Chapter 149 Cooperation
The door of the imperial study closed silently behind him, isolating him from the suffocating imperial pressure.
The sun shines on my face again, bringing a touch of warmth.
But deep in He Ning's eyes, the panic just now disappeared in an instant, leaving only a cold clarity.
He heard clearly the emperor's kindness and power.
In this game of chess, he is both a chess piece and also the chess player.
The alliance with Jiang Qingning is the key step to breaking the deadlock.
The next morning.
A team of eunuchs dressed in palace uniforms and with solemn expressions, holding the dazzling yellow imperial edict in their hands, marched out of the palace under the protection of the imperial guards.
The horse's hooves made a crisp and majestic sound as they stepped on the bluestone road.
"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: I have heard that He Ning, the crown prince of the Zhenbei Prince, is a man of valor and bravery, and has been newly appointed as the Censor-in-Chief. He is a pillar of state, and the daughter of Jiang Baichuan, a third-rank military officer, is a virtuous and prudent woman, gentle and virtuous. Despite the hardships she has endured, she remains chaste and steadfast.
"I have heard that He Ning is deeply in love with Jiang, and their affection is genuine. Therefore, in accordance with Heaven's will and human nature, I grant a marriage between He Ning and Jiang Qingning. An auspicious date will be chosen for the ceremony, and the Ministry of Rites will assist in the process. I hope you two will be of one mind and heart, manage your household with respect and prudence, and do not betray my grace. I decree this!"
The eunuch's voice announcing the decree echoed in the front hall of Ning Pavilion.
Jiang Qingning was kneeling in front of the incense table, wearing a plain moon-white skirt and her black hair was tied up with a simple jade hairpin.
She lowered her eyes, and her long eyelashes cast two faint shadows under her eyes, covering all the surging emotions in her eyes.
She stretched out her hands and took the heavy imperial edict steadily, her fingertips cold.
"Your Majesty, your servant Jiang, bows and thanks you for your grace. Long live your Majesty."
The eunuch who announced the decree had a perfect smile on his face and said a few polite words like "Congratulations Miss Jiang, congratulations to the Crown Prince", but his eyes could not help but linger for a few more moments on this divorced woman who was famous in the capital.
It's really too peaceful.
He left with a lot of doubts and generous rewards, leaving behind noisy discussions in the capital.
The imperial edict spread throughout the capital like thunder in an instant.
On the streets, in teahouses and taverns, all the topics revolved around this shocking arranged marriage.
"Have you heard? The emperor has granted a marriage between the Prince of Zhenbei and that Jiang family member!"
"Which Jiang? The one from the Anping Marquis's mansion who just got divorced?"
"Isn't it her? Tsk tsk, this is really weird. A divorced woman first attracted the Qin Guogong prince's infatuation, and just a few days later? And now the Zhenbei prince who just returned to the capital asked for her hand in marriage, and even the emperor agreed!"
"Strange? I think she's just using some powerful tactics to charm people. Who doesn't know about the goings-on at the Anping Marquis' Mansion? The Jiang family is in trouble, and she's been a widow in the Xun family for eight years. This divorce is like a dead tree coming back to life, climbing up two towering trees at once!"
"Climb? I don't think so. Lord Qin, the prince of Duke Qin, is such a big shot. I heard that in the past three days, Jiang Shi didn't even let Lord Qin in. People from the Qin Mansion went to Ning Pavilion and were turned away several times. This is clearly to ditch Lord Qin and climb up to a higher branch, the prince!"
"Hiss... This Jiang family has such a cruel heart and such a courage. Who is Lord Qin? How dare she do that?"
"Why wouldn't you dare? Didn't you see the imperial edict has already been issued? Prince He is now the new favorite in His Majesty's eyes, holding the position of Censorate and enjoying immense popularity. The Jiang family has made the right bet, and he's about to soar to prominence and become a phoenix."
"Hmph, I don't think it will last long. Prince He is a young hero, and he was just blinded by this vixen for a moment. She is a second-time bride, a rootless duckweed. Does she really think she can hold the position of the Crown Prince of Zhenbei firmly?"
"That's right, just wait and see. Lord Qin won't let this go. And those noble ladies who are jealous of Prince He and dislike the Jiang family, tsk tsk, the threshold of Ning Pavilion is going to be trampled down."
No surprise.
The name Jiang Qingning was once again pushed to the forefront and became the hottest and most controversial topic in Beijing.
The atmosphere inside Ning Pavilion was completely different from the hustle and bustle outside.
Deep in the courtyard, an old tree with twisted branches stands quietly.
Under the tree, Jiang Qingning changed into a casual cotton dress with her sleeves rolled up, revealing her slender yet strong wrists.
She was holding a pair of shiny silver pruning shears in her hand, concentrating on pruning a half-human-high potted red plum tree next to the plum tree.
Her movements were neither hurried nor slow, as if all the noise around her had nothing to do with her.
The sharp edges of the scissors bit into each other, making a slight clicking sound.
A superfluous, slightly weak twig fell off and landed on the mossy ground.
"Miss……"
Zi Su hurried in from outside, with a look of worry and hesitation on her face.
She was horrified by the heated discussions outside.
"explain."
Jiang Qingning didn't even raise his head, his eyes still fixed on the direction of the plum branch.
"Princess Shanyang is here."
Zi Su's voice lowered. "The carriage is parked outside the door. The princess looks unhappy and wants to see you right away."
Jiang Qingning paused slightly in his pruning movements.
Princess Shanyang Li Youwei was the only noble lady in the capital who had shown some kindness to her.
She put down the scissors.
What is meant to come will always come.
She looked calm as she picked up a plain white cloth beside her and slowly wiped her fingers, which were slightly stained with grass juice. "Please ask the princess to go to the waterside pavilion and prepare the snow-topped green."
The waterside pavilion and flower hall of Ning Pavilion faces a small lotus pond.
In summer, lotus leaves are in full bloom in the pond, the hall is elegantly decorated, and the light scent of agarwood is burning.
However, this elegance and tranquility was completely broken by a burst of hurried and angry footsteps.
"Bang!"
The Xiangfei bamboo curtain in the flower hall was suddenly lifted up by a hand wearing a jade bracelet, and hit the door frame with a muffled sound.
Li Youwei walked in quickly. She was wearing a bright crimson palace dress with a gold-woven peony pattern. Her hair was tied up high and her pearl hairpins were shining.
She should have been bright and radiant, but at this moment, her face was covered with a layer of frost, and her eyebrows were raised.
In her beautiful almond-shaped eyes, two flames of anger and confusion burned, shooting straight at the plain figure standing by the window with his back to her.
"Jiang Qingning!"
Li Youwei's voice was urgent and crisp, with a sharp tone of being deceived and betrayed.
"What do you mean?"
Jiang Qingning turned around slowly.
The sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on her plain dress.
Her face remained calm, like a windless lake, but the eyes she looked at Li Youwei were unfathomable.
"My princess has arrived, and I'm sorry for not coming to greet you."
Li Youwei was completely enraged by her calm appearance.
She rushed to Jiang Qingning in a few steps. Her chest was heaving slightly with excitement, and the tip of her pearl-studded shoes almost stepped on the hem of Jiang Qingning's skirt.
"Don't play dumb with me. I'm asking you, why did you agree to He Ning? Why did you accept the imperial decree granting the marriage? You clearly have Qin Xiu in your heart!"
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