Chapter 90: Marriage Arrangement

The Empress saw through Xiahou Qian's guilty conscience and stared at him, "Answer this, have you already married a wife and have two children?"
Xiahou Qian knelt down, looking guilty: "Your Majesty, indeed, it is so."
"Outrageous!"
The Empress immediately grew angry: "Xiahou Qian, why did you conceal the truth? I actually thought of making you the Prince Consort, but I didn't expect you to disappoint me so much. I was almost fooled by you."
"You are just a widower with two children. How dare you think you deserve to be with the crown prince with your current situation? This is a crime of deceiving the emperor."
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, I..."
"All done."
The empress's nostrils twitched, and her chest rose and fell, interrupting Xiahou Qian's words.
"I will give you a chance, remember, this is the only chance."
Finishing her words, the empress waved her hand, and someone handed Xiahou Qian a medicine packet. Xiahou Qian's hand trembled as he took it, and just by looking at this white paper packet, he knew it wasn't something good.
"Nowadays, almost everyone knows that I intend to make you the prince's husband. If I change the candidate now, it will arouse suspicion. It's better to let it go. I can tolerate that you were once married, but those two children cannot be kept."
"This package contains the most pure poison in the world, which can be mixed into tea and food without any color or taste. Once touched even in the tiniest amount, it will cause fatal poisoning within an hour. It can ensure that your two children pass away without any pain."
"I will send someone to watch you. If I see the bodies of two children in an hour, I will continue to give you and the crown prince a marriage, otherwise you and your two children will be punished, understood."
"I... understand,"
With heavy steps, Xiahou Qian walked gloomily on his way back. As soon as he entered the gate, two children pounced on him.
"Daddy~"
Xiahou Qian lowered his head and looked at the two children hugging his thigh, giving them a bitter smile and patting their heads: "Good."
Just then, Xiahou Qian turned his head and saw that a person sent by the Empress had arrived, standing at the doorway like a solemn sculpture.
Xiahou Qian tightly clenched the white paper bag in his hand, which was soaked with his sweat.
Now it's mealtime, Xiahou Qian entered the living room with two children in his arms. The living room was filled with delicious food of various colors, aromas, and flavors, as well as the children's favorite squirrel mandarin fish.
Xiahou Qian saw two dirty and messy children, so he asked his maid to take the two children down to clean them up.
He took the opportunity to take out a white paper bag and sprinkled the powder from the bag on the squirrel carp fish.
The two children washed their hands and faces, and were brought back again, with the powder completely melted into the squirrel mandarin fish.
The two children looked excited, as if they had boundless energy.
However, Xiahou Qian was always sullen at this time.
Just as the two children were about to pick up the fish with their chopsticks, suddenly, Xiahou Qian blocked their chopsticks with his own.
"Wait a moment."
"Daddy, why do we have to wait?"
"The two children blinked their eyes, a little puzzled."
"Xiahou Qian's tone was filled with infinite sorrow: 'Feng'er, Yun'er, Daddy likes to eat fish. Can you give this plate of fish to Daddy?'"
"Alright."
Both children are still very well-behaved and sensible, pushing the plate towards Xiahou Qian.
Xiahou Qian's hands were visibly shaking as he picked up the chopsticks and put a piece of fish into his mouth.
The atmosphere was obviously not right, and the two children didn't understand. One of them even asked, "Dad, is fish delicious?"
"Delicious, very delicious..."
Xiahou Qian ate a piece, and then picked up another piece, until the whole plate of squirrel mandarin fish was finished.
The two children suddenly realized something was wrong and approached Xiahou Qian: "Daddy, why are you crying?"
Just then, Xiahou Qian began to cough violently, and with a groan, he vomited a large amount of black blood while clutching his chest.
The people sent by the Empress thought it was about time and wanted to go and inspect the bodies of the two children, so they barged into the Xiahou Qian Mansion.
To their surprise, they witnessed Xiahou Qian clutching his chest and coughing up blood.
"Oh no! Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
Qiaoqiao burst in.
"What's wrong?"
Hualuo looked up.
Qiaoqiao said, "Your Highness, the Emperor intended for Lord Xiahou to become your husband. However, the Emperor somehow found out that Lord Xiahou had been married before and had two children. He immediately gave Lord Xiahou a packet of poison and forced him to kill the two children."
"As a result, Lord Xiahou ate the poisoned medicine himself!"
"What! Xiahou took poison?"
Flower Luoteng stood up suddenly, "How is he now?"
"Luckily, he was discovered in time," Xiao Qiao quickly said, "He has been saved."
Hua Luo clenched her fist: "How could Queen Mother do such a thing? I never even thought about killing these two children."
"No, I can't let Queen Mother continue like this. I'm going to find her now!"
"Ah, Your Highness!"
Flora hurriedly entered the Empress's chamber and immediately bombarded her with questions: "Mother, why did you order Xiahou to kill his two children?"
"You already know?"
The empress looked calm and said, "Yes, I ordered him to get rid of these two children, otherwise all three of them, father and sons, could die."
"You!" Hualuo let out a sigh and said with irritation, "I know about Xiahou's marriage, and I even approved it. If the empress dowager wants to hold someone accountable, hold me accountable too."
"Xiahou is my person, and I haven't said anything. Mother, you are interfering too much by getting involved."
"Are you saying that I am meddling?"
