The carriage sped along the broad avenue of the imperial palace. Ding Xinwan quietly watched the street scenes outside the window, but her mind was filled with a thousand thoughts.
Her father's advice echoed in her ears. She knew that this entry into the palace was unusual, and she also understood that her marriage had become the top priority of the family.
Ding Dayong handed in the visiting card to enter the palace. The eunuchs were already waiting at the palace gate, and then led Ding Dayong and Ding Xinwan towards the Qianqing Palace.
Seeing this, Ding Dayong frowned slightly. He asked in confusion, "Eunuch, shouldn't we go to Shou'an Palace, where Concubine Shoukang lives? Why are we going to the Qianqing Palace, where His Majesty handles government affairs?"
The eunuch from the Imperial Household Department smiled and explained, "Master Ding, His Majesty and the Dowager Consort have something to discuss today, so they have specially designated the Qianqing Palace to receive you and the eldest lady."
Ding Xinwan was also a little surprised. She asked softly, "Eunuch, do you know what the emperor wants to talk to us about?"
"This..." The eunuch was a little embarrassed. "I am only following orders and do not know the specific details. However, I think it must be a very important matter, so they would receive you two in a place like the Qianqing Palace."
Ding Dayong nodded, expressing his understanding. "Thank you for your understanding, eunuch. We will head to the Qianqing Palace now so as not to delay Your Majesty's time."
Led by their father-in-law, the three of them continued on their way. The Qianqing Palace was not far away. Ding Dayong and Ding Xinwan looked at each other, their hearts filled with doubts but also with anticipation.
As soon as they stepped into the Qianqing Hall, Ding Dayong and Ding Xinwan immediately felt a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
Li Longze sat majestically on the throne, and below him sat the honorable Shoukang Concubine Dowager, whose presence made the meeting more solemn.
Ding Dayong stepped forward steadily, ready to salute, while Ding Xinwan followed etiquette, stepped back half a step, and knelt respectfully with her father to perform the salute.
In the entire hall, only the sound of their greetings echoed, making it seem extremely solemn.
"Stand up." Li Longze's voice broke the silence, "Give General Ding a seat."
As Li Longze finished speaking, the eunuch immediately brought a chair for Ding Dayong. Ding Dayong thanked him and sat down, while Ding Xinwan stood quietly beside him.
"General Ding, I summoned you into the palace today to discuss something with you." Li Longze spoke slowly, looking at Ding Dayong seriously.
Ding Dayong replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, please speak. I am all ears."
Li Longze turned his gaze slightly, glancing at the Dowager Concubine Shoukang. He then coughed lightly and spoke slowly, "Yesterday, the Dowager Concubine came to see me and mentioned a past event. It turns out that as early as twenty years ago, the Xingyuan Marquisate and the Ding family had already arranged a marriage."
He gestured to Chen Jin to hand Ding Dayong a slightly old marriage certificate.
Ding Dayong stood up as he was told, respectfully took the yellowed paper, and quickly browsed its contents.
Ding Xinwan also curiously leaned in to take a closer look, and saw that the marriage certificate clearly stated: "The third son of the Marquis's family is betrothed to the eldest daughter of the Ding family."
She was shocked and her eyes widened. She could hardly believe her eyes. In her entire life, she had never heard that she had such a childhood marriage, and the person was Xue Ji Yan. This sudden news caught her off guard.
etc!
Wasn't Xue Jiyan already destined to be Sister Shurou's consort? What was going on? Was this going to be a drama of two women competing for one man?
Full of doubts in her heart, she unconsciously looked up at Concubine Shoukang who was sitting at the top.
The concubine's eyes seemed to reveal a kind of comfort and encouragement, as if telling her: "Don't worry, your aunt will make the decision for you."
"Sir, be serious. I have ordered the Imperial Household Department to issue an edict. Princess Ning'an will marry the third son of the Xingyuan Marquis's Mansion, Xue Jiyan..." Li Longze looked embarrassed, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
He felt miserable, like a dumb person swallowing coptis chinensis, unable to express his suffering. If he had known the situation would turn out this way, he should have obeyed Li Shurou's wishes and let her marry Xue Zhongfu, thus avoiding such embarrassment.
As the king of a country, he is extremely noble, but at this moment he is in a dilemma, like a matchmaker who has arranged the wrong marriage.
Concubine Shoukang and Concubine Shu were both elders in the palace, and he had always treated them with great respect. But now, because of this marriage, they were fighting for a son-in-law in the Qianqing Palace, which was really giving him a headache.
As expected, there is no impenetrable wall in the palace. When Concubine Shu learned about what happened in the Qianqing Palace, she hurried into the palace without being summoned.
"Sister Ding, I have never heard you mention the old story of an arranged marriage between the Xue and Ding families. You have watched Rou'er grow up, how could you have the heart to ruin her good marriage?" There was a hint of blame and confusion in Concubine Shu's tone, and her brows were full of dissatisfaction with this matter.
Concubine Shoukang knew that she could not give in in this matter, even if it meant breaking off her relationship with Concubine Shu.
"The noble families of dukes and marquises are full of talented people. Why do you insist on breaking up the existing engagement between the Xue and Ding families?"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu's eyes flashed with anger. "How can your logic outweigh the promise between our two families and Rou'er's lifelong happiness? Sister Shoukang, if you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, I will never give up!"
Concubine Shoukang took a deep breath and looked at Concubine Shu with a firm gaze.
"This marriage was personally arranged by my father, Ding Weishan, and the old Marquis Xue Yonghuai. My father sacrificed his life for his country. Do we want to break this engagement today and leave him with a lingering regret?"
Concubine Shoukang mentioned the late General Weiyuan in a firm and sad tone.
When these words were spoken, not only Li Longze, but even Ding Dayong looked surprised.
They had never expected that Concubine Shoukang would use such an excuse to insist on this marriage. If this were true, then the arranged marriage between Li Shurou and Xue Jiyan would probably be invalidated.
When Concubine Shu heard this, she could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes and they quietly rolled down. Her family background was not prominent, and her father was just a county magistrate who was sent out to other places.
At this moment, she felt mixed emotions. She had clearly waited for the clouds to clear and the moon to appear, but why was her daughter's lifelong event filled with so many twists and turns?
She knew very well that her family could not be compared with the old General Ding Weishan who had made great military achievements in the past.
If the marriage contract between the Xue and Ding families is really followed, then the emperor's marriage will have to be invalidated. At that time, Li Shurou will undoubtedly become the laughing stock of the entire capital.
At this sentimental moment, a palace maid came hurriedly to report.
Chen Jin waved his whisk and hurried out of the hall. However, a moment later, he reentered the hall, his usually calm face now showing panic.
"Your Majesty, something bad has happened! Something has happened to the eldest princess!"
His voice trembled slightly, making the atmosphere in the entire Qianqing Palace tense in an instant.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
