Chapter 1467: Kexin Side Story (Part 2)_4
For these past few years, Consort Shu held a high position and was favored by the Emperor. Having given birth to the Second Prince and the Third Princess, even the Empress had to give her some respect. But today, Yueyao’s arrogant demeanor turned Consort Shu’s expression into a colorful spectacle.
The Empress smiled and tried to smooth things over.
At this moment, a palace attendant reported from outside, "Empress, Nanny Li is here to see you." This Nanny Li was the close attendant of the Empress Dowager.
The Empress immediately had Nanny Li invited in.
After paying her respects to the Empress and Consort Shu, Nanny Li said, "The Empress Dowager heard that Lady Lian entered the palace and mentioned she hasn’t seen her in a long time." The meaning was clear: once this matter was concluded, she would escort Yueyao to the Empress Dowager.
Consort Shu’s anger dissipated instantly. The Emperor was very filial to the Empress Dowager, and if she displeased the Empress Dowager, she would indeed suffer the consequences.
The Empress felt there was no need to continue the conversation. Given Yueyao’s attitude, it was impossible for the Second Prince to marry a girl from the An Family. The Empress smiled and stood up, saying, "My affairs here are concluded, Lady Lian, please go with Nanny Li!"
When Yueyao met the Empress Dowager, she sincerely thanked her. The Empress Dowager sent Nanny Li to the Kunning Palace, clearly intending to support her.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "It’s been a while since you explained the Buddhist scriptures to me, I cannot miss out today."
Yueyao explained the Buddhist scriptures to the Empress Dowager, staying until after lunch, before leaving the imperial palace to return home.
Yueyao said to Xiang Wei, "I truly admire the Empress Dowager." She climbed from a lowly concubine to the rank of Consort, became Empress without an heir, then Empress Dowager, and even Empress Dowager, all while gaining the respect and affection of two emperors. It’s something ordinary people can’t achieve.
Xiang Wei smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager is an extraordinary woman." Such resilience is truly rare.
Yueyao nodded slightly.
Xiang Wei said, "Is it over?"
Yueyao shook her head and said, "I guess it’s not over yet." Yueyao felt it was a pity that she couldn’t directly see the Emperor, which would save a lot of talking.
Indeed, the matter was far from over.
Until evening, An Zhichen hadn’t come back, Yueyao was feeling quite anxious when she finally heard from the maids that the Earl had returned.
Upon seeing An Zhichen, Yueyao hurriedly asked, "What did the Emperor say?"
An Zhichen appeared calm: "The Emperor’s intention is to have Brother Sheng marry a princess." He had thought of many possibilities but never expected the Emperor to come up with this plan.
Yueyao let out a gasp, unable to hide her surprise. However, she quickly became displeased. What did the Emperor mean by this? First, he wanted to betroth Kexin to the Second Prince, and just after they declined, he wanted Brother Sheng to marry a princess. Why does the Emperor keep eyeing their children!
An Zhichen’s eyes sparkled with insight: "The matter with Kexin was likely a test from the Emperor, and since our response satisfied him, he now wishes for Brother Sheng to marry a princess." It seems the Emperor does not want the Second Prince’s influence to grow too strong!
Yueyao thought an old saying was very true, "The imperial mind is hard to fathom." "Which princess does the Emperor wish Sheng to marry?" The first three princesses were unmarried, all of similar age to Brother Sheng, so it had to be one of them. However, the Eldest Princess was domineering, the Second Princess’s mother had passed away, and now she was raised under Consort De; as for the Third Princess, she was the daughter of Consort Shu. The Third Princess was immediately ruled out, leaving only the Eldest or the Second Princess.
An Zhichen said, "The Emperor wishes for Brother Sheng to marry the Second Princess."
Yueyao breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t the overbearing Eldest Princess, but the gentle Second Princess, which was a blessing in disguise.
Just then, Yueyao heard a maid announce that the Princely Heir had returned, and looked plaintively at An Zhichen as she said, "What do you think Brother Sheng will do when he learns he has to marry a princess?" It’s said that the Emperor’s daughters don’t worry about marriage, but in truth, they do. Talented and capable men often resist marrying a princess, as it would distance them from power, leaving them with an honorary title and a life of idleness.
An Zhichen, however, felt that it wouldn’t be too bad for Brother Sheng to marry a princess.
