Quick Transmigration: Leisure

For the first time, Xia Sheng was calculating how many wives and concubines the Prince of Jin had.

There was a sickly princess, a shrewd concubine, and several other concubines and maids. Although the inner quarters of the Prince of Jin's residence were said to be peaceful and harmonious, the number of people was quite considerable!

My younger sister has a fiery temper and is used to being free. How could she possibly fight against those people? Besides, she'll be living deep in the palace from now on, and we won't see her easily.

Xia Sheng recalled all the backyard schemes and shady tactics she had heard about, and broke out in a cold sweat.

In addition, his good friend, Prince An, Lian Suiyuan, had stated three years ago that he would wait until his younger sister came of age before the two families could arrange a marriage, and he was very optimistic about this marriage.

Although Prince An is a bit old, he is twenty-six years old this year.

But his backyard was truly peaceful! The Princess An he was supposed to marry died of illness before the wedding. In addition, he was away fighting for many years, and apart from the maid who had been a trial bride for the princess, he was kept in the backyard as a concubine.

He's basically straightforward and doesn't have any ulterior motives; his personality is also very similar to my younger sister's! What a pity!

Scratching my head and ears.

On second thought, even if Prince An were to insist on marrying his younger sister regardless of everything, it would be almost impossible at this moment.

The struggle for the throne was not a battle between two individuals, but a life-or-death struggle between various factions behind them. Although Prince An did not aspire to rule the world, he could not allow himself to be slaughtered and had to secure a voice for himself and those behind him.

In the original text, they completely lost this right.

"Right now, I'm afraid they won't let you off the hook!" Xia Sheng clenched his fists.

He has never been willing to scheme or take sides, which has always been a family motto of the Xia family.

"Brother, there's no need to worry too much."

Xia Youmi comforted her. Although she didn't really want to be tied down in the palace, she also didn't want to be a burden. Choosing to marry Prince An wouldn't solve the problem; it would only exacerbate the conflict. If she was pragmatic enough, she could still buy her brothers some room for negotiation.

At least, don't follow the same old path as the original text, where no one ended up doing well.

“Brother, we all understand the situation. It’s unlikely that Prince An will be involved. So let’s not let our relationship with Prince Jin worsen, lest he make things difficult for you later!”

"In addition, it's also for the sake of our soldiers. There are too many people behind you who have families to support."

Xia Sheng's face showed struggle. His father and brothers had all given everything on the battlefield. He had worked so hard to earn this prestige, thinking that he could at least protect his little sister so she could live happily without any worries.

In the end, she still had to give up her life.

They got caught up in the conflict.

"I have failed my parents' wishes."

"Brother, don't say that! It's my fault. Besides, possessing a treasure is a crime. Perhaps not expressing my opinion will arouse suspicion and lead to someone setting a trap? It's impossible to guard against everything," Xia Youmi said seriously.

"Since things have come to this, let's turn the tables and negotiate some terms and benefits. For example, future salaries and provisions, support for military generals, not keeping Prince An trapped, my rank, and your special privileges when you return to the capital, etc."

Xia Sheng's head was spinning more and more as she listened, and she was no longer able to think straight.

But he understood what his younger sister meant; she was willing to go to that place to be a mascot, protecting them from being cleansed.

"I'll go find Xia Yuan for a solution." Xia Sheng prepared to go out and seek outside help.

Xia Yuan is not only his cousin, but also his military strategist and external brain.

After seeing the person off, Xia Youmi began a full-on routine of washing up, taking a bath, eating, and sleeping.

Today, I almost made her brain burn out.

"Phew! Niannian, you're right. Entering the palace should be necessary! Rather than being forcibly sent there by others and getting nowhere, it's better to seize the right opportunity and use a humble attitude to secure future peace."

At least, there's still plenty of entertainment to be had in the harem.

......

During her time recuperating in seclusion, Xia Youmi was frequently invited to banquets, and some people even came to visit her.

