Chapter 191 Gossip about Couples

After hearing Bai Zhi's words, the Empress lowered her eyes and stared intently at Bai Zhi, as if a turbulent undercurrent was surging in her eyes, but in the end she said nothing.

After Bai Zhi stepped back, she felt her back was soaked with sweat. She gently patted her chest, feeling as if she had escaped death.

She thought about it and decided that she should go to the Crown Prince tomorrow and explain things clearly, otherwise she was afraid that her life would be in danger.

After Bai Zhi left, the Empress looked at the nanny beside her and said:

"Does Bai Zhi, that little girl, really think I don't know her petty tricks?"

He was spared only because she was so devoted to Yongning.

But she did make a good point: it's better to guide than to suppress these things; letting Yongning run into obstacles isn't necessarily a bad thing.

As the nanny pressed the Empress's head down, she said:

"Your Highness, what if Du Shaoqing agrees in the end?"

The Empress's phoenix eyes snapped open, blazing with fury:

"He dares!"

The old woman listened without speaking for a long while before finally saying:

"Your Highness, besides being a bit old, does Du Shaoqing have any other problems with you?"

"His family background is too shallow."

"He comes from the Du family of Jingzhao. Although it is a collateral branch, it is still a prestigious family."

But all his close relatives had died.

After saying that, the nanny continued, "Actually, I think Du Shaoqing is quite good."

The Empress sneered, "Oh, then tell me, what's so good about it?"

The old woman continued pressing the Empress's head, then carefully said:

"Du Shaoqing only has himself in his family and no relatives by marriage."

After the princess married him, there were no troublesome issues with mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Furthermore, the princess is innocent and carefree, while Du Shaoqing is older, more mature, and quite patient, and would be more tolerant of the princess.

In the court, Du Shaoqing is upright and unyielding, obeying His Majesty's orders, and now it seems that he also has a good relationship with the Crown Prince.

She is capable, talented, and good-looking.

So, apart from his advanced age, I really can't find any fault with him.

The empress listened without saying a word.

The old woman was the Empress's dowry maid, and she knew the Empress best. Seeing that the Empress was not speaking, she knew that the Empress must have listened to her and was seriously considering her words.

Yongning, on the other hand, was overjoyed and quite happy, even eating an extra bowl of rice at dinner.

I met Du Shaoqing today and listened to Xie Yunyu's advice, which gave me a lot of confidence.

Lying in bed that night, I kept thinking about what to send to Du Shaoqing tomorrow.

A portrait of myself?

No, no, it's not the right time yet, don't scare him.

The Four Treasures of the Study?

Aren't these too cliché?

sword?

That's not very elegant...

Yongning tossed and turned in thought until she finally drifted off to sleep.

The Prince of Shou'an's Mansion.

When Xiao Ling returned, he saw Xie Yunyu and was very happy, with a beaming smile.

"My lady, is there something to make you happy today?"

Xie Yunyu ran over happily and took Xiao Ling's arm.

"Yongning has arrived today."

Xiao Ling was pulled over to wash her hands and face, saying:

"Oh, what's she doing here?"

"She has taken a liking to Du Shaoqing of the Dali Temple and came to me for advice on how to get Du Shaoqing."

Xie Yunyu said with an uncontrollable smile.

While speaking, she helped Xiao Ling take off his official robes.

Xiao Ling pouted: "They haven't given up yet?"

Xie Yunyu was surprised and looked up at him:

You know that?

Xiao Ling lowered his head, kissed Xie Yunyu on the lips, and said:

"Hmph! Last time, the two of them were in the palace, and I, the Crown Prince, and your second brother saw them."

Xie Yunyu keenly sensed that something was amiss.

After helping Xiao Ling change into a casual gauze robe, Xie Yunyu pulled Xiao Ling to sit down by the window where the wind was blowing, and asked him questions while they were cooling off.

"Tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"

Seeing that she was in high spirits, Xiao Ling couldn't bear to spoil her mood, so he told Xie Yunyu in detail what he had seen that day.

After hearing this, Xie Yunyu excitedly patted Xiao Ling's arm.

Wow, are all the royals this fierce?

Xiao Ling was quite puzzled by her excited expression:

Why are you so excited?

"Sigh, you don't understand. It's more interesting to watch other people date."

Xie Yunyu uttered a profound sigh.

Xiao Ling frowned, not understanding, but respecting.

Then he asked, "What advice did you give her?"

"He didn't say much, but he felt that Du Zhengming and Yongning were quite a good match, and he taught me some psychology."

Xie Yunyu picked up her teacup and took a sip, feigning a mysterious and profound expression.

"Psychology? What is that?"

"Specializing in the study of human psychology."

After saying that, she looked at Xiao Ling with bright eyes and asked:

"Yongning likes Du Zhengming, but does Du Zhengming like her?"

Xiao Ling thought for a moment and said, "I don't know, but we saw him refuse that time."

"Actually, apart from being a bit older, Du Shaoqing is good in every other way. I feel that His Majesty will eventually agree."

Xiao Ling looked at Xie Yunyu and shrugged, remaining noncommittal.

"The Crown Prince said he was quite satisfied with being a subject. But as for being his brother-in-law, that's another matter."

"Why?" Xie Yunyu asked.

"They say he always has a stern face, not cheerful at all, and doesn't seem like someone who cares about people's feelings."

Xiao Ling picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

Xie Yunyu glared at Xiao Ling: "You were even considering becoming a nun back then, weren't you cold-hearted enough?"

Even if we get married, it won't stop you from being caring and attentive.

Xiao Ling laughed upon hearing this: "I'm just pretending because I'm afraid of trouble. Have you ever seen Du Shaoqing smile?"

Xie Yunyu thought about it and realized that she had only met Du Shaoqing a few times, and she really had never seen him smile.

"No, not really. He doesn't seem to smile."

Xiao Ling listened for a moment and then said, "So..."

"What if Yongning likes it?"

"What can we do? It depends on how much she likes you. If she likes you as much as I like you, she'll find a way to handle it herself."

"Should we help her?"

"Let's not get involved for now, and see how things go."

"oh."

Xie Yunyu figured that since she had already given Yongning some pointers today, she probably wouldn't be visiting for a while.

The next morning, Yongning selected a fine piece of seal material and had it delivered to Du Zhengming.

Then she happily skipped and jumped to the East Palace.

After seeing his eldest nephew, Yongning went to find the Crown Prince.

Bai Zhi had already visited before Yong Ning arrived, and the Crown Prince already knew the inside story.

Upon hearing Yongning's words, the Crown Prince felt a tightness in his chest.

They've really grown up; they're even finding themselves husbands now...

After thinking for a moment, he said, "The main problem with Du Zhengming is that he's too old. I won't even mention those who are three or five years older than you."

He's a full nine years older than you, which is indeed quite a bit.

Besides, don't you like seeing cheerful people?

Du Zhengming always has a stern face; I've never seen him smile. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who can manage a household.

I'm afraid that if you marry him, he'll be too busy with work and neglect you.

The newlyweds are fine, but don't regret it in a couple of years.

Yongning frowned upon hearing this: "Your Majesty, what you said is not right."

If I marry someone else, does that mean the other person will definitely not be busy with work?

What if that person is all smiles to my face but actually philandering behind my back?

Du Zhengming is at least a reliable person; he wouldn't do anything to betray me.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince thought there was nothing wrong with what he said.

Du Zhengming is a bit old and cold-hearted, but he is a very good person.

Don't worry about him having multiple wives and concubines, or being a womanizer.

"Besides, he has no relatives, and I don't have any conflicts with my mother-in-law or sisters-in-law. Isn't that a good thing?"

Don't you and your father rely on him a lot?

Why are you nitpicking so much now?

The crown prince glared at her: "Is choosing a minister the same as choosing a husband for you?"

Seeing that the Crown Prince wouldn't budge, Yongning turned and stormed off.

As he reached the door, he suddenly turned around and said firmly:

"I'm going to make him my son-in-law, humph!"

The crown prince shook his head at her childish expression.