Where prosperity ends, flowers never end

The next day—

Tan Qianhuan hardly had to attend court all year round, and Xu Yuanchao didn't have to report for duty every day, but they were all present today.

The two of them went up the stairs step by step. All the civil and military officials made way for them and did not dare to slack off, except Liu Xun.

Baili Yong sat on the dragon throne, embracing the world in his arms, and his majestic appearance made people dare only watch from afar.

"Go to the court~"

The eunuch waved his whisk and all the officials prostrated themselves at his feet.

"Long live my emperor."

Baili Yong raised his hand proudly, and his imposing aura filled the entire golden palace.

"Flat body."

"I will thank you, Your Majesty."

Baili Yong glanced at the huge golden palace and saw Tan Qianhuan and Xu Yuanchao for the first time.

"Why didn't you two miss it today?"

Tan Qianhuan was the first to step forward and bow.

"Your Majesty, I have my own foundation."

Baili Yong raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and Jibei Wang's participation was unprecedented.

"Oh? The King of Jibei rarely reports to the emperor, but is he unhappy in his fiefdom?"

"No, this is for my adopted daughter."

He openly defended his adopted daughter in the court, causing an uproar among the officials.

"Oh my... the memorial submitted by the King of Jibei was actually for that girl."

"He is so skilled and bold. It is unheard of that he would openly play a memorial for his adopted daughter."

"Yes, public and private matters must be separated."

"Okay, shut up."

When all the officials heard Baili Yong's scolding, they immediately fell silent.

"King Jibei, please tell us."

Before Tan Qianhuan could speak, Xu Yuanchao also stood up.

"Your Majesty, I also have something to report."

Baili Yong raised his eyebrows and guessed a little bit.

"Really? What a coincidence. Who of you two will speak first?"

"I will speak first."

Tan Qianhuan and Xu Yuanchao said in unison.

Baili Yong raised the corner of his mouth, as if he had discovered something interesting.

"Why don't I guess that the two of you must be here because of the marriage of the little girl of the Ran family."

"Your Majesty, since the son of Marquis An has escaped from marriage, the marriage should be annulled."

Baili Yong smiled, Tan Qianhuan had already made his move, waiting to hear what Xu Yuanchao had to say.

"Your Majesty, I am honored to receive the favor of Heaven. Your Majesty has personally granted me the marriage. My son has escaped from marriage, so I am willing to marry him on his behalf."

There was an uproar again in an instant!

"What? Did I hear it right..."

"Marquis Yu An did have a wife."

"Although my wife died young, it is inappropriate to marry my son on his behalf..."

Xu Yuanchao listened quietly for a while, and only started to fight back when Dai Zi got married.

"What does Minister Chen mean? Are you dissatisfied with the imperial decree?"

Chen Shuhe became quiet instantly, not daring to offend at all due to his power.

Tan Qianhuan smiled, with a very ironic look. Ran Qianxi had never seen such an expression on his face before.

"No one dares to speak out against the imperial decree, but I am also worried. Since the imperial decree has been issued, everyone is rooting for Xi'er to marry the young marquis. When Marquis An steps in to snatch your love, don't you think it's against etiquette?"

"The imperial decree is for the Xu and Ran families to be united. When and who will be united is up to the two families to decide."

"Okay, since Marquis Yu An has said this, I think I need to discuss this with Dean Ran. I also know that I can't force it, but you have a lot of ideas about the marriage certificate."

"I will write a letter and send it to Jizhou to let Dean Ran know."

"That's right. Marquis Yu An has been fighting on the battlefield for many years and has always been the master's order, so the marriage certificate was directly sent to the Ran Mansion without Xi'er."

There was an endless argument in the hall, and Baili Yong got a headache listening to it.

"I understand what you two dear ministers said. The imperial decree has been issued and there is no reason to withdraw it. I will send someone to negotiate with the Ran family. Is there anything else?"

The two fell silent one after another.

"Nothing else to play."

Baili Yong rubbed his temple.

"I have something to ask. The minor election is coming up, and I don't want to make a big fuss, so let the Ministry of Rites conduct a simple selection first."

Chen Shuhe bowed.

"The minister obeys the order."

"Is there anything else important?"

