Chapter 277 She is the one who should be standing by the Emperor's side.
Outside, Dou Yingxue crumpled the handkerchief in her hand, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
Given how much the Crown Prince's brother-in-law values Fourth Sister, would he possibly fall for her?
Her mother, Yang, came from a merchant family, and her father held a low-ranking official position. Recently, several families of meritorious officials had taken the initiative to express their goodwill and wanted to propose marriage. However, some of them either looked down on her background, while others were only interested in becoming the Crown Prince's brother-in-law and getting promoted and made a fortune.
Their father, Dou Zhongyuan, hadn't even gotten anything good yet, so how could they possibly get anything?
Every time a marriage proposal failed, Madam Yang would berate her, praising her fourth sister for being so much better and more promising, while she herself would be belittled as worthless.
With such outstanding individuals preceding her, how could she, with her mediocre looks and talent, possibly stand out from the crowd, overshadowed by Dou Mingyan and Dou Wenyi?
Dou Yingxue turned around with a worried expression and began to move her lotus-like steps, but before she had even left the courtyard, she heard someone call out from behind, "Fifth Miss, are you waiting? Madam is looking for you!"
Upon returning to the main courtyard, his father, Dou Zhongyuan, had already gone to his study.
Madam Yang looked at her daughter with a meaningful smile, "Xue'er, what do you think of the Crown Prince?"
Dou Yingxue blushed and said, "My brother-in-law, the Crown Prince, is a very kind and righteous man who treats my fourth sister with deep affection."
Seeing that she was completely oblivious, Madam Yang poked her forehead hard. "What are you thinking? Do you want to go to the palace to help your fourth sister?"
“Mother, even noble ladies like Sheng Xiyue have failed miserably, so why would the Crown Prince possibly be interested in me? You'd better keep your little schemes to yourselves, lest you end up getting yourself into trouble.”
Dou Yingxue has always looked down on her mother's behavior and thought they were simply delusional.
The Crown Prince is a chosen one of heaven, with the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, but he is not someone she can reach by simply standing on tiptoe.
Yang was so angry that she gritted her teeth, "You good-for-nothing! You would be so glamorous to become a Noble Consort if you entered the palace. If you don't want to, I will marry you off to the spendthrift son of the Wei family!"
Hearing her say this, Dou Yingxue's face drained of color, and she voiced her worries.
"Mother, what's the use of forcing me? Not to mention the Crown Prince won't agree, you won't even be able to get past Grandmother!"
"I'll figure out how to handle the old woman. What you need to do is find a way to please Pei Siyan!"
"Win his favor? Mother makes it sound so easy. The Crown Prince only has Fourth Sister in his heart."
She doesn't even have the chance to appear before the Crown Prince, so how could she have the opportunity to consider anything else?
These words completely enraged Madam Yang, who slapped him hard across the face.
"You dare talk back? What's the point of your brain? Don't you know how to think of something? You and Fourth Sister are on good terms, don't you know to go visit her at the East Palace?"
Dou Yingxue touched her swollen face, tears streaming silently down her cheeks. "Okay, I promise you."
Since she could remember, she had no presence in the Dou family. At least Dou Wenyi had her grandmother's affection, but what about her?
Are we destined to be at the mercy of others for the rest of our lives?
She really needs to fight for herself!
——
The Crown Prince, busy with official business, went to Chongzheng Hall, while Dou Wenyi went directly back to the Eastern Palace.
Head of the Imperial Wardrobe, Chen, had been waiting at the Wutong Garden for a long time. Now, all the affairs of the palace were managed by Consort Shu, and Chen was Consort Shu's confidante. With her rise in rank, she became one of the top female officials in the palace.
But Steward Chen knew in her heart that the woman in front of her was the future mistress of the palace. She was extremely respectful and said, “Your Highness, your wedding attire has been prepared. Please try it on. If there is anything you are not satisfied with, we can make adjustments in time.”
A set of dark blue cross-collared phoenix robes with wide sleeves was already hanging on the rack. It was embroidered with twelve rows of colorful pheasant patterns, interspersed with small floral patterns, and the cuffs and collar were embroidered with exquisite gold-woven cloud and dragon patterns.
