Marriage Alliance (2)

Although Princess Longji only mentioned it briefly, the Empress Dowager could still glean some information from it. She had indeed heard about the princess of the Aila Empire.

After the Aila Empire's convoy entered, news arrived, along with official diplomatic documents from the Aila Empire, stating that the princess was representing the emperor of the Aila Empire to offer birthday greetings.

Normally, representatives from various countries would attend such birthday banquets, usually representing their monarchs, and princesses and princes would also be present, but for most of the time it was just a formality.

When the princess of the Aila Empire came, the Empress Dowager thought it was just a formality, but now it seems a little different.

If it were just a formality, then Princess Longji wouldn't have been involved. The entire continent knows that although Princess Longji is a princess, she is a powerful figure with her own territory and is one of the strong heirs to the throne of the Vermilion Bird Empire.

Sending her to greet a princess who is merely a formality, even though she is from the Aila Empire, seems unnecessary. As the Empress Dowager said, there are other princesses in the Imperial Palace who are also princesses of the empire, and it would not be impolite to them.

In reality, there was no need for the princess to greet them; it was usually the officials who greeted them. However, the princess was only asked to greet them to show respect and also to foster friendship among the princesses of the empire.

"It seems so. It's said that the Aila Empire's purpose this time is a bit different. They said the princess inside is special and we should treat her well. From the news we've received, this princess is indeed a bit special. She seems to be an eight-year-old Little Princess... Also, the Aila Empire said that if possible, this princess would like to become relatives with us."

"Could they be here for a marriage alliance?" the Empress Dowager asked, somewhat surprised. Then she shook her head and said, "Probably not. Even if they wanted to arrange a marriage early, this eight-year-old princess is far too young..."

"It's not impossible, after all, we are all from the imperial family..." Princess Longji looked a little helpless and gave a bitter smile, but she quickly returned to normal, as if that expression had never existed.

Then, Princess Longji smiled nonchalantly and said, "We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Whatever their purpose, I'll take them on. I'll go meet them later and find out what's going on!"

"Yes! Go ahead, I don't mind! Then I'll go to your Jilang Residence first." The Empress Dowager nodded. Just as she said, of all the Imperial Prince and princesses, she trusted Princess Longji the most.

Jilang Residence —anyone who understands can see where this name comes from.

"No need, their convoy won't arrive until the afternoon, I can't possibly wait for them there. I'll go home with Grandmother..." Princess Longji took the Empress Dowager's arm, and then they went to Jilang Residence together.

"I've met Mother..."

Long Anqi and Ye Chengtian were drinking tea and chatting, listening to music, looking very relaxed and carefree. It was early in the morning and they didn't want to socialize with anyone.

However, the arrival of the Empress Dowager forced the two of them to go and greet her.

"You're living quite well, aren't you? This young lady has a nice voice too." The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, looking at the girls who were playing and singing. Among them, the most eye-catching was the girl who was leading the singing.

The lead singer was a girl with a stunningly beautiful face that even amazed her. Who was she? The Empress Dowager of the Vermilion Bird Empire. She had seen countless beautiful girls, and the fact that even she found her stunning meant that this girl was extraordinary.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Empress Dowager! You two continue your conversation, we'll take our leave now," the young woman said humbly, then bowed politely and withdrew.

At this point, she believed that it was incredibly tactless for them to remain there!

"Who are they? They don't seem to be from our empire?" The Empress Dowager asked casually as she watched the girls leave. It was just a casual question; whether she knew the answer or not didn't matter.

"They came with us; they're Ye Lang's people," Ye Chengtian replied.

"?? He's one of Ye Lang's men?" The Empress Dowager was a little surprised. She hadn't expected the answer to be so explosive. However, she seemed to have misunderstood something.

"Yes, they are that little rascal's people, but not the kind you're thinking of! They were originally from the Wind Flower Snow Moon Tower, but later followed that little rascal to Ye City and are now helping Ye Lang run a teahouse," Long Anqi interjected to explain.

"A teahouse in Ye City? Could it be that famous teahouse in Ye City that has no name?" the Empress Dowager asked.

The Empress Dowager had heard of this teahouse in Ye City, but had never visited it. Now, she had heard of it not only in Ye City, but the teahouse was slowly becoming famous throughout the world.

Everyone knows there is such a teahouse, but no one knows its name, because the teahouse itself has no name!

At that time, Ye Lang had only started up the teahouse, but he hadn't named it yet. He also felt that the name wasn't important and that it would be fine to just call it a teahouse. As a result, the teahouse never got a name.

"Yes!" Long Anqi nodded. "That little rascal is so confused. He's too lazy to come up with a name, and no one else dares to. It's still called Tea House. But in Ye City, when people talk about Tea House, everyone knows they're referring to his place."

"I don't think he's confused, otherwise why would he refuse to admit that I'm his maternal grandmother..." the Empress Dowager said helplessly.

"..."

Long Anqi fell silent. She couldn't say anything about it. She didn't know if Ye Lang was just slow to react or if he was thinking of himself. Of course, she felt that the latter was more likely.

As a mother, she naturally wants her son to care about her and consider her needs in everything he does!

"By the way, where is he now? Have you received any news?" the Empress Dowager asked, eager to know the answer.

"No, he doesn't know where he's going either. He's probably lost somewhere again." Long Anqi shook her head, a little helpless, but a beautiful smile appeared on her lips.

"Can he come or not? I'm waiting for him to come and celebrate my birthday." The Empress Dowager asked. Looking at Long Anqi's smile, she understood the answer. It must be that it didn't matter. As long as Ye Lang was happy, Long Anqi wouldn't care whether Ye Lang got lost or whether he came.

This is what a mother is like; under certain conditions, she can tolerate and indulge...

"I don't know about that. Theoretically, that little rascal should be here. He's never broken his word..." Long Anqi said.

"That's good, as long as you can come!" The Empress Dowager nodded, seemingly unaware that Long Anqi hadn't finished speaking and had other things to say.