An inexplicable emotion passed through Jia Lian's heart.
It seems that this is the best result. In this way, the Queen Mother, the Fourth Prince and others do not have many reasons to be angry with him.
He himself would not feel so sorry.
As for regrets, of course there are still some. I think any young talent in the Wei Dynasty would feel regret and dissatisfaction when seeing such an outstanding princess marry a foreigner.
However, he alone is not qualified to express it.
He raised his head and saw Princess Zhaoyang looking at him with burning eyes.
She is wearing a brand-new palace dress, with a graceful waist, slender figure and heroic figure.
On her fair and slender neck, her face was like the bright moon, and her eyes were like stars. Combined with her own unique temperament, Jia Lian couldn't help but look at her in a trance.
Jia Lian turned his head away.
Princess Zhaoyang laughed and said, "There is one more thing I forgot to tell the general.
Because of what happened last time, the general was dismissed from office, and Zhaoyang felt very sorry.
Therefore, when I met with my father yesterday, I begged him to let the general serve as my emissary.
I think that when the general comes back from this errand, he will at least be able to resume his duties."
Send an envoy?
Jia Lian looked slightly surprised.
Isn't this an errand for the Ministry of Rites or the Honglu Temple? With his age and qualifications, how can he be regarded as a personal messenger? A special imperial envoy to send a personal messenger. It should be at least an official of third rank or above.
Will Emperor Ningkang agree? However, considering his second-grade title, he is qualified to accept the imperial envoy's orders.
It's just, what are you trying to figure out...
Everyone knew that he had rejected the Queen Mother's intention to grant a marriage, but at this time, he, a "heartless person", was asked to be the messenger, which is a bit ironic no matter how you look at it.
"Why, the general is unwilling? Does the general hate Zhaoyang so much that he even found it difficult to escort me for the last time?"
Princess Zhaoyang asked with a generous smile.
Jia Lian cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness has misunderstood. As long as Your Majesty really appoints me as the envoy to see you off, I will do my best to protect His Highness's safety and maintain His Majesty's majesty."
Since it is said that this alliance with Wala is so important, then the emperor should attach great importance to the marriage. There is a high probability that he will not let an inexperienced person be the messenger to send off the marriage and deal with foreign vassals just because of Princess Zhaoyang's words.
Princess Zhaoyang smiled. From Jia Lian's words, she could tell that Jia Lian did not believe that the emperor would arrange for him to do this errand.
She remembered the scene when she met Emperor Ning Kang yesterday.
"Have you really made up your mind and are willing to go to Wala to get married?" Ning Kangdi's voice was loud and emotionless.
"Reporting to my father, since this is my mission, I am willing to take on this mission.
However, I have only one request."
"speak."
"..."
Princess Zhaoyang knew that since her father had promised her, she would naturally not go back on her promise.
As she walked forward, her eyes naturally took in the surrounding scenery. This was her brother's palace. If nothing happened during this trip, she might never have the chance to see it again.
"General Jia, does he know that Prince Wala is quite interesting? He can actually speak Chinese, although it sounds awkward." Princess Zhaoyang seemed not to want to remain silent and casually picked a topic.
"Oh, is that right? It turns out that His Highness has already met Prince Navarre."
"Yes. It's strange to say that my grandmother, the concubine, eats fasts and chants Buddha's name on weekdays. When I went to pay my respects, she didn't even have time to see me.
But a month ago, she suddenly became very concerned about me and often called me over to talk.
Once, she happened to meet Prince Wala who was going to visit her old man.
Haha, you don’t know, General Jia, just like that day in the garden of Weiyang Palace, he just met me by chance."
When Jia Lian heard this, he naturally thought of his encounter with Princess Zhaoyang that day in Weiyang Palace.
It was also from that time on that he truly felt that Princess Zhaoyang was not an ordinary royal woman.
Of course, he also knew that it was not a chance encounter, but a "blind date" deliberately arranged by the Queen Mother.
