Chapter 170 Du Shaoqing's Troubles
Du Zhengming said dejectedly, "Your Highness, this matter is not appropriate. I beg the princess to find me another job."
Yongning chuckled and said, "Then, Du Shaoqing, please massage my legs."
Du Zhengming was like an ant on a hot pan, forced to run around in circles.
"This request is even more outrageous, and I am afraid I cannot comply."
Du Zhengming was flustered, but he didn't show it on his face and resolutely refused.
Yongning giggled and said, "Du Shaoqing, when you came in just now, you were watching me for a long time without me moving."
Wouldn't this be considered insubordination?
Upon hearing this, Du Zhengming felt extremely ashamed.
He had always prided himself on being upright and honest, but for some reason, ever since he last saw Princess Yongning return from the palace, he had been having those erotic dreams.
The reason I was distracted today is because the scene and the dream matched too closely.
But this momentary lapse in concentration became a handle against him.
This has led to a current predicament where neither side can advance nor retreat.
Finally, Du Zhengming steeled his resolve and said, "Your Highness, I am, after all, a fourth-rank official. It is inappropriate for Your Highness to humiliate me like this."
Xie Yunman, who was outside, listened to this and nodded silently.
Xiao Ling said, "Sigh, this cold-faced judge doesn't know what's good for him."
The crown prince also let out a cold snort.
Yongning continued, "Du Shaoqing, you flatter me. I did not mean to humiliate you."
Rather, I intend to appoint you, Junior Minister, as my consort, and would like to ask your opinion.
Xie Yunman thought to herself, "The royal princess is so blunt. She asked directly, without even considering how to save face if Du Shaoqing refuses."
The crown prince shook his head as he watched, muttering to himself:
"Sigh... so unreserved, she has no sense of restraint at all..."
Xiao Ling chimed in, "She probably won't care about being reserved now. If she doesn't ask, Du Zhengming will be scared away."
As expected, Du Zhengming looked very surprised after hearing Yongning's question and looked up at Princess Yongning.
Only now did he see Princess Yongning's attire clearly: a face as fair as a lotus blossom and cheeks as lovely as peach blossoms, she looked exactly like a peach fairy.
Stunningly beautiful.
Princess Yongning saw that he had finally looked up, and the look in his eyes changed from surprise to amazement.
He was very pleased with himself.
This makeup was started the moment Du Shaoqing stepped into the palace gates and wasn't finished until he arrived.
Bai Zhi said that with this makeup and clothing, no one would dislike it.
As expected, Du Shaoqing was stunning.
Du Zhengming was only momentarily stunned, then lowered his eyes and said:
"Your Highness is the legitimate princess of the nation, while I am but a lowly official in the Court of Judicial Review, and dare not presume to presume upon such a position."
Moreover, I am already past the marriageable age, while the princess is in her prime at the age of sixteen.
There are countless talented young men in the capital, and I am truly unworthy to be Your Highness's match.
"I implore Your Highness to rescind your order."
The crown prince, standing outside, scoffed, "At least he has some self-awareness."
Xiao Ling stroked his chin and said, "I knew it, I was bound to be rejected."
Xie Yunman lowered her head and asked the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, isn't it inappropriate for us to keep eavesdropping like this?"
Xiao Ling turned and glanced at him, saying:
"Sigh...you don't understand. We'll just take a look, we won't go in, we'll leave in a little while."
Xie Yunman pursed her lips and remained silent.
The crown prince stared intently inside.
Yongning's face fell when he heard Du Zhengming's refusal.
"There are many men in the capital, but this princess only loves you."
Du Zhengming gave a wry smile upon hearing this: "Your Highness, your marriage probably requires the consent of His Majesty and the Empress. Why don't you go and ask them first?"
Upon hearing this, Yongning nodded and said, "That's right. I'll just ask my father to issue a decree of marriage directly."
"You'll have to agree whether you like it or not."
Seeing that Yongning had taken the bait, Du Zhengming said:
"In that case, I will return to my residence and await Your Majesty's decree."
After speaking, he bowed to Yongning and said, "Your Highness, I take my leave."
Yongning was so engrossed in the thoughts that Du Zhengming had led her astray that she didn't come to her senses.
Only after Du Zhengming had walked away did he begin to ponder, watching his retreating figure.
