Chapter 185: Each with their own ulterior motives
Nan Yan listened as Rong slightly concealed the tears in her eyes, her hands clenched tighter in her sleeves, and replied, "It's a girl named Ye Fei."
The Empress frowned: "Surname Ye? From the Ye family, one of the eight great families?"
"Yes, I heard that the girl named Ye Fei was unable to gather spiritual energy, which was a disgrace to the family..."
The Empress slammed her hand on the armrest, her face as cold as ice: "A good-for-nothing who can't even gather spiritual energy dares to flirt with a prince! What will become of the reputation of my Lingyun royal family if word gets out!"
"Guards! I wish to see the Third Prince. Please bring him to the palace!" the Empress commanded the palace maid standing beside her.
Nan Yan feigned surprise upon hearing Rong's words: "Your Majesty, this..."
The Empress turned to look at Nan Yan Tingrong and gave her a kind smile: "Tingrong, don't worry, you are the Third Prince's consort appointed by me. No other woman can sit in this position except you."
Nan Yan heard Rong lower her head shyly, a flash of smugness in her eyes: "Ting Rong thanks Your Majesty the Empress."
Not long after, Nan Yan heard Rong see that familiar figure as she had hoped.
Huang Rongyu, dressed in spotless white robes, slowly stepped into Yingfeng Pavilion. Unlike usual, his handsome face was devoid of his gentle smile.
When Nan Yan heard Rong see Huang Rongyu, she suddenly felt a little nervous. She stiffened her back and twisted her hands together in her sleeves.
The Empress watched as Huang Rongyu slowly walked towards her, a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of disgust flashing across her eyes, but she put on a kind smile: "Rongyu has arrived?"
Huang Rongyu bowed slightly to the Empress, her expression indifferent: "Rongyu greets Your Majesty the Empress."
"We're family, no need for formalities." The Empress raised her hand, gesturing for Huang Rongyu to look up.
Huang Rongyu stared straight at the Empress, not even glancing at Nan Yan Tingrong: "Your Majesty, what is the matter that you wish to summon Rongyu for?"
The Empress said with a smile, "I had a sudden urge to chat with Tingrong today, and it reminded me of your engagement with Tingrong..."
Huang Rongyu coldly glanced at Nan Yantingrong.
Nan Yan heard Rong lower her head in a panic, avoiding eye contact with the boy, her pretty face almost bursting with a smile.
After a moment of silence, Huang Rongyu's calm but somewhat cold voice rang out in Yingfeng Pavilion: "I will explain the matter of the marriage to my father on a chosen day."
"What do you want to explain to the Emperor?" the Empress asked him.
“Naturally—” Huang Rongyu’s thin lips curled into a cold smile: “The engagement is dissolved.”
Nan Yan was stunned. She looked up at him in disbelief, her hands trembling uncontrollably: "Why...why?"
Huang Rongyu said directly, "I told you before that I don't like you, and I thought you understood."
The Empress was shocked that Huang Rongyu would speak so bluntly, and her face turned pale: "Rongyu! This is a marriage agreement made by your father! How can it be taken back?!"
"My father would not want me to marry an unsuitable woman." Huang Rongyu lowered her eyes, her tone resolute: "Your Majesty, the academy elders have something to ask of Rongyu. If you have summoned Rongyu specifically for this matter, then I must decline."
The implication was that such a trivial matter was not worthy of the Empress's personal summons.
He turned to leave, but the Empress was furious and shouted, "Rong Yu, you stop right there!"
Huang Rongyu paused slightly, turned to the side, and looked at the Empress without any expression.
The Empress clenched her fists and said coldly, "Is it because of that girl named Ye Fei that you are unwilling to marry Ting Rong?"
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