Zhaoyang said this at this time, as if he was telling him something.
Could it be that there is a reason for the marriage involving the concubine...
Jia Lian didn't know much about the grievances in the royal family, but he could make some guesses. If it was specially arranged by the concubine, it might be some calculation of interests. And Zhaoyang, who was in it, could naturally only be a victim.
Thinking of this, Jia Lian couldn't help but feel some pity for this eighteen-year-old girl.
However, judging from her words, she seemed to have a good sense of Prince Navarre. Jia Lian smiled bitterly and shook his head. He really didn't care much about it.
Does he need to pity people's consensual things? So he just nodded to show that he understood and had nothing else to say.
…
In the front yard, the drinking scene is still going on.
The fourth prince was in a bad mood, so he specially invited someone he liked to come over and have wine with him today.
As for Jia Lian, he didn't want to invite him originally. It was just his sister's request.
Zhang Su took the opportunity to speak for Jia Lian again, in an attempt to make the fourth prince understand Jia Lian.
The fourth prince was slightly drunk, but he suddenly asked Zhang Su: "How does Jia Lian drink?"
"Well, I've never seen him drink too much, I guess."
"good!"
The fourth prince slapped the table and shouted: "You don't need to say more, he is one of the few people I like, and I originally wanted to be friends with him.
But if I can’t get over my imperial sister’s matter, I don’t have a clear idea. Let’s do this, when he comes back later, that’s it…”
The fourth prince breathed out wine and told Zhang Su his solution to the problem.
Zhang Su had a look of embarrassment on his face when he heard this, but seeing that the fourth prince was resolute, he had no choice but to say: "In that case, we will do as His Highness said. However, no matter what the outcome is, please bear with me."
…
Jia Lian accompanied Princess Zhaoyang, walked half a circle around most of the palace, and then turned back.
"Okay, thank you General for accompanying Zhaoyang for so long.
General, please go back, Zhaoyang will not go in."
Princess Zhaoyang has always been inexplicably polite to Jia Lian, but Jia Lian cannot feel the pleasure of being respected.
On the contrary, although there was nothing unpleasant about the conversation, Jia Lian always felt indescribably dull.
He bowed his hands and was about to turn around.
"By the way, my brother has been a little willful since he was a child. If he has offended the general in any way, Zhaoyang is here to apologize to the general in advance."
"Your Highness is serious. What I said before is not false. Your Highness is sincere. Moreover, the reason why you are embarrassing me this time is to express your grievances for Your Highness. I admire the conduct of Your Highness, so naturally I will not take it to heart.
"
After Zhaoyang heard this, he committed himself to Jia Lian, and then went out with his maid.
Jia Lian saw her getting into the car from a distance, then turned back and entered the compound.
"Where is my royal sister?"
When they came to the main corridor, the fourth prince saw that Jia Lian was alone and asked very unkindly.
"Her Royal Highness, the eldest princess, has already taken the Luan Yu back. Before leaving, please let me say goodbye to the Fourth Highness."
When the fourth prince heard this, he felt breathless again.
He and his royal sister had a good relationship since childhood, and they lacked a lot of etiquette. Even if the royal sister left directly, he wouldn't say anything.
But why should Jia Lian say goodbye for her? This makes it seem that Jia Lian is closer to the imperial sister than him in her heart!
Jia Lian could understand the fourth prince's bad attitude.
The fourth prince must have been very reluctant to let his royal sister get married, but he couldn't talk about such a big deal, so he felt aggrieved.
It just so happened that he was the "culprit" who caused his sister to get married... Also, if he married his sister, she would naturally not have to go to get married.
Although the logic is somewhat problematic, who told him that he is the only place where the fourth prince can vent his frustration?
"Jia Lian, you have failed my imperial sister and now she has to marry to a foreign country. I originally thought that I would give you a good beating to vent my anger.
But my imperial sister doesn’t allow it. At this time, I don’t want to go against her words.
