The palanquin came to a stop.

Before the nanny could introduce them, the young palace maids guarding the door came forward and bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Seventh Prince."

"Greetings, Miss."

An even more clever young girl had already helped Jiang Jiaojiao down from the carriage, spouting auspicious and celebratory words without restraint.

"Her Majesty instructed us to wait at the palace gate early this morning. We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of our young lady."

"The young lady looks absolutely radiant today, like a fairy descended from heaven. Her Majesty will surely be delighted to see her."

"Her Majesty specially instructed us to prepare the finest tea and fruit, all of which are Miss's favorites."

"And His Highness's ginseng soup is being kept warm in the pot."

"..."

Hearing Jiang Jiaojiao's cheerful chatter, she laughed along, her eyes crinkling with life, radiating boundless charm. Li Yan watched her without blinking.

What merit does he have to be so devoted to such a delicate beauty...?

Jiang Jiaojiao turned around and met a pair of bright, sparkling eyes. In that instant, it felt like a raging fire burning her heart. Oh well, His Majesty had already decreed their marriage. They... they were going to live together anyway, so what was there to be afraid of or ashamed of?

Jiang Jiaojiao is bold and decisive, and she dares to love and hate.

So, Jiang Jiaojiao naturally walked to his side, took his hand, and smiled sweetly at him, "Let's walk together."

Let's go together...

Let's go together...

All his anxiety and unease, his hidden burning passion, were shattered by those few words. His nose stung, his eyes stung...

My empty heart was instantly filled.

Full of warmth and sweetness...

Qixiang Palace truly lives up to its reputation as a palace for imperial concubines; it is worlds apart from the former side halls for noble ladies.

It took a quarter of an hour just to walk from the palace gate to the main hall.

Jiang Jiaojiao's legs were sore.

A sweaty hand is clasped in another sweaty hand.

The Seventh Prince obediently held Jiang Jiaojiao's hand.

His chest heaved, he was panting heavily, his cheeks were flushed, and he was more handsome than Pan An, exceptionally good-looking.

Jiang Jiaojiao was stunned again.

"Jiaojiao—"

Consort Jin couldn't wait and came out to greet her, her gorgeous palace attire and exquisite headdress making it difficult to see her face.

The cheers and shouts startled Jiang Jiaojiao, who quickly joined in the joy, saying, "Congratulations, Consort."

"You heartless little thing, who am I doing this for?"

It's all to help Jiaojiao defeat that big white lotus.

Jiang Jiaojiao took the opportunity to hook her arm around Consort Jin's and act coquettishly, "My...my aunt is the best to me."

"Good to know."

Consort Jin tapped her forehead and, seeing that the Seventh Prince was slightly out of breath, raised an eyebrow. "Your body is indeed a bit weak. Someone... go and fetch the ginseng soup."

"I heard you gave all the rewards from the Emperor and His Majesty to Jiaojiao?"

Although he was physically weak, he was truly devoted to Jiao Jiao.

"I still have a few hundred-year-old ginseng roots. Take them with you when you leave. If you get better, Jiaojiao's future will be brighter."

"Yes, Consort Xie."

The Seventh Prince said politely.

Jiang Jiaojiao smiled even more brightly, "Don't worry, I'm at least a semi-miracle doctor now, I'll definitely get his body back in good shape."

She has recently been studying Xue's medical records diligently.

There is a secret medicine that is exactly what he needs, but the ingredients are hard to find. She has already asked the Jin family business and the Jin family pharmacy to search for them everywhere.

"You! You!"

Consort Jin was both amused and exasperated, wondering where this woman's confidence came from.

Just as we entered the palace gate.

Jiang Jiaojiao spotted His Majesty sitting upright at a glance, and quickly released Consort Jin to obediently bow.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

The seventh prince followed suit and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Father Emperor."

The emperor glanced at the seventh prince, then looked at the plump and beautiful Jiang Jiaojiao, still hearing her silvery laughter from earlier.

So, this is the kind of girl that the seventh brother likes?

It's really good.

It looks festive.

"Get up."

As soon as the emperor raised his hand, Consort Jin immediately pulled Jiang Jiaojiao up. "Come and help me choose which pair of earrings will look best on me at the ceremony later?"

As he spoke, he pulled Jiang Jiaojiao away.

The emperor looked at the seventh prince's face, which was both strange and familiar, and his thoughts drifted, with that bright smiling face flashing through his mind.

She was originally a mountain spirit.

It was his selfishness that locked her in this magnificent cage.

"You..." have grown up.

He's becoming more and more like her. I always feel like he'll disappear in a gust of wind, just like her.

"Cough cough..."

A gust of wind blew by, and Li Yan's throat felt a little itchy, so she couldn't help but cough a few times.

Interrupting the emperor's thoughts, she frowned and asked, "How have you been feeling lately?"

"Thank you for your concern, Father. Cough cough... I'm much better now."

Li Yan answered softly.

His eyes, however, involuntarily followed Jiang Jiaojiao's retreating figure.

The emperor glanced at his good-for-nothing son and said, "Now that you're feeling better, you should pay more attention to the affairs of the Ministry of Rites. This year's spring examinations have produced many talented individuals, and we should start preparing for the palace examination in a few days."

The triennial spring imperial examinations had already prompted the other princes to eagerly seek out and befriend various candidates.

He's quite something, though. He even arranged for her to work in the Ministry of Rites, but he's never around; all he cares about is that girl.

"Yes, Father."

Li Yan obediently replied.

The emperor immediately lost his temper. "You're about to get married, and seeing your health improving day by day, it's time to stand up for yourself."

"We can't be as idle as before."

"As Elder Li's prized disciple, you can easily handle a small Ministry of Rites. Hold on tight to your power to protect yourself and others."

The emperor's voice was soft, yet every word carried profound meaning.

I used to always worry about his health, so I didn't dare to spoil him or get too close to him, for fear that he would be envied and schemed against, and also for fear that too much responsibility would break his body.

This is the first time I've seen this kind of concern.

He feared that his doting affection would harm the seventh child, just as it had harmed her. This was their only child; how could he not love her?

He will not repeat the mistakes of his youthful arrogance.

The seventh son was weak and loved freedom, so he watched from afar and protected him secretly. Otherwise, where would Doctor Qin have found so many rare medicinal herbs?

Now that the seventh son's health has improved and he's starting to have some ideas, he naturally gives his full support.

The rewards and favors that he couldn't give in person could be given through other people, which is one of the reasons why he made Consort Jin a Noble Consort after hearing that Consort Jin had pleaded for his favor.

If you want to protect the seventh prince in this harem and be his support, you must at least be the head of a palace.

The little princess he chose is indeed quite good. Although the Yongchang Marquis's mansion has fallen on hard times, her two elder brothers are more successful than their father.

If he finds an opportunity to promote him in the future, it will be a great help.

Li Yan felt a slight tremor in her chest, a little pain.

Some things, if you don't get them when you're a child, you won't need them when you grow up.

"Yes, Father."

The answer was as obedient and distant as ever.

After a pause, he added a few more words: "Thank you, Father Emperor."

Late-blooming favor is worth less than grass. Although he doesn't care for it, it's still good for Jiaojiao.

In the future...

Even after I'm gone, she'll be able to live more comfortably.