Chapter 233 Yongning Du Zhengming Extra 7
A month later, Du Zhengming once again petitioned His Majesty the Emperor, expressing his desire to marry Princess Yongning.
The emperor took the memorial to Kunning Palace, and this time the empress read it without saying a word.
The emperor then asked the empress dowager for her opinion, and she said she wanted to see Du Zhengming.
The following day, the Empress Dowager summoned Du Zhengming.
The Fifth Prince was also present when Du Zhengming arrived.
Du Zhengming, dressed in a scarlet official robe, bowed respectfully and formally to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager observed his overall demeanor and nodded in approval.
The Fifth Prince, however, was outspoken.
"I heard you want to marry my sister Yongning?"
Du Zhengming gave a faint smile:
"Yes, Your Highness, I sincerely request to marry Princess Yongning."
"But you are much older than my sister Yongning."
The Fifth Prince's purpose in being here today is to tell the truth.
Du Zhengming listened and continued to answer with a smile:
"The difference in age is nothing to worry about; the depth of eyebrow makeup is fashionable and new."
If I had met the princess at the same age as her, perhaps I wouldn't have realized these things.
But precisely because I am growing older, and having witnessed the full spectrum of human nature at the Dali Temple, I can better understand the core meaning of the vow, "To win one heart and stay together until our hair turns white."
The Empress Dowager listened and laughed, "Then tell me, what exactly is the core of this oath?"
Du Zhengming replied solemnly, "It is the exclusivity of a lifetime of affection, the preciousness of loyalty and companionship."
Princess Yongning stood behind the screen beside the Empress Dowager. Upon hearing this, she lowered her head and smiled shyly.
Then they quietly slipped away.
The Fifth Prince suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, Du Shaoqing, you actually smiled. Isn't it said that you never smile?"
Du Zhengming's smile deepened upon hearing this:
"I am a human being, how could I not laugh?"
When I was little, I loved to laugh, but after my parents and relatives passed away one after another, I laughed less.
Later, I went to the Dali Temple, a place of strict justice where solemnity is paramount; naturally, I could not laugh or joke around there.
The Fifth Prince looked him up and down and said:
"Yes, you look quite nice when you smile."
Smile at my sister more often from now on; Yongning likes cheerful people.
This was the first time Du Zhengming had heard that Yongning liked people who enjoyed celebrations, so he nodded and said to the Fifth Prince:
"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."
The fifth prince stood up, looked at the Empress Dowager, and said, "Grandmother, I have finished reading."
He has a nice smile and is handsome.
As for his abilities, they are obvious to all, so there's no need to elaborate.
So, apart from being a bit older, there doesn't seem to be any problem.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Alright, then go out and have some fun."
After the Fifth Prince left, the Empress Dowager stood up and said:
"Minister Du, please accompany me for a walk."
All morning, Du Zhengming accompanied the Empress Dowager on a stroll in the back garden, chatting with her, and occasionally the Empress Dowager's laughter could be heard.
When Du Zhengming left the palace at noon, the Empress Dowager was very satisfied.
Three days later, the emperor issued an imperial edict bestowing marriage upon Yongning and Du Zhengming.
The imperial decree was sent directly to the Dali Temple.
Everyone from the Dali Temple congratulated Du Zhengming, who returned their greetings with a smile on his face.
"Du Shaoqing has a very handsome smile."
"His face was radiant with the warmth of spring, and he looked radiant."
“That’s right, that’s right, smile more in the future,” Huan Zi’an chimed in from the side.
The couple set their wedding date for November 23rd, giving them more than half a year to prepare.
Upon hearing this news in the Eastern Palace, Xiao Ling scoffed and said:
"He actually succeeded."
"Otherwise, what can we do? Yongning is so fascinated by it and insists on wanting it."
The second prince chimed in from the side.
The Crown Prince interjected, "Grandmother said that Du Zhengming has had a difficult life, so Yongning's choice to marry him should be a good match."
"Hmph, the Empress Dowager is taking sides," Xiao Ling said disdainfully.
