Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

After much deliberation, the Seventh Princess finally asked the question.

"When did Lord Meng begin to take a liking to me?"

She wanted to know the answer.

I don't want to keep guessing in my mind.

She looked straight at him, her gaze clear and deep, as if it could penetrate the long river of time and look directly into the softest part of his heart.

After hearing her question, Meng Huai'an did not hide anything.

A gentle smile spread across his face, a smile that held both past emotions and present sweetness.

He looked at her in return, his eyes filled with deep affection and sincerity, as if he wanted to condense all the feelings he had accumulated over the years into this single gaze.

"It was three years ago, at a banquet. Although I was only a sixth-rank official at the time, I had become quite famous, and many people came to toast me and try to make friends with me. I was so annoyed that I made an excuse to run away and hide in a big tree in the backyard to find some peace and quiet. Then I fell asleep without realizing it."

"I don't know how much time passed. When I woke up to the sound, I saw three young girls coming here together. At that time, I was just a minor official and had never seen you before. I didn't know you were princesses. Because of the strict separation between men and women, and because I was afraid that my sudden appearance would frighten you, I held my breath and didn't show myself."

"At this time, you were already sitting at the stone table in the courtyard. I saw you taking good care of your two younger sisters, tidying their clothes, pouring them tea, wiping their sweat, and gently comforting them when they were upset. They were also very good to you and took care of you."

“At that time, I felt that you two had a really good relationship. My eyes followed you and I couldn’t take them off. Although you were quite young at the time, I felt that you were very mature and calm. You were not only considerate in every aspect but also handled things with ease. You were also calm and gentle. Without realizing it, I just kept watching you for a very long time until you left.”

From that day on, she took root in his heart.

He had tried to find out who she was, but to no avail.

It wasn't until they met again at a banquet that he learned she was actually the seventh princess of the dynasty.

His burning passion was instantly extinguished.

Princess!

How could someone of his status be worthy of her?

This love, buried deep in her heart, was instantly shrouded by the insurmountable barrier of her identity, turning into a heart full of bitterness.

Only today did he realize that he was worthy of it.

After hearing his story, the Seventh Princess remembered what had happened three years ago.

That day was Old Uncle Wang's birthday banquet, so even though they were princesses, they had no choice but to attend.

It was the hottest season of the year, and Eighth Sister and Ninth Sister were too young at the time.

They were so hot that they didn't want to leave the mansion to attend the banquet, and they couldn't leave early either.

She was afraid that they would be emotionally unstable and that their unhappiness would be written on their faces and seen by others.

If a reputation for disrespecting elders were to fall on them, it would be detrimental.

So she led them away from the crowd to the backyard under the trees to cool off.

The two were so frustrated they were almost in tears, so she comforted them again and again, which prevented them from breaking down.

So he was watching them from the tree back then?

Fate is truly a wonderful thing.

Having found the answer, she had no more doubts.

Then, with a beaming smile, he looked at him and asked, "So, Lord Meng, would you be willing to become my son-in-law?"

Meng Huai'an's heart pounded like a drum, and his breathing was rapid and heaving.

His palms were already sweaty, and his body was so hot that it was impossible to get close to him; his body was trembling slightly from nervousness.

But the look in his eyes was more resolute and ardent than ever before.

He looked at her and smiled radiantly, saying, "Yes, it would be my honor."

The Seventh Princess looked at him, and his smile was like a stream breaking through the ice in spring, carrying endless tenderness and warmth.

Her eyes curved into captivating crescent shapes, sparkling like stars, with a mesmerizing light emanating from their deep depths.

She met his smile without realizing it, and her heart skipped a beat. A surge of heat rushed to her cheeks, making her blush involuntarily.

She, who had always been calm and composed, even when talking about her marriage, blushed for the first time because of his smile.

That smile seemed to hold a thousand words, and it also seemed to possess some kind of mysterious magic, locking her gaze in place so that she could never look away.

………………

Just then, Xie Zhiyi's criteria for choosing a husband caused a huge uproar in the capital.

What everyone found unacceptable was the last clause: concubines were forbidden.

After that, no one in the Xie family dared to come and ask for her hand in marriage anymore.

However, this has caused Xie Zhiyi to incur the dissatisfaction of many people.

