A life of ups and downs is pure joy

Lin Qinghuan and Xiao Qiannan followed the head palace maid to Qifeng Palace, whispering all the way. From a distance, they saw Ning Sijue wearing a white rattan gown and playing chess by himself on the stone table in the yard. The palace maids gathered in a group, pretending to water the flowers, and secretly watched the Sixth Prince from afar.

"Sixth brother is here too."

Xiao Qiannan pulled Lin Qinghuan over and patted Ning Sijue's shoulder happily.

"The little girl is back and looks much thinner."

Ning Sijue looked up and said with a bright smile to the two of them.

"Sixth brother hasn't changed at all, he's still full of romantic interests."

Xiao Qiannan looked around the yard and said with a smile.

"Go in quickly, your mother has been waiting for you for a long time."

After Ning Sijue finished speaking, Xiao Qiannan was about to pull Lin Qinghuan into the house.

"Wait a moment, Nan'er, go in first. I have something to say to Sister-in-law Changping."

Ning Sijue stood up and called out to the two of them. Lin Qinghuan looked at him strangely, but still waved to Xiao Qiannan.

"Then please come in and find me quickly, sister-in-law. I'm afraid my aunt is going to scold me first."

Xiao Qiannan said embarrassedly. After all, she had gotten into a big trouble last winter and had to run away to avoid disaster.

"What do you want from me?"

Lin Qinghuan and Xiao Qiannan nodded, and asked softly while sitting opposite Ning Sijue.

"Yesterday was your birthday. I was delayed by something, but I didn't forget the birthday gift."

Ning Sijue took out a long wooden box from his arms and handed it to Lin Qinghuan.

"What is this, a paintbrush?"

Lin Qinghuan took it and looked at the box, guessing.

"You are very clever, but this is just one of the gifts. After you pay your respects to your mother, I will take you to see someone."

Ning Sijue looked at Lin Qinghuan and said mysteriously.

"Who are you meeting?"

Lin Qinghuan was very curious when she saw Ning Sijue's mysterious expression, and asked quickly.

"You go first. I'll go to the Imperial Library and pick you up later. Remember to let Nan'er go back first."

Ning Sijue lowered his voice and then stood up with a smile, leaving Lin Qinghuan alone behind to worry anxiously.

When Lin Qinghuan entered the main hall of Qifeng Palace, the Queen Mother was tirelessly teaching Xiao Qiannan. The little girl knelt obediently beside the Queen Mother, rubbing her legs and nodding her head repeatedly, saying that she knew she was wrong.

"You, you, when will you be half as obedient as Huan'er? Then your mother and I won't have to worry about you anymore."

The Queen Mother knocked on Xiao Qiannan's forehead helplessly, and when she looked up, she saw the good niece-in-law she had been talking about was about to pay her respects.

"Huan'er, there's no need to bow." Empress Xiao raised her hand and gestured.

"Sister-in-law, you are finally here. What did Sixth Brother want to see you for?"

Xiao Qiannan turned around and saw her savior coming, and asked hurriedly.

"It's nothing. The birthday gift that Auntie gave Huan'er yesterday was really precious."

Lin Qinghuan walked over and knelt in front of Empress Xiao like Xiao Qiannan and said.

"Whatever good things Auntie has, she will give them all to you guys in the end. No matter how expensive or not, we are all family."

Empress Xiao smiled and said.

"Nan'er, go with Baochi to Youran Garden. Your aunt has got a lot of satin. Go pick out a few pieces and go back to make some clothes for your sister-in-law."

Empress Xiao glanced at Xiao Qiannan who was laughing secretly and said.

"Sister-in-law, aren't you going with me?" Xiao Qiannan asked curiously.

"Let Huan'er chat with me for a while, you can go by yourself."

Empress Xiao patted Lin Qinghuan's hand, and then spoke to Xiao Qiannan.

"Well then, now my sister-in-law is like my aunt's niece."

