Hailing asked happily, "My brother and Nalan Mingzhu seem to approve of each other. Mingzhu has suffered a lot since she was a child. Although she is now a princess of Nanling Kingdom, the people of Nanling Kingdom may not really treat her as family. If they did, they wouldn't have sent her to Beilu for a marriage alliance. They are just scheming against an orphan like her. So, as Mingzhu's family, I hope Mingzhu is happy. And my brother is a good man. If she marries him, Mingzhu will be happy."
Ji Shaocheng nodded, looking at Hailing's smiling face. Although he felt a pang of sadness, he was at peace with himself, and Nalan Mingzhu's image was now in his heart.
"yes."
"Alright, Father and Brother, return to the manor immediately to prepare. I will order the Imperial Observatory to find an auspicious day so that you two can get married as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ji Cong and Ji Shaocheng rose to accept the order, then bid farewell and returned to their residence to prepare.
Here, Hailing instructed Fuyue to invite Princess Mingzhu over. She wanted to discuss things with Mingzhu. Although Mingzhu had previously said she wouldn't marry her brother, she knew that Mingzhu loved him. As for not marrying him, it was just that she didn't want to make things difficult for him. Mingzhu was also a devoted person.
Nalan Mingzhu quickly followed Fuyue into the main hall, first bowing to Hailing before sitting down.
"Mingzhu, I invited you here to ask about your wedding."
Upon hearing Hai Ling mention her upcoming marriage, Nalan Mingzhu's expression darkened. She had previously told Ji Shaocheng that she would not marry him, so this marriage meant that she would choose someone from among the court officials of Bei Lu for a political alliance. The thought of marrying a stranger made Nalan Mingzhu feel somewhat resistant, but since this was a political alliance between two countries, it was impossible to delay the marriage.
"It's all up to Ling'er to decide."
She had no choice but to accept her fate. In any case, with Ling'er here, she knew that Ling'er wouldn't let her suffer any losses, so the current situation was actually quite good.
Looking at Mingzhu's expression, Hailing knew what was wrong with her and couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She reached out and took Mingzhu's hand.
"Mingzhu, what do you think if I ask you to marry my brother?"
“Okay,” Nalan Mingzhu nodded, then realized what she meant and shook her head with wide eyes: “Ling’er, have you forgotten? I told you that I made a promise with General Ji that I would not marry him.”
"But I just asked my brother, and he said he wants to marry you. Are you still not going to marry him?"
Hai Ling smiled, teasing Nalan Mingzhu.
Mingzhu was somewhat taken aback, her mouth agape, unable to react for a long time: "Why? Didn't he not want to marry me? I just didn't want to put him in a difficult position."
"You're so foolish. You're a princess now, don't wrong yourself."
Hailing gripped Mingzhu's hand tightly. She knew this would happen. She would never let anyone bully Mingzhu again.
"A forced relationship won't be happy. I don't want him to be unhappy. Did Ling'er force him to marry me?"
Mingzhu stared at Hailing suspiciously, wondering if Hailing had forced Ji Shaocheng to marry her. Otherwise, why would Ji Shaocheng suddenly want to marry her? She remembered that he didn't want to marry her.
"I didn't pressure him. He genuinely wants to marry you. So, are you going to marry him or not?"
Hai Ling asked Nalan Mingzhu with a smile. Nalan Mingzhu blushed instantly. Although she didn't quite understand why Ji Shaocheng wanted to marry her, she was still happy that he wanted to marry her. Since he was willing to marry her, and she didn't have a suitable partner, and Ji Shaocheng was the person she liked, who was upright and resolute, how could she not marry him?
"It's all up to Ling'er to decide."
Nalan Mingzhu's words rang out as quietly as a mosquito's buzz.
As soon as she finished speaking, Hailing laughed happily: "Very well, I will immediately order the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Ministry of Rites to find an auspicious day for your wedding."
Inside the main hall, Fuyue, Shimei, and others came over and congratulated Nalan Mingzhu, saying, "Congratulations, Princess!"
Nalan Mingzhu became even more shy, her whole face turning red, her cheeks almost touching her chest, and she didn't dare to raise her head for a long time.
Hailing glared at Shimei and the others, feigning reproach: "Didn't you see the princess was blushing? And you still say that?"
Joyful laughter immediately filled the hall, and a eunuch came in to report: "Your Majesty, the young princess of the Cang Prince's Mansion has come to pay her respects."
"The mat is cool/"
Hailing became even happier at the mention of Xi Liang; today was indeed a joyful day: "Send it."
The eunuch immediately rushed out, and soon a small figure walked in. As soon as he entered, he excitedly greeted Hailing, then rushed to Hailing's side and looked her up and down.
"Ling'er, you've lost weight, but your belly is so big."
Xi Liang stared at Hai Ling's belly with a smile, finding it quite astonishing. He never expected that Ling'er would get married and pregnant in ancient times, and that she was almost pregnant. It was truly a miraculous scene.
"Yes, it's been six months. In three more months, I'll be giving birth."
"Don't forget to make him call me 'Auntie' then."
Xi Liang happily reminded Hai Ling that she was definitely going to be Hai Ling's aunt.
"Okay, but don't forget to prepare a gift for our first meeting."
Hai Ling and Xi Liang joked around. Although they were one big and one small, they had a very good relationship, so good that they didn't distinguish between each other. Shi Mei and the others were very surprised. The Empress treated this little princess differently from others. Of course, they would never have imagined that Xi Liang and their Empress had a revolutionary friendship that no one else could compare to.
"Of course, how could I not prepare a gift when I'm going to see my little nephew?"
Xi Liang shook her head and imagined that soon she would meet a cute little guy. She was happy just thinking about how he would follow her around calling her "Auntie".
Hai Ling looked at Xi Liang, recalling what Xi Liang had said last time, and couldn't help but smile as she looked at Xi Liang.
"Liang'er, I remember you said you liked someone last time."
She was a prince of the Southern Ling Kingdom. Now that she's free of trouble, if Xi Liang really likes that man, she could marry him off to the Southern Ling Kingdom. But she doesn't know if Xi Liang still loves that man now.
As soon as Hai Ling finished speaking, everyone in the hall looked at Xi Liang. Xi Liang blushed and protested to Hai Ling in dissatisfaction.
"Ling'er".
Hailing knew she was shy, so she ordered everyone in the hall to leave: "You all leave now, the little princess and I have something to say."
Although Shi Mei, Shi Lan, and the others also wanted to listen, since the Empress had given the order, they naturally couldn't stay. Besides, even if they stayed, the young princess wouldn't say anything. So, everyone withdrew, leaving only Hai Ling, Xi Liang, and Nalan Mingzhu in the main hall.