Chapter 81 The Earl of Enping and Princess Jiaoyang
When Dingfeng returned from the Xuanping Marquis's residence, he asked the gatekeeper as he passed by the gatehouse, "Has the Marquis returned yet?"
"not yet."
Dingfeng nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
Dingfeng used to be the personal servant of the Earl of Enping, and now he is the steward of the Earl of Enping's mansion. He is the most trusted person by the Earl of Enping.
He was the one who just represented the Earl of Enping's residence at the Marquis of Xuanping's residence.
If Ajiu were to see this person, she would surely recognize him as the kind-speaking servant she had encountered on the street that night.
***
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, in the imperial study...
Emperor Xiaozhao had already used the incident in Enping County to give Yan Jin a warning.
Looking at Yan Jin kneeling on the ground, trembling and filled with fear, Emperor Xiaozhao finally put away his imposing manner with satisfaction and asked in a gentler tone, "You're not young anymore, are you? Has your marriage been arranged?"
Yan Jin was taken aback, then looked up at Emperor Xiaozhao with a joyful expression and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I am nineteen years old this year. Your Majesty knows me. I have no father or mother, and I am all alone with no one to rely on. If Your Majesty could grant me a marriage, I would be eternally grateful and would repay you with my life."
Upon seeing Yan Jin's earnest and expectant gaze, Emperor Xiaozhao's original intention to marry Princess Jiaoyang instantly cooled.
Not only did he not pay with his life for killing someone, but he was also summoned to the capital and given an official title and rank.
If he were to promise her a princess... tsk tsk, how come Yan Jin gets all the good things?
He originally thought that Yan Jin would be unhappy about him bestowing a marriage upon him, but who knew that Yan Jin was not only willing, but also seemed very eager for him to bestow the marriage upon him immediately.
After thinking for a moment, Emperor Xiaozhao instantly understood the reason.
Now that Yan Jin has entered the capital, his matricide and patricide in Enping County can no longer be kept secret.
Actually, this matter had already been circulating privately before the Lunar New Year, but it wasn't brought up publicly.
Otherwise, we wouldn't have spent so much time choosing the location for his residence.
Now, once the news of what happened in Enping County spreads, it will be a pipe dream for Yan Jin to find a suitable marriage in the capital!
This was actually a good thing for Emperor Xiaozhao.
Without the powerful support of his wife's family, Yan Jin could only be a lone minister, and could only rely on him closely!
The more these people in the capital reject Yan Jin, the more loyal Yan Jin will be to him!
Thinking of this, Emperor Xiaozhao smiled happily and kindly explained, "I was just asking, my dear minister, please don't misunderstand. A man's marriage is for a lifetime, so naturally he should marry a woman he likes. I am not a tyrannical and domineering monarch, and I will not allow you to marry someone you don't like."
After a pause, Emperor Xiaozhao continued, "Here's what we'll do: if you find a woman you like in the future, come and tell me, and I will grant you a marriage."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Yan Jin quickly kowtowed in gratitude. The moment his forehead touched the ground, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Emperor Xiaozhao did not bestow a marriage upon him!
***
In the Empress Dowager's palace, Princess Jiaoyang was excitedly telling the Empress Dowager that Emperor Xiaozhao wanted to marry her to the Earl of Enping.
Earlier, Emperor Xiaozhao summoned Princess Jiaoyang and asked her, "What has Jiaoyang been busy with lately?"
Princess Jiaoyang curtsied and said in a light tone, "Your Majesty, I am here to assess talent! The imperial examinations are just around the corner, aren't they? I want to see which candidates this year have real talent and which are just here to fill the ranks."
Yes, of course, that's a high-sounding way of putting it.
In fact, she was just bored and, along with her equally bored grandmother, was listing the famous scholars in the capital and gossiping about which of the court officials would choose a son-in-law from among the successful candidates in the imperial examinations.
There was nothing she could do; her retirement life with the Empress Dowager was just this aimless.
When Emperor Xiaozhao heard this, he thought that Princess Jiaoyang was really concerned about the important matter of the imperial examination.
