Upon hearing this, Li Helan immediately became alert, but she dared not show the slightest hint of it on her face. She blinked her large eyes obediently and acted coquettishly: “Lan’er and Prince Consort are husband and wife, so whoever asks would get the same answer anyway. Besides, Prince Consort is just a tight-lipped person – doesn’t Imperial Brother already know this?”

Li Qitian smiled and said: “Enough, don’t I know your temperament? You’re always full of whims. If you moved to the Prince Consort’s mansion, no sooner would you move in than someone would impeach Ji Lan. Moreover, you’re a princess after all – having people gossip behind your back about not following proper conduct, what would that look like?”

“Imperial Brother.” Li Helan took Li Qitian’s hand and shook it coquettishly, “Imperial Brother, please dote on Lan’er! Besides, how others gossip – how could that be more important than whether Lan’er is truly happy?”

Li Qitian slightly furrowed his brow, pried Li Helan’s hands away, and said in a deep voice: “Lan’er! Be obedient! Do you still want people to gossip behind our backs that we’re peasant rebels who became dirt emperors?”

Li Helan’s heart trembled, and even though she was unwilling to give up, she dared not say another word.

Ever since the rebel army led by Li Qitian captured Northern Ji, such talk had never ceased. Even though Great Zhou had now been established for four years, and those former officials of Northern Ji had ostensibly submitted, many people still gossiped behind their backs that they were illegitimate rulers.

Li Qitian cared most about reputation, so now he was very strict about palace affairs, afraid of giving people more material for idle gossip.

A nameless sorrow welled up in her heart.

The imperial brother who had once doted on her the most would no longer put her preferences first. Imperial Brother’s heart was filled with too many things – reputation, status, power – all of which were more important than her. She, his sister, no longer mattered.

This was the mind of an emperor, this was the sorrow of being a princess.

Seeing Li Helan hanging her head in silence looking pitiful, Li Qitian felt somewhat apologetic in his heart.

She was, after all, his most beloved sister. While he had no choice but to use her for certain matters, when he could satisfy her, Li Qitian was also willing to give her some compensation.

“Enough, though moving to the Prince Consort’s mansion is unrealistic, I will indirectly help you speak to Ji Lan about it. Are you satisfied now?”

Upon hearing this, Li Helan first looked stunned, then her eyes lit up.

As long as Li Qitian was still willing to compromise for her sake, it proved she hadn’t completely lost Imperial Brother’s favor.

“Imperial Brother is so good to Lan’er!” Li Helan smiled and grabbed Li Qitian’s arm, shaking it. “As long as Imperial Brother is willing to speak, Prince Consort will naturally become closer to Lan’er. Imperial Brother’s words are imperial edicts – if Prince Consort doesn’t listen, Imperial Brother can just punish him!”

“You little girl.” Li Qitian was amused by Li Helan’s manner and tapped her forehead: “Do you like Prince Consort Ji that much? Didn’t you used to like Pang Zhixi?”

“Not at all.” Li Helan’s face reddened as she lowered her head shyly.

She absolutely dared not reveal that she actually still liked Pang Zhixi just as much now.

Seeing Li Helan like this, Li Qitian became even more certain of Li Helan’s feelings for Ji Zeyu.

No wonder she had fallen for him – Ji Zeyu’s appearance, talent, and power were in no way inferior to Pang Xiao’s. Girls of Li Helan’s age, didn’t they most favor handsome men like Ji Zeyu? Since they were already properly married husband and wife, it was no wonder she had set her heart on him.

However, this scene was not what Li Qitian wanted to see.

Li Qitian sighed. When facing Li Helan, he actually still felt guilty, but no emotion would delay him from conducting serious business.

“Your Majesty, Prince Zhongshun requests an audience.” Eunuch Li announced from outside the hall.

Upon hearing this, Li Helan first looked stunned, then felt as if unexpected joy had literally fallen on her head!

Since that day, she had no opportunity to see Pang Xiao. Today, to encounter him here by chance – wasn’t this fate?

Li Qitian carefully observed Li Helan’s expression. Seeing her react this way, he felt confident in his calculations.

It seemed his plan to arrange for Pang Xiao to meet Li Helan today was correct.

Otherwise, if Li Helan’s thoughts had completely transferred to Ji Zeyu, wouldn’t all his previous arrangements have been wasted?

“Summon him.” Li Qitian’s deep voice echoed in the imperial study, pulling back Li Helan’s obviously wandering thoughts in her surprise and delight.

As his words fell, the palace doors were pushed open by the attendants.

Pang Xiao entered wearing a deep purple arrow-sleeved brocade robe and a purple-gold crown, his imposing presence commanding as he strode quickly forward and bowed: “Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!”

He was tall, lean, and robust. Today’s purple arrow-sleeved brocade robe further highlighted his naturally noble bearing. Especially those phoenix eyes beneath sword-like eyebrows that swept up toward his temples – just one glance at Li Helan was enough to make her soul flutter.

Li Helan couldn’t help thinking: It truly was like not seeing someone for one day felt like three autumns apart. Now seeing Pang Xiao, even the worst mood would improve.

“…Lan’er!”

Li Helan heard Li Qitian’s voice and suddenly snapped back to attention. Looking up, she met Li Qitian’s eyes which held a hint of impatience, only then realizing she had been daydreaming just now.

Li Qitian continued: “What are you thinking about? Are you feeling unwell from catching a cold?”

“Imperial Brother, there’s nothing wrong, Lan’er is fine.” Li Helan smiled as she looked toward Pang Xiao. “Brother Xiao, today’s arrow-sleeved outfit looks quite good.”

Pang Xiao quickly cupped his hands: “Your subject dares not accept such praise.”

Li Helan quickly glanced at Li Qitian, then said: “We grew up together from childhood, didn’t we always call each other this way? Imperial Brother wouldn’t mind, would you, Imperial Brother?”

Li Helan’s coquettish look caused another wave of displeasure in Li Qitian’s heart.

He had no interest in pursuing why Li Helan would act so frivolously. Since the intended purpose had been achieved, he didn’t want to investigate further.

Therefore, Li Qitian smiled very gently and chided in a not very stern tone: “Nonsense, how can now compare to the past? You should address Pang Zhixi as Your Highness. Moreover, you’re now married, and Ji Lan and Pang Zhixi are close friends – if you address Pang Zhixi in the old familiar way, how would Ji Lan view this?”

Li Helan’s face flushed red as she was momentarily speechless, constantly stealing glances to observe Pang Xiao’s reaction.

She both feared seeing annoyance on Pang Xiao’s face and feared his indifference.

What she saw was naturally the latter.

Pang Xiao stood with hands at his sides, appearing respectfully submissive, unmoved by Li Helan’s words, not taking her seriously in the slightest.

Li Helan’s joy at seeing Pang Xiao was completely dispelled by his cold and dismissive attitude.

Seeing the two like this, Li Qitian gained a measure of understanding and said: “Lan’er, you may withdraw. I have matters to discuss with Prince Zhongshun.”

“Yes.” Li Helan acknowledged and withdrew. Before leaving, she reluctantly cast another glance at Pang Xiao’s upright and handsome figure.

Li Qitian waited until the study hall doors were properly closed before smiling and saying: “Don’t take offense – that little girl was spoiled by the Empress Dowager, but her heart isn’t bad.”

“Not at all, Princess Imperial is innocent and pure-hearted by nature – how could your subject have any objections?” Pang Xiao immediately replied.