Chapter 305
She can also protect herself and not let herself become a weakness that others can exploit to manipulate Duan Gan.
In the brief moment their eyes met, he gradually understood what she meant.
Duan Gan's lips curled up, his eyes held a meaningful look, and he suddenly got up from the bed, walked out in her dazed gaze, and quickly returned.
He was also holding a sandalwood brocade box in his hand.
He stuffed the brocade box into her hands, scooped her up with both hands, and sat her on his lap.
She asked, puzzled, "What is this?"
"Open it and take a look," he said, instead of telling her to.
Tao Tao wondered what kind of riddle he was playing. She opened it and turned around to look at him in shock.
"You!" She was momentarily speechless.
Inside is a square jade national seal, with an ancient coiled dragon and Tai Chi pattern carved on the top cover, and four vermilion birds carved around the outside as feet.
"This is the imperial seal, how did you get it?"
"With this, even if the young emperor sits on the throne, the lady can still command the world."
"Consort Liu and those ministers would not dare to disrespect you."
He looked at her with a smile, not feeling that he had done anything outrageous.
She hadn't expected Duan Gan to be so bold, and was momentarily speechless. She pursed her lips, trying to process this shocking event.
However, he dared to kill even a prince, so although the Emperor Emeritus is still clinging to life, he is not far from death.
After looking him over for a while, Tao Tao put him down at her feet and reached out to hug his neck.
"My husband is truly good at planning ahead; I admire him greatly..."
She raised her head and offered her soft, fragrant lips and tongue, her shapely body pressed tightly against him, her soft, delicate skin pressing against his broad, white chest, bringing waves of pleasurable tremors.
As she pressed down on him, sitting on his waist, he obediently lay down on the bed, tears welling in his eyes as he gazed at her intently.
The semi-transparent curtains swayed with their movements, vaguely revealing the overlapping figures of the two people and their playful laughter.
Suddenly, with a thud, the brocade box fell to the ground, making a soft thud, and the jade seal inside rolled to the side.
Half a month later, Duan Gan set off on his expedition.
At the gates of the capital, the young emperor, Empress Dowager Liu, and ministers all came to see him off.
Tao Tao looked up at the man in front of her, who was wearing black soft armor, reached out to straighten his shawl, and then smoothed his long hair that fell to his chest.
"Remember to keep me safe and sound, be careful in everything you do, and be extra vigilant."
She had seen that this was the usual way people traveled, and she knew that Duan Gan would definitely be careful, but she still had to go through the proper procedures.
Duan Gan smiled, his eyes filled with tenderness, and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"I'll send someone back when I arrive. Take good care of yourself, and don't leave anyone behind wherever you go, understand?"
"I understand, don't worry."
"I'll still keep Chen Jinghe with you..."
“Didn’t you already leave half of the Privy Council’s people to me? Besides, there’s Leng Chuan and Leng Qiao. What could possibly happen to me? You need him more than I do.”
Everyone watched them being all lovey-dovey, but no one dared to urge them on.
He pulled on the reins, sat down on his horse, squinted slightly, looked at the crowd behind him, and finally flicked his whip and rode away.
Consort Liu wore a stiff smile, holding the bewildered young emperor's hand.
After seeing the army finally leave, he turned to look at his ministers and let out a heavy sigh.
Dust billowed, horses' hooves thundered, and the army marched further and further away.
Back at the Privy Council, Tao Tao resumed tending to the flowers and plants. The potted plants in the Prince's mansion courtyard were delivered the day after the wedding.
However, due to the early winter, many flowers have already fallen, leaving only bare branches.
Murong Jia Hui had already married into the Cai family. She was very happy that day, as if her life had been fulfilled and she felt very satisfied.
"Your Highness, the Eldest Princess has arrived."
The steward hurried over to report.
Following closely behind was Qi Roufu, dressed in an elegant and luxurious manner, walking towards her with a radiant expression.
"Huaimin!"
The two sat facing each other in the courtyard.
"Did you need something from me?"
"The Astronomical Bureau says there will be the first snowfall in three days. I plan to hold a banquet to enjoy the snow on that day. What do you think?"
"At the Princess's residence?"
"right."
"Sure, whatever you like."
"I will send someone to pick you up in person. You must come and not refuse."
Tao Tao smiled and nodded, "Okay, I will go."
"However, I still want to ask, when did you get involved with Duan Gan?"
Qi Roufu spoke in a teasing tone, but his gaze lingered on her face, as if he were wondering if she had been bluffing him with her previous words.
"I don't know either," she said with a smile, calm and composed.
"Duan Gan now wields immense power in the court. Perhaps you could whisper in his ear and have Empress Dowager Liu dealt with."
"You forgot, he went to war. Besides, if it were that easy, that would be great."
Tao Tao smiled, then her expression turned indifferent.
"Alright, alright, I'm not trying to make things difficult for you, but you must come to the banquet three days from now."
After she left, Rong'er couldn't help but mutter, "Your Highness, why is the Eldest Princess suddenly planning to hold a snow appreciation banquet?"
"Boring, isn't it?"
"But isn't it Empress Dowager Liu's birthday banquet in three days?"
She frowned and turned to look at her. "What did you say?"
Seeing her puzzled expression, Rong'er exclaimed in surprise, "Yes, the invitations have already been sent."
Upon hearing the invitation, her eyes widened suddenly. She turned around and went into the room, kneeling before Tao Tao with the invitation in both hands, feeling nervous and guilty. "Your Highness, please forgive me. I forgot for a moment."
"This invitation was delivered early this morning. I saw that you were still resting, so I thought I would tell you about it later. I didn't expect... I didn't expect that I would forget."
"It's all my fault, it was my carelessness. Please punish me, Your Highness."
Tao Tao took the invitation, glanced at it quickly, and then casually tossed it onto the table.
Before long, a servant came to report.
"Your Highness, Lady Murong Jia Hui of the Cai family has come to pay her respects."
She was a little surprised. "Let her in."
Soon, Murong Jia Hui, dressed in a dark blue dress, entered and bowed, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Highness."
Tao Tao stepped forward and pulled her over, "No need for formalities. Sister and the eldest son of the Cai family are newly married. What brings you here?"
Speaking of this, she smiled shyly, "Don't tease me, little sister."
Suddenly, her expression changed slightly. She hesitated, bit her lip, and said, "I wonder if my sister received invitations from both the Empress Dowager and the Princess?"
Tao Tao raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, thinking that the eldest princess had clashed with Empress Dowager Liu.
Now that her son has ascended the throne, she will suffer losses if she confronts him head-on.
"You don't know which banquet to attend, so you're asking for my opinion?"
Murong Jia Hui nodded, her eyes filled with expectation as she looked at her.
"I have no idea."
She looked up at her, her expression very serious.
Murong Jia Hui paused for a moment, then forced a smile, "N-nothing."
She thought Tao Tao didn't want to tell her. Indeed, she overestimated herself, assuming that calling each other "older sister" meant they were truly sisters.
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