To ensure that Prince An's residence was free of any troublemakers, the Empress Dowager instructed Aunt Pei to conduct a thorough selection of the servants. Those with ill intentions were swiftly eliminated.
"Yu'er, most of the people in this mansion are people your grandmother trusts. Just focus on recovering. Your grandfather will take care of everything." The Empress Dowager patted his hand to reassure him.
She had the most contact with this grandson when she was in the palace, and the Empress often took him to Cining Palace to pay her respects.
This child has always been quiet. As a child, Qi Yu was curious about everything in the world, yet indifferent to everything. His mind was pure, and he lacked the worldliness of an adult, but possessed a maturity beyond his years.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty, for taking care of all this for me. I am deeply grateful," Prince An replied with a smile, though his mind was racing.
He never expected his grandparents to go to such great lengths to help him, which made him feel very grateful and gratified, realizing that there were still people in the world who cared about him.
The Empress Dowager's thoughts shifted, and she said, "Yu'er, your grandmother is going to meet up with some young friends. I haven't left the palace in a long time, and I miss them very much."
Knowing that his grandmother was on good terms with Meng Zhelan and the others, Prince An suggested, "Grandmother, why don't I accompany you? I happen to have some business with Doctor Meng."
The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled, "That's very good. With you here, I feel more at ease."
So, the group traveled light and simply to Tingfeng Courtyard.
Upon seeing the Empress Dowager's arrival, Meng Zhelan hurriedly knelt and bowed, saying, "This commoner greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
"Please rise quickly." The Empress Dowager helped Meng Zhelan up and said affectionately, "Lan'er, you've become distant with your grandmother."
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's presence is an honor to my humble abode. We must not disregard etiquette," Meng Zhelan replied respectfully.
When Prince An walked to the Empress Dowager's side, Meng Zhelan noticed him and quickly greeted him, "Greetings to Your Highness Prince An." Meng Zhelan bowed to him again.
The Empress Dowager pulled her into the courtyard, amused, and said, "Alright, alright, stop with the formalities. Let's go inside quickly. I've missed you all so much since we've finally come out."
Meng Zhelan was a little embarrassed by the Empress Dowager's enthusiasm. She said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, your kindness makes me feel unworthy of it."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" The Empress Dowager pulled her hand and led her into the main hall. "I'd like to stay for a few days today. Would that be convenient?"
Meng Zhelan quickly replied, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager may stay as long as you wish."
The Empress Dowager glanced at Prince An beside her, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes. "Yu'er, when you go back today, tell your grandfather that I will return a few days later."
Prince An had no choice. The Empress Dowager had always been unconventional and had traveled to many places over the years. "Alright, then I'll leave a few guards here."
The Empress Dowager looked around but couldn't find anyone else, so she asked, "Huh? Where are Xiaoxi and Ling'er?"
Meng Zhelan replied, "They went to a hot pot restaurant and will be back shortly."
The three of them then enjoyed the tranquility of the courtyard, sipping tea and eating snacks, passing the leisurely time peacefully.
"Your Highness, I was just looking through medical books and found a prescription that would be very good for your health. I'd like to take your pulse and see if it's suitable for you." Meng Zhelan pondered what was written in the medical book.
"Your Highness, I was just searching through medical books and found a prescription that would be very good for your health. I'd like to take your pulse and see if it's suitable for you." Meng Zhelan pondered the prescription in the medical book.
Prince An smiled slightly, stretched out his wrist, and rested it on the table.
Meng Zhelan gently took his pulse, focused her mind, and carefully sensed the subtle beating.
The atmosphere around us suddenly became solemn, with only the aroma of tea and snacks filling the air.
The birds in the yard seemed to sense the solemn atmosphere, ceasing their chirping and quietly watching the scene.
After a long while, Meng Zhelan slowly released her hand, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes.
She looked up at Prince An and said softly, "Your Highness, this prescription will greatly benefit your health. However, this medicine requires special processing, and the ingredients are rare, so it will take some time."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager beamed with joy. "That's wonderful! Yu'er, once you recover, your grandmother will personally choose a princess for you." After saying this, she looked at Meng Zhelan with a smile.
However, Meng Zhelan was so focused on writing the prescription that she didn't notice that the Empress Dowager and Prince An were watching her.
After writing the prescription, Meng Zhelan nodded in satisfaction, but when she looked up, she found that the atmosphere was a bit strange.
She looked at the Empress Dowager and Prince An, somewhat puzzled, "What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
The Empress Dowager chuckled softly, "Lan'er, you've been so focused on your medical skills that you've forgotten about your own important matters. Your grandmother wants to find you a good family."
Meng Zhelan was taken aback, then a helpless smile appeared on her face. "Your Majesty, please don't joke with me. Zhelan has never thought about getting married."
"That won't do," the Empress Dowager shook her head. "Treating the sick and saving lives is important, but your marriage is equally important."
Meng Zhelan sighed softly. She knew the Empress Dowager's intentions, but she couldn't accept them.
Her passion for medicine surpassed that of ordinary people, and marriage would distract her, which was something she did not want.
Most importantly, she hasn't met the right person to spend her life with yet. Being an ordinary couple like her parents would be just fine.
The Empress Dowager seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled slightly, "Lan'er, Grandmother is not asking you to give up your medical skills, but you should also consider your life's important matters."
Meng Zhelan lowered her head, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew the Empress Dowager meant well for her, but she also understood her own insistence.
He then comforted her, saying, "What the Empress Dowager said makes a lot of sense. However, Zhelan only seeks a soulmate, a partner for life. Fate is something that can be encountered but not sought."
When Prince An heard her say she didn't want to get married, he nearly crushed the teacup in his hand.
He took a deep breath and said as calmly as possible, "Doctor Meng is right. It is especially important to have one soulmate in one's life. There are many things to pursue in life, but if one can spend one's life with the one one loves, that is the most wonderful thing. What I seek in my heart is nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with the one I love."
After saying that, he smiled and looked at Meng Zhelan.
Meng Zhelan was touched by his words, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.
The man before me, though of noble status, also possessed the emotions and aspirations of an ordinary person.
"Your Highness is truly a man of great loyalty and righteousness," Meng Zhelan remarked, her eyes revealing admiration and respect for the man before her.
Prince An nodded and smiled, "Miss Meng, you flatter me. Although I am a prince, I am also a person of flesh and blood. I naturally value matters of the heart as well."
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