Wei Luo had originally thought that Zhao Liuli and Yang Zhen's matter would be thus settled. However, there was an unforeseen event two days later.

Emperor Chong Zhen was in a very good mood because Yang Zhen had ended the revolt and captured the rebel army's leader alive. He summoned Yang Zhen and personally asked what he wanted as his reward. Yang Zhen audaciously said he wanted to marry sixth princess Zhao Liuli in front of the emperor and the entire imperial court. Although this request went against everyone's expectations, it wasn't too outrageous. If the emperor agreed, this matter might even become a great, praiseworthy conversational topic.

However, the emperor surprisingly not only didn't agree, he also suddenly flew into a terrible rage and ordered for Yang Zhen to beaten by a military rod thirty times!

When a group of people brought Yang Zhen into Prince Jing's residences through a corner gate, Wei Luo was currently eating an orange dessert that Jin Lu had just finished preparing. Hearing Yang Zhen's news, her first reaction was shock. Soon after, she left the orange desert behind to go over there to look.

Yang Zhen's face had become deathly pale and his mind wasn't clear. Those thirty strikes wasn't much to him, but his chest wound had been reopened during the beating and a lot of blood had bled out. Steward Wang hurriedly ordered a servant to bring a doctor over to examine Yang Zhen's wounds.

Wei Luo pulled Zhao Jie's sleeve. Confused, she asked, "Why did you bring Yang Zhen to our home?"

Zhao Jie used his thumb to wipe away the orange dessert from the corner of her mouth and said, "Yang Zhen doesn't have a home, so Liuli asked me to bring him here. It'll be more convenient for him to recuperate from his injury staying here."

Wei Luo understood.

On the southwest part of Prince Jing's residence, there was a courtyard called Zheng Rong Courtyard. It was a quiet and secluded place with a good environment and would be a suitable place for recuperating, so Wei Luo arranged for Yang Zhen to stay in that courtyard.

The doctor soon arrived and went inside the room to treat Yang Zhen's injuries.

Wei Luo and Zhao Jie were standing in the outside courtyard. Wei Luo asked, "Why did His Majesty become angry?"

Zhao Jie leaned against the verandah's pillar with his arms crossed and thoughtfully said, "Someone must have said something to him."

Wei Luo couldn't stop herself from pondering after hearing his answer. Very few people knew about Yang Zhen and Zhao Liuli's relationship. Who could have told Emperor Chong Zhen?

--------

On the next day, Zhao Jie got to the bottom of this matter.

As it turns out, an imperial doctor had seen Zhao Liuli went she went to look for Yang Zhen at the barracks a few days ago. The doctor's name was Zhou Hang and worked for the Ministry of Appointments. Zhou Hang had seen Zhao Liuli at palace banquets, so he was able to recognize her identity. When he returned home, he had mentioned this matter to his wife. He said Princess Tianji seemed to know a man from the barracks. That madam wasn't an easy person to deal with. When she went to the palace, she spoke of this matter in front of everyone. The people there didn't believe her words. After all, Empress Chen treated Zhao Liuli like a precious treasure. Princess Tianji wasn't even allowed to the leave the palace, how could she have met a man from the outside?

Zhao Lin Lang was the only one that kept these words at the back of her mind.

Her brother, Zhao Zhang, had been confined and her mother, Noble Consort Ning, had died. Zhao Lin Lang hated Empress Chen to the core of her bones. But, she was only a princess and she didn't have the power to change anything. Seeing this tiny opportunity, she had to seize it and not let it go. She was very lucky. She was able to find out that when Yang Zhen was Zhao Liuli's guard, they had a secret relationship. Zhao Lin Lang wrote letters to Zhao Zhang to discuss the matter and decided to tell Emperor Chong Zhen this information to gain the initiative by striking first.

Harboring selfish motives, Zhao Lin Lan described their relationship with rather extreme words such as "illicit relations before marriage" and "pledging to marry without parents' approval".

After Emperor Chong Zhen heard these words, his expression immediately changed. Shocked, he hastily ordered people to secretly investigate this matter. However, before the matter could be clearly investigated, Yang Zhen had said those words in the imperial court and unintentionally confirmed that there was something between him and Zhao Liuli.

As a result, Emperor Chong Zhen became extremely furious.

