"That's an exaggeration. Forty days, I've been cooped up for a full forty days.
Except for the day the three little ones had their full moon celebrations, I've barely left my sleeping quarters. Please, spare me! Si Fengwu, do you believe I'll go mad if you keep nagging?"
Undeniably, Si Fengwu had taken excellent care of Lu Qingwan, both materially and spiritually.
During her confinement period, Lu Qingwan had been in a pleasant mood for the most part.
But this pleasantness could not mask
The fact that she had been deprived of her freedom for forty days.
Lu Qingwan was also understanding of Si Fengwu's deep affection for his wife, but she was not about to drive herself mad with boundless understanding.
Si Fengwu trailed dejectedly behind Lu Qingwan, "Alright, alright, I won't nag you anymore. Don't be angry. Tonight is the Laba Festival Temple Fair, I'll take you to the temple fair!
Tomorrow is the wedding of Chi Jingchuan and Nian Zhiyao's legitimate daughter. I'll secretly take you to witness the ceremony.
I heard from those brats below that Lian Yu is also going to propose to Wu Ying. There are joyous occasions one after another these few days, you mustn't be angry.
If you get angry, all these brats' happy events will be ruined..."
It proved that Si Fengwu indeed knew how to handle Lu Qingwan. The person who was just about to fly into a rage was appeased by his few words and excitedly asked, "Did Madam Wen's banquet have such a powerful effect?
Speaking of which, how many couples ended up together?"
Lu Qingwan's confinement period was not short, but it had not delayed other people's affairs. The full moon banquet, and the matchmaking banquet she had promised everyone earlier, were no different. It was just that Lu Qingwan herself couldn't join the fun.
Seeing her mood improve, Si Fengwu also chuckled happily, "Madam Wen and Old Madam Chi already enjoyed playing matchmaker. With your decree, they became even more enthusiastic.
Along with Madam Yuan, Madam Nan Xiang, and Madam Anguo, they gathered all the eligible young men in the capital.
They didn't engage in comparisons of talent or family background. Instead, they provided a variety of instruments for zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, and tea ceremonies, and allowed them to play freely.
Over three days, more than ten pairs hit it off on the spot.
With family arrangements, many more had their marriages expedited.
Oh, and someone proposed to marry Chi Yaoyao of the Chi family, and Wen Ruge of the Wen family, and someone even proposed to Lu Qianhuang.
Although they all refused, the Wen and Chi families were extremely excited.
I heard that when someone first asked Madam Yuan to inquire about the marriage of Wen Ruge and Chi Yaoyao, Elder Chi was incredibly excited.
He brought wine to the Wen family that very night and drank heartily with Elder Wen all night, only waking up at noon the next day."
Lu Qingwan understood Si Fengwu's meaning. In this era, with its harsh conditions for women, Chi Yaoyao and Wen Ruge were both women with blemishes.
Yet, Elder Wen and Elder Chi were upright individuals. They disdained using their power and status to force others to marry their grandsons, nor did they look favorably upon those who were only after the families' prestige.
Thus, the marriages of Chi Yaoyao and Wen Ruge had been delayed until now.
Now, with so many people inquiring at the match-making banquet decreed by Lu Qingwan, there were naturally good as well as bad prospects.
Those who could approach Madam Yuan could not have poor family backgrounds or characters. It was no wonder the two elders were so excited.
Lu Qingwan also sighed, "Their marriages were, to some extent, affected by the court's power struggles, delaying them until now. Not only their families, but they themselves are under considerable pressure.
Among those who proposed, do you think any are suitable?"
Seeing that Lu Qingwan was also inclined to play matchmaker, Si Fengwu couldn't help but consider it seriously.
"If we talk about family background, there are few in the court who can match them.
I had considered this matter before, but I wasn't sure, so I didn't tell you. What do you think about one of them marrying Gu Xingzhi?"
Gu Xingzhi, if Si Fengwu hadn't mentioned him, Lu Qingwan would have almost forgotten about this young heir of the King of Youzhou. She was surprised, "Why would you think of him?
A noble lady of Tianfeng marrying the heir of a Qin vassal king, is this a political alliance?"
Si Fengwu shook his head, "The Tianfeng dynasty's situation is stable, and its foundation is deep. It does not need to solidify anything through means like political alliances.
It's just that Father Emperor and Mother Empress always feel that if I stay in Tianfeng, I will neglect them.
Gu Xingzhi is Mother Empress's nephew and is serving in the court. If he could marry a Tianfeng noble lady, perhaps it would ease their anxiety.
Most importantly, after my imperial brother and I are gone, no one can be certain what will become of Tianfeng and Qin.
If we can mingle the strengths of both sides through intermarriage, then even if conflicts arise in the future, there will be people who can intervene, don't you think?"
Tianfeng indeed did not need to seek anything through intermarriage or political marriages. However, Si Fengwu was the Regent of Tianfeng with the blood of the Qin royal family.
He did not want Qin and Tianfeng to conflict again one day, like brothers fighting each other, so he had found a way to mediate the conflict early on.
Lu Qingwan had no objection to this, but she was a little worried, "The experiences of Princess Ruge and Yaoyao are insignificant in our eyes, but if they are to be married off, they must be clearly explained to the other party.
Moreover, we don't know if they themselves are willing.
We cannot be the ones to bring this up, can we? If we bring it up, wouldn't it be no different from issuing a decree?"
Before Lu Qingwan ascended the throne, she could still jest and have fun with people her age. But times were different now, and she had to have concerns.
Si Fengwu was quite frank, "There's nothing we can't do. I don't know what the future holds, but if we can't be honest with Elder Wen and Elder Chi, then there's no one we can be honest with.
I'll go ask my maternal grandfather and Gu Xingzhi, and my imperial brother first. If they have no objections, I'll go ask Elder Wen and Elder Chi.
You go and ask Wen Ruge and Chi Yaoyao. If any of them are willing, that would be best. If not, we can consider it as me reporting peace to my imperial brother, how about it?"
Si Fengwu also understood Lu Qingwan's concerns. For an emperor of a nation and a regent to discuss the marriage of a subject seemed to carry an air of forceful interference.
However, he still believed that the speaker was important, and the way of speaking was even more important.
Whether it was forceful interference or benevolent concern, he and Lu Qingwan could express it accurately, and Elder Wen and Elder Chi would not be unable to discern good from bad.
The two were discussing with great enthusiasm, planning to rest in Buye Continent before the lantern festival began. Upon entering, they were informed that Cheng Nanliu had proposed to Wen Ruge, and Elder Wen had agreed.
When Lu Qingwan first heard this news, she felt that she was indeed not suited to be a matchmaker.
But mindful of their plan for the day, she patiently asked Li Su, "When did this happen? Was Princess Ruge herself willing?"