The widow becomes a fairy, and the time-traveling girl counterattacks and becomes the queen

After the banquet, all the ministers had left the palace one after another, and the huge palace seemed particularly empty.

Crown Prince Zhao Haoxuan and Wang Xinyao, leading Zhou Yunxi and Zhao Meir, walked through the palace walls and headed towards the imperial study.

The palace lanterns cast long shadows behind them, and the sound of their footsteps echoed softly in the empty palace.

Zhao Meir lowered her head slightly, her fingers unconsciously pinching and twisting her belt.

Zhou Yunxi noticed her nervousness and quietly took a step closer, their sleeves lightly touching hers, conveying silent comfort.

Wang Xinyao saw all of this and exchanged a gentle look with Zhao Haoxuan.

In the imperial study, candles were brightly lit, and Zhao Haoli knelt in front of the desk without saying a word.

Emperor Zhao Guoan was not wearing a dragon robe, but only a casual dress. He stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the moonlight outside the window, and his back seemed a little lonely.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around.

"Father," Zhao Haoxuan stepped forward, "I have brought my sister here."

He turned sideways, exposing Zhao Meir, who had been slightly behind by half a step, completely in front of his father.

Zhao Guoan's eyes fell on the girl in light green palace dress.

Those eyebrows, those features, are exactly the same as my mother's when she was young.

The imperial study was silent for a while, with only the occasional crackling of the candlelight.

"Emperor...Emperor sister, you are finally back. Li'er missed you so much." Zhao Haoli stood up and ran away.

Zhao Mei'er's eyes were also slightly red: "Brother..."

She was choked with sobs and couldn't speak.

Zhao Guoan took two steps forward and looked at Zhao Meir with complicated eyes.

There is exploration, guilt, and a hint of caution in it of regaining what has been lost.

He finally spoke first, his voice not as majestic as usual in the court, but with a hint of hoarseness and gentleness.

"Mei'er...I...Oh, no, Father finally sees you."

He paused, as if choosing his words, and finally let out an almost inaudible sigh.

"It's father's fault. Father... didn't know you existed. You... have suffered over the years." There was a hard-to-disguise bitterness at the end of his words.

Zhao Meir raised her eyes and met her father's gaze.

A layer of mist instantly covered those clear eyes.

But she tried hard to restrain herself and not let her tears fall.

She shook her head gently and whispered, "Father, Mei'er is not suffering. Being able to see the Emperor and recognize you... Mei'er is already extremely satisfied."

"Good boy..." Zhao Guoan nodded repeatedly, with tears in his eyes.

He led Zhao Meir to sit on a rosewood chair beside him, and he sat opposite her and asked her in detail.

Ask her about her life over the years, what books she has read, whether she has ever learned to play the piano, etc.

His tone was urgent yet filled with kindness that seemed to want to make amends.

Zhao Meir didn't know how to answer, because her growing up experience was only about cultivation and completing the tasks assigned by Concubine Yin.

"Father, I...I can read a little, but I don't know how to play the zither!"

She replied truthfully, and although her behavior was a little reserved, she gradually relaxed.

"Mei'er, it's father's fault. Father shouldn't have asked you these questions." Zhao Guoan felt very guilty.

He had also heard about what Concubine Yin had done to Mei'er, and it made him feel heartbroken just thinking about it.

Zhao Meier mustered up the courage to ask, "Father, will you... kill her?"

"Please, father, spare her life." Zhao Haoli knelt down again.

He knew his mother had committed an unforgivable crime, but as a son, he couldn't just watch her die.

"Li'er, you should know that even if I want to forgive her, the people of the world will not forgive her! Let's not talk about this matter anymore." He ignored Zhao Haoli.

Now he just wants to compensate his daughter who has been wandering outside for twenty years.

"Mei'er, whatever you want, your father will satisfy you!"

"I don't need anything. I am already very satisfied to have the approval of my father."

Zhou Yunxi stood quietly by the side, his eyes always following Zhao Meir. Seeing her expression gradually relax, the corners of her tightly pursed lips relaxed slightly.

Seeing that the time was almost right, he took a deep breath, strode to the center of the imperial study, lifted up his robe, knelt solemnly on his knees, and kowtowed.

"Your Majesty," his voice broke the warm and peaceful conversation between father and daughter, "Your servant, Zhou Yunxi, has long admired Mei'er. Heaven and earth can bear witness to my deep affection for her."

He rested his forehead on the cool ground, his posture respectful.

Then, he raised his head again and said in a firm tone: "I, your humble servant, dare to ask Your Majesty to show mercy and grant me the hand in marriage of Princess Mei'er.

"I will do my utmost to protect the princess for the rest of her life and prevent her from suffering even the slightest injustice. In this life, I only wish to be with her, hand in hand, until we grow old together!"