The fabric is a royal tribute of Yun brocade, its color flowing like clouds and shimmering, exuding elegance and nobility while maintaining royal dignity.
A crown inlaid with rubies, featuring nine dragons and nine phoenixes, along with a jade belt, was already prepared on the table.
Dou Wenyi was in a daze, feeling somewhat incredulous that she was really going to become Pei Siyan's empress.
Her slender, pale fingers gently caressed the magnificent pheasant-embroidered robe. Countless people had fought tooth and nail, their families destroyed, for this garment. It was not only a symbol of status, but also a responsibility and a constraint.
"Princess Consort, shall we give it a try?"
Dou Wenyi snapped out of her daze and said, "Okay."
She turned and went behind the screen, letting the palace maids help her change her clothes. When she came out in her new clothes, she amazed everyone present.
Chen Zhangshi couldn't help but exclaim, "The Crown Princess is indeed stunningly beautiful, noble and elegant."
You flatter me!
"Is there anything wrong with it?"
"The craftsmanship of the Imperial Clothing Bureau is naturally top-notch. It's good that there's no discomfort. You've put in a lot of effort."
Manager Chen smiled modestly, "It's my duty."
Several female officials from the Upper Palace Bureau carefully examined the details of the robes and still found some minor areas that needed to be altered.
At this moment, a palace maid entered from outside the hall and reported, "Your Highness, Consort Sheng and Madam Jiang said they are returning to the Sheng family and have come to bid you farewell. Would you like to see them?"
Dou Wenyi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Let them in."
As soon as the two entered the hall, they saw Dou Wenyi dressed in her finest attire. Sheng Xiyue's face paled slightly, and her hand clenched tightly in her sleeve.
The Empress's ceremonial robe should have belonged to her. She suppressed the surging jealousy in her heart and couldn't understand why she had fallen to such a state.
She lowered her eyes and bowed respectfully, her voice calm and undisturbed. "Thank you, Your Highness, for the medicine that saved my life. I will never forget your great kindness and will do everything in my power to repay you."
Madam Jiang echoed, "Your Highness, if there is anything you need us for in the future, please feel free to give the order. The Sheng family will be at your disposal."
Dou Wenyi lifted her eyelids, a smile playing on her lips. "It's just a small matter, why should you worry about it? There's no need to mention gratitude anymore. I just hope that Miss Sheng can be more open-minded in the future and not be so impulsive again."
Sheng Xiyue's face turned extremely ugly. "What the Crown Princess says is true. I will definitely be careful with my words and actions in the future and will never do such a foolish thing again."
Madam Jiang forced a smile and pointed to the several brocade boxes brought by the maid behind her, "Your Highness, this is a small gift to express our sincere wishes. We hope you will forgive any past grievances..."
Dou Wenyi frowned slightly, picked up her teacup and took a sip. "It was nothing, no need for a thank-you gift. I have other matters to attend to. Have the cages at Yingyue Pavilion been prepared?"
Madam Jiang knew this meant to send them away, so she gave Sheng Xiyue a look and led her out discreetly, leaving the gift boxes inside the hall.
Once outside the Wutong Garden, Sheng Xiyue's smile vanished, replaced by a palpable discomfort. "Mother, look how arrogant she is! Does she really think she's the Empress?"
Jiang covered her mouth and lowered her voice, "Shut up! Can't you see the situation? The Crown Prince is even going after the Wen family for her sake. Even if you have some feelings for him, after this incident, do you think there's still a chance to salvage the situation?"
“Your father has already agreed to break off the engagement, so don’t even think about causing any more trouble.”
"Once things calm down, I'll find you a good family in Jianghuai. As long as the Sheng family doesn't fall, your life will be just as peaceful and happy."
A hint of impatience flashed across Sheng Xiyue's face, but she put on a docile expression and said, "Okay, I'll do whatever Mother says."
Having witnessed the prosperity of Tianning City and the charm of Pei Siyan, what other man could possibly catch her eye?
Besides, Dou Wenyi only gained the upper hand by interfering under the guise of "marrying for good luck".
She is the one who should be standing by the emperor's side.
Why should she be married off to a distant land, while Dou Wenyi can be so noble and become the high and mighty empress?
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