Seeing that she was angry, Li Yannian quickly explained, "No, no, I brought you other things!" As he spoke, he took out a delicate little box from his pocket. Di Jinghan rolled her eyes, no longer angry, took the box, opened it, and instantly smiled.
Inside the box lay a bracelet, crafted from pure gold yet elegant, slender and willow-leaf shaped, adorned with two small flowers at the end of the chain. Exquisitely made and lustrous, it was quite beautiful. Although Di Jinghan had no shortage of gold and silver jewelry, she appreciated the gift even more, carefully taking it out and having Li Yannian put it on her.
Li Yannian gazed at her with tender eyes, her face beaming like a child's. His heart was filled with joy; he adored every smile and gesture of hers. He gently placed the bracelet on her wrist, making her already fair and delicate wrist appear even more slender and beautiful. He held it, admiring it repeatedly. Indeed, Jinghan was beautiful in every way.
He examined the necklace closely, recalling his subordinates' comments that the gifts he'd given were incredibly tacky, and that the Princess, having seen all sorts of fine things, would never appreciate them. They mocked his lack of taste, but she had always loved the jade and other precious stones he'd given her before! See, Jinghan absolutely adored this necklace.
Thinking this, he couldn't help but smile even more brightly. Ning Hui, standing to the side, was already used to it. The gifts General Li gave were all incredibly tacky things, completely lacking in romance. What girl would like cicadas, spinning tops, or horsewhips? And when he finally gave her a piece of jade, it was so big that even five eunuchs couldn't move it. Sigh, yet her princess loved it like it was nothing.
Love does indeed make people blind. However, General Li has made considerable progress this time. Although the bracelet is still a bit tacky, it is an improvement over his previous work.
After admiring the bracelet, Di Jinghan's gaze shifted to the exquisite pastries: "A-Nian, are you going to share these pastries with the Imperial Guards?"
Li Yannian gently shook his head: "Jinghan, I felt bad that Her Majesty the Empress was poisoned because of me last time, and I wanted to apologize. But... I really don't know what gift would be appropriate to express my feelings. I was thinking that you, Jinghan, are often with Her Majesty the Empress, and you are about the same age, so perhaps she would like these pastries." There was some uncertainty on Li Yannian's face.
Ning Hui sighed, realizing that she couldn't expect General Li to send a normal gift.
Di Jinghan chuckled softly, not wanting to discourage him, and gently patted his hand: "Don't worry, your sister-in-law will definitely like it! I'll go with you, otherwise you won't even get to see your sister-in-law before your brother kicks you out."
Li Yannian nodded with a simple smile: "Okay! Let's go!" He picked up the pastries, grabbed Di Jinghan, and couldn't wait to walk outside.
Di Jinghan shook her head helplessly, letting him pull her out: "Slow down, what's the rush!"
"I just wanted to apologize to Her Majesty the Empress as soon as possible! Otherwise, what if the Emperor and the Empress have a bad impression of me, their future brother-in-law?" Li Yannian said seriously, his brows furrowed. This matter was very important, and of course, his guilt was genuine.
"Don't worry, my brother and sister-in-law aren't the kind of people who hold grudges," Di Jinghan reassured them.
The two chatted casually for a while and soon arrived at the entrance of the main hall.
The two guards quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Princess, and General Li."
"Rise. This princess and General Li request an audience with my sister-in-law. Please go in and announce our arrival."
A moment later, Zheng San came out to greet him personally.
"The mistress has arrived. Are my sister-in-law and Chu'er alright?"
"Princess, rest assured, Her Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince are both well. Her Majesty is waiting for you and the General in the front hall."
Upon seeing Azi, Di Jinghan rushed in eagerly: "Jinghan greets sister-in-law!" Azi smiled indulgently at her mischievous appearance and quickly helped her up.
Li Yannian appeared rather formal: "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress!"
"General Li, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat." Azi instructed someone to serve them tea, noticing that Li Yannian seemed quite nervous, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
She looked at Di Jinghan with a puzzled expression: "It's not surprising that Jinghan is here. General Li is busy with affairs in the court. How come he has time to come and sit with Jinghan today?"
Di Jinghan smiled at Azi and tugged at Li Yannian's clothes, who was sitting next to her: "Sister-in-law, A'nian brought you your favorite snacks."
Upon hearing this, Li Yannian quickly stood up: "Yes, Jinghan is right!"
Azi and Qinghe looked at his blank expression. He didn't know how to speak when Jinghan didn't say anything. It seemed that he was really nervous.
Azi said considerately, "General Li, there's no need to be nervous. There aren't many rules here. Just say what you want to say. We're all family now. If you keep holding Jinghan back, she won't know what to do."
Li Yannian breathed a slight sigh of relief. He had almost forgotten that the Empress was the kind and warm-hearted woman who had saved him and the Emperor, not some evil person. Thinking this, he relaxed and handed the pastries in his hand to Qinghe.
"Your Majesty, the Li family has committed an unforgivable sin, causing Your Majesty's health to deteriorate. Today, your humble servant has come to apologize!" Li Yannian knelt on the ground, clasped his hands in a fist and bow, and spoke solemnly.
“I know General Li’s character. Back when you and the Emperor were in my hometown, we weren’t as estranged as we are now. I am safe and sound now, and the person who poisoned me has been dealt with by the Emperor. I just hope General Li won’t take it to heart.” Azi didn’t want the emperor and his minister to become estranged.
Li Yannian kowtowed with immense gratitude: "Your Majesty the Empress is so wise and understanding. I will certainly not take it to heart and will do my utmost to serve the Emperor and the court."
Azi looked at Jinghan and said, "Jinghan, quickly help him up. Don't let him talk while kneeling."
Di Jinghan quickly stood up with a smile: "Thank you, Imperial Sister-in-law!" She helped Li Yannian up.
"I told you, your sister-in-law won't blame you."
Azi had Qinghe open the pastries that Li Yannian had sent, and she ate two pieces as a courtesy: "I really like the pastries that General Li sent, you should eat some too!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Seeing the two of them so loving and affectionate, Azi felt very happy.
Chu'er woke up and cried after nursing. The wet nurse brought him to Azi, who lovingly took him in and comforted him. His little nose and face were red from crying, but he stopped crying immediately when he saw his mother. Di Jinghan stepped forward and gently held his little hand to play with him, but he didn't even glance at his aunt.
Li Yannian stood by, watching their harmonious interaction, his face full of curiosity as he looked at the young crown prince. What a beautiful child! No wonder he was the emperor and empress's son. He wanted to have such a beautiful child with Jinghan someday!
Seeing him in a daze, Di Jinghan pulled him forward: "Look, isn't Chu'er cute?"
Li Yannian smiled and nodded: "Adorable, His Highness the Crown Prince is very adorable!"
Azi looked at the two of them with a meaningful smile: "You're getting married soon, hurry up and give Chu'er a little playmate."
Di Jinghan shyly tugged at A Zi's sleeve: "Sister-in-law, you're making fun of me!"
Li Yannian nodded excitedly: "Yes!"
The crowd couldn't help but chuckle.
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