I just want to be a princess, no, you want to be a queen

Qin Miao wore a gold-threaded beaded flower on her head and a crimson skirt with a pattern of birds paying homage to the phoenix, covered with a veil. She also wore a gold-threaded jade sapphire belt around her waist, and her steps were light and melodious, revealing her playfulness and agility.

Perhaps because she was in a hurry and the cold wind blew, her delicate face turned red.

"Aunt!" Qin Miao walked to the side of the empress dowager and bowed gracefully.

"Miao'er, don't be rude!" Duke Qin stepped forward and scolded his daughter.

"Well~, don't learn from your father, who is so sour and pedantic. I just like to hear you call me that." The Queen Mother held Qin Miao's hand and liked her more and more the more she looked at her.

"What a wonderful person." The Queen Mother took off the carved gold hairpin on her head and put it on Qin Miao's head.

Meanwhile, Duke Qin had already paid his respects to Prince Ningyuan. As he stood up, he saw the Queen Mother placing the golden hairpin given to her daughter upon her coronation. He hurriedly said, "Queen Mother, this is unacceptable."

Then she scolded her daughter: "You are so unruly! You are not worthy of wearing the Queen Mother's golden hairpin. Take it off quickly."

The Queen Mother held Qin Miao's hands and ordered Chu Mingzheng: "Zheng'er, if your cousin says anything that the Empress Dowager doesn't want to hear again, you will get him drunk for her!"

Chu Mingzheng nodded with a smile, "Grandson, obey your command!"

Xu Pei hurriedly invited Duke Qin to take a seat, and the palace maids were busy serving new dishes.

At the banquet, everyone was talking and laughing. Every time Duke Qin called her Queen Mother, Chu Mingzheng would pour him a glass of wine. After drinking a lot, Duke Qin had to change his name to call her Aunt.

It seemed to be extremely harmonious, but Lu Mingyang always felt that Duke Qin was scrutinizing him.

After thirty years of drinking.

Qin Miao picked up a glass of wine, walked to Chu Mingzheng's side with lotus steps, and said in a voice full of anger and tenderness: "Cousin, this glass is from Miao'er to thank you for saving my life."

The Queen Mother asked curiously, "Have you met before?"

Qin Miao lowered her head shyly.

"Three years ago, Miao'er went with her mother to visit relatives when they encountered famine. My mother and I set up a porridge stall to distribute porridge, but we ran into some refugees and did something unruly. If it weren't for my cousin, Miao'er would probably be buried somewhere now."

Chu Mingzheng stood up with the cup in hand and said with a smile, "My cousin, you are too kind. I have already accepted your gift of thanks the other day, so I cannot accept another. I shall return the favor with this cup."

"Cough, cough, cough!" Chu Mingzheng suddenly covered his mouth and started coughing. His palms were spread out, covered in blood.

"Cousin!" Qin Miao wanted to go forward to help.

Chu Mingzheng staggered backwards. Lu Mingyang thought he was going to fall, so he quickly stood up and supported him.

The Queen Mother asked anxiously, "Zheng'er, is your condition getting worse again?"

Chu Mingzheng said calmly, "It's nothing. I cough up blood every few days. I shouldn't have coughed up blood today. Maybe I drank too much and it brought it out."

"It's all Miao'er's fault. Cousin, you'd better not drink!" Qin Miao said as she took the wine glass from Chu Mingzheng's hand.

Chu Mingzheng raised his cup to avoid it, "How can I not drink the wine my cousin offers me? But I really can't drink alcohol today."

As he spoke, he looked at Lu Mingyang beside him and said with a smile, "How about Miss Lu drink this cup for me?"

I?

Lu Mingyang looked up in surprise.

Is this an admission of one's own identity? But why should one be so anxious to admit it at this time?

Qin Miao's face became extremely ugly, but she still maintained a decent smile and drank the wine.

"Cousin, wipe it!"

She took out the handkerchief from her arms and handed it to Chu Mingzheng.

