Volume Three, Chapter Twenty-Four

"..."

"Minister Zhu is a little short, a little small, rather delicate-looking, and rather likable. I admit I'm somewhat fond of her, and lately I've kept her overnight in the palace a little longer than I should. But rest assured, Prime Minister Father, I would never follow the emperor of the previous dynasty and do something as absurd as making a man my empress."

"...Does Your Majesty mean you won't make a man your empress, or that you won't make her your empress?"

"..." Prime Minister Father really was sharp. He knew all his little tricks for switching one idea for another and was forcing him to say it outright. Perhaps his acting had been a bit too extravagant. "Prime Minister Father, to be honest, there is a young woman I have in mind for the Empress's Seat. But it's rather embarrassing—I haven't won her over yet. So it isn't time to introduce her to you. Give me a little more time." He decided to stop hiding it and lay his cards on the table.

That almost ridiculous answer made Li Xiangfan raise his brows, then draw them together slightly. "Is Your Majesty joking with this old minister?"

"Does Prime Minister Father think I'd joke about something so pathetic?"

"..."

"I've told only you about this, Prime Minister Father. For the sake of the imperial family's dignity, you must keep it secret for me." Seeing Li Xiangfan stare at him speechlessly, Zhao Huangpu blinked with perfect sincerity. He held a fist to his lips and gave a solemn cough. "I really haven't won her over. She looks down on me and hides whenever she sees me. I'm starting to wonder if she has someone else in her heart."

"..."

"Prime Minister Father, why don't you ask who that person is?"