The Imperial Palace!
Inside the Imperial Study.
On the dragon throne, Wei Maozhen's exquisite face was expressionless, and his pair of emotionless phoenix eyes stared at Sun Mian, who was bowing below the stage.
"Minister Sun, you said you weren't feeling well the other day, but I've been too busy to send an imperial physician to see you. How have you been lately?"
"Thanks to Your Majesty's kindness, I have improved!" Sun Mian said.
"That's good. Great Xia cannot be without a pillar like Lord Sun!" Wei Maozhen smiled. "I summoned you here today because there is something I want to discuss with Minister Sun!"
Sun Mian raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Wei Maozhen paused deliberately for a few seconds, then asked meaningfully, "I wonder if Minister Sun has been exchanging letters with the Prince of Shu privately recently?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Mian lowered his head, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of his chest.
He answered tremblingly, "Your Majesty, no, there was absolutely no private dealings!"
Why did the Empress suddenly bring this up? Is she about to take action against me?
At this moment, Wei Maozhen continued, "Oh? I heard that Minister Sun has been on good terms with the Lin family for generations, and that Grand Marshal Lin even arranged a marriage between you two when you were children!"
Upon hearing this, Sun Mian trembled.
"The Empress actually found out about this?"
Indeed, the emperor's intelligence network was truly powerful.
Could it be... that she's really going to attack me? At that moment, Sun Mian felt a chill run down his spine.
"What's wrong? Is this matter true or false? Is there anything you can't say in front of me?" Wei Maozhen chuckled.
The laughter made Sun Mian extremely uncomfortable. He tried to compose himself and said, "Your Majesty, yes, that is true."
"Is that really true?" Wei Maozhen smiled again. "Minister Sun, it is natural for men to marry when they are of age, and for women to marry when they are of age. Your daughter is eighteen this year, isn't she? She is of marriageable age."
This beautiful woman loves heroes. The Prince of Shu, Lin Mo, is the son of Lin Wenzhong, a descendant of a prestigious family. He has now repeatedly achieved extraordinary feats, truly a dragon among the people of our Great Xia. If your daughter could marry him, it would be a blessing from her past life.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Sun Mian couldn't help but wonder what the Empress meant by those words.
Should we make the decision and arrange this marriage?
Sun Mian had very mixed feelings about this matter.
On the one hand, he did consider arranging a marriage between his daughter and Lin Mo, but Lin Mo was far away in Shu and had done so many earth-shattering things. If his daughter really married him, he feared that her future would be very turbulent.
On the other hand, if she didn't marry him, she would feel sorry for Lin Wenzhong and her own daughter.
According to the customs of the Great Xia Dynasty, marriage was entirely decided by the parents and the matchmaker, and Sun Ruoxi's consent was not required at all.
If the Empress helps me settle this matter, it will put my mind at ease.
Thinking of this, he asked, "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
Wei Maozhen laughed, "Hahaha, Minister Sun, I summoned you here today precisely to discuss this matter!"
"Are they really going to arrange a marriage between our two families?" Sun Mian wondered.
However, the empress's next words startled him.
"I intend to arrange a marriage between your two families!" Wei Maozhen said. "But..."
"Your Majesty?" Sun Mian asked, puzzled.
"Hehe!" Wei Maozhen chuckled. "Since ancient times, beauties have loved heroes, and my girl is no exception. Ever since the King of Shu went to Shu and made great contributions to our Great Xia, my girl has become infatuated with him!"
These past few days, she's been making a fuss in front of me, saying she wants to marry a great hero like the King of Shu.
You know my daughter's temperament; even if I were to arrange another marriage for her, she wouldn't agree.
"Heh heh, if I were to issue an edict, this girl would probably resent me for the rest of her life."
Upon hearing this, Sun Mian abruptly looked up, "Your Majesty!"
On the dragon throne, Wei Maozhen's gaze was sharp as he scrutinized Sun Mian. He noticed that Sun Mian was bowing, with beads of sweat dripping from his chin, leaving some water stains on the ground.
"Minister Sun, what do you think?"
Sun Mian felt completely numb. "Was what I said even useful?" he wondered.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Prince of Shu... is unworthy of the princess, who is of noble birth!"
Wei Maozhen smiled and said, "What are you saying? The Prince of Shu is handsome and talented, skilled in both literature and martial arts. How could he not be a good match for my girl!" She said, "Minister Sun, are you afraid that I will steal your ideal son-in-law?"
Alas, the hearts of parents are always full of love and concern. If it weren't for that girl's sake, I wouldn't have resorted to such a desperate measure.
"Ah...this!" Sun Mian was speechless.
"Haha, no need to worry!" Wei Maozhen said, "It is common for men in our Great Xia to have three wives and four concubines. For a talented man like Prince Lin Mo of Shu to have a concubine is nothing."
"I will decide for you, allowing your daughter to marry Lin Mo as a concubine!"
Upon hearing this, Sun Mian was so shocked that he couldn't utter a complete sentence.
“Minister Sun, if you remain silent, I will take it as your agreement!” Wei Maozhen said.
"Your Majesty!" Sun Mian wanted to refuse, but suddenly lost his courage.
"Haha," Wei Maozhen laughed again, "Minister Sun, since the two maids will become sisters and serve their husband together in the future, I have a suggestion."
"Huh? What suggestion?" Sun Mian stammered.
"Since they'll be spending so much time together from now on, why not let these two girls get to know each other sooner? It's perfect timing; my girl has been living in the palace all this time, and she has no company!" Wei Maozhen said. "Therefore, I suggest that your girl stay in the palace from now on!"
These remarks were like a bolt from the blue, leaving Sun Mian's mind blank.
"His Majesty..."
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