Special War God

Chapter 174 Picture of Birds Facing the Phoenix

However, Xu Qian resisted firmly and refused to compromise at all, which gave Xu Dejing a headache.

After all, he couldn't forcibly drag Xu Qian to the Four Royal Houses' Mansion. Wouldn't that be embarrassing for him as the governor?

As the leader of a region, dignity is of vital importance.

In the hall, Xu Dejing sat alone, looking depressed. At this time, Xu Qin walked in and said, "Father, I have delivered the gift from Duke Cheng, and Butler Fang also told me that the Duke has agreed to my uncle's request."

Xu Dejing responded: "Okay, Qin'er, you've worked hard!"

Xu Qin replied: "As long as I can share my father's worries, why should I be afraid of hard work?"

Xu Dejing sighed: "You are my good daughter. If only Qian'er were half as wise and understanding as you are. It's all my fault for spoiling her since she was young. Now she only knows how to go against me!"

They traveled to Wudu to fight for a new governor position for Xu Shouting. Xu Qin was smooth and good at communication, and became an indispensable assistant to Xu Dejing. It was natural to bring her along for such a big event.

And Xu Qian had already accepted the marriage token from the Fourth Royal Descendant. The purpose of this trip to Wudu was, firstly, for the Fourth Royal Descendant to meet Xu Qian and discuss the date of her wedding with Prince Chiyan; secondly, to take the opportunity to ask the Fourth Royal Descendant to help with Xu Shouting's matter. As relatives, the Fourth Royal Descendant would surely not refuse.

In fact, it is common in all countries of the Donggu Territory for many royal descendants to marry into and out of the feudal lords, weaving an intricate network of power and forming their own alliances of interests.

Hearing Xu Dejing's chatter, Xu Qin also sighed. Sisters have a deep affection for each other. After returning home, Xu Qian shared many stories about the Thirteenth Legion and Xia Zhongnan with her. Xu Qin never thought that her sister had such a rich life experience in the two years away from home. At the same time, she was the one who understood her sister's mood the most and understood her sister's resistance to entering the royal family.

Xu Dejing suggested: "Qin'er, it's getting late, go and persuade Qian'er again."

Xu Qin, who was always obedient, said, "Father, Qin'er can find a way for you with other things, but Qin'er really has no way to help you with this matter."

Xu Dejing's face darkened: "Qin'er, do you want to embarrass me?"

Xu Qin replied: "How dare Qin'er make things difficult for father, but I really can't do anything about this matter."

Xu Dejing scolded, "Qian'er has always listened to you. Now you don't want to persuade her. Aren't you deliberately trying to embarrass me?"

Xu Qin argued: "Father, you are my biological father, but Qian'er is also my biological sister. Qian'er has her own ideas. How can I force her to do something she doesn't like? This is related to Qian'er's lifelong happiness. I don't want Qian'er to resent me for the rest of her life in the future!"

Xu Dejing said angrily: "Qin'er, do you also think that it is wrong for me to marry Qian'er to the royal family, and that it is the right choice to let her marry a servant of the Chifang Army?"

Xu Qin was speechless for a moment, unable to refute...

From Xu Dejing's perspective, marrying Xu Qian to the heir, Prince Kunst, would not only allow her to enter the mysterious royal family and enjoy endless honor, but her offspring would also carry the magic of the royal family, and their Xu family would also be bathed in the glory. If the four lords were willing to give their support, Xu Shouting's chances of becoming one of the nine new territories would increase significantly.

As for making Xu Qian Xia Zhongnan's partner, although it sounds full of strange adventures, which father or sister would want their daughter or sister to often walk on the brink of life and death?

In the end, Xu Qin obeyed Xu Dejing's entrustment and gently knocked on the door of Xu Qian's boudoir.

These days, Xu Qin was busy helping Xu Shouting seize power in the emerging territory. When she saw Xu Qian again, she couldn't help but exclaimed: "Qian'er, how did you become like this?"

The returning Xu Qian had a dull face, a thin body, a haggard look, and her eyes had lost their former luster.

Seeing this scene, Xu Qin couldn't even utter a word of comfort. The two sisters hugged each other and cried.

After a long while, Xu Qin finally stopped crying and asked softly, "Qian'er, why are you doing this?"

Xu Qian replied, "Sister, I didn't understand before. Until my father betrothed me to Prince Kunst, I was afraid that the trouble I caused would endanger him, so I kept my distance. But since I left him and came back with my father, I realized that I can no longer leave him. He has become everything in my life. Without him, I would rather lose my life!"

Xu Qin responded: "I understand. Do you know what he is thinking?"

Xu Qian shook her head: "I don't know, I only know that he cares about me, and he would give me the rare treasures he found to protect. After we got separated, he would bring the divine beasts to look for me all over the Immortal Palace..."

Xu Qin asked: "Did he never say he wanted to marry you?"

Xu Qian shook her head: "No, we have never made such a promise between us."

Xu Qin sighed softly: "Silly sister, you have spent so much time together, and he has never mentioned marrying you. How can you be so sure of him? Maybe he just treats you as the daughter of the Xu family, and it is his responsibility to take care of you?"

Xu Qian said sadly: "I don't know, sister, what do you think I should do?"

Xu Qin said: "If... I mean if Xia Zhongnan never had such feelings, what would you do?"