This sudden request instantly froze the warmth on Zhao Guoan's face.

He had just found his daughter and hadn't even loved her well yet, but someone already wanted to take her away?

A strong sense of reluctance welled up in his heart, his brows slightly furrowed, and he looked sharply at Zhou Yunxi who was kneeling on the ground, but did not respond immediately.

Instead, he turned to his daughter beside him, his tone slowed down, and he asked inquiringly, "Mei'er, what do you think about this matter?"

Zhao Meir didn't expect Zhou Yunxi to propose to her directly at this moment, and two blushes suddenly appeared on her cheeks.

She quickly raised her eyes to glance at Zhou Yunxi who was kneeling upright, with mixed emotions in her eyes: shyness, touching, and a hint of confusion about the future.

She lowered her head, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito, but loud enough for everyone present to hear.

"Son... your son will leave it to the Emperor to make the final decision."

Although this was not stated explicitly, the girl's demeanor already revealed her feelings.

Zhao Guoan is a very capable person, how could he not see what his daughter is thinking?

He felt mixed emotions. He had finally recognized his daughter, but before he could even take good care of her, she was about to become someone else's child again.

His gaze passed Zhou Yunxi and fell on Crown Prince Zhao Haoxuan, who had been standing quietly watching. He asked in a deep voice, "Xuan'er, do you know anything about this? What do you think?"

Zhao Haoxuan had already expected his father to ask this question. He took a step forward, stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhou Yunxi, and bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty, I understand. General Zhou is my dearest friend and a pillar of our nation. I can vouch for his character and ability.

He was the one who accompanied the imperial sister through her most difficult times.

He is truly devoted to the Imperial Sister, and I have witnessed this with my own eyes. If the Imperial Sister can entrust her to him, I believe he is a perfect match."

His words were concise, but every word was weighty, expressing his recognition of Zhou Yunxi.

After listening to Zhao Haoxuan's words, Zhao Guoan was silent for a moment.

His eyes slowly swept over the kneeling Zhou Yunxi, the shy Zhao Meir, and the calm Zhao Haoxuan. The atmosphere in the imperial study was solemn, as if even the air had stopped flowing.

Finally, he let out a sigh, as if he had made an important decision.

"Forget it!" Zhao Guoan's voice regained the calmness of an emperor, but with a hint of helplessness and kindness as a father.

"Lord Zhou, please rise. I see your feelings for Mei'er. Since the Crown Prince has vouched for you, I... grant you my approval."

Zhou Yunxi's eyes flashed with ecstasy, and he kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, thank you for your grace!"

However, Zhao Guoan changed the subject: "But..."

Zhou Yunxi was shocked and looked at the emperor in panic.

"I will issue the imperial decree granting the marriage soon. But the wedding cannot be held before Xuan'er and Xinyao hold their wedding ceremony again." Zhao Guoan looked at Zhao Meir gently, with an expression that left no room for negotiation.

He paused, his tone pleading, more like an ordinary father: "Mei'er and I have just met, and I want to keep her by my side for a while longer to make up for the father-daughter relationship we have missed all these years. Mei'er, are you... willing?"

Zhao Meir raised her eyes and saw the undisguised expectation and reluctance in her father's eyes, and the softest part of her heart was touched.

She stood up, bowed gracefully, and said in a gentle but firm voice: "Your Highness is willing to accompany your Majesty."

Although Zhou Yunxi wanted to marry her beloved immediately, she also understood the emperor's love for his daughter and felt fortunate to be granted the marriage. She responded respectfully, "Your Majesty, I will obey your command. Everything will be arranged by Your Majesty."

Zhao Guoan nodded with satisfaction, and a smile appeared on her face again. It was a relaxed smile that came from letting go of a burden and enjoying family time.

Outside the window, the moonlight is just right, and its bright light spreads everywhere, as if gently adding a footnote to this royal story of newly recognized relatives and impending marriage.

The date for Wang Xinyao to return to Miao Country has been set, which is five days later.

As separation was approaching, Wang Xinyao accompanied Cui Yingying, Zhao Yue'er and Ouyang Ping almost every day, wandering through the streets of the capital.

"Sister Ping, slow down! You're already three months pregnant. You absolutely can't run around or jump around at this time."

Looking at Ouyang Ping, who was so excited that she was almost jogging in front of her, Cui Yingying couldn't help but frown and remind her repeatedly.

She has a gentle personality. Although she has had a shameful past, her every move and gesture is that of a lady from a noble family.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ping turned around nonchalantly, with a healthy blush on her slightly rounder cheeks.

She waved her hand and laughed brightly and pleasantly, "Don't be afraid, Sister Cui, just put your mind at ease! I'm as strong as a calf, how can I get tired just by shopping?"

