Chapter 184 Engaged

Xie Yunyan's words were completely blocked, and her expression suddenly became a little ugly.

But she was promoted to the position of concubine because of Ningning. Now the matter is of great importance. The only person Ningning can rely on is her aunt. How can she retreat?

At this thought, Xie Yunyan stood up and apologized: "The Queen Mother is right. It is not my turn to decide on the Sixth Prince's marriage, but I really like this niece, and the Sixth Prince also has deep feelings for this cousin. The child is timid and has never asked for anything. This is the only marriage, and even if it violates taboos, I will fight for it on his behalf."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Queen Mother sneered, "You still know how to break taboos? I feel that Concubine Xie is so overbearing and arrogant now that even my words are useless... If you find this position of concubine too comfortable, I don't mind letting you return to Chuxiu Palace to continue to accompany Concubine Ma."

This is already a naked threat.

However, Xie Yunyan did not retreat, but knelt down directly: "A mother is strong. The Queen Mother will surely understand my heartfelt condolences for the child...I beg the Queen Mother to forgive me."

"presumptuous!"

The Queen Mother slammed the table, and instantly, all the concubines and palace maids around her knelt down, leaving only the Queen standing aside.

Since it was none of her business, the Queen didn't bother to care about it. She was happy to watch these concubines compete with the Queen Mother, and it would be better if they could anger the old woman to death sooner.

But at this point, she couldn't just stand by and watch any longer.

Queen Wei spoke slowly and was about to comfort the Queen Mother, but she saw the Eastern Palace Crown Prince's attendant being led in quickly at the palace gate.

"Empress, Empress, something has happened... His Royal Highness Prince Ding broke into the Eastern Palace's menagerie and slaughtered all of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's beloved pets."

The sudden change of events broke the tense atmosphere in the palace. The Queen didn't care about watching the others' excitement and sat up straight. "What happened? Why is the Seventh Prince acting so rudely? Go and call him here."

Before he finished speaking, Bing's deep voice sounded.

"Don't bother me, mother. I'm here."

In full view of everyone, His Royal Highness Prince Ding, Xiao Nanchen, walked in with an expressionless face.

The dark brocade robe with a gold-plated python pattern made his already stern features appear even more noble and extraordinary. The expressionless look he showed when he walked in was inexplicably frightening.

After standing still in the hall, he said in a cold voice: "Your Highness the Crown Prince raised a ferocious beast but failed to control it properly, so much so that it almost accidentally injured Lord Shen Xiang. Therefore, I, your son, went to help your Royal Brother the Crown Prince discipline the beast he raised."

Beside him, the attendant of the Eastern Palace shuddered and didn't dare to look up.

What discipline? There is now a river of blood in the East Palace Zoo. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is shocked and angry, and is crying and cursing with red eyes!

The Queen's expression was somewhat grim, but when she thought of Xiao Nanchen and the Xie family girl, she suppressed her displeasure and said to Xiao Nanchen in a friendly manner, "Your royal brother likes pets, and the servants didn't take good care of them, which almost caused trouble. Just punish the servants who were incompetent. Why did you have to do it yourself?"

"It's alright, I have nothing to do anyway...but I'm sorry for interrupting the conversation between Mother and Grandmother."

The queen paused slightly, thinking of sending her son away, but Xie Yunyan, who was standing next to her, spoke first: "His Royal Highness Prince Ding just happened to be here. The Queen Mother is discussing Shen Xiangjun's marriage. Xiangjun and Prince Ding have a history, so why not have Prince Ding help make the decision?"

The Queen Mother scolded coldly, "Why let Prince Ding know about the affairs of the harem? Concubine Xie is becoming increasingly unbearable."

Xie Yunyan didn't care what the Queen Mother said. She just stared at Prince Ding without blinking, and then met Prince Ding's approving eyes.

Concubine Xie immediately felt certain in her heart, and puffed out her chest proudly in the approving eyes of His Royal Highness Prince Ding.

She hadn't let down Prince Ding's instructions and Ning Ning's trust...

The next moment, Xiao Nanchen spoke slowly: "Since my grandson is here to take care of Lord Shen Xiang's marriage, there is no need for the Royal Grandmother to worry about it."

