Maybe because they knew she had brought the soul lotus root pill for their son, the parents of the Ji family were extremely warm and welcoming toward her. Much more sincere than the courtiers of the Dahlia Kingdom who paid respects to her.
After Elara entered the Ji family residence, this warm and sincere attitude became even more obvious. Their enthusiasm made Elara feel that they were going a bit overboard.
"Your Majesty, we have long heard of your wisdom and divine presence. Now that we finally meet, you are even younger and more beautiful than expected. Truly born to lead, destined for the throne."
"Having Your Majesty with us is a blessing for the people of Plumera Kingdom."
"Your Majesty ascended the throne at a young age and in just half a year brought such great change to the Plumera Kingdom. It shows your brilliance and guidance. But since the enthronement, we've heard nothing about any consorts in Your Majesty's palace."
"Your Majesty is busy with affairs of state. There should still be someone at your side who can take care of you."
Without realizing it, the topic shifted to those serving by Elara's side.
However, the Ji parents did not speak with any scheming intent. Their gaze toward her was sincere, so she did not find them annoying.
But when they heard Elara had yet to take any concubines into her palace, their eyes lit up. They first praised her for her clear and focused mind, not swayed by beauty. Then they said as an emperor, it wouldn't be proper for her not to have someone serving by her side.
As they spoke, their words subtly began to hint that their sons Gareth and Giles were not young anymore. Neither had shown special interest in any woman until after the northern expedition. After returning, they had admired the emperor's bravery and wisdom very much.
These words made Elara pause. So after all that talk, this was what they really meant to say.
But these two were pillars of the Dahlia Kingdom. Did Prince Yu know that his two most trusted officials' parents wanted to send both sons away with a foreign emperor.
Among the Ji brothers, Giles's handsome face reddened slightly. He glanced at his parents several times, his expression unusually awkward.
"Father, Mother."
As the kingdom's guardian general, Giles rarely ever showed embarrassment, whether on or off the battlefield.
Hearing his parents talk like this, his tall and strong body tensed. His well-defined face became serious, lips pressed tighter.
Seeing that his parents completely ignored his discomfort and continued talking, Giles's handsome face showed more helpless embarrassment. His eyes drifted to his older brother Gareth seated in front of him. But Gareth, no matter how much their parents praised and hinted, only kept a soft smile and cleared his throat quietly.
Giles couldn't help pressing his lips tighter. His gaze shifted to Elara seated at the main spot, but she happened to be looking at the two brothers as well. Giles immediately turned his eyes away.
This subtle yet obvious praising and hinting continued until Prince Yu arrived.
Just finishing the state banquet and early enthronement duties, Prince Yu had already changed out of his imperial robe. He walked familiarly into the Ji family residence, only to hear the Ji parents recommending and praising their two kids to Elara.
Prince Yu raised his brow and quickly strode inside. Standing close beside Elara, he turned to the Ji parents and said,
"Minister Ji, aren't you going too far? Gareth and Giles are my left and right hands. One is the Duke of Words, the other is our Guardian General. How can you, while I'm away, dig up your own wall like this? If your two sons are married off to Plumera Kingdom, who'll be left to support me in the kingdom?"
Prince Yu directly exposed the parents' subtle intentions and even exaggerated his displeasure with a frown. The Ji parents, however, were not the least bit afraid.
The Ji family and the Dahlia royal family had always been relatives for generations. Ji's ancestors not only helped found the kingdom but many of them had married into the royal line as empresses. Strictly speaking, the Ji family was already royal kin. Prince Yu, Giles and Gareth even shared some blood ties.
Hearing Prince Yu trying to block their sons from finding a worthy consort, the Ji parents immediately snapped back without holding back.
"Ai, Your Majesty, you can't say that. These two children of mine have followed you since they were young. Whether it's to you or to Dahlia Kingdom, they have always remained loyal and true.
Now they are both already twenty-three years old. Yet neither of them has married or found a worthy partner.
Although we Gui family are your subjects, people say one must cultivate themselves and manage their family before ruling the nation and bringing peace. If they haven't even settled down, it's their own fault. I'm just helping them correct their mistake by marrying early.
Now, both of them finally have someone they like. Plumera Kingdom and our Dahlia Kingdom have just formed an eternal alliance. Don't you think if we form a marriage alliance now, it would make the bond even stronger?"
As soon as Giles and Gareth's parents said this, Giles's handsome face flushed even redder from embarrassment. Even Gareth couldn't help raising a hand to cover his mouth with a handkerchief and gave a soft cough.
Prince Yu glanced at Gareth and Giles, then at their parents. His long eyes shifted slightly, as if he suddenly understood something.
He chuckled, pulled out a fan from who knows where, fanned it a few times, and leaned in closer to Elara.
"What Lord Gui said does make sense. But speaking of self-cultivation, family management, and ruling the world, hmm... I myself haven't started a family either. There isn't even a single consort in my harem. By Lord Gui's reasoning, that's also my fault. How can I bring peace to the world if I don't even have a household?
It just so happens I've also considered forming a marriage alliance with Plumera Kingdom. So let me do it myself this time through marriage."
As he said that, Prince Yu suddenly leaned his handsome face close to Elara, smiling as he stared at her. "Miss Bai, what do you think?"
Giles and Gareth's parents widened their eyes in shock. They clearly hadn't expected that what they had hoped for, their sons marrying the young and capable Empress of Plumera, would be hijacked so boldly by their shameless new emperor.
Elara had said little ever since the conversation began going further off track.
Now hearing Prince Yu's seemingly joking words, she turned slightly and glanced at him. Her voice was a bit lazy. "What do I think? You really enjoy jumping into any joke, don't you?"
But Prince Yu's expression suddenly turned serious. Even his posture straightened. He raised a hand to smooth the hair over his chest, adjusted his robe, then sat properly and stared straight at Elara.
"Joking? Miss Bai, do I look like I'm joking? I'm not joking at all. I'm serious, Miss Bai. Just look at me, look at this handsome face, look at this figure. Am I really not good enough to join your harem?"
Elara: ....
Giles and Gareth's parents: .....
Gareth: ..., coughed softly while covering his mouth with a handkerchief and laughed quietly.