The Emperor thought she wanted to ask for some favor on behalf of the Song family, which was harmless: "Speak, as long as it's not too outrageous, I can grant your request."
Song Tangxue said, "This humble woman wishes to request Your Majesty to rescind your decree and dissolve my engagement with His Highness the Crown Prince."
As soon as the words were spoken, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The palace maids and eunuchs were sweating profusely. How could they possibly hear such royal secrets? If they stopped, they'd be beheaded tomorrow.
Song Tangxue's body fell to the ground, her knees pounding against the earth.
The Emperor was somewhat surprised. The marriage between the Song family and the Crown Prince brought the Song family unparalleled glory. Even Song's father rose rapidly through the ranks thanks to this marriage and became the Right Chancellor.
Now Song Tangxue is actually proposing to break off the engagement?
The Emperor lowered his eyes in thought, then suddenly raised his head and asked Xie Qianzhong with a somewhat ambiguous expression, "What is Lord Xie's opinion on this matter?"
Upon hearing the Emperor's question, Song Tangxue tensed up.
He was afraid that Xie Qianzhong would be angry at his presumptuous decision and make things more difficult for him.
Xie Qianzhong remained calm: "A gentleman's word is as good as his bond. Since Your Majesty has already granted Miss Song's wish, it would be best not to disappoint her."
The name was changed to Miss Song, implying agreement.
"There are countless young ladies in the world. His Highness the Crown Prince is only twenty years old. He can take his time to choose a suitable match for him."
Song Tangxue lowered her eyes, her heart beating slowly. Xie Qianzhong had spoken up for her.
Could it be interpreted that Xie Qianzhong was helping her break off the engagement, and that he wasn't entirely uninterested in her?
The emperor did not answer, but the half-closed door was suddenly pushed open.
Li Zhaoxian, standing outside the door, had a cold expression as he swept his gaze across Song Tangxue on the ground and Xie Qianzhong standing beside his father.
Great, so the two of them are plotting this together!
"Father, I do not want to break off the engagement!" Li Zhaoxian stated his position before even entering the room.
Song Tangxue felt like tearing him apart at that moment. Why did he have to come at this crucial time to cause trouble?
Li Zhaoxian strode up to Song Tangxue and stood beside her, his tone as sinister and terrifying as a demon crawling out of hell: "Song Tangxue, you were born a lonely man, and you will die a lonely ghost. Don't even think about breaking off the engagement."
A barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashed in the Emperor's eyes. Such reckless behavior... it really shows his unstable temperament.
Song Tangxue: "I have never been anyone's vassal. Your Highness should be careful with your words so as not to give anyone cause for criticism."
Li Zhaoxian's gaze swept over Xie Qianzhong and the others with a sinister look. He actually dared to incite his father, the emperor; his intentions were despicable.
The Emperor waved his hand wearily: "This matter still needs further discussion; let's discuss it later."
The Empress Dowager was frightened yesterday, and he went to visit her. He didn't sleep well and was quite disappointed to see the Crown Prince like this.
He showed no signs of being a crown prince, only pettiness and narrow-mindedness. Over the years, he had been preoccupied with romantic love and made no progress whatsoever.
"Come with me to the Imperial Study." The Emperor called Li Zhaoxian away before leaving, so as not to disturb Song Tangxue's rest.
No matter what, Song Tangxue had just saved the Empress Dowager; she couldn't repay kindness with enmity.
Li Zhaoxian left reluctantly.
Xie Qianzhong followed behind them. As he passed Song Tangxue, he glanced at her sideways. That simple look made Song Tangxue's heart race.
Song Tangxue couldn't stay in the palace for long, so she wanted to leave the palace gates as soon as possible and go back home. She didn't know if Haitang had gone back yet.
Those maids weren't even qualified to enter the palace; Haitang probably returned to the Song family mansion.
Before she even reached the palace gate, a maid from the Empress's palace stopped her: "Crown Princess, Her Majesty the Empress invites you to admire the flowers."
It was as if they had been waiting for this for a long time.
Song Tangxue stopped and gave her a sarcastic look. A trap?
"We'll deal with whatever comes our way," Song Tangxue said fearlessly, and followed the old woman to the Empress's palace.
As soon as they entered the hall, the old woman closed the door tightly, so that no light could see through.
The Empress sat in the main seat, smiling as she glanced at her: "You're quite capable, taking the money but not doing the work."
The Empress had no intention of playing games and went straight to the point: she hadn't received any jewelry or money from Song Tangxue these past few days, and finally realized that she had been tricked.
I was originally planning to question Song Tangxue, but I never expected that this brat would save the Empress Dowager's life by some twist of fate.
Fortunately, they managed to bring the person back on their way out of the palace.
"Do you know what crime it is to steal royal jewels?" The Empress wanted to pin a serious accusation on Song Tangxue, portraying her as a thief who had swindled the royal family out of their wealth.
Song Tangxue was not one to be easily manipulated: "How can you say it was theft? Those gold and silver jewelry were all recorded by my grandmother and were left as my dowry. After I marry into my husband's family, they will naturally belong to both of us."
She would definitely not marry Li Zhaoxian, and this money would never return to the Empress's hands.
The Empress had also heard about Song Tangxue's desire to break off the engagement, so she knew exactly what Song Tangxue was planning.
They probably had this idea a long time ago, otherwise they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to trick people out of all the treasures.
The Empress was filled with resentment, yet she had foolishly believed these lies: "These all came from the Empress's palace. Aren't you afraid I'll punish you for insubordination?"
Song Tangxue stood straight, neither humble nor arrogant: "How can this be considered insubordination? Everything in my hands is my own."
Empress Cheng understood this principle as well; the gifts were given away by herself and were on the dowry list.
But she just couldn't swallow this insult. The money and treasures she had lost were flowing out of her hands, and she couldn't get them back. The feeling of being stifled was indescribably bitter.
There's just no way to deal with the person in front of you.
The Empress was furious and cursed, but on the surface she still maintained her imperial demeanor and snorted coldly: "I heard that Miss Song presented the Empress Dowager with a handwritten Buddhist scripture at Huguo Temple to pray for the country, and the Empress Dowager was very pleased."
"As the mother of the nation, I also wish to visit Huguo Temple next month. Why don't you copy another Buddhist scripture, Miss Song, and I'll take it with me to pray for blessings? It won't be in vain that you've shown me such kindness!"
The Empress was only thinking about keeping the person here first. As for the money, she would know to return it once Song Tangxue suffered a loss.
“The Shen family is the wealthiest family in the world. Since you have inherited the Shen family’s wealth, you can also use the money to help the poor. The principle is the same.”
Song Tangxue smiled but remained silent. Wasn't this just giving her two choices: pay up and leave or stay and copy Buddhist scriptures?
"It would be disrespectful for me to refuse."
If money is given, it will definitely flow to the Empress Dowager. Those high-sounding reasons are just excuses, reasons to line their own pockets.
Song Tangxue would never hand over the money to the Empress. Copying Buddhist scriptures was only a temporary measure; she still had to find a way to save herself.
Song Tang was detained in the Empress's palace. No one knew that the Empress had hidden her in a secluded palace. The room contained only tables and chairs that had been set up beforehand, and no other common items.
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