The Queen Mother was always dignified, but she was still somewhat wary of her grandson, who had been fighting on the battlefield since he was a teenager and whose cold and murderous aura could not be suppressed even by his brocade clothes and jade crown. She rarely relaxed her expression and forced a slight smile.

“Even if Shen Xiangjun has done you a favor, you are a man after all. How can you worry about her marriage?”

Xiao Nanchen interrupted directly: "It is precisely because my grandson is a man that I can afford her marriage, because... I want to marry Shen Xiangjun."

Xiao Nanchen spoke very calmly, not with any resounding voice. However, it was precisely this natural calmness that made it even more shocking. In an instant, the hall was filled with dead silence.

Even Xie Yunyan was shocked.

Shen Ning said that Prince Ding would handle this matter, but he didn't say that the way to deal with it was that His Royal Highness Prince Ding was going to marry himself!

The Queen Mother, the Empress, and the concubines beside them were all dumbfounded.

The Queen was the first to react, frowning and reprimanding in a low voice: "Seventh Brother, stop talking nonsense."

Before she finished speaking, she met her son's cold gaze: "Mrs. Chen Xiangjun saved my life, and I love her. What's wrong with marrying her, mother?"

There was hidden resentment in Xiao Nanchen's eyes, and the Queen realized almost instantly that he was angry.

Because she didn't let him marry Xie Lingyue, who came from a noble family, Xiao Nanchen said out of spite that he would marry Chen Ning, a widow who had lived in the countryside as a child and had been married before.

Queen Wei’s first reaction was: What a disgrace!

Her own son, the dignified Prince Ding, actually married a widow who was wandering in the countryside!

But then she suddenly realized that this might be a good opportunity: her son was angry, and if she went along with it and let him marry Shen Ning, then even if he calmed down and regretted it later, the Xie family would never marry their daughter to him again.

In this way, there is no possibility for him and the girl from the Xie family to be together anymore.

Queen Wei's mind moved slightly, but she also knew that she couldn't agree easily... It would be too easy to give people a chance to criticize her.

After a pause, Queen Wei frowned and said in a deep voice, "Seventh Brother, marriage is a serious matter and should not be treated lightly. Don't be impulsive. We can discuss it in the long run."

That look was exactly like a mother who was angry at her son's ridiculous behavior but had to endure it for the sake of her face.

Xiao Nanchen said in a cold voice: "This son is not joking, but wants to marry Chen Ning from the bottom of his heart. This son likes her and only wants her."

After saying this, Xiao Nanchen knelt down and said, "Please grant me your permission, Mother."

Even though Shen Ning knew that the proposal was a temporary measure taken by Xiao Nanchen to protect her, at this moment, seeing him say in front of everyone that he loved her and only wanted her, Shen Ning's ears still felt inexplicably hot.

Maybe it’s because he was too immersed in his acting and looked too serious.

My king is such a good actor...

At the head, the queen was stunned for a moment because of the calmness and seriousness in her son's eyes.

At this moment, her son looked at her without blinking, just like he had done many times since he was a child, looking at her stubbornly, wanting to see what she would do.

The next moment, the queen looked away.

Like countless times before, she chose her eldest son, Xiao Nanyu...

As if she was furious with her own son, Empress Wei's chest heaved slightly. "A grown-up son is no longer under the control of his mother. You've grown so independent now that you don't even listen to what your mother says, right?... In that case, don't ask me. Go ask your father for permission yourself. If he agrees, I won't object!"

Beside her, Concubine Ye was a little shocked and hesitated to dissuade her: "Your Majesty, this... Prince Ding is young and full of vigor..."

The Queen snorted, "He has his own ideas now, I can't control him!"

Xiao Nanchen stood up: "Thank you for your help, mother. Then I will take Chen Ning away."

But at this time, the Queen Mother said calmly: "Has the Seventh Brother made up his mind to marry Shen Xiangjun?"

Xiao Nanchen looked directly at the Queen Mother and said, "That's right, my grandson will marry no one but her in this lifetime."

Hearing Xiao Nanchen's words, Shen Ning secretly complained: There is no need to say even this, otherwise I will be laughed at for nothing when I cancel the engagement in the future.

The Queen Mother sneered: "Does your father agree?"

Xiao Nanchen spoke slowly, "My father promised a few days ago that I would be the one to decide my grandson's marriage."