Looking at the flower in front of her, the Empress was a bit angry: "Crown Prince, you are shouting and making a fuss in front of me for a man. It's not dignified at all. It seems that I have spoiled you too much. Your royal brothers and sisters never dare to speak to me like this!"
"Mother Empress is mistaken in her words," Hua Luo retorted, her anger evident. She spoke without much courtesy. "Xia Hou is under my authority. If I cannot even protect my own people, what use am I as crown prince? Whether these two children should be killed or spared, it is not for Mother Empress to worry about. I kindly ask Mother Empress to refrain from making decisions on her own."
"Outrageous!"
Empress patted the table, and Floral snorted coldly, flipping her long hair and walking away.
"Crown Prince, you are becoming more and more lawless. Stop right there!"
The Empress raised her voice, enough to scare most people, but Floral remained indifferent and left gracefully.
"I'm furious, absolutely furious!"
The Empress exerted her strength, and with a crack, two perfectly manicured nails, which were as well-maintained as spring onions, were forcefully snapped by her.
"Your Majesty, calm down."
"It's so infuriating! How do you expect me to calm down?!"
The Empress swiped her hand and all the stationery on the table was swept onto the floor, creating a mess.
Just then, an official from the Ministry of Rites approached, "Your Majesty, all the court officials have gathered and are waiting for you to announce the candidate for the future consort of the Crown Prince."
Guo Nüguan suggested, "Your Majesty, if you really mind Lord Xiahou having two children, let's postpone this matter."
"What's there to postpone?"
The Empress calmed down for a moment and said, "Anyway, I've thought about her best interests, but she doesn't appreciate it. So why should I waste my efforts and worry? Let her love whoever she wants. Today, I must announce the candidate for the Prince Consort. Once this matter is settled, I won't bother with it anymore. I still want to live a few more years."
"Since all the ministers have gathered, let's go."
The empress came outside and indeed all the ministers of the court had arrived, including the various vassals who presented tribute.
Of course, these vassals were here to bid farewell, and the tributes had already been counted. They should return to their respective regions."
The prime minister stepped forward and asked, "I would like to know whom Your Majesty intends to appoint as the prince consort."
Although there have been recent rumors that it might be Xiahou Qian, it is necessary for the empress herself to personally pronounce the name of the chosen individual.
"I have already chosen a suitable candidate."
Suddenly, the Empress's gaze became fiery as she looked towards Yan Wuque among the feudal lords, pointing at him with her armored finger and saying, "It's him."
"Ah? This..."
The courtiers were in an uproar, their eyes all focused on Yen Wuchen.
"You, come forward," said the Empress, beckoning to Yen Wuchen.
It wasn't until Yen Yi poked Yen Wuchen's arm, that Yen Wuchen finally snapped out of his daze.
He walked out from among the feudal lords and knelt down on the ground, keeping his back straight.
The empress finally began to examine Yan Wuque's appearance seriously: "Why are you covering your face? Is there something wrong with the lower half of your face that cannot be seen by others?"
"Your Majesty, not long ago, I had an outbreak of acne and my appearance was not pleasant. It was inappropriate to show myself to you, so I had no choice but to cover my face."
"So how are you now?"
"I'm most of the way there." Yan Wuque answered, feeling a bit uneasy.
"Then remove the veil and let me have a good look at you."
"Yes."
Yan Wuque replied softly, taking off the face veil from her face. She slowly lifted her head, revealing a pair of shimmering eyes with thick curled eyelashes that appeared to have boundless spring-like charm.
His black hair is as shiny as good silk, and his lips are beautiful with a vibrant red color, like rose petals. His overall facial structure is also very beautiful, with a mixed-race flavor, giving people a stunning feeling.
Even the simplest white clothes can bring out a colorful scent on him.
"Not bad, rosy lips and white teeth, a beautiful appearance. Is your name Yan Wuque?"
"Yes." Yan Wuque's voice became even deeper.
"We declare that Yan Wuque is the future husband of the Crown Princess. The Heavenly Court will start calculating the auspicious day, which will be at least two years from now. The Ministry of Rites is currently preparing for the grand wedding, ensuring everything is well-organized and solemn."
The Qintian Observatory hurriedly agreed: "Yes, Your Majesty."
On the other side, Hualuo was angry, Zhanxing handed her a cup of tea: "Alright, stop being angry, A Luo. Sometimes I really wonder how you managed to grow up unscathed. If I were the Emperor, I would want to strangle you if you dared to retort against your mother like that. You're capable of getting angry here."
"Are you going against me?" Hualuo looked at Zhān Xīng with a cold expression.
Zhān Xīng shivered under the icy gaze of Hualuo and quickly said, "I wouldn't dare, I'm just advising you not to have the same attitude as His Majesty."
"She always likes to take matters into her own hands, but as long as I'm here, she won't have her way."
"Um, that's a bit risky. If you end up quarreling with His Majesty, what if he..."
"Aluo, big news! Big news!"
"Running and shouting," Zhaoyue exclaimed.
"What's happened again?" Zhānxīng asked.
"Breathless and pale, Zhaoyue said, 'His Majesty has chosen your fiancée, and the Ministry of Rites has already started handling it, and it's not Mr. Xiahou.'"
"Who is that?"
Zhanxing asked on behalf of Huaruo.
Huaruo also looked at Zhaoyue, the meaning was self-explanatory.
"Um...what's his name again." Zhaoyue thought for a long time, slapped his forehead, "Oh! His name is Yan Wuque!"
"Yan Wuque? I've never heard of this person before."