Su Wan'er managed to suppress her curiosity and was about to slip away. But as soon as she walked out, she saw Qingcao coming over with a pot of tea and several tea cups.
"Miss, I've made some tea. Have a cup," Qingcao was always very considerate, but Su Wan'er felt a bit helpless at the moment. There was nothing she could do but stay and continue watching the show, even though there was a risk of offending someone at any time.
"What's your relationship with Xiaojiu?"
Not bad, Su Wan'er thought. The national advisor carried himself as a senior so naturally.
"What do you mean by that, National Advisor? Xiaojiu is now the queen of our Southern Border. But this has nothing to do with you," the Grand Elder continued to be rude. Although the ruler of the Southern Border might not be as noble as the national advisor of the Jin Kingdom, the Grand Elder seemed to be aware of this fact and deliberately put on the airs of a sovereign.
"The Southern Border already had a queen, and I've never heard Xiaojiu mention it. Moreover, the Grand Elder is about forty years old now. Do you know how old Xiaojiu is?"
Su Wan'er thought something was amiss. "Qingcao, I don't think this tea is fresh. Take me over to make another cup."
"Wait. Your Majesty, please stay here. In case there are some things that aren't clear later, my words alone might not convince the Grand Elder," the national advisor said.
Su Wan'er knew she couldn't escape this time.
"I don't understand what you mean, National Advisor. What's your relationship with Xiaojiu? What right do you have to say such things?" The age gap between him and Xiaojiu was a taboo in the Southern Border. The national advisor, being such a person, must have guessed this. Wasn't he just deliberately poking at others' sore spots?
"Xiaojiu is my niece. Although we've been separated for these years, after all, an uncle is an important elder in the family. I'm her only elder in this world. How could I not make plans for her?" The national advisor said this with full confidence. Su Wan'er found it even more ridiculous. It wasn't just being separated for years; they had only recognized each other yesterday! If it weren't for this unexpected fate, with the national advisor just happening to come here and Xiaojiu just happening to escape from the Southern Border, and them recognizing each other in this military camp, it would have been quite a coincidence.
"Are you Xiaojiu's uncle?" The Grand Elder was full of doubts. How could the national advisor of the Jin Kingdom be the uncle of a person from the Southern Border? So he looked at Su Wan'er as if asking for an explanation. Only then did Su Wan'er know her role here.
"Yes, yes. This is really like the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple. Family members don't recognize each other," Su Wan'er said amiably, trying to ease the atmosphere between the two.
"Really? Does the Emperor of Jin have any evidence?" The Grand Elder suspected that this person might be another trick Su Wan'er used to deceive him. But he thought that if it were true, this would be Xiaojiu's only elder. It was better to be cautious at this time.
"Well, family relations can't be fake. There's no need for evidence. But if the Grand Elder really wants evidence, there is some. Yesterday, the national advisor recognized the jade pendant on Xiaojiu. They've talked for a long time," Su Wan'er felt a bit sorry for the Grand Elder at this moment. She managed to hint at the truth that they had only recognized each other yesterday in a round - about way, but it obviously made the national advisor unhappy.
"Why do you need to question my authenticity? Even if there is evidence, it's not for you to see," the national advisor put on the airs of a senior again.
"I've already made proper arrangements. Considering my current situation in the Jin Kingdom, it's the most appropriate for Xiaojiu to follow me. The Southern Border already has a queen. Xiaojiu can't bear such grievances," the national advisor seemed to deliberately say this, clearly telling the Grand Elder that now that he was Xiaojiu's only elder, he should be the one to decide on important matters like marriage.
"Uncle, you may not know that Xiaojiu and I are deeply in love," sure enough, the situation took a turn. Su Wan'er watched as the Grand Elder called the national advisor "uncle" so obediently, without blushing or getting nervous. She felt embarrassed for him.
It seemed that it was really not easy to get married and have children these days. He had to curry favor with an elder he had just recognized yesterday.
"No, no. I can't accept the Grand Elder's call of 'uncle'. The Grand Elder shouldn't be so self - assured. Since the Long family has declined and the Yuwen family has taken its place, the Southern Border is no longer a suitable place for Xiaojiu. My elder sister treated me very well back then. I will definitely take good care of her daughter. I'll take Xiaojiu to my mansion in the capital in a few days. I'll surely let her live a life of luxury," the situation became extremely embarrassing at this point. After all, the Grand Elder was from the Yuwen family, and the extermination of the Long family was caused by the Yuwen family. Although Si Junlin had already eliminated most of the evil people of the Yuwen family in the Southern Border, the Grand Elder still couldn't escape the label of a villain.
"Uncle, please listen to me. Back then, it was really a family order that we had to follow. But most of the respected people of the Long family managed to escape. It can't really be counted as a disaster of clan extermination. Moreover, uncle must know that Xiaojiu is just a side - branch daughter of the Long family. She has no real connection with the uncles who adopted her. So how could there be enmity between Xiaojiu and me?" The Grand Elder's move was really ingenious. Su Wan'er was amazed. In this way, didn't he manage to clear himself and separate Xiaojiu from the Long family?
"Presumptuous! Are you doubting Xiaojiu's bloodline or mine? I've been the prime minister of the Jin Kingdom for more than thirty years, and I have no children. If I had, the late emperor would surely have granted a title of princess or county princess. No wonder you let Xiaojiu be a co - queen and suffer such grievances," the national advisor deliberately looked very angry, as if standing up for his own child. "Fine. Since you look down on us, there's no need to entangle here any longer."
"You've misunderstood, sir. I've always cherished Xiaojiu very much," the Grand Elder said.
Seeing such a humble attitude, Su Wan'er thought this was a good opportunity. She winked at the national advisor, indicating that it was time to get to the point. This Grand Elder was really something. His wife was pregnant. Wasn't he ashamed to stay here? He should just give in to the Jin Kingdom.
"If the Grand Elder insists on this, His Majesty and I have also discussed it. It's really not a good solution for Xiaojiu to be a co - queen. If the Grand Elder submits to the Jin Kingdom, then General Su can surely come back. By then, Xiaojiu will be the only queen of the Southern Border, and I'll be able to live up to my late elder sister in heaven," the national advisor said.
Brilliant! Su Wan'er secretly cheered in her heart. Look, no wonder he had been a prime minister for decades. His words were really well - put. In this way, if the Grand Elder dared to say no, wouldn't he be letting down his dead mother - in - law? Usually, the living wouldn't compete with the dead for favor.