"Your Majesty, I have summoned you here because I have something to ask of you!"
Upon meeting, the Empress Dowager didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
Xie Yuan quickly knelt down and said, "I dare not! If the Empress Dowager needs anything, please just give the order!"
Her bad premonition grew even stronger.
Seeing Xie Yuan's alarmed expression, the Empress Dowager smiled.
The woman, who was in her seventies, was remarkably well-preserved.
Her hair had turned completely white when the late emperor passed away. The Empress Dowager suffered the greatest blow of her life, which caused her to age ten years overnight.
If it weren't for this incident, she would have been a wealthy and kind old lady.
However, although the Empress Dowager was greatly shocked by the death of the late emperor, she still managed to pull through.
Come to think of it, a woman who can survive in the harem for decades and successfully help her son ascend the throne is not someone who can be easily defeated.
She was still sitting cross-legged, smiling very kindly. If someone who didn't know the inside story were to look at her expression, they would definitely think she was some old feudal lord, rather than some grand empress dowager.
Xie Yuan became even more wary.
In fact, people as aggressive and domineering as Empress Ashina are easier to deal with.
Because of her wickedness, her scheming is all out in the open.
But the Empress Dowager, a cunning old fox, is best at hiding her true intentions and feigning kindness while harboring a bitter heart.
“It’s nothing important, let alone an ‘order’.”
The Empress Dowager looked embarrassed. "Alas, it's all because of that child from Nanling—"
Princess of Nanling?
Xie Yuan lowered his eyelids, concealing the glint in his eyes.
Xie Yuan had heard of this woman.
Back in Yuezhou, because of Jia Yi, Helian Jue specifically told Xie Yuan about many things that happened in the capital.
Jia Yi had once targeted Nanling, nearly driving this poor woman to her death.
Xie Yuan even felt some sympathy for Nanling.
Later, I heard that she became engaged to the Fifth Prince, but before the wedding could take place, the Tangquan Palace Incident occurred.
The Fifth Prince became one-eyed, and under Yongchang's insistence, Nanling broke off the engagement.
After two unsuccessful marriage attempts, many rumors began to circulate in the capital.
Public opinion is a fearsome thing. Even the so-called daughter of the Grand Princess of Nanling had to flee to a Taoist temple to avoid the storm.
He didn't even come back for the Chinese New Year.
Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly bring her up?
"In this Turkic plot to assassinate the Empress Dowager, Wu Lang was also deeply involved."
As if hearing Xie Yuan's thoughts, the Empress Dowager took the initiative to explain, "The Emperor is benevolent, except for Wu Lang's family's..."
The Empress Dowager spoke with great sincerity and a hint of appreciation.
It seemed that, in her view, Helian Jue was so "kind" to his own brother, and as a grandmother, she was very pleased.
Xie Yuan remained silent.
The Empress Dowager and Helian Jue were related as grandmother and grandson. As the grandmother, she had no right to interfere when it came to commenting on her grandson's affairs.
Even distant relatives shouldn't interfere with close ones.
Although Xie Yuan was closer to Helian Jue.
However, according to the patriarchal system, the Empress Dowager was Helian Jue's legitimate relative!
Empress Dowager Xie Yuan lowered her head and remained silent, not taking it to heart.
She continued, "Goro himself did something wrong, and the Emperor should punish him however he sees fit. But, with Goro being punished, many of his old deeds have been brought up again!"
The Empress Dowager has made her point so clearly; it would be unreasonable for Xie Yuan not to understand.
She looked up, feigning surprise, "Are there people in the capital criticizing Princess Nanling?"
"well!"
The Empress Dowager sighed and said slowly, "Nanling is a pitiful child. He lost his father before he was even born."
"Yongchang was spoiled by me and the late emperor, and he is strong-willed and willful, while Nanling is more timid."
"Originally, I thought that by marrying her back into the royal family, we could ensure her safety and wealth for a while, but I never expected—"
The Empress Dowager's words seemed to be a lament about the failed marriage between Nanling and the Fifth Prince, but to Xie Yuan, they sounded particularly jarring.
Xie Yuanzong felt that the phrase "double the kinship" was particularly meaningful.
Could it be that the Empress Dowager intends to betroth Nanling to Helian Jue?
After all, the Fifth Prince had already been demoted to a commoner, and Nanling had long since broken off her engagement with him.
If they want to "strengthen their ties" further, the most suitable candidate is Helian Jue!
Xie Yuan's lips twitched a few times, as if he wanted to say something.
But Xie Yuan swallowed the words back down his throat.
She couldn't say it!
If the Empress Dowager directly tells Helian Jue to take Nanling as a concubine, Xie Yuan can directly bring up the matter of the mourning period.
If all else fails, she can blame it on Helian Jue.
Whether or not to take concubines is Helian Jue's business; she doesn't care!
Did they want her to be a "virtuous empress" and actively help her husband take concubines?
Haha, sorry, Xie Yuan said that she is a good woman who follows the three obediences and four virtues—she becomes a nun and obeys her husband!
The decision to take a concubine should be made by the husband!
However, since the Empress Dowager did not explicitly state this, Xie Yuan had no opportunity to perform.
The only thing Xie Yuan can do now is remain silent.
If the Empress Dowager doesn't make things clear, she can pretend to be stupid.
Empress Dowager: ...
She sat high in the main seat, and could only see Xie Yuan bowing his head respectfully.
Since you can't see her expression, you don't know what she's thinking.
The Empress Dowager sighed inwardly: "She is indeed composed and, more importantly, intelligent."
No wonder Ashina was defeated by her time and time again.
Once she realized that Xie Yuan was a smart and capable man, the Empress Dowager's idea became even more firm.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
