dmims Chapter 332 He took a fancy to the Empress's second brother
Chapter 332 He took a fancy to the Empress's second brother
Princess Liyang was not surprised by Shen Shixi's words. She was just that kind of person and didn't need to use her sisters-in-law's marriages to control them.
Princess Xian'an then asked, "Sister-in-law, is what you're saying true? We can tell you who we fancy? And you'll grant our wish?"
Shen Shixi laughed and said, "Of course I will try my best to help you, but I can't guarantee that I will help you 100%. If you like someone else, that person has to like you back. Marriage is about mutual consent. You can't just use your royal power to force someone to marry you!"
Xian'an didn't stand on ceremony at all, "Sister-in-law, I've taken a liking to a newly appointed scholar, and he's your second brother!"
Shen Shixi's smile froze, as if she had been offended.
How could she possibly let her brother marry a princess? After he marries into the family, her mother would have to pay her respects to the princess every day.
Go dream!
Besides, given Xian'an's bullying and oppressive nature, what kind of grudge or hatred must she have against her second brother to betroth Xian'an to him? She smiled but did not reply.
The Grand Princess of Liyang said, "Alright, you need to take your time choosing your marriage partner. Let's start with Yi'an!"
Shen Shixi said, "Aunt, I'll have to trouble you with Yi'an's marriage. However, I don't think there's any rush. Why don't you take her out of the palace for a while today, so that she can broaden her horizons and see more of the world? If you find someone suitable, you can tell me later."
She rubbed her forehead. "I'm tired after talking for so long. Auntie, please take them out for me."
She did look exhausted, and Li Yang felt bad about it, so she called Bai Ping and the others to come and serve her. She then took Xian An and Yi An out.
After finding a quiet spot in Zhaoyang Palace to talk, Liyang said to Yi'an, "Yi'an, would you be willing to come and stay with me at the Princess's residence for a while?"
Shen Shixi didn't agree to Yi'an and Feng Silu's marriage proposal from the beginning because she didn't want to tie their lives together with just one word. It's not that there's no chance of happiness, but the chance of unhappiness is greater.
Xian'an, standing to the side, said, "Aunt, are you only taking Yi'an out of the palace, but not me? I would like to stay at your residence for a few days as well."
Princess Liyang could understand Shen Shixi's feelings just now. "You are a young lady now, not young anymore. You should think more before you speak and act."
"You bring up the Empress's brother so casually; aren't you afraid she'll be angry?"
Xian'an said with dissatisfaction, "Why does Aunt say such things about me? I am, after all, a royal princess. Of all the men in the world, only I am willing to submit to her. There is no one who would dare not submit to me. Although the Shen family is the Empress's maternal family, they are still subjects and do not even have a title."
Princess Liyang really wanted to dissect this girl's brain to see if it was full of shit, but since she had a mother, she couldn't be bothered to care. "Alright, alright, you can go back now! I want to talk to Yi'an."
Xian'an stormed back. When she returned to Ning Shou Palace, Consort Liu asked her if the Empress had summoned them to discuss the marriage.
When the names of the newly appointed Jinshi were announced in the palace examination, the princesses all went to Guangming to see them, their purpose being to choose a husband for themselves. At that time, Shen Shiyu was ranked in the top ten and was also the Empress's elder brother, so he was the first one the princesses remembered.
Princess Xian'an was determined to win.
Today is the baby's third-day celebration for the twins. All the elders of the Shen family have come. The Empress summoned them, and Consort Liu felt that the matter was a sure thing.
If she could establish a marriage alliance with the Empress's family, not to mention her daughter, her own status in the harem would rise tenfold. Since the Empress and the Empress Dowager were at odds, if she attached herself to the Empress, what would become of the Empress Dowager?
Xian'an then gave Princess Liyang a good scolding, "What business is it of hers? Just because you call her 'aunt,' does she really think she's an elder? She doesn't even look at herself, how she's not behaving like a proper wife, and she's even helping the Empress's maternal family run the household, and she still thinks I'm not good enough for Second Young Master Shen."
The thought of Shen Shiyu, such a fine young man, becoming her husband made Xian'an's heart pound.
Consort Liu also disliked Liyang. This matter really had nothing to do with her, so why was she getting involved?
On the day of the twins' third-day celebration, the Empress Dowager still forced herself to go to Zhaoyang Palace. She was very happy to see the twins, after all, they were her own grandchildren, and she smiled broadly.
Upon returning to Cining Palace, she heard that Consort Liu and Princess Xian'an were requesting an audience. She was in a good mood today and wanted to talk to someone, so she let them in.
The Empress Dowager then spoke of the twins, saying, "They look exactly like the Emperor when he was a child, without the slightest difference. Especially the Crown Prince, even the mole on his left earlobe is exactly the same."
Consort Liu said, "I am unlucky to have been able to see the Crown Prince in person. The Empress Dowager is truly blessed. The Empress's pregnancy is a boy and a girl, and they were born on New Year's Day. Such a good thing is rare throughout history."
The Empress Dowager also felt honored, saying, "There is no such thing in the historical records."
After speaking for a while, the Empress Dowager asked, "What brings you here?"
Consort Liu said, "I have chosen a marriage for you and have come to ask for your opinion, Your Majesty."
She then brought up the matter of the Grand Princess of Liyang, saying, "I'm afraid Liyang has taken a fancy to one of the younger princesses of the late emperor. What kind of person was Feng Yandao back then? What good could his son with Liyang possibly be?"
What kind of behavior does Liyang have? These past few years, she probably hasn't found a good match in the capital, so she's set her sights on a few people in Xian'an, even going so far as to plead with the Empress. How could the Empress possibly go against her elders? She actually agreed to let her take Yi'an out of the palace.
She patted her chest and said, "I was so frightened that I had to come and beg the Empress Dowager to help Xian'an find a husband as soon as possible, so that Liyang wouldn't have her eye on him and cause trouble later."
The Empress Dowager was furious. The late emperor's princess was not the emperor's princess. Shen Shixi didn't even give a word before letting Liyang take Yi'an away. Did he even respect her, the Empress Dowager?
The Empress Dowager then asked, "Xian'an is not young anymore, and it's time to choose a husband for him. I heard you had your eye on a newly appointed scholar, but I haven't heard whose son he is."
Consort Liu had been waiting for this, and said with a smile, "Speaking of which, I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me, Your Majesty, but this child took a liking to the Empress's brother at first sight."
The Empress Dowager disliked Shen Shixi because she was too domineering, but she still had a good impression of the children of the Grand Tutor's family.
After all, without the Grand Tutor, she wouldn't be where she is today.
"Xian'an has good taste; this is indeed a good match. I will arrange it right away..."
Qingruo promptly served tea, smiling, "Your Majesty, you've been talking all day. Please have some tea to soothe your throat. Princess Xian'an's happy occasion won't fly away, will it? If the Shen family agrees, they certainly won't dare mistreat the princess!"
Neither Consort Liu nor Xian'an understood the meaning behind Qingruo's words, and they were very happy.
The Empress Dowager wasn't completely oblivious; she understood what was going on. After taking a large gulp of tea, she changed her tune, saying, "Qingruo's words make sense. I'll ask the Emperor about this first. If the Shen family agrees, I'll have him bestow a marriage upon you!"
The mother and daughter were naturally overjoyed and returned home.
The Empress Dowager then asked Qingruo, "With the late Emperor's princess being married, how could the Empress not be happy?"