Chapter 46 Zhou Chuanxing's Wedding
The Empress was gentle and dignified, with a beautiful and elegant appearance. Dressed in brocade robes, every gesture she made exuded the grace and majesty of the Empress Dowager.
Discovering that Chao Li was not interested in her marriage, she decided to make the decision for her.
"The Qixi Festival is just a few days away. Your sister-in-law plans to hold a grand banquet in the palace, inviting all eligible noble ladies and scions of noble families who are not yet engaged. At that time, she must arrange a marriage for you and your two brothers."
Chao Li has her own ideas, but she will not openly defy the Empress.
"Your Majesty, please make the decision."
The two were discussing the marriage when they heard that Consort De was coming to visit. The Empress ordered a palace maid to take her daughter out, while she waited for the Consort De to enter.
"It's been many days since I last saw the Dowager Consort. How are you feeling?"
The Empress was very approachable with this elder, warmly inviting him to sit down and ordering a palace maid to serve tea.
The Dowager Empress chatted casually for a few minutes, then sighed.
"Alas, Your Majesty, I wanted to ask you to mediate for someone a few days ago, but I couldn't bring myself to do it."
Those who have long resided in the central palace are naturally no ordinary people.
How could the Empress not know that Consort De's words had a hidden meaning?
"Please do not hesitate to speak if there is anything you need, Your Highness."
Empress Dowager De then spoke with an expression of having no choice but to.
"It was at the request of the second brother that he said he had taken a fancy to the third young lady of the Chu family and asked me to help propose marriage. It's such a big matter, how could I make the decision? After all, he is Rui'er's own brother, and I can't refuse."
This Miss Chu is indeed beautiful and intelligent; no wonder the second son likes her. I like her very much too. If Rui'er weren't already engaged, I would definitely have proposed to him.”
"My second brother likes Miss Chu?" Chao Li asked inappropriately.
Consort De smiled gently: "That's right. I heard that Miss Chu is participating in the Caiyue Tower competition. Someone who is usually indifferent to women actually went to watch the excitement for two days in a row. If she doesn't like Miss Chu, she can't possibly like men, can she?"
Chao Li was holding his breath.
I knew that Consort De was a wicked person.
"Is that so? So my second brother likes the third young lady."
The Empress's expression turned extremely unpleasant.
Back then, when Imperial Censor Tang impeached her father, if her father hadn't received advance warning and turned the tables on her, it would have been their entire Wang family that was executed.
Although this matter has nothing to do with the Chu family, Lady Hou is a member of the Tang family.
Who knows if she harbored any intention of avenging the Tang family?
For years, the Wang family had been suppressing the Chu family, fearing retaliation from the Lady of the Marquis.
If Marquis Wu'an hadn't been the emperor's savior, he would have dealt with the Chu family long ago.
Hearing today that the Regent Prince is fond of Miss Chu, alarm bells went off in my head.
He would absolutely not agree to this marriage.
"I heard that Miss Chu has already been engaged to the Duke of Liang's family, so I'm afraid the second son will miss out."
Consort De said lightly, "What's there to be afraid of? It's just a verbal agreement. They haven't gotten married yet. If the second prince likes it, you can issue an imperial decree. What would the Liang family dare to disobey your decree?"
Chao Li was surprised that Chu Yanqing got engaged after she had only stayed home for a few days.
She had never heard of the other party liking the young master; she had to ask him herself what was going on.
If her second brother likes Miss Chu, she will definitely do everything in her power to make it happen.
...
The scholars who participated in the provincial examinations would not travel to the capital for some time.
Sun Qingzhao's talent development plan was also not well done.
Tang Xinuan had nothing to do during this time and planned to take Xiaoqian and the guards out for a stroll every day.
Maybe we'll get lucky and meet some talented people.
After taking her medicine today, she changed into men's clothing and went out.
I unexpectedly ran into Chao Li at the gate.
The two only met once in close proximity in the palace, when Tang Xinuan was still dressed as a woman.
They met a few more times at Caiyue Tower, but they were far apart and neither of them had a chance to get a good look at the other.
Upon meeting today, Tang Xinuan naturally recognized Chao Li at a glance.
But Chao Li didn't recognize Tang Xinuan.
I heard that my second brother has a male lover. This young master has red lips and white teeth and is extremely handsome. Could this be my second brother's male lover?
Tang Xinuan didn't know what Chao Li was thinking, so she nodded slightly and got into the carriage and left the palace.
Chao Li walked into the courtyard with a heavy heart, not noticing that he bumped into Prince Duan.
"Third Brother?"
Prince Duan said speechlessly, "What are you thinking about that makes you so absent-minded?"
