Report to the Empress and the Eldest Princess: They're using the system to poach your men.

On July 12th, a month after the late emperor's death, the new emperor ordered the Ministry of Rites to begin preparations for the empress's investiture ceremony.

After finishing the morning court session, Shen Yuchen came to Chonghua Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. Shen Sangwan happened to be there as well, chatting and laughing with the Empress Dowager.

"Tell me what interesting things my elder sister and mother are talking about."

The bright yellow robe was embroidered with a pattern of dragons soaring over the sea, and the sleeves were fluttering high in the wind beneath the surging golden waves at the hem of the robe.

A month ago, he was just a little boy who would cry, but now he is a young emperor with a touch of majesty.

Shen Sangwan has the air of someone whose appearance is enhanced by their clothes.

His long, arched eyebrows were slightly raised, and his dark, jade-like pupils shone with a warm light, making her momentarily stunned.

"It's just some interesting anecdotes from the border. If Your Majesty would like to hear them, you can have Mo Ran and the others tell them to Your Majesty."

"Is my older sister trying to distance herself from me? She doesn't call me A-Chen anymore. Could it be that she has another younger brother?"

Shen Yucheng sat down next to Shen Sangwan, pouting, his imperial demeanor completely gone.

"Mother, you must do something about him. He's only been emperor for a few days, and he already dares to make fun of me."

The Empress Dowager smiled but did not speak, seemingly intending not to interfere in the playful banter between the two.

"If my sister says she's becoming distant from me again, then I... I..."

"Hmm—? Just what?"

Shen Yuchen stammered for a long time but couldn't come up with a coherent explanation.

“I will banish my elder sister from the palace and forbid you from ever seeing the Empress Dowager again.”

Shen Sangwan stared at Shen Yuchen with an expression as if he were an idiot.

"Xiao Tong, has this little emperor lost his mind? How can an emperor say such things? He's acting like a three-year-old!"

[My lord, if this young emperor were alive today, he'd be a complete spoiled brat. In his mind, the harshest punishment he could inflict on himself would be not being able to see you. And since you currently have a harmonious relationship with the Empress Dowager, in other words, preventing you from seeing her would be the greatest punishment he could inflict on you.]

“Oh, that’s perfect. I’m so tired of my mother making me dine and talk with her every day. This is wonderful, wonderful. I’ll go back to the Princess’s residence later.”

Shen Sangwan watched the changes in Shen Yuchen's face with amusement, and couldn't help but laugh as his face slowly darkened.

"Mother, my elder sister is bullying me."

“Ah Wan, while Ah Chen is still young, we must seize the opportunity. In two years, there may not be such a good chance.”

Shen Yuchen thought the Empress Dowager would side with him, but instead she spoke up for his elder sister. He drooped his eyes and muttered to himself, "Mother really does love my elder sister the most."

Shen Sangwan wanted to take back what she had said earlier.

This is clearly still an immature child who hasn't been weaned yet. All that imperial majesty and youthful emperor act is just an act. And you know what? He puts on quite convincingly in front of others.

"Did you come to see Mother about taking a concubine?"

Shen Sangwan was too lazy to argue with Shen Yuchen about who the Empress Dowager favored more, so she went straight to the point.

"This morning at court, the officials said that now that the Empress has been established, the harem should be filled, and they wanted me to take in more concubines. But elder sister, I am still young and don't want to..."

“Your foundation is unstable, and the connections between the court and the harem are close. Ah Chen, no matter how unwilling you are, you have to learn to be patient first.”

"Furthermore, now that you are the emperor of the Southern Jing Kingdom, you must learn to keep your emotions in check. You can be a little more relaxed here with the Empress Dowager, but once you leave Chonghua Palace, remember to guard against arrogance and impetuosity."

Shen Yuchen felt somewhat dejected, but he still composed himself and nodded in agreement with Shen Sangwan's words.

"The meaning of the book".

Shen Sangwan handed the booklet to Shuyi, who was waiting behind her. She took the booklet from Shuyi, which was originally intended for the Empress Dowager to review today. However, since Shen Yuchen had arrived, they could look at it together.

"These are the daughters of officials who I have decided to bring into the harem after weighing the pros and cons and thinking it over again. The rest can be selected by the Ministry of Rites."

Shen Yuchen took the booklet with both hands, opened it and read it carefully, then asked Fu'an to deliver it to the Empress Dowager.

"My sister has thought a lot about Ah Chen's sake, which makes Ah Chen feel very guilty. In the future, I must find the best husband in the world for my sister, and we will take good care of her together. I will never let my sister suffer any grievances."

"..."

"What, you think being nice to me means you want a man to protect me? Can't I protect myself? What kind of nonsense is this little brain of yours thinking all day long?"

[My lord, I feel that this little emperor's thought process is rather peculiar.]

Be firm, put aside your feelings, this won't work. I'll tease him a little, however slightly.

"What if the other person turns out to be a woman?"

"Hmm... that's fine then. Ah Chen will find more strong and healthy servants for my sister to protect her and her brother."

