Chapter 229 Advice

Qi Jun slowly stood up.

The empress looked at her son, who was now a head taller than her, and felt a sense of unfamiliarity she had never experienced before.

If you hold all the power in the world, you only need to look at others, and you will never be looked at by others.

The prince has indeed grown up. He is no longer the little prince who was unwilling to get up in the dark to memorize his lessons in the dead of winter, who forced himself to practice martial arts day and night even after injuring his hand, and who would secretly wipe away tears when he learned of the death of his familiar pastry chef.

"Mother, I am nineteen years old. I know what I want and what I need... I am happy to marry Chang Le. It is not because I covet her beauty, nor have I ever minded her showing her face in public. I do not want to have a harem like Father, nor do I need to rely on taking concubines to secure my position."

"Your mind is made up. Whether Your Majesty agrees or not will have no effect on me."

The Empress stared at him in disbelief: "Jun'er! Are you really so stubborn?! Your father will not agree to this marriage!"

"There is no need for Mother to worry."

Seeing that he was already considering leaving, the Empress quickly stopped him: "Alright, your mother won't object to this marriage. You're all grown up now, and I believe you know what's good for you, but—"

“Mingluan is the most outstanding girl in your maternal grandfather’s Bai family generation. By reason and duty, you should marry her as your concubine. Only when the prince she gives birth to, who carries the blood of the Bai family, is made crown prince, can the glory of the Bai family be preserved. Jun’er, this is your mother’s only request.”

Qi Jun glanced at the Empress with a complicated expression, wanting to say something, but ultimately gave up, only managing to utter one sentence:

"Mother, you have overstepped your bounds."

The Empress turned pale at those words and took two steps back in a panic before she managed to steady herself by supporting herself on the table.

Before leaving, Qi Jun left behind a sentence:

"There will be no concubines in the Eastern Palace other than my principal wife. As for the Bai family, Mother, you may want to think about it. Those who are useless to the country enjoy all the honors and honors. Where are the virtuous ministers and famous scholars, and the heroes and martyrs? I have said all I have to say. If there are no other important matters, I will take my leave now."

The Empress sat there dejectedly, lost in thought for a long time. When the palace servants cautiously entered and asked whether the fireworks that had been arranged would still be set off, she wiped away her cold tears and said that everything would proceed as usual.

That night, the Princess and Qi Yuxuan did not stay overnight in the palace. After celebrating the New Year, they opened the palace gates and returned to the Princess's residence.

Before leaving the palace, Qi Minying reluctantly asked if she could also stay at the Princess's residence for one night, but was scolded by the Empress who inexplicably became angry.

Qi Minying was puzzled and wanted to ask her elder brother, the Crown Prince, but he also looked indifferent and only said that he hadn't been going to the Empress Dowager's palace much lately because she was in a bad mood.

The cousin from the Bai family stayed in the palace and even spoke to her warmly.

However, Qi Minying always felt that this cousin was strange. She was very enthusiastic even though they were not familiar with each other, and she felt that the cousin was too young and kept asking her for information, which made Qi Minying somewhat resistant.

Princess Minying and the Crown Prince had the same attitude, but Bai Mingluan was not discouraged and continued to coax her gently:

“Princess Min-young, if you feel lonely, why don’t I come and sleep with you? I also have a little sister at home. I used to tell them stories to lull them to sleep, and they could sleep through the night.”

Qi Minying became a little interested. Listen to a story to fall asleep? She liked that too.

What stories will Cousin Bai tell?

Seeing the little girl's interest, Bai Mingluan quickly said, "For example, the virtues of humility, marital harmony, and respect in the 'Admonitions for Women'..."

Before she could finish speaking, Qi Minying waved her hand listlessly.

"No wonder I can sleep so well listening to these things, but I don't like them. My cousin doesn't need to go through the trouble of telling me stories. I'll go first."

After she finished speaking, she was about to walk towards her palace when Bai Mingluan became anxious and hurriedly said:

"What kind of stories does the princess like to hear? I know more than just these; I can also recite the Four Books and Five Classics, poems, and songs..."

"Cousin Bai, do you even know what a story is? It's a storybook! The more outlandish and thrilling the storyteller tells it, the better. Have you ever heard of one?"

After Qi Minying finished speaking, she saw that the other person's pretty face was still blank, and there was even a hint of disdain in her eyes that was not well hidden.

"But...but aren't those things considered filthy? How can we listen to such things? Did some ignorant palace servant say something to the princess...?"

Qi Minying gave up struggling. "Sigh, I knew you weren't as good as Sister Yuxuan. Go back, wash up, and go to sleep."

Bai Mingluan stood there, waiting until Princess Minying and her entourage disappeared from sight before the fawning smile on her face gradually faded.

"Tsk tsk, why are you doing this, Cousin Bai?"

A voice suddenly rang out from behind her, startling Bai Mingluan, who quickly turned around to look.

"who?!"

Qi Huan emerged from the artificial hill behind her, still holding a folding fan in his hand despite the cold weather, tapping it idly in his palm. Only when he reached Bai Mingluan did he reveal a smile.

"Why are you so panicked, Cousin Bai? It's not like you've done anything wrong."

As the two masters spoke, the palace servants who were attending to them all stepped back slightly.

After recognizing the person who had arrived, Bai Mingluan calmed down and smiled as well.

"So it is Your Highness the Fourth Prince. I have been away from the capital for a long time and was unaware that Your Highness had such a penchant for eavesdropping. I was quite surprised and hope Your Highness will not take offense."

Qi Huan was far more shameless than Bai Mingluan had imagined. Upon hearing this, he not only wasn't angry, but even raised an eyebrow with a self-satisfied air and looked Bai Mingluan up and down.

"Sister Bai, you've lost face in front of the Crown Prince and Minying, but you've managed to get back at me. You're so sharp-tongued, I wonder if the Empress has ever experienced it? Indeed, if Her Majesty the Empress knew, she wouldn't dare let you into the Eastern Palace."

Bai Mingluan had no intention of engaging in idle chatter with him in the dark. Qi Huan was born to Consort Zou, and they were never on the same side, so she decided to speak frankly:

"What exactly does Your Highness mean? Why not get straight to the point? It's getting late, so I won't disturb Your Highness's rest any longer."

Qi Huan: "You've only just arrived in the capital, haven't you? The Empress didn't say much to you, which is why you kept running into obstacles at the banquet and failed to win over the Crown Prince."

Bai Mingluan frowned: "What does this have to do with the Fourth Prince?"

Qi Huan: "Don't you want to know why the Crown Prince and Minying are unwilling to befriend you, what the origin of the jade hairpin in Princess Chang Le's hair is, and whether your expectations will be fulfilled?"

Bai Mingluan bit her lip. Every word the Fourth Prince said was something she wanted to know, but her reason told her that she couldn't believe a single word the Fourth Prince said.

He is Consort Zou's son. I've never heard of him having a good relationship with the Crown Prince before. Why should he help a girl from the Bai family win the Crown Prince's favor?

"But what benefit would you get from helping me?"

Qi Huan glanced at her from head to toe and sneered:

"You know the current situation of the Bai family... Rather than having the Crown Prince marry into a more powerful family, I would prefer the Bai family. However, if you are an incompetent fool who cannot afford it, then disregard what I said. So, do you still want to hear it?"