The three princes outside the courtyard saw Du Zhengming coming out and quickly hid in the corridor next to them.
Du Zhengming lowered his head and sighed as he left Princess Yongning's palace.
The three princes then revealed themselves.
"Let's go."
The Crown Prince looked at Du Zhengming's back, then at Yongning's courtyard, and said.
On the way back, Xiao Ling said, "Du Zhengming knows that His Majesty and the Empress will not agree."
The Crown Prince quickly echoed:
"Hmm. Du Zhengming is too old and likes to keep a straight face, that's not good."
Xie Yunman remained silent, thinking to herself, "It's truly a rare treat to be able to watch such a show in the palace today."
The three parted ways at the entrance of Fengyi Gate, and Xiao Ling and Xie Yunman left the palace together.
The crown prince, filled with sorrow, thought for a moment and then turned and went to the empress's palace.
As Xiao Ling and the other person came out, Xie Yunman asked, "How has Yu'er been lately?"
“It’s fine,” Xiao Ling replied.
Xie Yunman stood still, staring at Xiao Ling without moving.
Xiao Ling could only sigh and say, "Second brother-in-law, why don't you come back to the manor with me to see Yu'er and the children?"
Xie Yunman nodded and said, "Okay."
The two boarded the carriage and went together to the Prince's residence.
Changshou first went back to the Xie family to report that Xie Yunman had gone to the Prince's Mansion.
Qingfeng returned first to inform Xie Yunyu.
Xie Yunyu had only seen Xie Yunman three times since her marriage, and she was overjoyed to hear that her second brother was coming.
Hurry up and tell Mangzhong and Shuangjiang to prepare the meal.
When Xiao Ling and Xie Yunman returned, the food began to be served one after another.
Xie Yunman looked at her smiling younger sister with great pleasure and sized her up and down.
"He looks much more energetic than before."
Then he looked around the room and asked, "Where are the children?"
Xie Yunyu waved for someone to bring over the children's strollers.
Xie Yunman looked at the two children carefully. Yuanxi was in the cradle, kicking her legs and kicking happily.
Yuan Zheng, on the other hand, stared wide-eyed, looking left and right, remaining completely silent.
Xie Yunman kept hearing Xue Weiyang say that Yuan Zheng looked like her.
Looking at it now, it does indeed resemble it.
He then reached out and picked Yuanzheng up.
Yuan Zheng didn't cry or make a fuss, but just reached out and grabbed Xie Yunman's clothes, babbling incoherently.
Xie Yunman was very happy and held and teased him for a long time.
Since entering, Xiao Ling has seen Xie Yunyu talking to Xie Yunman.
They didn't even glance at me.
I was already quite unhappy.
Seeing her son in Xie Yunman's arms, the two seemed to be getting along quite well.
He couldn't help but curse inwardly: This heartless little thing, he really isn't on his father's side.
Then I saw Xie Yunman put Yuan Zheng down and bend down to pick up Yuan Xi.
The moment his hand touched her, Yuan Xi burst into tears.
Xie Yunman quickly let go.
Seeing this, Xiao Ling felt a little better and smiled as he stepped forward to pick Yuan Xi up.
When Yuan Xi saw Xiao Ling, she felt a sense of familiarity with him, and her crying subsided.
Xiao Ling handed her the red tassel from the rocking horse, and Yuan Xi held the tassel and started playing with it, stopping crying completely.
Seeing this, Xiao Ling kissed her on the cheek.
Good daughter, you're really giving your father face.
Xie Yunyu was used to the affectionate interactions between the father and daughter, so she wasn't surprised.
He then pulled Xie Yunman over to sit down at the table.
"Second brother, sit down, ignore them."
Seeing this, Xiao Ling also sat down at the table with her daughter in her arms.
Yuan Xi struggled, waving her hands as she tried to grab the food on the table.
Xie Yunyu quickly told the nanny to take Yuanxi away.
Xie Yunyu picked up the wine pot and poured a cup of wine for Xie Yunman.
"Second brother, try this wine called Western Region Spring. It tastes pretty good."
Xiao Ling was waiting for Xie Yunyu to pour him some wine, but she didn't do it for a long time.
Suddenly, the jar of jealousy in my heart was overturned.
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