The next morning, Lan Yan did not attend the morning court as the officials were on holiday. She could leisurely accompany Jun Yelan for breakfast and inquire about Lan Ting's matters.
"Yelan, do you think elder brother has someone he fancies? Old Prince has urged me about his marriage several times, but I can't just marry him off to anyone." She found it truly difficult.
Jun Yelan said, "You'll have to ask him about this. I see him embroidering something alone often. I suppose he has some thoughts in his heart, but it's just difficult to express them."
Not everyone was as direct as he was.
Lan Yan nodded, agreeing with Jun Yelan's opinion. She sent Mei Dong to call Lan Ting, while she waited here.
Shortly after, Lan Ting arrived and bowed, saying, "Imperial Sister, Lord Consort." Seeing Lan Yan's smiling face, he didn't think she had urgent matters, but he wondered why Mei Dong's steps had been so hurried earlier.
Lan Yan smiled and said, "Elder brother, please sit. I have something important to tell you." She took out several scrolls and spread them on the table, introducing, "These are people selected based on my understanding of them in recent days."
"The first is Minister Shen's daughter. Minister Shen is upright and unyielding, and governs strictly. His daughter also possesses the demeanor of her father. What do you think, are you interested?"
Lan Ting immediately understood that this was about choosing a wife. He looked at the portraits and shook his head, "This person is too dull and probably very stubborn. If we argued, she wouldn't proactively reconcile."
Lan Yan pondered, and it seemed to have some truth. She discarded the first painting and looked at the next, "This is the General's daughter. She has loved wielding swords and spears since childhood, and is very capable. Moreover, I heard she is charitable and has helped many commoners."
She nodded with satisfaction.
Lan Ting still shook his head, "She's often not home, and I don't understand martial arts, so we have nothing to talk about."
Lan Yan sighed, "Alright, let's see more." The subsequent few were rejected by Lan Ting for various reasons. Seeing Lan Ting's preoccupied look, she asked directly, "Elder brother, just tell me, who do you like?"
"No matter who it is, I will make the arrangements for you."
This made Lan Ting look up at Lan Yan, opening his mouth and then closing it.
Lan Yan grew anxious, looked at Mei Dong standing outside the door, and a spark of inspiration flashed in her mind. "Elder brother, the person you like is Mei Dong!"
Seeing Lan Ting stunned, she realized she had guessed correctly. No wonder Lan Ting was reluctant to say; there was quite a difference in status between these two.
Lan Ting didn't know how to respond for a moment. He clenched his palms and nodded. His Imperial Sister had offered him an opportunity, and he shouldn't hesitate any longer.
"Alright, I'll ask Mei Dong." Lan Yan feared her elder brother might be in unrequited love, and forcing a marriage would only hurt them both. She had Lan Ting hide behind a screen and called out, "Mei Dong."
Mei Dong walked in, still standing straight, and stood aside after bowing.
Lan Yan cleared her throat and asked, "Mei Dong, I am selecting a marriage for elder brother. Please help me take a look."
"Empress, this servant does not understand these matters." Mei Dong shook her head.
Seeing that Mei Dong showed no surprise, Lan Yan wondered if she had no feelings for her elder brother. "Mei Dong, what do you think of my elder brother?"
"Very good." After speaking, Mei Dong's expression remained unchanged, but a warmth flowed through her heart. She had grown up in the palace and seen many men, but only Lan Ting made her care slightly.
That was why she had spoken a few more words to Lan Ting then. However, their status was different, and she had never harbored any fantasies. She had decided to stay by the Empress's side for her entire life.
Lan Yan was at a loss and looked at Jun Yelan beside her, her eyes pleading for help.
Jun Yelan couldn't help but smile, patting Lan Yan's hand and signaling to handle it. "Mei Dong, Prince Ting's marriage is not yet decided, and this is the only opportunity. Have you thought it through carefully."
"Are you willing to watch him marry another woman, be affectionate with another woman, or marry poorly and be bullied by that woman?"
"I am not willing!" Mei Dong blurted out. She realized she had misspoke and quickly added, "No, this servant feels that if anyone were to bully Prince Ting, the Empress would not let them go."
Jun Yelan merely smiled and looked at Lan Yan.
Lan Yan gave Jun Yelan a thumbs-up, acknowledging his brilliant move. "Mei Dong, I know what you are concerned about, but I also have my concerns. I want to find someone that elder brother likes and who also likes elder brother."
"And Mei Dong, you are that person. On the surface, you are my personal palace maid, but in reality, you are the commander of the Imperial Guard. This status is enough to match elder brother. I will announce your identity and let you marry elder brother with great ceremony."
As his younger sister, she had considered everything.
Mei Dong was stunned, then knelt down and exclaimed, "Thank you, Empress, thank you, Lord Consort." What mattered to her was that Lan Ting also liked her, and she couldn't bear to refuse.
At this moment, Lan Ting also walked out from behind the screen, tears still on his face, and knelt down together.
The two looked at each other, their eyes filled with smiles.
Lan Yan watched this scene, her lips turning up, and held Jun Yelan's hand beside her.
The two exchanged a smile.
Next, preparations began for Lan Ting and Mei Dong's wedding.
Lan Yan purchased a prince's mansion outside the palace, preparing a wedding home for the two of them. She also arranged for some servants and had supplies placed in the mansion, envisioning the two of them living a sweet life together.
Lan Ting finally put on his wedding attire. After bidding farewell to Lan Yan, he was led away by Mei Dong.
Lan Yan stood on the steps, with Jun Yelan beside her, and murmured, "They are so fortunate, not having to manage palace affairs." She also wished to live outside the palace, but she still had to attend court and handle state affairs every day.
Jun Yelan naturally understood Lan Yan's thoughts. He held Lan Yan's hand and replied, "They have their path, and we have ours. As long as we support each other, we can overcome anything."
"Mmm." Lan Yan smiled and leaned on Jun Yelan's shoulder, a smile on her lips.
Jun Yelan tightened his arm around Lan Yan and looked with her at the path ahead.
A year passed in the blink of an eye. Lan Yan became increasingly familiar with state affairs but still preferred to consult Jun Yelan. There were only a few minor battles at the border, and Jun Yelan would sometimes lead elite troops out, but they would return quickly.
During Jun Yelan's absences, she would busily prepare food and sometimes read books all day.
Life went on like this, and it was time for her to attend the morning court again. Looking at the ministers below, she felt the familiar headache begin.
The ministers knelt on the ground and shouted, "Empress, it has been a year, and there are still no heirs born in the inner palace!" They knew their Lord Consort was excellent, but the lack of offspring was still a problem!
For this matter, they had to offend the Empress today.
Lan Yan said, "I am not in a hurry, why are you all so anxious. Do not speak of this again."
The ministers stood up pitifully; this Empress was unyielding. With no other recourse, they could only appeal to the Lord Consort!