"So fast?" Shen Youying exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, my parents are very satisfied. As for myself..." Xie Qinglan was a little embarrassed and touched her face with the back of her hand before she could finish speaking: "...I am also very satisfied."
In this dynasty, the social atmosphere is open, and it is normal for men and women who intend to get married to go sightseeing together.
After the two families expressed their intention to arrange a marriage, Xie Qinglan had already secretly met Xue Liulang, who had come to visit. Later, taking advantage of a banquet, the two had a brief opportunity to spend time together.
Xue Liulang must have been quite satisfied with her. Although the two hadn't had a chance to meet during this time, Xue Liulang had been sending her trinkets and new-style fruits and pastries without stopping.
Of course, nominally they were all gifts to her parents.
It's just that in the end, everything ended up in her hands.
Shen Youying was very happy for her friend who had found her Mr. Right. She glanced at the Crown Princess not far away and lowered her voice, saying, "So, have you already let go?"
Xie Qinglan, who was blushing, was momentarily dazed and followed her gaze to look at the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess, heavily pregnant and experiencing many inconveniences, simply sat at her seat, slowly sipping tea and listening to the conversations of those around her, her smile gentle and tender.
"I guess I've let it go. I haven't thought about it much lately." Xie Qinglan withdrew her gaze and smiled. "Besides, I probably can't compare to someone as gentle as the Crown Princess."
"Don't underestimate yourself." Shen Youying held her hand and shook her head disapprovingly: "The Crown Princess is a very good person, but you are no less so. It's just that sometimes fate in this world doesn't always go as planned. Even if you can't completely let go right now, don't you already have Xue Liulang? Once the marriage is arranged and you marry him, you'll be all lovey-dovey and in love, and you'll probably forget about your ex by then."
Xie Qinglan smiled and nodded: "You're right."
Her eyes darted around, and she grabbed Shen Youying's arm again, saying, "There's one more thing you need to help me with?"
Shen Youying smiled and pretended to push her: "Tell me what it is first, and then I'll consider whether I should agree or not."
Xie Qinglan hugged her tighter, pressing his whole body against hers, and whispered, "Xue Liulang asked his elder sister, Princess Yuxian, to host a lake tour banquet. The invitation has already been sent over, and you have to come with me."
“Oh…” Shen Youying drawled, her smile becoming increasingly mischievous: “So you want me to help you find a husband? That’s not impossible, but you can’t just do it for nothing.”
She shook her round fan: "It's so hot, I usually don't go out."
Xie Qinglan was so angry that she hit her: "After this is done, I'll treat you to wine at Fanlou. The new bayberry juice at Fanlou tastes really good. A bowl of it on a hot day will cool you down and relieve the heat..."
"That's more like it." Shen Youying covered her lips and laughed.
*
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet did not end until Chenshi (7-9 AM).
It is said that the Emperor is in high spirits today, and the officials in the front hall drank quite a bit of wine, with many getting drunk. The women came out from the back hall and went to find their masters.
Those who were not yet unconscious were helped out of the palace by palace servants. Those who were too drunk to get up, or who had no family members to pick them up, would spend the night in a side hall of the palace and leave the palace the next day.
Shen Muyu left the inner hall with the women and was about to go to the front hall to find Prince Chen when a familiar-looking female official stopped her: "Madam, please wait. Her Majesty the Empress invites you to Ciyuan Hall for a talk."
Shen Muyu recognized the other person as a servant of the Empress and went with him.
When she arrived at Ciyuan Hall, she saw Empress Zhou sitting at the table, beckoning to her.
Once back in her palace, Empress Zhou changed into casual clothes, her brows relaxed, and her smile gentle, which calmed Shen Muyu's previously uneasy heart.
“At the banquet earlier, I didn’t have a chance to have a proper conversation with you. Since Prince Chen is still drunk and resting in the side hall, I thought I’d call you over to have a chat.”
Empress Zhou sipped her lychees and water from a small bowl, but then ordered a lady-in-waiting to pour Shen Muyu a cup of warm tea: "You are pregnant now, so you shouldn't eat these cold things."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Shen Muyu picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Is His Highness drunk? Have you sent him some hangover tea?"
"I've already sent it over. You're such a thoughtful person. No wonder Prince Chen likes you." Empress Zhou held her hand and said, "But the reason I called you here today is to talk about the child in your belly."
"The imperial physician said that you are already more than four months pregnant, almost five months along. Does your stomach feel uncomfortable from being bound with this cloth band?"
Shen Muyu shook her head: "I asked the doctor beforehand, and the doctor said that my belly is not big to begin with, so it won't be a problem to wrap it with a wide cloth twice."
Empress Zhou nodded and then asked, "How severe is the morning sickness?"
"It's alright, it's just that I can't stand the smell of fish." Shen Muyu subconsciously touched her belly, revealing a tender expression unique to mothers: "This child is smart, and probably cares about his mother, so he never bothers me."
"He is a filial child," Empress Zhou said. "Pregnancy is really hard for women, it is mentally and physically exhausting, so I had some jewelry and ornaments prepared. Take a look and see if you like them."
After she finished speaking, she clapped her hands, and four or five maids came forward with trays. The trays were filled with the latest fashion jewelry, and at first glance, each piece was made of very precious materials.
Shen Muyu was both surprised and delighted, but still pretended to be reluctant to accept it. She placed her hands on her abdomen, curtsied, and declined, saying, "These are all too precious. It is my duty to bear children for Your Highness and continue the family line. It is not hard work at all."
"You child, you're too impatient. Let me finish what I have to say first." Empress Zhou gestured for her to sit down, took her hand, and continued, "Prince Chen has no children yet, so your pregnancy is a joyous occasion. But as you probably know, Prince Chen's wedding to his principal wife, Lady Yang, is at the end of the month. At this crucial juncture, I'm afraid the Yang family might harbor resentment."
Shen Muyu was slightly stunned. A jumble of noise seemed to ring in her ears, making her dizzy and almost unable to see the person in front of her.
She instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Empress Zhou held it firmly, looking directly at her as she continued, "The Crown Prince is currently enjoying unparalleled power, while Prince Chen has been reprimanded by the Emperor, making his foundation very unstable. Therefore, the marriage alliance with the Yang family is extremely important and cannot be compromised in any way."
Do you understand what I mean?
Shen Muyu stared blankly at her, the noise around her turning into a sharp buzzing, tears welling up in her wide-open eyes, and she shook her head weakly and with difficulty.
She didn't understand.
I don't want to understand.
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