Go to Bianzhou together
"Sister, you've arrived!" Crown Prince Lou Zuo watched as Lou Xuan slowly walked into the pavilion, his eyes filled with a smile and eagerness. "Sister, I had the kitchen prepare Jushengnu early this morning. Please use plenty."
Lou Zuo gave a glance, and the eunuch beside him went to prepare the pastries. Looking at Lou Xuan's face, Lou Zuo felt a pang of pity, but hardened his heart and said, "Sister, your marriage... I..."
Seeing Lou Zuo's hesitant expression, Lou Xuan gave a bitter smile. "Sister knows what you mean, but this is Father's will, and there is nothing I can do about it. Sister Zuo dares not disobey Father's will."
“Sister, it’s not that Grandfather and I disagree, it’s just that Chang Yi’s status is too low. He’s not even from a poor family, just a lowly soldier with only a few acres of meager land. How can he be worthy of a princess!”
Lou Zuo sighed, "I know that the marriage that my maternal grandfather arranged for my sister was somewhat inappropriate, and those people had some flaws, but they are still from prominent families, so the flaws don't outweigh the merits. Compared to them, Chang Yi seems rather low-class."
That is incorrect.
Lou Xuan glanced at Xue Ya, then led the others away. When only the two siblings were left in the pavilion, Lou Xuan took a deep breath and said, "Never say this in front of Father. Father dislikes aristocratic families. Didn't you see that your Crown Princess is from the Du family, not the Wang family?"
"But my mother was also from the Dou family. Even if my father hated powerful families, it is undeniable that most of the officials in the court came from powerful families. Even if the imperial examination system was effective, it was only a drop in the ocean. Real power was still held by powerful families."
Lou Zuo glanced at Lou Xuan and said helplessly, "My third brother is currently very popular. Although he seems to be trying to suppress me, I have the Dou family behind me, so I can be on par with him."
“A-Zuo, no monarch wants to be shackled by powerful families, let alone our father. He has been on the throne for many years and has long harbored resentment towards these powerful families. Now, your close association with the Dou family is tantamount to going against our father.”
Lou Xuan knew that her younger brother had never liked the Third Prince, so even though she knew it went against their father's wishes, she still went on.
"If I don't get close to the Dou family, who else can I get close to? Surely not my father, the Emperor?" Lou Zuo chuckled lightly.
"Sister, if my third brother ascends the throne, will we still have a good outcome? He will definitely suppress or exile those behind me. I have no choice but to continue down this path."
“A-Zuo, you are the Crown Prince. As long as Father Emperor does not depose you, you will be the Crown Prince. Family power is important, but Father Emperor’s will is also important. Father Emperor is not a puppet without real power.” Lou Xuan sighed, “In the end, it’s because your older sister is useless and can’t help you.”
"Sister, no matter who you marry, you will always be a princess. In the princess's palace, you will be the most important person. You are Father's eldest daughter. As long as you refuse to marry, Father will not be so cruel as to force you to marry. You are a princess now, and you will be the eldest princess in the future. Sister, we siblings must support each other!"
"This... let me go back and think about it some more." Lou Xuan lowered his head, concealing the impatience in his eyes.
"I took a few hairpins from the storeroom for the Crown Princess. How can I invite her to dine with me in the pavilion?"
"No need, the Crown Princess sprained her ankle a few days ago and can't go out easily. Please give the gifts to me, elder sister." Lou Zuo felt a surge of displeasure upon hearing Lou Xuan mention the Crown Princess.
"Sister, let's not talk about the people around us anymore. I heard that you invited Physician Zhai to the palace for a consultation. I wonder how you are doing?"
"That's good. Doctor Zhai said I'm in good health and there's nothing seriously wrong." Lou Xuan picked up a piece of Jushengnu and put it in her mouth. "Don't neglect the Crown Princess either. After all, she was betrothed by the Emperor. People who don't know the situation might think you're dissatisfied with the Emperor's wishes."
"I know. Is Sister hungry? If so, let's have our meal soon." Lou Zuo called out to the eunuchs standing some distance away outside the pavilion, "Prepare the meal!"
“Ah Zuo, speaking of Jushengnu, I remember a funny story. When you were young, your mother had just passed away. You were crying and begging to eat Jushengnu made by your mother. In the end, I carried you to the small kitchen and made a little bit of Jushengnu, and you stopped crying.”
Lou Xuan pushed the plate in front of Lou Zuo, the sound of the plate scraping against the stone table lingering in Lou Zuo's ears.
"I will go to plead with Father this afternoon. A-Zuo, this is the last thing your sister can do for you. Whether it succeeds or not, please don't mention it again." Lou Xuan sighed. "I'm a little tired, so I'll go back to the palace first. You can eat slowly."
Lou Xuan lifted the curtain and saw the three people with their heads down. He said, "Return to the palace."
"Thank you, elder sister," Lou Zuo murmured. He knew all too well that if Lou Xuan truly refused to marry him, his father would soften his heart, but that would be the last time he would do so.
Lou Xuan didn't respond again and quickly walked out of the East Palace. Xueya and the other two followed behind Lou Xuan, not daring to say a word.
"Yunwu, go and serve the meal, and also stew a pot of black chicken soup." Lou Xuan went around to the mountain and water pond. "Xueya, do you remember what happened here back then?"
"Your Highness, this servant will never forget." Xueya stood behind Lou Xuan and said softly, "You fell into the water while protecting His Highness the Crown Prince, but fortunately it was summer so you were unharmed."
