Taking extra effort?

The Crown Prince chuckled lightly, indicating this was all trivial matters.

After explaining things to her esteemed mother, the following day she requested an imperial decree, officially appointing the eldest son of Grand Academician Su as the Crown Prince’s Principal Consort. As for the others, they would temporarily serve as minor lovers, gathering when convenient and parting when the time came.

If they performed well in the future, or if her fondness for them lasted longer, perhaps granting them official status wouldn’t be too late.

“The world has enjoyed peace for so long that customs easily form from top to bottom. Having some rules is still better!”

Zhao Xi shook her head with some regret.

The orthodox rites and music, though somewhat boring, undeniably had their necessary place.

Knowing her mother’s methods could work once but not repeatedly, or even thrice, otherwise in the Crown Prince’s view, not appointing any of them would be the most carefree option.

Who knew how long her interest would last anyway!

Regarding this, An Ning just smiled without any objection.

As for why it was Su Mai? An Ning couldn’t help but recall last year’s palace examination and that gentle, jade-like Eldest Young Master Su.

Perhaps being the eldest son, with his father the great poet Su being somewhat arrogant about his talents, he inevitably offended people intentionally or unintentionally.

This Eldest Young Master Su had always conducted himself with exceptional steadiness. At twenty years old, during this era of rising commoner scholars and exceptionally fierce imperial examination competition, he achieved the advanced scholar rank without the slightest hint of arrogance.

His temperament was particularly calm and peaceful—one could say he was the most reliable person possible.

Having grown up together since childhood, they knew each other thoroughly. Moreover, as someone with experience, An Ning could tell that since their youth, this person’s gaze had never left Xi’er.

That her daughter would choose him wasn’t unexpected.

However…

“Weren’t you just complaining before that he’s always lukewarm and not very interesting?” Looking at her increasingly radiant and dazzling daughter, An Ning couldn’t resist teasing.

“Actually, he’s not that boring! Sometimes watching him take things seriously is quite amusing!”

“Besides, he’s the most suitable, isn’t he?”

Obediently leaning against her mother’s knees, Zhao Xi appeared somewhat indifferent.

The Su family had sufficient social status and reputation, yet for several generations hadn’t produced powerful chief ministers or influential officials holding significant authority. He was intelligent enough. Plus, having lost his birth mother early and not being particularly close with his younger brothers.

He was steady, considerate, and handsome enough—he was most suitable for this position.

As for romance, that was the least important—there were plenty of people outside willing to provide her with amusement?

“Given Boda’s temperament, I imagine he wouldn’t engage in jealous behaviors all day long!”

At that time, the Crown Prince declared confidently.

Speaking of this, as if remembering something, our Crown Prince—this most considerate little treasure—didn’t forget to secretly wink and tease her mother:

“Someone like Minister Zhang, with a heart smaller than a needle tip, only you, Mother, can handle him!”

An Ning: “……”

Only after the Crown Prince’s barely concealed cheerful figure disappeared from sight did An Ning finally couldn’t help but laugh aloud before the imperial desk.

This child, it seems she truly doesn’t understand, or doesn’t want to understand matters of emotion.

But isn’t this quite fine too?

On the eighth day of the first month, during an auspicious hour determined after extensive scrutiny by the Imperial Astronomy Bureau’s scholars, the Crown Prince’s grand wedding was quickly scheduled.

When the news spread, aside from the slightly speechless situation of an unlucky best friend becoming in-laws, her biological father Zhang accepted it with seamless smoothness.

That evening, on the disordered pearwood couch, suddenly came some slightly hoarse murmurs:

“For our Xi’er in this position, not being obsessed with emotions is actually best. While she’s young and we’re still here, letting her play around and experience more men’s methods is a good thing!”

“Besides, although this Boda lad has exceptional talent and is quite sharp in political affairs, like Zizhan, he’s too upright and solemn—not suitable for being a chief minister or even an influential official. Xi’er’s judgment is indeed good.”

This tone carried some smugness!

An Ning: “……”

Through the clear moonlight outside the window, An Ning gave her companion a rather speechless glare.

Tsk, someone really knows how to play with double standards!

The name Zihou really wasn’t given blindly.

An Ning secretly complained internally.

In any case, up to this point, if there was only one injured party in this marriage.

Su Zizhan, who woke up from a drunken stupor to find half his world collapsed: “!!!”

Wait, his grown son was going to marry out… no, be married into royalty?

Especially now, looking at his always sensible eldest son who since childhood had never caused the slightest worry in studies or life—even someone as carefree as Su Shi couldn’t help feeling somewhat at a loss.

Would his Mai’er suffer grievances in the Eastern Palace?

With everyone having their own thoughts, on the eighth day of the first month, the Crown Prince’s grand wedding quickly arrived.

This day, the entire Bianjing city was exceptionally lively.

Learning that the Crown Prince was marrying, and the partner was the son of the famously talented Eldest Su, without needing any prompting, Bianjing spontaneously began celebrating.

At that time, Zhao Xi wore a golden-threaded nine-phoenix robe woven from premium cloud-pattern brocade. Every embroidered pattern on the phoenix robe had been meticulously hand-stitched over months by dozens of highly skilled palace masters. As she moved, it seemed like phoenixes spreading their wings, complementing her already dazzling, peerless beauty.

A goddess descending to earth, radiant and brilliant.

In short, the moment the Crown Prince approached, everyone’s breath seemed to halt momentarily. Even An Ning felt her long-idle painting hand itching to create.

Several months later, with news arriving that the Eastern Palace was with child, the entire court once again fell into uproar.

After all, given her conduct strikingly similar to the current emperor’s, the child in the Crown Prince’s womb was highly likely to be the only offspring, and would become the Great Song Dynasty’s future heir.

How could this not attract intense attention?

Many even speculated and hoped about whether it would be a boy or girl.

Yet among them, her mother An Ning remained exceptionally calm. After confirming her daughter was fine and the pregnancy was stable without issues, An Ning completely set aside her worries and began focusing on handling government affairs.

Sigh, without her precious daughter, the government affairs in hand had decisively increased by nearly double!

“Host, aren’t you worried at all?”

Seeing her like this, the system in her consciousness couldn’t help but wonder.

Speaking of earlier, hadn’t her host been concerned that if the next generation was male, it might affect previously implemented policies.

Or even lead to intensified suppression of women’s political participation or living space.

But now…

Even months later, when Zhao Xi successfully gave birth to a son, the system didn’t see any disappointment or unhappiness on its host’s face.

System: “???”

“Host, you… aren’t disappointed?”

“Disappointed about what?” Gently stroking her daughter’s slightly pale face with heartache, An Ning responded indifferently:

“Unless spending points to purchase elixirs, under natural conditions, the probability of male or female is fifty-fifty each. What’s there to be disappointed about?”

Placing hopes on probability is the most meaningless action.

Without expectations, how could there be disappointment?

“Besides…” Under the system’s increasingly curious gaze, An Ning suddenly smiled:

“Besides, whether Xi’er’s next generation is male or female—this fundamentally doesn’t matter at all.”

System: “???”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep