The daughter of the emperor was reborn and was spoiled by the sickly prince.

Due to Zhu Shangyi's unexpected visit, the headgear originally prepared by Queen Wang was not used, and Liu Sizhen made a wasted trip.

Liao Qinglan feels deeply sorry.

After seeing off Princess Wu'an, she hurried back to the east wing.

Liu Sizhen is still there.

"Liu Sizhen, I'm sorry, I didn't know in advance that His Majesty had other arrangements, so you have made a wasted trip." Liao Qinglan expressed her apology to her with clear eyes.

Liu Sizhen smiled and said, "Miss Liao, don't mind. Zhu Shangyi and I are both working for the masters in the palace. As long as the ceremony goes smoothly, we have completed our mission."

Liao Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief and gave Jinxiu a wink. The latter immediately understood and handed the reward money that had been prepared long ago to the female officials present.

"My lords, you have traveled a long way and must have worked hard. Our mansion has prepared a light feast. Please enjoy it before returning to the palace." Jinxiu said.

"Okay." Liu Sizhen did not refuse, and signaled the ladies to put down the hairpins and jewelry in their hands, saying, "Although these headwear cannot be used today, they were all carefully prepared by the Queen for Miss Liao. They represent the Queen's heart, so leave them here."

"Thank you Liu Sizhen. I will go to the palace tomorrow to apologize to the Queen."

Liao Qinglan understood that this was Liu Sizhen's advice to her, and hurriedly thanked her.

Seeing that she did not neglect Queen Wang because of the emperor's favor, Liu Sizhen had a better impression of her.

Everyone else had already gone to the banquet hall. Liu Sizhen walked in at the end. When she reached the door, she couldn't help but look back at the Nine Dragons and Nine Phoenix Crown on Liao Qinglan's head.

"Liu Sizhen, do you have any other instructions?"

"It's nothing. I just didn't expect that after so many years, I would have the chance to see this phoenix crown again." Liu Sizhen said with emotion.

"Is this phoenix crown also made by the Shanggong Bureau?" Liao Qinglan asked.

"That's right." Liu Sizhen explained the history of the phoenix crown. "When your majesty first ascended the throne of the crown prince, you specially ordered the Shanggong Bureau to make it. But after it was made, no one has ever worn it."

"No one wore it at the Crown Prince's wedding or the Queen's enthronement ceremony?" Liao Qinglan was a little surprised.

Liu Sizhen shook his head: "Never."

That’s all Liu Sizhen has to say. The rest depends on Liao Qinglan to figure out on her own.

Liao Qinglan's mind was racing as she digested this information.

This phoenix crown was made with such great effort, but no one has ever worn it. There is only one possibility.

—its original owner could no longer wear it.

Is it because of marriage? Or because of death?

Why did His Majesty suddenly take out such a precious phoenix crown and reward it to himself?

It definitely wasn’t because of her, Liao Qinglan, or the Liao family.

In her previous life, when she married Li Jin, she had never seen this phoenix crown.

It could only be because of Gu Mingzhao.

……

Liao Qinglan walked into the banquet hall with a lot on her mind.

When Qinghe saw her coming over, he hugged her arm and said with a smile: "It was my fault before. I wrongly blamed the King of Qin. I really didn't expect that he would give you such a big surprise."

"Why not blame him? It's all his fault for not telling her in advance. He also caused her to neglect Her Royal Highness the Princess. I will have to apologize to her later."

Liao Qinglan felt a headache just thinking about it.

The coming-of-age ceremony was indeed quite glorious.

But after finishing the job, you have to thank not only the emperor but also the eldest princess.

He also has to apologize to Liu Sizhen, the eldest princess, and Queen Wang.

The most infuriating thing is that the culprit is not in the capital!

"You're taking advantage of me." Qinghe nodded her head and said, "I was with my mother just now. She's very happy for you and doesn't mean to blame you. Don't take it to heart."

Hearing Qinghe say this, Liao Qinglan felt much more at ease.

"I always feel that every time my mother mentions King Qin, her attitude is weird." Qinghe said suddenly.

Liao Qinglan asked: "Why is it strange?"

"I can't really say. I feel like she knows something, but she's unwilling to say it."

Liao Qinglan kept these words in mind.

*

The guests left. Liao Qinglan had been busy all day and was about to take a break when Liao Zhendong and Cheng Yunxiang walked into her room together.

"Father, mother, you have been working hard all day, why haven't you rested yet?"

Cheng Yunxiang looked at her with concern, her tone full of worry: "Did you know in advance that the emperor had granted us marriage?"

"I don't know. It should be Gu Mingzhao who asked for it."

Although she knew that Gu Mingzhao wanted to propose marriage, she didn't know that it was the emperor who granted the marriage. Answering this way was not a lie.

Cheng Yunxiang said worriedly, "After all, the Prince of Qin is only a prince. Although he is favored by the emperor, this marriage is so grand. I am worried that it will cause dissatisfaction and resentment from other princes, and there will inevitably be trouble in the future."

Liao Qinglan thought to herself that her mother was worrying too much.

The emperor considered everything for Gu Mingzhao, gave him soldiers and power, and no matter who succeeded to the throne, no one could touch him.

I don’t know whether Gu Mingzhao will ascend the throne and become emperor in this life.

Of course, these things are only known to her and she can't tell them to others.

Liao Zhendong consoled him: "It has already happened. It is useless for us to worry too much. Let's just let it go."

Cheng Yunxiang was still worried: "Lan'er, have you really considered marrying the King of Qin? I heard that he has a cold personality and doesn't seem like someone who is easy to get along with."

"Don't worry, he treats me very well. What's more, the imperial decree for marriage has been issued, and I can't disobey it." Liao Qinglan said with a smile.

Cheng Yunxiang blurted out in a hurry: "What's wrong with that? At worst, I can just quit my job as an official. We can pack up and leave the capital overnight!"

Liao Zhendong shook his head helplessly: "Madam, be careful with your words."

Liao Qinglan joked: "Father, you must thank me. I saved your official position for you."

"Lan'er, we don't ask for wealth and honor, we just want you to be happy." Liao Zhendong looked at her with loving eyes.

"Look at what you said. I am the daughter of the prime minister and the future princess of Qin. Isn't this considered rich and powerful?" Liao Qinglan blinked and said innocently.

Cheng Yunxiang said: "You are already a 15-year-old girl, but you are still so naughty."

"Yes, I'm grown up now. You don't have to worry about me. I'm fine."

Liao Qinglan comforted her mother again and again, asking her to relax.

Seeing that she had no objection to the arranged marriage, Cheng Yunxiang finally felt relieved. She told her to have a good rest and left with Liao Zhendong.

Liao Qinglan stood at the door, watching her parents' backs gradually walking away, her heart filled with warmth and peace.

The sound of her parents' conversation came with the wind, and she could hear it clearly.

"Lan'er was always worried some time ago, but after the autumn hunt, she seems to be much more cheerful."

"I am still a little worried. How could His Majesty favor an outsider so much, even more than his own son? Aren't you afraid of causing dissatisfaction among the princes?"

"Madam, you should not make irresponsible comments on His Majesty's affairs."

"Of course I know. It's just the two of us talking."

Liao Qinglan listened to her parents' conversation in front of the door, and the corners of her mouth rose unconsciously.

Just as she was about to close the door, she suddenly remembered what her mother had said.

"Favoring outsiders over your own sons."

These words echoed in her mind again and again.

Suddenly, a shocking idea flashed through her mind.

——What if the favored “outsider” is actually his biological son?

Once this thought came to her mind, it was like a key that instantly opened the door of doubt in her heart.

All the unusual things and all the doubts seemed to have found reasonable explanations.