Zhao Hanzhang sat in silence, sensing something that prompted the civil and military officials to slowly retract their smiles and cheerful congratulations, standing properly at attention.

The Little Emperor was joyfully laughing and turned to Zhao Hanzhang, saying, "Congratulations to the Grand Commandant, the Grand Commandant and Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat are celebrating together, this could be considered a national delight."

As soon as he spoke, he noticed an unusual quietness in the court, and, startled, he worried that he had misspoken, anxiously searched for Xun Fan among those seated, but didn’t find him, only then remembering Xun Fan was ill due to a cold and hadn’t attended court today.

He could only look anxiously at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang, seated a step down on his left, seemed to sense his fear and confusion and offered him a gentle smile.

The Little Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, sitting upright without moving, realizing it had nothing to do with him, so he perked up his ears to listen.

Zhao Hanzhang turned towards the assembled ministers and said, "But among my colleagues, there seem to be quite a few who are single, previously due to the turmoil in the land, it wasn’t wise to implicate one’s descendants, yet now the war has subsided, gentlemen, you should also share in the nation’s joy. As the saying goes, marry a wife to have a good New Year, wed a husband for a good festival, so before the festivities arrive, shall we arrange some happy occasions?"

The civil and military officials were shocked, what was Zhao Hanzhang up to?

Did she mean that her marriage should prompt the entire court to host a collective celebration?

The crowd exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t require an immediate response, after dropping such a massive bombshell, she waved her hand, "Today’s assembly is concluded, go back and think, if there is someone suitable, arrange a proposal and prepare for marriage, if not, I can also introduce someone."

Then with a smile upwards, she added, "Perhaps those seeking honor could request Your Majesty to grant a marriage."

The Little Emperor was unsuspecting, listening intently, and upon Zhao Hanzhang mentioning him, he nodded immediately, cheerfully saying, "Anyone wanting a royal decree for marriage, just come to me, I’ll grant it."

The ministers: Speaking as if they could instantly find someone to wed, however...

Many shamefully found themselves tempted, after all, a royal grant of marriage is an honor at any time, not easily acquired.

Now it could be obtained just by speaking up.

Yet only for a brief moment, the civil and military officials below glanced at the Little Emperor, then shifted their gaze to Zhao Hanzhang, suppressing their temptation.

Forget it, letting the Little Emperor grant them marriage could complicate things, for now, the Little Emperor and Zhao Hanzhang are on good terms, naturally everyone in the court shares the harmony;

But with at least ten years until the Little Emperor might rule independently, who can predict what will happen during that time?

So it’s best left alone, they dared not allow the Little Emperor to grant them marriage, moreover, among those present, who isn’t on Zhao Hanzhang’s side?

If one must choose someone to be involved in their marriage, then...

They set their gaze upon Zhao Hanzhang.

This time Zhao Hanzhang shivered, she had merely spoken casually, not truly intending to play matchmaker for them, yet...

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Marriage unites two families, when placed in the court, there are also alliances and power developments to consider, so the marriages among civil and military officials should indeed be handled with caution and weight.

Once the assembly concluded, Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were immediately surrounded.

Both were quite advanced in age yet had no wives or children, now holding high positions of power, it was no wonder everyone was tempted.

Those who already had fulfilled familial roles couldn’t help but inquire Ji Yuan and Ming Yu about their thoughts, saying their daughters were very virtuous, having studied classics since childhood and reading even more in recent years, they believed there would be shared interests.

We don’t mind your age at all, how about becoming a son-in-law?

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu ignored them, scoffing, the idea of being on-official’s father-in-law seemed absurd, why not just aim for heaven?

While civil and military officials recently married hinted at wanting to become brothers-in-law with them, or perhaps senior brothers?

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu barely managed to fend off the crowd and immediately pursued Zhao Hanzhang.

Fu Tinghan, walking beside Zhao Hanzhang, nodded at them upon seeing their approach, saying to Zhao Hanzhang, "I’ll go back to prepare data."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Fu Tinghan nodded to Ji Yuan and Ming Yu before turning to leave.

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu both respected him greatly, though their ranks were not inferior to Fu Tinghan, yet they still bowed to him, watching him depart before advancing forward.

Ji Yuan opened his mouth to complain, but Zhao Hanzhang spoke first, "Mr. Ji, is there a physical reason for delaying marriage?"

She wore a caring expression, "Would you care to have the Imperial Physicians examine you? If they cannot help, I’ll search for famous doctors among the people."

Ji Yuan flushed immediately, "Lady, you know full well the reason, I’ve always said, with the realm unstable, I dare not wed."

Zhao Hanzhang replied with a smile, "Now the realm is stable."

Beside them, Ming Yu interjected, "Is the realm truly stable?"

He stated, "Jiangnan and Jiangdong’s four provinces are unresolved, the Western Qiang Clan, the Northern Xianbei, even Youzhou is occupied by the Duan Family. The territory the court commands now is less than half of what Han commanded, how can one speak of stability?"

Zhao Hanzhang widened her eyes, looking at the stern-faced Ming Yu, then at the earnest Ji Yuan, and candidly declared, "Gentlemen, we need people to cultivate the land, to pay taxes, since the latter Han era till now, the land has seen persistent turmoil, and since The War of the Eight Princes, disasters have been ongoing, the nation has lost so many people, with communities nearly vacant, thus we must encourage childbirth."

"You both should observe, how many eligible officials in the court now are single? You two, one as Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, the other as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, shouldn’t you lead as examples?"

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were momentarily stunned, evidently surprised by this reasoning.

Zhao Hanzhang scrutinized their expressions and said, "Rest assured, I’m fully aware of my responsibilities, and should you wed now, I’ll ensure their safety, besides,"

She paused briefly before adding, "The dynasty’s future depends on the young generation, for Mr. Ji and Mr. Ming being so capable, it would be such a waste not to leave descendants."

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu silently gazed at her, as though she was implying they were old.

Zhao Hanzhang met their gaze, sighed, "Gentlemen, for ten, twenty years I may still hold the reins, but in thirty, forty years, even if I have descendants, they will also require assistance and guidance."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan and Ming Yu felt a stirring in their hearts, exchanged a glance, then asked, "Who does the Lady wish us to marry?"

Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "Marriage is a lifelong affair, naturally, it depends on what you two prefer."

Ming Yu cautiously asked, "How about the Zhao Family daughter?"

Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "The daughters of my Zhao Family are indeed good, but there are many fine women in the world, why not extend your vision further?"

The two understood, Zhao Hanzhang wished them not to tie the knot with the Zhao Family, but the specifics of whom to wed were left to their discretion.

Ming Yu and Ji Yuan exchanged a glance, both simultaneously let out a breath of relief.