Chapter 664: Female Sovereign’s Consort Selection 21

General Lan hurried forward the moment she saw them, her expression bright with unconcealed delight.

“Your Royal Highness, Xintong—you’ve arrived,” she said warmly. “Come, come inside.”

Tang Wan returned the greeting with a smile, her demeanor relaxed yet respectful. After exchanging a few polite words, she casually gestured for the attendants behind her to begin unloading the gifts. One by one, the boxes were carried into the Lan residence, their number and weight impossible to ignore.

General Lan’s smile widened further as she watched.

So many gifts…

It was impossible not to feel reassured.

“Why bring so many?” she said out of courtesy, though the satisfaction in her tone was obvious.

Tang Wan shook her head lightly.

“Mother-in-law is joking,” she replied. “How could I visit elders without bringing proper gifts?”

Then her gaze shifted toward Lan Xintong, softening almost imperceptibly.

“Besides,” she added, “Mother-in-law has raised Tongtong so well. Naturally, I should bring more to express my gratitude.”

Lan Xintong’s face flushed at once.

Over the past few days, she had praised him more times than he could count. So much so that, at times, he almost began to believe her—that perhaps he wasn’t as lacking as he had always thought.

General Lan, meanwhile, was thoroughly pleased.

“That’s only natural,” she said proudly. “My Tongtong has been carefully raised since childhood.”

This Crown Princess—

She really knew how to speak.

Every word landed exactly where it should.

Soon, they entered the Lan residence together.

—

Outside, however, the news spread like wildfire.

The fact that Tang Wan had returned to the Lan residence with six full carriage-loads of valuable gifts quickly became the talk of the capital.

At first, many had believed her lavish betrothal gifts were merely a political move—an investment in the Lan family’s military strength.

But this return visit…

That was different.

This was no longer about alliances or appearances.

This was about whether she truly valued her principal consort.

And from what everyone could see—

She did.

The realization stirred a wave of envy.

To be so favored… despite being someone others considered “undesirable”—it was enough to make anyone jealous.

—

Back inside the residence, after a few rounds of tea, Tang Wan deliberately excused herself, leaving Lan Xintong and General Lan some private time to speak.

General Lan immediately understood her intention.

A flicker of gratitude passed through her eyes as she instructed the steward to attend to Tang Wan properly.

As she watched the Crown Princess leave, she couldn’t help but think—

Where had those rumors of arrogance and jealousy come from?

This woman was clearly composed, courteous, and thoughtful in every detail.

—

Once they were alone in the side hall, General Lan wasted no time.

She leaned closer, lowering her voice.

“Xintong,” she asked quietly, “you and the Crown Princess… have you consummated the marriage?”

It was not a question she would normally ask—but with no one else to take on that role, it fell to her.

Lan Xintong’s face turned red almost instantly.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“…Yes.”

The answer brought immediate relief.

General Lan let out a long breath, the tension in her shoulders easing visibly.

“That’s good… that’s very good,” she said, her voice filled with satisfaction. “The ancestors have truly blessed us. It seems the Crown Princess wasn’t lying—she really does like you.”

Lan Xintong nodded softly.

“Mother can rest assured,” he said. “My wife treats me very well. On the second day after our marriage, she already entrusted me with managing the household.”

General Lan’s eyes widened in delight.

“Really?”

“Mm.”

A burst of laughter escaped her.

“Excellent! Excellent!”

But her expression soon grew serious again, her tone shifting into something more instructive.

“If that’s the case, then you must manage the household properly,” she said. “There must be no mistakes. In the future, you will be the empress consort—you should begin learning now.”

Lan Xintong nodded earnestly.

“I understand.”

General Lan leaned closer once more, her voice dropping even lower.

“But those are secondary,” she added quietly. “The most important thing is to serve the Crown Princess well.”

Her words carried a different weight now.

“Women…” she continued, choosing her words carefully, “care greatly about such matters. As long as she is satisfied, everything else becomes easier.”

She paused, then added in a whisper,

“You should study the books I prepared for you… carefully.”

Her tone was meaningful.

And unmistakable.

Lan Xintong’s ears burned red once more, but he nodded all the same, committing every word to heart.