Marrying the Crown Prince

In the three years that followed, everyone who was supposed to get married got married.

Li Zichen married Wang Qingwu three years ago and was granted the title of Prince Xuanping. They now have a daughter named Li Liwan.

In the same year, Li Zixi married into the Kingdom of Qixi and became its queen. She lived a carefree life and often wrote letters home to say hello and to share her experiences of the local customs and culture she had encountered in this foreign land.

Qixi Kingdom is located in a barren land with harsh conditions, so men, women, and children have to work desperately to survive.

This fostered the fierce and rugged folk customs of the Kingdom of Qixi, resulting in minimal distinction between men and women.

Therefore, Li Zixi, who married into the family, lived a relatively happy life.

When Su and Cao had free time, they would ride fast horses out of the palace and wander around.

Thus, her writing recorded the lush spring days and the chirping of birds, as well as the clear and bright summer nights.

Knowing that Su and Cao had a good relationship with her, Zhou Zhou felt relieved once again.

Although Su and Cao both married Li Zixi because of her noble status, Ke Hu's love for her was genuine.

Speaking of which, I should mention Su and Wan Ying. When she was traveling around, she encountered a female merchant caravan arranged by Zhou Zhou.

This was the first time Su and Wan Ying had encountered a caravan with this kind of configuration, and they were so excited that they couldn't contain themselves.

So she followed the caravan closely, traveling with them everywhere, and before long, they actually became quite familiar with each other.

Now, Su and Wan Ying are unofficial members of Zhou Zhou's women's caravan.

As for her marriage...

Both Su and Cao said, "I only see her once a year, how can I get married? How can I take her in?"

Of course, if he wanted to bring Su and Wan Ying back, he could do so in no time.

However, she is his only sister, so he is willing to spoil her a bit. Whether she marries him or not is up to her, since it's not like he can't afford to raise her.

As for Li Zixiao, she was indeed not used to it when she first arrived in the Northern Region, and even had a lot of estrangement with Yang Yu'an. As for whether she was doing well, she was not lacking in material things, but she was just not used to it.

Fortunately, as time went by, the couple's relationship gradually improved as they spent more time together.

Of course, most importantly, Li Zixiao discovered that the playboy in the capital was not a real spoiled brat; Yang Yu'an also discovered many good qualities of Princess Shun'an in his life.

Life goes on, so let's take it easy.

The only time their relationship improved was one winter when enemy troops attacked and Li Zixiao was trapped in a separate courtyard.

She hid behind the door, tightly gripping the razor-sharp dagger Yang Yu'an had given her, her mind constantly recalling how he had taught her to use it.

The door creaked open, and sunlight streamed through the window, falling on the person's face.

Upon seeing the person's face clearly, Li Zixiao's taut nerves finally snapped. She leaned against the wall, barely managing to avoid falling, and gasped for breath.

Yang Yu'an scooped the person up in his arms and held them protectively. "I'm sorry I'm late."

After this experience, their relationship quickly warmed up, and their hearts gradually drew closer.

Unfortunately, despite their deep love and unwavering commitment, they were unable to conceive. However, they were still young and had several older brothers and sisters-in-law, so no one was in a hurry.

In this respect, they are much better than Zhou Zhou and Li Ziyan.

Indeed, the Crown Princess has not yet conceived.

A woman who has been unable to conceive for three years should indeed be anxious, especially since her family truly has a throne to inherit.

Therefore, Empress Chu also said a few hurtful things to Zhou Zhou—

"You've been married to the Crown Prince for many years, why is there still no sign of a child?"

Zhou Zhou thought about the question carefully and replied, "Mother, when the Imperial Physicians came to check my pulse, they all said that I am in good health."

Empress Chu's expression changed repeatedly, and she almost spat out a mouthful of blood, but she couldn't find any words to refute her.

After all, Zhou Zhou looked thin, but she was as strong as an ox. In the three years since she married into the Eastern Palace, she had never been sick. On the contrary, Li Ziyan would catch a cold once or twice a year.

and so……

Since no heir had been born in the Eastern Palace, it was not Zhou Zhou who was suspected of being infertile, but Li Ziyan.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Chenze appeared calm, but the anxiety between his brows betrayed his inner unease.

The imperial physician had barely withdrawn his hand from taking the prince's pulse when he asked anxiously, "How is it? Is there anything seriously wrong with the prince's health?"

The imperial physician stroked his beard and replied, "Your Highness is physically strong and no different from an ordinary person."

"Strong physique?"

Emperor Chenze didn't seem to be relieved or distrustful; in any case, his tone lacked any hint of surprise.

The imperial physician paused, stroking his beard. What... what was that tone? Why did the emperor still seem unhappy even after hearing that the crown prince was in good health?

He soon found out the answer.

"Then why haven't you gotten pregnant yet?" Emperor Chenze frowned, puzzled.

It wasn't that he was in a hurry to have a grandson, after all, the third prince, also known as the Prince of Chong'an, had already fathered two grandsons; what he was worried about was that if Li Ziyan was truly destined to be childless, what would become of the throne?

Although he is strong and healthy and can live for another ten or twenty years, can he still raise a qualified successor like Li Ziyan?

Therefore, Emperor Chenze frowned even more deeply.

Li Ziyan withdrew his hand, rolled up his sleeves, looked at Emperor Chenze, and comforted him, "Father, don't worry too much, perhaps the time is not yet right."

The troubled Emperor Chenze could only accept this outcome for the time being, waving his hand to dismiss them.

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Li Ziyan arrived at the Hall of Bright Virtue.

As soon as I stepped inside, I saw Zhou Zhou sitting there, idly tossing a calligraphy brush around.

The calligraphy brush spun as it fell from the air, which she caught steadily, and then tossed it up again, repeating the process over and over.

Indeed, after retiring from officialdom, Zhou Zhou began to get involved in court politics at the suggestion of Emperor Chenze.

From the beginning when Li Ziyan brought the memorial to Changxin Hall to read it with her, to later when Zhou Zhou used the pretext of bringing snacks or soup to enter Mingde Hall, and then to openly entering and leaving Mingde Hall.

Nowadays, Zhou Zhou occasionally appears in the Imperial Study to listen to Emperor Chenze, His Highness the Crown Prince, and court officials discuss important national affairs.

Of course, at first, the court officials were somewhat surprised by Zhou Zhou's appearance, but seeing her sitting quietly to the side, making and serving tea to the two masters without interrupting, they simply pretended she didn't exist.

Later, the tea tray in front of Zhou Zhou was replaced by Xuan paper and a calligraphy brush, and her job changed from brewing tea to taking notes at meetings.

But Zhou Zhou remained quietly seated there, never offering his opinion.

Therefore, the court officials did not have many objections.

Nowadays, Emperor Chenze occasionally asks Zhou Zhou for advice. Since the court officials have been subtly influenced over a long period of time, they feel that this is normal and nothing to be surprised about, so they all remain silent and no one says that this is inappropriate.

Therefore, Zhou Zhou's appearance at Mingde Hall was within Li Ziyan's expectations.

only……

As Zhou Zhou tossed the brush into the air, he reached out and caught it in mid-air as it fell.

"What's wrong?" Li Ziyan asked softly.