Chapter 72 The Emperor’s Oral Instructions
"I still have the final say on Prince Rui's marriage." Rong Ruxiang smiled but did not respond to Ling Chan's words.
Ling Chan had been in and out of the palace before and had heard a lot about what happened there. She knew about the existence of Concubine Xi.
"We should also ask for the opinion of Prince Rui's mother, Concubine Xi." Ling Chan brought out Concubine Xi.
Rong Ruxiang raised her chin and said in a firm voice, "I am the Queen Mother, the mother of Prince Rui. His marriage...I will decide it myself."
"Concubine Xi has arrived." At this moment, the palace maids sang loudly.
Ling Chan clearly saw the disgust in the Queen Mother's eyes.
These two were rivals of equal strength in the previous palace fight. Rong Ruxiang relied on her status as queen, while Xi Lingyue relied on the favor of the late emperor.
After paying her respects, Ling Chan stood in a relaxed position, ready to watch the show.
"The Empress Dowager may have forgotten." The Concubine Dowager sat in Rong An's seat. Although she was below Rong Ruxiang, her aura was not weaker at all.
"When the late emperor gave Jin'er to me for upbringing, he issued an oral order."
"Jin'er, all matters in the future will be decided by me."
"So, the Queen Mother will not have to worry about Jin'er's marriage."
Rong Ru's fragrance was so strong that the late emperor did give this instruction.
Rong Ruxiang felt very aggrieved when she thought that she, as the empress dowager, was restricted in every way by Ling Chan and Xi Lingyue, all because of the order of the late emperor.
It was obvious that she and the late emperor were a young couple and were extremely affectionate when they were in the palace.
But since the late emperor ascended the throne, the concubines in the harem gave birth to the eldest son Xiao Chen and the second son Xiao Yan one after another, and after the eldest son died young, the late emperor treated her much worse than before.
"I don't want to care, but Concubine Xi... you should pay more attention."
Rong Ruxiang glanced at Xi Lingyue and said in a reproachful tone, "Prince Rui is already twenty-three years old, and there is not a single woman in his courtyard."
Xi Lingyue took the tea brought by the palace servant and held it in her hands to warm it. "Jin'er has been following the army on the border of Dahe for many years, and his marriage has been delayed. But don't worry, Your Majesty. I have already found a wife for him."
Rong Ruxiang looked at Ling Chan and said, "What else does Concubine Xi need to see? Isn't Princess Wanyue just the right person?"
"Princess Wanyue is seventeen after the Lunar New Year, and is about the same age as Prince Rui."
Ling Chan stood there quietly. With Concubine Xi around, she didn't have to worry.
Xi Lingyue lived up to Ling Chan's expectations and directly rejected Rong Ruxiang, "Your Majesty, there is no need for you to worry about this. I will take care of Jin'er."
She raised her eyebrows and looked at Ling Chan. Xi Lingyue didn't dislike this child, and even had some good feelings towards him.
However, regarding Jin'er's marriage...she cannot decide based on her own preferences. Jin'er must truly like the man.
"As for Princess Wanyue's marriage..."
Xi Lingyue smiled kindly at Ling Chan, "If I remember correctly, when the late emperor granted us the marriage, he told the Marquis of Zhenbei... If Wanyue doesn't want to marry Prince Huai when she grows up..."
"That can also cancel this engagement."
Ling Chan was stunned. What? The late emperor left behind this sentence?
Rong Ruxiang took a deep breath, "Really? When did the late emperor say this? Why don't I remember it?"
Xi Lingyue seemed to have expected that she would not admit it, "The Queen Mother is old now, it's normal for her to have a bad memory."
"However, when the late emperor said this, Concubine Xian and Concubine Hui were also present."
"They have now followed the two princes to their fiefdoms. It's a bit far away, but the emperor will know the answer if he sends someone to ask."
"They are about the same age as me, and their memories should be similar."
Concubine Xian is the mother of Prince Duan Xiao Yan, and Concubine Hui is the mother of Prince Cheng Xiao Ping.
Both of these concubines received Xiao Heng's grace and followed the two princes to their fiefdoms.
Without Xiao Heng's imperial edict, they could not enter the capital.
This was the first time Xiao Heng had heard this. "Mother, since Father has said this, then let's cancel the engagement between Wanyue and Prince Huai."
"You." Rong Ruxiang was so angry that she couldn't speak when she saw Xiao Heng also helping Ling Chan.
She stood up angrily and swung her sleeves, "Your Majesty, do as you wish."
Xiao Heng looked at Rong Ruxiang's back helplessly...
After Rong Ruxiang left, he looked back at Ling Chan and said, "Wanyue, I will issue an order to dissolve your marriage with Prince Huai as soon as possible. You can go back and wait for the news."
Ling Chan accepted the order and thanked him, but did not leave.
"What's wrong? Is there anything else?" Xiao Heng asked.
Concubine Xi also looked at her with a smile.
And Rong An... had a face full of resentment. Just now, when Rong Ruxiang was here, he didn't dare to help at all, for fear that Ling Chan would say something shocking again.
"Your Majesty, after the Lunar New Year is my mother's death anniversary. As her daughter, Wanyue has not held a memorial ceremony to commemorate her in over a decade."
"So, Wanyue wants to go to Yulu Temple to pay tribute to her mother after the New Year and pray for her for a hundred days."
"Please grant me your permission, Your Majesty."
Xiao Heng had no reason to refuse this request. "Okay, I agree."
Having received permission, Ling Chan did not stay any longer.
After she left, Xi Lingyue followed her out.
"Princess Wanyue." Xi Lingyue called Ling Chan.
Ling Chan stopped and bowed, "Empress Dowager Xi."
"Princess Wanyue, I didn't allow you and Jin'er to get married just now, not because I think you are not good enough."
Xi Lingyue looked at Ling Chan's face, "It's just that I think that since you want to cancel the engagement, you definitely don't want to be bound by another engagement."
Ling Chan didn't expect Xi Lingyue to think this way. After what happened just now...anyone would think Xi Lingyue didn't want Xiao Jin to marry her. "Thank you, Concubine, for understanding."
Xi Lingyue took Ling Chan's hand and said, "Wanyue, I still like you very much."
"If you and Jin'er really like each other, I would be willing to do it." Her eyes were sincere.
"But this matter cannot be forced." Xi Lingyue patted the back of Ling Chan's hand gently, "Wanyue, come to my palace often in the future. If you have any troubles, you can come and talk to me."
"Thank you, Toffee. Wan Yue will be there."
Concubine Xi nodded in satisfaction, "Well, then I'll be waiting for you."
After watching Concubine Xi leave, Ling Chan took Gong Lan and walked leisurely out of the palace.
Gong Lan was very happy, "Miss, you finally broke off your engagement with King Huai. That's great."
She followed Ling Chan and didn't notice how serious Ling Chan's expression was.
The carriage jolted out of the palace...
"Gong Lan, go back and wait for me." Ling Chan threw down a word, rushed out from behind the carriage, climbed directly onto the wall, and quickly disappeared into the palace.
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