Not just men, but also many women.

The men found it utterly absurd, which infuriated them.

These women must have thought the same thing.

Such is the nature of society; it is not the fault of one person or one statement.

However, no matter how angry these people were, they dared not do anything or make a scene outside.

At most, they can only feel dissatisfied and disagree in their hearts or grumble to their family members.

Therefore, Xie Zhiyi was not affected by this at all.

She felt that this had actually filtered out unsuitable people for her.

It's wonderful that she can have such peace and quiet now!

In the blood-red afterglow of the setting sun, Meng Huai'an's figure passed through the heavy shadows of the palace walls and stepped into the solemn imperial study.

He knelt before Emperor Jingzhao, his posture upright and his expression solemn, his eyes shining with unprecedented determination and perseverance.

He spoke each word clearly and forcefully: "Your Majesty, your humble servant Meng Huai'an has long admired the Seventh Princess. Now that I have reached the age of marriage, I feel that my appearance and temperament are a perfect match for the Princess. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to ask for your hand in marriage with the Seventh Princess!"

After speaking, he touched his head to the ground with an almost pious gesture, expressing his full sincerity and determination.

Emperor Jingzhao was reviewing memorials when he heard his words and almost scrapped the memorial.

Why so suddenly?

Does this mean he has to marry Xiao Qi?

Then, in the next moment, I understood why.

That's it!

But who revealed this marriage proposal to Xiaoqi?

I remembered yesterday's report from the guards that Xiao Qi and the others went out shopping with Princess Rui and the others.

That must have been told to her by Princess Rui.

So this matter should also be Lao Liu's idea.

Does the sixth brother not want the seventh brother to go for a marriage alliance?

Meng Aiqing is indeed an outstanding person, and in every respect he is a perfect match for his princess.

But what about the marriage alliance?

Apart from Xiao Qi, there is no other suitable candidate.

Emperor Jingzhao was still making a decision.

Meng Huai'an understood what His Majesty was thinking.

He simply believed that the matter would definitely succeed.

He believed in Prince Rui, and in his incredibly intelligent and almost supernatural wife.

I have more faith in the Seventh Princess.

Emperor Jingzhao was still unable to make a decision, so he looked at Meng Huai'an, who was still kneeling, and said in a low voice, "My dear minister, please go back first. I need to think about it carefully."

Meng Huai'an showed no sign of disappointment or displeasure.

He bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

………………

at the same time.

The Seventh Princess was also telling her mother, Consort Min, and her brother, the Ninth Prince, about this.

Although Consort Min came from the household of the Left Prime Minister, her brother was not yet the Prime Minister when she entered the palace; he was just a minor official.

She had no other support, so she had a very hard time in the past few years. Now that everything is better, she feels that this life is too comfortable and easy.

He then instructed the Seventh Princess and the Ninth Prince not to have any other thoughts, and to just live their lives well.

The Ninth Prince, in particular, repeatedly warned him not to covet that position.

That position belongs to Prince Rui.

Through years of teaching, both of them naturally became clear-headed, insightful, unambitious, content with their lot, and reserved and steady.

Although the Ninth Prince was exceptionally capable, his maternal uncle's family was the current Left Prime Minister.

However, he never harbored any ambition to seize the throne, and the Left Chancellor was also a neutral party who did not take sides.

So they continued to live their peaceful lives.

Upon hearing the Seventh Princess recount this matter, the mother and son experienced unusually strong emotional fluctuations.

Consort Min, now over thirty, is like a tranquil ancient painting, exuding the charm of time.

Although her face was not as beautiful and radiant as that of a young woman in her late teens, it possessed a composure and calmness that came with experience of life's vicissitudes.

Her skin was as white as snow, yet understated, as smooth and lustrous as mutton fat jade. Under light makeup, she appeared even more elegant and dignified.

Her phoenix eyes were slightly upturned, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes told stories of the past, but did not diminish her depth and wisdom in the slightest.

Her hair was neatly and simply styled, adorned only with a few elegant pearl hairpins, understated yet exuding nobility.

At this moment, she exclaimed with utter astonishment, "A marriage alliance?"

Upon seeing this, the Seventh Princess quickly stepped forward and gestured for her to remain calm.

Consort Min took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.