Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 39.2

Chapter 39.2

Watching Zhao Ji walk away, Shen Qingqing felt a surge of frustration and wanted to express it with some choice words.

Just then, someone grabbed her left hand, startling her.

She looked up and saw Li Zhi’s handsome face.

Shen Qingqing was taken aback. ‘Here I am, dealing with someone bothering me, and Li Zhi doesn’t seem upset at all? Even if he is just into my looks, this was about his reputation too. Doesn’t he care about that?’

“Let’s go. We can’t let him ruin our fun,” Li Zhi said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “If you storm over there all angry, those grand and mighty tribal leaders might think you’re unhappy with their size.” His voice was full of teasing.

He stressed on “grand and majestic.” Hearing that, Shen Qingqing felt a mix of wanting to laugh and being annoyed, especially thinking about his antics from last night.

But her anger started to fade.

After a couple of steps, she couldn’t help but ask the calm man beside her, “Aren’t you mad?”

Li Zhi paused, looked at her seriously, and replied, “I only get angry if you have feelings for him.”

Shen Qingqing was speechless. ‘Is he still trying to charm me at a time like this?’

It was true that Li Zhi was not close to women for years, but listening to his sweet words, she found it hard to believe.

Leaving Li Zhi behind, she picked up her pace, but his phoenix eyes still lingered in her mind.

She walked quickly, and Li Zhi just smiled and followed her.

When Shen Qingqing got to the gate of Jingming Palace, she could hear the buzz of people inside. It took her by surprise. As a kid, she had attended banquets at the palace too, and they had to follow strict rules. There was never this much excitement unless Emperor Qingde was around to set the mood.

“People on the grasslands don’t sweat the small stuff,” Li Zhi whispered to her.

[“Don’t sweat the small stuff” meaning: Worry about trivial things.]

Shen Qingqing took that to heart.

“Madam, the banquet hasn’t started yet. His Majesty requests that you head to the back hall to rest,” said the eunuch waiting at the door. He flashed a big smile as he approached Shen Qingqing and her husband.

Shen Qingqing was aware that only Noble Concubine Chun and her two female relatives were invited to the banquet today. When Emperor Qingde hosted the tribal leaders, it was enough for him to bring Noble Concubine Chun along; there was no space for the ministers’ wives.

Shen Qingqing glanced at Li Zhi.

He nodded and muttered, “Go on.”

So, Shen Qingqing followed the eunuch.

In the back hall, both Emperor Qingde and Noble Concubine Chun were present. Upon seeing Shen Qingqing, the Emperor leaned in and whispered to Noble Concubine Chun, “Your brother is quite lucky; otherwise, Qingqing would be my daughter-in-law.”

Noble Concubine Chun playfully scolded him. “Your Majesty has plenty of daughters-in-law already. You can’t just take my sister-in-law!”

Emperor Qingde burst into laughter.

Shen Qingqing, completely lost, stood there in shock. ‘Is the Emperor and the Noble Concubine really talking about me?’

“Sister-in-law, come take a seat,” Noble Concubine Chun said warmly, giving Emperor Qingde a subtle warning glance.

Emperor Qingde instantly dropped his smile, adopting a serious demeanour without showing any anger.

Luckily, Shen Qingqing wasn’t too intimidated by him. She settled next to Noble Concubine Chun and started chatting about family stuff.

After about thirty minutes, Emperor Qingde chimed in with a smile, “Alright, let’s get this banquet started.”

Noble Concubine Chun nodded, took Shen Qingqing’s hand, and stood up.

In the main hall, as Emperor Qingde entered, all the ministers and leaders from the grasslands rose from their seats and bowed in respect.

Shen Qingqing followed behind Noble Concubine Chun and quickly noticed the grassland leaders to her left. They were indeed tall and robust, sporting thick beards and hair that made them seem quite formidable. In contrast, the men from the Central Plains on her right appeared much more refined, especially Li Zhi, who really stood out.

This guy hadn’t made much of an impression back at the Marquis’ Mansion, but now, Shen Qingqing realised just how outstanding he looked.

Once Noble Concubine Chun took her seat, Shen Qingqing joined her, sitting in the spot that Noble Concubine Chun had saved just for her.

After they were settled, Emperor Qingde declared that there was no need for such formalities.

The eight leaders from the grasslands glanced up and were struck by the sight of two stunning women sitting beside Emperor Qingde. One was dazzling and radiant, while the other was delicate and lovely, like two lotus flowers blooming on a serene lake.

Noticing their captivated expressions, Emperor Qingde grinned and introduced them, saying, “This is my concubine, and that is the wife of Marquis Pingxi.”

The grassland leaders quickly bowed to Noble Concubine Chun before turning their attention to Li Zhi.

Li Zhi offered a modest smile.

The grassland chiefs couldn’t help but think.

‘It’s hard to believe he can be so humble with a wife that gorgeous. Just look at how proud Emperor Qingde looks!’

End of chapter 39

Have a nice day!