Chapter 172 Marriage
After the Queen Mother finished speaking, she called Wang Xuanji forward.
She held Wang Xuanji's hand, her expression loving. "I remember that Xuanji loved chasing after Ah Jun since she was little. Every holiday, whenever she entered the palace, the first thing she would ask was, 'Where is the Crown Prince?' She didn't know that there were so many Crown Princes in the palace, dozens of them, including princes and marquises. The elders teased her, asking her which one she was looking for and taking her to see them one by one. She said she was only looking for the most handsome one."
After saying this, the Queen Mother laughed.
Wang Xuanji blushed and said hurriedly, "Many years have passed. Queen Mother, please stop mocking Xuanji."
As she spoke, she glanced at Sima Jun.
He just lowered his eyes, his expression calm.
The Queen Mother continued to smile. She held her hand with one hand, while simultaneously pulling Sima Jun's hand towards her. She said to him, "Grandmother, I have always had two concerns: one is the Huan family, and the other is the marriage between you and the Crown Prince. Now that the Crown Prince's marriage is finally settled, you are the only one left. When your father was alive, he was very pleased with Xuan Ji and said that a marriage between you two would be a great blessing. Now, Grandmother will decide for you and arrange a marriage with Xuan Ji. You can get married after you're out of mourning. What do you think?"
Sima Jun looked at the empress dowager's kind face, his dark eyes calm.
"Your Majesty," he said, "When I joined the army, I swore before my father that I would emulate the spirit of Huo Piaoyao and would not care about my family until the world was at peace. Now that war is at hand and I am still in filial piety, I have no intention of discussing marriage. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
"I know your aspirations, but marriage is a matter that can't be delayed," the Queen Mother said. "You have important matters to attend to and don't have the time to deal with these matters. I think we should leave it to the head of the Imperial Clan. There's still a full year until you're out of mourning, so there's no need to rush."
Sima Jun's expression remained unchanged as he said, "The Empress Dowager loves me, and I am grateful. However, it is also the rule set by Emperor Gaozu that marriage can only be arranged if one is filial. I dare not violate the rules."
The Queen Mother looked at him for a moment, smiled, and patted the back of his hand twice.
"The concubine is still in Xunyang, right?" she said.
Sima Jun's heart moved when he suddenly heard her mention Lu.
"That's right." Sima Jun replied.
"You're right. The rules set by our ancestors must not be easily violated. Otherwise, what will become of the order?" the Queen Mother said. "When the time comes to discuss marriage, I will summon the Consort to discuss it. That way, everyone will be relieved."
These words sounded quite profound. Sima Jun stood up and bowed to the Queen Mother: "Yes."
The Queen Mother spoke to Sima Jun again, and asked the eunuch to serve the meal, asking Sima Jun and Wang Xuanji to accompany her for dinner.
After dinner, Sima Jun wanted to leave, but the Queen Mother said, "What are you busy with? I haven't seen you for almost a month. What's wrong with you spending some time with me?"
After saying this, she looked at Wang Xuanji and said, "Didn't you just say that the flowers in the palace lacked some color? There are red peaches in full bloom in the garden. You and Ah Jun can go pick a few."
Wang Xuanji responded with a smile.
Sima Jun looked at the empress dowager, and after a while, he also bowed and agreed.
——
In late spring, all kinds of flowers bloomed in the garden of the Empress Dowager's Palace.
Among them, the most vivid color is the red peach, which blooms in clusters, looking like a red glow from afar.
Several eunuchs and palace maids walked ahead, carrying scissors and baskets. Wang Xuanji lagged behind. She couldn't help but turn her head and look back. Sima Jun was walking a few steps behind her, his eyes looking elsewhere, strolling leisurely.
Wang Xuanji stopped and waited for Sima Jun.
Sima Jun noticed it, looked at her, and walked forward.
"It's been many years since we last met. I hope you are well, Prince." Wang Xuanji said generously.
"My lady, I hope you are well." Sima Jun said.
The look and tone of his voice were the same as when he met her before.
Wang Xuanji didn't take it as an offense, and continued with a smile, "The Crown Prince is still like this. I remember that the elders used to say that the Crown Prince had a cold and aloof temperament, and that he remained calm even when faced with a huge crisis, which made him unpopular. But I think that the Crown Prince is a rare and steady person, and others can't learn from him even if they want to."
Sima Jun said, "Your Excellency is too kind."
Wang Xuanji looked at him and said, "The Queen Mother just mentioned the Concubine, and it brought back a thought for me. I have long admired the Concubine, and I wonder if I can visit her at her residence."
Sima Jun's gaze fixed.
Although the Empress Dowager mentioned Lu today, she didn't mention her leaving Xunyang. Presumably, the Crown Prince, the Princess, and the Wanshou Princess haven't finalized the deal yet, so it hasn't been presented to the Empress Dowager yet.
Wang Xuanji said that he wanted to visit Prince Yuzhang's Mansion, so he obviously knew something.
"The Concubine is in Xunyang now," Sima Jun said, "I'm afraid it's inconvenient."
Wang Xuanji smiled.
"Yesterday, when I went to my uncle's house, I overheard the Crown Prince and the Princess saying that the Consort had already arrived in Jiankang because of the Crown Prince's affairs." She looked at Sima Juan, frowning, and said, "Don't worry, Crown Prince. I'm not the kind of person who stirs up trouble, and I haven't told the Queen Mother about this."
Sima Jun felt relieved, but he looked at her and said, "The Queen Mother loves you very much, but you kept it a secret from her?"
"The Queen Mother is indeed very kind to me, but I also know my limits," Wang Xuanji said. "This is the Crown Prince's family affair. I believe that if the Queen Mother wants to know, it should be the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is so filial that he would certainly not deliberately deceive the Queen Mother. This matter simply lacks the right opportunity, right?"
Sima Jun was speechless for a moment when he saw her frank expression.
Sima Jun couldn't say he was familiar with Wang Xuanji.
He had followed the Prince of Yuzhang to Jiangzhou since he was a child, returning to Jiankang only during festivals. Wang Xuanji was Wang Han's niece and had a close relationship with the Empress Dowager. Every time he returned, he would run into Wang Xuanji.
However, he was sensible at an early age and knew what a girl named Wang meant to him, so he subconsciously avoided all women with the surname Wang.
When he was a little older, Prince Yuzhang began to solemnly tell him that Wang Xuanji was the wife chosen for him by the Queen Mother.
At that time, he also clearly told his father that he would not marry a woman from the Wang family.
Prince Yuzhang just smiled at that time and said that the Queen Mother would not allow him to marry another woman.
Later, Sima Jun took charge of Jiangzhou and rarely returned to Beijing. He had not seen Wang Xuanji for many years.
Now that Prince Yuzhang has passed away, he thought that no one would mention this marriage again.
Unexpectedly, the Queen Mother still remembered it.
Moreover, Sima Jun had a premonition.
If one day the Queen Mother really asks Lu to discuss the matter, Lu might agree without hesitation.
That woman was always driven by profit. Wang Xuanji's background was exactly what Lu wanted. If she thought it would benefit the Yuzhang Palace, she would probably sell him out without hesitation.
Thinking of this, Sima Jun couldn't help feeling a little upset.
"So, my lady, you should also know that the Concubine is not allowed to see anyone right now." Sima Jun said, "If you want to see her, you can wait for some time."
Wang Xuanji nodded and said softly, "That's just as the prince intended."
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