Her hair was cloud-like and beautiful! She opened her eyes and found herself back in the third year

Chapter 208 Springtime should not be wasted, youth will not return.

Cheng Yan understood her implication, and his face turned green. He twitched his lips slightly, his expression cold: "Princess, you're dreaming. Do you think I'm dead?"

Qin Yizhen was not afraid at all: "I am a princess. If that day really comes, would I be afraid of you?"

"Alright." Cheng Yan chuckled. "I won't have one, and the princess shouldn't even think about it, but..."

Cheng Yan paused again when he got to this point.

"But what?"

"However, the princess is right. She will grow old, and when I get old, I'll probably be in poor health. So let's do it as many times as we can while we're young, so that we won't find it boring when we're older."

"What?" Qin Yi was completely dumbfounded. She recognized every single word he said, but when they were put together, she couldn't understand it at all.

"Take advantage of your youth and be affectionate," Cheng Yan concluded directly to her.

Qin Yizhen understood, then her lips twitched, and she felt like she was doomed.

Sure enough, the next moment, Cheng Yan said, "Springtime is fleeting, youth will not return, my wife, so tonight..."

Qin Yizhen quickly reached out and covered his mouth: "Don't even think about it!"

Qin Yi was filled with regret and wished she could swallow back every word she had just said. Not to mention tonight, even later, he might use those words to manipulate her, saying things like how couples should be loving when they are young so that they won't feel inadequate when they get old.

Thinking about how this person was becoming increasingly unrestrained and tormenting her on the bed, Qin Yizhen felt like her vision was going to blur.

Thinking of this, Qin Yizhen felt that she couldn't stay in the bed any longer. She quickly threw off the covers, put on her shoes, got out of bed, and moved away from him.

Cheng Yan laughed out loud with delight.

"You're still laughing? What's so funny?" Qin Yi was both embarrassed and annoyed.

"Alright, alright, I won't laugh at you anymore." Cheng Yan lay back on the bed, took a breath, and then got up to get her clothes and put them on for her. "Get ready, let's go see the Empress Dowager together. It's almost time for dinner."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yizhen forgot all about fooling around with him, quickly tidied herself up, and then called for Lü Qiao to bring some water.

During dinner, the couple accompanied Empress Dowager Cheng and Emperor Jing'an. After dinner, Empress Dowager Cheng chatted with Cheng Yan about various matters of the court, while Emperor Jing'an pulled Qin Yizhen aside to help him solve a chess game.

"Have you reconciled with your uncle?" Emperor Jing'an asked curiously.

Qin Yizhen paused, then muttered, "They didn't argue, so how can they say they made up?"

"Oh, then I'll try a different approach." Emperor Jing'an smiled. "Has your uncle appeased you?"

Qin Yizhen: "...Your Majesty, please don't be too curious."

Emperor Jing'an suppressed a laugh: "Then let me try another way of putting it. Will Sister Yizhen stay in the palace today or return to the Marquis of Pingxi's residence with her uncle?"

Qin Yizhen: "...Go back."

Emperor Jing'an was overjoyed. He was lonely in the palace, spending his days either reading, practicing martial arts, or learning how to handle state affairs and the art of being an emperor. It was rare to encounter something so interesting.

He placed a black piece and broke the deadlock: "Sister Yizhen, please."

After having tea and discussing court affairs with Cheng Yan for a while, Empress Dowager Cheng turned the topic to Cheng Yan and Qin Yizhen. She said, "Since you and Yizhen are a loving couple, you should have a child soon."

"This matter depends entirely on fate; when the time is right, it will naturally come."

Empress Dowager Cheng nodded without saying much. She had been urging Cheng Yan and Qin Yizhen to consummate their marriage and have a child as soon as possible. Firstly, life and death were uncertain on the battlefield, and she wanted him to leave behind a bloodline, whether male or female.

Secondly, it's not good for the couple to remain cold towards each other. Only after they consummate their marriage and have children can their relationship deepen.

Moreover, the latter is more important; the main thing is for the couple to be happy.

After the couple had eaten and drunk their fill and returned home together, Empress Dowager Cheng asked Emperor Jing'an, "What kind of wife does Your Majesty wish to marry?"

"Huh? Wife?" Emperor Jing'an was taken aback by her question and almost choked on his saliva. "Mother, this matter... this matter isn't urgent, is it?"

He's only twelve years old, and you're already letting him get married?

"It's not that I'm asking you to marry right now, but rather that you should think about what kind of woman you truly want for the person you'll spend your life with." Empress Dowager Cheng lowered her eyes.

"Your mother knows you are sensible. Although you are young and act cute in front of your family, you are intelligent and have always been a sensible child. You know what you should and shouldn't do."

"Although you are marrying the Empress, you must choose a suitable candidate from among the noble families. However, your mother also hopes that the person you choose will be someone you like."

"Of course, no matter how much you like it, you must recognize your own position and not joke about the fate of the country."

The implication is that there are choices, but they are within certain limitations.

His wife will be the empress, the mother of the nation, and must be of noble birth, dignified and virtuous enough to deserve the title of mother of the world.

Emperor Jing'an remained silent for a moment, but finally nodded: "Mother, I understand. I will think it over carefully."

In fact, he and Empress Dowager Cheng knew best that since they had taken this position and obtained this supreme power, they would have to make sacrifices for this responsibility many times.

In particular, Emperor Jing'an's marriage was no longer a matter of his personal likes or dislikes.

Princess Huizhen arrived late and, upon learning of Empress Dowager Cheng and Emperor Jing'an's remarks, pouted and said, "Is Your Majesty confused? Your Majesty is already the emperor; you can have any woman you want. Just pamper those you like and let those you don't like stay put, isn't that enough?"

Princess Huizhen has always been arrogant and selfish. Whatever she wants, she wants to get it, regardless of whether the other party is willing or not.

"Mother, I wish for Xie Zhan to be my son-in-law. Would you please grant my wish?"

"Nonsense!" Empress Dowager Cheng's face darkened. "If it's all about scheming and exchanging, what's the point of living like this?"

Power is important, but one must not forget one's original intentions. From the very beginning, she embarked on this path only for herself and for her family to live better lives, and from then on, no one dared to bully her.

But if one is willing to abandon one's closest relatives and loved ones for the sake of power, becoming a lonely person surrounded by power, then what good is such a life?

Empress Dowager Cheng hoped that Emperor Jing'an could be both an emperor and himself, with close relatives and loved ones, and people who would treat him sincerely without any ulterior motives.

"Xie Zhan, don't think about it anymore. Since they are unwilling, you can't force them. After the anniversary of your maternal grandmother's death, I will find a husband for you and marry you off as soon as possible."

"Mother, I..."

"I gave you time to find it yourself, but since you won't, then I'll find it for you." Empress Dowager Cheng had a headache. She glared at Princess Huizhen.

"If you are still unwilling, and keep dragging it out, don't blame your mother for not protecting you when it comes to the princess's marriage."