The queen was stunned and suddenly felt that something was wrong.

The Queen Mother looked coldly at her rebellious grandson, who had been unruly since childhood. She had already determined in her heart that Prince Ding was using the pretext of marrying the widow in order to help her escape.

This was clearly intended to embarrass her as a grandmother.

Thinking of the message from her attendant just now saying that her nephew Zhou Ping had met Shen Xiangjun before... and had a good impression of this woman, the Queen Mother became more determined.

Her poor nephew was weak and short-lived, and he was already pitiful. Now he finally found a woman who caught his eye and had excellent medical skills and could take good care of him, but others still had to interfere.

It's so hateful!

The Queen Mother looked at Xiao Nanchen coldly: "Seventh Brother, have you made up your mind? Do you really want to marry this daughter of the Shen family as your principal wife?"

Xiao Nanchen had only mentioned marrying before, and did not mention the main wife or concubine. The empress dowager deliberately mentioned the main wife to force him.

She was certain that her grandson was trying to save people rather than marrying a widow, so she deliberately forced him and left him no way out.

She just didn't believe that the Seventh Prince Ding would really marry a widow as his concubine to repay a favor.

There was a dead silence in the hall, and Xie Yunqing unconsciously grabbed his daughter's hand.

She saw the Queen Mother's pressure and was worried that Prince Ding would be forced to give in... After all, even if Xie Yunqing thought her daughter was good in every way, she was Prince Ding's legal wife, and this was no joke.

Shen Ning was not nervous. After all, no matter whether she was the main wife or the concubine, the engagement would be cancelled in the end, so there was not much difference.

The next moment, under everyone's gaze, Xiao Nanchen spoke word by word: "In reply to grandma, I am sure that I will marry Chen Ning as my princess, and she will be my only wife in this life."

This left no room for the empress dowager to speak, and no way out for himself.

The queen felt more and more that something was wrong, but she had just spoken and could not interrupt the empress dowager at this moment.

Then, everyone heard the Queen Mother sneer and slowly speak: "Chen Ning has done you a favor, and you have feelings for her, so Grandmother will grant you your wish."

Looking coldly at Xiao Nanchen, the Queen Mother spoke with dignity and grace, emphasizing each word: "Today, I will give you Shen Ning, daughter of the Shen family, as the Princess of Prince Ding. The imperial decree will arrive today... From today on, Shen Ning, daughter of the Shen family, is the fiancée of Prince Ding, Xiao Nanchen, the future Princess of Prince Ding. Without my consent, this marriage... cannot be changed!"

Shen Ning was stunned.

No changes?

Why did she feel like Xiao Nanchen was deliberately fanning the flames in front of the Queen Mother... What should she do now?

Shen Ning was filled with confusion.

On the other side, Xiao Nanchen had already knelt down respectfully, and then stretched out his hand towards Chen Ning: "Ningning, why don't you come over and thank grandma for her grace."

There was no room for hesitation at this time. Shen Ning was confused but had to walk over. Then Xiao Nanchen took her hand and led her to kneel down.

She imitated Xiao Nanchen and kowtowed to the Queen Mother: "Thank you for your grace, Queen Mother."

Afterwards, Xiao Nanchen helped Shen Ning up again.

The usual coldness in his eyes was now replaced by brightness and joy like snow melted by the warm sun.

After taking a deep look at Chen Ning, Xiao Nanchen spoke to the Queen Mother earnestly, "Grandson thanks the Royal Grandmother for her grace."

The joy in his eyes did not seem fake, and his gratitude was sincere.

The Queen Mother looked at him like this and snorted in her heart.

As expected of someone who emerged from the midst of swords and blood, Old Seven's superficial skills are indeed well-honed...

She just didn't believe that he was really happy to marry a widow!

Everything went as planned and the crisis was resolved.

Shen Ning stood beside Xiao Nanchen and subconsciously wanted to pull out the hand he was holding, but as soon as she moved, he held it tightly.

Then Xiao Nanchen's very low whisper sounded in his ears.

"They're all watching, don't let anyone get suspicious."

Shen Ning immediately stopped moving, allowing Xiao Nanchen to hold her hand in his palm.

His fingertips were covered with calluses from sword practice, and he held her hand tightly, leaving no gap...