Yu Yiluo failed to eavesdrop successfully after all, and she had no idea whether the prince and Shi Ran consummated their marriage.
After Shi Ran married the prince, she tried her best to do what a princess consort should do. The two got along harmoniously, and in the words of the palace servants in the East Palace, they treated each other with respect.
The prince also respected her very much. After the marriage, he went back to her parents' home with her. Her grandfather and grandmother were flattered. When she left, they told her to win the prince's heart and give birth to a child as soon as possible to secure her position.
She didn't want the two elders to worry, so she just smiled and nodded.
In Shi Ran's opinion, it's really good for the two of them to get along like this.
Life in the Eastern Palace was not as hard as she had imagined, and could even be called comfortable.
She thought the relationship between the two would always be like this, and she has always kept her original intention in mind until today.
"Crown Princess, the Emperor asks you to go to the Qingxin Palace."
Eunuch Cao was led in and said with a smile.
"Okay, please wait a moment, Eunuch Cao."
Shi Ran stood up, told the maid to serve hot tea to Eunuch Cao, and went to change his clothes.
The end of the year was approaching, and the outside was covered with a layer of white snow. Shi Ran changed into a thick jacket and skirt, and walked towards Qingxin Palace with Eunuch Cao.
She walked slowly, and her maid held up an oil-paper umbrella for her. Tiny snowflakes fell on the umbrella, making a slight sound.
Shi Ran stretched out a hand to catch the slowly falling snow.
She didn't ask Eunuch Cao why the emperor had told her about her past, but she already had a guess in her mind.
It's nothing more than a matter of finding a concubine for the Crown Prince. Once the New Year is over and the spring of next year comes, it will be a good time to do so.
While he was thinking, Eunuch Cao in front stopped and said to Shi Ran, "We're here, Crown Princess. Please come in."
Shi Ran nodded, collected her thoughts, handed the umbrella to the maid beside her, went up the steps, and followed Eunuch Cao into the Qingxin Palace.
As soon as I took one step forward, I heard bursts of laughter coming from inside.
She walked in and looked up, and found that not only the emperor was in Qingxin Palace, but also Concubine Xian, Concubine De, Concubine Shu and Yu Yiluo.
I don't know what they said, but they were laughing happily.
This made Shi Ran even more certain of his guess.
It is indeed not appropriate for the emperor to raise this matter with her alone without the help of several other ladies. It would be more appropriate for several ladies to speak to her.
"Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen, the Crown Princess has arrived."
After saying this, Eunuch Cao stepped aside. Shi Ran walked up to the few people and bowed respectfully.
"Stand up, no need to be polite, please take a seat."
"Thank you, father," Shi Ran stood up and sat aside.
"It's cold, give the Crown Princess a cup of hot tea to warm her up."
Eunuch Cao brought the tea over, Shi Ran took it and thanked him again.
When she finished her tea and wanted to ask the emperor why he summoned her, the emperor took the initiative to say, "I asked you to come here today because I have something to tell you."
"Father, please speak."
Shi Ran put down his tea and waited for the emperor's next words.
Seeing her serious face, Concubine Shu couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Don't be nervous, Princess. It's not a big deal. The Emperor wants you to host this year's palace banquet."
Yu Yiluo caught the flash of surprise on Shi Ran's face and raised her eyebrows.
Why is she so surprised? Did she think her father called her here to help the Crown Prince find a concubine?
[Hahaha, Daddy can't be that outrageous. We're newlyweds, and he's already talking about taking a concubine.]
After listening to Yu Yiluo's thoughts, the emperor finally understood why Shi Ran looked so serious.
It was true that he wanted the prince to have a child as soon as possible, but he would not do such a disgusting thing. Besides, he had promised the prince that it was up to him to choose a concubine.
"Although I have never done this before, I will definitely learn it well."
Shi Ran put away his surprise and spoke gently.
"We're all family, so it doesn't matter if things don't go well. If you have any questions, just ask..."
The Emperor looked at Concubine Shu, remembering that she was not familiar with organizing palace banquets, and abruptly changed the subject, "Ask the Ministry of Rites and Concubine Xian and Concubine Shu. Everything has a first time, and you still have a lot to learn."
"Yes, I understand."
The emperor nodded and waved his hand, "There's nothing else to do, you can leave."
Shi Ran was about to leave when he heard a greeting coming from the door.
"Meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Then, the prince strode in, glanced at Shi Ran, lifted his clothes and knelt to salute the emperor.
"Your son pays homage to His Majesty the Father."
"Get up," the emperor said, looking at the snow on the prince's hair. "I just summoned the Crown Princess, and you're here right after. Are you worried that I might embarrass her?"
Shi Ran was in a dilemma at the moment, not knowing whether to leave or stay.
She lowered her eyes slightly and listened to the prince's gentle voice.
"Your Majesty, you misunderstood. I came here to look for Luo'er, but I didn't expect the Crown Princess to be here too."
"Brother Crown Prince, you're going too far. You were clearly worried about Daddy asking Shi Ran to help you find a concubine, but now that Daddy doesn't have that intention, you actually said you came to find me."
[Even if I lie, I have to clean the snow off my hair first. I was so anxious that I forgot to bring an umbrella.]
[Forget it, just use me if you want to. I'm happy to contribute to your love.]
The Emperor suppressed his laughter and said with a half-smile, "Seeing that the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess get along well, I am relieved. You all may withdraw."
[It's not bad at all, I know I'm getting nervous, this is the prelude to the beginning of love.]
"Yes, I will take my leave."
Yu Yiluo stood up and walked towards the prince.
"Didn't the Crown Prince come to see me?"
The prince took him by the hand and walked outside.
Shi Ran followed the two of them to the door. Seeing that the snow was falling even heavier, he took the maid's umbrella and realized that the prince did not bring an umbrella.
"Your Highness, you came in a hurry. What should we do now?"
Lin Qi glanced at the heavy snow and stepped forward.
"I'll ask Daddy for a handful."
Yu Yiluo broke free from the prince's hand and returned to Qingxin Palace.
"Daddy, give me an umbrella. My prince didn't bring one."
The emperor glanced at Eunuch Cao, who hurriedly went to find an umbrella, sent Yu Yiluo out, and handed the umbrella to the prince.
The prince took the umbrella, opened it and handed it to Lin Qi.
"Brother Crown Prince, are you really worried about the Empress Dowager? You didn't even have time to grab an umbrella."
Yu Yiluo was held by the prince and said it casually.
Shi Ran was walking on the right side of the two of them. After hearing what Yu Yiluo said, he couldn't help but look at the prince's gentle and handsome profile.
He was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then looked at her.
Before Shi Ran could look away, their eyes met. She smiled and looked away.
"Brother Crown Prince, are you too shy to speak?"
The Crown Prince held his forehead and said to Shi Ran, "I heard that the Emperor sent for you. I was worried that you would be nervous when you saw the Emperor, so I came to check on you."
"Sister-in-law, Daddy promised my brother that he wouldn't let him take a concubine and disturb you."
As they were talking, they had already arrived at the East Palace. Shi Ran suppressed the subtle strangeness in his heart and put away his umbrella.
"Brother Crown Prince, please put me down and let's go have a snowball fight."
The prince frowned, "No, what if you get sick?"
"It's okay, I'm fine, nothing's wrong."
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