Xie Yunman slowly spoke up:
He lost his parents at a young age, and then his grandparents.
Even when they were starving, they persevered in their studies and achieved what they have today.
Later, due to the Wei family's situation, she endured rumors and gossip, and her marriage has been delayed until now.
Given that experience, could we have done the same thing as him, or even done better?
Everyone fell silent.
After a long pause, Xiao Ling said angrily, "Whose side are you on anyway?"
Xie Yunman dared not confront the Second Prince and the Crown Prince, but she occasionally dared to confront Xiao Ling.
"You can't stand him, isn't it all because of my sister?"
It's an old almanac from so many years ago, and they're still flipping through it.
The reason I didn't agree to my sister marrying you was because of this one thing you did.
"I...I..."
If it weren't for your interference, I would have married her long ago. Why would I have waited so long?
How dare you say that?
The group was talking about Yongning and Du Zhengming, but Xiao Ling and Xie Yunman started arguing.
The crown prince looked at the two of them and chuckled.
The second prince quickly tried to smooth things over:
"Young Master Xie, you're mistaken in saying that."
You wouldn't believe it, but the invitation that allowed Du Zhengming to successfully enter the palace for the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet was actually given to him by Ling'er.
Without Ling'er's help, Yongning might have been betrothed to someone else that very day.
"None of them have achieved what Du Zhengming has now."
Xie Yunman listened without saying a word.
He rarely criticized Xiao Ling in public.
Today, it was because Xiao Ling had been making a scene about Du Zhengming lately, which puzzled him greatly.
I think Xiao Ling is a bit stingy.
Du Zhengming was completely unaware of what was happening here, as he was busy preparing for the wedding with great satisfaction.
Although the Ministry of Rites handled all the princesses' weddings, he still had to make the necessary preparations.
On the fifteenth of August, Yongning invited Du Zhengming to go on an outing.
The two enjoyed a romantic evening under the moon. As they parted, Yongning leaned over and kissed Du Zhengming's cheek.
Du Zhengming couldn't sleep all night because of that kiss.
The next day, after reporting his mission, he ran into Xie Yunman on his way out of the palace. Xie Yunman saw that he had dark circles under his eyes and wondered what had happened to him.
After a brief exchange, Xie Yun, with a slight smile, said to Du Zhengming:
"I know a place that has a deluxe, full-color fire prevention chart. Do you want it?"
Du Zhengming remained silent for a long time, but Xie Yunman could read two words in his eyes.
want to.
So I took him to the Gentle Shop, bought a deluxe edition of the picture book, and then went to see a live performance.
When he came out, Du Zhengming's face was ashen.
Xie Yunman reached out and patted him, saying, "Everyone has to come here before the wedding. You're not the first one."
Du Zhengming frowned: "You came here before the wedding?"
"Ah, it involves the dignity of a man on his wedding night, he can't refuse."
Du Zhengming thought about it and realized that this made sense.
On their wedding night, Du Zhengming was truly grateful to Xie Yunman.
Princess Yongning's enthusiasm overwhelmed him, and he almost lost his authority as a husband.
Afterwards, the two lay side by side on the bed.
Yongning nestled against Du Zhengming's shoulder and listened to him speak.
Suddenly, she heard Du Zhengming ask her, "How did you come to like me?"
Yongning smiled and said, "Guess."
Du Zhengming naturally couldn't have guessed it.
But this didn't stop him from asking questions in bed when they were deeply in love.
Red candles flicker, the quilt ripples red, lovers entwine all night, composing a magnificent chapter of love...
——End of extra chapter——
This book will be completed on January 1, 2026.
It snowed again in Luoyang today. When I woke up this morning, everything outside was white. It's a sign that the snow is a good omen for a bumper harvest.
Thank you all for your company these past few months. I have so much to say, but I don't know where to begin.
All I can do here is wish everyone well:
May the new year bring you all your wishes and success. May everything go smoothly and may you enjoy peace and tranquility year after year.
...I bid farewell to the past, and the flowers will bloom again next year...
...Family members, see you in the next book!...
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