Chapter 91

Not long after, Liu Yao and Liu Xin were summoned back in by Liu Yao again.

As soon as Liu Yao entered, he saw Empress Dowager Dong with a satisfied look on her face, while Diaochan was blushing and looking down, as if she didn't dare to face anyone.

Liu Yao felt relieved. If Empress Dowager Dong had said that Diaochan was unsuitable, Liu Yao really wouldn't have known what to do, as he didn't want to go against her wishes. But now he was completely at ease.

"Imperial Son, I have already recognized Chan'er as my adopted granddaughter," Empress Dowager Dong said meaningfully. "Since you are going to ask your father to grant you a marriage tomorrow, let Diaochan be included as well. You can't favor one over the other."

"Ah!!!" Diaochan was startled. She had only heard from Empress Dowager Dong that Liu Yao intended to marry her, so she was taken in as an adopted granddaughter. But she didn't expect to be granted a marriage the next day, and by the current emperor, to the current crown prince. This was like a commoner turning into a phoenix. Diaochan was momentarily stunned by the sudden happiness.

"Um," Liu Yao was also taken aback, not expecting Empress Dowager Dong to take Diaochan as an adopted granddaughter. This elevated Diaochan's status significantly, making her a suitable match for Liu Yao. However, Liu Yao's original intention was to marry Diaochan later. Now, on the first day of meeting, they were already preparing for a quick engagement, which made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

But Liu Yao soon became at ease. It was just a matter of time, after all. The future was still long. He had to admit that modern people were adaptable. "If Chan'er is willing, I will do as you say."

Empress Dowager Dong turned her inquiring gaze to Diaochan and asked with a smile, "Chan'er, are you willing?"

Diaochan, hearing this, became a bit bashful. "This servant is willing."

"Chan'er, you are now my adopted granddaughter. How can you still call yourself a servant?!" Empress Dowager Dong said disapprovingly.

Diaochan quickly corrected herself. "Chan'er is willing."

Empress Dowager Dong looked at the two of them with satisfaction, examining them closely. Liu Xin, the little girl, was giggling on the side.

"Grandmother, I have important matters to attend to and need to attend the morning court tomorrow. I will take my leave now," Liu Yao said, feeling uncomfortable under Empress Dowager Dong's gaze. He also wanted to visit his teacher and see Cai Yan while he still had time.

"Go ahead, my grandson," Empress Dowager Dong said, waving her hand. "Take Xin'er and Diaochan with you."

"Um," Liu Yao was taken aback but still agreed. However, he then thought it might not be a bad idea. Although Liu Yao had his own palace in the imperial city, it was too desolate, and he hadn't visited it much in the past ten years. Therefore, he planned to continue staying at Cai Yong's residence when he returned to Luoyang. Now, taking Diaochan and Liu Xin to Cai Yong's residence, although it might seem inappropriate, Liu Yao didn't care about such things. Moreover, it would be good for Diaochan, Liu Xin, and Cai Yan to meet each other. Liu Yao's status already determined that he wouldn't have just one wife. Cai Yan must have known this long ago. Liu Yao believed that Cai Yan and Diaochan were not the jealous type. Besides, their ages were not too different, so they should get along well.

After Empress Dowager Dong's words, Diaochan naturally considered herself Liu Yao's person and wanted to stay by his side. As for Liu Xin, the wild girl who didn't act like a princess, she was overjoyed. As long as she could leave the palace and see the outside world, she was willing to go anywhere.

At Cai Yong's residence in Luoyang,

Liu Yao, Diaochan, Liu Xin, and Shi A walked familiarly into Cai's residence. Liu Yao couldn't help but feel excited at the thought of seeing the beloved person he had been thinking about day and night.

As soon as they entered the hall, they saw Cai Yong and Cai Yan waiting there.

"Yan'er!!!" Liu Yao called out as soon as he saw the familiar figure.

Cai Yan, coming to her senses, saw the familiar face, her eyes reddened, and she quickly rushed into Liu Yao's arms. "Brother Yao, Yan'er misses you so much." Normally, a woman would be too reserved to act like this, even if they were engaged, showing how much Cai Yan missed Liu Yao.

Just as the two were lost in their own world, a cough interrupted them. The owner of the cough was naturally Liu Yao's teacher and future father-in-law, Cai Yong.

The two immediately separated, and Cai Yan looked at her father, Cai Yong, somewhat embarrassed.

Liu Yao, in front of Cai Yong, had a bit of a thicker skin and bowed. "Teacher, I am well."

"Yao'er, you're finally back. If you didn't return, I would have sent Yan'er to Youzhou to find you," Cai Yong teased.

"Father," Cai Yan stomped her feet, pouting. Liu Yao rolled his eyes at the old man.

"Cough, cough." Cai Yong coughed to clear the awkwardness and then looked at the three people behind Liu Yao. He recognized Shi A but not the other two. "Yao'er, who are these two young ladies?"

"Teacher, this is my imperial sister, Princess Wannian, Liu Xin," Liu Yao said, pointing to Liu Xin.

"Princess, we pay our respects," Cai Yong and Cai Yan said, bowing to Liu Xin.

"There's no need for such formalities. I might be calling you sister-in-law soon," Liu Xin said without any airs. This was probably due to spending time with Liu Yao, who didn't care about formalities.

Cai Yan and Diaochan both blushed at this.

"Cough, cough." Liu Yao cleared his throat and then pointed to Diaochan, hesitantly explaining Diaochan's situation to Cai Yong and Cai Yan.

When Cai Yan heard that the current emperor had personally granted the marriage, she was almost overjoyed. Cai Yong was also beaming with joy.

But when Cai Yan heard about Diaochan, her face darkened for a moment, but she quickly recovered her smile. Cai Yan had long been prepared for this. She was a broad-minded person and quickly came to terms with it. She stepped forward, took Diaochan's hand, and praised her. "Sister Diaochan, you are so beautiful."

Diaochan, who had been worried about being rejected by Cai Yan, was moved by this unexpected warmth. Her experience in the palace told her that the girl in front of her was sincere, with no hint of insincerity or sarcasm.

"Not at all, Sister Yan'er is the one who is beautiful," Diaochan praised in return.

Liu Yao, seeing the harmony between the two, couldn't help but smile with relief. "Yan'er, Chan'er, Xin'er, why don't you three go to the inner hall and chat? I have something to discuss with my teacher."

Cai Yan, being a reasonable person, made a face at Liu Yao and then led Liu Xin and Diaochan to the inner hall.

As soon as Cai Yan and the others left, Cai Yong pointed at Liu Yao, his beard bristling. "Yao'er, I must tell you in advance, no matter how many concubines you have, Yan'er must be the principal wife." As Cai Yan's father, Cai Yong naturally had to secure her status.

Liu Yao didn't take offense, as this was his original intention. He smiled and said, "Teacher, you can rest assured. I have already said that I will treat her as the principal wife, and I will not go back on my word. However, I treat everyone equally and will not differentiate between principal and secondary wives. I hope you understand."

Cai Yong nodded in satisfaction. As long as Cai Yan held the position of principal wife, she could become the empress in the future, and the rest was not important. Moreover, Cai Yong believed that Liu Yao would not mistreat Cai Yan.