Chapter 344 People from the Palace
The Emperor thought for a moment and then said, "I imagine some of my concubines would also like this. You can also come and drink with me."
The ministers and princes breathed a sigh of relief. They all knew that the emperor loved to drink, but no one had recommended this fine wine to him. Now that the emperor had summoned them one by one to ask, they were all filled with helplessness. It was all the emperor's fault for catching the second prince drinking.
Huo Ran drank with the Emperor for a while. Seeing that everyone had almost left, he whispered to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask you to make the decision regarding my marriage."
The Emperor took a sip of wine and asked, "You want me to bestow a marriage upon you and your beloved? I only promised to arrange a marriage between you and the daughter of the Liu family a few months ago. Wouldn't this be going back on my word?"
"The Emperor's decree hasn't been issued yet, how can it be considered going back on one's word?" Huo Ran's mind was made up, and no one could stop him.
The Emperor said leisurely, "A few days ago, the Prime Minister suddenly came to see me and brought up your marriage to his daughter. After all, I had verbally agreed before, so I didn't refuse too directly. The Prime Minister seemed to have realized that I had changed my mind and was a little unhappy."
Huo Ran naturally understood the Emperor. Although he was the Emperor, he sometimes had to consider the feelings of his ministers. Otherwise, if the ministers were disheartened, they would not serve the court properly.
"But this is a good thing if both people are willing. If only one person is willing, wouldn't it be wishful thinking? Besides, I have absolutely no feelings for Liu Zijun. Even if I were to marry her against my will, I would not treat her well in the future. If she is willing to live a lonely life, then so be it. Anyway, I could never fall in love with her."
Huo Ran's words deeply moved the Emperor. He always felt that Huo Ran was just young and impetuous, but he didn't usually see Huo Ran as an impulsive person. He thought that the woman was indeed quite special.
"I remember you said that she made this wine and soap. Such a remarkable woman is indeed quite special. Moreover, this is the first time I have encountered such a woman. Why don't you bring her in another day so that I can take a look?"
Huo Ran was clearly somewhat relenting when he heard the Emperor's words. As long as the Emperor didn't force him to marry Liu Zijun, everything would be fine.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I think Prime Minister Liu will understand. I remember that Prime Minister Liu has always wanted a piece of calligraphy and painting from the previous dynasty. It just so happens that I have one in my storeroom. Why don't I give it to him?"
Huo Ran's actions were intended to appease Prime Minister Liu and the Emperor. Although it might not truly make Prime Minister Liu feel at ease, he had at least done what he could.
The Emperor nodded: "That's the only way."
When Huo Ran returned, he walked with a light step, as if he could marry Jiang Mi at any moment.
"Liu Min, what has Miss Jiang been busy with these past few days?"
Liu Min reported, "Miss Jiang has been busy with the affairs of the ladies these past few days. Ever since they heard that she could make soap with any scent, the ladies have been giving her their favorite items, which she then uses to make soap. Miss Jiang has indeed been very busy lately."
Huo Ran frowned as he listened: "Wouldn't that be too passive? It would be better to make what you like, put it out for sale, and let whoever likes it buy it. That way, you won't offend anyone."
Liu Min didn't know what Jiang Mi was thinking about writing. He also felt that Jiang Mi was working very hard. Thinking of this, he said, "Miss Jiang seems to have been getting quite close to Princess Jinning lately. The two of them have met several times."
Huo Ran paused for a moment, then continued walking: "Since she likes Jin Ning, let her date him. I don't know Jin Ning very well, but he doesn't seem like a bad person. She doesn't have many friends here, so it's not easy for her to find someone she can talk to. Just keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't suffer any grievances."
"Don't worry, Master, they're all keeping an eye on things." Liu Min agreed on the surface, but in his heart he was thinking, with so many people secretly protecting the Jiang family and Jiang Mi, what could possibly happen? It would be good enough if no one else suffered any grievances at Miss Jiang's place.
Huo Ran walked to the Jiang family's door, wanting to go in but unsure of what excuse to use. After thinking it over, he decided to leave. He couldn't rush things; even if he really wanted to marry Jiang Mi, he had to follow the rules.
"Never mind, let's go."
Liu Min was completely bewildered. He was about to knock on the door when his master refused to go in. He was confused but could only follow his master away.
Jiang Mi is still making soap for Consort Jing. She just delivered the Empress's soap to her. Although she doesn't know if the Empress Dowager is satisfied with it, she probably won't make any mistakes, since she is quite confident in her abilities.
"Miss, someone from the palace has come and wants you to come out to receive the imperial decree." The one who called was Xiao Ye, a newly arrived maid who was very young but very efficient.
Jiang Mi looked puzzled: "People from the palace? Why would people from the palace come here?"
Mo Hua was also puzzled: "Could it be because of the Second Young Master and the Third Young Master? Are the two young masters about to be promoted?"
As she spoke, she jumped up with joy: "This is wonderful! We're going to rise to heaven along with our chickens and dogs!"
Siqin disagreed: "How could it be so fast? The two young masters have only been officials for less than half a year. Such a rapid promotion would make everyone green with envy. It must be something else. Miss, go and take a look."
Jiang Mi stopped speculating and quickly tidied herself up before going out. Her mother and the others were already waiting in the courtyard. After a short while, a nanny and her father-in-law came in together. Everyone greeted each other first. The nanny looked everyone over and her eyes lit up when she saw Jiang Mi.
"Excuse me, which one of you is Miss Jiang?"
Everyone looked at Jiang Mi, who calmly stepped forward and said with a slight gesture, "Greetings, Granny."
The old woman walked up to Jiang Mi, looked at her more closely for a while, and exclaimed, "You are really beautiful! Your skin is so smooth and supple, and your eyes and nose are flawless!"
Jiang Mi lowered her head, and her mother came out and said, "You flatter her, Granny. She's just a little fair-skinned, but that's all. They say fair skin covers up three flaws, Granny, you flatter her too much."
The old woman shook her head: "I didn't mean to praise you. I've lived in the palace my whole life and seen all kinds of beauties. Miss Jiang is truly the first one. No wonder she has such skillful hands. When our Empress Dowager heard that the manager of Yue Shang Shao was Miss Jiang, she was extremely surprised and insisted on inviting Miss Jiang to the palace. The Empress Dowager just wants to see such a great beauty."
Jiang Mi knew that her true identity would be exposed sooner or later.
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