The daughter of the emperor was reborn and was spoiled by the sickly prince.

Although Liao Qinglan's coming-of-age ceremony had ended, the necessary etiquette must be performed.

As for Zhu Shangyi, Cheng Yunxiang had already given the reward money that day and expressed his gratitude in person.

On His Majesty's side, it was naturally Liao Zhendong who went to the palace to express his gratitude.

As for the Grand Princess Wu'an, she only invited Liao Qinglan to visit the princess's mansion that day.

Liao Qinglan selected a jade carving from the warehouse and went to the door in person to express her gratitude.

The Grand Princess's residence is adjacent to the imperial city.

Because the owner has lived in seclusion for many years, this princess's mansion looks particularly solemn and deserted.

The mansion has high walls and tightly closed gates, exuding an inviolable majesty.

Liao Qinglan knocked on the door, and soon, footsteps were heard from inside.

An elderly servant, hunched over, opened the door.

"Hello, old man. I am Liao Qinglan from the Prime Minister's Mansion. I have come to visit Princess Wu'an." Liao Qinglan said politely.

The servant must have been told already. He nodded and led Liao Qinglan into the mansion.

The eldest princess's house does not have too many extravagant and luxurious decorations, but is simply and elegantly decorated.

After passing through the deep courtyard, you will arrive at the Grand Princess’ study.

The eldest princess was painting at her desk.

Although she is over sixty years old, her hand is very steady when holding the pen, and her strokes are powerful and free.

"Greetings, Grand Princess." Liao Qinglan stepped forward and saluted.

Princess Wu'an put down the pen in her hand and asked Liao Qinglan to sit down.

"I told you yesterday that you can just call me Auntie."

"Hello, aunt. Qinglan has come here today to express her gratitude. You presided over the coming-of-age ceremony for me. I am deeply grateful for the favor shown to me by Your Majesty and you." Liao Qinglan said.

"Since you call me aunt, then we are family. No need to be polite."

The eldest princess put away the painting she had just made, walked to the main seat and sat down, then asked: "Have you ever thought about why His Majesty and I love you so much?"

Liao Qinglan answered without hesitation: "It's because of His Royal Highness Prince Qin."

"Yes, then do you know why His Majesty thinks so highly of the King of Qin?"

Liao Qinglan considered it for a while before speaking cautiously: "Qinglan dares to guess that the real name of His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin might be Li Lian."

The eldest princess showed an approving look and said, "You are a smart child. How did you guess it?"

Sure enough.

"Your Highness is about the same age as the eldest prince who died young. Your Majesty's love for His Highness the Prince of Qin is too obvious, so Qinglan made such a guess."

"Your Majesty has indeed never thought of concealing the identity of the King of Qin. Although you didn't say it explicitly, the elders in the court and the palace can guess it. I didn't expect that although you are young, you have a high level of understanding."

This conclusion was drawn after experiencing two lifetimes, and Liao Qinglan felt a little embarrassed by the praise.

"Qinglan still doesn't understand one thing. Since Your Majesty has found His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin, why doesn't he let him recognize his ancestors?"

"This is the King of Qin's own idea."

"Why?" Liao Qinglan couldn't help but ask.

"These are all old stories in the palace, so it's better not to talk about them. If he wants to talk about them, you can ask him yourself when he comes back."

"Yes."

"The King of Qin has suffered a lot in the past, and there is still a knot between him and Your Majesty. You are the princess he personally chose. I hope you can support him well in the future and ease the relationship between them."

"Qinglan will remember my aunt's teachings."

"Okay, I'm a little tired too, you go back first."

"Have a good rest, aunt. When the King of Qin comes back, I will come to see you with him."

Liao Qinglan left the princess's mansion in a daze.

Originally, she was just planning to find an opportunity to test the waters, but she didn't expect that the eldest princess asked her to come to the house just to tell her these things.

Liao Wei now works as an editor in the Hanlin Academy. She specially asked her brother to bring the royal jade book back home for careful study.

Li Lian's biological mother was a palace maid in the Eastern Palace.

In Dayin's ritual system, the order of seniority and hierarchy is extremely strict.

Even if he is a young man from an ordinary family, his concubine will not be allowed to get pregnant before his wife gives birth to a child.

What’s more, the prince’s every move was closely monitored by the censors.

However, this palace maid was able to give birth to the eldest son before the prince's wedding. She must have won the emperor's favor to be treated like this.

That nine-dragon and nine-phoenix crown should have been made for her by His Majesty.

But the person is gone, so this is a good thing for her, the daughter-in-law.

*

Gu Mingzhao's identity is special and he is likely to be involved in the struggle for imperial power.

In order to avoid trouble as much as possible, Liao Qinglan kept a low profile in Beijing.

But the more low-key she is, the more she seems to be afraid of rumors.

Many people firmly believed that the King of Qin had disobeyed the order and refused the marriage, and they were all waiting to see Liao Qinglan make a fool of herself.

Letters often passed between the two.

But she knew that Gu Mingzhao was busy with many things outside, so she did not tell him these in the letter.

Time flies, and more than two months have passed in the blink of an eye.

As the year was coming to an end, Liao Qinglan received a letter from Gu Mingzhao.

"Miss, did His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin say when he will be back?"

Jinxiu saw Liao Qinglan staring at the letter in a daze and asked.

"He said that although the flood problem has been resolved, the river embankment still needs to be reinforced. He has to wait until the embankment is repaired before he can come back, which is probably after the New Year," said Liao Qinglan.

Upon hearing this, Jinxiu couldn't help but complain: "Obviously they were going to control the flood, but now they have changed to repairing the river bank. It's because of this delay that the rumors are spreading more and more."

"Don't talk nonsense." Liao Qinglan's face was serious, and he said, "The water level will naturally recede in winter. The flood is only temporarily calmed. If the river bank is not reinforced in time this year, how will we deal with the river water rising next year? What he is doing now is something that will benefit future generations."

Jinxiu stuck out her tongue and said, "I am stupid and don't understand these national affairs. I only know that the young lady is now more protective of His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin."

Liao Qinglan did not deny it, but said calmly: "He is my father's disciple, and he is a rare person in the court who holds a high position but still cares for the people. You must not speak ill of him lightly again."

"Miss, what you are saying is that he is not only our son-in-law, but also the person you love the most. Naturally, I won't say any more." Jinxiu said with a grin.

During this period of time, my father has been full of praise for Gu Mingzhao.

They kept praising him for his prudent work and his talent for governing the world.

Liao Qinglan heard this a lot and was happy for him.

She read the letter again, put it carefully in the box, and then walked to the desk to prepare a reply to Gu Mingzhao.

Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door, and they broke into her room without any announcement.

She looked up and saw her father Liao Zhendong hurried in with an anxious look on his face.

According to convention, my father should still be in the palace discussing matters at this time.

"Father, why are you back?"

Liao Zhendong looked solemn and said, "Something happened. The King of Qin accidentally fell into the water while inspecting the river, and his whereabouts are still unknown."

Upon hearing the news, the brush in Liao Qinglan's hand fell to the ground, splashing ink.