Imperial Decree of Marriage

  Although the queen is the mistress of the harem and the most noble woman in the Qing Dynasty, she is only a wife to the emperor. Therefore, she who usually never serves others is now personally serving wine and dishes to the emperor. Moreover, every time she picks up a dish, it's always what Long Huan Tian wants to eat. Her observational skills are not to be underestimated, her intentions are not shallow.

  Actually, after all this time together, Long Yitian has always felt that the Empress should deeply love Qianlong, which is now himself, otherwise, given the Empress's personality, it would be impossible to achieve such a state, and even none of the other consorts could do so.

  Unfortunately, the Empress's affection is probably forever unable to get a response. The former Qianlong obviously didn't love her at all, and the current Long Yitian doesn't even understand what love is.

  Perhaps Long Huan would make a good emperor, but he was not a complete person, and this was something that even he himself did not realize.

  As for Lan Xiang, she was being served by Rong Mama on the side, but since the Emperor was present, Rong Mama's movements were also cautious, lest she disturb the Emperor's interest.

  Watching the dishes she loved being placed further away, Lan Xing felt a pang of loss in her heart. She could only gaze at them pitifully and swallow her saliva secretly.

  Long Hui Tian saw Lan Xiang's kitten-like appearance and couldn't help but feel amused. Without thinking, he casually picked up some dishes and placed them in front of Lan Xiang on a small plate. "There's no outsider today, just say what you want to eat, no need to be so polite."

  It was just this simple interaction that Lan Xiang understood that Huang Ama had completely accepted herself and even liked her a little. For a gege living in the palace, having the emperor's favor was equivalent to having everything, and she still knew this point very well.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Although Lan Xiang felt a little surprised and honored, she was more delighted in her heart. "You should also eat some more, I heard from the Empress Dowager that you work late every day and will get sick if you don't eat enough."

  Lan Xing said with a serious tone, but Long Yintian couldn't help but tease: "At such a young age you're already so nagging, wait until you grow up and see who still dares to marry you."

  "Emperor Mama...", Lan Xing's face immediately flushed with a layer of redness as Long Yintian said this, and she quickly pouted, pulling on the Empress Dowager's hem and coquettishly saying: "Empress Mother, look! Emperor Mama is bullying me!"

  The queen reached out and straightened Lan Xiang's body, smiling from the heart and saying: "You, hurry up and sit down to eat well."

  "Oh...", Lan Xing sat back down obediently, but couldn't help sneaking a glance at Long Yintian and muttered: "The Empress Dowager is really biased..."

  The child's innocent words made the empress feel both amused and annoyed, but when she turned around to see that the emperor was also smiling as he watched Lan Xiang eat, she completely put her mind at ease and continued to serve the emperor his meal.

  Who would have thought that Long Yitian's several unintentional glances would make the empress suddenly blush, and Lan Xiang couldn't help but lower her head and smile secretly several times.

  Long Hui Tian happened to see all of Lan Xing's little movements, so when the Empress turned her head to take food, he gave Lan Xing a warning glance without being polite, but the smile on his face remained unchanged.

  Lan Xiang also saw that the emperor was not really blaming her, so she boldly gave him a thumbs up and then quickly lowered her head to continue eating as if nothing had happened. However, beside her, Rong Mama couldn't help but want to laugh, yet didn't dare to, and ended up holding in her laughter until her stomach hurt.

  "It's indeed a lively and interesting little girl." Long Yitian didn't say anything, as if nothing had happened, and continued to enjoy his dinner peacefully. Having such an energetic and lively princess around could also help temper the empress's temperament and bring more vitality to the Kunning Palace.

  After dinner, Concubine Yong led Lan Xiang to the side hall to rest, leaving the space of the palace to the Emperor and Empress.

  The empress carefully served Long Huan a cup of tea, and at the same time, she brought up the main topic: "Your Majesty, with the Spring Festival approaching, shouldn't the ranks of these consorts be promoted?"

  The empress seemed to be inquiring about the emperor's intention, but in fact, the promotion of ranks during the Spring Festival had already become a convention every year. Moreover, the empress dowager had specifically asked about this matter a few days ago. The empress knew that if she didn't arrange for it now, it would probably be too late, so she took advantage of this rare opportunity to ask the emperor's intention.

  Long Hanyi also understood that this year's Spring Festival would not be able to get away without making any moves, and with four concubine positions vacant, at least one had to be promoted. After thinking for a moment, he said: "You just arrange this matter, and then draft a list for me later."

