PDLP Chapter 231 Side by Side
Chapter 231 Side by Side
Amidst the silence, a woman broke it first. Concubine Jiang straightened her back and bowed again: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Seventh Prince! Congratulations, Imperial Concubine Yi!"
Concubine Jiang bowed respectfully, her voice calm and graceful. Lan Qingwu finally came to her senses and bowed deeply: "I accept your command and thank you!"
Prince Ding stood up from his seat on the other side and laughed heartily, "Your Majesty! Congratulations to Your Majesty, to the Imperial Concubine, and to the Seventh Prince!"
The atmosphere at the banquet became lively again. The royal family, civil and military officials, and concubines from the six palaces all bowed down and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Amidst the sounds of congratulations, Lan Qingwu once again looked up at the Emperor Shenwu, only to see that the Emperor Shenwu's usual sharp eyes were looking at her gently, and he was also looking back at her!
No matter when or where, it seems that as long as she looks back, she can see the eyes of that person looking back at her! This feeling of having someone accompany her, respond to her, and feel warm is what she has been looking for in her life!
The Shenwu Emperor on the high platform extended his hand towards Lan Qingwu. Lan Qingwu was slightly startled, then stood up and walked towards the man. She walked up one step after another, came to the man, and also extended her hand. The two hands finally clasped in mid-air. The Shenwu Emperor held Lan Qingwu's hand, as if holding the whole world. He half hugged Lan Qingwu, and together with her, they looked at the people in the hall. The Shenwu Emperor gently said: "Look at these ministers below, they will all be our subjects! We are high above, and all their thoughts and expressions are visible."
Lan Qingwu only felt a heavy pressure. She looked at the huge group of people around His Highness and said, "How can a weak person like me be worthy of such a reward?"
Emperor Shenwu smiled and embraced her, "Of course you can! My weak and my queen, you are unique and irreplaceable!"
The abolition of women's official prisons and the revision of new laws are still proceeding in an orderly manner. The women of the Dasheng Dynasty have finally ushered in this historic moment! From now on, women's crimes will be treated just like men, although there are strict laws!
Three years later, Lan Shuren was in the study in his mansion, flipping through page after page of a book. After a moment, he sighed softly, thinking how great it would be if his sister were still alive at this time!
During these three years, Lan Shuren has repeatedly served the court and made one contribution after another. Emperor Shenwu also made exceptions and promoted him again and again. Now he is a third-rank official and has entered the cabinet. His promotion speed can be said to be very fast!
And that person is already the most favored imperial concubine in the world. I'm afraid that given time...
The day before yesterday, the Emperor summoned Lan Shuren and asked about his lifelong plans. The Emperor, as if joking, recounted how Lan Shuren had been adopted by the Lan family. "Mr. Lan, I still remember how you always dreamed of marrying a virtuous wife and having several healthy children after you achieved success. One would bear the surname Lan to repay the Lan family's kindness in raising you, and two would bear the surname Wang to continue your family name. Now that you've achieved success and recognition, why haven't I heard of your marriage or been able to drink at your wedding?"
Lan Shuren was immediately horrified. He quickly prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe in destiny, but fate has yet to arrive. I didn't want to cause Your Majesty any worry. This is my fault!"
The Divine Martial Emperor waved his hand, signaling the Blue Tree Man to stand up: "It's nothing serious."
The Shenwu Emperor seemed very excited. "Lan Qing, why don't I find you a match? In this imperial city, there are gentle ladies among the civil officials and cheerful ladies among the military generals. Just tell me and I'll make the decision for you!"
Cold sweat broke out on Lan Shuren's forehead. He could only apologize, "Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your kindness. I am flattered. However, my mother has been helping me with this matter lately. I have already promised her that I will see you. I am afraid that I will fail Your Majesty in your kindness."
Emperor Shenwu didn't take it as an offense, but seemed to be very regretful. "Alright! First, you can take a look at the candidate your mother has chosen for you! I can't wait to drink in your wedding wine!"
It seemed like a joke from the emperor, but Lan Shuren understood that he could not delay any longer. He was right. His mother was worried about his marriage every day, and the old man of the Lan family had also sent someone to ask for his opinion. For the sake of his mother, the Lan family and the Wang family, he could not act recklessly any longer.
The Blue Tree Man sighed softly, "It seems I can't do whatever I want after all!"
And he will treasure that person in his heart forever, never revealing it to others and never being seen by anyone.
Good news finally came from Prince Ding's Mansion this year. Princess Ding had been infertile for many years, but this year she finally conceived. Prince Ding has been walking as if he had the wind recently. He looks so happy that one can tell at a glance that there is a happy event in the family.
In comparison, Prince An is not so satisfactory. He has been bedridden lately, always feeling uncomfortable in one way or another. Princess An's wife, Li Wanqing, serves him closely, taking care of his medicine, meals, clothing, and daily life without any help from anyone else. Even the Empress Dowager Li sighs that Princess An's love is as deep as the sea!
Emperor Shenwu, however, smelled something unusual, so he sent Zhao Wubing and Nie Wushuang to visit Prince An's mansion and perform a routine pulse diagnosis. Nie Wushuang remained calm, while Zhao Wubing was even more cunning. The two did not reveal a single sign of inappropriateness to Princess An, and reported everything to Emperor Shenwu when they returned to the palace.
At that time, Lan Qingwu and Emperor Shenwu were both in Qianzheng Hall. When Lan Qingwu heard Nie Wushuang's words, she couldn't help but wonder, "But what exactly is Princess An doing? With Prince An around, her position as Princess An is more secure, isn't it?"
Nie Wushuang naturally couldn't figure out the secret. Even if he knew, he wouldn't reveal a single word. "This... I don't know."
The Emperor Shenwu signaled the two to leave, then he grabbed Lan Qingwu's waist, and Lan Qingwu fell on his lap. "This... maybe I know!"
Lan Qingwu was even more puzzled. She looked at Emperor Shenwu and waited for his explanation, but after waiting for a long time, she found that Emperor Shenwu was not ready to speak.
Lan Qingwu put his arm around Emperor Shenwu's neck and gently urged him, "Your Majesty? Brother Heng? What do you know?"
Emperor Shenwu narrowed his eyes and carefully considered his words, "Back then, the fourth daughter of the Li family participated in the imperial selection, aiming for the throne of Empress, but was rejected by me."
Lan Qingwu: “?”
I never expected this answer. After all these years, could it be that Princess An still refuses to give up, still dreaming of becoming Queen? That doesn't make sense. Even if Prince An wasn't around, she wouldn't have gotten her wish. So... there's only one answer.
Lan Qingwu whispered softly, "Oh! So Princess An's deep love is for someone else!"