As she spoke, she deliberately patted her belly. Although it was not obvious there, a new life was already being nurtured there.

Seeing this, Wang Xinyao hurried forward, took Ouyang Ping's arm, and gently advised, "Sister Ping, Sister Yingying is right, it's better to be safe than sorry. If Luo Qing knew you were so impulsive, he would probably be furious."

Zhao Yue'er on the side covered her lips and smiled softly, with a pair of beautiful eyes showing a playful light, and then said: "That's right! Sister Ping'er, is your General Luo still getting beaten by you recently?"

She and Ouyang Ping are both straightforward and joke around a lot.

"Of course not!" Ouyang Ping raised her chin with a bit of naive pride mixed with a hint of obvious anger.

"This guy, if he doesn't get along for three days, he'll tear the roof off the house!

A few days ago, because of my pregnancy, the elders in the family had some idea and were planning to take him a concubine to "share the burden".

Guess what? He actually didn't say a word of objection! He just stood there like a mute person! What do you think, should he be beaten?

She became more and more angry as she spoke, and waved her pink fist in the air as if Luo Qing was right in front of her.

Wang Xinyao couldn't help laughing when she heard this, and the scene when she first met Ouyang Ping emerged in her mind.

At that time, Ouyang Ping loved cautiously and even said that as long as Luo Qing was willing to marry her, she would not mind him taking a concubine.

Times have changed, and now this "violent woman" appearance is a true expression of her feelings, which also just shows Luo Qing's love and tolerance for her.

"That's right, this guy really deserves to be brought along. But you should also take it easy. After all...well, the Luo family's situation is indeed special." Zhao Yue'er said this in a subtle way, but everyone present knew it well.

Luo Qing's father is not the biological son of Lord Luo, but the bloodline of the late emperor and the empress dowager. The Luo family was originally small in number, and Luo Qing's generation attracted even more attention.

Aristocratic families have always valued flourishing and having many descendants, so it is understandable that the Luo family would have such thoughts.

However, they underestimated Ouyang Ping's importance in Luo Qing's heart and overestimated Luo Qing's emotional intelligence in handling this matter.

While chatting and laughing, the four of them came to an elegantly decorated clothing store.

Wang Xinyao remembered this place. This was the property of Elder Hua from the Second Heaven in the capital. At that time, the graceful Elder Hua had wanted to take her in as a disciple.

The store is elegantly decorated with a wide variety of silks, satins, and ready-made clothes, and the faint scent of incense lingers in the air.

As soon as Ouyang Ping entered, she was attracted by a red pleated skirt. She pulled Zhao Yue'er and Cui Yingying to appreciate and try it on with great interest.

Wang Xinyao also casually looked at the clothes on the rack, but her eyes were a little vague, and her thoughts seemed to have flown to Miao Country five days later.

At this time, a female shopkeeper, about thirty years old and dressed in plain blue clothes, walked over gracefully.

She had a beautiful face and calm eyes. She bowed slightly to Wang Xinyao and whispered, "Madam, may I have a word with you for a moment?"

Wang Xinyao was slightly startled and recognized that this woman had a reserved aura and was not an ordinary businessman.

She nodded, greeted Zhao Yue'er and the other two, then followed the female shopkeeper through a beaded curtain and into a secluded inner room in the store.

The interior is simply furnished with only a table and two chairs.

The female shopkeeper closed the door, turned around and bowed solemnly to Wang Xinyao: "Madam, I am a disciple of Elder Hua. I have been waiting for you here for a long time under the order of my master."

Wang Xinyao's heart moved, and she raised her hand to support him: "No need to be so polite, what are your instructions, Elder Hua?"

"Master has instructed me to tell you if I see Madam. According to reliable information, the Red Robe Saint is currently hiding in the territory of Miao Country."

Wang Xinyao's pupils suddenly contracted and her heart sank.

The Red-robed Holy Son!

The Son of God with strange methods and unfathomable strength has appeared again?

Did he go to Miao Country?

The female shopkeeper continued, "Master also said that if the Emperor and Empress of the Miao Kingdom set out on their journey back to the Miao Kingdom, they must be extremely careful.

Besides…” She paused, then looked up at Wang Xinyao with a hint of complicated respect in her eyes.

"Master asked me to tell Queen Wang Muyun that she will always be the Saint recognized by us in the Second Heaven."

The last sentence is more like a statement and a promise.

Wang Xinyao's heart was in turmoil. She didn't know her father Chen Qingfeng's true strength now. Could he deal with the red-robed Holy Son who even the Second Heaven found difficult to deal with?

If he caused trouble in Miao Country and harmed the people... she didn't dare to think about it anymore.