Song Yue frowned, gently raised her head, and looked straight ahead: "Your subject, Song Yue, pays respects to the Empress Dowager."
"Come forward," Empress Dowager Xu said.
Song Yue slowly stood up and stopped two steps away from Empress Dowager Xu.
"Raise your head and let me see you."
Song Yue looked up.
After seeing her face clearly, Empress Dowager Xu's eyes flashed with amazement. She smiled and said, "You are just like your mother, a beautiful woman. I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry you in the future."
She continued talking to herself until the old woman behind her reminded her, and only then did Empress Dowager Xu belatedly realize that everyone was bowing and paying their respects.
"Look at my memory! Everyone, please get up."
Everyone stood up: "Thank you, Empress Dowager."
After praising Song Yue, Empress Dowager Xu waved to a young girl in the crowd and said, "Qing'er, come here."
Xu Qing'er stepped forward and obediently called out, "Aunt."
"You're not young anymore, so today I'll arrange a marriage for you." Empress Dowager Xu acted as if Song Yue didn't exist, pointing to Zhao Zhiyan who had rushed over from not far away.
"How's the eighth brother?"
Xu Qing'er's face instantly turned red, and she lowered her head shyly.
Empress Dowager Xu smiled indulgently: "Men should marry when they are of age and women should marry when they are of age. There is nothing to be ashamed of. The Eighth Prince is not young anymore. It is time for him to get married. Qing'er is both talented and beautiful, and she is a perfect match for you."
Zhao Zhiyan had come with the Emperor of Northern Chu. Upon hearing this, he frowned. The Emperor of Northern Chu first glanced at Princess Jiahua, whose face was pale, then his expression darkened and he stared at Xu Qing'er: "Miss Xu, have you made your decision?"
The tone was incredibly intimidating.
Xu Qing'er's face paled, and she looked nervously at Empress Dowager Xu.
Empress Dowager Xu smiled and said, "Marriage is a major event, arranged by parents and matchmakers. What could a young girl with a thin skin like her possibly know?"
As she spoke, Empress Dowager Xu stared at Song Yue with a half-smile.
Song Yue finally understood why her mother's tone was displeased earlier. This Empress Dowager Xu simply didn't recognize her own status.
"Eighth Prince, it's rare for the Empress Dowager to take the initiative to speak up, so why don't you just take Xu Qing'er as your concubine? What do you say?" The Emperor of Northern Chu smiled and looked at Zhao Zhiyan: "Even if you don't like her, just do me a favor."
Upon hearing this, Song Yue almost burst out laughing, and quickly lowered her head to cover her laughter.
"Your Majesty!" Empress Dowager Xu's expression changed slightly: "Qing'er is the eldest daughter of the Xu family..."
"So what if she's the eldest daughter of the Xu family? Does she expect the princess, the eldest daughter of Prince Jing, to become her concubine?" the Emperor of Northern Chu retorted.
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