Xu Qian gritted her teeth: "He dares? Miss, I don't even care about the royal family. I just want to marry him. How dare he refuse?"

Xu Qin shook her head and smiled bitterly. When she first came back, she felt that Xu Qian was much more mature, but now she has turned back into that willful little girl.

The second young lady of the Xu family actually wants to force someone to marry her. Once this matter gets out, it will probably become a laughing stock.

As the saying goes, family disgrace should not be made public, and Xu Qin, caught between her father and sister, did not know what to do. She was unwilling to easily persuade Xu Qian to make the most important decision in her life according to Xu Dejing's wishes, but she was also unwilling to let Xu Qian willfully disobey Xu Dejing.

However, the deadline for Xu Dejing's appointment with the four lords is approaching. How should she choose?

Xu Qin walked out of Xu Qian's boudoir...

In the mysterious hall, Xu Dejing waited anxiously. Looking at Xu Qin's heavy footsteps, a chill passed through his heart. He still couldn't help asking, "What's going on? Has Qian'er agreed?"

Xu Qin shook her head gently: "Father, this matter requires patience. Qian'er's current state of mind is not suitable for entering the palace. Let's give her some more time."

In desperation, she resorted to procrastination, hoping that the situation would take a turn for the better.

Xu Dejing frowned and said, "It has been delayed for two years. If we don't explain to the Fourth Prince, I'm afraid we will have a hard time getting through this."

Xu Qin suggested: "Otherwise, let me accompany my father to the palace!"

Xu Dejing sighed: "It can only be done this way. At the critical moment, you can still speak for me and ease the tension."

The two took the family's magic carriage, carrying carefully prepared gifts, and headed to the residence of the Fourth Prince. The butler led them into the Fourth Prince's private library.

Usually, distinguished guests would be received in the main hall, but receiving them in the library showed the Fourth Prince's closeness and respect for Xu Dejing. At this moment, a huge scroll occupied a corner of the study, which was ten feet long and nearly ten feet wide.

The painting is almost finished, and a woman is concentrating on making the final touches, while a majestic middle-aged man is grinding ink and admiring the scroll.

The man noticed Xu Dejing's arrival and waved his hand to signal for silence so as not to disturb the woman's painting. Xu Dejing and Xu Qin saluted the man and whispered, "Greetings, His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince." Then, they stood behind the man and stared at the painting together.

In the center of the scroll, a phoenix stands on the top of a phoenix tree, elegant and solemn, with its wings moving, and its expression charming and proud. There are also many flying birds in the scroll, including geese, magpies, mandarin ducks, swallows playing in the water, cranes standing alone, and eagles guarding on both sides...

Soon, the woman put down her brush, exhaled gently, turned around and said, "Your Highness, this painting of 'A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' is finally finished!" Then she noticed Xu Dejing and Xu Qin behind the fourth prince and smiled, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time."

The fourth prince smiled cheerfully, "Thank you for your hard work, Concubine Yu! Brother Dejing, come and take a look at the 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' that Concubine Yu painted herself."

Xu Dejing felt slightly embarrassed. He came from a military background, and although he had some knowledge of elegance after becoming a governor, he knew nothing about painting. If he was asked to comment on a painting, he could only say "good", nothing more.

But he had been in the officialdom for a long time and was able to handle the situation with ease. He quickly said, "I am a humble official. I can only see that this is a masterpiece, but I know nothing else. But my daughter once studied painting with a famous teacher, so she will definitely be able to see the exquisiteness of the princess's painting."

Xu Qin was pushed forward by her father, but she was not flustered. While examining the scroll, she said, "What a beautiful painting of 'A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix'. The princess's delicate brushstrokes have reached the level of a master. The heavy colors, light colors, outlines, and renderings are all used ingeniously...

More importantly, the princess's mastery of the rhythm of magic is at a master level. As the saying goes, 'Magic obeys destiny, and those who do nothing conform to the order of heaven and earth and the laws of nature.' The whole painting is filled with a balanced and harmonious magical atmosphere, and it seems as if people and the fairyland in the painting are integrated into one.

In addition, the princess’ paintings also contain profound meanings and blessings, endowing her with many mysterious powers such as auspiciousness, happiness, longevity, prosperity, joy, and love.”

After hearing her interpretation, Concubine Yu was extremely delighted and asked, "Ah, how did you see these hidden meanings?"

Xu Qin continued to point at the paintings and spoke incessantly: "Your Highness, Princess, and Father, please look. The flock of birds surrounding the phoenix symbolizes the glory of the king, the people's homecoming, and the worship of all birds, which symbolizes the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people. The cranes standing on the pine trees imply noble character, respect from the people, and long life. The playful magpies indicate that happy events are approaching and auspicious signs are coming. The mandarin ducks rely on each other, which symbolizes the deep affection of lovers, the harmony of husband and wife, and staying together through life and death, and growing old together..."

The fourth prince clapped his hands and praised: "That's wonderful, Brother Dejing, your way of educating your children is really unique. From your eldest daughter, I can foresee that my son Chengkui's partner must also be beautiful and intelligent.

This painting of 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' painted by Concubine Yu herself is the wedding gift she prepared for my son Chengkui and your beloved daughter Qian'er!

Are you satisfied with Concubine Yu's gift?"

Xu Dejing quickly bowed to Concubine Yu and thanked her: "Thank you for your generous gift, Princess!"