Chapter 171 What is your intention?
After hearing what King Wei said, Shi Jiuyue playfully stuck out her tongue at Xie Rongying.
"I'm sorry, Rongying, I shouldn't have asked so many questions." Shi Jiuyue always thought that when the Xie and Shi families had private gatherings, she preferred to play with Xie Rongying.
Xie Rongying always stayed by Old Madam Xie's side, listening attentively to the conversations of the elders.
But she couldn't sit still, so she pulled Xie Rongying away. Xie Rongying also had a rare smile on her face.
But now Xie Rongying is married, and many people know about her relationship with Qin Junyi. The last time they saw Xie Rongying was when Qin Junyi took a concubine.
That time, I noticed that Xie Rongying's face was more sad than before.
After that, they didn't see each other anymore, and the distance between them widened. In addition, Xie Rongying has always been taciturn and kept a distance from others.
Shi Jiuyue's sudden familiarity and enthusiasm seemed particularly abrupt.
"Nothing." Xie Rongying smiled faintly, and then said: "I have something else to do, so I will leave the palace first."
Shi Jiuyue nodded and stepped back.
Xie Rongying nodded to Shi Jiuyue and got on the carriage.
The carriage slowly drove away from the palace road. Shi Jiuyue watched the carriage go away and sighed softly.
"What are you sighing about?" King Wei withdrew his gaze from the departing carriage, glanced sideways at Shi Jiuyue, and said, "Let's go. I'll take you out of the palace."
"Actually, I've never understood Xie Rongying." Shi Jiuyue's eyebrows knitted slightly, thinking about her past interactions with Xie Rongying. "She always seemed to stick to the rules her family had set for her. Just like when I heard she was going to marry into the Yongyi Marquis's mansion, she knew she wouldn't be happy there, but she said that since ancient times, marriages were decided by parents and matchmakers, and they didn't ask about her feelings. As long as the Xie family allowed her to marry, and as long as it would benefit the Xie family, she would marry."
"No matter who you marry."
King Wei did not respond when he heard this, but just glanced at Shi Jiuyue indifferently.
"But why did the Concubine Chen arrange a marriage for Xie Ting, and to a girl from the Yongyi Marquis's Mansion? Does the Xie family have to fill the hole set by the Yongyi Marquis's Mansion?" Shi Jiuyue said with some dissatisfaction.
After the two walked away, the people behind the last vermilion palace gate headed towards the Changle Palace on the other side.
After the eunuch returned to Changle Palace, he walked straight in.
"Your Majesty," the eunuch reported, bending over. "The timing was perfect. Madam Qin had just arrived at Jingyun Gate when she ran into the Prince of Wei escorting the Shi family's daughter out of the palace."
After a long while, Gao Wei finally said, "I understand. Go down."
The eunuch left the hall.
The only sound in the hall was the sound of chess pieces falling onto the chessboard.
After a long while, Concubine Chen smiled faintly: "Master, you are still one step ahead."
Zheng Pingxi nodded slightly. "Your Majesty, I am so kind. I should go and see what the Third Prince is doing today."
As he spoke, Zheng Pingxi stood up.
Concubine Chen continued, "Is there still no way to win over Xie Ting?"
Zheng Pingxi looked at Concubine Chen with a complicated expression: "Your Majesty, perhaps you were just too cautious before. Xie Ting couldn't have discovered your affair."
"No, I always feel that Xie Ting knows something." There was a hint of worry between the concubine's brows: "Tell me, can Xie Ting be moved?"
"Your Majesty, if you want to win over the Xie family, please give up on that idea." Zheng Pingxi lowered his eyes slightly and spoke respectfully, "Just as Your Majesty suspected, Xie Ting wouldn't spread the news about what he knows. After all, Your Majesty's presence doesn't bother anyone."
The implication is that as long as Xie Ting is willing to be on good terms with the Xie family, he will not offend Concubine Chen.
"I understand. You can go." The Concubine Chen was a little unhappy. Because she discovered some clues last time, she couldn't sleep or eat well. But there were no other abnormalities. Sometimes she wondered if she was too cautious.
"I'll take my leave." Zheng Pingxi left the hall.
After the hall quieted down, Concubine Chen suddenly threw the chess pieces on the board to the ground, and a ferocious look appeared on her face.
——
King Wei saw Shi Jiuyue off at Donghua Gate. After watching the carriage go away, he was about to return to the palace, but was reminded by Chang Ning.
"The Empress Dowager asked you to return to Yanfu Palace after sending Miss Shi away."
Zhao Yu frowned, thinking about why he had to go back again, and his deep eyes were filled with gloom.
Yeonbokgung Palace.
As Zhao Yu walked in, the busy palace maids stopped and saluted.
When the empress dowager in the main hall saw her son come in, she put down the calendar in her hand and waved to Zhao Yu.
"Shao Lian, come and see. How about getting engaged on the seventh day of next month?" The Empress Dowager's brows were filled with joy. After Zhao Yu sat down, she came to Zhao Yu with the almanac and said, "Today is Qixi Festival, an auspicious day. I think it's a good day."
"Mother, is it necessary to do this?" Zhao Yu asked in a calm voice.
The Empress Dowager's hand holding the almanac froze slightly, and her once cheerful face now wore a cold scowl. "What's wrong with Jiyue? Whether it's her family background or her talent, why don't you like her?"
"What answer does your Majesty want from me?" Zhao Yu asked indifferently, his dark eyes showing a hint of coldness.
The eldest lady stared at the young man in front of her without blinking: "The Shi family will only benefit you, not harm you."
"If your Majesty insists on tying me to the Shi family, I cannot comply." Zhao Yu stood up as he spoke, glancing sideways at the now enraged Empress Dowager. "I have never forgotten my mission, but mother, please do not force me any further."
After saying that, Zhao Yu walked out of the hall.
Chang Ning didn't dare to breathe and followed his master away.
The eldest empress's expression calmed down from anger. Nanny Li beside her stepped forward to comfort her, "Your Highness, it's not easy for the prince either. You have already forced him to do many things. As for the important matter of marriage, please grant his wish and let him find someone who is happy and can understand his suffering."
"The Shi family's only condition is that Shi Jiyue marry my son." The eldest lady sighed and raised her hand to rub her temples. "It seems I have to find a reason to withdraw from this matter."
"The Shi family is certainly important, but now that they have fallen into your trap, there's no turning back. I couldn't make Miss Shi your daughter-in-law, but you can give her something else."
"Anything else?" The eldest lady looked up at Matron Li, as if she understood something. "I know."
*
The King of Wei left Yanfu Palace with a gloomy face as he walked out of the palace, left Donghua Gate, and waited for the carriage to arrive.
He asked Chang Ning, "Has Xie Ting not returned from Kaibao Temple yet?"
"I heard that the eldest princess is seriously ill this time. I guess the young master wants to stay with her for a few more days." Chang Ning responded.
Zhao Yu thought of Xie Rongying who had just left the palace. Without Xie Ting, all the information about the Xie family came to him in bits and pieces.
"Your Highness, is there anything I can do for you?" Chang Ning asked again.
Zhao Yu frowned slightly and said, "Go and find out why Concubine Chen asked Madam Qin to come to the palace."
"yes."
Xie Ting had previously mentioned to him that the girl from the second branch of the Yongyi Marquis's Mansion wanted to betrothed to Xie Ting, but was rejected by Xie Rongying.
Why would Concubine Chen bring up this matter again and again?
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