"It's a pity that my younger brother wants to profit from my marriage. It's really a sad story." Lou Xuan laughed as he looked at the koi in the pond. "So we'll do as he wishes and go to the Zichen Palace."
"Your Highness, this will lose His Majesty's favor. You are already facing many difficulties; if you lose His Majesty's affection, then..." Xueya dared not say any more, nor did she dare to look up at Lou Xuan's expression.
"Let's go back to the palace." Lou Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. After returning to the palace, she ate her meal, washed her hands, and carried a small food box to the Zichen Palace alone. Along the way, she deliberately took a detour, crossing the Taiye Pond to reach the Zichen Palace.
"Eunuch Lin, I brought some black chicken soup for Father Emperor. Would it be convenient for me to come in?" Lou Xuan stood under the scorching sun, his eyes filled with eager anticipation as he looked towards the tightly closed palace doors.
"Your Highness, His Majesty is currently in a meeting. Perhaps I may arrange for someone to take you to the nearby Hanliang Palace to escape the heat?" Lin Ben replied respectfully, but his attention was entirely focused on the sounds coming from inside the palace.
"What's that noise outside?" The emperor's authoritative voice came through the wooden door to everyone's ears.
"Your Majesty, Princess Zhaoyang brought black chicken soup." A moment of silence followed, then the Emperor's voice rang out, "Let her in."
Lin Ben was inwardly surprised, but dared not show it on his face. He hurriedly arranged for a young eunuch to open the palace door. As soon as Lou Xuan stepped into the palace, the door behind him slowly closed.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty." Lou Xuan bowed, but the emperor hesitated to tell him to rise. "Your Majesty, has your subject done something to offend you?"
"Xuan'er, you've always been so sensible. Is there something you need now?"
Lou Xuan looked up and glanced at the people in front of him who had their heads down, and said with a smile, "Your subject went to see A-Zuo and talked about how, before Father Emperor ascended the throne, he often had the small kitchen stew the black-boned chicken that you personally hunted for us. I got carried away and forgot the rules. Please forgive me, Father Emperor."
"You should start to feel nostalgic," Lou Xuan said, standing up and placing the food box on the table. "I didn't know that all the ministers were present, so I only prepared a small pot, which I'm afraid is impolite."
"This is Her Highness the Princess's filial piety towards His Majesty, and is naturally the greatest courtesy," an official in a scarlet robe said, bowing his head.
"Has Lord Zhou's injury improved?" Lou Xuan recognized the speaker at a glance.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am much better." The official bowed his head and replied. Lou Xuan then said, "Father, then I will not disturb you and the other officials' meeting any longer."
"Xuan'er, Wei Shu was assassinated while delivering a message, but fortunately he escaped unharmed. Your father would like to hear your opinion." The emperor remained seated high on his throne, his gaze fixed intently on Lou Xuan.
"Your subject dares not, as it is a grave offense to presume to discuss state affairs." Lou Xuan knelt down. "However, if it is merely a conversation between father and daughter, your subject does have some insights."
"I know you're slippery, so tell me." Lou Xuan felt slightly relieved upon hearing the emperor's tone.
"Your subject thinks it would be better to see who is the one who benefits from this, and then we will know who is behind this suicide. Moreover, General Wei and the Imperial Guards are both very skilled. The fact that they could make them so embarrassed shows that the assassin is no ordinary person."
Lou Xuan knelt on the cashmere carpet. The intricate and beautiful patterns were very familiar to her, but this scene was one she had never encountered before.
"It seems you have someone in mind." Lou Xuan didn't dare to look up.
"Your Majesty, I believe that based on the rumors circulating in the capital recently, it is more likely that the person comes from a powerful family. It seems that this person is not afraid of the authority of the royal family."
"You dare to say that?" The emperor's tone was calm, revealing nothing of his inner emotions.
"Your subject was merely chatting idly; it doesn't count." Lou Xuan knelt quietly beside everyone, and the hall instantly fell silent.
"Chang Yi, take a group of men out of the capital to Bianzhou to meet Wei Shu. Xuan'er should come along too, so you won't be bored in the palace." Lou Xuan only noticed Chang Yi standing at the edge now; he was still wearing a jade pendant with a love knot on his body.
"Your subject will certainly not be a burden to Commander Chang."
Lou Xuan agreed before anyone could react. Seeing that His Majesty probably just wanted the prince consort and the princess to develop their relationship, and that the other ministers didn't show any strong opposition,
"Your Highness is too kind. I will certainly protect you and ensure you are not harmed." Lou Xuan blushed slightly and hurriedly rose to take her leave, deliberately showing off the jade pendant Chang Yi had given her as she turned away.
"Xuan'er, this jade pendant of yours is quite nice." The emperor chuckled softly. Only then did Lou Xuan truly feel relieved.
"Father, I must take my leave now!" Watching Lou Xuan's flushed face as he hurriedly departed, the Emperor burst into laughter. "Chang Yi, that jade pendant you gave him was quite a good gift; he deserves a reward!"
"This is all I should do; I am unworthy of Your Majesty's reward." Chang Yi knelt down, touching the love knot at his waist, and the atmosphere in the hall relaxed somewhat.
Lou Xuan ran all the way to Taiye Pond, the blush on her face long gone, leaving only excitement. She knew all too well what her father meant; at least from the moment she and Chang Yi went to Bianzhou, she had the right to participate in the game.
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