Chapter 38: Rescue CP Operation
He Zhaojun knew that Wang Yan must have suffered a loss at Ling Buyi's doorstep, so she bore a grudge and fabricated gossip between Shao Shang and Ling Buyi. If she was right, she was probably dragging herself into it as well.
Empress Xuan then spoke quietly, "Shiyilang has always had his own opinions, but children are the debt of their parents. In the end, this matter still falls on us."
Empress Xuan turned and looked at Concubine Yue: "Sister, it is my Xuan family that has wronged you. The Fifth Princess has come to Changqiu Palace many times to cry and make a scene, refusing to marry into the Yue family. She always wanted to achieve great things like her sons. It is I, Xuan Shen, who failed to educate my children and only caused trouble."
Emperor Wen also sighed, "This world is particularly harsh on girls. Even Shiyilang, who didn't want to get married, was talked about a lot, and I couldn't stop them from talking. What's more, Xiaowu is a girl."
Concubine Yue couldn't help but laugh. "The Third Princess grew up in her uncle's home and refused to marry into the Xuan family back then. But since she lives a life of luxury and enjoys the support of the state, it's only natural that she should do her best for the country. How can she refuse to marry if she wants to?"
Empress Xuan smiled bitterly, "Xiao Wu told me that she felt that His Majesty liked Shiyilang more... I was so angry that I slapped her and made her kneel in the hall to wake herself up."
Everyone knew that Queen Xuan had a gentle temperament and had never lost her temper in all these years. She must have been very angry today.
"Shiyilang is the nephew of my sworn brother Huo Chong and the only descendant of the Huo family. He has been displaced since childhood and has never had a good life!"
"What about Xiaowu? He wears fine clothes and eats delicious food, but he is spoiled and willful. How can we compare with him at all?!" Emperor Wen shouted angrily, and then he remembered that there were two clay statues kneeling below.
He quickly suppressed his temper: "Zhaojun, I heard that you are dating the girl from the Cheng family. Do you know what kind of person she is? What does she think of Shiyilang? Do the two of them..."
He Zhaojun lowered her head in thought. These words, though written in a different location, were surprisingly similar to those in the original novel. She felt suffocated and even less happy.
"Your Majesty, what are you doing?" Fortunately, Concubine Yue smoothed things over: "Which of your series of questions should Zhaojun answer first? You are a great emperor, and you are acting like a woman in the harem. You must not let others laugh at you."
He Zhaojun rolled her eyes. "Your Majesty, I haven't known Shao Shang for long, but I know that while she isn't what the world would consider an impeccable woman, she has a heart of honor and a sense of gratitude. Given time, she will surely become a great figure."
“When I talked to her, she often mentioned how she worked tirelessly to improve farm tools and waterwheels, cultivate new seeds, and benefit the people.[20] In my opinion, there is no woman in the world who is better than her.”
Emperor Wen and his companions looked at each other. Was Shao Shang really as good as He Zhaojun described? Hearing a love rival praising her to the heavens and earth, they couldn't help but feel curious.
"As for those groundless rumors, I think they are just overly concerned about Shao Shang's marriage. However, listening to my description or others' descriptions will still be biased. If Your Majesty is curious, why not let Shao Shang enter the palace with his uncle and aunt from the Cheng family?"
Empress Xuan nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, as Zhaojun said, invite the Cheng family to the palace to meet the emperor. You can also invite Shiyilang along so that you can see for yourself the temperament of the Cheng family's daughters."
After He Zhaojun made the suggestion, she knelt down like a sculpture, motionless. Only then did Concubine Yue see that her son's eyes were still wandering towards He Zhaojun, and she felt annoyed at him for not living up to her expectations.
Emperor Wen laughed heartily: "Ziduan, why don't you help Zhaojun to rest instead of kneeling here like a clay statue!"
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