When Yuanqing returned from the morning court session, he sent a maid to summon Yuandan to the front hall, as if he had something to say to her.

On New Year's Day, she was still wearing the clothes that Xiao Changqi had instructed the palace servants to prepare for her. After entering the warm front hall, she took off her cloak and handed it to the maid who was standing by.

"Sit down." Yuan Qing poured her a cup of tea and pushed it towards her, while he himself held a glass of wine.

On New Year's Day, she picked up her tea and sipped it slowly, not in a hurry to ask Yuan Qing what he wanted to see her about.

Yuan Qing smiled and said, "His Majesty summoned me to the Imperial Study today and told me something."

As he had hoped, Yuan Dan revealed a curious expression: "What is it?"

“When His Majesty ascended the throne, no sacrificial ceremony was held. Therefore, His Majesty intends to hold the sacrificial ceremony and the empress's investiture ceremony together next month.” Yuan Qing paused slightly as he looked at her.

Yuan Dan slightly raised his eyes: "The Empress's investiture ceremony?"

Yuan Qing smiled faintly: "It's strange, when Lord Lin and others submitted a memorial advising His Majesty to expand his harem, His Majesty had them beheaded without saying a word. But now he suddenly says he wants to appoint an empress, and the empress is not a daughter of a famous family in the capital."

"You've been by His Majesty's side for so long, do you know whose daughter he intends to marry?"

"How would I know whose daughter His Majesty will marry?" Yuan Dan raised an eyebrow and asked rhetorically.

Yuan Qing coaxed patiently: "I can reveal some information."

Yuan Dan tilted her head slightly and spread her hands innocently: "But I don't want to know."

Yuan Qing: "..."

Sure enough, that's what His Majesty's naughty little bird would say.

When Yuan Qing heard Xiao Changqi say that Yuan Dan was the little bird he raised, he was shocked but also somewhat convinced that it was true.

He already felt there were too many coincidences and began to doubt the identity of the little pink bird. Now that he learned that the bird could transform into human form and looked exactly like his sister, he was not only surprised but also relieved.

Yuan Dan took a sip of tea, a playful smile playing at the corners of his eyes: "However, since you insisted on telling me, I'll reluctantly listen."

Yuan Qing: "..."

Who's obligated to tell you?

It's clearly His Majesty...

That's all.

As a subject, how could he disobey the Emperor's decree?

Yuan Qing: "His Majesty said that this woman's surname is Xiao."

On New Year's Day, she naturally followed up: "Your name is Yuanyuan?"

“Indeed.” Yuan Qing brushed off non-existent dust from his robes, exuding an air of refined elegance.

"Xiao Yuanyuan?" Yuan Dan tapped his cup lightly with his fingertips. "As far as I know, most of the people with the surname Xiao in the capital are relatives of the emperor. Is His Majesty preparing to... commit incest?"

Yuan Qing almost spat out his wine; all his gentle and refined manners and extraordinary talent had vanished.

"You really don't know who Xiao Yuanyuan is?"

On New Year's Day, she said innocently, "I don't know."

Yuan Qing coughed lightly twice: "Xiao Yuanyuan, also known as Yuandan, is the little bird that His Majesty keeps."

When he said the last two words, Yuan Qing gave her a deep look.

Yuan Dan remained calm: "Xiao Changqi told you everything?"

Yuan Qing nodded deeply: "Mm."

Aren't you surprised that I look so much like your sister, and even have the same name?

Yuan Qing: "Meeting is fate, and some things don't need to be known in detail."

Yuan Dan said seriously, "I am Yuan Dan, and I am also your sister."

Yuan Qing paused slightly, then chuckled and said, "Alright."

"Speaking of which, does Your Majesty really intend to marry me?"

"Otherwise, why would His Majesty have sent me to bring you back?"

It's all so that he can give his pet bird a legitimate lineage, and then rightfully marry it into the palace.

Looking back now, Yuan Dan realized that there was something strange about Xiao Changqi's hasty departure from the palace.