Small garden of Ci'an Palace.
Shang Yingyi picked a chrysanthemum and played with it in her hand. Not long after, Su Jingfei also came over.
"Meet Sister Shang."
Shang Yingyi smiled and returned the greeting, "Sister Su, there's no need to be so polite."
Su Jingfei's face was full of smiles. As she raised her hand, her sleeve slipped down, revealing the jade bracelet that the Queen Mother had just given her. "Sister, do you think this bracelet is suitable for me?"
"My sister's skin is whiter than snow, very beautiful."
Su Jingfei smiled proudly: "Although my sister's mother is an old friend of the Queen Mother, the position of Princess Gong ultimately depends on the prince's wishes, sister, don't you think so?"
"Sister Su is the Empress's cousin and is of noble birth. I'm sure the prince will like her when he sees her."
"Thank you for your kind words, sister."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone announced that Prince Gong had arrived.
Su Jingfei quickly tidied her appearance. She had heard that Prince Gong was a handsome man. Although he had already established a house, his backyard was clean. Not to mention concubines, he didn't even have a maid.
He is the dream lover of many young ladies in the capital.
Prince Gong strode in and saw Shang Yingyi standing not far away. He immediately walked towards her.
Su Jingfei thought the prince was looking at her, her cheeks turned red and she looked shy. She only prepared to salute when someone came closer.
Prince Gong, however, passed by her and spoke to Shang Yingyi, "Sister Shang, why are you also in the palace?"
This scene attracted the attention of many people, and jealousy and resentment came one after another.
But Shang Yingyi didn't care at all. Instead, he enjoyed the feeling of being envied.
"Greetings, Your Highness." After paying her respects, Shang Yingyi continued, "The Queen Mother has given an order, and I dare not disobey."
Prince Gong sighed and complained, "You are my sister. How can the Queen Mother arrange marriages for you?"
The reason why Shang Yingyi and Zhao Yuanyu were familiar with each other was simply because of her brother, but in Zhao Yuanyu's eyes, he always regarded her as his own sister.
Since they are sisters, how can they be husband and wife?
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone started talking about it.
Shang Yingyi's eyelashes trembled suddenly, and she looked at Zhao Yuanyu in disbelief. Because of these words, the other people's jealous eyes turned into ridicule and sneers in an instant.
Su Jingfei said something very right just now. No matter how much the Empress Dowager likes it, it depends on Prince Gong's own wishes.
After saying this, Zhao Yuanyu strode towards the inner hall.
Su Jingfei smiled slowly, seemingly complimenting but actually mockingly: "Sister Shang, you are so lucky to have a brother like Prince Gong."
Inside the main hall, the Queen Mother was talking to Concubine Zhuanghe.
Looking up, she saw Zhao Yuanyu coming in and scolded him, "You kid, what occasion is this today? How dare you be late? Be careful or I'll tell your brother."
After paying his respects, Zhao Yuanyu smiled and said, "This son did not come late on purpose, but was delayed on the way. I beg your forgiveness, mother."
The Queen Mother naturally didn't mind. Just then, Shang Yingyi walked in. She raised her hand to signal someone to come forward and said kindly, "This is your sister Shang."
"That's what I was about to say." Zhao Yuanyu smiled brightly. "Mother, even if you are anxious about my marriage, you can't just randomly arrange a marriage. I and Shang Dalang are as close as brothers, and I naturally treat Shang's sister as my own. If this gets out, wouldn't it be a joke? Besides, I have someone in my heart. When the time is right, I will ask you to approve the marriage."
Hearing this, the Queen Mother's face gradually darkened, and even Shang Yingyi's face turned red.
Concubine Zhuanghe smiled and tried to smooth things over, "Yuanyu, since you have someone in your heart, why didn't you tell the Queen Mother earlier? That would save her the trouble of arranging things for you."
Zhao Yuanyu scratched his head and smiled heartily, "This cannot be blamed on me. No one can predict things like fate. Mother, I haven't even paid my respects to my brother yet. I'll take my leave now."
Concubine Zhuang He rolled her eyes and smiled, "She's still young after all, and it's just a child's temper. I'll talk to the prince about it in detail later, and the child will understand."
The Queen Mother sighed softly and smiled leisurely, "Yes, he is still just a child."
Not long after, the banquet in Ci'an Palace ended.
Back in the bedroom, the Queen Mother asked Mao Cheng in a deep voice, "Did Yuan Yu meet anyone on the way here?"
Mao Cheng thought for a moment, "When I saw the prince, he was talking to Concubine Yi's sister."
"Why is she in the Imperial Garden at this hour?"
"The Emperor went to Huayang Palace. Miss Fu must have gone to the Imperial Garden to relax because she was afraid of disturbing the Emperor and the Empress."
Nanny Song sensed a hidden meaning in the Queen Mother's words and asked thoughtfully, "Is the Queen Mother afraid that Miss Fu is deliberately plotting to meet the Prince in the Imperial Garden?"
Seeing that the Queen Mother didn't say anything, Nanny Song continued, "Speaking of which, the prince only said that he has someone in his heart, and it may not be Miss Fu. You just pretend not to know. When the prince speaks, we will know clearly."
"This child is really worrying me. Even if I don't like the merchant girl, I should be more cautious. How can I say it out loud like this?"
Nanny Song smiled, "You know the prince's temper best. This is a good idea. Make everything clear so as not to delay the young lady."
The Queen Mother shook her head helplessly, "Tell someone to send some things out later, so as not to make the child sad."
"I've made note of this."
Zichen Palace.
Talking about today's concubine selection, Zhao Yuancheng smiled and asked Prince Gong, "How is it going? Do you have anyone you like?"
"I dare not hide it. I did meet someone I like today, but whether this marriage can be successful depends on your Majesty's wishes."
Zhao Yuancheng became interested: "Oh? Tell me, which girl is this?"
"She's not from a prominent family, but her family background isn't low either. If you think about it, she's the Queen Mother's niece."
Zhao Yuancheng narrowed his eyes and said in disbelief, "You're not talking about Concubine Yi's sister, are you?"
"My royal brother is wise and wise."
Zhao Yuancheng gently turned the ring on his thumb and asked with a smile, "Where did you meet her?"
"Today, I was ordered to enter the palace. When I passed by the Imperial Garden, I happened to see Miss Fu sketching there. From the first sight, I felt she was like a goddess."
Zhao Yuancheng couldn't help but burst into laughter. "That's truly fate. I just told Concubine Yi to send her sister as well, but I didn't expect you to meet first. This eldest son of the Fu family is extremely talented and will definitely be on the list of the imperial examination this spring. If you could marry his sister, it would be a match made in heaven. I'm sure the Queen Mother wouldn't object."
Zhao Yuanyu's face was filled with joy: "So, my royal brother, you agree?"
"This is your wife. It's up to you to choose her. Why do you need my approval? But no matter what, you still have to ask her what she thinks."
"Then I'll have to trouble my royal brother to take care of this matter for me."
But just as he finished speaking, Zhu Yu hurried in and said in a panic, "Your Majesty, someone from the Duke of Rui's Mansion just came to report that Miss Shang hanged herself."
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