〖 ？ ？ 〗

"Xiaotong, what nonsense is he spouting?"

Is he trying to find me a few more strong, muscular men?

[Perhaps, maybe, probably... yes! Master, we shouldn't bother arguing with a twelve-year-old brat.]

"Ahem, let's discuss this later, let's discuss it later."

The 20th of July, when noon is approaching, is an auspicious time.

On the day of the emperor and empress's wedding, the whole city was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the atmosphere was filled with joy.

Before the dressing table draped in red gauze, a sunflower-shaped bronze mirror reflects a person's image: red lips, white teeth, and eyebrows painted with delicate ink.

Qingluan and Qingque dressed Wen Yuening in her empress's robes and adorned her with a golden crown and jade hairpins. The golden tassels on the crown hung down to her slender shoulders, swaying slightly as her head moved.

"Sister, you look so beautiful."

Wen Yuexi sat to one side, cupping her face in her hands, staring at Wen Yuening with a silly grin.

"When Yuexi gets married and puts on her wedding dress, she will probably be even more beautiful than me."

"Sister is teasing me again. You know perfectly well that I aspire to be a female general like Her Highness the Princess. Marriage is truly not for me. Sister, please don't say such things again in the future."

Wen Yuexi shook her head, slightly indignant as she retorted to the other person's words.

"Yes, yes, I'll remember that. When you get married, I'll make sure Qingque and Qingluan whisper it in your ear ten thousand times."

Wen Yuening smiled and gently poked Wen Yuexi's head.

Seeing the situation was about to retaliate, Liang entered just then.

"Xi'er, my little darling, what time is it now? You still have the mind to play with your older sister. The palace palanquin will be here soon. Don't delay your sister's auspicious time."

"It was clearly my older sister who went first..."

"Once you step out of this door, your sister will be the Empress of Nan Jing Kingdom. In the future, you must not be so tactless and lose face."

“My daughter has remembered it.”

Wen Yuexi pouted, looking sullen, but then she remembered that it was her older sister's happy occasion today, so she couldn't look gloomy and her face lit up with a smile again.

“These days, Mother has given me many instructions. I have been taught manners by the nanny that Father hired from the palace since I was a child, so I understand. Now that I have entered the palace, I cannot be filial to Mother. Please do not blame me.”

"Once you enter the palace, A-Ning, you must be careful. Your mother, Xi'er, and Xingyan will take care of you. Don't worry."

Madam Liang picked up a soft handkerchief and gently wiped away the tears that had just welled up in Wen Yue Ning's eyes, saying softly, "Don't cry on such a joyous day."

Qingque handed her a round fan to cover her face, and Liang led her out of the boudoir.

The one who escorted the new emperor to his wedding was the late emperor's younger brother, Prince Sheng.

The honor guard and drum band stretched from the left prime minister's residence gate to half a street.

Prince Sheng announced the imperial edict at the gate of the mansion. Wen Yuening, supported by Lady Liang, knelt to receive the Empress's golden book and seal. She arrived at noon. The master of ceremonies shouted, and Wen Yuening boarded the sedan chair.

The ceremonial guard entered through the Shanghe Gate, passed through the Taihe Hall, crossed the Changqiu Road, and arrived at the Xuande Hall. Together with Shen Yuchen, they paid homage to Heaven and Earth, offered sacrifices at the ancestral temple, and then went to the Chonghua Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

After meeting the Empress Dowager, a banquet should have been held, but Shen Yuchen instead took Wen Yuening to Weiyang Palace.

Even though it was against etiquette, Shen Yuchen still bowed to Shen Sangwan, which surprised her slightly.

Even Wen Yuening showed no dissatisfaction and knelt down to kowtow.

Has the former Eldest Princess already held such a significant place in Shen Yuchen's heart?

Shen Yuchen nearly died twice from palace intrigues when he was five and eight years old, both times saved by the Eldest Princess. Furthermore, the Eldest Princess disregarded others' opinions and plunged into the military camp for his sake. It's likely that in his heart, the Eldest Princess holds a more important position than the Empress Dowager.

"Haven't I gotten a huge advantage? It's such a pity for the Princess; she suffers while I enjoy the good fortune. Isn't that a bit too unfair?"

Xiaotong didn't respond; she didn't know how to answer.

The entire palace was decorated with red silk and brocade, and red silk ribbons hung high from the eaves and corners of the buildings, creating a very festive atmosphere.

The emperor and empress left Weiyang Palace and went together to the Golden Palace for a banquet.

This is the palace banquet for the emperor and empress's wedding. All officials of the fourth rank and above in the military and officials of the third rank and above in the civil service, along with their families, will attend.

The original princess disliked palace banquets, but Shen Sangwan loved them.

Whenever there was a grand banquet, the matriarchs of each family would bring their daughters to the feast. Shen Sangwan naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity to be surrounded by beauties.

The Emperor and Empress sat on the first step, with the Empress Dowager seated slightly behind to the right, and the Eldest Princess seated to the left. Behind them were several princes of the imperial clan, arranged in descending order to the left and right.

Officials of the third rank and below were seated in the outer hall.