The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem-Chapter 542
The year after the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Prince Lian married Yan Qingqing as his princess consort. Prince Lian was the Fifth Prince, who had been raised under the care of the late Empress.
Had the late Empress not passed away so early, the throne might very well have been his.
Thus, when the Empress issued the decree to arrange the marriage between Yan Qingqing and the Fifth Prince, everyone thought she had gone mad.
Yan Qingqing was the granddaughter of the Grand Marshal of the Empire's military forces. Among all the military families, the Yan family stood at the pinnacle, unmatched by any other.
Did the Empress not fear that the new Emperor's position would be threatened?
Was there any man in the world who did not dream of becoming the supreme ruler?
What if Prince Lian one day decided to rebel? Wouldn't the Great Yan dynasty be overturned?
However, to everyone's surprise, on the day Prince Lian and his princess consort departed for their fiefdom in Yanzhou, the Yan family voluntarily surrendered their military authority. The old Grand Marshal retired and returned to his hometown, accompanying the young couple to Yanzhou.
"Ah—"
Yan Qingqing, riding on her black horse, spread her arms wide, feeling the completely different landscape and atmosphere compared to the capital. She couldn't help but cry out in excitement.
Although the journey was arduous, the hardships were borne by others.
Yan Qingqing was well taken care of, her face only slightly reddened by the wind, her eyes sparkling, radiating vitality.
Shen Mingyu finally let go of the anxiety he had been holding onto.
It was truly fortunate that Qingqing liked it here.
He was the orphan of the late Empress, surrounded by countless scheming individuals who sought to incite him to rebel.
But before his mother passed away, she had earnestly urged him not to take the wrong path. He had always kept her words close to his heart and would never harm the Empress or her children.
The one sitting on the throne now was also the younger brother he had once cradled in his arms and carefully nurtured as he grew up.
Before deciding to marry Yan Qingqing, he had privately sought out the Crown Prince. He assured him that marrying Qingqing had nothing to do with politics or power; it was solely because of love, because he wanted to spend his life with her.
As long as the Crown Prince did not distrust him, he would choose the poorest and most remote fiefdom his father had granted him, far from the capital.
The Crown Prince naturally disagreed, saying, "Fifth Brother, we grew up together. How could I not trust your character or your sincerity? You fear I don't trust you, but have you ever trusted me? Must one become an isolated ruler upon ascending the throne?"
Shen Mingyu understood his younger brother's frustration, but he had no choice.
The Crown Prince was kind-hearted and valued their bond.
But neither of them knew what kind of wolves and tigers lurked around them.
To prevent certain situations from arising, the surviving princes had to stay far away from the capital.
Little Seven was different; he and the Crown Prince were brothers from the same mother, bound by blood. His presence in the capital was a support to the Crown Prince.
"Fifth Brother, what are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking... about how someone once wanted to become the Third Prince's consort, but ended up as Princess Lian, coming to this land of wind and sand. I wonder if she regrets it now?"
He had given up everything, but he wasn't sure if Qingqing, who had always lived in luxury, was willing to endure hardships with him.
If she wasn't willing... he... he would probably still force her to stay.
Once he had her, he could never bear to lose her.
Yan Qingqing puffed out her chest: "Fifth Brother, you underestimate me. What's a little wind and sand? Back when I followed my grandfather to the battlefield, it was much worse than this..."
"Wait a minute!"
The Fifth Prince's gentle eyes suddenly turned serious: "You've been on the battlefield?"
Oh no!
Yan Qingqing's round eyes darted around: "The wind is too loud, Fifth Brother. You must have misheard."
She couldn't admit it.
Once, she had been injured on the battlefield, and when the Fifth Prince found out, she had barely managed to cover it up. If she said any more, she would surely slip up.
Three years later—
The capital was bustling with activity during the Lantern Festival. Prince Lian submitted a petition to the capital, requesting permission to bring Yan Qingqing back to see the lanterns.
"Qingqing is pregnant?"
A flicker of disappointment passed through the young Emperor's eyes, but he quickly ordered his attendants to prepare suitable food for a pregnant woman.
Beside him, the Empress raised her eyes, unable to hide her envy.
Yan Qingqing knew that children were a sore topic for the Emperor and Empress. Years ago, the Empress had suffered a miscarriage...
Since then, she had been unable to conceive.
The court was already stirring, with many probing the Emperor's stance on the matter. It had even alarmed the Retired Emperor and the Empress.
They wanted to pressure the Emperor to select new concubines.
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The Fifth Prince was so overjoyed that he hadn't considered the Empress's feelings.
Yan Qingqing nudged the beaming Prince Lian. Without needing to say more, Prince Lian also remembered the Emperor and Empress's childless situation.
"I heard that Fifth Brother's fiefdom is plagued by sandstorms, but when Third Brother traveled to Yanzhou, he said the landscape has changed. I'd like to see it for myself!"
As the atmosphere grew awkward, Prince Yu stepped in to ease the tension.
Prince Lian then smiled and changed the subject: "If Seventh Brother is interested, you can come with us when we return to Yanzhou. I'll make sure to treat you well."
The surrounding officials, encouraged by Prince Yu's words, began to joke and laugh again.
"Sigh..."
Yan Qingqing propped her chin on her hand, sighing heavily: "Fifth Brother, I really want to give our child to the Empress. Did you see? She's unhappy, and she's lost so much weight."
She and the Empress had grown up together, and though they rarely saw each other after marrying, they exchanged letters every year.
She truly felt for her dear friend.
The Empress's position was precarious without an heir.
The Emperor might hold onto his love for the Empress for a year, two years, or even three to five years.
But in this world, hearts are fickle. Even if the Emperor remained steadfast, the court officials would never allow him to have only one woman, especially with the royal lineage at risk.
Prince Lian tapped Yan Qingqing's head: "Our child is ours. We're not giving them away. Stop worrying about royal affairs. The Empress is here, and she won't let the Empress suffer."
"But..."
"But what?"
Prince Lian grabbed her hand and firmly pulled her into his arms: "Which lantern do you like this year? I'll have the craftsmen make it for you when we return."
Every year during the Lantern Festival in the capital, a "Lantern King" was chosen and sent to the palace as a tribute.
Yan Qingqing loved lanterns, and if she couldn't get the tribute lantern, Prince Lian would have an identical one made for his little princess consort every year.
Yan Qingqing's worries came and went quickly. Sitting in Prince Lian's arms, she began listing her favorites: "I like the koi-shaped one, and the phoenix soaring through the heavens. They even move!"
"Then we'll have both made. When our child grows up, I'll light them one by one to show them."
"Boom!"
Colorful fireworks burst into the sky above the imperial city, enveloping the entire capital in a scene of prosperity and wealth.
In this era of peace and prosperity, with the one he loved by his side, Prince Lian's eyes reddened as he gazed at the stars in the sky: "Mother, your son has listened to your words. I've lived well, stayed away from conflict, and found happiness. My princess consort is pregnant, and next year... I'll bring our child and her to pay our respects to you."
The stars in the distant sky shone brighter than ever.
