In the imperial study, Zhao Yi painted a picture of cicadas chirping.
He then wrote a line of small characters on the side: "The setting sun is heartless, yet most affectionate, urging the cicadas to sing throughout the myriad trees at dusk."
Zhao Zhi leaned closer to admire it, saying, "Your Majesty's painting of the cicada is incredibly lifelike, and the sunset is also vividly depicted."
“Zhizhi, autumn has arrived. Your wedding day is also approaching.” Zhao Yi gestured for Li An to take the painting away to dry, then turned around, took Zhao Zhi’s hand, and earnestly gave her some advice on how to get along as a couple.
Zhao Zhi pulled her hand away, blushing, and said, "Brother, don't say these things to me. I won't live with Shen Hanshan after I marry him. There's no need!"
"Zhizhi, haven't you always been curious about why Shen Hanshan keeps bothering you?" Zhao Yi slowly sat down.
Zhao Zhi lowered her hand, sat up straight, and listened attentively to what he was saying.
"You know that you lived in your grandmother's Kangning Palace until you were three years old. But you don't remember anything before you were three."
Going back more than ten years, Shen Hanshan's father and mother were both renowned generals of our dynasty.
At that time, the territory of the Great Xuan Dynasty was not as large as it is now. The emperor's grandfather was ambitious and determined to expand the territory of the Great Xuan Dynasty. Shen Hanshan's parents were often leading troops in battle.
In the final, decisive battle, Shen Hanshan's parents both died, leaving behind the young Shen Hanshan..."
At this point, Zhao Yi choked up.
When Shen Hanshan was four years old, his grandfather brought him to Kangning Palace and entrusted him to Empress Dowager Zhang for careful upbringing.
At that time, Zhao Zhi, who had just turned one year old, was stumbling and learning to walk in the palace.
Empress Dowager Zhang felt pity for Shen Hanshan, who was all alone and helpless, and made an exception to allow him to live with Zhao Zhi, sharing meals and lodging.
Seeing that Shen Hanshan was often sullen, Zhao Zhi shared her snacks with him.
She forced the food into Shen Hanshan's mouth because he wouldn't eat it.
After this happened several times, Shen Hanshan would turn and run away whenever he saw the arrogant Zhao Zhi.
No matter where he hid, Zhao Zhi had palace maids as spies who could easily find him and then force him to eat.
Although Shen Hanshan sometimes lost his temper with the palace maids, he could never vent his anger on the lawless Zhao Zhi.
After Zhao Zhi learned to speak, she clung to Shen Hanshan all day long, sweetly calling him "Brother, hug me."
While Shen Hanshan was giving a lecture, Zhao Zhi would peer curiously out the window.
When Shen Hanshan practiced his martial arts stances, Zhao Zhi followed suit and learned from him in a similar manner.
The two grew up together, inseparable.
In the blink of an eye, Shen Hanshan was six years old, and Zhao Zhi was three.
Seeing their deep affection, Empress Dowager Zhang jokingly asked with a smile, "Zhizhi, since you like Brother Chen so much, why don't you marry him in the future?"
Zhao Zhi agreed without hesitation, "Okay! Okay!"
Shen Hanshan stood to the side, lowering his head shyly, but his heart was filled with joy.
Seeing that Shen Hanshan didn't answer, Zhao Zhi pinched his ear and playfully asked, "Brother, will you agree or not?!" "Ouch! Ouch!" Shen Hanshan covered his ear and quickly replied, "I agree, I agree. Then you can't go back on your word!"
"Anyone who goes back on their word is a little dog!"
Zhao Zhi stretched out her hand to him, "Pinky promise, for a hundred years, no changing your mind, whoever changes their mind is a little dog!"
"After your third birthday, your grandmother was afraid that if you stayed in the palace, you would become spoiled, so she asked Madam Zhao to bring you back to the Zhao family to live with your other children. Later, you made new playmates and forgot about that joke you made back then."
Zhao Yi smiled bitterly, "But Shen Hanshan, he still remembers. He's afraid of being noticed by women from other clans in Lingyang, so he deliberately puts on a rogue and philandering act. Perhaps," he paused, "perhaps, he's doing it on purpose for me. If he's decadent and self-destructive, I don't have to worry about him becoming too powerful."
After listening to Zhao Yi's words, Zhao Zhi felt a pang of pain in her heart.
It turns out that she and Shen Hanshan had such a heartwarming time together.
It turns out that Shen Hanshan had been living such a difficult life all along.
"Brother, I... I'm feeling a bit confused." She lowered her head, looking at her swollen belly.
"Zhizhi, I'm not trying to force you to make a choice. I just hope you don't miss out on what you truly feel and end up with regrets later."
He gently patted Zhao Zhi's back and continued, "Shen Hanshan is a stubborn man. He has already questioned my brother several times about where he hid you. I'm worried that he might become suspicious of you because of this, and even do something impulsive."
Zhao Zhi nodded heavily, "I will be careful, Your Majesty."
That night, Zhao Zhi tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.
Lanru noticed that she was restless and assumed it was because she was excited about her upcoming wedding.
She then suggested that Zhao Zhi accompany her to Prince Rui's residence the next day.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi readily agreed.
The next day, she disguised herself as a palace maid and followed behind Lanru, using the pretext of inspecting the decorations of the Prince's mansion to get a sneak peek at the place where she was about to get married.
From the main gate to the inner courtyard, every part of the palace has been meticulously arranged and decorated.
The two walked and observed.
Red lanterns were hanging high on both sides of the main gate of the Prince's Mansion.
The lanterns are decorated with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns, symbolizing a happy and harmonious married life for the newlyweds.
A long red carpet was laid out in front of the gate, stretching deep into the mansion, symbolizing that the newlyweds were about to embark on their happy journey.
Upon entering the Prince's Mansion, the central courtyard is filled with various flowers, their colors vibrant and their fragrance enticing.
"Aunt Lanru, I want to go see the new house."
In a secluded place, Zhao Zhi quietly tugged at Lan Ru's sleeve and whispered her request.
"Yes, Princess. But you must be careful not to let anyone discover your identity."
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