Chapter 294: The Childhood Friends Each Have Their Own Thoughts

Mu Nan Zhao coldly glanced sideways, "Comfort? I think you're kicking someone when they're down."

"Ah, you can't say that..." He Jinghui was smiling and about to speak, but he was shocked to see Mu Nan Zhao reach over and take the plate of cold melon from his table.

"What are you doing! I haven't eaten it yet!"

Mu Nan Zhao naturally looked at He Jinghui and took a big bite under his angry glare.

"Since you're just talking and have no time to eat, leaving such a good thing on your table is a waste."

He Jinghui gritted his teeth in anger, but with outsiders present, it wouldn't do to start a brawl over a plate of fruit with the Regent Prince.

He had no choice but to turn to He Jinglan on the other side, putting on a smile and saying, "Lan'er, I..."

He Jinglan silently moved her plate farther away and sped up her gnawing of the melon rind.

He Jinghui felt hurt and indignant, "Well, you two, actually fighting over this piece of fruit!"

He Jinglan rolled her eyes, "It's not like you brought this on yourself, brother. Knowing he's unhappy about this, you insist on stirring the pot."

"Now it's fine—you've gotten the excitement you wanted, but you can't eat the melon either."

He Jinghui glanced around; everyone was enjoying the food at their own seats, no one paying attention to this side.

He then lowered his voice, "I'm your brother, your own brother! You're speaking up for this outsider, Mu Qixiu..."

"Could it be that you're still thinking about him in your heart?"

Before He Jinglan could answer, He Jinghui himself grew tense, his face grim as if facing a great enemy.

He said this, and he glared at Mu Nan Zhao with eyes full of hostility.

"I can't let my sister knowingly jump into a pit of fire!"

He Jinghui was filled with righteous indignation, but the two involved parties on his left and right paid him no heed.

Mu Nan Zhao raised his wine cup, the corner of his mouth curling in a cold smile.

He Jinglan couldn't help but roll her eyes first, then sneak a glance at Mu Nan Zhao, seeming somewhat guilty.

After all, the matter between He Jinglan and Meng Chengping was still unknown to He Jinghui.

He Jinghui sensed something odd, looked left and right, and asked, "What's your reaction, you two?"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "You discipline your sister; what does that have to do with me?"

Seeing her brother look over, He Jinglan hastily adjusted her expression, frowned, and said displeased, "Brother, are you trying to harm me?"

"The Regent Prince is young and talented, unrivaled in the capital's spotlight; countless noblewomen have their eyes on him. If people hear what you're saying, I'll face who knows how many open and hidden attacks—I don't want that!"

He Jinghui was half-believing, half-doubting, "Really?"

He Jinglan's eyes were firm, almost swearing, "Of course!"

Not to mention she herself no longer likes Mu Nan Zhao; even on Gu Xixi's side, He Jinglan has recently been wavering.

It's all because Mu Nan Zhao, this big tree, attracts too much wind.

How long has it been since the new emperor ascended the throne? Already quite a few people are scheming to send their daughters into the Regent Prince's mansion.

He Jinglan doesn't want her good sister to pass up a ready-made good life just to become a thorn in the eyes of other women.

So she hesitates whether to maintain her stance and support these two being together.

Seeing his sister like this, He Jinghui also believed, "Then that's good."

"Anyway, my sister He Jinghui deserves a man who is wholeheartedly devoted to her."

He Jinglan gave a sweet, coquettish laugh, "Brother treats me really well!"

He Jinghui was quite pleased; his sister, returning from the northwest, rarely behaves as obediently and adorably as she did in childhood.

He didn't care at all about not having tasted the cold melon, laughing, "You're not wanting to manage your own dowry, are you? Tomorrow I'll give you the dowry list; you have all the keys to the mansion—just don't cause trouble."

He Jinglan's heart blossomed; as long as she gets the dowry, she can partner with Xixi to open a shop!

He Jinglan's heart blossomed with joy; as long as she got the dowry, she could partner with Xixi to open a shop!

"I'll listen to brother; I definitely won't mess around."

The coquettish tone made Mu Nan Zhao, who was drinking, furrow his brows.

In his mind appeared the image of He Jinglan in Huachi Du Cun, laughing wildly to the sky, rolling up her sleeves and shouting to fight and kill.

If He Jinghui were to see it with his own eyes, I don't know what a blow it would be.

Moreover... there's actually an even bigger thunder that hasn't exploded yet.

Meng Chengping, a low-ranking officer originally under the Northwest Army, having once sacrificed himself to guard the new emperor, was favored by the new emperor, who exceptionally transferred him from the Northwest Army to the Golden Warrior Guard to serve as a military officer.

At first glance the post isn't high-ranking, but the Golden Warrior Guard is the emperor's personal guard, responsible for the security of the capital and the imperial city.

Meng Chengping is also a person specially appointed by the new emperor; nowadays among the capital officials he is considered quite influential.

Mu Nan Zhao gave He Jinghui a meaningful glance; if it weren't for Military Officer Meng being on duty today, inviting him to come to the banquet to see how the future brother-in-law reacts would also be interesting.

While He Jinghui listened to people reciting poetry and applauded, he also subtly glanced at Mu Nan Zhao without leaving a trace, as if probing.

As for He Jinglan, she has already met Meng Chengping, and Mu Nan Zhao knows she threatened him to keep things secret for the time being.

Thus, these three childhood friends each have their own thoughts.

As the banquet was breaking up and curfew approached, after seeing off the guests, He Jinghui ordered a carriage to be prepared.

He Jinglan chased after him, asking, "Brother, where are you going so late?"

He Jinghui said, "Tonight I'm going to Qi Xiu's for tea; I won't be coming back."

He Jinglan was puzzled and unable to understand.

Since you're reluctant to let Mu Nan Zhao go, just let him stay at home; why go out of your way to chase after the prince's mansion?

At the first watch of the chou hour, the clapper sounded, and the corner gate of the Regent Prince's mansion opened.

A person clad in a black fox-fur great coat led a horse out.

He looked at the carriage that almost completely blocked the narrow path ahead, paused, then changed direction.

He stared at the carriage in front that almost completely blocked the lane, then after a moment turned around.

Mu Qixiu, stop right there!

He Jinghui poked his head out of the carriage, knowing he'd have to wait a while, and had specially prepared a heater and tea inside.

Mu Nan Zhao turned and said, "Oh, it's Sir He. What business brings you here at midnight?"

He Jinghui didn't even step on the footstool, just jumped down, saying, "You're asking this knowingly!"

"Where do you want to go, leading your horse?"

"You rely on your Regent Prince's token to openly violate the night curfew, and even demand the city guard open the gate—just to run to Huachi Du Cun?"

Mu Nan Zhao said nothing.

He Jinghui walked up to him, stern-faced, and said, "I've already ordered the covert guard to watch nearby; no one will know you came out. Hurry back with me!"

Mu Nan Zhao finally moved, saying, "Get out of the way."

"It's the holiday season now; I can go wherever I want."

He Jinghui always greets people with a smile, but now his face is shockingly stern.

"The new dynasty has just been settled, affairs are numerous, His Majesty needs your assistance; he has delegated authority to you, allowing you to see him at any time."

"But such favor means that when His Majesty summons you, you must be present. It also means you draw envy."

"If you leave the capital without His Majesty's permission, have you considered the consequences?"

"What's more, you're heading to the Northwest! Given your relationship with the Northwest Army..."

"You should know this better than I: serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; to make an emperor feel at ease is no easy task."

Mu Nan Zhao and He Jinghui locked eyes.

He Jinghui blocked his path, making it clear he would not yield tonight.