He then gave Princess Jiaoyang a loving glare and scolded her, "This is your elder brother's business. You are just a young girl, so you should learn more about royal etiquette, cultivate your character, and wait for me to arrange a good marriage for you in the future."
Princess Jiaoyang was displeased.
She stepped forward and took Emperor Xiaozhao's arm, speaking earnestly in a coquettish tone: "Since I'm idle anyway, I sometimes want to share the burden for Father. Besides, Fifth Brother said that my learning is better than that of Crown Prince, and the people chosen by Crown Prince may not be as good as those I pick."
"With your fifth brother's limited education, what could he possibly know? Anyone who can read is considered learned in his eyes! Do you really believe what he says?"
Emperor Xiaozhao was both amused and exasperated. "With your laziness—lying around in the Empress Dowager's palace all day sunbathing—you think you can compare to your elder brother, the Crown Prince?"
Princess Jiaoyang pouted, clearly unhappy.
Emperor Xiaozhao laughed for a while before speaking seriously: "Alright, I called you here because I have something I want to tell you."
"Oh," Princess Jiaoyang responded, her little mouth still pouting, clearly still angry.
"You are fourteen years old this year. I want to arrange a marriage for you ahead of time, and you can get married in two years."
As soon as Emperor Xiaozhao finished speaking, Princess Jiaoyang stared wide-eyed in shock. "Father, I do not want to get married! I want to serve my grandmother and live out her days in peace. I will not get married."
"Nonsense!" Emperor Xiaozhao glared at Princess Jiaoyang. "What princess doesn't get married?"
"Your subject is..."
Princess Jiaoyang wanted to say something more, but Emperor Xiaozhao's suddenly gloomy expression frightened her so much that she dared not continue.
Emperor Xiaozhao then continued, "Earl Enping Yan Jin entered the palace today, and I will summon him shortly..."
"Father, do you intend to betroth me to the Earl of Enping?" Princess Jiaoyang's eyes widened, and then, a deep joy welled up in her beautiful eyes. "I am willing!"
Emperor Xiaozhao was speechless for a moment.
She just said she wouldn't get married, but now that she's heard the name of the Earl of Enping, she can't wait to agree?
Is there something wrong with his daughter?
How come the Earl of Enping, whom others despise, loathe, and avoid like the plague, became a hot commodity in her eyes?
Emperor Xiaozhao couldn't understand Princess Jiaoyang's thoughts. But regardless, Jiaoyang agreed, which made things easier.
Emperor Xiaozhao summoned the Earl of Enping. Princess Jiaoyang, on the other hand, ran joyfully to the Empress Dowager's bedchamber to share the good news with her.
Upon hearing Princess Jiaoyang's words, the Empress Dowager immediately frowned.
“The Earl of Enping is no good man! You must not marry him!”
The Empress Dowager said solemnly, "Not to mention me, even your mother would absolutely not agree to this marriage."
Princess Jiaoyang pouted, "But this is Father Emperor's will, so Mother Empress's opposition is useless."
"And what about your mother, and me as well?"
The Empress Dowager glared at Princess Jiaoyang with annoyance. "That Earl of Enping is a vicious man who murdered his mother and father and harmed his own siblings! How could you possibly want to marry someone like him?"
Princess Jiaoyang twisted her fingers and said embarrassedly, "The Earl of Enping did kill a lot of people, but there were reasons for it! If those people hadn't harmed his mother first, plotted against him later, and tried to seize his family's property, would he have been so ruthless?"
"Grandmother may think his methods are too cruel, but I think he is decisive in killing, quick to avenge wrongs, and a good man with guts! I like him just the way he is!"
The Empress Dowager was speechless.
Jiao Yang is clearly a pleasure-seeking person, so why would she like someone like that?
The Empress Dowager was deeply worried.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager's worries did not last long.
After the Earl of Enping left the palace, the Empress Dowager personally came to Emperor Xiaozhao's study and received confirmation from him that Princess Jiaoyang would not be betrothed to the Earl of Enping.
The Empress Dowager was satisfied. However, Princess Jiaoyang was going to be disappointed.
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