Chao Li asked meaningfully, "Who was that young master who just went out?"
Prince Duan laughed and said, "Don't ask, no one will tell you anyway. You'll find out in time."
Chao Li wasn't in the mood to care about that. "By the way, Consort De went to see the Empress this morning, saying that my second brother asked her to arrange a marriage for him and asked the Empress to issue an imperial decree. I saw that the Empress looked very unwell, so I have to tell my second brother to be careful."
Before the two could finish speaking, Zhou Chuanxing approached Chao Li's side and asked, "What does Your Majesty mean, sister-in-law?"
Chao Li only saw the surface. "My sister-in-law is definitely not happy. She has been wary of the Chu family all these years, so she will definitely not let you marry Miss Chu the Third. My sister-in-law will also hold a banquet on the Qixi Festival to invite noble ladies and gentlemen from the capital to the palace to arrange marriages for the three of us."
Chao Li was raised by Prince Duan, who treated him like an older brother and father. At crucial moments, he only cared about his younger sister's marriage.
"Chao Li, what are your own thoughts?"
Chao Li was a little embarrassed, and she first glanced at Zhou Chuanxing.
"I have no requirements, as long as it can help my second brother."
The emperor is seriously ill; sooner or later, the throne will be passed to one of his brothers.
Chao Li was determined to make her second brother the emperor, but since she couldn't help him, she thought of finding a husband's family that could help her second brother.
How could Zhou Chuanxing not be moved?
He poked Chao Li's forehead hard.
"I don't need you to worry about me. I'll be at ease once you find someone you like."
Next, Prince Duan analyzed several promising and virtuous young talents for Zhou Chuanxing.
This includes Wei Minxian's brother, Wei Minzhao, who was also the one who helped Chu Yannuo find his cousin.
Zhou Chuanxing frowned and asked, "Has Wei Minzhao reported to the Imperial Guard?"
Prince Duan shook his head: "He said he was sick and didn't go."
Zhou Chuanxing scoffed and ordered Tao Guan, "Send someone to inform Wei Minzhao to come to the Prince's Mansion this afternoon. Even if she is really sick, carry her here."
Duke Wei was a brave and skilled general who commanded the three armies before Zhou Chuanxing.
Later, he became embroiled in factional strife and was feared by the emperor.
After Zhou Chuanxing was appointed Grand General, he resigned and returned to the capital to retire.
He's not even sixty yet.
Having cultivated his influence in the military for over thirty years, he can still command a large following with a single call to arms.
Otherwise, Chu Yannuo wouldn't have insisted on marrying the daughter of the Duke of Wei.
Now Zhou Chuanxing has also set his sights on the Duke of Wei's men.
He had met Wei Minzhao several times and found him to be brave, resourceful, and capable of great things.
Of course, he wouldn't force his sister to marry a prince consort; such things require mutual affection.
Chao Li had something else to say to Prince Duan: "By the way, the Crown Prince of Chu has arranged a marriage for the Third Miss. The groom is the son of the Duke of Liang."
Prince Duan had not heard of this matter. He frowned and said with some annoyance, "What does it have to do with me whether she gets engaged or not?"
Chao Li then looked at Zhou Chuanxing, "Second brother, is this none of your business? This morning, the Dowager Consort De went to the Empress and said that you asked her to help you propose marriage. She even asked the Empress to issue an imperial decree to betroth Miss Chu to you."
Zhou Chuanxing didn't want to discuss these trivial matters, so he told Duan Wang about Li Pixiu's attempt to get Tang Xinuan to stage a fake competition.
Without hesitation, Prince Duan said, "It must have been the fourth prince's doing. His uncle has been eyeing the position of Minister of Personnel for a long time. He must want to use the competition to promote his uncle so that he can find someone to recommend him openly and legitimately."
If Sun Qingzhao, a beggar, can become the Vice Minister of Personnel, then it's not surprising that his uncle could become the Minister of Personnel.
Zhou Chuanxing chuckled and said, "He really dares to think that way."
The siblings were chatting when someone from the palace came to invite Zhou Chuan to enter the palace.
Chao Li connected this to what happened this morning, saying, "The Empress must be looking for you about the marriage."
Prince Duan was worried. "Second brother, I'll go with you. There are many tricks in this imperial city. Don't let anyone scheme against you."
The Empress sought out Zhou Chuanxing because of his marriage proposal.
The Grand Tutor just entered the palace and filed a complaint against Zhou Chuanxing.
Yesterday, Wang, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works, was humiliated at the Ordnance Bureau and went directly to the Grand Tutor's residence to complain. Instead of addressing his own problems, he only stirred up trouble.