Xiao Qiannan stood up and said pretending to be helpless. The senior palace maid Bao Chi took a key from the brocade box next to her and took Xiao Qiannan out of the main hall.

Empress Xiao dismissed the palace maids around her. Lin Qinghuan suddenly felt a little uneasy. When had she ever needed to dismiss the maids when she could chat with the Empress about family matters?

"Aunt, is there something important you want to tell Huan'er?"

Lin Qinghuan asked.

"Alas, child, you have always been sensible. Now that I have thought about this matter, I think it is better to tell you."

Empress Xiao stretched out her hand, and Lin Qinghuan helped her stand up. The two of them walked to the couch and sat down. Lin Qinghuan originally planned to sit on a wooden stool nearby, but Empress Xiao waved to her and sat next to her.

"Aunt, what is troubling you so much? Huan'er is willing to help you relieve your worries."

Lin Qinghuan asked tentatively, feeling uneasy gradually.

"There are many princesses in our Dasheng Dynasty, but only two of them were personally conferred titles by His Majesty. One is you, Changping, and the other one you should know who." Empress Xiao said.

"Huan'er knows. It's Princess Lingluo's legitimate daughter, Princess Minghui."

Although Lin Qinghuan didn't want to mention this woman, it seemed that he had to mention it now that it was about her.

"Yes, that's her. A few days ago, His Majesty mentioned Minghui's marriage to me. Do you know who His Majesty has chosen?"

Empress Xiao asked.

"She...she went to His Majesty again to marry...to marry my husband, right?"

Lin Qinghuan was a little unhappy but still asked tentatively.

Empress Xiao shook her head and then frowned.

"If that were the case, I could still offer some advice and try to stop it, but His Majesty is interested in your brother, General Luofeng, Lin Ancai."

"What? Your Majesty wants An to marry her?"

Lin Qinghuan asked with a look of panic.

"Yes, among these young talents, the one who has the most favor of the Emperor is General Lin. The Emperor has always favored Minghui the most, so I'm afraid this matter is a done deal."

Empress Xiao said this with a feigned worried look, and when she looked up and saw the girl beside her with her brows almost wrinkled into a "川" shape, she also had an idea in her mind.

"No, An Cai absolutely cannot marry her, Auntie, An Cai cannot marry her!"

Lin Qinghuan looked at Empress Xiao anxiously and said.

"Child, Auntie knows that you have suffered a great sin because of Minghui, so I wanted to tell you in advance so that you can be mentally prepared."

Empress Xiao patted Lin Qinghuan's hand and comforted her.

Lin Qinghuan looked at Empress Xiao's loving face and became even more anxious. She thought that she thought he minded that this woman was his sister-in-law, but he didn't know that he was worried about the ill-fated couple. He didn't know whether he should tell the truth to the person in front of him.

"Aunt, An Cai cannot marry her. I beg you, you must stop His Majesty from granting the marriage!"

Lin Qinghuan became even more anxious when he thought of Xiao Qiannan who had just walked out happily and now knew nothing and was picking satin carelessly.

"This... even if I try to persuade her, I can't find a reason. If she really grants her marriage to General Lin, you and Yi'er will be able to live a stable life. It's not a bad thing, as long as you can let go of your worries."

Empress Xiao said gently.

"aunt…"

Lin Qinghuan knelt down anxiously.

"You child, why are you kneeling here? Get up quickly." Empress Xiao reached out and helped Lin Qinghuan up.

"Aunt, Huan'er can't hide it from you. My brother Ancai and Nan'er are in love with each other and have been in love with each other for a long time. Therefore, Ancai cannot be granted a marriage no matter what, Aunt."

Lin Qinghuan made up her mind and told the truth. Now, for the happiness of her younger brother and sister-in-law, she could no longer hide it.

"Nonsense, when did this happen?"

Empress Xiao asked angrily.

"Aunt, Nan'er is suffering so much, please help her."

Lin Qinghuan couldn't help but shed tears as she spoke.

