"What does your marriage to me have to do with Lan Xiuyuan?"

Lan Linxue couldn't figure this out no matter how hard she tried, but looking at Qin Kou'er's serious expression, she definitely didn't seem to be lying.

Qin Kou'er looked at Lan Linxue and suddenly sighed, "Your Highness, are you out of touch with reality, or do you simply not understand the hardships of life? Do you really think that just because the Emperor likes you, you can just pick any woman to enter the palace as your Crown Princess?"

Upon hearing Qin Kou'er's words, Lan Linxue suddenly realized what was going on.

Lan Linxue is the Crown Prince, so his marriage is naturally a matter of state. Let alone marrying a roughneck like Qin Kou'er, even marrying the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official would require the approval of the Imperial Observatory, the clan, and ultimately, the consent of all the old men in the court.

Otherwise, even if he turns the sky upside down, there will be absolutely no leniency!

"Is this why you approached Lan Xiuyuan and gained his trust?" Lan Linxue asked with some surprise.

Qin Kou'er nodded, gazing at the blooming lotus flowers in the distant pond, and said softly, "Lan Xiuyuan is Hu Tianyong's grandson, and also the crown prince he fully supports. You can imagine how important a word from Lan Xiuyuan, or his trust, is to me. You know, Hu Tianyong is now a first-rank official, with disciples and former officials all over the country; his influence is vast and deep. If he doesn't agree to this selection of the crown princess, then even if I give mountains of gold and silver for charity, I still won't be able to get to your side! Therefore, no matter what impression I have of Lan Xiuyuan, I must gain his trust! I—"

Before Qin Kou'er could finish speaking, Lan Linxue pulled her into her arms and hugged her tightly.

"How could you be so foolish? Why do you have to bear this all by yourself? Don't you know I'm your man? Shouldn't I be the one to handle this?"

"You're going to handle this? What can you do? Kill Lan Xiuyuan, or threaten the Emperor?"

Qin Kou'er leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, her voice somewhat cold and empty, "Some things can't be solved by favor alone! Hu Tianyong is all-powerful now, not to mention you, even the Emperor has to be wary of him. So, we have to get past Lan Xiuyuan no matter what."

Upon hearing this, Lan Linxue immediately frowned and looked down at Qin Kou'er, who was clinging to her like a cat. "Who said I only have favor?! Qin Kou'er, do you look down on me just by looking at me? Do you think I can't even handle my own marriage? Qin Kou'er, can you embarrass me any more?"

Qin Kou'er smiled gently, raised her head, and looked softly at Lan Linxue, "Alright, then tell me, what methods do you have to help me pass the selection and successfully enter the palace to participate in the imperial concubine selection?"

Lan Linxue thought for a moment, then gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I think no matter who I marry, that old bastard Hu Tianyong will do everything he can to stop me! He'd better be childless so he can have his way! Unfortunately, he underestimates me, Lan Linxue. I know you took Shi Mengjian's account book. Give it to me, and as long as I control the lifelines of those officials in Jiangnan, he'll naturally do as I say!"

"What if Hu Tianyong would rather cut off his own arm than comply with your demands?"

Lan Linxue sighed softly, "Then I'll have no choice but to target Lan Xiuyuan! That's why I absolutely cannot let the third brother die!"

"Oh? Do you have other plans?"

Lan Linxue stroked Qin Kou'er's hair, rested her face on Qin Kou'er's head, and said softly, "Everyone says that being the Crown Prince is the most promising job in the world, but let me tell you, it's utterly meaningless! And even less so for me. Behind the Fifth Prince is the First-Rank Prime Minister Hu Tianyong, behind the Third Prince is the Grand Commander of the Army Xu Ming, and there's also the Sixth Prince, who has the support of all the scholars and literati in the land. If I didn't have some tricks up my sleeve, I would have been devoured by them long ago! Not even bones would be left! So, what I have to do now is stir up trouble. Unless they kill themselves, no one else can do anything about it!"

Upon hearing Lan Linxue's words, Qin Kou'er immediately sat up. "What, do you have some kind of plan?"

Lan Linxue smiled slightly, looked at Qin Kou'er, and suddenly her eyes lit up. She whispered, "I've got an idea. Why don't we have a son first? Then let's see who dares to prevent my son from being recognized as a member of the family!"

When Qin Kou'er heard Lan Linxue deliberately change the subject, she knew that he definitely didn't want to talk about it.

She couldn't help but punch him on the shoulder, then leaned into his arms. "You're never serious! When I'm trying to talk to you about serious matters, you always bring this up! What's the point of having a son? If you have an illegitimate child, I'll just drag him out and have him killed! I'll be accused of seducing the Crown Prince. You and your son might be safe, but I might not be so lucky!"

Lan Linxue laughed heartily, "What are you afraid of? With me and our son here, who would dare to lay a finger on you! Don't worry, I'll take care of this for you. From now on, you can do whatever you want. If you don't want to deal with Lan Xiuyuan, you don't need to give him a good look at all! Humph, what is he anyway!"

Qin Kou'er felt that arguing with him about this issue was pointless. Besides, Lan Xiuyuan's usefulness went far beyond simply making her the Crown Princess.

Qin Kou'er leaned against Lan Linxue and decided not to talk about it anymore. Talking about it too much would make both of them uncomfortable, and it was better to keep their own thoughts to themselves.

"Lan Linxue!"

"Um?"

"When are you going back to Beijing? You've been away for quite a while now, are you planning to go back?"

"It's been a while! But Shi Mengjian's case isn't over yet, and Lao San tried to assassinate me. I won't go back until these things are resolved! Besides, I haven't completely won you over yet, how can I go back so soon? What if you forget about me?"

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