Zhao Yuanyu, who was sitting upright on the couch, stood up suddenly after hearing the news, his eyes full of disbelief.
Zhao Yuancheng glanced at him and asked Zhu Yu in a deep voice, "How is he?"
"In reply to the emperor, fortunately, I discovered it in time, so a disaster was avoided."
Zhao Yuancheng hummed a sound, neither light nor heavy, then raised his eyes and asked Zhao Yuanyu coldly, "This Shang girl was fine in the palace, why did she become so upset after returning? Do you know the reason?"
Zhao Yuanyu thought for a moment and then told me what he had just said in Ci'an Palace. He was puzzled and said, "This girl usually seems quite cheerful and doesn't take anything I say to heart. Why is she so stubborn now? Fortunately, nothing happened, otherwise the Queen Mother would definitely scold me to death."
Zhao Yuancheng slammed the teacup in his hand onto the table and said unhappily, "You grew up with Miss Shang, and I can see it, but you don't feel anything at all?"
"What's that feeling?" Zhao Yuanyu blinked, expressing his confusion.
Zhao Yuancheng sighed, "My Queen Mother has always intended to marry Miss Shang. This is just a formality. You are usually careless. If you don't like Miss Shang, you should just say it in private. No girl would be able to bear your rejection of the marriage like this."
"Brother Emperor, are you saying that Shang Yingyi likes me?"
Zhao Yuancheng looked at him and gave him a look that said "what do you think?"
"But she treats me like a brother and even asks me not to treat her like a girl. How is that possible?"
Zhao Yuancheng sipped his tea leisurely, speaking calmly, "I don't know why she said that, but one thing is certain: this way, there will be fewer worldly constraints between you and her, won't it?"
Zhao Yuanyu nodded, "It seems so."
"But then again, since the news of Miss Shang's suicide has reached the palace, Queen Mother will definitely give Shang a reason. The worst-case scenario is that you marry her."
"How can that be possible?"
Zhao Yuanyu said anxiously, "Brother Emperor, you know me well. Besides serving the court, my greatest wish in life is to find a devoted lover to live with until old age. I don't like her. If I marry her, wouldn't that ruin her life?"
"But a woman's reputation is more important than anything else. Miss Shang has been rejected by such a noble prince. Who would dare to marry her in the future?"
"Then what should I do?" Zhao Yuanyu's mouth twitched weakly, and then he said firmly: "Since I admire Miss Fu, there is no way I can treat her as a concubine."
"Since ancient times, filial piety has been more important than heaven. Shangjia has been loyal for generations and holds the highest rank. Could it be that you still want her to be your concubine?"
Zhao Yuancheng sighed helplessly, not knowing whether he was talking about himself or others. "You can't have your cake and eat it too. As a child of the royal family, if you enjoy wealth and glory, you will inevitably lose something. You can't have all the benefits of the world to yourself. The most important thing right now is Miss Shang. This matter is caused by you, you should express your attitude."
"Yes, then I will take my leave first."
After Zhao Yuanyu left, Zhu Yu came in through the curtain, and then the emperor ordered, "Go and find out if the Queen Mother knows about this."
"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother sent someone close to her to the Duke's Mansion as soon as Miss Shang left the palace. She must have known about this."
Zhao Yuancheng sighed helplessly, "I thought Yuan Yu would never understand the world of love, but now that she has, she has encountered so many problems."
Zhu Yu smiled and said, "Miss Fu is so lucky. She and the prince are a perfect match. Her Majesty will be very happy."
"I'm afraid it will backfire."
The news of Shang Yingyi's suicide became the talk of the harem for a while, but three days later, the empress dowager suddenly summoned Madam Fu to Ci'an Palace for a talk.
Although it was not the first time that Mrs. Fu met the empress dowager, she felt a little flustered for some reason.
Mrs. Fu did not dare to delay when summoned by the Empress Dowager. After washing and changing her clothes, she immediately went to Ci'an Palace.
"Your Highness pays respects to the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be blessed with good health and happiness."
The Queen Mother smiled warmly and ordered that she be seated, and then asked if Madam Fu was comfortable living in the palace.
Madam Fu smiled and said, "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your concern. Everything is fine."
The Queen Mother nodded, picked up the teacup and took a sip, then said casually, "I remember that the Second Young Lady is already fifteen years old?"
Hearing the Queen Mother mention her daughter, Madam Fu couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but she still answered according to etiquette: "Yes, she had her coming-of-age ceremony at the beginning of the year."
The Empress Dowager smiled faintly, "The Fu family is a family of scholars. Mingxu, at such a young age, has already passed the imperial examination and will also take part in the Spring Imperial Examination this year. Concubine Yi is very cautious in her words and deeds in the palace, and has earned the Emperor's favor. Madam is truly blessed."
"I don't deserve the Empress Dowager's praise. As a citizen of Dajing, I should serve the country. As a concubine, since you are favored by the Emperor, it is only natural that you serve diligently."
"When Concubine Yi entered the palace, I was the matchmaker. Now that Miss Fu is of marriageable age, I, your wife, am once again taking advantage of my age. What do you think, Madam?"
Madam Fu stood up and said respectfully, "It is a blessing for the Fu family to have the Empress Dowager grant us this marriage."
The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction. "Prince Gong has reached the age of marriage. As the legitimate wife, I have already chosen the granddaughter of the Duke of Rui. Miss Fu will be given to Prince Gong as a concubine. What do you think, Madam?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Mrs. Fu's ears buzzed and even her breathing became rapid.
It was Nanny Song who reminded her with a smile, "Madam is so happy that she even forgot to thank you."
Madam Fu came back to her senses and quickly knelt down. After a long moment of thought, she spoke, "The Empress Dowager's favor is a blessing for Yin'er, but Yin'er has been raised in the countryside and has an unrestrained personality. Prince Gong is a man of noble character, and I'm truly afraid that Yin'er will bring disgrace upon the royal family."
"Madam, there's no need to be so modest. Concubine Yi and the Second Young Miss are sisters from the same mother. With Concubine Yi in the lead, how could the Second Young Miss be any worse off? The Imperial Astronomical Bureau has already chosen an auspicious date. The second day of the second month is a particularly auspicious day. The Second Young Miss will enter the palace as a concubine. As her aunt, I will naturally prepare a generous dowry to complement the Second Young Miss's dowry."
"Empress Dowager..."
Madam Fu was about to say something else, but was interrupted by Nanny Song, "That's not all. The Emperor also wants to confer the title of Fourth Rank Imperial Consort upon Madam Fu. This is a great joy."
As the principal wife, how could she watch her daughter become someone else's concubine? When Yu'er entered the palace as a concubine, she was already heartbroken, and now it was Yin'er's turn.
But now the situation has been decided. Even if Mrs. Fu is unwilling a thousand times or ten thousand times, she is powerless to compete with the imperial power.
In the eyes of others, her family had a fourth-rank official and both daughters married into the royal family, which was a blessing that many families could not even ask for.
But who knows the sadness behind the glory?
Madam Fu prostrated herself on the ground and said in a deep voice, "I thank the Queen Mother for her grace."
"I am tired. You can go back first. The marriage decree will be sent to Huayang Palace later."
"Yes, I will take my leave."
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