The Xia family had never received so many invitations before. She wasn't very familiar with the young ladies of the capital and rarely spent time with them. She usually went off on horseback hunting and running wild on the estate. Relying on her powerful connections and high martial arts skills, she always refused invitations she didn't want to go, and over time, no one invited her anymore.

Now, even knowing they're not close, they'll pretend to be oblivious and try to get closer.

Whether it was well-intentioned or malicious, it's really hard to tell.

Her friendship with Ye Ruilan was simply because their families lived nearby. Also, since her mother had many interactions with the elders when she was alive, she had become somewhat familiar with the younger generation of the Ye family.

I held it in for half a month.

The old emperor's condition worsened, and he frequently summoned his two sons to the palace.

Xia Sheng finally agreed to the marriage.

The date was set after she came of age. Whether she would enter the Prince's residence as a concubine or go directly to the palace depended on how long the old emperor could hold on. If he unfortunately passed away early, the new emperor might have to observe three years of mourning and would not hold a selection of concubines.

Doesn't that mean she gained another three years of freedom?

As for Prince An, Lian Suiyuan, he had also thought it over carefully. The two were actually just playmates, and their temperaments were compatible. It wouldn't be worthwhile to start a war just to be together, which would only cause hardship and waste of resources.

Even without the encounter that saved the Prince of Jin, and with someone else taking the throne, they still wouldn't feel comfortable handing over military power to their rival.

Huibinlou.

Autumn is in full swing, and the air is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus. It's the perfect time to eat crabs. Crabs at this time of year have thick, plump, and tender meat, and their delicious taste and aroma are incredibly tempting.

The three Xia siblings invited Prince Jin to enjoy crabs together.

"I booked this crab a year in advance for today!" Xia Sheng said somewhat discontentedly. He had gone to great lengths to order this crab to satisfy the three gluttons of the Xia family, including himself. He had originally intended to enjoy it privately, but that brat Xia Yuan insisted on using it to invite Prince Jin.

"Haha, don't let your cousin's efforts go to waste," Xia Youmi laughed. "This is so that there will be a continuous supply of bigger, fatter, and tastier crabs in the future!"

“Little sister understands best!” Xia Yuan stroked his non-existent beard, feigning profundity.

In this branch of the Xia family, the grandfather had three sons.

Their father was the eldest son, and he had a son and a daughter. The eldest son, Xia Sheng, was twenty-eight years old, which was twice the age of Xia Youmi.

The second son and his wife stayed on the battlefield, sending their only son to be raised by their eldest sister-in-law. That son is Xia Yuan, who is now eighteen years old.

The third son and his wife went south to do business and have not returned home for a long time; they still have no children.

Therefore, the three younger members were the heads of the household. They were practically inseparable and shared the same interests.

Xia Youmi's mother left when she was ten years old, and soon after, her eldest brother took her to the border to raise her. For the next three years, she grew up with the soldiers, and it was during this time that she began to associate with Prince An.

Until a year ago, the old emperor's health deteriorated. To prevent his subordinates from usurping the throne, he recalled the Xia family members to remain in the capital. He decreed that they could not return to the frontier until a new emperor ascended the throne and the regime was consolidated.

That's how they got the chance to enjoy delicious food. Before the incident, they had eaten at all sorts of restaurants. They even went to the old forests in the suburbs to explore different ways of eating and seek out the culinary skills hidden deep in the alleys.

Xia Sheng, who always gets the lion's share of the food, was very unhappy that outsiders were going to take it all. Especially since that person was also going to steal her own bok choy.

After they finished their tea, they finally heard a knock on the door.

The newcomer was none other than Prince Lian Shaoyuan of Jin, dressed in the elegant attire of a noble young master, and appeared to be in a good mood. His personal bodyguard, Qi Zhuo, stood proudly to one side, sword in hand, expressionless.

Xia Youmi and Xia Yuan exchanged a glance, both understanding each other's meaning.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Jin!" The three of them were the first to bow.

"No need for formalities, please sit down!" Lian Shaoyuan was very easygoing and invited everyone to sit down.