All Will Do Chapter 3.1

Chapter 3 (1): Suitable for Making Friends

It was the Empress Dowager’s 60^th Birthday. The Emperor said a few words then the eunuch managing the palace affairs pulled out the gift list and was about to read it out but was cut off by the Empress Dowager who waved her hand, “Alright, these can all be exempted. It’s rare to celebrate a birthday with so many people, let’s not waste time on these.”

The eunuch glanced awkwardly at Emperor Xuan De, seeing him nod, the eunuch asked someone to take the gift list and retreated.

Emperor Xuan De raised his glass to congratulate the Empress Dowager on her birthday. All the officials also stood up and raised their glasses to wish the Empress Dowager a long life. After this, the banquet officially began and the atmosphere in the garden became more relaxed.

The palace maids and attendants went between the tables like flowing water, serving fine wine and delicacies. The instruments played loudly on the stage and the singing and dancing resumed. Each of the princes came forward one by one to give toast to the Empress Dowager and congratulate her on her birthday.

The Marquis of Dingbei sat closest to the Empress Dowager. When he toasted her, he said something which made the Empress Dowager sigh and hold his hand with both joy and sorrow. The Empress Dowager had three biological children. Other than Emperor Xuan Ping and Emperor Xuan De, she also had a younger daughter, Princess Ming Yang who was Xia Xiu Yan’s biological mother. Ming Yang had been raised up by the Empress Dowager since young and was the most favoured by the Empress Dowager. Unfortunately, she passed away not long after getting married, leaving behind her only son, Xia Xiu Yan. Due to this, the Empress Dowager doted on him a lot and in the early years when Xia Xiu Yan was in the Capital, she would often call him into the palace to look after him. Now that she hasn’t seen him for years, she was even more distressed.

“Ming Yang didn’t have the fortune to see you grow up. Now that you are back safe and sound, I can finally be considered to give an account to your mother.” The Empress Dowager held Xia Xiu Yan’s hand and couldn’t help but wipe away tears as she spoke.

Everyone around rushed to comfort her. Xia Xiu Yan also spoke, “Mother would blame me if she knew that I caused my grandmother to cry on such a joyous day.”

When the Empress Dowager heard this, she burst into laughter, “You’re right. I have to watch you get married and settle down on behalf of your mother.” She turned back to face Emperor Xuan De as she spoke, “Yan’ers matters have been delayed because of the war and he’s not young anymore. As his uncle, you need to put his marriage to heart.”

Emperor Xuan De smiled helplessly, “Rest assured mother, I am well aware.”

“You’re so busy. I fear that you’ll forget about it tomorrow even if you agree today,” The Empress Dowager scolded. She tightened her grip on her grandson’s hand in determination, “I will personally handle this matter and help Yan’er find a good marriage partner.”

The Vice Prime Minister, Wu Guang Da said with a smile, “The Empress Dowager can rest assured, all the noble young ladies in the Capital would be more than delighted to be able to marry the Marquis of Dingbei.”

These words pleased the Empress Dowager greatly and the surrounding ministers also smiled in agreement. Xia Xiu Yan lowered his head with his lips curled up and let the others tease him without a word. In that moment, the monarch and ministers were all in harmony which made for a gratifying sight.

Zhou Xian’s gaze seemed to contain envy as he said emotionally, “Prince Xia is the same age as us but he’s already far surpassed the other members of the clan.”

Qiu Xin Ran responded calmly, “Don’t think too much of Vice Prime Minister’s words. Do you think he’ll be willing to actually marry his daughter to the Marquis of Dingbei?”

Before Zhou Xian Yi had the chance to ask further, he heard a cold snort beside him. The two of them turned in unison to discover a general sitting beside Qiu Xin Ran. Judging from his dark skin, beady eyes and imposing air, he seemed to be from the military. He looked at them defiantly, “The Marquis of Dingbei has made great military achievements and both his appearance and background are both outstanding. Isn’t he a hundred times better than some people who can only sit here and speak slanderous words jealously?”

Zhou Xian Yi showed embarrassment after hearing these words. On the other hand Qiu Xin Ran still stayed harmonious as she calmly replied, “This lord has misunderstood. This humble one’s words aren’t to say that the Marquis of Dingbei is inferior in any way.”

“Then what do you mean?”

“The Marquis of Dingbei is only back in the Capital to take a temprorary break. If an ordinary noble young lady was to marry him, she would need to leave the Capital with him in the future. Many residences may be reluctant to give their daughter in marriage due to this consideration.”

Her words were neither humble nor arrogant. After the man heard this, his tone slightly changed but he was still in disagreement, “Even so, our Marquis would definitely look down on such a family who can’t endure hardship.”

Zhou Zian Ji looked at her in confusion, “How do you know that the Marquis of Dingbei definitely won’t stay long term in the Capital?”

Qiu Xin Ran paused and chose to directly ignore his question. She asked the other party, “This lord just said ‘our Marquis’?”

As expected, her question diverted Zhou Xian Yi’s focus and he looked at the man in confusion.

The general’s slip of tongue that revealed his identity made him unable to help but turn red. He didn’t continue to hide his identity and said confidently, “I am the Marquis of Dingbei’s lieutenant, He Zhong. I’ve come along with the Marquis to attend the birthday celebrations.”