The emperor had been raised by the Empress Dowager since childhood and knew very well when she was truly happy and when she was just bluffing. So, he wasn't afraid of being glared at and continued, "Grandmother, tell me why you specifically chose Jinghe? Jinghe has the worst reputation among all the princesses and noble ladies. By assigning her to the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, aren't you just trying to get rid of them?"
The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor: "Is the Emperor standing up for your uncle?"
The emperor shook his head: "No! I just want to know the reason. My uncle is arranging a wife for his grandson, and he will definitely take concubines afterward. I'm just afraid that Jinghe will object and cause a scene."
The Empress Dowager said expressionlessly, "This was requested by your uncle. He wants to find a girl of equal social standing to be the heir apparent of the Rongguo Duke's mansion. He believes that the Rongguo Duke's mansion is one of the most prestigious in the capital. I will grant his request. I will arrange for him to be matched with a prince's daughter. As for whether his family can accommodate this prince's daughter, that is their business!"
The emperor sighed, still unable to find out what the Duke of Rong and his wife had done to offend his grandmother!
The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor: "Your Majesty, you usually like to travel incognito around the capital before the imperial examinations. Have you gone out this year?"
The emperor nodded somewhat guiltily: "Grandmother, to be honest, this year's candidates are truly remarkable! I have met and chatted with the top scholars from each prefecture. Hmm, not bad at all. This year's imperial examination is very exciting."
The Empress Dowager's eyes softened slightly when she heard the scholar's name mentioned, and she asked, "I heard that the Huo family's grandson is also going to participate in the imperial examination this year?"
The emperor nodded repeatedly: "That lad is only fourteen this year. If he makes it into the top rank, he will be the youngest top scholar, runner-up, and third-place scholar in our Great Zhou Dynasty. However, I doubt he has any chance of becoming the top scholar."
Empress Dowager: "Oh? What do you mean?"
Speaking of this, the Emperor perked up: "Grandmother, didn't I go out of the palace last year for the New Year? I went to Qingzhou and met a family there that I really clicked with. I liked all four of their grandchildren very much. Especially the second and third sons. Oh my, the third son is a sister, and her personality is just like my sister's. I must say, she really resembles my sister when she was in her twenties. The second son is a scholar, but he's not pedantic at all. He's very quick-witted, and chatting with him is so enlightening! That second son is now the top scholar in the Qingzhou provincial examination."
The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor: "You are the Emperor. The imperial examination is a matter of the court and the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty. You must not let personal feelings cloud your judgment."
The Emperor nodded: "Of course not. He is truly capable. Didn't I tell you, Grandmother, about the Lu family boy and his maternal grandfather farming before? Those two are quite foolish; they only had seeds, and the crops were actually grown by the Gu family. Just the Gu family's children and eldest son..."
The Emperor reviewed each member of the Gu family, and the Empress Dowager grew increasingly satisfied with him. "Hmm, not bad, not bad."
...
When the Duke of Rongguo returned home with the imperial edict, Xie Shi and Li Shan also happened to be returning.
Seeing the Duke of Rong's distressed expression, Madam Xie asked worriedly, "Master, did something happen during your trip to the palace?"
The Duke of Rongguo handed the imperial edict to Lady Xie.
Upon seeing this, Xie frowned.
Li Shan saw the contents from the side. Princess Jinghe? How could it be Princess Jinghe?
She had a terrible temper. If she wasn't satisfied with her fiancé, she would beat him until he came to break off the engagement. Prince Kang and Princess Kang were so worried about her marriage that their hair turned white.
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