The White-haired Queen

The little emperor repeated in a low voice, "Select a queen through selection?" There was a hint of doubt and dissatisfaction in his voice. Then he looked up at the Empress Dowager Cixi and asked, "Mother, you know, I like Sister Yue'er." His eyes were firm and persistent, showing his deep love for Sister Yue'er.

The Empress Dowager Cixi frowned slightly and said earnestly: "But Sister Yue'er is the Empress Dowager Dong. She is the same as our mother. We are both concubines of the late emperor and have respected status." She hoped that the little emperor could understand the complex relationship involved.

The little emperor nodded and said, "I understand. But she has no substantial relationship with either my father or my uncle. The relationship between them is just nominal." He tried to explain the special feelings he had for Sister Yue'er.

The Empress Dowager Cixi sighed and said, "Even if she is not the Empress Dowager Dong, she can only be your imperial aunt. This is determined by seniority and status and cannot be changed." She emphasized the etiquette and rules in the palace, hoping that the little emperor could accept the reality.

However, the little emperor did not give up. He continued, "But I just like her. I like to see her serious look when she works. That kind of concentration and hard work makes me admire her. I like to see her scolding and teaching me. Although it is strict, it is also out of concern and love. I like to listen to her stories. Those interesting plots always make me laugh. I also like to see her cute look with her pouting lips, which makes me feel she is real and kind..." He listed a series of reasons why he liked Sister Yue'er and expressed his sincere feelings from the bottom of his heart.

The Empress Dowager listened to her son's story quietly, and she couldn't help but feel touched. She gently patted the little emperor on the shoulder and said, "Mother understands. Mother also likes the way she works hard, the strict attitude she uses to reprimand and teach Heng'er, and her ability to arrange things in an orderly manner..." She expressed her understanding of the little emperor's love for Sister Yue'er, and admitted that Sister Yue'er did have many admirable qualities.

The young emperor looked at the Empress Dowager in surprise. He did not expect that his mother had similar feelings. With a glimmer of hope in his eyes, he asked, "Then, can you support me?" He looked forward to getting his mother's recognition and support.

The Empress Dowager was silent for a moment, then said slowly: "My child, matters of the heart are not that simple. As the ruler of a country, you need to consider more factors. Royal marriages often involve political interests and national stability. We cannot decide everything based on personal preferences alone." She reminded the little emperor to put the overall situation first and shoulder his responsibilities.

The young emperor fell into deep thought. He understood that what his mother said made sense. As an emperor, he did need to weigh various factors. But how should he deal with his inner feelings? This question troubled him and made him feel extremely entangled.

The Empress Dowager Cixi looked at the little emperor's bewildered expression and couldn't help but chuckle. She said in a gentle tone, "Could it be that Heng'er still hasn't understood what your mother meant?"

At this moment, the little emperor was still immersed in confusion about his own emotions. He blinked in annoyance and stared straight at the Empress Dowager Cixi, as if trying to find the answer from her.

The Empress Dowager smiled and continued to explain patiently, "Heng'er, you like Sister Yue'er, and I like Sister Yue'er as well. Not only that, I think my love for Sister Yue'er may be much deeper than yours. So Heng'er, have you ever thought about it? Are you really sure that this kind of love is the kind of emotion between men and women? In my opinion, from your words and deeds, this is more like respect and love for your teacher, mother or sister."

Hearing this, the little emperor nodded thoughtfully, but soon raised his head and asked the queen mother with curiosity: "Then mother, please tell me, what should the true love between men and women feel like?"

The Empress Dowager thought for a moment and said, "Love between men and women is actually a very complex emotion. It may come from admiration and respect for each other, or it may be because a certain trait or behavior of the other person touches your heart.

Sometimes, you will feel that time flies by when you are with each other, and you always have a lot to say and a lot to do together. You will care about each other's joys and sorrows, be happy for each other's success, and worry about each other's troubles.

Liking someone is also a kind of motivation, which may make you study and work harder, want to become a better person, and deserve the other person's love. At the same time, liking someone is also a kind of responsibility, which requires you to respect the other person's wishes and choices, and give the other person enough space and freedom.

However, everyone's definition of love may be different, so the most important thing is to understand your own heart and figure out what your feelings for the other person are."

The little emperor blinked his big, bright yet puzzled eyes and stared at the Empress Dowager Cixi with a half-understanding. He first nodded slightly to show his agreement, and then shook his head gently, as if he was trying to sort out the exact meaning of his complicated feelings towards Sister Yue'er.

Time passed minute by minute, and finally, the little emperor broke the silence and said, "Mother, after careful consideration, I believe that I definitely respect and love Sister Yue'er as a teacher, mother, and sister. I just hope that Sister Yue'er can pay attention to me and coax me occasionally. However, after listening to what you said just now, in my heart, Sister Yue'er has become my solid pillar and guiding light."

The Empress Dowager Cixi smiled slightly, her eyes full of kindness. She gently stroked the little emperor's head and said softly: "Heng'er, you have really grown up. You can understand your own mind so clearly. So about the selection of concubines..." She deliberately dragged out her tone, as if waiting for the little emperor's response.

Upon seeing this, the young emperor hurriedly bowed his hands respectfully and replied, "Heng'er will follow all arrangements made by mother." His tone was firm and sincere, showing his respect and trust for the Empress Dowager Cixi.

The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction, then stretched out her hand to pinch the little emperor's round and cute cheeks, and kissed him intimately, and then said: "In this case, then the Queen Mother will carefully select the right woman and hold a beauty pageant for you. But this is a big matter, it needs to be considered carefully, and can't be rushed."

The little emperor felt warm in his heart when he heard this, because he knew that the Empress Dowager had always cared about his happiness. So he smiled and replied, "Okay, thank you, mother!" His words were full of gratitude.