Could she be the empress Qiao Ci that Dan Qing spoke of?
Had she followed his youngest son to the Dan Kingdom?
Then, would she, who had once been the supreme empress, be willing to live under others, becoming merely the wife of a minor prince?
In an instant, Xu Qingfeng thought of many, many things…
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.
Dan Qing waited a day but didn't hear from Dan Rong. The next morning, he couldn't help but go find her.
"Oh my, what wind blew my dearest little imperial brother here? It’s been three years, a full three years, and you've finally deigned to visit your eldest sister's palace~" Seeing Dan Qing, Dan Rong thought it was an illusion. Once she confirmed, a sourness welled up in her heart.
She knew, of course, that her little imperial brother wouldn't come to her palace without a reason. He was surely here for Qiao Ci.
"Imperial Sister~" Dan Qing cast a chiding glance at Dan Rong.
"Alright, enough about that. What brings you to see your sister today?" Dan Rong asked knowingly.
"Have you been to Ah Ci's new residence? Is there anything lacking in the new house?" Dan Qing asked shyly. "Also, did she say anything to you?"
"Yes, it's lacking," Dan Rong said nonchalantly.
"Lacking what?" Dan Qing asked nervously. Ah Ci cared most about appearances; anything she lacked must be very important.
"Lacking you." Dan Rong looked at Dan Qing with a half-smile. As expected, he was pampered by the Empress Dowager since childhood; his taste was excellent. Qiao Ci was indeed a rare and good wife.
Compared to Qiao Ci, she was leagues behind in how to be a good wife.
Hearing this, Dan Qing's ear tips quickly turned red.
Now even his eldest imperial sister would tease him.
"Eldest Imperial Sister, I have a presumptuous request… Can you take me out of the palace to see her?" Dan Qing's eyes were filled with eagerness. His sister already knew where Ah Ci lived, and he could visit her before the wedding.
"This… isn't that inappropriate?" Dan Rong felt that boys should be more reserved.
Women didn't cherish boys who were too eager. Although Qiao Ci was very attentive to her younger brother, Dan Rong still hoped her brother could restrain himself.
However, she couldn't refuse Dan Qing, and Dan Rong secretly took him out of the palace.
Arriving in front of Qiao Ci's new residence, Dan Qing felt a sense of nervousness, thinking he might be too abrupt. What if Ah Ci was busy with something else?
Dan Rong was much bolder. She stepped forward and knocked directly on the door. After being welcomed in by the small doorkeeper, Dan Qing was filled with excitement upon seeing the plum blossom trees everywhere. She remembered that plum blossoms were his favorite…
The small doorkeeper had received instructions from Qiao Ci. If Dan Rong brought a particularly handsome young man, he would be the future husband, and he could tour the residence freely.
When he saw that many things were arranged according to his preferences, Dan Qing was immersed in overwhelming happiness.
As he was about to tour the bedroom, Qiao Ci, who had been out, returned, accompanied by palace attendants bearing an imperial decree.
The imperial decree stated: Prince Dan Qing is to be married to the commoner Qiao Ci, and the wedding will be held on an auspicious day.
The decree also subtly stated that Qiao Ci already possessed the Dan Kingdom's most precious prince as a companion, and it was hoped that she would focus on accompanying Dan Qing and not concern herself with state affairs.
This was equivalent to decreeing that Qiao Ci, the future wife of a prince, would never enter court to hold office.
Previously, there had been no such precedent; those who married princes could still participate in politics.
Dan Qing's heart skipped a beat. He suspected this was the Empress Dowager's doing, and he had some inkling about Qiao Ci's identity.
He feared Qiao Ci would be angry, but seeing that her expression was not displeased at all, he felt a little relieved.
The more Dan Qing looked at Qiao Ci, the fuller and more elated he felt. With the imperial decree issued, their relationship was even more legitimate.
Dan Qing gave his elder sister a look. Dan Rong pursed her lips and, acting sensibly, pulled the small doorkeeper, who was watching the excitement, away.
Qiao Ci took Dan Qing's hand and led him inside. "Why didn't you say you were coming? I could have come to pick you up."
"I missed Ah Ci, so I came without thinking too much," Dan Qing said, partially hiding his eyes, his demeanor like a young man in love for the first time. "Ah Ci, I love the way the residence is decorated. Thank you."
What he didn't expect was that an even greater surprise awaited him. The bedroom's layout was exactly the same as his in the Ink Kingdom's palace…
"This, this, Ah Ci…" Dan Qing looked at the familiar furnishings in the bedroom in astonishment, as if he had returned directly to his chambers in the Ink Kingdom.
The bed, the small couch, the screen, the dressing table, the tools he habitually used on the dressing table…
Xiao Shaozi, seeing his eyes moisten with emotion, couldn't help but inwardly complain: Of course, it's familiar! The great boss directly moved the entire Ink Kingdom's royal chamber here.
Not to mention anything else, the host is truly skilled at coaxing innocent immortal young men!
"Woof woof woof~" Xiao Shaozi felt it should make an impression on the host's man, so it happily ran towards Dan Qing on its four stubby legs.
Its short, fat legs wriggled between Dan Qing's legs, its fluffy tail wagging like a propeller. Seeing Dan Qing's indifferent reaction, it quickly lay down, exposing its plump white belly, and stuck out its tongue, panting to fawn over him.
Dan Qing wasn't indifferent; he was stunned.
When did Ah Ci develop a habit of keeping small animals? And why was this little black dog placed in their future bedroom?
Seeing this, Qiao Ci explained to him, "This fat dog is called Xiao Shaozi. It will live with us from now on. It's quite stupid, so please be patient with it."
"Will live with us?"
Dan Qing didn't notice anything else, but he heard this sentence very clearly. He couldn't help but look forward to their future married life, with Ah Ci, him, and a silly dog~
He easily accepted this adorable little black dog, smiled at Qiao Ci, then crouched down and gently picked Xiao Shaozi up, stroking its head.
"Xiao Shaozi~ From now on, we are family. Please take care of us~"
Lying in the little immortal young man's arms, Xiao Shaozi felt dizzy.
"Family?"
Hehe~
Forgetting its dog-like appearance, it nodded very humanely, as if responding to Dan Qing: Don't worry, Xiao Shaozi has your back!
Seeing the little black dog's intelligence, Dan Qing, apart from his initial surprise, liked it more and more the longer he looked at it.
Ah Ci is truly amazing; even the dogs she raises are so human-like.
Dan Qing thought about the imperial decree of bestowal today, and his eyes dimmed slightly. He wondered if Qiao Ci would be unhappy.
"Why, your eyes don't have any smiles. Have you encountered any difficulties?" Qiao Ci sensitively noticed Dan Qing's sudden dip in mood and asked with concern.
Dan Qing didn't know how to explain for a moment, but he didn't want the person he cared about to be hurt. So, he tentatively asked, "Ah Ci, do you still want to be empress?"
Qiao Ci quickly shook her head. "Not at all. It's too tiring. I politely decline!"
As if! Her previous efforts were entirely to clear the path for her sweet romance. Now that no one opposed their love, she wouldn't do such thankless work.