Although Emperor Mingzheng was fond of beautiful women, he did not like women who were talented and self-righteous. He preferred women who were gentle and affectionate, or women who were beautiful and charming like Xue Rong. Therefore, although Xue Qingshang was beautiful, Emperor Mingzheng had never been interested in her.
Hearing Xue Rong's words, he said half-truthfully, "Changle is both talented and beautiful, so her vision is naturally different from that of ordinary noble ladies. I remember when she just came of age, the number of people seeking marriage almost broke down the door of Jingyuan Marquis's mansion. Even Shen Rong, the eldest son of Prime Minister Shen, had a special liking for Changle. In order to please Changle, he even went to great lengths to hunt a silver fox. I didn't hear about the rest of it. What happened later?"
Xue Rong's expression was subtle for a moment when she heard Emperor Mingzheng mention Shen Tian, but she quickly covered it up. "Changle didn't want the Silver Fox. His mother passed away early, and Changle became a little arrogant because of my pampering. Although Young Master Shen Rong is good, he doesn't suit Changle's taste."
Speaking of the silver fox, it has something to do with Gu Yun. Back then, Gu Yun hunted a white fox from Lingnan and brought it back to the capital. In order to attract business, the shop that helped Gu Yun cut and knead the skins actually hung the cut skins in the store, attracting many noble ladies in the capital to scramble for them. The manager of the shop saw that he was in trouble, so he had to tell the truth and said that the white fox fur cloak belonged to the young Marquis Gu.
Gu Yun's reputation as a playboy was well-known in the capital, and knowing that the white fox fur cloak had another owner, many people gave up the idea. However, as soon as Xue Qingshang came of age, Xue Rong asked the emperor to confer the title of Princess of Changle County on her. She couldn't help but feel noble, and was spoiled by Xue Rong to the point that she had nothing she wanted, so she went to the Annan Marquis' Mansion in person to ask Gu Yun for the white fox fur.
Xue Rong, who had always been smooth sailing and always been flattered and liked by others, was treated coldly in the Annan Marquis' Mansion. Gu Yun didn't even show up and asked the servants to reject her bluntly.
Somehow, after hearing this, Shen Rong found a way to have someone catch a snow mountain silver fox for Xue Qingshang. Xue Qingshang felt that she had lost face when Gu Yun ruthlessly refused her request for a white fox skin. She was already feeling uncomfortable, and when she saw the snow mountain silver fox sent by Shen Rong, she remembered the white fox skin that was rejected. She became even more angry and ordered her people to ridicule Shen Rong and drive him out of the house.
Shen Rong is narrow-minded and does not really love Xue Qingshang. Otherwise, Xue Rong would be willing to marry Xue Qingshang to the Shen family. After all, with Shen Tian taking care of her, Qingshang will never suffer any grievances in her life.
However, Shen Rong had a deep grudge against her, and because of this incident, he bore even more hatred towards the Xue family. He almost brought up the past affair between her and Shen Tian in front of Emperor Mingzheng, causing a big mess. Fortunately, Shen Tian discovered it early and ordered Shen Rong to leave Beijing. In the past few years, Shen Rong followed Ji Wudao in Xuanfu, and did not bother Xue Qingshang again, causing any trouble.
Xue Rong didn't want to think about it anymore. She and the Shen family had an inseparable and complicated relationship. At first, they only gave her medicine and food, and later she married into the Qiandi Palace. Later, Emperor Mingzheng ascended the throne, and Shen Tian rose to become the prime minister of the cabinet. If Xue Rong, who was infertile and childless, hadn't had his help, she would probably have become a beauty in the harem.
Emperor Mingzheng smiled, his laughter concealed sarcasm. No matter how high Xue Qingchang thought of herself, she was just a little girl. Could it be that the Xue family, who were used to being royal relatives, had pushed Xue Qingchang's marriage to the prince?
"Even Prime Minister Shen's beloved son Changle doesn't like her, so her marriage is indeed a headache. In fact, the prince should marry a concubine." Although he knew that the Xue family and the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery Mansion were hostile to each other, Emperor Mingzheng still deliberately tested her.
Xue Rong withdrew her thoughts upon hearing this, and her face changed slightly. She was the one who slept with Emperor Mingzheng, so how could she not know that Emperor Mingzheng had become more suspicious in recent years? She hurriedly said, "The Crown Prince is of noble status, and Shang'er is not docile enough, so I dare not marry him. Besides, the Queen should have already found someone in mind for the Crown Prince's concubine." Having said this, Xue Rong's eyes fell on Yu Qizhe, and she no longer concealed her feelings, and smiled softly, "I think Yu Shidu is a handsome man, elegant and talented, and Shang'er admires people who are well-read. This is a rare marriage."
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