked at it,