The old prime minister no longer tried to hide anything and said, "There are many noble ladies in the capital. If Your Majesty takes a fancy to any of them, just issue an order."
"What if I don't fancy anyone?"
The prime minister remained kneeling there: "There will always be flowers that catch Your Majesty's eye."
Mo Chenyuan smiled: "Then let's hold a banquet for the daughters of noble ladies. Invite all the daughters of officials of the third rank or above in the capital. If we're going to choose, then let's choose properly. The matter of the empress cannot be taken lightly."
"Your humble servant obeys."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zijue remained silent for a moment: "Your Majesty, do you really intend to choose an empress?"
Mo Chenyuan took a sip of tea, a cold glint in his eyes: "If the Prime Minister wants me to choose, then I will choose for him to see."
Xiao Zijue lowered his head and sighed softly: "The Prime Minister is far too arrogant. On the surface, it is a matchmaking banquet, but I'm afraid that what he wants you to marry is not only his daughter."
His wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious.
They were merely taking advantage of the emperor's youth to attempt to seize control of the empire. However, to realize their ambitions, they needed a legitimate reason for their actions, and having a daughter as empress added a significant advantage.
Dealing with him is not so simple.
He served as prime minister for two dynasties and handled matters flawlessly. Even though Mo Chenyuan knew he was making many underhanded moves, he couldn't find any fault with him and could only remain inactive.
"Your Majesty, you must be wary of the Prime Minister's schemes," Xiao Zijue reminded him.
"I'm just afraid the fish won't take the bait."
Mo Chenyuan suddenly thought of something and chuckled softly.
Soon after, news spread through the palace that the lantern festival was in full swing and the emperor was going to visit the capital incognito to check on the city's security.
Upon hearing this news, the court was in turmoil, with everyone having their own thoughts.
On that day, Mo Chenyuan specially changed into a magnificent brocade robe and put on a jade crown, looking every bit the elegant young gentleman.
After arriving at the lantern festival, he strolled around with a fan in hand. His appearance after the disguise was five points less attractive than before, but he was still handsome.
He was alone with only two servants, and looked like a wealthy young master from some family on an outing.
Some experienced vendors deliberately called out their wares loudly as he passed by.
Mo Chenyuan remained completely unmoved, strolling around leisurely.
The lantern festival was extremely lively. Nowadays, people are more open-minded, and young men and women from various families would also choose this day to go on a date.
When Mo Chenyuan reached the riverbank, many lovers were releasing river lanterns.
He didn't intend to look closely, but by chance, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
His steps suddenly stopped.
What he saw was naturally Jiang Tian.
With the lantern festival so lively and her freedom restored, she naturally had to come and see it.
Jiang Tian, accompanied by the maid Mo Chenyuan had left her, was having a great time.
Her complexion was plain, and she was dressed in simple clothes, so she didn't look very young. Even if someone saw her, they wouldn't linger for long.
It was precisely because no one was paying attention that Jiang Tian was able to play freely.
But just as she put on a fox mask to try it out, she heard a commotion coming from ahead.
Curiosity drove her to squeeze in that direction with her maid.
The two people arguing were a young man and a woman, both of whom were quite good-looking.
The woman in particular was stunningly beautiful.
When Jiang Tian looked at the man, her expression froze.
Others might not recognize her, but given her close relationship with Mo Chenyuan, it was impossible for her not to recognize him.
Why is he here?
At this moment, the woman spoke up: "I clearly guessed this riddle first, but you insist on arguing with me!"
The woman's tone was extremely angry, but because of her outstanding appearance, she only evoked a sense of charm and did not come across as offensive.
Mo Chenyuan looked calmly at the young woman in front of him and slowly said, "I didn't compete with you for it; I just asked how much the prize was worth."
The woman paused: "But you asked the price, which means you want it!"
Mo Chenyuan continued, "If that's what you think, I have nothing to say."
After saying that, he walked past the woman and tried to leave.
The woman seemed to come to her senses and realize that she had been being unreasonable, so she quickly tried to pull him away.
As soon as she reached out her hand, Mo Chenyuan dodged to the side.
The woman nearly fell.
Those watching couldn't help but smile.
An Ruoyao had never suffered such injustice!
She is the daughter of the Prime Minister, and no matter which banquet she attends, she is always fawned over!
She almost made a fool of herself at the lantern festival, which made her extremely embarrassed.
Remembering what her father had told her, she gritted her teeth and blushed, saying, "I'm sorry, young master. I may have misunderstood you earlier. If it's convenient for you, I'd like to apologize to you."
He admitted his mistakes and was able to correct them; he wasn't so unruly after all. The people around him nodded silently in approval.
Mo Chenyuan said casually, "No need, I have something to do, I'll take my leave first."
He waved his fan, and the onlookers spontaneously made way for him.
Seeing that he was about to leave, An Ruoyao stamped her foot and had no choice but to follow.
"Young master, please wait a moment and leave a way out. I will send a servant to apologize tomorrow."
An Ruoyao followed Mo Chenyuan away from the crowd and said softly.
Looking around and seeing that there was no one else but his guards, Mo Chenyuan's eyes turned cold, and his expression carried a hint of mockery: "Go back and tell your father that even if I don't marry a woman as ill-mannered as you, I will not let you enter the palace."
An Ruoyao stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning.
Mo Chenyuan walked away, gently waving his fan, his back view still elegant.
On the other side, Jiang Tian's anxiety only gradually subsided after the young couple disappeared from sight.
She did see him, but she was hidden in the crowd; he probably couldn't see her...
Thinking this way, Jiang Tian relaxed again.
But as she took a bite of the candied hawthorn and turned around, she saw a familiar person looking at her with an inscrutable gaze.
Mo Chenyuan smiled slightly at her: "It's been so many days since I last saw you. It's really fate that we meet again."
Jiang Tian, who had been frozen in place, snapped out of her daze and gave a sheepish smile in return: "Yes."
She looked at the candied hawthorn in her hand, hesitated, and then offered it to him: "Candied hawthorn, young master, would you like some?"
Mo Chenyuan didn't want to eat candied hawthorns; he wanted to eat the mouth that had eaten them.
After being carried onto the carriage, Jiang Tian's lips were fiercely sealed with a kiss all the way. When they arrived at the courtyard, Mo Chenyuan carried Jiang Tian directly out of the carriage, and they arrived at the bedroom without any obstacles.
"Is your period over?" he asked, close to Jiang Tian's ear.
After so much time, it's naturally clean.
Jiang Tian nodded.
Mo Chenyuan's eyes darkened, and without saying another word, he got to the point.
For several hours, tossing and turning, Jiang Tian felt as if she had lived and died, died and lived again.
It wasn't until the rooster that the kitchen had bought the day before but hadn't yet killed started crowing that Jiang Tian, who was crying and begging for mercy, was finally let go.
Mo Chenyuan stood up contentedly and kissed Jiang Tian's lips again: "I'll come see you another day."
Before Jiang Tian fell into a deep sleep again, she specifically instructed the maid beside her: "Keep that rooster we bought in the kitchen alive for two more days..."
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