Nan Yi was taken aback by the words, his face inevitably becoming serious. He reached out and put his hand on Nan Jiu's shoulder, asking solemnly: "Little Nine, are you really serious about Meng Ya? Can you truly remain unchanged for her for a lifetime?" Meng Ya was his bosom friend, and Little Nine was his good younger brother; he didn't want the two people who were so important to him to end up changing because of love.

  Nanjiu looked at him, his deep eyes filled with sincerity and persistence: "I will always be good to her, after all, I have been fond of her for three years." From the initial surprise to the current infatuation, perhaps every person's love has to go through such a process, from initially being delighted to see each other, to later feeling anxious when they can't see each other, from boldness to timidity.

  He no longer knows when it started, but she was no longer just a simple infatuation for him.

  She became an irreplaceable presence in his life.

  Nan Yi Xie saw him say that, just smiled and patted him: "Then go, Second Brother has your back." Ah, looking at Xiao Jiu's persistent love, he started to feel a little excited! Tsk tsk tsk, unfortunately, there wasn't a girl worthy of himself.

  Nan Jiu heard the words and 'exposed' a smile, just about to say something when he heard a long shout from outside the door: "The Honorable Consort has arrived - Zhuang Gui Fei has arrived - Shu Fei has arrived"

  The first voice was that of Gui Fei, and everyone else stopped talking, looking towards the entrance where Di Xia Chao's number one favored consort walked in gracefully.

  The wide and long skirt hem swept across the ground, with peony flowers embroidered in gold thread on it, blooming coquettishly, just like the impression she gave people, arrogant and domineering but extremely beautiful.

  "See Her Highness..."

  Liáng Guì Fēi was supported by a maid all the way to the second chair on the right side of the dragon throne, and then slightly raised her hand: "You may dispense with the formalities." Her voice was clear and melodious, carrying an inexplicable charm.

  Logically speaking, a first-rank imperial concubine was not qualified to receive the court's ceremonial obeisance, but due to Emperor Yi's extraordinary favor and intimidation, he allowed her to accept it.

  Liáng Guì Fēi saw that everyone had risen, looked towards Nán Jiǔ's side, smiled and beckoned to him: "Little Nine, come here to Mother!" Unlike the haughty smile she showed others, her smile for Nan Jiu was a simple maternal love.

  Nan Jiu got up and walked over, slightly bowing his head in greeting: "Greetings to Your Majesty."

  Liáng Guì Fēi saw him get up with such a scowl and went to support him: "Really stubborn, why be so polite to the Empress Dowager!"

  The maid standing beside her smiled and said, "Ninth Master is indeed strict with rules, and the Emperor has praised him many times for this! Your Ladyship should praise Ninth Master more!"

  Liáng Guì Fēi couldn't help but laugh, pulling Nán Jiǔ along the way, and only then patted his hand, saying with concern: "Little Nine is just too rigid, not as obedient as when he was young! Look, I was just instructing him not to practice martial arts a few days ago, and then something happened! You don't know how to take care of yourself, and when you get into trouble, it's Mother who worries!"

  Nan Jiu raised her eyes to see Liang Guifei, who was rarely not arrogant, but instead had tears in her eyes. She couldn't help but soften and said in a low voice: "Mother..."

  Liáng Guì Fēi saw him like this, with tears in her eyes, and asked: "If it weren't for the emperor sending someone to tell me that you're fine, I would have run out of the palace to find you!" At the time, when she found out he was injured, she fainted on the spot. When she came to, if it weren't for the eunuchs reporting that he was alright, she would have gone mad!

  Nan Jiu saw her like this and also felt very apologetic, so he knelt down on one knee: "Your son has let you worry, it's your son's fault!" He knew that his mother had always been worried about him while he was away for many years, but as a man who held up the sky and stood on the earth, how could he just stand by and do nothing when another country came to invade?!

  Liáng Guì Fēi knew his stubbornness and could only sigh and support him: "Forget it, Mother said that no matter how much she says, it's useless. She just hopes that in the future, you'll marry a wife, have children, and understand the importance of cherishing yourself." This time, she insisted on keeping Xiao Jiu by Emperor Wei's side, only to take advantage of this opportunity to let Xiao Jiu get married. A man can only understand his own importance when he has a family and a wife and children.

  He has children and has something to worry about, and will no longer be so fearless of life and death outside!

  Nan Jiu slightly pursed his lips, rarely showing a hint of shyness: "Mother Empress, I... have someone I fancy." He also knew that the Mother Empress had been selecting virtuous young ladies from good families in the capital all this time, and he didn't want to let her efforts go to waste after she had already found someone.

  Liáng Guì Fēi was taken aback. As Nán Jiǔ's mother, she could naturally see that her son had been harboring "spring" in his heart for three years, but since Xiǎo Jiǔ didn't say anything and didn't show any signs, she guessed that he must be too shy to speak up, so she waited for him to open up himself. She waited for three years, thinking that Nán Jiǔ had lost interest. Unexpectedly, today he suddenly said he had a "girl" in his heart?

  "With a smile, she said: 'Which family's daughter is it? The empress dowager worries that you won't understand, why not let the empress dowager see for herself?' She knew her own son was simple-minded and feared he would be deceived by some girl! Only by seeing for herself could she distinguish good from bad!"

  Nan Jiu smiled slightly, his rugged face softened for a moment, but he still whispered a refusal: "Empress Dowager, I'd like to wait until she agrees before bringing her to meet you in person."