Actually, if he had heard Yang Zhen and Zhao Liuli's explanation first, he might not have been as angry. Unfortunately, he had heard Zhao Lin Lang's provoking words first. The first impression was naturally the strongest, so his frame of mind was different when he looked at these two children.

As a guard, Yang Zhen's duty was to ensure the princess's safety. But, he had used his position and proximity to induce Zhao Liuli into having feelings for him. From this, the emperor could see that he was a two-faced, vile person that harbored evil intentions. He definitely couldn't entrust the rest of Liuli's life to him.

Not only did Emperor Chong Zhen penalize Yang Zhen, he also forbid Zhao Liuli from taking a step out of Chen Hua Hall.

Consequently, it was an extremely difficult task for Zhao Liuli to meet with Yang Zhen. She could only secretly write a letter to ask Wei Luo to persuade Yang Zhen to focus on recuperating from his injuries.

--------

Several days later, Emperor Chong's anger still hadn't dissipated yet and he wasn't willing to forgive Zhao Liuli or Yang Zhen.

As for Yang Zhen, he hadn't spoken a single word since entering Prince Jing's residence.

Today, the servant girls brought over Yang Zhen's medicine as usual. After Wei Luo witnessed him drinking down the medicine, she couldn't resist sighing and saying, "Yang Zhen, are you planning on staying like this and doing nothing?"

Yang Zhen finally showed a reaction. He put down the brightly colored bowl that had a pattern of lingzhi mushrooms and narcissus flowers and looked at Wei Luo with his calm, dark eyes.

During the past several days, he always had this expression. He frequently looked out the window with an indifferent expression as if he had lost the will to live.

It was good as long as he showed some reaction. Wei Luo let out a sigh in relief. She was worried that he would be unable to recover after this setback. "Don't you have other methods if His Majesty won't agree to let you marry Liuli? I heard that His Majesty has been looking for a husband for Liuli recently and has chosen Duke Ding's family's Gao Cong Xun. Are you just going to watch as she marries someone else?"

Yang Zhen's pupils shrank and the hand underneath the quilt gradually clenched into a fist. He hoarsely said, "Liuli belongs to me."

He was finally willing to speak. Wei Luo stood by his bed with her lips slightly curved as she overlooked him. "Oh, on what basis can you use to say that Liuli belongs to you?" Her hands were behind her back as she straightforwardly said, "What have you done for Liuli? From the beginning to the end, I've only seen Liuli trying her best by herself while you stay here with your remorse. Even though Liuli is confined, she still wrote a letter to me to ask me to care of you. What about you? Are you going to continue to cowardly avoid taking action?"

Yang Zhen fiercely raised his head and looked at her with a burning gaze.

Wei Luo didn't avoid his gaze.

A long time later, Yang Zhen said in a quiet voice, "There's no need for you to say words to incite me."

Her intention had been discovered. Wei Luo touched her nose. She seemed rather embarrassed that her scheme had been exposed.

Actually, Yang Zhen wasn't as cowardly as she had said. He had been properly recuperating from his injuries during the past several days. She heard from the servant girls that he would practice martial arts every morning, then he would ride a horse to visit the barracks. Although Emperor Chong Zhen was angry, he didn't take away his official position. Yang Zhen was still a second-ranked commander.

Wei Luo asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

Yang Zhen sat up on the bed, leaned over to put on his shoes, and gave an answer that was beside the point. "I won't give up." He paused before saying, "Your Highness, thank you for the care you and the prince have given me during the past several days. Yang Zhen will remember your kindness as long as I live."

Wei Luo said, "As long as you don't disappoint Liuli's hopes, I wouldn't mind saving you another hundred times."

Yang Zhen said, "I won't." After saying this, he left the room in large strides.

Really, the amount of words he said was pitifully small. She really didn't understand why Liuli liked him. Wei Luo held onto the doorframe for a long time while she puzzled over this question, until she heard Zhao Jie's voice.

"Ah Luo, if you keep looking in that direction, this prince will have him leave the residence by tomorrow."

Wei Luo turned around and saw Zhao Jie wearing a dark reddish purple robe with a Taotie pattern. He was standing only a few steps away.

Wei Luo threw herself into Zhao Jie's arms, wrapped her arms around his waist, raised her head, and said, "Yang Zhen isn't as good-looking as big brother. It's enough just to look at big brother."

Zhao Jie clearly knew that she was deliberately saying these words to curry his favor, but he still felt delighted. He pinched her small cheeks and said, "Little rascal, what were you two talking about? You've been very diligent about coming to Zheng Rong Courtyard every day."

