Next day, early morning.
Zhao Douan lay on his back, lazily opening his eyes. His right hand habitually reached to the side, confirming the emptiness next to him, and he couldn't help but sigh softly.
"When will this hard life come to an end..."
With a sudden force, Zhao Douan sat up in a fish-like leap. His long hair, resembling that of a handsome man in ancient attire, hung in disorder. He reached out and forcefully tore open the window curtain, letting the sunlight pour in, causing him to squint his eyes.
"Still, although I often sleep alone, my own bed is always the most comfortable..."
Sighing with emotion, Zhao Douan rubbed his hair, relieved to find that the languid state caused by visualizing the 'Human World' last night had dissipated.
"Even though I have the Green Lotus to replenish my spirit, forcefully visualizing the 'Human World' across realms clearly exerts pressure on me, and the time I can stay in that world is greatly limited... For more chapters visit novel⟡fire.net
Indeed, the most suitable for me at present is to cultivate the 'Big Dream Scroll' earnestly.
Moreover, although the 'Human World' is, to some extent, like my main stage, I didn't perceive anything special in the painting last night... Is it because my realm isn't sufficient, making it difficult to comprehend?"
"However, the 'Human World' does hold strategic value—for instance, it might contain preserved literary materials... But not to mention whether I can find, memorize, and bring them out, most of those materials are not suited to the current era in the Yu Country..."
"Also, what I should currently delve into and explore further is the secret behind Xu's body, a question that may find its answer in the 'Big Dream Scroll.'
With a clear mind, Zhao Douan made the above judgment, deciding not to delve deeply into the murals on the fourth floor, and focus on tackling the Pei Niannu material from six hundred years ago.
Before that, he must first solve the troubles caused by the Qingzhou Rebel Army.
Rolling out of bed, Zhao Douan quickly finished washing up. When he pushed the door open and stepped out of the room, the day was already bright.
During the summer in the Capital, daylight comes very early. He sniffed, catching the familiar aroma of food wafting from the dining hall.
"Good morning, auntie, sister." Zhao Douan stepped into the hall, smiling at his family.
Breakfast was sumptuous. You Jinhua, with a smile as flowery as her name, personally rolled up her sleeves and, with deft hands, served him soup and dishes.
Having dressed and made up early, Zhao Pan was holding a Pekingese, smiling as she watched Zhao Douan eat buns.
A scene of serene and peaceful times.
"Sister, why are you watching me?" Zhao Douan asked curiously.
Zhao Pan replied with a smile, "Brother hasn't eaten at home for a long time, I just want to watch more."
You Jinhua glared at her, poking her daughter's head with a finger, "Go wash your hands, always playing with the dog all day."
Then she looked at Zhao Douan, sighed lightly, "But it's right to watch more, once Dalang marries Your Majesty, you won't see him again."
Zhao Pan was displeased, "Haven't even started to write the eight characters yet."
Though rumors in the Capital about Zhao Douan and the Empress were already widespread, they had never been officially addressed.
Just then, the three suddenly heard noisy celebratory sounds coming from the courtyard, approaching from afar.
"What sound is this? Is there a wedding in some family?" You Jinhua was greatly surprised and curiously looked outside.
Given the current turmoil, with the coup just settled, the Li Party overthrown, and the court in unrest, logically speaking, families around here, being either rich or noble, wouldn't be hosting any celebration at such a sensitive time.
Zhao Douan, sipping his soup, lifted his head with a rather odd expression, thinking that it couldn't be this quick...
Soon, the sounds grew louder and finally startled everyone in the Zhao Mansion. The old butler suddenly rushed into the backyard, shouting, "People from the palace have arrived outside, with music and flags, Dalang, come out and see."
Palace people? Why would they come here? The mother-daughter pair was puzzled, looking at Zhao Douan instinctively, thinking some sort of reward might have been granted to him.
"Let's go out and have a look." Zhao Douan remained calm, got up and led the female family members to greet them.
Upon stepping out of the gate, they saw the entire street filled with palace attendants, a team of eunuchs carrying bright yellow dragon flags, some beating gongs and drums, heralding the arrival, and several carriages among the procession.
By now, residents of surrounding mansions also came out, curiously watching.
"Junior Guardian Zhao! Haha, pardon my abrupt visit, I hope you can forgive any disturbance." The leader of the entourage was surprisingly a eunuch with a face full of smiles.
Zhao Douan recognized him as the palace's 'Chief Eunuch,' second only to Sun Lianying and Mo Chou.
The highest-ranking figure among palace servants today.
"This is...?" Zhao Douan's expression grew even stranger.
The Chief Eunuch smiled slightly, and publicly pulled out an imperial decree from his sleeve, unfurling it, "Junior Guardian Zhao, receive the decree!"
Zhao Douan cupped his hands and stood, and behind him, a group of Zhao Family members skillfully bowed their heads.
The eunuch proclaimed loudly, "By the order of the Mandate of Heaven, we carry forth the grand plans, uphold the nation's principles, the family as the foundation. With the virtue of husband and wife, the righteousness of the universe. In reverence for ancestral rites and in cooperation for nurturing sincerity, the significance is heavy, obeying heaven's decree... Now, sending envoys with the mandate, selecting in accordance with ritual... to accept the Zhao Family young master as Prince Consort... So ordered!"
His words were powerful and resonant.
The eunuch, temporarily appointed as 'Administrator,' put away the decree, grinning and bowing forward, "Congratulations to the Junior Guardian, today, I come on behalf of the palace with a marriage proposal."
Like a sudden thunderbolt striking the ground, not only the Zhao Family members but even the surrounding curious neighbors only just realized what happened with a buzzing in their minds.
The Empress has made a proposal, officially declaring the Prince Consort!
From today, Zhao Douan is the rightful 'Empress's Prince Consort,' 'Imperial Consort.'
"Your Majesty... proposes..." You Jinhua was stunned, then her eyes reddened instantly and she covered her mouth with her hand, overwhelmed with joy.