Chapter 361

Xiao Xi pondered for a moment, then suddenly reached out towards her own older brother.

Shen Yuanzhan first slightly hesitated, then his eyes revealed fondness, speaking warmly, “It seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve held Xiao Xi.”

He bent down and lifted Xiao Xi up, gently rocking her, his face filled with emotion, “Xiao Xi has grown up.”

Xiao Xi looked straight at her brother, but couldn’t help pouting, “Brother, did someone say something to you?”

At Shen Yuanzhan’s words, his eyebrows raised slightly, smiling as he asked, “Why would Xiao Xi say that?”

Xiao Xi earnestly counted on her fingers, “Xiao Xi is only six years old, not yet old enough to participate in politics! But today, brother let Xiao Xi listen in. Xiao Xi feels like brother did it for others to see.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhan couldn’t help but hold Xiao Xi tighter, his face filled with satisfaction and fondness.

“Our Xiao Xi is truly clever.”

Shen Yuanzhan discovered that after becoming emperor, he would hear all sorts of different voices—speculations, suspicions, flattery, and even tests—all present in the reports he received these days.

Today, he did indeed specially summon Xiao Xi to attend the discussion. He wanted those who wrote the reports to know that he and Xiao Xi were as close as siblings, not allowing any discord to arise.

Shen Yuanzhan sat down with Xiao Xi on the dragon throne behind the jade table, speaking with great sincerity,

“Xiao Xi, due to your status, there may be times when people say inappropriate things in front of brother or in front of you.”

“But brother hopes Xiao Xi knows, you are brother and mother’s beloved, the softest presence in my heart.”

“I won’t be swayed by others’ words, and neither should you be.”

“Ruling a vast country is harder than founding one. Xiao Xi, you are naturally intelligent, and at such a young age, you already hold great principles. In the future, you will surely be brother’s greatest ally.”

“Whether you want to pursue ambitions in court or ride into battle like Lord Qiao, brother won’t influence your choices. I only hope Xiao Xi never loses your true nature and talents.”

“Brother truly looks forward to the day when Xiao Xi stands brightly before everyone, the most spirited young man in the entire Yong Dynasty!”

Shen Yuanzhan spoke warmly, his tone slow and sincere, gently patting Xiao Xi’s back with his right hand.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xi’s eyes reddened quietly, finally burying her head in her brother’s arms.

“Brother, they don’t understand! Brother is Xiao Xi’s sky, a father-like figure, always guiding Xiao Xi.”

“I won’t listen to their nonsense. Xiao Xi wants to grow up quickly and become brother’s right-hand man!”

Shen Yuanzhan rested his chin on Xiao Xi’s head, feeling a pang in his eyes.

Xiao Xi had never received love from the emperor, and one could even say that his birth was a tragedy orchestrated by the emperor.

He would never tell Xiao Xi the secret of the Guiqulaixiyuan.

His Xiao Xi was precocious, sensitive, yet optimistic and sensible. He truly loved Xiao Xi.

“Alright, then brother will wait for Xiao Xi to grow up quickly, like a towering tree, sheltering me from wind and rain. Is that good?”

The two brothers embraced on the dragon throne, chatting softly, occasionally reminiscing about the past and bursting into laughter.

Looking at the two sitting on the throne, Liu Fuzi couldn’t help but feel deep down that the emperor and Prince Ling were like brothers, but more like father and son.

—

Time passed swiftly in this peaceful atmosphere.

Jiaojiao worried less, becoming more and more like a carefree child, playing during the day and sleeping soundly at night, free from worries.

Xiao Xi still practiced martial arts at the Qiao residence every other day, like clockwork.

And so the days passed until the tenth of September, the day Tan Hanchi and Zuo Anning were married.

The new emperor bestowed a house to Tan Hanchi on the east side of the city. The estate wasn’t large, but it was elegant.

At this moment, the house was already adorned with lanterns and red silk, with guests coming and going.

Tan Hanchi lost his parents at a young age, his father disappeared without a trace, and he was raised by his uncle and aunt.

For this wedding, Tan Hanchi had already invited them early, honoring them as elders from the groom’s side.

Mrs. Qiao knew that Tan Hanchi didn’t have many acquaintances in the capital, so she busied herself tirelessly, determined to make the wedding perfect.

Now that Qiao Tianjing was already married, she helped Tan Hanchi entertain guests at the Tan residence, with Qiao Diyi naturally becoming the so-called “leader of friends”.

Tan Hanchi rode a tall horse, leading a group of friends to the Duke of Yan’s residence to welcome his bride.

Meanwhile, Jiaojiao had successfully become Miss Zuo’s bridesmaid, clinging to Miss Xiao Er early in the morning.

Sisters surrounded the already dressed-up Zuo Zuo Anning, teasing her playfully, when suddenly firecrackers went off outside, followed by lively noises approaching.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qianyue’s eyes lit up, “Sisters, they’re here!”

While other sisters remained reserved, Xiao Qianyue and Qiao Jiaojiao rolled up their sleeves.

“Look at us! If they want to marry Zuo Anning, they must show some respect to the Tan family!”

Knock knock knock—

The courtyard door was knocked.

Xiao Qianyue stepped into the courtyard, calling out loudly, “Which noble son comes to visit?”

Outside, the crowd cheered westward. Qiao Diyi patted Tan Hanchi’s shoulder, smiling as he replied, “The visitor is the talented scholar from the Hanlin Academy, Young Master Tan Jiajun!”

Qiao Jiaojiao, upon hearing her elder brother’s reply, couldn’t help but brighten up. She chirped in her childish voice, asking, “I know your purpose, but tell me, with what intentions do you come?”

Upon hearing a child’s voice from inside the door, everyone outside was surprised. Tan Hanchi, however, smiled knowingly.

He adjusted his slightly disheveled attire due to the pushing along the way and said with a smile, “Please convey to the young ladies inside:

In spring, we appreciate the greenery; in summer, we tread through streams. In autumn, we write under trees, and in winter, we watch snow indoors. Through all seasons, I’ll be by your side, year after year.

With my gray hair, I seek a match. Will Miss Zuo consider my proposal?”

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar both inside and outside the door. The young ladies giggled and covered their mouths, while the young men openly teased.

Zuo Anning heard these words from inside the screen, her face flushed but her heart filled with sweetness.

The gentleman opposite the screen had long ago made a solemn promise to her.

Xiao Qianyue knew that Zuo Anning was extremely satisfied with this marriage arrangement. She smiled knowingly, “Please bring the red envelope, let me weigh it!”

Upon hearing this, people outside immediately stuffed a large red envelope under the door. Everyone shouted in unison:

“Prepare the bridal chamber with a hundred beds, await the bridal carriage scented with seven fragrances. May I ask, is the makeup done yet, with the eastern sky about to dawn?”

“May I ask! May I ask! May I ask! Is the makeup done?”

The courtyard door was pounded loudly, showing their sincerity in welcoming the groom’s party.

Qiao Jiaojiao laughed so hard her mouth almost split open, clapping excitedly!

Nanny Zhu had served Zuo Anning since she was a child. Now she was so overjoyed that her eyes turned red, personally stepping forward to open the courtyard door.

In the next moment, the welcoming party rushed in with Tan Hanchi in the lead.

Instantly, the place erupted into chaos, laughter and cheers echoing through the courtyard, almost filling the entire Duke of Yan’s residence.

Everyone surrounded the newlyweds as they walked out, congratulations echoing all around.

This is indeed: A good match destined since childhood, a perfect couple created by fate.