Chapter 90

After Empress Dowager Dong saw Liu Xin leave, she turned around with a smile and looked at Liu Yao, making him feel a chill run down his spine.

"Grandmother, why are you looking at me like that? Did I grow flowers on my face?" Liu Yao said weakly.

"Grandson, tell me honestly, what's the deal with that girl?" Empress Dowager Dong asked with a smile.

Liu Yao blushed and stammered as he recounted the story of Diaochan.

"So that's how it is." Empress Dowager Dong muttered to herself, then said to Liu Yao, "Grandson, do you like that girl?" Having taken care of Liu Yao for years, she knew exactly what his actions meant.

"Um." Liu Yao was stunned when his secret was revealed, and he said softly, "I just have a bit of a liking for her, but I wouldn't say I like her yet."

Empress Dowager Dong's smile grew wider. "That's not a problem. Diaochan may come from a humble background, but her appearance is truly flawless. If her character is also good, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make her a concubine." Of course, in Empress Dowager Dong's eyes, being a concubine was already a great honor for someone of Diaochan's low birth. As for being the main wife, that was out of the question.

Liu Yao was delighted to hear this. Diaochan's character was beyond reproach. She was willing to sacrifice herself to save the world in gratitude for Wang Yun's upbringing. What more could one ask for in a woman? With Empress Dowager Dong's support, Liu Yao felt even more at ease. As for his main wife, he had always intended for it to be Cai Yan, and that would never change. Of course, this was just a title. Liu Yao had no concept of main wives or concubines; in his heart, all his women would be treated equally.

"Grandmother, I can assure you that Diaochan's character is impeccable," Liu Yao said, patting his chest.

"Hmm?!" Empress Dowager Dong suddenly frowned and asked, "Grandson, this is the first time you've met Diaochan today, right? How can you be so sure?" She was worried that Liu Yao might be blinded by Diaochan's beauty and become like Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, who was known for his indulgence in wine and women. This, of course, was due to Emperor Ling's excellent acting skills; only Liu Yao knew his other side.

"Um. Grandmother, you will know in the future," Liu Yao said vaguely. He couldn't tell her that he had known about Diaochan for a long time.

Empress Dowager Dong looked at Liu Yao with some dissatisfaction. Seeing this, Liu Yao quickly smiled and said, "Grandmother, I have some good news to share with you."

"Good news? What is it?" Empress Dowager Dong's attention was immediately diverted, and she asked curiously.

"Grandmother, Father will grant me a marriage tomorrow. Isn't that good news?" Liu Yao said with a smile.

Empress Dowager Dong was overjoyed. She had been worried that Liu Yao was growing up without a satisfactory marriage. Now, two things had happened at once. "Grandson, tell me, which girl is it?" she asked with interest.

"It's Cai Yan, the daughter of my teacher, Cai Yong."

Empress Dowager Dong nodded in satisfaction and praised, "Your teacher, Cai Yong, is a renowned scholar. His daughter must be well-educated and virtuous. You have good taste, grandson."

"Of course," Liu Yao said proudly, looking very pleased with himself.

Shi A, standing nearby, almost fell out of his chair. In his eyes, Liu Yao was always calm and wise. When had he ever acted like this? Perhaps this side of Liu Yao only showed up around his true family, like Empress Dowager Dong.

"You!" Empress Dowager Dong looked at Liu Yao with affection.

At that moment, Diaochan and Liu Xin came out of the inner hall, their hands wrapped in bandages. "Grandmother!" Liu Xin rushed into Empress Dowager Dong's arms.

"Your Highness, Empress Dowager," Diaochan bowed respectfully, still somewhat fearful.

Empress Dowager Dong looked at Diaochan's actions with great satisfaction. She put Liu Xin down and said sternly, "Grandson, take Xin out for a walk. I need to speak with Diaochan."

"Sure, sure." Liu Xin was delighted, eager to play with the千里眼 (千里眼 means "千里 eye," which is a term for a powerful telescope or binoculars). She had been looking forward to it all along.

Liu Yao couldn't help but smile bitterly. He knew Empress Dowager Dong wanted to test Diaochan to see if she was worthy of entering the Liu family. But he had confidence in Diaochan, so he agreed and led the eager Liu Xin out of the palace.

With Liu Yao and Liu Xin gone, the palace was left with only Diaochan and Empress Dowager Dong. Diaochan was at a loss, not knowing what to do with her hands.

Empress Dowager Dong, however, looked at Diaochan with a smile. Liu Yao, of course, had no idea what would happen next.

As Liu Yao and Liu Xin walked out of the palace, Liu Yao, despite his confidence in Diaochan, couldn't help but feel a bit worried.

"Brother, Brother, look over there!" Liu Xin, who was playing with the千里眼, called out to Liu Yao, but Liu Yao was lost in thought and didn't hear her.

Liu Xin, seeing this, became angry and stomped on Liu Yao's foot.

"Ah!!" Liu Yao, in pain, snapped back to reality and saw Liu Xin, hands on her hips, looking at him angrily. "Xin, why did you step on me?" Liu Yao asked, puzzled.

"Hmph, you ignored me just now. Stepping on you is the least I could do," Liu Xin pouted.

"Um." Liu Yao realized he had been too focused and had neglected the little girl. He immediately apologized, "It's my fault. I was thinking about something and didn't notice you. I apologize, Xin. Is that okay?"

To his surprise, Liu Xin didn't forgive him. Instead, she smiled slyly and said, "Brother, you were thinking about Diaochan, weren't you?"

"How did you know?!" Liu Yao was shocked and blurted out, then looked at Liu Xin as if she were a ghost.

"Hehe." Liu Xin smiled sweetly and said, "I also know that you like Diaochan, and she likes you too."

Liu Yao slapped his forehead in frustration. He knew that children in the past were precocious and knew a lot, but he didn't expect the children of this era to be any different. But it made sense, given that people often married at the age of fourteen or fifteen.

"You little brat, what do you know about liking or not liking? Don't talk nonsense," Liu Yao said, trying to sound stern.

"Hmph, you're lying, Brother. Look, your face is all red. You can't deny it," Liu Xin huffed.

Liu Yao instinctively touched his face. Then he realized he had just admitted to it. He looked at Liu Xin, who was grinning mischievously.

"Alright, you little brat, you dared to lie to your brother. Take that!" Liu Yao lunged at Liu Xin, pretending to attack her.

"Help! Help!" Liu Xin laughed and pretended to be scared, running away. The two of them chased each other, feeling like they were back in their childhood, a time of warmth and comfort. Liu Yao enjoyed this feeling of warmth.

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