"I only hope to find a girl who can get along well with my mother and who will satisfy her. I was delayed for too long before because of the seventeenth, so I'm not in a hurry. There's still plenty of time. It's just that His Majesty brought it up, so I have to consider it..."
A servant leaned closer with a smile and said, "So, His Majesty is choosing a consort for the Prince. No wonder the Prince has been blushing and asking this servant about his age and sweetheart. Your Majesty, aren't you being a bit too conservative?"
The Seventeenth Prince glanced sideways, raised his hand and smacked the servant on the forehead: "You're so talkative, be careful I'll... crunch you! Make sure you can never get married again..." As he spoke, he made a gesture towards the servant's genitals.
The startled servant covered his groin, jumped up, and ran away, while the Seventeenth Prince chuckled behind him.
Upon returning to Prince Guo's residence, the Seventeenth Prince immediately went to Consort Shu's room to pay his respects.
Consort Shu invited the Seventeenth Prince to sit down and inquired in detail about the reason for the Emperor's summons that day.
The seventeenth prince truthfully replied, "My fourth brother wants to bestow a marriage upon me..."
Consort Shu was surprised and asked with delight, "Which family's daughter is she?"
The Seventeenth Prince said, "She is the youngest daughter of Grand Secretary Aling'a, Niohuru Yuyin..."
Consort Shu leaned back slowly, thought for a moment, and said, "Is she Consort Xi's cousin?"
The Seventeenth Prince nodded: "Yes, Mother has a good memory, she is Consort Xi's cousin!"
After pondering for a while, Consort Shu looked at the Seventeenth Prince and asked with affection, "What do you think?"
The seventeenth prince said, "I will follow my mother's arrangements in everything. If my mother likes me, I will marry her. If my mother doesn't like me, even if she is a celestial being, I will not want her."
Empress Dowager Shu was moved to tears, holding the Seventeenth Prince's hand: "Good child, I am content to have such a filial son as you. I will think about this matter and tell you later. I hope you can find a good wife..."
So Seventeen said, "Mother, this is a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, and I cannot refuse. But if Mother feels it is not right..."
Before he could speak, Consort Shu interrupted him, "Since it is a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, there is naturally nothing wrong with it."
She wore a faint smile, but after saying this, she sighed. Seventeen had always understood her thoughts. This matter was spoken by the Emperor himself, and a monarch's word is law. Naturally, she could not go back on her word. If she refused, he would be accused of disobeying the imperial decree.
Although he dared not disobey the imperial decree, he also did not want to upset Consort Shu, so he asked, "Mother, do you have any doubts about this marriage?"
Consort Shu glanced at him and said to a maid beside her, "Go and bring the painting from the box on the table."
The maid obediently went to fetch the painting and soon returned with the scroll.
The scroll was very well preserved and placed in a long brocade box. Consort Shu opened the box, opened the scroll, placed it on the table, and slowly rolled the scroll. A woman's figure appeared in the painting.
Seventeen saw that the woman in the portrait was wearing a brocade robe with auspicious cloud patterns. The color was gentle yet pretty, which suited her temperament very well. The woman in the painting was quiet and gentle, with a delicate appearance, which made people feel comfortable at first glance.
Consort Shu looked at Seventeen and said softly, "This is the daughter of the Duke of Pei, surnamed Meng, named Jingxian. What do you think of her?"
Seventeen smiled slightly and praised, "With unparalleled beauty, graceful demeanor, and generous and poised manner, it is no wonder that Mother values you highly."
When Consort Shu saw Seventeen praising Meng Jingxian like this, she said, "I received a favor from the Duke of Pei in my early years and have always wanted to repay his kindness, but I never had the chance. Only now do I know that he has such a beautiful and gentle eldest daughter. Your mother thinks she is a perfect match for you. If you can marry her as your wife, that would be the best thing."
Seventeen had never met Meng Jingxian and did not know if she was as gentle as in the portrait. He only thought she was pretty. But since Consort Shu had made the request, he could not refuse as a filial son to his mother.
Consort Shu pointed to the woman in the portrait and said, "It wouldn't matter if you didn't marry her, but I had planned to before, but I hadn't had a chance to tell you. The Emperor has already issued the decree, and now I'm afraid..."
Seventeen hurriedly said, "That's no problem at all. I'll just talk to the Emperor."
Consort Shu was taken aback. Seeing that he was about to leave, she quickly grabbed his sleeve and said, "No, no, the Emperor has already bestowed a marriage upon you. How can you disobey the imperial decree? The Emperor is suspicious. You should listen to the Emperor and marry Niohuru Yuyin."
Seventeen frowned, looking hesitantly at the woman in the portrait, "But this Miss Meng..."
Consort Shu thought for a moment and said, "You absolutely cannot refuse the Emperor's bestowed marriage. The best way is to marry Niohuru Yuyin as your primary wife and have Miss Meng as your secondary primary wife."
Seventeen couldn't bear to upset Consort Shu, but Consort Shu's words were the best solution, so he nodded and said, "I understand. I will ask the Emperor for a marriage decree."
Consort Shu smiled and nodded, reaching out to brush away non-existent dust from Seventeen's shoulder, her face full of affection.
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