Page 156

Since that was the case, why was your aunt laughing?

The emperor inwardly spread his hands and shrugged. He did not know either. Should they summon the imperial physician to take a look?

Princess Mingyi was unaware of their exchange of glances. After reading the letter, she restrained some of her smile and said calmly, "Eldest Brother is indeed well matched with Qin Ke."

The emperor: "..." Had she truly gone mad?

The Empress Dowager: "...Summon the imperial physician."

Princess Mingyi finally noticed that something was off about their expressions and hurriedly explained, "To be honest with Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, I have always known that Qin Ke liked men. I have always been fond of Eldest Brother. Now that he and Eldest Brother have developed mutual feelings, I can rest easy."

The hall remained deathly silent.

After a while, the emperor asked, "Does the Marquis of Changxin know about this?"

The Marquis of Changxin was still at the border. If he learned of this and, in a fit of rage, abandoned the border city to return and discipline Qin Ke, what then?

Princess Mingyi nodded. "He has known for a long time as well."

The emperor choked. If he remembered correctly, Cousin Qin was the Marquis of Changxin's only son, was he not? Did the Marquis of Changxin truly not care about continuing his bloodline?

The Empress Dowager had yet to recover from the shock. She asked blankly, "Qin Ke and Eldest Brother are truly together? Back then, when you said you wanted to arrange a match for Eldest Brother, could it be..."

Could it be that she had deliberately brought him and Qin Ke together?

Princess Mingyi firmly denied it. "The Empress Dowager misunderstands. I had thought Eldest Brother and Qin Ke were close friends. Seeing