Azi and Ana were happily choosing gifts when Di Jingcheng and Yimeng walked in, talking as they went. Behind them, Zheng He and a young eunuch carried two buckets of fresh, plump fish, which the two men had caught fresh from the lotus pond in the Imperial Garden. Azi wanted to eat grilled fish today, and Ana agreed, so the two of them went out early in the morning.
When Azi and Ana saw him return, they quickly put away the gifts they were carrying and went to greet him: "Acheng, you're back!"
Azi pulled Di Jingcheng's hand and walked inside. She glanced at Yimeng and Ana beside her with a grin: "Thank you for your hard work, Brother Yimeng!"
Di Jingcheng was unhappy that Azi praised someone else instead of him. Seeing his handsome face fall, Azi quickly grabbed his hands and shook them, saying, "Acheng, you've worked hard and caught so many fish, that's great! Let's go inside!"
Di Jingcheng smiled slightly. Well, he's easy to coax.
Di Jinghan carried Chu'er to the door, happily calling out "Royal Brother!" before taking Chu'er to see the live fish. Chu'er watched the fish jumping and splashing in the bucket, laughing happily and trying to reach out and grab them, but she couldn't.
"Chu'er, be good. When you grow up, Auntie will take you to catch it. You can't catch it now." Di Jinghan held him and watched from the side.
Di Jingcheng smiled and said, "What, you've finally decided to come back?"
Di Jinghan stood up, glanced at him, and continued to coax Xiao Chu'er: "Chu'er, your father bullies your aunt. When you grow up, will you help your aunt bully him back?"
Everyone was both amused and exasperated. Di Jingcheng's lips twitched. That was his son; how could he possibly bully him?
"Brother, what is Chu'er's name?"
“Minghe.” Di Jingcheng uttered two words, looking at his son with gentle eyes.
"Minghe, Minghe, what a lovely name." Di Jinghan looked at the pretty little dumpling with eyes full of affection. What a wonderful president! She and Li Yannian would also have a lovely child in the future, and they would be very happy.
Chu'er was a little tired from playing and started to yawn, his eyes half-closed. Di Jinghan quickly handed him to Qinghe: "Take Chu'er back to rest, and be gentle."
After Chu'er left, Di Jinghan ran over to the group of people watching the fish. She tugged at Azi's sleeve, her eyes showing a hint of embarrassment. Azi blinked and immediately understood her intention.
"Brother Yimeng, Ana, why don't you go and rest for a while? You can grill the fish later."
Yimeng nodded: "Okay, then Ana and I will go and rest first."
After the two left, Di Jinghan immediately knelt down at Di Jingcheng's feet: "Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me and Li Yannian a marriage. We are in love and our hearts are connected. I will marry no one but him."
Di Jingcheng's expression turned slightly serious as he pulled Azi to sit on the soft couch beside him: "Jinghan, are you really sure about this?"
Di Jinghan nodded firmly: "Yes, I have understood everything you said before, but I really can't live without him, just like you and my sister-in-law."
"Brother, you issued an edict ordering him to return to the capital to serve, isn't that to fulfill Jinghan's wish? You are the best brother in the world, so please agree!" When Di Jinghan saw that he didn't speak, he started to act coquettishly.
Azi chuckled softly, and Jinghan became anxious: "I didn't expect our Princess to be in such a hurry."
"Your brother naturally wants you to be happy, and so does your sister-in-law."
“Brother, I am only happy when I am with him,” Di Jinghan replied eagerly.
"Your Majesty understands. Tomorrow, your sister-in-law will host a banquet in the palace, inviting noble ladies and ladies of high rank from the capital. You can take a look at the two ladies from the Li family before making a decision."
"Jinghan understands Your Majesty's intentions. Thank you for your hard work, Your Majesty's sister-in-law." Jinghan looked at the two of them gratefully.
"Alright, stop kneeling. I've had someone invite General Li's birth mother over as well. Jinghan, you should come soon."
"Yes, yes! Don't worry, Your Majesty!"
The following afternoon, inside Yanqing Hall, the noblewomen and ladies of high rank had already taken their seats, drinking tea, eating snacks, and chatting amongst themselves.
Madam Li and Madam Li sat at the front of the table, while Concubine Liu sat timidly behind them, her head bowed and her heart pounding. Why would the Empress have chosen her to enter the palace? Everyone present was a noblewoman, a daughter of high birth, while she was merely a concubine from a humble family, and she was truly terrified.
The crowd was also quietly discussing this topic, their gazes frequently drifting towards the Li family. Old Mrs. Li's expression was not good; she felt that this Aunt Liu had completely disgraced the Li family. She wondered when Aunt Liu had caught the Empress's eye—the Crown Prince's mother! The Emperor's only beloved woman; how could such a good thing have fallen into the hands of a concubine?
Madam Li, however, maintained her composure, elegantly sipping the fragrant and expensive tea, seemingly oblivious to the gossip around her. Seeing the displeasure on Old Madam Li's face, she poured her a cup of tea: "Mother, Her Majesty the Empress has extended a special invitation. This tea is fragrant and delicious; please try it."
Seeing her daughter-in-law so gentle and virtuous, Madam Li felt a little better. She took the tea, took a sip, and exclaimed with delight, "The Empress's tea is indeed a fine thing."
“That’s natural,” Madam Li said with a smile.
As Aunt Liu listened to their conversation, she silently sipped her tea. It was truly delicious; she had never tasted such good tea in her entire life. The pastries were also a hundred times better than those outside the palace. She vaguely felt that her entry into the palace today was thanks to her son, and even more so to the esteemed Princess.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived! Princess Changning has arrived!"
Just as everyone was discussing this, the Empress entered with Princess Changning. They immediately fell silent and rose to greet her: "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to the Empress and Your Highness the Princess! May the Empress and the Princess enjoy boundless blessings!"
Azi, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe and wearing a phoenix crown with outstretched wings, walked in gracefully. Di Jinghan, dressed in a bright red palace gown, followed behind his sister-in-law, his face showing a hint of anticipation.
"Everyone, please rise. There's no need for formalities." Azi raised her small hand slightly and took her seat at the head of the table. Di Jinghan's seat was to her lower left, quite close to her.
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress!" The crowd rose and took their seats, secretly glancing at the stunningly beautiful Empress, completely captivated by her beauty. They rarely had the opportunity to enter the palace, and it was a great honor to see the Empress.
"Today, I have had the Imperial Kitchen prepare quite a few of our own homemade floral desserts, made with various fresh flowers. Please have a taste!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty has such ingenious ideas that you can make cakes from all kinds of fresh flowers. I have never tasted anything so delicious before."
"Yes, yes! Your Majesty's hospitality has been wonderful, and I have certainly enjoyed a delicious meal!"
"Mmm, and this tea is also incredibly fragrant. The Empress's things are indeed of high quality."
...Everyone chimed in with their own words. Azi casually replied a few times before ordering the palace servants to serve the dishes. Di Jinghan had been observing the Li family. The Old Madam Li and Madam Li always wore impeccable smiles, appearing dignified and generous, and occasionally echoing their sister-in-law's words. The woman behind them, Concubine Liu, was Li Yannian's birth mother. She remained silent throughout, quietly eating and drinking tea with her head down.
Di Jinghan couldn't tell anything, and looked pleadingly at his sister-in-law.
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