Since you have helped me before, I still owe you a favor, and I will not make things difficult for you.
I'll give you two options.
First, you should leave my palace now. From now on, we will owe nothing to each other and never see each other again.
Second, if you are a man, accept my challenge!"
Jia Lian raised his eyebrows. To be honest, although the fourth prince's words were very rude, he did not feel too offended.
Perhaps the image of the fourth prince and the stupid boy was too deep in his mind. He always felt that the fourth prince was just like Zhang Tao, still a child.
Glancing at the posture that had been set up next to him, Jia Lian already had some guesses, so he said without nonsense: "I choose the second option."
"good."
The fourth prince applauded, immediately turned around and walked to the long table inside to sit down. He pointed to a series of wine bottles in front of him and said: "Here are twenty bottles of wine. You and I will guess each other, one bottle at a time, until we have these twenty bottles of wine."
Drink until you finish.
To be fair, I will select three people from my clan who are least able to drink as substitutes. In the same way, you can also choose any three people from the field to serve as substitutes."
After saying that, the Fourth Prince waved, and the three sturdy young men who had been prepared for a long time came over and stood beside the Fourth Prince.
The fourth prince introduced their names one by one and emphasized again that the three of them were the worst at drinking.
But as long as Jia Lian is not stupid, he will know that the opposite is definitely true.
Otherwise, even if it is such a white jade rouge pot, who would dare to judge it as a pot?
Jia Lian took a look around, and it was obvious that those members of the clan would not help him. The other noble disciples were not familiar with him, so they would definitely not go against the fourth prince for him.
Only brothers Feng Ziying and Zhang Su who came with him were left.
But Zhang Su basically didn't drink alcohol, and the fourth prince must have known this, so the fourth prince had long since settled down and just wanted to make him drink.
So Jia Lian walked to sit opposite the fourth prince and stretched out one hand: "Your Highness, please."
The fourth prince was stunned: "Don't you find someone to drink for you?"
"Since it is a challenge set by His Highness, I should do my best and not dare to take any shortcuts."
It was useless to invite Zhang Su, and the relationship with Feng Ziying was not too deep. Besides, the incident with Princess Zhaoyang was considered as his "attack to win love". Although Feng Ziying didn't say anything, he was too embarrassed to ask the other party to help at this time.
As for Zhang Tao, this kid has always disliked him.
Besides, the fourth prince's only purpose in setting up this game was to get him drunk to vent his anger. Winning or losing...may not be important. Then let him vent his anger, so why force his partner into the trap.
The fourth prince became suspicious: "Do you know how to drink?"
"Not very good."
How could Jia Lian not know how to drink? He has been drinking since he was a kid and watching movies.
Not to mention, it was bitterly cold at the border that year, with thousands of miles of cold wind, killing people and splattering blood. In such an environment, how could you dispel the coldness and fear in your heart without alcohol?
I am used to eating strong wine to keep out the cold, but when I returned to Beijing and drank this kind of rice-brewed warm wine among the nobles, I found it tasteless.
It's just fine, he doesn't like drinking.
"But don't worry, Your Highness, since it is a challenge from Your Highness, I will go all out and will never lose the face of my great Wei man."
"Okay, you are indeed a man! If you defeat me this time, not only will this matter be wiped out, but from now on, I will recognize you as my brother!"
"Hehe, please."
…
The Fourth Prince was really tricking his mind. The three people he found were all good drinkers among the dandy boys.
Everyone can hold on after drinking two or three pots of this fine wine.
On the other hand, the fourth prince, Xu had drank a lot before, but after barely drinking more than half of the bottle, he was already shaky. In order to ensure that he could continue guessing, he could only give up the appearance and let his subordinates drink instead.
As for Jia Lian, since there is no one to help him, he can only drink alone as promised as long as he loses.
"Brother Lian..."
"Your Highness, forget it. If you drink any more, I'm afraid something will happen."
