After being reborn, he was doted on by his scumbag brother.

Xiao Jingheng couldn't help but compare Xu Mengfei with his fifth sister. The fifth sister was also the most beloved little princess by his father, but the fifth sister knew what to do in different occasions and would never do anything out of line in front of outsiders.

In comparison, Xu Mengfei seems too ignorant.

However, Xiao Jingheng also understood what Xu Zhenjie said just now, all of which were meant to put pressure on his father.

Although Dongyuan Kingdom is not as strong as them in all aspects, as a neighboring country, it is of course more important to maintain good relations.

If the conflict really escalates to a war, although the Great Qi Kingdom has the strength to defeat the Dongyuan Kingdom, the war itself will cause them great harm, so there is no need to go to this step.

If sacrificing one person could bring about friendly exchanges and peace between the two countries, Xiao Jingheng would do it without hesitation.

Although he didn't have a good impression of Xu Mengfei, at least he could see that Xu Mengfei had no bad intentions and was a person who couldn't keep secrets, so at least she wouldn't pose any threat to him.

Xiao Jingheng glanced at his father and saw that he looked embarrassed. He knew that his father had some concerns and secretly made up his mind to share his worries.

Xiao Chenyu temporarily suppressed the matter. Xu Zhenjie knew that what had been said had already been said, so he did not push the issue too much. He only said that he hoped Xiao Chenyu could consider it carefully.

After the two of them had been talking back and forth, the atmosphere at the banquet had become a little awkward.

In order to ease the embarrassment, the noble ladies from aristocratic families showed off their talents and used their skills to celebrate Xiao Chenyu's birthday.

Although the level of these women was not low, the performances of others were somewhat mediocre due to the excellent performances of Lin Qingyao and Su Yan. But at least they managed to save the depressed atmosphere.

After the banquet, Xiao Chenyu returned to the imperial study, and Zhou Menglin went with him. The two began to discuss countermeasures.

"Zitong, what do you think about this marriage?"

Zhou Menglin thought for a moment and replied, "To be honest, there is no harm in the marriage for us. It is indeed the best way to stabilize the diplomatic relations between the two countries. But I also understand what your majesty is worried about. I am not sure what Xu Mengfei thinks, but what Xu Zhenjie said just now has clearly defined the candidate for the marriage. Judging from the current situation, Heng'er is the only candidate who meets the requirements."

Xiao Chenyu nodded upon hearing this, "Yes, Heng'er is the most suitable, but..."

Before Xiao Chenyu finished speaking, Zhou Menglin spoke first: "Your Majesty, I understand your concerns. Heng'er is a good boy. You don't want to put this pressure on him, nor do you want to force him to accept the marriage. Am I right?"

Xiao Chenyu smiled with relief when he heard this, "Zitong really understands my thoughts the best. I haven't said anything yet, but Zitong knows everything."

Zhou Menglin smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you and I have been married for so many years, how could I not understand your thoughts? But I think your Majesty's worries are unnecessary, Heng'er may have his own ideas. Heng'er is very smart, he heard what Xu Zhenjie said just now, and he must have figured out the trick. I guess it won't be long before Heng'er comes to you to talk about this matter."

Not long after Zhou Menglin finished saying this, Eunuch Sun came to report that Xiao Jingheng had arrived.

Zhou Menglin smiled when she heard this, her guess was indeed correct.

Xiao Jingheng had made the decision at the banquet. After the banquet, he discussed it with Concubine Chen Hui before coming to see His Majesty. The time was just right.

However, when he said he discussed it with Concubine Chen Hui, Zhou Menglin felt that it was more likely that he spent some time to inform and persuade Concubine Chen Hui to accept his decision.

After all, Xiao Jingheng is a man with his own ideas, and few people can make him change his mind about something he has decided.

And Concubine Chen Hui was not a strong mother. Most of the time she would respect her son's ideas.

Xiao Chenyu couldn't help but sigh: "Zi Tong is really good at predicting things. Heng'er really came. Eunuch Sun, let Heng'er in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon Xiao Jingheng came in and was not surprised to see Zhou Menglin there.

"My sons and ministers will meet their father, the emperor, and their mother, the queen."

"No need to be polite. It's so late, Heng'er, what is the matter with you coming to see me?"

Xiao Chenyu did not mention the marriage on his own initiative. He wanted to first hear whether Xiao Jingheng really came for this matter and what he wanted to say.

Xiao Jingheng knelt down and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report. I wish to marry the Princess of Dongyuan Country, and I hope Your Majesty will agree."

The emperor and empress looked at each other when they heard this. It was true, and it seemed that Xiao Jingheng had made up his mind.

"Heng'er, stand up first and sit down. Father and mother have something to ask you."

Xiao Jingheng nodded when he heard this and sat down as he was told.

"Father, Your Majesty, and Mother, please feel free to ask me anything. I will answer you truthfully."

Xiao Chenyu sighed after hearing this, and finally asked: "Your mother and I have basically guessed your thoughts. I know that you are the most sensible child. I just want to ask you one question, are you sincere about what you just said? Father and mother don't want you to force yourself. If you don't want to, no one can force you to make any decision. I am your father first and then the emperor. Father naturally puts your thoughts first, and you don't need to have any burden."

Xiao Jingheng was very moved when he heard this. His father was such a good father who would always consider his children first.

But he couldn't be so selfish and put his father in a dilemma because of him.

"Father, of course I volunteered. This is a matter of friendship between our two countries, so I have no choice but to do it. Dongyuan Kingdom is willing to let their only princess come to marry, which has shown their sincerity. If we refuse, it would be a bit ungrateful. In fact, I met the princess of Dongyuan Kingdom today and I think she is quite lovely and a very real person. I don't have a crush on her, but I don't hate her either. Maybe she is the woman who can make me fall in love. I am willing to give it a try."

Xiao Jingheng was afraid that Xiao Chenyu and Zhou Menglin would discover his thoughts, so he deliberately said the latter sentence to prove that he was not making sacrifices for anyone and to reassure them.

After hearing this, Zhou Menglin didn't quite believe it. She had specially observed Xiao Jingheng's reaction today. The expression on his face when he looked at Xu Mengfei was nothing like what he said. Instead, he even frowned.

Zhou Menglin looked at Xiao Jingheng and said seriously, "Heng'er, tell me honestly, do you really have a crush on Xu Mengfei?"

Xiao Jingheng felt a little guilty when Zhou Menglin looked at him, but he knew that she was testing whether he was lying, so he resisted the urge to look away.

Xiao Jingheng nodded very seriously, "Mother, I really think Xu Mengfei is pretty good. Today I can see that she is a very sincere person, not the kind of person who is two-faced. At least in the future, I don't need to worry about her having any bad intentions."