Qian Family Vixens Make Trouble
In the Imperial Study, Alexander Hayes was buried in a mountain of memorials.
Ever since Quentin Qian threw in the towel, policies in the regions controlled by the Three Great Houses in the southeast have been grinding to a halt. Even tax collection and official appointments are met with heavy resistance, giving Alexander Hayes quite the headache. He could only hope that the talented team under Princess Jade Hayes would hurry to their posts and assist him in managing local affairs.
Just as Alexander Hayes was swamped with work, Quentin Qian requested an audience outside.
At this moment, Alexander Hayes's attitude toward Quentin Qian was rather delicate. Ultimately, he still wished to win Quentin Qian over; if Quentin Qian took the lead, things would move along much more smoothly.
"Has Lord Qian's health improved?" Alexander Hayes greeted Quentin Qian with a warm and friendly manner.
Quentin Qian coughed lightly twice and replied, "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. This old minister is much better now. Today, I have come to see Your Majesty for an important matter."
"Oh? What important matter?" Alexander Hayes rubbed his brow and asked.
"It's like this," Quentin Qian began. "I've just received news from the clan: there are disputes over the appointment of officials in Ningport, and the situation is complicated. So I rushed to report to Your Majesty. Managing the affairs of state is extremely taxing for you; how about this—if I may be so bold, I invite Your Majesty to visit my humble abode, where we can enjoy a few drinks together and discuss government matters anew."
Alexander Hayes looked at Quentin Qian and, seeing his demeanor, realized he was no longer feigning illness or shirking responsibility—his attitude had softened.
Since Quentin Qian's attitude had softened, Alexander Hayes was more than happy to offer him a way out, so he agreed, saying, "Very well. I've grown weary of reading memorials anyway and could use a change of scenery. Let's go to Lord Qian's residence for a chat."
"Thank you for honoring me, Your Majesty!" Lord Qian kept a poker face, but inside he was absolutely delighted.
Alexander Hayes had just set foot in Lord Qian's temporary residence when Xiao Yun immediately snuck off to find Peony.
"Wife, this is bad! Lord Qian has invited our king to his place for drinks and political talk! Didn't you say those three granddaughters of Lord Qian all have ulterior motives? If our king goes, wouldn't that give those little fox spirits a chance?" Xiao Yun fawned over Peony, "Look, wife, this concerns our queen, so I rushed to report it to you right away!"
Peony poked Xiao Yun on the forehead and teased with a laugh, "Smart boy. Not bad, your report is right on time. You'll get a nice reward tonight."
Xiao Yun's eyes lit up at the promise of a reward. He piped up, "Deal, wife! You can't go back on your word. I'm looking forward to it! I’ll hurry and follow the king to keep those Qian family fox spirits from causing trouble!"
"Go on, Xiao Yun! I'll go report to the queen!" Peony and Xiao Yun parted ways, and Peony hurried off to find Princess Jade Hayes.
At this moment, Princess Jade Hayes was in the large study of the rear palace, busy writing the new second-grade textbook for the academy. Peony burst in, tugged at her sleeve, and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, stop writing! The fox spirits are practically climbing all over your face!"
"Huh?" Princess Jade Hayes looked up at Peony, utterly confused.
Without another word, Peony dragged Princess Jade Hayes to the dressing table. As she fussed over her hair and makeup, she grumbled, "You, you! Always busy like a man. Meanwhile, those Qian family fox spirits are all dolled up and have lured the king over for drinks. They’re clearly scheming to seduce your man, and you’re sitting here clueless! It’s enough to drive me crazy!"
Princess Jade Hayes raised an eyebrow. "Oh ho, those little hussies from the Qian family still haven’t given up!? Peony, hurry up and do my hair and makeup. I’m going to see for myself what tricks those little fox spirits are up to."