When he saw that although Jia Lian was more skilled, he still had to drink the fifth pot, Zhang Su couldn't sit still anymore and stepped forward to comfort him.
However, the fourth prince blushed, buried his head, and watched helplessly as Jia Lian calmly picked up the wine bottle, then raised his neck as usual, pointed at the mouth of the pot without blinking, and poured the wine into his stomach.
He couldn't help but feel respect in his heart. Even though Jia Lian had concealed his alcohol consumption, he was still so cool and unrestrained, which he admired.
Because he knew that the wine he prepared was not the light rice wine that ladies drink, but a strong wine that men drink.
Even in his heyday, he could only manage to do three pots at most and then rest assured.
I didn’t expect that Jia Lian, who looked so elegant, could be so energetic when drinking!
Seeing that Jia Lian took much longer to finish the drink than before, and then turned the mouth of the pot upside down to indicate that the pot was empty, he couldn't help but shouted: "Again!"
…
Twenty bottles of fine wine, the fourth prince originally planned to share it among eight people, so that they could keep getting drunk.
But because of Jia Lian's arrogance, they became five people.
Therefore, when only the last pot was left, even the three helpers of the Fourth Prince could no longer hold on.
"Please." Jia Lian supported the long table with one arm and invited others with the other hand.
In the end, he was able to control the winning rate of the guessing game by outsmarting the fourth prince, and secured the victory before the limit was reached.
In this last game, the fourth prince lost again.
"Fourth Emperor Brother, I'll do it."
The only one among the three helpers who could still stand firm stepped forward to show off his strength.
At the same time, he cast an admiring look at Jia Lian.
This boy, after filling seven or eight pots, he still hasn't poured it out. No wonder Her Royal Highness the Princess takes a fancy to him. He is really inhumane...
"No, I'll do it myself!"
The fourth prince intended to teach Jia Lian a lesson, but in the end, his own people were beaten down one by one. The fourth prince's loyalty surged, and he picked up the wine bottle and poured it into his stomach.
"Your Highness..."
The concerns of the eunuchs nearby could not interrupt the fourth prince's heroic spirit at this moment.
"Hahaha……"
The fourth prince let out a long roar and smashed the expensive wine bottle on the ground with a bang, causing water to splash all over the ground. Obviously, he did not finish the drink...
"Okay, okay, okay, I have accepted you. From now on, you are my eldest brother, uh..."
The fourth prince pointed at Jia Lian, said something incoherently, and then fell on the table without hesitation.
The attendants all panicked and hurriedly came forward to serve him. Seeing that the fourth prince was already drunk and unconscious, they supported him and helped him go down to rest.
So, on the scene, only Jia Lian was left as the protagonist, and his defeated general who was lying on the ground in a mess and unattended.
Feng Ziying, Zhang Su and others came over and looked at Jia Lian, whose eyes were still determined, and gave thumbs up.
Jia Lian slowly turned his head, glanced at them, and said, "Let's go, let's go back too."
As he said this, Jia Lian stood up holding on to the table, but was caught by the stool and fell backwards.
Seeing this, Zhang Su rushed forward to help him. Zhang Tao lost his temper at this time and went to the other side to help him.
Only then did the others suddenly realize that this was right. If nothing happened after doing so much, he would be really weird.
Zhang Su was afraid that something might happen to Jia Lian, so he hastily said hello to the others, and then joined Zhang Tao to help Jia Lian out.
When he returned to the carriage, he suddenly heard Jia Lian ask him: "Cousin, is this carriage expensive?"
"Um?"
Before Zhang Su could react, he saw Jia Lian's body trembling. Along with the sound of crashing, a smell of wine suddenly filled the carriage...
Feng Ziying was about to set off when she suddenly saw Zhang Tao coming over.
"How is Second Brother Lian?"
Zhang Tao spread his hands and said: "Anyway, my brother's carriage is no longer available, so I ask Brother Feng to take it in."
Feng Ziying smiled understandingly, nodded, and invited Zhang Tao to come in.