Mingzhu looked at Huo Xiaolong standing in front of her, clad in red armor and wielding a long sword. He was being helped off his horse by the men beside him. She looked at her, waiting for her to bow to her.

After this ceremony, Da'an became his fiefdom.

"Princess Mingzhu of Da'an greets the Dragon Princess of Da Yan. Long live the Emperor!"

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Huo Xiaolong sensed something was off. Mingzhu's gaze towards him was... well, something was off.

But she still couldn't say it.

They've only met a few times, why are their eyes so eager?

Long'er led her sisters into the palace to prepare for the banquet, during which she had her grandson Zixi and Yuwen Helan finalize various matters between the two countries.

After entering the hall, the woman felt a bit hot, so she took off her helmet and cloak.

Lan Tingche subconsciously reached out to take it. These were things that Xiaocao and he had done before. If the two of them weren't by Long'er's side, then Da Ni'er and Xiaohai would also take care of Long'er.

But today, Mingzhu is faster than I can reach out.

Lan Tingche frowned.

Unhappy

Is that noticeable?

After everyone took their seats, they watched as Sun Zixi and Yuwen Helan engaged in a lively discussion with the envoy from Da'an. The main topics were how taxes would be calculated and where to take the imperial examinations.

Mingzhu didn't care about any of that; she trusted her subordinates to handle things well.

and,

Most importantly,

It had been far too long since I had seen her.

Mingzhu stared blankly at Huo Xiaolong, his ponytail standing on top of his head, his face without any makeup, and the redness in the corners of his eyes as if he had drunk some wine.

"Are you the jewel of Da'an?"

Huo Qitian and his children were having a great time running around in the palace, a new place, a new palace.

The little dumpling came up to Mingzhu and interrupted her gaze, asking directly.

Princess Mingzhu looked down and saw the miniature face of Huo Xiaolong. She nodded and said:

"Yes, I am the Pearl of Da'an. Who are you? Hmm... let me guess, are you Princess Pearl of Da Yan?"

So beautiful! Her child is so beautiful. If the two of them had a child, it would definitely be just as beautiful.

Like her, very much like her.

She will really, really like this child, she definitely will.

Mingzhu thought to herself.

"Yes, I am the Pearl of Great Yan, but I don't like this name. Why do you like this name so much? You didn't change your title even after becoming the Crown Princess."

Mingzhu was a little taken aback by Huo Qitian's question, then she smiled and said:

"Because your name is also Mingzhu (Pearl)."

At the time, the Minister of Rites did submit a memorial proposing to change Mingzhu's title, but she refused because of the name.

"You really want to share the same name as me?"

Mingzhu placed Huo Qitian on her lap, and the little man adjusted his position, nestled in Mingzhu's arms, and naturally enjoyed being fed.

"Yes, I'm happy to share the same name with you."

"Oh my aunt, you're such a chatterbox."

"Can I ask you something, Auntie?"

“Go ahead, Auntie, I can tell you anything as long as it’s not a matter of national importance.”

Mingzhu smiled, tapped Huo Qitian's forehead, and asked:

"Does your mother have any other concubines in the harem now?"

Hearing this, Huo Qitian's mind went blank for a moment, so he asked in return:

What is a concubine?

Her father was the emperor and empress; the child had never seen other emperors with their harems filled with women.

"It's about whether you have a concubine or not."

“Aunt? I know that. Men call their concubines and children ‘aunt’. But I don’t think my father would dare to have an aunt, after all, my mother was the emperor.”

Mingzhu reached out and, seeing that Huo Qitian liked savory snacks, handed her another one, saying:

"It's not about your father's concubines, it's about whether your mother had a concubine."

"No, my father won't allow it, but over the years many people have sent men to my mother. Whenever my father finds out, he will definitely take me to assert my dominance."

The woman lowered her head, pressed her face against Huo Qitian's cheek, and said:

"Is that so? Then your mother is really good to your father."

"Absolutely."

"Auntie, can you come back to Dayan with me this time? I feel that you are so gentle, the gentlest auntie I have ever met."

The child is still young, and she likes to take advantage of whoever is nice to her.

Hearing Huo Qitian say this, Mingzhu was truly tempted, and she continued to ask:

"If I go to the Great Yan, I'll become your concubine, your mother's mistress. What do you say?"

Mingzhu then realized something was amiss. She looked at her father sitting next to the head of the table, and then at her mother who was clinking glasses with someone.

Looking up again, she saw Mingzhu's face beaming with happiness.

This isn't directed at her biological father; it's directed at her mother.

Lan Tingche also realized what was happening. That look in his eyes, that look, was exactly the same as when he looked at Long'er.

But Mingzhu is a woman, so she probably wouldn't...

After all, the young ladies in the capital sometimes stared at Long'er in a daze.

It's normal. Long'er holds a high position and wields great power. She is also beautiful, highly skilled in martial arts, and approachable. It's only natural that young girls would blush when they see her.

But Mingzhu, that's a bit too much.

"Auntie, I think you should ask my parents about this. Anyway, I'd be happy to do it. You can feed me delicious food every day, okay?"

"Okay, Auntie will spoil you every day."

If Mingzhu were to teach this child, he would definitely become a spoiled brat.

After the banquet, the Sun siblings went back to study the documents, while Huo Qitian ran to Lan Tingche's side and solemnly said to his father:

"Father, Da'an Mingzhu is coming to our house to be my mother's concubine."

"..."

"She said it herself?"

Empress Lan, with her imposing presence, poured a cup of tea for the dazed Long'er and then asked a question.

"Yes, she told me herself. I think she's a good person. She seems gentle and kind, much gentler than my two godmothers."

"So you agree?" Lan Tingche asked in return.

"Whether I agree or disagree is irrelevant; it doesn't require your consent."

The man curled the corners of his lips and said calmly:

"My agreement is not enough. You have to get your other two godmothers to agree as well. Qi Tian, ​​go find your two godmothers and repeat what you just said to them."

Lan Tingche is full of bad intentions. If you say other women are good or suitable for Huo Xiaolong in front of Hou Xiangxiang and Da Nier, they will definitely be angry.

Tonight, Huo Qitian's backside is in danger.

It's alright. Anyway, I'm with Physician Hou. If it gets worse, he'll treat it. It's a piece of cake.