Chapter 248 Insisting on Annulling the Engagement
Zhang Chengxian's lips curled into a mocking smile, and he swallowed back the curse that was about to be uttered. No matter who it was, he would not agree to this marriage.
He walked out of Jingren Palace with an air of indifference, and just after passing the Imperial Garden, he heard a clear child's voice.
"Brother Chengxian! Are you going back? I also want to... go out of the palace to play. Can you take me with you?"
Zhang Chengxian composed himself and looked down to see Pei Shuyue looking up at him with her fair face, her big eyes blinking expectantly.
He couldn't help but recall when he was seven or eight years old, he had explored all the fun places in Tianning City. Unlike Pei Shuyue, who should have been carefree and innocent, she was confined to these dull palace walls every day, learning all sorts of tedious rules.
He couldn't bring himself to refuse. "Where would you like to go?"
Pei Shuyue was overjoyed and couldn't wait any longer. "Brother Chengxian, you're so kind! Will you speak to Mother for me? I want to go for a spring outing and fly kites, and I also want two Mohele toys. I also want to go to the Shen family..."
Zhang Chengxian paused, "What are you going to the Shen family for?"
Pei Shuyue's eyes flickered slightly. "Brother Yanzhou helped me find a veterinarian to treat Xue Tuan. He also helped me teach that bad guy Wei Siyuan a lesson. But he hasn't come to the palace for quite some time. I want to go and thank him in person."
"That little bastard Wei Siyuan dares to bully you?" Zhang Chengxian's face suddenly turned cold.
Pei Shuyue recounted the events of New Year's Eve. Zhang Chengxian's gaze darkened slightly. He had been extremely anxious when he learned that the Zhang family members had been imprisoned, never imagining that so many secrets were hidden behind the scenes.
"Then let's go to the Shen family."
Zhang Chengxian caught a eunuch from Jingren Palace, threatened him fiercely, and then led Pei Shuyue out to swagger through the palace gates.
Meanwhile, Consort Zhang learned from the trembling eunuch that Zhang Chengxian was taking Pei Shuyue to the Shen family to break off the engagement. She was extremely anxious and dared not delay, so she rushed to the East Palace.
"...Even if that wretched Zhang Chengxian wants to annul the engagement, he should do it properly. After all, he entered into this engagement to refuse the Emperor's bestowed marriage. Otherwise, he would already be the Prince Consort by now!"
"Besides, he's a highly sought-after general now, and his every move is probably being watched. If the engagement is called off, Shen Shuli's marriage will likely be very difficult. He can't ruin someone else's life!"
"The two of them are clearly the most perfect match. He is truly blessed but doesn't know how lucky he is. If he misses out on Shen Lishu, where else can he find such a satisfactory girl?"
Consort Zhang was exasperated and said angrily, "He's gotten too big for his britches now. He ignores everything I say. Wenyi, maybe he'll listen to you. Can you help me persuade him?"
Dou Wenyi's expression was complicated. After thinking it over, she said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Chengxian may not necessarily listen to me. Marriage is not about making enemies. If he really doesn't like Shen Lishu, we can't force him."
This marriage was rushed, so it's understandable that Zhang Chengxian was upset. However, he shouldn't have acted rashly and made things worse. Shen Lishu had already broken off an engagement once; she shouldn't be subjected to further criticism.
Consort Zhang sighed, unable to hide her disappointment. "That makes sense, but if he breaks off the engagement so easily, I'm afraid he'll never want to get married in his life!"
"With the constraints of a marriage contract, there's always something to look forward to."
"That brat, he's in a terrible mood today. I'm afraid he'll go straight to the Shen family and ruin everyone's reputation."
Dou Wenyi couldn't help but recall the hardships they had endured in their previous life, and felt a pang of heartache. "Your Majesty, let me make a trip."
Consort Zhang was extremely grateful. Dou Wenyi changed her clothes and rushed to the Shen family. She learned from the gatekeeper that Shen Lishu had gone out early in the morning to attend a banquet at Chunhua Tower in the suburbs and had not yet returned. Zhang Chengxian was also nowhere to be found.
Dou Wenyi breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Zhang Chengxian might have also missed his target. She ordered her guards to search for Zhang Chengxian while she also went to Chunhua Tower.
Chunhua Tower is an extremely elegant teahouse located in Chunhua Garden. The scenery there is delightful, and you can also go boating, making it a great place for a spring outing.
Dou Wenyi was lucky and quickly found out which small building Shen Lishu had gone to. She waited in the corridor, where bursts of laughter came from inside. Cuizhi hesitated at the door, about to go forward and inquire.
The door was pushed open from the inside out, and a tall and upright figure, Shen Yanzhou, walked out with steady and slow steps.
He had a refined and handsome face, and wore an ivory-white brocade robe with a dark gold pattern and a round collar. A jade belt was tied around his lean and strong waist. In the spring sunlight, he seemed untouched by the world.
Shen Yanzhou looked over Cuizhi with surprise and delight, seemingly looking at her, yet also at the distant scenery, her emotions difficult to discern.
Dou Wenyi paused slightly, then looked away.
"Lord Shen, is Miss Shen here?"
Cuizhi's voice broke the slightly awkward atmosphere between the two.
A fleeting look of disappointment crossed Shen Yanzhou's eyes, but he smiled gently and said, "Shen Lishu went boating. Is there something you need from her?"
Dou Wenyi glanced around warily.
Shen Yanzhou's eyes flickered slightly, and he pointed to the Luoyan Pavilion in front of him, "Princess Consort, let's talk over there."
As they walked, the two arrived at Luoyan Pavilion. Dou Wenyi spoke up, "Zhang Chengxian doesn't agree to this marriage, which will likely be unfair to your younger sister. He's impulsive, and Consort Shu is worried he'll cause trouble, so she specifically asked me to come and persuade him..."
Shen Yanzhou's face was ashen. "Initially, it was only to appease the Emperor, so we naturally cooperated. However, the timing is not right now. If we lift the ban now, it might be seen as deceiving the Emperor. If someone with ulterior motives brings this up and makes a mountain out of a molehill, who knows what kind of trouble it might cause."
Although Emperor Muzong was forced to live in seclusion in the Funing Palace.
Pei Siyan is in charge of the court, but he has not yet held his coronation ceremony. If the emperor brings up the old matter again and issues an edict to make Zhang Chengxian the emperor's son-in-law, what will happen?
Dou Wenyi's expression changed. "Then now is indeed not the time to break off the engagement."
Shen Yanzhou softened his tone, "Zhang Chengxian is not a reckless person. I will communicate with him properly. If he insists on breaking off the engagement, it's fine. I will not allow Li Shu to marry someone who doesn't love her."
Just then, a servant from the Shen family ran over anxiously, "Young Master, something terrible has happened! Miss is in trouble!"
"What happened?"
"I don't know the specifics, but it seems to be about breaking off an engagement..."
Shen Yanzhou and she exchanged a glance. "Let's go take a look first."
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