Although Grand Tutor Wang was not easily swayed by his words, he had long sensed that the Regent was slipping further and further out of his control.
Now that his daughter is the Empress, people still acknowledge him as the Grand Tutor.
But if the regent ascends the throne, a new emperor brings a new court, and what role will he, as the Grand Tutor, play?
To preserve his family's wealth and status, he had to find a way to control the regent, and marriage was naturally the simplest and most effective method.
Fortunately, he has a young daughter whose fiancé died last year, which is a good match to offer to the regent.
Zhou Chuanxing soon arrived at Fengzao Palace.
As the eldest sister-in-law, the Empress first inquired about his well-being before mentioning his marriage.
"The Empress Dowager just came over and said that you have taken a liking to the third young lady of the Chu family. Although my sister-in-law likes this girl very much, the Chu family is small and not of any help to you. Second brother, you are now in charge of the court, so you should take a longer-term view."
When the Emperor conferred the title of Empress, Zhou Chuan was far away at the border. They only met again last year when he returned to the capital.
However, after spending more than a year together, we didn't get to know each other very well.
At this moment, the others were respectful, saying, "My elder brother is ill, and my elder sister-in-law is like a mother to me. Chuanxing's marriage is entirely up to my elder sister-in-law to decide."
Prince Duan never expected that his second brother would entrust his life's most important matter to someone so easily.
He was about to stop him, but received a cold glare from his second brother, so he could only shut his mouth.
The Empress was surprised that the ruthless and feared Regent was so obedient, and she felt much better.
"Since Chuanxing is willing to listen to me, his sister-in-law, then I'll help you arrange this matter. Let's not even mention the Chu family girl..."
Zhou Chuanxing deliberately interrupted her: "Sister-in-law, the Chu family girl is beautiful and kind-hearted, she is the perfect choice to be the princess consort."
The Empress's good mood was dampened again. "Chuanxing, I have lived in the capital for a long time and know the Chu family girls better than you do. They may seem smart, but they are not capable of handling important matters. You should consider other girls."
Zhou Chuanxing pondered for a moment and nodded: "It's fine if my sister-in-law makes the decision."
The Empress was delighted. "Since you've asked your sister-in-law to make the decision, then your sister-in-law will help you plan one. Originally, we planned to decide on the Qixi Festival, but you're not young anymore, and marriage is an important matter that shouldn't be delayed."
It just so happens that your sister-in-law's younger sister has reached marriageable age. You met her during the New Year. She is beautiful and sensible, and is more than capable of taking on the important role of the matriarch of your Regent's Palace.
"Chuanxing, what do you think?"
Prince Duan didn't think it was very good.
The Empress's sister is beautiful, but she is also cunning, willful, and as stupid as a pig.
It took him half a month to memorize the 99-meter multiplication table.
If she were to memorize it, she might not be able to memorize it even after a year.
Moreover, she was already engaged, and just as they were about to get married, her fiancé was killed by a wild boar while hunting.
She cried and begged the Grand Tutor to annul the engagement.
After a year of peace and quiet, he's already set his sights on his second brother.
The Grand Tutor wanted both of his daughters to become empresses; his ambition was considerable.
Prince Duan was certain that his second brother would never agree.
It's just a mystery how his ruthless second brother will refuse the Empress.
“What Your Majesty has chosen must be good,” Zhou Chuanxing said slowly, to the astonishment of Prince Duan. “Your Majesty can decide on Chuanxing’s marriage.”
Prince Duan: "..."
Is his second brother possessed by an evil spirit?
Let alone the fact that Miss Wang is not good enough for his second brother, even if she were, with two heirs in the Wang family, wouldn't they be soaring to the heavens?
Is Second Brother really willing to be manipulated and controlled by the Wang family?
"Second brother, are you telling the truth?"
The Empress could not believe that such obedient words came from the legendary, domineering, and ruthless Regent.
But then Zhou Chuanxing said, "Chuanxing went to war at the age of thirteen. What he misses most is the care of his family. Since the Empress Dowager cares so much about Chuanxing's marriage, she must care about him. So Chuanxing will leave his marriage to the Empress Dowager."
The queen was overjoyed.
It turns out that my second brother was a pitiful creature who lacked love and care.
He entrusted her with such an important matter as marriage so easily.
As long as her younger sister marries into the royal family and becomes the regent's wife, and the regent ascends the throne in the future, her younger sister can be made empress. What else does she, as the older sister, have to worry about?
"Since Second Brother has no objection, let's choose a day for the two of you to meet. If there are no problems, we can ask the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to determine the date."
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