After hearing this, Hong Yingrong's eyes flashed with complex emotions. She knew very well that it was not easy for Xue Yuanchu to make this decision, and she also understood his sense of responsibility to the Marquis' Mansion and the family. However, the change of the position of the Crown Prince was not a joke and required careful consideration.
"Did Yuanchu really say that?" Hong Yingrong asked in a deep voice, with a hint of disbelief in her tone.
Jiang Shuxiu nodded gently and said affirmatively: "Yes, mother. Yuanchu wrote very clearly in the letter that he has made up his mind."
Hong Yingrong was silent for a moment, as if she was digesting the news. The relationship between brothers Xue Yuanchu and Xue Zhongfu was deep, but the position of the crown prince was related to the future and destiny of the marquis's mansion after all.
She looked at Jiang Shuxiu, her eyes revealing a deep thought and determination. "Shuxiu, this matter cannot be changed by simply giving a statement. The position of Crown Prince concerns the foundation and future of the Marquisate. We need to be extremely cautious."
Jiang Shuxiu nodded slightly, expressing her understanding. "Mother is right. This matter really cannot be rushed."
Hong Yingrong continued, "After you give birth safely, it won't be too late for us to make a long-term plan."
After hearing this, Jiang Shuxiu's eyes flashed with gratitude, "Thank you, mother, for your understanding."
Hong Yingrong nodded slightly, a relieved smile on her face. "That's good. I hope they can be honest with each other."
After that, she gently patted the back of Jiang Shuxiu's hand, telling her to rest assured and take care of the baby, and not to overwork herself. Jiang Shuxiu also responded obediently, saying that she would take good care of herself.
…
Inside the imperial city, Princess Ning'an trudged towards the Qianqing Palace, her heart filled with anxiety and unease. Today, she planned to pay her respects to her brother, the Emperor Li Longze, and beg him to grant her a marriage with Xue Zhongfu, the second son of the Xue family.
"Royal brother," Li Shurou said with a hint of tears in her voice, bowing gracefully, "I have something to ask of you."
Li Longze put down the memorial in his hand. Seeing his sister in tears, he gently rubbed his brow and said softly, "Shurou, what's wrong with you? Stand up and talk. I will help you if I can."
Li Shurou stood up and choked up, saying, "Royal brother, I have long admired Xue Zhongfu, the second son of the Xue family. I hope that you will grant us marriage."
Li Longze was slightly stunned, his brows furrowed, "Xue Zhongfu? But the second son of the Xue family, he is not..."
"I know he's a widower." Li Shurou interrupted him, a determined glint in her eyes. "But he's the only one in my heart. I beg my royal brother to grant my wish."
Li Longze was silent for a moment, his thoughts drifting back to his childhood. Although the princes were competitive back then, he always had a special affection for Li Shurou.
He still remembered that at that time, Concubine Shu was just a small noble lady, and she often came to Qingwuyuan with the babbling Li Shurou in her arms.
Every time he saw the delicate little baby, he felt happy.
There was even one time when he secretly took a nap, Li Shurou, to Fengqi Palace to show it to Imperial Concubine Mei, and pestered her, "Can you give him and Little Sixteen a sister as cute as this?"
In the blink of an eye, that lovely little sister has reached the age to get married.
The Empress Dowager also discussed with him about the selection of the son-in-law. In order not to wrong Li Shurou, they did not even pay too much attention to the issue of relatives in power. They chose talented people from aristocratic families all over the capital.
However, he never expected that Li Shurou would fall in love with a widower.
Li Longze took a deep breath and looked at Li Shurou's determined eyes. He knew that his sister had grown up and had her own choices and persistence.
"Forget it. With my brother here, who would dare to gossip and let you suffer any injustice..." Li Longze consoled softly, a long-lost tenderness flashing in his eyes. "Look at you, you're crying like a kitten. Why are you still crying like you did when you were little, without the crabapple cake?"
Upon hearing this, Li Shurou burst into laughter and nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Chen Jin, who was standing by, immediately stepped forward to support her and said jokingly with a smile, "The eldest princess' eyes have been swollen like walnuts from crying. Now it's good. She can happily wait for her wedding."
Chen Jin's words lightened the atmosphere considerably, and Li Longze smiled slightly. He signaled the palace servants around Li Shurou to carefully escort her back to the palace and take good care of her.
"Go back and have a good rest, get enough energy, and wait to become a bride." Li Longze said gently, watching Li Shurou's back as she left, feeling very emotional.
Li Longze pondered for a moment, then turned to Chen Jin, who was standing beside him, and asked, "What do you think of this?"
Chen Jin smiled slightly and replied respectfully, "I don't understand matters between men and women, but there's a saying from ancient times that the emperor's daughter will never have trouble finding a husband. It would be an honor for anyone to become your majesty's brother-in-law. Does your majesty really need to rely on a brother-in-law to flatter you?"
Hearing this, Li Longze couldn't help laughing, pointing at Chen Jin and scolding: "You little monkey, you know how to talk." As he said that, he casually threw a memorial that he had just reviewed to Chen Jin.
Chen Jin deftly took the memorial and took a quick look at it. It was an approval for the transportation of official silver to the northwest.
He took the opportunity to say, "I'll take care of this matter right away!" After that, he turned and left, leaving Li Longze alone in the hall to ponder.
Li Shurou returned to Yong'an Palace where she lived with her mother, Concubine Shu, with a heart full of joy. She couldn't wait to tell her mother the good news, her eyes flashing with unconcealable excitement.
After hearing this, Concubine Shu's expression remained as calm as usual, and she did not show any obvious displeasure. She knew her daughter's temperament and understood her persistence and deep affection for Xue Zhongfu.
"Since His Majesty has agreed to this marriage, you should put away your temper and wait for your marriage with peace of mind." Concubine Shu advised gently.
Upon hearing this, Li Shurou nodded quickly, a happy smile on her face: "Don't worry, mother. I will never do anything to worry you again."
Concubine Shu slowly walked out of her daughter's boudoir, and then gave a wink to the capable and trusted aunts in charge and the senior palace maids around her.
"Pay special attention to the princess's condition in the next few days. Scissors and other sharp objects are not allowed in the bedroom. Food and daily necessities must also be carefully checked to ensure that there are no problems." Concubine Shu gave the order in a low voice, her tone revealing unquestionable firmness.
News in the palace always spreads quickly. Even though the palace walls are high, they cannot stop the spread of news.
The news that Princess Ning'an had chosen her son-in-law quickly spread throughout the inner court of the imperial city and even among the princes and nobles in the capital, attracting widespread attention and heated discussion.
However, the question of who would be the future Prince Consort remained a mystery, piqued everyone's interest. Speculations abounded, and discussions swirled, but there remained no definitive answer.
Just before the eldest daughter of the Xingyuan Marquis's Mansion was to get married, two imperial edicts came to Ning'an Palace and the Xingyuan Marquis' Mansion respectively.
At this moment, all the speculation and suspense finally came to an end.
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