Imperial Palace.

Imperial study.

Ling Shumo was halfway through her greeting when the emperor interrupted her. "I think you and (the seventh prince of the Xuanyou Empire) Shangguan Xu are a perfect match. As the saying goes, a perfect couple is made for each other. It was heaven that brought you two together, and I am merely using my mouth to grant your marriage. He will be your concubine from now on."

Ling Shumo was completely confused, but she immediately knelt down to accept the order.

(The Sixth Princess of the Xuanyou Empire) Shangguan Ran pushed her brother, and Shangguan Xu's gaze finally moved down from Ling Shumo's face. He knelt beside Ling Shumo and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

Shangguan Ran bowed to Ling Shumo and said, "My younger brother has been naughty and disobedient since he was young, and he has learned etiquette and rules in a mess. When he marries into the East in the future, I hope Your Highness will be more tolerant of him."

Ling Shumo also responded politely, "Xuanyou Mountain and water are blessed with beautiful scenery, and the Seventh Prince was born into the Xuanyou royal family. He must be an extremely outstanding person. Your Highness is really too modest."

Shangguan Ran glanced at Shangguan Xu out of the corner of his eye.

Are you humble?

Her description of Shangguan Xu as naughty and disobedient was already an embellished and euphemistic description.

Once Shangguan Xu marries into the Eastern Palace, it won't be long before she blows the roof off the palace.

Shangguan Ran felt a little annoyed when he thought of this.

Not to mention the Chisha Empire, which always talks about rules and etiquette, sometimes even she, his own sister, can't stand the unruly Shangguan Xu.

But now that the power in the upper echelons of the empire is changing, it is the most dangerous and intense period. If Shangguan Xu stays in the country, it will only allow others to take advantage of her weaknesses. It would be better for her to marry directly to Chisha, where she will be safer.

Shangguan Ran fell into deep thought for a moment.

Shangguan Xu asked curiously, "I wonder how good is Your Highness the Crown Princess at archery on horseback?"

Ling Shumo herself was proficient in both the Six Arts of a Gentleman and the Eight Graces of a Woman. However, the original owner was a loser, so she could only give an ambiguous answer, "Not particularly proficient, but passable."

Shangguan Xu immediately lost interest. He tugged at his sister's arm, wanting to say he wouldn't marry. Shangguan Ran grabbed his hand and spoke through gritted teeth, "Your Highness has been taught by great scholars since childhood. Your archery and carriage driving skills must be pretty good. Since you're so interested in these things, after marriage you can exchange more ideas with Your Highness, and it can also strengthen your relationship as husband and wife. That's wonderful, don't you think? My dear brother."

Shangguan Xu curled his lips in displeasure, but after all, he did not say anything outrageous or outrageous in front of the emperor.

Shangguan Ran continued, "I've heard that everyone here is an expert in the tea ceremony. I've also studied it quite a bit and even collected teas from all over Chisha. Among them, Mengding tea is my favorite. If you have time, please feel free to come to the guildhall to find me."

Ling Shumo thought Shangguan Ran was just being polite, so she agreed very readily and sincerely invited Shangguan Ran to visit the East Palace.

Then, Shangguan Ran agreed directly, "It's lunchtime now, and I'm just worried about what to eat. Since Her Highness has kindly invited me, Ah Xu and I can only come and bother you."

Ling Shumo:?

…

Ling Shumo just entered the East Palace.

The servant who had been waiting for her here told her that Bai Lin was pregnant.

Ling Shumo looked as if she had seen a ghost.

Shangguan Ran, who had followed her in, was completely unaware of the situation and congratulated her with a smile, "This is truly a great thing. I wish Your Highness the Crown Princess a happy birth of a daughter in advance."

Ling Shumo could only smile awkwardly and accept the other party's kindness.

Shangguan Xu said, "I heard that Your Highness the Crown Princess has no children yet. So, this Bai Lin is pregnant with your first child. Can I go meet him?"

Ling Shumo was silent for a while, "It's not very convenient."

Shangguan Xu's eyes widened immediately. "We have an old saying in Xuanyou that a pregnant man is surrounded by purple aura. I just want to go to him and share his happiness. I won't harm him."

Ling Shumo had no choice but to start making up excuses, "Bai Lin is not in good health. The imperial physician said that he needs to rest alone. He only has one servant by his side now, and even I don't go to his yard to visit him.

We in Chisha also have an old saying that if a child is too young, you cannot tell others about it, otherwise you may not be able to keep the child.

Now that you know about this, just keep it to yourself and don't discuss it with anyone else."

Shangguan Xu nodded, not quite understanding what he meant.

Although Shangguan Ran had already sensed something fishy going on, she chose not to ask, skipping the topic altogether. "I prefer sweet and sour dishes. I wonder what your Highness's taste preferences are?"

Ling Shumo said, "I'm not picky about food. You said you like sweet dishes, what a coincidence! I have a famous chef in my mansion who specializes in making crab stuffed with orange. It's a pity that crabs are at their most plump in autumn, and now it's early winter. Although I'd like to, I can't treat you to the best crab stuffed with orange."

Shangguan Ran quickly said that she didn't mind at all.

Ling Shumo personally picked up some food for her and said, "It's really strange to always call me 'Your Highness'. Just call me Shumo."

Shangguan Ran readily agreed, "Shumo, if I remember correctly, I am a few months older than you. I am a bit older now. If you agree, you can call me Sister Shangguan."

Ling Shumo raised her glass and said, "This is my toast to my sister."

Shangguan Ran drank the white wine in the cup in one gulp.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!