I know that Xuanqi's situation is not optimistic, and I really hope, rationally, that he can win the county princess's heart.

　　I sighed and tied the freshly embroidered sachet around his waist, embracing his waist.

　　"Your Highness, come back safely, and if possible, bring me a rabbit fur scarf." He touched my face, said nothing, and turned away.

　　Half a month later, Xuan Qi had not yet returned to the mansion, and the news of the autumn hunt reached the capital before his return.

　　Princess Danxia was ambitious and competitive, personally entering the field to compete with the deceased emperor's sons.

　　The second prince, Xuan Lin, emerged as the winner, gaining both the victory and the attention of the princess.

　　Since arriving in the capital, Danxia had shown indifference towards the noble descendants who courted her, but after losing to Xuan Lin, she suddenly changed her attitude, following him with a charming smile and asking him countless questions, revealing her infatuation.

　　Upon hearing this news, I felt a heavy heart.

　　Why did it have to be Xuan Lin? Xuan Qi and Xuan Lin were twin sons of the queen, naturally closer to the throne than the princes born of concubines.

　　After marrying Xuan Qi, I often saw this younger brother.

　　His facial features were identical to Xuan Qi's, but his figure was more robust and elegant.

　　When we spent time together, I could sense their extremely harmonious brotherly bond, and Xuan Lin always held his elder brother in high regard.

　　But that was all in the past.

　　In terms of the power of wife's clan, who could compare to Beimeng? If Xuan Lin won the heart of the princess, would he be content with being a wealthy prince? Ten more days passed, and Xuan Qi finally returned to the mansion.

　　Unlike my anxieties, he did not appear disheartened by any romantic setbacks.

　　The first thing he mentioned to me was that he had good luck this year, shooting a fox, and the skin had already been sent for processing.

　　In the winter, I could replace my old scarf with a warmer fox fur one.

　　I couldn't help but laugh and cry at his preoccupation with such matters.

　　He also did not hide the events at the Mulan hunting grounds, telling me every detail late at night.

　　I couldn't help but reveal my worries, but he comforted me instead, saying, "It's good that Xuan Lin won." It was not uncommon for father and son conflicts or sibling rivalries within the royal family, but Xuan Qi strangely trusted his younger brother this much.

　　He smiled and said, "A-Xian, don't worry.

　　I trust Xuan Lin, not because I believe he won't harm me, but because if he wanted my life, I would willingly give it to him." My heart skipped a beat.

　　How could he say such words that terrified me? I immediately leaned over him, pressing my lips to his, blocking those ominous words.

　　He chuckled, waving his hand to pull down the bed canopy, obscuring the sight of our intimacy.

　　I had expected that once the princess had given her sincere heart, we would soon hear news of the wedding.

　　However, Danxia and Xuan Lin's marriage encountered many obstacles.

　　It was not until half a year later, during the autumn hunt, that the late emperor officially issued a royal decree to bestow the marriage.

　　Xuan Lin was given the title of Prince Ning and married Danxia.

　　At the same time, Xuan Qi was proclaimed crown prince, and I, in turn, became the honored side consort of the crown prince.

　　Everything seemed to accelerate from that point on.

　　Within a few months, the once spirited late emperor fell ill and quickly passed away.

　　My father was the chief minister of the imperial court and a leading figure among the loyalist faction.

　　With the strong support of my father and the imperial uncle, as well as the military deterrence of Beimeng, Wang Mingche did not dare to rise in rebellion.

　　Xuan Qi ascended the throne safely.

　　And then, he made me his empress.

　　This truly caught me by surprise.

　　When I received the imperial edict proclaiming me empress, I even forgot how to receive it.

　　It was only with the reminder from Dongdong that I knelt down in a daze.

　　I became empress at the age of twenty-one.

　　Xuan Qi explained to me that his decision to make me empress was carefully considered.

　　Firstly, my father and the entire Cui family had sacrificed everything to support his ascension, so he should reward them with the position of empress.

　　There are three points.

　　The Manchu people have ruled the Central Plains for three generations, but the conservative forces led by the joint kings still consider the Han people to be inferior.

　　By choosing me as his successor, he emphasizes the unity between the Manchu and Han people, attracting Confucian scholars from the Han to join.

　　In the third point...

　　he asked me in a whisper, "A Xian, what do you think the third point is?" The warm breath sprayed against my ear, making my breath unsteady.

　　I asked softly, "Is it because of my talent as a steward that caught Your Majesty's attention?" A smile appeared in his eyes, he said, "No." "If I'm wrong, I'll be punished."