Chapter 217 - 217: Someone from the Northern Border

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Upon hearing those words, Jiang Sijin’s eyes lit up.

She bowed slightly to Xiao Nanye and whispered, “Thank you, brother-in-law.”

When Jiang Peihuan lifted the curtains, she saw Xiao Nanye and Jiang Sijin secretly talking. Witnessing this scene, she silently smiled.

As Jiang Peihuan unveiled the curtain, Xiao Nanye approached her.

The man sat atop Zhu Yun’s back but bent over to ask Jiang Peihuan, “Is there a matter?”

Seeing the concern in the man’s eyes, Jiang Peihuan shook her head, “I just wanted to check the weather outside.”

“There won’t be much snow today, don’t worry.”

One sat inside the carriage, the other on a horse, yet they spoke softly.

Xue Yan, sitting on the other side, watched this scene with a smile.

Of her three children, Xue Yan felt most guilty about Jiang Peihuan. Now seeing Xiao Nanye care so much for Jiang Peihuan, Xue Yan felt very grateful.

“Mother, 1 see maternal grandmother and the others.”

At that moment, Jiang Sijin’s voice reached Xue Yan’s ears.

Hearing the sound, Xue Yan immediately lifted the curtain.

The Xue family’s convoy was not far away.

Xu Yunniang supported Old Madam Xue as she alighted from the carriage. She looked at the crowd in the distance and chuckled softly. “Mother, look, it’s the younger sister and her husband.”

“Mother?”

By now, Xue Yan had already stepped forward.

Jiang Peihuan and the others quickly followed.

Arriving in front of Old Madam Xue, Xue Yan immediately knelt, “Mother, please forgive my unfilial behavior.”

Looking at Xue Yan kneeling before her, Old Madam Xue’s eyes reddened instantly. She reached out and helped Xue Yan up.” What nonsense are you talking about? Get up quickly.”

“Grandmother, Aunt?”

Once Xue Yan stood up, Jiang Changbai led his two younger sisters forward to pay their respects.

Seeing her grandson and little niece, Old Madam Xue’s eyes were full of smiles. “Changbai and Sijin have grown so much.”

“Mother-in-law, thank you for your hard work on this journey.”

Seeing that Old Madam Xue was holding Jiang Changbai’s hand and not letting go, Jiang Hong stepped forward and spoke softly.

When Old Madam Xue heard this, she waved her hand nonchalantly. “It’s just sitting in the carriage. It wasn’t hard.”

As she spoke, Old Madam Xue suddenly saw Xiao Nanye, who was standing beside Jiang Peihuan. She quickly went forward, but just as she was about to bow, Xiao Nanye held her up.” Old Madam Xue, I came here today to pay my respects. Please don’t treat me as an outsider.”

“Alright, since your highness says so, then this old one will be arrogant for a while.”

“Yan Er, help mother-in-law into the carriage first. Let’s return to the mansion early. It’s too cold outside.”

“Mother, please get in the carriage. We can talk more once we’re home.”

“Alright, let’s discuss it later.”

At this moment, the children of the Xue family also came forward to pay their respects.

Apart from brothers Xue Tao and Xue Hai, nearly all of the Xue family’s masters were present.

Among the younger generation, Xue Zhi and Xue Ru were present.

A large group proceeded to the General’s Mansion.

Jiang Peihuan didn’t know that shortly after their departure, a group of strangers also arrived.

“Big brother, we’ve reached Qi Kingdom, but why hasn’t anyone come to greet us?”

The luxurious carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a girl dressed in minority attire.

She was beautiful, yet her expression had a touch of sharpness.

Beside the carriage was a tall man on a horse, Ha Chi, the first prince of the northern border.

Hearing the young girl’s words in the carriage, Ha Chi said in a soft voice,” Our northern grassland tribe is a small country. I think the Qi Kingdom is waiting for us to take the initiative to pay our respects.”

“Hmph, who said that our tribe is from a small country? I…”

“Zhuo Ma, you’d better remember your purpose for coming here, so control your temper.”

Before Zhuo Ma could finish her words, Ha Chi interrupted her coldly.

Hearing Ha Chi’s words, Zhuo Ma’s eyes were filled with unwillingness, but she didn’t dare to say anything.

Although she was also a princess of the northern tribe, her father had dozens of princesses. If it weren’t for her beauty, she wouldn’t have come. After all, her birth mother was just a singer with no status in the northern border.

“First Prince, it seems like someone is coming this way.”

Upon hearing this, Hachi looked into the distance.

Zhuo Ma, who was inside the carriage, also lifted the curtain.

Seeing the approaching men, Zhuo Ma’s eyes revealed a hint of amazement.

The men from the Qi Kingdom indeed appeared more handsome than those on the grassland.

At this moment, Xiao Junhao had already brought Zhao Yong to Ha Chi.

Xiao Junhao, having received an unexpected decree from the Emperor, had been assigned to welcome the First Prince of the Northern Grassland Tribe alongside the newly appointed Prince of Huainan. Hence, their delayed arrival.

Seeing Ha Chi, Xiao Junhao dismounted with a smile, “My apologies, First Prince. I was held up by pressing matters in the palace, so I came late.”

Recognizing the individuals before him based on a whisper from his attendant, Ha Chi gave a slight smile and promptly greeted them, “It’s an honor to meet Prince Qing and the Prince Huainan.”

Just then, the curtain of the carriage was lifted again.

Zhuo Ma got off the carriage and looked at the two men standing in front of her. She laughed softly and said,”Zhuo Ma greets the Prince Qing and the Prince Huainan.”

The decree had only mentioned receiving the First Prince, so Xiao Junhao was somewhat puzzled upon seeing Zhuo Ma. He turned to Ha Chi and inquired, “First Prince, who might this be?”

“This is my sister, Zhuo Ma.”

“So it’s Princess Zhuo Ma.”

While Xiao Junhao and Ha Chi were talking, Zhuo Ma’s gaze was constantly sizing up Xiao Junhao and Zhao Yong. In the end, her gaze fell on Xiao Junhao. “Did Prince Qing come specifically to greet us?”

“Yes.”

Although Zhuo Ma’s gaze was subtle, for someone like Xiao Junhao, raised in the depths of the palace, such a look was nothing more than a child’s trick.

Zhuo Ma’s prying made Xiao Junhao somewhat uncomfortable, though he showed no external sign of it. Seeing that Zhuo Ma might say something further, he promptly addressed Ha Chi, “First Prince, it’s getting late. We should head to the inn.”

“Of course, we appreciate your guidance, Prince Qing.”

“No need for formalities, First Prince.”

As they prepared to remount their horses, Ha Chi cast a warning glance at Zhuo Ma.

She withdrew her gaze, but as she closed the curtain of her carriage, her eyes were filled with scheming darkness.

If she could stay in the Qi Kingdom, she would no longer have to face the attitude of those grassland tribes.

Back at the General’s Mansion,

Xue Yan and Jiang Hong brought Old Madam Xue to Old Madam Jiang’s Chrysanthemum Hall.

Members from the second and third households of the Jiang family were already present.

“Elder sister, I’m so glad you’re here.”

When Old Madam Jiang saw Old Madam Xue, she hurried forward with a smile in her eyes.

“It’s been too long.”