Zhang Zisheng blushed slightly, "However, the clothes still didn't fit quite right in the end."
Lin Wan shook her head: "It's alright, the thought itself is enough."
Just then, she suddenly reached out and touched Zhang Zisheng's face.
Zhang Zisheng was startled by the suddenness of her hand, but still did not dodge, only asking in confusion, "Empress Dowager?"
Lin Wan smiled and withdrew her hand: "Your face is a little red and a little hot."
"Is...is that so?" Zhang Zisheng reached up to touch her face. Lin Wan's smile faded, but then she suddenly said:
"I've always heard about the assassination in Nangang. It's said that the daughter of the Jin family assassinated many political figures from various countries, and even killed her own brother with a single sword. Is this true?"
Zhang Zisheng replied, "That is indeed true." He then asked, "Why did the Empress Dowager bring this up?"
"I kept hearing people talk about it back then, and I couldn't help but take it to heart. After all, the assassin's identity is special; she's Princess Yongning. What's your opinion on this matter?" Lin Wan asked calmly.
Zhang Zisheng immediately replied:
"The princess was of great righteousness. In order to assassinate those bandits who were trying to seize the land of my Yan Kingdom, she did not hesitate to use herself as bait. Before the assassination, she must have been prepared to die. It was because she was determined to sacrifice herself for righteousness that she was saved by the Emperor at the execution ground."
At this point, Zhang Zisheng sighed and continued:
“If it were anyone else, calling him a ‘righteous man’ would be enough, but the princess is different.”
"What's the difference?" Lin Wan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That has to do with the previous dynasty. The Jin family ruled the previous dynasty for a hundred years. Back then, they produced many talented people. Their clan had no shortage of heroes who fought for the country and died for the people. But as time goes by, each generation is worse than the last."
"In the final chapters, they even pushed Jin Fengluan, a useless person who was jealous of talent and incompetent, onto the throne. This caused what should have been a prosperous scene to become rotten inside and out, full of devastation. It can be seen how corrupt the Jin family had become at this time. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they were a stinking quagmire."
Lin Wan nodded and listened quietly.
Zhang Zisheng continued:
“From birth, the princess was in such a situation. Can it be considered good? On the surface, it seems good, after all, the princess’s status is so noble. But this is just an appearance. When this castle in the air collapses, the identity of ‘princess’ will become a burden and a shackle. At that time, no matter if she is a good person or a bad person, she will eventually die young.”
"But the princess today did not end up like that. Admittedly, it was His Majesty's kindness and benevolence that saved her, but it was also the princess's character that saved her."
"The princess is unyielding, pure and untainted. Though she is mired in the mud, she remains untouched by its dust. I think the bandits and robbers she killed were no different from her own brother. The princess saw them as 'evil,' and so she had to eliminate them."
"In our eyes, the incident in Nangang was an assassination attempt to protect the country and sacrifice one's life for righteousness. But in the princess's heart, it may have been her exchanging her life for another, a selfless act of repayment."
After finishing his speech, Zhang Zisheng realized that Lin Wan hadn't said a word the entire time, so he smiled apologetically and said:
"I hope Your Majesty will forgive my humble opinion."
Lin Wan then smiled and said, "Every word is precious, indeed."
"Girl, are you two quite familiar with each other in private? Is that why you know each other so well?"
Zhang Zisheng shook her head and said with a smile, "No, not at all."
"I learned about the princess's daily behavior from a trusted person, which is why Zisheng made this wild guess."
"The princess was brought back to Jinling from Nangang by His Majesty and is currently in the city. We will know whether this is true once we see her in person."
After saying this, Lin Wan pinched Zhang Zisheng's palm and said, "Then tell me again, what is the purpose of my son bringing this princess back?"
Upon hearing this question, Zhang Zisheng shook his head and said, "His Majesty should have already made up his mind."
Lin Wan chimed in, "I think this guy is going to take her in as his wife."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zisheng showed a slightly surprised expression:
Why does the Empress Dowager say that?
Seeing her puzzled look, Lin Wan shook her head and sighed, "How could I not know my son?"
“He is different from his father. His father couldn’t distinguish between beauty and ugliness, but he has liked pretty and beautiful girls since he was a child. He even chose the best-looking maids to follow him around.”
"I don't think he thought of what you just said. Perhaps he just saw that the princess was exceptionally beautiful and had a face that could topple kingdoms, so he let bygones be bygones, not only saving her but also saying in front of the people that he would protect her from now on."
"It's all just an excuse. He just wants to find a beautiful wife." As she said this, Lin Wan scrutinized Zhang Zisheng's face.
After listening to Lin Wan's words, Zhang Zisheng smiled and said:
“Your Majesty is only human, and it is not surprising that you are attracted to beautiful women. However, the princess is not a criminal who brings disaster to the country. Her outstanding qualities are not only in appearance, but also in character. Therefore, even if Your Majesty wants to take her into the palace, I do not see anything wrong with it.”
"By bringing the princess into the palace, it can be seen that he is fair in rewarding and punishing, and kind and benevolent. The people will see this and will love him even more."
"This should be a win-win situation."
"Of course, this is just my opinion. I don't know if His Majesty has the same idea."
Lin Wan said, "Then we'll ask him when he gets home, but I think it's very likely."
Zhang Zisheng nodded.
"But tell me, if he really wanted to take this woman into his harem, could she become empress?" Lin Wan suddenly asked.
Zhang Zisheng blurted out:
"Your Majesty is a fish that can swallow a boat, and does not swim in the branches and streams; the princess is a swan that flies high and does not gather in the filth."
"If the Empress Dowager agrees, then of course it is possible."
"Me? I won't interfere in this matter. He won the war, he overthrew the Jin family, and he was elected emperor because of the people's trust. So he has the right to decide the important matters of his life from now on," Lin Wan said.
“The Empress Dowager is enlightened; His Majesty must be pleased to hear you say that,” Zhang Zisheng said with a smile.
Lin Wan nodded at her, her gaze softening and growing more pleased with her, and said, "Good child."
Then she picked up a plum from the fruit plate and placed it in Zhang Zisheng's hand, saying:
"Here, have a fruit too, it's really sweet."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Zhang Zisheng said.
"No need for that, these fruits are yours to begin with," Lin Wan said with a smile.
Zhang Zisheng didn't refuse. She picked up the red and glossy fruit, parted her lips slightly, and took a bite. The sweet juice gradually spread in her mouth.
Just then, joyful sounds came from outside the hall:
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has returned."
Upon hearing this, Lin Wan was delighted, grabbed Zhang Zisheng's other hand, and said with a smile:
"Come on, girl."
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