Wei Luo didn't answer and only wrinkled her nose. She leaned against Zhao Jie's chest like a puppy and sniffed his body's scent.

Zhao Jie said, "What's wrong?"

Wei Luo deliberately said in an exaggerated way, "Such a strong vinegar scent."

(T/N: In Chinese, eating vinegar means you're being jealous of your lover.)

Zhao Jie picked her up and repeatedly patted her butt. "Little fellow, you're asking for a beating."

Wei Luo had already experienced his slaps. After he had only spanked her once last time, it hurt so much that she didn't dare to sit on a stool for an entire evening. She obediently wrapped her arms around Zhao Jie's neck and rubbed her face between his shoulder and neck. She meekly said, " I'm only taking care of Yang Zhen because Liuli asked me. Otherwise, I wouldn't pay attention to him."

After she said these words, Zhao Jie's expression improved.

She hurriedly kissed him to strike while the iron was hot. "I only care about you."

Zhao Jie pinched her chin and wouldn't let her move away. He sucked on her lips to taste them for a long time.

Wei Luo was heavily breathing when he let her go and her face was flushed red. "Where did you go before you came here?"

Zhao Jie said, "The palace."

At the mention of this, Wei Luo remembered a serious matter and solemnly asked, "Did you see His Majesty? What did he say?"

Zhao Jie didn't go to the palace for Zhao Liuli. He had gone to discuss the drought in Qing Zhou. Qing Zhou had been suffering from a drought for over half a year and the bad harvest this year had led to the absolute suffering of the common people. Emperor Chong Zhen had given this matter to Zhao Jie to handle. Zhao Jie had gone to the palace today to deliberate over decreasing Qing Zhou's taxation. Afterwards, Zhao Jie had mentioned Zhao Liuli's matter. Right after he spoke, Emperor Chong Zhen angry expression showed that he didn't want to talk about this matter. And so, Zhao Jie didn't continue this topic and left the palace.

Zhao Jie said, "Let's wait a few days and talk about this after imperial father calms down."

Wei Luo was expecting this answer. She helplessly sighed. "I'll be going to the palace to pay respects to imperial mother tomorrow. While I'm there, I'll ask imperial mother for her opinion." She suddenly thought of something and her almond-shaped eyes narrowed as a light flashed through her eyes. "Seventh princess has so much free time. She even had time to interfere with this matter."

If it weren't for Zhao Lin Lang, there wouldn't be any difficulties.

--------

On the next day, Wei Luo went to the palace after tidying up and changing her outfit.

Wei Luo knew that Empress Chen liked to eat these common people snacks, so she specially brought several types of sweets from a new confection shop on West Street on her way to palace. Included in these sweets, there were two of Empress Chen's favorites, candied winter melon and hawthorn cake.

When she arrived at Zhao Yang Hall, a palace servant said Empress Chen was chanting sutras at Bao He Hall. Wei Luo left the desserts at Zhao Yang Hall and turned around to go to Bao He Hall.

Wei Luo knew that this meant Empress Chen was feeling troubled.

Whenever Empress Chen was feeling unhappy or unsure about something, she would go to Bao He Hall to chant sutras.

When Wei Luo arrived, there were only two servant girls waiting outside. Empress Chen was kneeling on a praying mat as she endlessly muttered sutras.

Hearing footsteps, Empress Chen furrowed her eyebrows and said, "Didn't this empress order that no one should enter here?"

Wei Luo said, "Imperial mother, it's me."

Empress Chen was slightly surprised, but she didn't stand up. She continued to kneel on the praying mat as she said, "Ah Luo, why did you come here?"

Wei Luo kneeled down on the neighboring praying mat, and put her palms together, and piously closed her eyes. Like the empress, she believed that the gods and Buddha existed in this world. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been reborn again. She said, "I brought several kinds of common people's confections for imperial mother. I don't know if imperial mother will like them."

After Empress Chen finished reciting a sutra, she tilted her head to look at her and said with a smile, "That's very thoughtful of you."

Wei Luo said, "These confections are from a recently opened store. Imperial mother, try them later. If you like them, I'll have them delivered to you every day." Her words were sweet and made Empress Chen very happy.

A while later, Wei Luo couldn't resist asking, "Imperial mother, do you also disagree with Liuli marrying Yang Zhen?"