  Liáng Guì Fēi was secretly astonished, how could he not agree? Xiǎo Jiǔ's meaning was that the 'girl' had not expressed similar affection for him. Could it be that some 'girl' was playing hard to get and stirring up trouble, causing the inexperienced Xiǎo Jiǔ to become infatuated? Thinking this way, she felt somewhat discontented, and her expression changed accordingly.

  Nan Jiu saw her busy and explained: "In fact, I have been fond of her for a long time, but she didn't know. I hope the empress will not make things difficult for her in the future..." He did not want the empress to be unhappy because of Meng Meng, nor did he want Meng Meng to be troubled because of her poor relationship with the empress.

  Liáng Guì Fēi saw that he was so anxious and understood that he had made up his mind, so she could only nod reluctantly: "Whatever you say now is empty words, I just hope the girl you find can satisfy your mother. After all, it's up to you two to spend your days together, your mother is concerned about these things hoping you can be good, don't find someone who can't manage a household, and in the future, the only one who will have difficulties is you." A good child like Xiǎo Jiǔ should find a girl with good character, gentle temperament, and a kind heart, who can take care of him and help him.

  Nan Jiu slightly furrowed his brow, and Zheng Zhong nodded: "Your Majesty need not worry, I will be fine." He understood the queen's concern and kindness, but he was worried that she would be dissatisfied because Meng Meng was an invisible crown princess. After all, the queen had always wanted him to become the crown prince, if it weren't for the fact that no matter how much she said, he had never been interested in politics over the years, she might have really done something about it.

  Liáng Guì Fēi saw him like this and didn't make things difficult for him anymore. She just smiled and said, "Then Mother will wait for you to bring her here."

  The voice had just fallen when a eunuch outside the door announced: "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived——"

  Empress Liang walked in, dressed in the formal attire of a Ming Huang Empress, with a crimson jade hairpin at her temples and a golden phoenix coronet on her head, exuding an aura of majesty.

  "Long live Her Majesty the Empress, may she live for a thousand years, ten thousand years, and forever!"

  Empress Liang merely nodded slightly and smiled, saying: "Everyone, dispense with the formalities and be at ease. Today is the Emperor's birthday; you should consider this an ordinary family banquet, there's no need to stand on ceremony."

  Everyone bowed again: "Obeying the wise decree of Her Highness!"

  Liáng Guì Fēi slightly bowed and smiled, saying: "Your Majesty's 'bosom' is indeed beyond what a humble servant like myself can reach." She knew that even if she were to receive more favor, she was not qualified to speak in such a manner, for she was merely a favored concubine, not the legitimate wife.

  Empress Liang walked over, smiling elegantly: "Sister, there's no need to be so modest, after all, you should set an example for the other sisters." She then turned her head towards Nan Jiu, smiling warmly and kindly: "Little Ninth was injured previously, I wonder if she has recovered now? If anything is lacking, just come to Fengluan Palace to take it, Mother will not be stingy with you."

  Nan Jiu knew that although this aunt was not close to the queen, she was genuinely kind to him. He bowed his head in gratitude: "I am now fully recovered, and it is my fault that I have caused you so much worry!"

  Empress Liang saw that he was like this, and also understood that he must not listen to advice. She sighed and said: "The body is given by one's parents, if you don't cherish your own life, aren't you making the empress dowager worry?"

  Nan Jiu nodded solemnly: "The Empress Dowager's teachings are indeed!"

  Nan Yi directly came up, saluted Empress Liang and Consort Liang with a bow, and patted Nan Jiu's shoulder, smiling: "The empress has advised you thus, Second Brother will take good care of you from now on!"

  Empress Liang saw Nan Yi Xie had also arrived, so she didn't say anything else and nodded her head before sitting down on the phoenix chair.

  Liáng Guì Fēi also waved her hand: "You all go back now, Xiao Er can pay attention to Xiao Jiu a bit, don't drink wine anymore."

  Nan Yi nodded repeatedly, pulling Nan Jiu back to his seat, still muttering: "Must thank Second Brother!" It's also amusing to think about it, since childhood he had discovered that the Empress Dowager was exceptionally kind to Ninth Brother, not transferring her anger towards him just because he was the son of Liang Guifei. When they were young, there were even several instances where the Empress Dowager would leave Ninth Brother alone in the Phoenix Palace for meals, and Liang Guifei would personally go over to pick him up.

  Later on, he discovered that whenever Old Ninth was around, his mother and Empress Dowager Liang would always quarrel, so he often intervened to mediate.

  Nanjiu just smiled and patted his shoulder: "Then I'll take you with me tomorrow!"

  Nan Yi gave him a slanted glance: "What, you're not even brave enough to do it alone? Want to drag Second Brother along to boost your courage? Ha! Second Brother has something on tomorrow and won't have time for that!"

  Nan Jiu's face stiffened slightly, and he said, "Forget about that." It was just as Nan Yi Ke had said. This afternoon when facing Xia Tian Meng, he indeed had the courage and impulse to take her away like this, but often the aftermath of a bold move is being unable to follow through!

  Nan Yi Xie saw him like this, casually tidying his sleeves: "No sincerity!" Inviting once and giving up, what kind of habit is that?

  Nan Jiu Yi was taken aback and couldn't help but laugh: "At worst, I just won't practice martial arts with Second Brother anymore!"

  Nan Yi Xun heard this and became angry: "Good, you dare to laugh at your brother like that? Tomorrow I'll go there myself and see how you lose face!"

  Nan Jiu saw him like this and couldn't help but shake his head. Having a brother-like older brother was also quite exhausting!

  "The Emperor has arrived"

  "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived——"

  Nan Jiu raised her head and saw Xia Tianmeng standing beside the Empress Dowager with a smile.

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