After my whole family overheard my thoughts, they went berserk.

She rolled her eyes every second.

"You wish! His family background is not good enough for you. Let that family of three go."

The Empress spoke frankly.

“His family background is ordinary. His elderly mother and his sister are just embroiderers. His family background is far inferior to yours.”

Shi Qingling's blush froze.

How could this be?

In the past, many sons of prominent families wanted to marry her, but she didn't even look at them.

Now that I've finally fallen for him, I never imagined his family background would be so poor!

But when she thought of how she met Luo Jialin that night, her heart pounded.

“A seventh-rank historian is not worthy of someone as noble as you. Anyway, you’re already twenty-eight, so it won’t make a difference if you wait a little longer.”

Shi Qingling's face froze again.

Just now, wasn't her brother urging her?

"Actually, family background isn't that important. What matters is that we're of one mind. If he's willing to go to the south with my sister, we can consider it..."

Shi Qingling was tactful in demeanor but straightforward in speech.

"That won't do either. I won't agree to this." The Emperor refused outright.

Shi Qingling's eyes were filled with tears; her pride had been hurt.

Even though she was so humble, the emperor still refused.

"His Majesty has his reasons for doing this. As a noble princess of the Huayao Kingdom, how can you marry a poor seventh-rank official? Even if His Majesty agrees, your mother will not." The Empress advised.

Shi Qingling was proud and arrogant, and she also felt that Luo Jialin's background was not good enough for her.

It's his good fortune that he's interested in her.

“Your Majesty is right. I was just being anxious. After spending New Year’s Eve with Mother, I will set off for the south tomorrow.”

Suddenly, something occurred to Shi Miaomiao.

"By the way, we can't let her go back to the south. If she goes back, she'll turn to the dark side. She was traumatized by what happened to Luo Jialin and has become mentally disturbed."

"She colluded with the envoy from Sangnan Kingdom, passing on intelligence to them. Many important pieces of information about Huayao Kingdom were sent out by her. We need to find a way to keep her in the capital."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's expression changed drastically.

Outrageous!

"Since you wish to stay in the capital, I grant your request. The marriage cannot be delayed. The eldest grandson of the Marquis of Zhongzhen is still unmarried, and his family background is a good match for you. I will betroth you to him and we will choose a date for the wedding."

Shi Qingling was struck like a bolt from the blue; how could the Emperor possibly marry her off to the eldest grandson of a former official?

Marquis Zhongzhen is over sixty years old and has long since retired from court. His sons and grandsons have inherited the title, but they have no ambition and are not worthy of her status.

"Brother, this matter..."

The Emperor waved his hand and said, "You can stay home and wait to be married. You don't need to worry about anything else. You're staying up tonight to celebrate the New Year. Since you've come back, go and keep your mother company."

Shi Qingling stood up blankly, tears welling in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."

Seeing Shi Qingling leave, the Emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If it weren't for Miaomiao's heartfelt words, we would have almost lost a capable assistant!

"Mother, we've come to keep our little sister company on New Year's Eve!"

Shi Lingfeng and Shi Yuzhi came in happily, but when they looked up they saw a grumpy face. They were so startled that their hands trembled and they dropped the sugar figurine they had prepared for their sister.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects!" The two men composed themselves and bowed to the Emperor.

The emperor looked at the two of them with displeasure.

"Didn't I tell you not to come to Huayao Palace unless it's absolutely necessary?"

His position is unshakeable!

"Your subject wishes to come and keep my sister company on New Year's Eve!" Shi Yuzhi said loudly.

The Emperor looked unwelcoming: "You think you can just stay up all night like that? Didn't you ask your sister if she agreed?"

"I agree."

She spit out her saliva and rolled her eyes.

"Father, you are so annoying. Why do you have to put on such a big show when we are having a peaceful New Year? You scared me to death with the sugar figurines that your two fathers prepared for me, without even asking if I was happy."

The emperor's face darkened.

Put away your serious expression and try your best to maintain the demeanor of a kind father.

"Mother, I've prepared a New Year's gift for my sister!" Shi Lingfeng strode over, his eyes filled with undisguised delight.

"Really? Let me see, I have a New Year's present!"

Shi Lingfeng held up a small golden figurine and handed it to Shi Miaomiao: "Ta-da! Golden doll, little sister, do you like it?"

Shi Miaomiao excitedly stared at her legs.

"As expected of my second brother, he's foolish and rich, throwing around a lump of gold like that—bigger than the golden hammer from last time!"

Shi Yuzhi was not to be outdone.

"I also prepared one for my sister!" Shi Yuzhi said with difficulty, pulling it out of his pocket.

A golden bowl and a golden spoon!

"I begged the Master for a long time before he finally had someone make this for me. Now that my little sister can eat, remember to use a golden bowl from now on."

"Oh my! My husbands are so good, unlike my father, that nasty guy, who not only didn't prepare a New Year's gift for me, but also took away my candy, blah blah."

She looked at the candy on the ground and smacked her lips.

Let's just pretend it was leftovers!

The emperor was displeased. His two sons had stolen his thunder as soon as they arrived, and his daughter was even speaking ill of him.

"Shi Lingfeng, you've been studying medicine for ten years, what have you come up with! I've told you long ago, you're not smart enough, but you just wouldn't believe it!"

She chuckled to herself every second.

"Oh no, is low IQ contagious?"

He then looked at Shi Yuzhi.

"And you, Shi Yuzhi, you're so fat you can barely walk. All you do all day is eat, eat, eat. Don't you dare steal your sister's snacks, or I won't let you off the hook!"

"Waaaaah, is Fourth Brother really going to steal my food?"

The Emperor, hearing Shi Miaomiao's worry, felt inexplicably happy.

Fortunately, his daughter listened to his advice, and his love for her wasn't wasted!

"Yeeee..."

Shi Miaomiao looked at her two older brothers.

"My two buddies have given me such a generous gift, I would feel so bad if I didn't reciprocate."

Her forearm rubbed against her talisman pouch.

The empress took out various talismans from her pocket.

"Didn't Father say that Second Brother isn't very smart? Don't worry, I have a talisman here that can make Second Brother's medical skills improve by leaps and bounds."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes lit up.

And this good thing?

I wonder if there are any longevity charms?

"Fourth brother, don't be sad. Being fat isn't scary. What's scary is not losing weight. I have a slimming talisman here that can make you as thin as lightning."

The Emperor watched with bated breath, wondering if it was something truly magical.

Shi Miaomiao looked at the Empress.

"And then there's my beautiful mother! Good heavens, she's already so pretty. If she gets any more beauty treatments, wouldn't she have to kick my father out and find me a new dad?"

The Empress was amused and secretly covered her mouth to laugh.

The emperor was very unhappy.

Is this girl her biological daughter?

"And to the two beautiful ladies, let's give Qing Sui and Qian He each a lucky charm, the kind that prevents you from stepping in dog poop when you go out!"

The Emperor stared longingly at Shi Miaomiao.

Her small eyes darted around, but she wouldn't look at him.

Daughter, why don't you even look at your dad?

Finally, Shi Miaomiao glanced in his direction and grinned.

The Emperor sat up straight with satisfaction; it seemed his daughter was about to give him a very special gift!

"And Dog Brother, it's getting cold, you need to wear more clothes. I asked Mom to have a big floral-patterned jacket made for you, I'm sure you'll love it."

The dog god was very excited.

The Emperor tried to get Shi Miaomiao's attention.

Hint at her: Daughter, have you forgotten your father?