What Lin Yan didn't know was that although she had only been on the throne for a little over a month, her demeanor had already undergone a tremendous change.

Especially when she has no expression, she already has the air of an emperor who commands respect without anger, which inexplicably inspires fear in people.

Looking at the person kneeling on the ground, she shook her head helplessly and helped the person up.

"What are you doing, sister-in-law? Get up quickly. What's there to blame you for? It's only natural for a widow to remarry. I'm just curious about who you're asking for permission for."

After being helped up, Pei Ling cautiously glanced at Lin Yan. Seeing that she wasn't angry, she finally felt relieved.

Thinking about her next request, she clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and then, blushing, stammered:

"It's Eunuch Wang You, who serves His Majesty..."

"ha?!"

Since ascending the throne, in order to maintain the dignity of the emperor, Lin Yan has rarely been so dumbfounded.

After all, she couldn't connect the two people at all, and considering Pei Ling's quiet and reserved personality, she couldn't help but have doubts.

Did he coerce you?

Pei Ling's rosy face quickly turned pale, and she shook her head like a rattle-drum, desperately trying to explain in a panic:

"No, no! The master did not coerce me. Everything was of my own free will!"

Seeing that the expression on her face was genuine, Lin Yan was even more confused.

She had heard of eunuch-eunuch relationships before, but they were usually between palace maids and eunuchs, where both parties got what they wanted and found solace in the lonely palace.

The previous dynasty had always explicitly prohibited it, but after she ascended the throne, she dismissed many palace maids and eunuchs, and out of consideration for their difficulties, she allowed them to do this.

She had never heard of such a combination before.

One was a eunuch in the palace, and the other was a noblewoman from a noble family. These two people who had nothing in common, how did they end up falling for each other?

Lin Yan was worried that Pei Ling, having lived a secluded life, was not very knowledgeable and did not understand the power of gossip, so she told her about the possible situations that might occur in the future.

"Marrying a eunuch is no small matter. Once I issue this imperial decree of marriage, not only will you be ridiculed by the world, but perhaps your child and your family will also be ridiculed. Have you... thought this through?"

Pei Ling raised her head, which had been slightly lowered, and looked at the emperor in front of her with a firm gaze, her tone more stubborn than ever before.

"Your Majesty, I have considered all of this, and I have no fear. During my exile, thanks to the magistrate's help in finding people to look after us, my family was able to reach the Northwest safely..."

"I was unaware of this matter. Since you have already made up your mind, I will not say more. However, marriage is ultimately a matter between two people, and I must first ask Wang You's opinion."

Seeing that she was determined, Lin Yan could no longer refuse. However, she did not forget to ask for the opinion of another person, so she instructed the palace servants serving her.

"Go and summon the King of Xuan to come and see me."

"yes!"

Today happened to be Wang You's day off, so he was not serving him.

A moment later, a palace maid brought the person over.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing Wang You, Pei Ling blushed and awkwardly looked away.

"No need for formalities, don't be so reserved. I have summoned you for a private audience today. I see you are twenty-one years old now. Is there someone you have in mind?"

After Wang You stood up, Lin Yan carefully observed him.

Only then did I realize that he was very handsome, with fair skin, a tall and slender build, and a straight back. He didn't look like a eunuch at all, but rather like a handsome scholar.

She was naturally grateful to Wang You, because it was thanks to his inside help that they were able to easily break into the palace during the coup.

Therefore, as soon as she ascended the throne, she promoted him to be the supervisor of the Eastern Depot.

She used to think that he might have been indebted to Xie Muqing, which was why he did his best to help them.

In retrospect, it seems he did it for Pei Ling.

Thinking of this, Lin Yan's impression of Wang You improved even more, and her tone naturally became more friendly.

But no sooner had she finished speaking than Wang You's expression changed. He forced himself not to look at the woman beside him and replied decisively:

"Your Majesty, I have no lady I admire."

Lin Yan wasn't stupid; ever since Wang You came in, Pei Ling's eyes had been darting around.

Although Wang You did not respond, his clenched fists betrayed his nervousness.

Now that he deals with eunuchs all day long, Lin Yan naturally knows his concerns. He is worried that his beloved woman will be ridiculed by the world because of him.

But today, the reserved Pei Ling has finally taken the initiative. If she doesn't seize the opportunity to bring them together, given Wang You's always hesitant personality, who knows when they'll be able to get married!

"Since that's the case, I can now arrange your marriage with peace of mind. Just now, my sister-in-law asked me for an imperial decree to grant you two a marriage, and I have agreed."

Ever since Wang You said those words, Pei Ling's mood has been depressed, and she can't help but wonder if she has been in a one-sided love affair these past few days.

The courage she had just possessed had vanished completely, and she had given up all hope for the marriage.

She never expected His Majesty to give her such a big surprise, and she quickly knelt down to express her gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Wang You was dumbfounded.

This was completely different from what he had imagined!

He was just a crippled man; how could he be worthy of such a virtuous and beautiful woman?

"Your Majesty, this is against the rules..."

Lin Yan gently raised her hand, interrupting his impending refusal.

"Alright, alright. One of you is my sister-in-law, and the other is someone I trust. I will choose a house for you as your wedding home. Go back and prepare well. I've looked at it, and the eighth day of next month is an auspicious day. Let's set the wedding date on that day. I will have an imperial edict drafted right now."

Because she harbored resentment, Pei Ling left the imperial study in a huff, without saying a word.

Her appearance instilled a sense of fear in Wang You, and disregarding the palace servants present, he strode after her.

Seeing him catch up, Pei Ling felt even more aggrieved. She shook off the large hand that was about to grab her and quickened her pace without looking up.

Just then, they passed a corner, and Wang You immediately reached out and pulled the person into the corner, avoiding the palace servants' sight.

This also helped them avoid another curious gaze.

Watching Pei Ling kick her legs wildly as Wang You carried her away, Lin Yan, who was leaning against the door of the Imperial Study watching the show, burst out laughing.

It really is a case of one radish in one hole.

She had never seen Pei Ling act so girlishly before. She was usually too quiet, and she never expected that she could be so lively.

Perhaps this was her true nature, and she only had to suppress it because of her status as a widow.