I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 524 Xie Jing Line: Wei Ning

Xie Jing paused slightly and turned to look.

The woman wore a lilac-colored flowing gauze dress, a smile playing on her lips.

It's Wei Ning.

Wei Ning was born into the direct line of the Wei family and was raised in the capital from a young age, where he frequently interacted with aristocratic circles.

She is beautiful, quiet, and considerate, and is one of the most well-regarded noblewomen in recent years.

Because she often accompanied the elders of the Wei family to official banquets, she had quite a few interactions with the Xie family, and many noblewomen secretly considered her a good match for Xie Jing.

Xie Jing's expression immediately turned cold when he saw her. "Miss Wei, is there something you need?"

Wei Ning smiled and said, “I heard that Young Master Xie has been searching for a rare copy of the ‘Records of the Grand Canal’. It just so happens that there is a copy in my family’s old collection, so I asked my father to allow me to send it over.”

As she spoke, she took out a thin booklet from her sleeve.

"No need," Xie Jing said coldly. "Thank you, Miss Wei, but this book is too valuable for me to bear."

"I have other matters to attend to, please excuse me."

Having said that, he didn't look at her again, but turned away with a flick of his robe.

Wei Ning watched Xie Jing's departing figure and lowered her eyes.

The maid Xuezhu quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Miss, don't be sad. Young Master Xie has always been like this."

"Last time, the young lady from the Gu family of the Hanlin Academy gave him a handkerchief she had embroidered herself, and he didn't even look up. And that third young lady from the Minister of Works' family..."

Seeing that Wei Ning was keeping his head down and not speaking, Xue Zhu softened her tone even more.

"That's just how Young Master Xie is, Miss, you don't need to be sad."

Wei Ning's knuckles, which were gripping the handkerchief, slowly loosened.

She pursed her lips and whispered, "But he can't stay this aloof forever."

A glint of light flashed in Xue Zhu's eyes. "Miss, there might actually be a way."

"You said."

"Young Master Xie respects the Princess Consort the most. If you can win her favor and she speaks up, wouldn't this marriage be more than halfway done?"

"In the end, it is the parents' decision and the matchmaker's words. When it comes time for Young Master Xie to get married, we will have to listen to the Princess's wishes. If the Princess likes Miss, she will naturally speak up for Miss."

Wei Ning turned to look at her. "You mean, start with the Princess?"

Xuezhu nodded quickly: "The princess is always kind and gentle, and she likes quiet and steady girls. Miss has a good background and is both talented and beautiful. Who wouldn't like her?"

A glimmer of light gradually appeared in Wei Ning's eyes.

“You’re right. No matter how stubborn Xie Jingxin is, she can’t disobey her mother.”

After saying that, she raised her hand, took off a jade bracelet from her wrist, and handed it to Xuezhu, saying, "Your idea today is excellent."

Xuezhu beamed and quickly curtsied to express her gratitude, "Thank you, Miss."

The spring banquet was held in the back garden, with green gauze curtains hanging down and fragrant breezes swirling around.

Qin Jiuwei, dressed in an elegant pomegranate red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with light gold peony hairpins in her hair, sat regally in the main seat.

Wei Ning, dressed in a moon-white silk dress, waited early in the morning, her gaze constantly drifting towards Qin Jiuwei's location.

Once the guests had dispersed, she seized the opportunity to step forward.

"Your Highness, your dress today is truly beautiful. The color complements your complexion perfectly. I was immediately struck by its beauty when I saw you from afar."

"The flowers in this garden are also arranged very well, and they look even more beautiful than those by Taiye Pond."

She praised him several times.

Qin Jiu smiled slightly, turning the teacup in her hand, a knowing look subtly appearing in her eyes.

She had heard people say that Miss Wei was in love with Xie Jing, and now it seemed that it was true.

But unexpectedly, she set her sights on her, hoping to get closer to Xie Jing by ingratiating herself with her.

Qin Jiuwei took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "This garden was arranged by Nanyin. I didn't choose the flowers. It's just that the weather was good, so the scenery was beautiful."

"The dress was also delivered by her yesterday; she said it was the most fashionable style this spring."

As she spoke, she skillfully deflected Wei Ning's praise.

He neither responded to the conversation nor expressed gratitude.

Wei Ning paused for a moment, but then hesitated to continue.

Qin Jiuwei did not speak to her again, but instead beckoned a lady over to exchange pleasantries. Her tone was normal, but she had already left Wei Ning aside.

Wei Ning stood there, his smile froze for a moment, then turned and left.

Qin Jiuwei held the teacup, her gaze fixed on her retreating figure.

Wei Ning is still young, so she can understand his little thoughts and won't blame him.

She won't interfere in the children's romantic relationships, nor will she help them.

When it comes to matters of the heart, they have to walk their own path and make their own choices for it to last.

-

Since their trip to Wanfo Temple, the atmosphere among the three of them has subtly changed.

The trip has expanded from two people, Xie Jing and Wen Ziyan, to three.

Li Sheng was added.

That day, the three of them met at an old teahouse in western Beijing.

The teahouse is built on a lakeside pavilion, with a bamboo grove behind it. A gentle breeze blows through the teahouse, and the aroma of tea wafts through the air.

After Wen Ziyan and Li Sheng sat down, they habitually started talking about the Wuli ethnic group.

"Regarding the Wuli people, opinions within the cabinet are divided. Some believe that the opportunity should be used to naturalize them, while others are worried about border security and dare not grant permission lightly."

Wen Ziyan said gently, "I will do my best to help you, but this matter cannot be rushed."

Li Sheng nodded, "I understand. Getting to this point is already beyond my expectations."

"I still have to thank Lord Wen for his continued help."

Wen Ziyan smiled slightly, "We're friends, isn't it only right that we help each other?"

Xie Jing sat to the side, without saying a word.

After talking with Wen Ziyan for a while, Li Sheng opened the wooden box she had brought with her.

"Look, I brought some good stuff this time."

Upon opening the wooden box, two small wooden carvings lay quietly inside.

One was a lynx curled up on the ground, and the other was a boy standing with an arrow in his hand; both were no bigger than the palm of a hand.

Even more astonishingly, when she gently turned a small mechanism embedded in the bottom of the wood carving, the lynx slowly raised its head and pawed at the ground, as if it were about to leap up.

The boy nodded slightly, his eyes, which were adorned with glass beads, seemed to reveal an expression as they turned.

Wen Ziyan was taken aback and couldn't help but say, "Is this a mechanism? It's so ingeniously made."

“This is the woodworking craft of the Wuli people,” Li Sheng said with a smile. “We call it ‘living soul wood.’ It is a tribal ancestral mechanical art. A whole piece of wood is hollowed out and polished, relying entirely on hand strength, without using iron nails. It takes more than ten days to carve one.”

"Originally, it was used for tribal sacrifices before wars, but it gradually became a small toy. I learned a little about it when I was a child, but I couldn't make it as well as the craftsmen in my tribe."

Xie Jing looked up and took the wood carving.

I had only picked it up and turned it around casually.

The moment the mechanism was activated, the little wooden cat suddenly pounced forward, its paws landing with a "click," as if glancing back at him, its tail held high, its expression playful.

Xie Jing was startled by this sudden action, then chuckled softly.

The smile was faint, yet clear as the shimmering light of spring water.

Li Sheng, who was standing nearby, saw this and laughed as well.

"Young Master Xie likes it very much? Then this is for you."

Xie Jing withdrew his gaze, his expression turning serious. "No need."