There was a moment of silence among the civil and military officials, and Baili Yong raised his head and stood up.

"Since there is none, I will leave the court."

After saying this, he strode away with a graceful and elegant manner, displaying the perfect imperial demeanor.

"Retreat~to~"

"Long live my emperor."

The morning court session lasted only an hour, and most of the time was spent arguing about the marriage between the two of them, and both were extremely concerned about Ran Qianxi.

The scene in the palace today was unprecedented. Two people in high positions of power actually spoke outrageously for a dandy daughter.

Baili Yong had seen her several times before, and his curiosity was already aroused, so he immediately decided to disguise himself and leave the palace to inspect the venue of the small election.

Business House

Peach blossoms in spring are the most charming and can most arouse people's love. The peach blossoms in the courtyard of Shang Mansion are as beautiful as a picturesque peach garden.

There were two rows of mahogany tables and chairs facing each other, and the young ladies from various mansions were dressed up as if they were competing with the peach blossoms for the springtime.

Shang Zilai and Shang Zijun have always been the dream lovers of the ladies in the imperial city.

Ran Qianxi came side by side with him, making many ladies envious.

"Where's your elder brother?"

Shang Zilai looked helpless.

"Are you here to keep me company, or to see my eldest brother?"

"Oh, I'll accompany you to find your elder brother~"

"My eldest brother has already married."

Ran Qianxi raised her eyebrows and disagreed.

"I know."

Shang Zilai naturally didn't want him to go find Shang Zijun, but he had no right to control him. As a good brother, he could only stick by him.

"In the study, please come back soon."

"Okay~"

Ran Qianxi rushed to the study room happily, and Ke Nian was serving soup to Shang Zijun.

"Zijun..."

She stopped immediately when she saw this scene. Shang Zijun's eyes were full of longing, and Ke Nian tactfully walked out of the study.

"You guys chat."

The Ke family's business failed miserably. In order to make ends meet, they used the childhood engagement that was arranged between them to force the Shang family to marry Ke Nian. The two were forced to separate, but Shang Zijun had no thoughts about her at all, but she only had Shang Zijun in her heart.

"Xier..."

Ran Qianxi walked over and took a look at the bowl of sweet soup.

"Why don't you drink it? Don't waste it."

"I just don't want to drink."

Ran Qianxi smiled and closed the study door.

"How did you come?"

"Oh, my aunt insisted on choosing a wife for Zilai, and she asked me to come here to support her."

Shang Zijun felt slightly lost.

"Ah...I see."

"Yeah, I came to see you."

Ran Qianxi sat on the desk and stared at him for a moment, then stood up and pressed him under her body. When she was about to kiss him, Shang Zijun dodged.

"What's wrong? Why don't you let me kiss you?"

Shang Zijun turned his head back, his eyes filled with endless helplessness.

"There are many guests in the mansion today."

"Oh."

Ran Qianxi replied indifferently with an "oh" and wanted to kiss him again, but he dodged.

"Okay, I get it. If you don't want to kiss me, then don't. Anyway, your first kiss and first night are mine."

After saying this, she stood up straight.

"I wish you a happy marriage."

She thought that Shang Zijun rejected her because of Ke Nian. Since they were already old friends, she didn't force it.

She was fixing her hair and preparing to leave, but was suddenly pulled back by Shang Zijun, pressed tightly against the desk, and kissed deeply without saying a word.

"Don't go...that's not what I meant."

Accompanied by the ambiguous sound of "tsk tsk", someone's heart skipped a beat, and someone's heart beat wildly and out of control.

Ran Qianxi smiled and licked and kissed his neck. His whole body and breathing could not be controlled and he hummed sound.

"Uh...Xier..."

As her fingers moved towards his belt, the study door suddenly opened from the outside.

"Master Xi..."

Shang Zilai turned around instantly when he saw this scene.

"Have you finished reading? It's time to take your seat..."

Ran Qianxi tied Shang Zijun's belt back on in disappointment.

"You almost ruined my business..."

Shang Zilai shook his head helplessly and stretched out his right hand.

"I'll hold your hand."

Ran Qianxi gave Shang Zijun another awkward smile.

"Haha...next time...next time..."