Seeing that the emperor's expression had softened somewhat, Eunuch Xiang asked, "This old servant noticed that Your Majesty's complexion wasn't very good just now. Is something troubling you?"
The emperor sighed and said, "Not only have we failed to find the lucky star that the Imperial Observatory mentioned, but Chen'er's fate is still unknown. What do you think I'm doing raising these court officials?"
Then there's Ling Ziyuan, who was a notorious playboy in the capital. I was thinking of making the best use of him, so I specially sent him to find someone, but after more than a year, there hasn't been a single clue.
He knew nothing when asked, making all sorts of excuses. If it weren't for his father's sake, I would have punished him long ago.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xiang laughed and said, "Actually, Your Majesty doesn't need to be so angry."
In my humble opinion, His Highness the Ninth Prince is a lucky man, blessed by Heaven and protected by His Majesty, so he will certainly be fine.
Your Majesty need not worry about Fuxing's matter. Our Great Yan Dynasty is currently politically enlightened, and the people live in peace and prosperity; it is truly a golden age.
Whether we have the Lucky Star or not makes no difference, and as Master Tang said, with the Lucky Star, we can turn misfortune into good fortune.
The fact that the lucky star hasn't appeared means that our Great Yan is safe and sound.
Upon hearing what Eunuch Xiang said, the emperor suddenly understood and laughed heartily, "That's exactly the point! Why didn't I think of that?"
If this lucky star doesn't appear for a day, it proves that our Great Yan doesn't need his blessing.
And then there's Chen'er. Perhaps it's a father-son bond, but I always feel that he's safe and sound.
Moreover, his bodyguards also disappeared en masse.
It's highly likely that Chen'er hid himself and didn't want to see me.
"Alas, it's all my fault for not protecting him properly when we were in the palace. It's understandable that he resents me."
After Eunuch Xiang comforted the emperor a few more times, the emperor's expression improved considerably.
Eunuch Xiang then took the opportunity to ask for a reward on behalf of the people who were escorting the goods. The emperor was not a stingy person, so he generously gave everyone a reward.
Taking the opportunity, Eunuch Xiang added, "Mingzhao had some rare delicacies prepared by his family and even gave me the recipes. He specially sent me to present them to His Majesty. Would Your Majesty like to try some?"
Upon hearing this, the emperor became interested and said, "Oh, how rare is it? Does my imperial kitchen not have any?"
Eunuch Xiang laughed and said, "There really isn't one. I heard that those foods were all researched and developed by Mingzhao, and they all undergo some kind of deep processing."
Although this old servant can't quite put my finger on it, I have tasted it for Your Majesty, and it does indeed taste quite good.
If Your Majesty is interested, this servant will have the Imperial Kitchen prepare it.
The emperor listened and said in a gentle tone, "Since it is the intention of the magistrate Mingzhao, then let's make it and have it tasted."
Grandpa Xiang was overjoyed and quickly ordered his men to carry it out.
Yan Qingqing had already sent someone to inquire about Han Xiucai's situation.
Although it wasn't as exaggerated as the matchmaker Xie described, the conditions were still quite good.
So Yan Qingqing decided to talk to Li Xinniang about this.
When Yan Qingqing went to find Li Xinniang, she immediately noticed that something was wrong with her.
Yan Qingqing asked calmly, "What's wrong? Is something on Xinniang's mind?"
Li Xin's mother then came to her senses and replied with a smile, "No, Mother, what brings you here?"
Yan Qingqing gestured with her eyes to the account book on Li Xinniang's table, and Li Xinniang immediately blushed.
Because she spent half the day looking at the account book without turning the pages, and she even held the book upside down.
Yan Qingqing sighed and said, "Alas, my daughter has grown up and has her own thoughts now."
Li Xinniang felt even more embarrassed, so she quickly invited Yan Qingqing to sit down and poured her some tea.
Yan Qingqing didn't press further and said, "Some time ago, your third aunt brought a matchmaker to our door, saying that there was a scholar surnamed Han who was quite good-looking and also a scholar."
With a good family background, their future prospects are limitless.
Mother has also had someone inquire about it, and it's indeed quite good. Would you like to meet it?
Although Li Xinniang knew that Yan Qingqing meant well when she heard Yan Qingqing mention this, she still felt somewhat resistant.
So she said, "Mother, didn't you disapprove of your daughter getting married too early?"
The daughter agreed with her mother, so she wanted to stay home and spend more time with her.
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Although Mother does not approve of early marriage, there is no other way but the vast majority of women in this era get married at the age of fourteen or fifteen."
Just like your third aunt said, if you wait until you're twenty, all the good men will have been taken, and you might not even want the remaining ugly ones.
Besides, we don't necessarily have to marry him just because we met him.
"If you two feel it's a good match, then you can finalize the marriage. If not, I won't force you; we can look for other people."
Yan Qingqing is also helpless in this era. Even in modern times, people will be criticized if they are older and do not get married. How much more so in ancient times?
She didn't care whether Li Xinniang married or not, but she was afraid that Li Xinniang would regret it in the future. So Yan Qingqing still had to make the necessary arrangements.
Li Xinniang nodded in agreement when she heard Yan Qingqing say that.
Yan Qingqing saw that she still looked preoccupied, but she didn't ask any more questions. After all, she was grown up and had her own thoughts.
Yan Qingqing made an appointment with Li Xinniang for the day of the meeting and then got up and left.
After Yan Qingqing left, Li Xinniang was not happy at all. Seeing Li Xinniang's helpless look, Rumei comforted her, "Miss, if you are unwilling, why don't you just tell Madam?"
Ru Mei had always served Li Xinniang closely, and thus had some understanding of her thoughts.
Especially when she told Li Xinniang about the matchmaker's visit last time, Li Xinniang was not happy at the time, and later she would often space out.
In addition, Wu Jingzhi had been visiting Li Xinniang frequently recently, and sometimes he would deliberately send her away, so Ru Mei guessed that Li Xinniang probably liked Wu Jingzhi.
Li Xin's mother sighed and said, "My mother has worried herself sick over us siblings, and she is the only one in this world who would never harm me."
My mother said Han Xiucai is good, so he must be the most suitable for me.
But my heart is beyond my control.
My mother was wary of him a while ago, she must have seen through his intentions.
It seems my mother was right. He was a liar; he said not long ago that he wouldn't marry anyone but me, but recently he's vanished without a trace.
I think I should listen to my mother.
After saying that, a resolute look flashed in Li Xinniang's eyes. How could she put all her eggs in one basket?
Once Yan Qingqing returned to her room, Ruyi finally spoke up, saying, "Madam has found such a good marriage for the eldest daughter, so why does this servant feel that the eldest daughter isn't very happy?"
Yan Qingqing glanced at her and said, "What, you noticed too?"
Ruyi nodded and replied, "The eldest young lady's behavior was too obvious; I couldn't help but see it even if I wanted to."
"Why is the young lady unwilling to accept such a good marriage?"
Yan Qingqing sighed, thinking to herself that he probably already had someone else in his heart.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com