Empress Chen had already guessed why Wei Luo had come here. Her previous words were just camouflage for why she was here. It must have been difficult of her to resist asking this question first. Empress Chen stood up from the praying mat, walked to a small, vermillion-lacquered table carved with a cloud pattern, sat down, and poured two cups of tea. "When I started looking for a husband for that child, she had used various excuses to avoid marriage. I had thought she truly didn't want to marry anyone and wanted to stay at this empress's side forever. I didn't expect that her heart already had someone." Her voice sounded rather wistful.

Wei Luo didn't make a sound and obediently sat down across from Empress Chen.

Empress Chen continued, "You probably already knew about this for a long time. You two worked together to deceive this empress, right?"

Wei Luo hurriedly shook her head and explained, "I also only recently found out about this. When Yang Zhen went to Guang Dong, Liuli decided that she would confess to you after Yang Zhen came back. That's why I didn't say anything to you." At this time, it was harmless to tell a little lie.

Empress Chen's expression slightly eased and she slowly said, "I just want Liuli to marry a person that sincerely loves her and will take care of her. I want her life to be harmonious and sweet. As long as she doesn't experience any turbulent times, I'll be satisfied as her mother."

When she had been looking for a husband for Liuli, the candidates all had one common point, not ambitious. Empress Chen liked people that were satisfied with what they had. Once men became too ambitious, they were likely to neglect their wives. She had already tastes this bitterness herself; she didn't want her daughter to follow her disastrous path.

Wei Luo said, "Imperial mother, you don't have to worry about this point. Yang Zhen's affection for Liuli is absolutely sincere. He's not doing this for her princess status."

Wei Luo gave a few examples. Minor examples were carving things and catching fireflies for Liuli. A major demonstration was rushing to join the army to put down the revolt in Guang Dong for Liuli. Each of these examples conveyed Yang Zhen's genuineness.

After Empress Chen heard this, she was naturally slightly moved. She sighed and said, "It's not obvious, but Yang Zhen is truly an infatuated child."

Wei Luo nodded in agreement. "Then, will you agree to their marriage?"

Empress Chen said with a smile, "So what if I agree? There's nothing I can do if His Majesty doesn't agree."

Even though she said these words, Emperor Chong Zhen would definitely listen to her.

Wei Luo had heard for Zhao Liuli that Emperor Chong Zhen would listen and follow Empress Chen's words without any regard for his dignity. He was as flattering to Empress Chen as a concubine towards her master. He did all this in hopes of obtaining Empress Chen's forgiveness.

Unfortunately for him, Empress Chen didn't appreciate his actions at all.

Wei Luo talked with Empress Chen for a while longer. After seeing that it wasn't early anymore by the color of the sky, she stood up and bid farewell.

Just as she reached the doorway, Empress Chen called out, "Ah Luo."

Wei Luo politely turned around and asked, "Imperial mother?"

Empress Chen warmly looked at her and sincerely and earnestly said, "You and Chang Sheng have been married for a while. Have you thought about having children yet?"

At first, Wei Luo froze in surprise. Soon after, her cheeks turned red and she nodded.

Empress Chen laughed and said, "Chang Sheng isn't young anymore. People of the same age as him already have children that are old enough to run around. This empress is just feeling anxious for him and doesn't have any intention of pressuring you." She walked to Wei Luo's side, held up Wei Luo's hands, and patted them. "Having a child is always good for a woman. Besides, this empress would also like to have grandchildren to hold."

As Wei Luo walked out of Bao He Hall, she felt as if she had been defeated and was running away.

She and Zhao Jie had never avoided the topic of children. It wasn't that they didn't want to have children. Moreover, they went to bed together every night. This matter couldn't be rushed... Empress Chen had spoke so frankly. She really didn't know how to answer her.

--------

On the same day that Wei Luo entered the palace, Zhao Liuli got sick in the evening.

The sickness arrived quickly. Zhao Liuli had perfectly fine before she fainted and fell to the ground. Empress Chen's heart was burning with worry and anxiety. She stayed by Zhao Liuli's side without resting or sleeping.

Fortunately, Liuli woke up the next morning. While crying, the first words she spoke was, "Imperial mother, I want to see older brother Yang Zhen."

How could Empress Chen's heart not ache? On the very same day, she went to the imperial study to look for Emperor Chong Zhen and asked him to agree to Zhao Liuli and Yang Zhen's marriage.