Such an act of giving a handkerchief as a present is not something a girl in the boudoir should do, but she did it anyway.

"My sister is young and naive, but if I accept my cousin's handkerchief, I'm afraid my uncle will not let me off easily." Chu Mingzheng pointed out directly, picked up the handkerchief that Lu Mingyang had just used to wipe the table, and wiped the blood off his palm.

After wiping, he handed it to Lu Mingyang naturally. Under the gaze of many eyes, Lu Mingyang quickly put away the handkerchief.

Qin Miao was so ashamed that she walked back to her seat in embarrassment.

"Miao'er is the head of the family now, and she always plays around with her brothers at home."

Duke Qin smiled and smoothed things over. Seeing that the Queen Mother was about to introduce the girl next to Prince Ningyuan, he hurriedly asked, "Who is this girl?"

Lu Mingyang stood up and saluted, saying calmly, "My father is the Marquis of Chengyang."

"So she's Marquis Lu's niece. She's still in mourning, right?" Duke Qin emphasized these words, as if he was afraid others wouldn't hear. He continued, "I've always respected Marquis Lu. I'll definitely go pay my respects to him one of these days."

Lu Mingyang understood that the Duke of Qin was coming for Prince Ningyuan and reminded the Queen Mother that she, Lu Mingyang, could not get married for the time being.

Sure enough, the Queen Mother frowned.

For others, mourning for one or two years is not a big deal, but it is different for Prince Ningyuan. He only has a few years left to live.

However, unexpectedly, the King of Ningyuan, who only has a few years left to live, is quite popular.

Lu Mingyang thanked her politely, then looked at the Queen Mother and reminded her, "Queen Mother, Doctor Leng is still waiting to see His Highness."

Is this telling the Empress Dowager that she cares more about her own health? Chu Mingzheng covered his lips with a smirk, watching her anxious expression leisurely.

For the first time, he found women's jealousy so interesting.

Xu Pei said, "The Queen Mother plans to have him come over this afternoon. Miss Lu is so thoughtful."

Duke Qin watched the Queen Mother nod with satisfaction, and with a growing anxiety in his heart, he said directly, "Don't worry, Aunt, I've come here to ask you a favor. Miao'er has reached the age where she can no longer be kept."

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "I am thinking about it and will choose a good husband for our Miao'er."

"Miao'er has someone she likes." Qin Miao's gentle voice came out.

"Oh, which lucky young man is this?" The Queen Mother asked, thinking of her attitude towards her grandson just now which was a bit bad, but it was too late to undo what had been done.

"Miao'er!" the Duke of Qin pretended to rebuke. "Your aunt chose the one for you, so she must be the best. How can a girl choose for herself? How can she be so rude."

Qin Miao's eyes moved, and she looked at her father timidly, but then looked at King Ningyuan with great determination: "Miao'er wants to marry my cousin."

The spoon fell into the soup bowl, making a crisp sound.

Lu Mingyang felt that it was inappropriate for her to stay here any longer, so she stood up and bowed, "I remember that I have something else to do at home, so I would like to take my leave first."

The Queen Mother was very pleased with Lu Mingyang's tact. She did not answer her, but said to Qin Miao first: "You have many cousins. Tell me about them slowly later."

Then, he let Chu Mingzheng escort Lu Mingyang away. This move was clearly to reassure her. The girl walking along the palace road had a light and brisk pace.

Why did you suddenly change your mind?

Chu Mingzheng felt a little aggrieved. Why could this little girl marry whenever she wanted and not marry whenever she didn't want? He coughed lightly and walked over.

"Who do you think is the cousin Miss Qin likes?"

His eyes were slightly provocative, and if it weren't for his reaction at the banquet just now, she would have been a little worried.

But now, Lu Mingyang calmly met the provocative gaze and complimented him, "Your Highness has a dragon-phoenix appearance. Which woman in the world would not admire you?"

Chu Mingzheng was stunned for a moment, then nodded with satisfaction, "I also think my cousin is very good."