  "There's something else I don't know if I should mention...", the empress hesitated, glancing at the emperor. She was afraid that speaking directly would displease him, but this matter was important, and both the dowager empress and Consort Chun had spoken to her about it multiple times. After all, she was now the empress, and it was only right that she should handle this matter.

  Seeing the Empress Dowager's hesitant and evasive demeanor, Long Yitian guessed that there must be some trouble in the palace again, requiring him to make a decision. He put down his teacup and said calmly: "Empress Dowager, please speak freely."

  "The Empress, also putting down the things in her hands and sitting up straight with a slightly nervous tone said: 'The Third Prince will be sixteen after the New Year, he has reached the age where he can establish his own household. I was thinking whether it's time to arrange a marriage for him and at the same time start building his estate. If this matter is delayed until after the New Year, I'm afraid there won't be enough time.'"

  As soon as the empress mentioned this matter, Long Yitian suddenly realized that time had passed so quickly, and Yongzheng had also reached the age of marriage. However, he had no experience in this matter, and it was certain that arranging marriages for his brothers was purely a political alliance with little to do with emotions.

  The empress saw the emperor and did not speak, her expression was not one of displeasure, so she continued to speak: "A few days ago, Consort Chun came to see me specifically about this matter. She hopes that after the new year, Yongzhao will quickly marry a legitimate Fu Jin, perhaps...she can still take a look at him. Your Majesty also knows, Consort Chun's body...is probably not going to last much longer..."

  Pure Consort has been bedridden since her return from Mulan, and despite the imperial physician's visits, there is no sign of improvement. It wasn't until they reported back to Long Yitian that the physicians told the truth: Pure Consort's illness had already reached a critical stage, and she was now relying on medicine to cling to life; it was uncertain whether she could make it through next year.

  Also because of Consort Jing's illness, Yongzhang has been spending all his time at Yi Kun Palace lately, and he hardly ever spends any time with Long Yitian anymore.

  "What you said makes sense, but it seems that this matter still requires your attention, Empress Chun... Let her focus on recovering from her illness." Long Yitian's face was expressionless, his head slightly lowered, and his voice remained calm and flat. However, his eyes were deep and somewhat frightening, but the empress didn't notice. "Yongzhang has a soft personality, so it's best to choose someone who suits him and can manage the household well; other things are secondary."

  The queen, upon hearing this, also had a bottom line in her heart, and the expression on her face relaxed a lot. "I understand what you mean, Your Majesty. Don't worry, I will definitely do my best to handle this matter. After all, Yongzhao is also called me 'Imperial Mother', how can I not take care of that child?"

  "Hmm." Long Yitian nodded in seeming satisfaction, not saying anything more. However, his mood had already become unlike the carefree and joyful one he had when having dinner earlier. There was even a hint of reluctance and faint melancholy. Perhaps this was what it felt like to be a parent.

  The day before the Lunar New Year's Eve, the palace was decorated with lanterns and streamers, filled with a festive atmosphere. The cold wind seemed to have not extinguished people's enthusiasm, but instead, the snowflakes that fluttered down added a touch of purity to this upcoming festival.

  Yongzhao had just stepped into the gate of Yangxindian and hadn't even entered the house when he saw his sixth brother, Yongyao, running towards him in quick strides. His round face was already slightly red from the cold air, and the snowflakes on his body didn't make it hard to guess that this little guy must have gone somewhere to cause trouble again.

  Not yet standing firm on his feet, Yong Yao panted and smiled: "Third brother, third brother, congratulations to you!"

  Yongzhang furrowed his brow in puzzlement, utterly bewildered by Yongyao's nonsensical words: "What exactly happened? What is there for me to congratulate you on?"

  "Huh, Third Brother, you don't know yet? The Empress Dowager has already decreed your marriage and even allowed you to establish a household after the New Year. This time, I'll have another place to go outside the palace, hehe, at that time, Third Brother, you must not refuse me entry..."

  Yong Yao's words were like a thunderbolt that struck Yong Zhang's heart, making him momentarily unable to accept it, and his entire body's blood seemed to freeze instantly, turning icy cold.

  He had heard his mother mention the matter of taking a concubine before, but he only thought it was his mother's intention as a person, so he didn't take it to heart. But he did not expect that the Emperor would issue an edict so quickly.

  When he was young, he couldn't wait to leave the palace and see the vast world outside; but now, he suddenly had a faint sense of attachment, he... didn't want to leave... even if it was just a wall apart.

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