ces, bearing hands they followed Ge'er into the room, seemingly everything was within their plan!Xiao Yu sang retrieved silver needles from the medicine box. After a series of acupuncture treatments,..."Mm." The emperor nodded, seeing him about to leave, he called him back: "Chen'er, your wedding with Xiao Yufu is approaching soon. You have been delaying it again and again, but is it because of Xiao Yu Ge"
“Yes...” Qian Sicheng no longer concealed his feelings for Ge’er. After seeing through his own heart, he had been regretting why he had hurt Ge’er’s feelings in the first place. If he could have seen his own heart earlier, perhaps he and Ge’er would have been married by now, maybe even expecting a child.
It's a pity that there is no medicine for regret in this world.
"You damned wretch!" The Emperor glared, his eyes blazing with fury: "Do you know that she is already married to your uncle She's your aunt by law! Are you going to fight your own uncle for a woman"
"Your Majesty, I have investigated. The marriage between Ge'er and the young prince in Yincheng was a matter of necessity, merely a pretense. There were no transgressions between them. Ge'er has always been pure." Qian Si Chen argued his case logically and passionately.
"How do you know she is innocent Did you... with her" The Emperor stroked his forehead, feeling like his brain was suddenly insufficient.
"Father, it's not what you think. My son and Ge'er are innocent." Qian Sichin didn't want to tarnish Ge'er's reputation either, but he added, "But she can only be my person!"
"Be quiet!" The Emperor was furious, looking at his son who had been ensnared by love. He felt a surge of disappointment: "Regardless of whether she and your uncle are innocent or not, they are already husband and wife in name. You should keep your distance!"
Qiansiduchin didn't speak, but her tightly pursed lips seemed to say: He won't listen!
The Emperor also knew that his son had fallen prey to love's poison. As an emperor, if he doted on a single woman, the consequences would be dire. He couldn't help but worry as he looked at his stubborn son, sighing deeply. Yet, he couldn't soften his stance: "Chener, in terms of family background and talent, Xiao Yufu surpasses Xiao Yuge. In terms of appearance, they are also comparable. Besides, you have always liked Xiao Yufu. You should get married as soon as possible."
"Father, my son doesn't want to marry Fu'er..."
"Outrageous!" The Emperor's suppressed anger nearly flared again: "She is the Chosen One of Fortune. If you refuse to marry her, are you going to hand over Lan Zhao Nation's good fortune to someone else"
"I..." Qian Si Chen was powerless to refute. He wanted to secure this position as Crown Prince, he wanted to ascend the throne someday, then marrying Xiao Yu Fu, a woman with such powerful fortune, was inevitable. But he didn't want to marry her either.
Once love seems to be mocking his youthful folly, hurting both Gē and Fū. Now, no matter what he does, it's wrong.
The Emperor looked at him, also with a face of frustration: "Xiao Yufu has been frail since childhood. The imperial physicians had already said that her body would have difficulty conceiving. Yesterday, she suddenly fainted and even invited the national master to see her. The national master reported back to me, saying that Xiao Yufu's foundation was weak since she was a child. Even if she had taken the world's finest tonics before, it was all in vain and hurt her root. The national master said that with this physique, it is likely that she will never be able to conceive. So, if you want to take a concubine or something, I think she wouldn't object."
The emperor's subtext was clear: if Qi Si Chen really wanted to marry another woman, he could wait until Xiao Yu Fu entered the palace. After that, if he desired to take on a new consort, he was free to do so. After all, for the royal family, continuing the lineage was paramount.
"Father, I truly don't believe that the national fortunes of a country should rely on a single woman. Even without her, I can still govern Lan Zhao Country well!"
“Nonsense! Master had already said this would happen, and the Imperial Advisor has also verified it. It's better to believe it exists than not to believe it. No matter what, you have to marry Xiao Yufu. The position of Crown Princess can only be held by a woman of good fortune. As for whom you want to take as concubines or mistresses, that is your freedom.” The emperor’s words were clear enough; he was telling Qian Sichin to marry Xiao Yufu first, and then, using her inability to bear children as an excuse, openly take on a concubine. This way, Xiao Yufu would have no choice but to accept it.
Qianshichen finally understood the emperor's meaning. He was fine; to him, the position of Crown Princess could be given to Xiao Yufu, but his person and love belonged only to Ge'er. However, he knew that persuading Ge'er to become a concubine was nearly impossible.
"I warn you, don't provoke your cousin. He is not well, and if you make him worse, your grandmother will not forgive you! Besides, your grandmother is also not well. If you upset both of them, I will not spare you!"
"This son understands." Qian Sichen mumbled in response, but he didn't take it to heart.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor has sent a golden elixir," respectfully announced Eunuch An as he presented a box.
Inside the box lay a golden pill, no bigger than a finger. The Emperor hummed softly, picked up the pill, and swallowed it without a moment's hesitation.
"Father, what's wrong with you What kind of medicine is this" Qian Si Chen looked puzzled. After all, his father's medicine was always prepared by the Imperial Medical Bureau, and as the crown prince, he should have known about it. But he didn't know any of this.
"Chen'er, this is the golden elixir refined by the Imperial Master for me. It has the effect of prolonging life and health. I've only taken it for a few days, and look, isn't my complexion much better" After swallowing the golden elixir, the Emperor suddenly felt refreshed, and his eyes even shone brighter.
Qiansi Chen also found it strange. Her father, who had seemed tired and weak just a moment ago, now appeared full of energy, as if he had been given new life. He looked much better than before. So, she simply nodded in response.
“That’s right. The Grand Tutor said he wants to refine a more potent elixir for longevity, but it needs to be done in a secluded place with peace of mind. Your father entrusted this matter to An'er. You focus on investigating the Thunder Pavilion. Once any clues appear, remember, it's better to err on the side of killing than letting them go!”
"Your humble son obeys!" Even though Qian Sicheng was puzzled, he still nodded in acceptance.
"Also, you must attend to the marriage between the young master of the Dingbeihou Mansion and Princess Wu from Tianzhu. The regent of Tianzhu has sent a letter, expressing great importance to this alliance. Therefore, it is imperative that we make grand arrangements! This is a crucial step in solidifying friendly relations between our dynasty and Tianzhu, and we must ensure everything goes smoothly."
"Father, rest assured. Your son will handle this matter properly and will not disappoint you."
The emperor, after hearing this, nodded in satisfaction: "Now that the Red Flame Kingdom has ceased hostilities and internal strife has subsided, with Ha Qiqi's ambition and their already powerful army, they certainly won't just give up so easily. It seems he wants to take some time to regroup before making another move. The two contingents sent previously for marriage proposals were intercepted by our people in secret. Now, I fear he will send a third batch. With Princess Hua of the Flower County involved in this incident, she is no longer a suitable candidate for marriage. Within the family, you must select a suitable replacement as soon as possible, just in case." the rules are broken, there will inevitably be punishment.“This is natural. If we can successfully join the Frost and Snow Pavilion, we will definitely abide by its rules!” Long Yuan knew that if he...