Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

Chapter 496: The Pond Full of Flowers

Lan Qingwu was caught up in the ups and downs of passion before he could say anything.

While free divorce was impossible within the imperial family, the new marriage laws had already been implemented by the common people. Establishing a female household required the right opportunity, and this was only the beginning, before women could do more and more. The process was bound to be difficult, and could only be approached step by step.

The Crown Princess also spent a lot of money this time, and took out a lot of rare treasures to add to Qian Zining's makeup. In addition to some gold, silver, jewelry, and precious fabrics that met the princess's requirements, she also gave ten boxes full of rare treasures.

The Crown Princess was naturally distressed, but she had to do it in order to show it to the Crown Prince. The effect was obvious. The Crown Prince no longer looked at her coldly with those sharp phoenix eyes.

The Crown Princess breathed a sigh of relief but also felt very sad. It was said that being a queen was not easy, but in her opinion, being a Crown Princess was even more difficult.

Prince Yu and Qian Zining and their party finally left the imperial city. Emperor Shenwu had a rare chance to relax for a few days, but the crown prince became increasingly busy.

That day, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess dined together. The Crown Princess served him with great care. The Crown Prince raised his head and drank a glass of wine, saying, "This wine is good, mellow and rich. However, I can't drink too much. My father has another audience this afternoon."

The Crown Princess said softly, "Your Highness, you've been going out early and coming back late these past few days. It's too tiring. You can't even rest properly on your day off."

The Crown Prince put down the glass cup and suddenly said, "Actually, I asked my father for permission to go to Floating Cloud City for an inspection. Da Sheng and the Sea Kingdom have joined forces to suppress pirates for the first time, so someone from the royal family must go and take a look!"

And as the crown prince, he is the most suitable candidate.

The Crown Princess's hand holding the wine jug trembled, and some wine spilled onto the table: "What! Absolutely not!"

The Crown Prince's excitement drew the Crown Princess's attention, and she quickly lowered her voice, "My courtesy! But Your Highness, you are the Crown Prince, how can you risk your life? I have only heard that the pirates are extremely vicious and murderous, and I am terrified! Your Highness, you cannot go! Can you please speak to my father and ask another prince to come forward?"

The prince narrowed his eyes and said, "I want to go myself, why are you suggesting others? Well, my father has already rejected me. Let's talk about it after this year!"

The Crown Princess hurriedly said, "Father is also distressed that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has to run back and forth. Besides, next February, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be welcoming a concubine into the Eastern Palace. It's only a few months away, so it's really not suitable for him to go out."

"That's what I've considered. It saves me the trouble. I'll ask for permission when spring comes."

The Crown Princess's expression froze slightly, a flash of disapproval in her eyes, because in her opinion, this was completely unnecessary. As the Crown Prince, how could he risk his life? If there was danger, couldn't he just order another prince to do it? As the heir to the throne, the Crown Prince should just stay quietly in the Imperial City and inherit the throne.

The Crown Prince understood what the Crown Princess was thinking. As a woman, I have always been timid, but the Crown Prince's temperament and work style are more like that of Emperor Shenwu. He is not the kind of person who can watch others achieve great things while he can only watch quietly.

The Crown Prince said nothing more. He simply felt that he had married too early, a constraint that prevented him from freely engaging in battle. However, his expression remained dignified and gentle. Now that he was married, he could only care for his wife and children.

However, I must go to Liuyun City for an inspection in February next year, and this is what Emperor Shenwu means.

The Crown Prince had the ability, so there was no need to be restrained. Furthermore, if another prince achieved outstanding military success, it would create a situation of two tigers fighting each other, which was not what the Shenwu Emperor wanted to see. Having already chosen the Crown Prince, the Shenwu Emperor would not waver, and he would not use other princes as a whetstone. As long as he was strong, why would he have to pave the way to the throne at the cost of human lives?

As soon as King Haiguoyu left, Emperor Shenwu felt relieved and relaxed for a few days.

In order to comfort Qian Hui and his wife, Lan Qingwu held a garden party in the royal garden.

This banquet had a high degree of freedom. Lan Qingwu had issued an imperial decree, allowing all the wives of officials of the fourth rank and above to attend, and they could also bring their own daughters. Needless to say, the wives of the imperial family, the concubines of the six palaces, the crown princess, several princes' wives, and several married princesses...

Everyone first paid their respects to the Queen. Lan Qingwu specially asked Madam Qian to sit in the first seat on his left. He asked her gently and talked freely, which made the ladies present understand what the Emperor's attitude was towards the marriage between the daughter of the Qian family and Prince Yu.

General Qian is loyal and deeply favored by the emperor, and this will not change in the short term.

After lunch, everyone began to disperse and walk in the royal gardens.

Lan Qingwu led Madam Qian to the lake at the easternmost part of the garden.

Before she even reached the shore, Mrs. Qian could smell the fragrance of lotus. When she looked up, a lake of lotus flowers stretching for more than ten miles came into view. The garden was filled with fragrance, the scenery was beautiful, and graceful lotus flowers bloomed all over the lakeshore, some white, some pink...

Madam Qian was surprised and said, "Your Majesty, it's already October, how come the lake is still filled with the fragrance of lotus?"

Lan Qingwu only smiled slightly, "Madam Qian, please accompany me on a boat trip around the Lotus Lake today!"

Only then did Mrs. Qian realize that there were palace maids paddling small boats on the lake, and they had arrived in front of them after just a few rounds.

It was called a small boat, but the Empress's private ride could be called a barge. It was wide and large, and could accommodate more than a dozen people. After Lan Qingwu was the first to be helped aboard by Ruping, Madam Qian followed closely behind. For a moment, she felt that the boat was flat and stable.

Following Lan Qingwu and Madam Qian were the Crown Princess, several princes' wives and princesses. Many discerning ladies also followed them and did not go anywhere else.

The Crown Princess followed and boarded the second boat. Imperial Concubine Jiang glanced at the Second Prince's wife, who understood and followed Imperial Concubine Jiang onto the third boat. Imperial Concubine Wan and the First Prince's wife were on the same boat. The Third Prince's wife also arrived, and she and the Fifth Prince were on the same boat...

Several ladies of noble birth followed closely behind.

Lan Qingwu and Madam Qian sat casually opposite each other on the boat, beneath a plush felt rug. The boat glided slowly across the lake, flanked by receding lotus leaves and blossoms, their emerald green against pink and white. A sweet, refreshing aroma enveloped Madam Qian, bringing her a sense of peace and tranquility. She suddenly understood why she loved the scenery of the four seasons so much; it truly could make one forget all worries.

Gradually, more and more boats appeared on the lake, and many ladies joined in.

The boat Lan Qingwu was on was the largest and most stable. It was always in the leading position, and of course no one dared to surpass it.

There were more and more boats on the lake, and the voices of officials and their families could be heard among them.

"Looking at the situation, Your Majesty is in favor of marrying General Qian's legitimate daughter to the Hai Kingdom."

"I wonder what the difference is between the Sea Kingdom's palace and our Dasheng Palace."

"It's definitely not as majestic and magnificent as the Dasheng Palace!"

"Madam Qian is truly favored by the Empress. She even accompanied her on the first ship!"

"Is the eldest princess here too? Doesn't she have a conflict with the Empress?"

"The Third Princess hasn't shown up in a long time!"