"So, Nan'er went to Duke Shen's mansion and caused trouble because of this?"

Seeing Lin Qinghuan's tears, Empress Xiao felt a little sorry for her, so she softened her tone and helped her sit back down beside her.

Lin Qinghuan simply told the story of how Xiao Qiannan was stolen to Tianmen County to fight the enemy together with Lin Ancai, and was injured by an arrow in the leg. Now he can only limp for the rest of his life.

Empress Xiao had long known that Xiao Qiannan loved Lin Ancai, but she did not know that her niece had suffered from a leg disease since then, and she kept covering her chest with her hands out of heartache.

"This child, it's all because of my sister-in-law's spoiling. How could such a good girl become lame? It's a sin!"

Empress Xiao was so angry and sad that she kept beating her legs.

Lin Qinghuan quickly grabbed her hand and cried.

"Aunt, please, love Nan'er and don't make her sad anymore. Just let them be together."

"But how did I manage to snatch the person that His Majesty likes from Nan'er? Besides Yi'er, the only person who is most favored by His Majesty in the Dasheng Dynasty is General Lin."

Empress Xiao shook her head and sighed.

"Aren't there still many princes who haven't married a wife?" Lin Qinghuan asked with a sad face.

"Child, there are many things you don't understand, and you don't need to know. You just need to know that if His Majesty doesn't grant you a marriage with General Lin, one day, it will harm you and Yi'er. By then, even I won't be able to help you two. His Majesty treats Minghui even more dearly than his own children. You don't know it, but I do!"

Empress Xiao patted Lin Qinghuan's hand meaningfully and said.

Lin Qinghuan felt a chill in his heart. Could it be that his selfishness had harmed Nan'er and Ancai?

"Aunt, if...if my husband marries her, will An Cai and Nan Er be able to be together?"

Lin Qinghuan asked with a trembling voice.

"Alright, Huan'er, Nan'er has her own destiny. You don't have to worry about it anymore. Starting tomorrow, I will let Nan'er live in the palace permanently. She is still young and will pass away soon."

After hearing what Lin Qinghuan said, Empress Xiao said in a decisive tone.

"No, aunt, Huan'er doesn't care. Now all I want is for Nan'er and An to be together. Aunt, Huan'er begs you, please help my brother and Nan'er. Now you are the only one who can help them both."

Lin Qinghuan knelt down again anxiously.

"Silly child, you can't ignore your own happiness just because of General Lin and Nan'er!"

Although Empress Xiao expected Lin Qinghuan to hesitate, she never thought she would give in so decisively. She felt a little guilty, but when she remembered that everything she did was for her children and the world, she instantly suppressed her compassion.

"I believe my husband only has me in his heart."

Lin Qinghuan said affirmatively that he still has the confidence now.

"Let me think about it."

Empress Xiao took out a handkerchief and wiped Lin Qinghuan's tears.

"Sister-in-law, I picked out several of your favorite colors for you, including phoenix-eye flowers...Sister-in-law, why are you crying?"

Xiao Qiannan rushed in, then looked at Lin Qinghuan strangely and said.

"It's okay. I heard some stories from my aunt... I'm sure I'll like what you picked."

Lin Qinghuan reached out and pulled Xiao Qiannan to sit down.

Xiao Qiannan smiled and then started chattering and telling jokes to the two of them.

On the way out of the palace, Xiao Qiannan was in a particularly good mood and kept holding Lin Qinghuan's arm and chatting all the way.

"Sister-in-law, I plan to go to Tianmen to look for Brother Ancai after the New Year. He can't take care of himself there alone."

"Okay, I will help you and will definitely get you two together." Lin Qinghuan said firmly.

"I know my sister-in-law loves me the most."

Xiao Qiannan felt happier and hugged Lin Qinghuan tightly again.

"Nan'er, go back home first. The Sixth Prince and I have something to do." Lin Qinghuan reminded.

"Okay, then I'll send the cloth to the tailor shop in the east of the city. The tailor there has good skills."