"Absolutely impossible!" Hongli exclaimed coldly, slamming his hand on the armrest of his chair. "They're dreaming! What? A mere prince's heir wants to marry a princess? Absolutely impossible!"

Upon hearing the news, Hongzhou also arrived at Jiuzhou Qingyan. His usually smiling round face was now cold and stern.

It was quite obvious what the Mongols were up to. The number of princesses in the court was never a secret, and everyone knew that the emperor doted on his only princess, the Gulun Princess. Now, taking advantage of the war, they were asking for her hand in marriage, which clearly contained a blackmailing intent. Everyone knew who they were asking for her hand in marriage.

Geng was sitting next to Qian Shengyan, already furious. If it weren't for the children, she would have slammed her fist on the table and started yelling. Guo was trying her best to calm her down, but her face was also full of worry.

"Mother!" A loud child's voice rang out. Hongshan, wearing the little armor that Qian Shengyan had given him not long ago for his birthday, held up his little bow and arrow and shouted, "Mother, your son will go and kill that Dzungar, so that my sister won't get married. Your son can fight!"

Qian Shengyan: ...

This child can cheer you up and make most of your worries disappear.

She hugged Hongshan tightly, but couldn't help but sigh again, asking, "Where's your sister?"

"When my son came over, he saw her go to Father Emperor's place." Hongshan's little face was tense. "Mother, will Father Emperor marry my sister off?"

The question silenced everyone again, but Xiao Hongshan immediately jumped up: "No! I have to go find the Emperor! I..."

"Alright." Qian Shengyan covered Hongshan's mouth, stopping him from continuing. She sighed, "You should all go back now."

"Mother..."

"Your Highness..."

"Your Majesty..."

"I want to be by myself for a while." Qian Shengyan gave a wry smile. "Let me be by myself for a while."

Everyone remained silent for a moment, then got up and left one by one.

Hongli was the last to leave. He hesitated for a long time before looking at Qian Shengyan, who looked back at him calmly.

She knew what Hongli wanted to say, and she understood his dilemma, but she still secretly hoped that Hongli would lean more towards his family.

If sending a princess could ensure the safety of the Qing Dynasty, then from the emperor's perspective, there was absolutely no problem. Therefore, Qian Shengyan never asked Yinzhen a single question.

However, Qian Shengyan had some expectations for Hongli.

She didn't know what Hongli would do. Would he advise her not to go against the emperor to protect her own wealth and status? Or would he advise her to beg the emperor to protect her sister?

Qian Shengyan felt that she was waiting very rationally, but the expectation in her eyes and the hope in her heart could not be faked. She hoped that the child she had raised with her own hands would not only be an emperor, but also a responsible man and a loving brother.

“Mother…” Hongli pondered for a long time before finally speaking slowly, “Actually, Mongolia only wants to marry one princess. There are also eligible sisters from other uncles’ families. Since there are Princess Hehui and Princess Duanrou in the palace, it is not impossible for there to be other princesses.”

Qian Shengyan immediately seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and closed her eyes.

Thank goodness.

"In the battle against the Dzungars, we will need to rely on the Mongols, but even if it weren't for the sake of the Qing Dynasty, the Mongols and Dzungars are neighbors, and a battle is inevitable sooner or later." Hongli said slowly, "Your Majesty, I think that Father may not, may not agree to them."

"Now that the Empress's palace is vacant, Mother... Mother, as the Imperial Noble Consort who oversees the affairs of the six palaces, holding a position equivalent to the Empress, it would be a great act of kindness for you to adopt two goddaughters." Hongli seemed somewhat worried, glancing at her discreetly, "Mother, are you willing?"

Qian Shengyan: ...

Oh, so Hongli was worried that she might agree to give away her daughter for fear of upsetting Yinzhen?

She glanced at Hongli with amusement: "Which princesses of marriageable age are suitable? You can tell your mother."

Hongli was visibly relieved. He quickly named several princesses whose daughters were indeed suitable in terms of status.

Qian Shengyan asked Qingxue to bring her paper and notes, then nodded and said, "Mother will remember." After a pause, she said with difficulty, "This matter... you don't need to concern yourself with it anymore. No matter what your father decides, you must not..."

"Mother, you're too late. I've already written to Father Emperor, expressing my disapproval of the Mongols' actions." Hongli finished speaking and couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, Mother."

He knew that Qian Shengyan was doing it for his own good, and he also knew that he was doing it for Qian Shengyan's own good.

The emperor's favor is like flowing water, and it may dry up at any time, but they are willing to use this rare favor to exchange for the safety of their loved ones.

After Hongli left, Qian Shengyan sat there for a while, then suddenly stood up and said, "Go to the Hall of Diligent Governance."

She didn't want to question Yinzhen about anything; as long as the imperial decree hadn't been issued, anything was possible. She planned to wait outside until Fuerguochun came out, hug her little girl first, and then kneel down to beg the Emperor to allow her to adopt a goddaughter.

But to everyone's surprise, as soon as Qian Shengyan reached the entrance of the Hall of Diligent Governance, Su Peisheng greeted her with a beaming smile: "Oh, Your Highness, you've finally arrived!"

"Ah..." Qian Shengyan asked, puzzled, "Where is His Majesty waiting for me?"

"No, His Majesty has instructed that if Your Highness arrives, you should go in through the back hall, sit behind the screen, and wait for her." Su Peisheng smiled and led the way. Qian Shengyan was confused, but she could only follow him in.

In the main hall, Yinzhen was reviewing memorials. Foerguochun had been there for a while, but because Yinzhen seemed very busy, she didn't dare to interrupt and just sat aside and waited.

Su Peisheng came in and served her and Yinzhen each a plate of pastries. Yinzhen looked up, glanced at Su Peisheng, then put down his pen and looked at Folgochun: "Tell me about it."

"What does Father Emperor want to hear from his son?" Folgochun said, already picking up a snack and eating it, still with that carefree attitude.

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