Chapter 283: Discussion in Cining Palace, Storm is Coming
The sandalwood incense in the Cining Palace was burning brightly, blending with the fragrance of magnolia flowers wafting in from the window, creating a rather elegant atmosphere. However, the atmosphere inside the palace was not at all elegant.
Xiaoyanzi gripped the teacup in her hand, her knuckles white. The lotus pattern on the celadon cup's wall pricked her palm, but she was oblivious, staring at the old Buddha's hand twisting the Buddhist beads—the creaking sound of the red sandalwood beads seemed to strike at everyone's heartstrings.
"Xiaoyanzi," the old lady finally spoke, her voice slow and leisurely, yet filled with undeniable authority, "it's been a year since you and Yongqi got married, right?"
Xiaoyanzi's heart skipped a beat, and she forced a smile, "My Lord, it's... it's been a year and two months."
"Yeah." The old lady nodded, his eyes swept over her belly, and he said slowly, "Over the past year or so, I've seen that you two have a good relationship and are inseparable all day long."
Yongqi sensed something was wrong and was about to speak when the Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop him.
"It's just that," the old lady changed the subject, adding a bit of solemnity to her tone, "the royal heir is the most important thing. Your pregnancy is still quiet, which is not a solution."
Xiaoyanzi's face turned pale. She clenched the teacup tightly, her fingertips almost digging into the porcelain wall. "Master Buddha, I..."
"Don't blame me for being nosy." The Empress Dowager interrupted her, her tone still calm, but with a heavy sense of pressure. "Yongqi is my good grandson, Prince Rong. I can't have no one left, right?"
The Queen sat aside, her hand holding the teacup paused, and she said softly: "What the Empress Dowager said is true. But... Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi have a deep relationship. Shouldn't we ask Yongqi's opinion on this matter?" She glanced at Yongqi with a hint of worry in her eyes.
Yongqi immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Grandmother, Xiaoyanzi and I are very much in love, and I have no plans to take a concubine for the time being. Regarding the issue of offspring, let nature take its course. You don't need to worry about it, Grandmother."
"Let it be?" The Empress Dowager put down her Buddhist beads and frowned slightly. "It's been over a year. How can I let it be? I think it's time to find Yongqi a suitable concubine and expand the royal family."
She paused, her gaze falling outside the palace. As if remembering something, her tone softened a bit, "Two years ago, I met Chen Zhihua, the youngest daughter of the Chen Ge Lao of Haining. That girl is proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to gentleness, and well-educated and polite. In my opinion, she's a perfect match for Yongqi."
Xiaoyanzi felt her head buzzing, as if countless bees were flying around inside. Chen Zhihua? The woman who always wore light green cheongsams, with a calculating look in her eyes?
"Old Buddha!" She stood up suddenly, and the teacup was placed on the table with a clang, and the tea spilled out. "I don't agree! Yongqi and I agreed that it would be just the two of us for the rest of our lives!"
"Xiaoyanzi!" Yongqi quickly grabbed her and gave her a look - she couldn't be so impulsive in front of the Empress Dowager.
Xiaoyanzi, however, ignored it and looked at the old Buddha with red eyes: "Old Buddha, love is not for having children! Yongqi and I are truly in love, and we are not together just to continue the family line!"
"How dare you!" The Empress Dowager's face darkened, and her voice grew colder. "How can a royal marriage be solely about romantic interests? Continuing the family line is paramount!" She looked at Xiaoyanzi with disappointment in her eyes. "I know you're wild and don't understand these rules. But since you've married into the royal family, you must shoulder its responsibilities!"
"I..." Xiaoyanzi wanted to argue, but Yongqi held her tightly.
Yongqi looked at the Empress Dowager and said firmly, "Grandmother, I have made up my mind. In this life, I will only have Xiaoyanzi as my wife and will never take a concubine."
"You!" The Empress Dowager was so angry that her face turned pale. She pointed at him and was speechless. After a long while, she took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "I have made the decision on this matter. Chen Zhihua, I have decided. In a few days, I will let her enter the mansion and make her your concubine!"
"Old Buddha!" The Queen was also a little anxious, "Isn't this... too hasty?"
"Rash?" The Empress Dowager said coldly, "In my opinion, it's not rash at all. What's the point of having a good relationship? It's been over a year, and there's no sign of pregnancy! Are you going to cut off the lineage of Prince Rong's mansion?"
These words, like a sharp knife, pierced Xiaoyanzi's heart. She looked at the Empress Dowager, then at the humbled and obedient palace maids and eunuchs around her, and suddenly felt incredibly wronged. She clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, yet she felt no pain.
Yongqi's expression was also grim. He held Xiaoyanzi's shoulders and said in a deep voice, "Grandmother, this matter concerns the happiness of this son and me. Please reconsider."
"No need to think twice." The Empress Dowager stood up, supported by Madam Rong, and looked down at them condescendingly, "I have made up my mind. You just wait for the order." After that, she turned away.
The hall was completely silent. The sandalwood incense still lingered, but it felt suffocating.
Xiaoyanzi couldn't hold back any longer, tears streaming down her face. She shook off Yongqi's hand, her voice thick with tears: "See! I knew it! I knew they wouldn't let us go!"
"Xiaoyanzi, don't get excited." Yongqi quickly supported her, feeling extremely distressed. "I won't agree to this. I'll go talk to the Emperor!"
The Queen sighed, walked over and patted Xiaoyanzi's hand. "Xiaoyanzi, don't be too sad. The Empress Dowager is just anxious to have a great-grandson. She has no ill intentions." She paused and whispered, "Perhaps there's still room for improvement."
But Xiaoyanzi couldn't hear it. She felt a tightness in her heart, as if a huge rock was pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe. She looked at the magnolia petals drifting outside the palace, and suddenly she missed the skies of the south of the Yangtze River—the sky there was blue, the clouds were white, there were no so many rules, no so much calculation.
Yongqi looked at her distraught appearance, his heart aching and angry. He clenched his fists tightly and secretly made up his mind - no matter what, he would not let anyone destroy his and Xiaoyanzi's happiness.
But he didn't know that since the old lady had already spoken, he had no choice but to take up the game.
The sun was shining brightly outside the palace, but it couldn't reach the shadows of the Cining Palace. A storm was quietly brewing.
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