Qin Yi remained calm and did not respond.
The old emperor had a smile on his face, but his eyes were full of calculation and wariness.
"Xu Taigong's granddaughter is well-read and knowledgeable, and is a perfect match for you. Wang Neishi's daughter is gentle and dignified, and is also a good choice. I have also heard that the Duke of Lu has a daughter who is of marriageable age and is also very well-mannered. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Xu Taigong held a high position in the literary world, but had no real power.
Wang Neishi was in charge of the country's finances and taxation, but he was a man of the old emperor.
The Duke of Lu was old and had long since relinquished his real power; he was merely a figurehead. Moreover, he only had one illegitimate daughter.
The old emperor was capable of recommending candidates.
Qin Yi's eyes were calm as water, his dark pupils undisturbed. "I have been fighting wars abroad for many years and do not wish to delay her youth."
The old emperor waved his hand and laughed, "You are my own brother. It is their good fortune to marry you. At the farewell banquet at Yi Garden the day after tomorrow, take a good look around. I will also help you find someone suitable. What do you say?"
Qin Yi lowered his eyes, "If I were to marry, I would only marry one person in my life."
A cold glint flashed in the old emperor's eyes. "Oh? Does my brother have someone in mind?"
The moment this question was raised, the entire Imperial Study became instantly tense.
The eunuchs serving nearby, especially Eunuch Hou who was beside the old emperor, were sweating profusely.
Qin Yi slowly uttered two words, "No."
The old emperor's smile deepened immediately. "Very well, then so be it. I will only choose one princess for you."
After Qin Yi left the Imperial Study, Consort You's men bowed and came to invite him back.
"This servant greets Your Highness. The Imperial Concubine invites Your Highness to have lunch at Xianle Palace."
Qin Yi didn't even glance at him, "I'm busy."
After saying that, he strode away.
The eunuch suddenly raised his voice, "The Poet Immortal is also in Xianle Palace."
Qin Yi paused, a shadow falling between his brows.
"lead the way."
"Yes!" The eunuch breathed a sigh of relief.
Leisure Palace, Pear Garden.
Various exquisite foods were laid out on the long pear wood table, and the palace servants stood in their respective positions with clear division of labor.
During the southward migration, Yue Man aimlessly followed Consort You on her stroll to this place.
Consort You took her seat first, then gestured with her hand in a condescending manner, "Sit down."
Nanqian Yue smiled and sat down to the left of Consort You.
Consort You frowned slightly and muttered in a low voice, "No manners."
Nanqianyue pretended not to hear, secretly rubbing her aching knees.
I knelt all night last night and didn't get to sleep in because Consort You summoned me to the palace.
She has a temper, but nowhere to vent it.
At that moment, a tall, dark figure walked in, stepping on the wind.
She hadn't noticed it because it was in the direction of the southward migration of the moon, so when a huge black shadow suddenly crouched down beside her, she was genuinely startled.
"Ouch!" Nan Qianyue almost slapped him.
Her raised hand froze in mid-air, and she complained in surprise, "Why didn't you say a word? You scared me to death."
"How dare you! Who gave you permission to speak to Yi'er in such a tone!" Consort You shouted sternly.
The southward migration month sealed its mouth, choosing to remain silent.
Qin Yi placed his large hand on her knee, his expression slightly annoyed, and looked at Consort You with a cold, questioning gaze, "What did you do to her?"
Consort You felt a lump in her throat, almost choking on her breath. She was so angry that her teeth were chattering. "I've been serving her the best food and drink, are you blind?"
"What happened to her knee?" Qin Yi asked coldly, showing no sign of backing down.
Consort You was so angry that she couldn't speak. She placed her hands on the edge of the table and hesitated on the verge of overturning it.
Nanqianyue spoke weakly, "It was my father who punished me by making me kneel all night."
"Were you mute just now?!" Consort You roared at her.
Qin Yi retorted in a deep voice, "Why are you yelling at her?"
Consort You's lips trembled visibly. "I...I didn't hit or scold her. Would raising my voice kill her?"
"It can't be killed, it can't be killed." Nan Qianyue waved her hand slightly.
Consort You pointed at Qin Yi and said to Nan Qianyue, "Tell him loudly!"
"Oh, okay." Nan Qianyue nodded, smiled politely at Qin Yi first, then roared at the top of her lungs, "Roar! You'll never die!"
Qin Yi frowned, a hint of heartache in his eyes. "You don't need to be afraid of her. Just let your knee hurt. If she dares to force you into the palace, the guards will stop her."
Consort You was furious, stomping her feet rapidly under the table.
Nan Qianyue was dumbfounded. As expected, he was not her biological son. Consort You truly held no place in his heart.
"The Empress Dowager did not force me; I came of my own volition."
She paused, then leaned close to Qin Yi's ear and whispered, "Otherwise, I would have to spend a whole day at the academy, but it only takes half a day to get here."
Consort You felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Watching the two of them being so affectionate, completely ignoring her, she ground her molars together.
Qin Yi finally understood, but felt no guilt towards Consort You. "Then I'll take you to the Prince's residence to have your leg checked."
Consort You: ? ? ? ?
Nanqianyue grabbed him, "It's almost lunchtime, at least eat something."
Qin Yi glanced at the table full of dishes, fell silent, and a hint of disgust was faintly revealed in his eyes and brows.
Looking at Consort You and then at Qin Yi, he wanted to act as a peacemaker, but he just couldn't come up with any lines.
In the end, Qin Yi took the initiative to sit down, but he sat to the left of Nan Qianyue.
This infuriated Consort You even more.
"Can we eat now?" Nan Qianyue blinked innocently at Consort You.
Consort You took a deep breath, almost shouting again, but she held it in.
She picked up a piece of unidentified vegetable with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth, chewed it very hard, and then successfully bit her own tongue.
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