Because Emperor Xiao had sent someone in advance to inform the Empress that he would be having dinner with the Crown Prince tonight.

Therefore, the Empress waited for Emperor Xiao and Xiao Chengci to arrive before instructing the palace maids to prepare the meal.

As soon as he sat down, Emperor Xiao couldn't wait to tell him about Xiao Chengci's upcoming marriage.

The Empress looked at Xiao Chengci with surprise and delight: "Really?"

This made Xiao Chengci feel a little uncomfortable; he would get married sooner or later anyway.

Why is his marriage treated like such a joyous occasion by his father and mother?

“I’m of marriageable age, and the ministers are urging me to get married. Since my father and mother are also worried, let’s just settle it down.”

The Empress patted her chest happily, "Then do you have a woman in your heart?"

Xiao Chengci hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, "I will leave it to Mother Empress to arrange."

The Empress was somewhat disappointed. "How can there not be a woman who suits your taste? Even Ah Huai has someone he likes."

"Ah Huai?" Xiao Chengci asked in surprise, "Is Mother referring to Shang Huai?"

Emperor Xiao was also somewhat surprised, "That kid Ah Huai actually has a girl he likes?"

The Empress nodded with a smile, "Yes, you don't know, he was so funny."

Emperor Xiao recalled a funny incident from before: "Last year on the Lantern Festival, you fell ill, so I summoned Shang Huai back to the capital. He stayed in the palace for a while, but was spotted by the niece of Consort Xian's family, which frightened him so much that he asked me for permission to go back that very night."

Back then, when the Empress was ill, she missed Shang Huai. To comfort her, Emperor Xiao summoned him back.

When the niece of the Consort Xian's family came to the palace to pay her respects, she fell in love with Shang Huai at first sight.

Later, he orchestrated several chance encounters, which terrified Shang Huai.

Emperor Xiao sighed, "That young lad actually has a girl he likes?"

"Yes, it made me happy for a long time. It's like double happiness."

Emperor Xiao glanced at Xiao Chengci: "Ours is still a bit lacking. Shang Huai already has a target."

"Not bad at all," the Empress said with a smile. "In a few days, I will hold a flower-viewing banquet. At that time, I will choose some flowers for Aci carefully."

Emperor Xiao valued frugality. After ascending the throne, he held one selection of performers and then stopped.

At first, the ministers would say a few words, but Emperor Xiao only said one thing: "Since the ministers are so concerned about my harem, why not deduct the money for the selection of concubines from your salary?"

After that one sentence, no minister dared to say another word.

Now that we need to choose a crown princess for Xiao Chengci, we have to find a pretext.

“Choose two more, arrange for them to become concubines and ladies-in-waiting.”

Xiao Chengci had no objection to this. "Mother, may I ask which family the woman my cousin is in love with is from?"

Xiao Chengci was also a little curious. His martial arts cousin actually had a woman he liked?

I wonder which family's woman could have captured my cousin's heart?

Emperor Xiao was also curious, "Yes, which family's daughter is she? I will bestow a marriage upon her."

The Empress smiled and shook her head. "He doesn't want me to say for now. Once he has discussed it with his family, I will ask His Majesty to grant him some special favor."

"That's how it should be."

When Emperor Xiao ascended the throne, the General of the Northern Garrison was the strongest supporter among the military officers.

For years, the General of the North and his family have stayed in the barren north, guarding the border for the country.

Every year on the anniversary of Lady Zhenbei's death, the Empress would spend three days worshipping Buddha in remembrance.

Emperor Xiao also understood that the Empress felt guilty towards her younger sister.

The Empress then brought up her son again, "Aci, what kind of girl do you like? Your mother will arrange one for you."

Xiao Chengci replied matter-of-factly, "Your Majesty can choose whatever you like."

The Empress was somewhat displeased. "Tell me what kind of person you like: pretty, quiet, or lively? And what skills do they need to have?"

The Empress still hoped that Xiao Chengci's Crown Princess would be chosen from among the women her son liked.

Even if you don't like her, don't hate her, to avoid unhappiness after marriage, otherwise she would become the sinner.

"Just say whatever you want, and your mother will do her best to satisfy you."

"As long as Mother is satisfied, I have no problem." Xiao Chengci had never fantasized about his future wife.

The things his mother chose for him were always the best in every aspect.

Therefore, Xiao Chengci has no need to worry or be concerned.

The Empress sighed, "It seems you're not even as good as Ah Huai."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xiao laughed heartily.

"If Shang Huai didn't have someone he liked, you wouldn't dare to arrange anything for him."

The Empress nodded. "Your Majesty is absolutely right. If I were to force this arrangement, that boy would probably never return to the capital for the rest of his life."

Xiao Chengci picked up his chopsticks and served some food to his mother, saying, "Now that my cousin has found someone he loves, Mother can finally relax."

The Empress sighed, "Yes, I finally feel a little better."

Xiao Chengci knew that Shang Huai had always been a source of worry for his mother.

The Empress Dowager always wanted to be good to Shang Huai, but she rarely had the opportunity.

Shang Huai spends most of his time in the north and rarely comes back.

Even after returning, he was reluctant to go to the palace. The more Shang Huai acted this way, the more the Empress worried about him.

Sometimes, Xiao Chengci really thought that his mother treated Shang Huai better than he did, and he was even secretly jealous when he was young.

Every year, the Empress would send large and small packages to the north, just in case Shang Huai suffered hardship.

After the meal, Xiao Chengci returned to the East Palace, and Emperor Xiao rested in the Empress's Palace.

The couple chatted about their child and trivial matters in the palace.

"Today, Duke Pei came to see me to discuss the annulment of the engagement."

"The engagement is annulled?" The Empress was taken aback for a moment, then realized, "The eldest daughter of the Duke of Pei, isn't she?"

"Yes, speaking of this matter, I feel guilty."

When Emperor Xiao mentioned that Consort Shu had come to him crying and complaining, he found himself in a difficult position.

After a moment's thought, the Empress asked, "What did the second prince say?"

Emperor Xiao sighed, "You know that second son of mine. He always listens to his mother and has no opinions of his own. Asking him is worse than not asking him at all. It only makes me angry for no reason."

The Empress thought that since Shang Huai liked Pei Zhi, it might not be a good thing if the eldest daughter of the Duke of Pei married the second prince.

"Does Your Majesty still remember what I said today, that A-Huai has a woman he likes?"

Emperor Xiao said, "I don't have dementia yet."

The Empress chuckled before revealing the truth: "He is fond of Duke Pei's second daughter."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xiao propped himself up and asked, "Really?"

The Empress asked curiously, "What's wrong? Is there something amiss?"

Emperor Xiao shook his head, then laughed out loud, "There's nothing wrong with it, it's perfect."

Emperor Xiao sighed, "I was thinking that since we had mistreated his family, if A-Huai married his second daughter, they would be my in-laws."

Over the years, the Empress has always treated Shang Huai as her own son.

If Shang Huai were to marry the second daughter of the Duke of Pei, the Empress would certainly treat her as her own daughter-in-law.

"In this way, I will not feel sorry for Duke Pei."

Shang Huai's status is more than enough to match the daughter of Duke Pei, and it also solves his current predicament.