Wei Yinshuang, who was still kneeling with her head down, felt her heart pounding faster, as if it were about to jump out of her chest, and her face flushed.
My aunt has always known that she admires the Regent. Her long-cherished wish will finally be fulfilled today, and all her hard work this year will not have been in vain.
As expected, the Empress Dowager looked at Xiao Yanchu and spoke:
"Your Majesty, I am your sister-in-law. As the saying goes, an elder sister-in-law is like a mother. Now that you have passed the age of twenty, it is time for you to marry a princess to manage the affairs of the royal palace for you."
"In my opinion, Princess Fengxi is a perfect match for the Regent in terms of appearance, talent, and family background. Why not take this opportune moment and arrange your marriage? Princess Fengxi, are you willing?"
Although the Empress Dowager's tone was one of inquiry, as the Empress Dowager of the country, her words were no different from an imperial edict, and generally speaking, this marriage was already a done deal.
An ordinary official would never have dared to refuse.
"This humble woman will leave the decision to the Empress Dowager." Wei Yingshuang's voice trembled slightly with excitement.
At this moment, she looked like a shy little girl, not daring to look at the Regent at all.
The minister sitting next to the Duke of Dingguo's residence whispered, "Congratulations, Duke of Dingguo! From now on, you will be the Regent's father-in-law."
The Duke of Dingguo smiled but remained silent.
At this moment, the hall fell silent, and everyone looked at Xiao Yanchu.
Xiao Yanchu picked up a grape and put it in his mouth with a calm expression, as if the Empress Dowager was talking about someone else's business and had nothing to do with him.
Seeing Xiao Yanchu's state, the Empress Dowager felt a surge of anger, but she had to suppress it and asked again, "Regent, what is your opinion?"
If it were any other official, she wouldn't need to ask so many questions; she could have simply issued an imperial decree to grant the marriage. As an official, who would dare to disobey such an order?
However, since the other party was the regent, even as the empress dowager, she could not force him to marry.
Xiao Yanchu picked up a handkerchief to wipe his hands, stood up and bowed slightly in the direction of the Emperor and Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I have finished eating. I still have matters to attend to in the palace, so I will take my leave first. Oh, by the way, Empress Dowager, you will no longer need to worry about my marriage."
After saying that, he walked straight out of the main hall without looking back.
The ministers looked at each other, none daring to make the slightest sound.
In the grand hall where hundreds of people could sit, you could hear a pin drop.
The Empress Dowager watched Xiao Yanchu's departing figure with a livid face. He was making it clear that he didn't respect her, the Empress Dowager, at all.
She had mentioned several times, both openly and secretly, that she wanted to betroth Wei Yingshuang to Xiao Yanchu, but each time Xiao Yanchu made excuses to refuse.
Today, she intended to use this occasion to put pressure on Xiao Yanchu, forcing him to agree to marry Wei Yinshuang.
Once Wei Yingshuang enters the Regent's Palace, it's like having a spy by his side. How could he not control Xiao Yanchu?
But to her utter surprise, Xiao Yanchu dared to show her no respect whatsoever in front of all the ministers.
The Empress Dowager clenched her fists, stood up angrily, and said, "I'm tired." Then she turned and left.
Xiao Chenyi looked at Wei Yinshuang kneeling below, her body trembling slightly, and said with heartache:
“Princess Fengxi is exceptionally talented. Her stunning dance is a masterpiece. She is hereby bestowed with a pair of jade ruyi scepters, a thousand taels of gold, two pieces of Heavenly Silk Cloud Brocade, a jade hairpin with seven treasures, and a pair of jade bracelets.”
With red eyes and fighting back tears, Wei Yingshuang kowtowed to Xiao Chenyi, her voice choked with emotion, "Thank you for your reward, Your Majesty."
The palace banquet ended, and Wei Yingshuang followed behind the Duke of Dingguo, her head down and not uttering a word.
The Duke of Dingguo sneered, "This Xiao Yanchu actually dares to treat our Wei family like this. Shuang'er, don't worry, your father will slowly seek justice for you. Our Wei family can't do without him, the Regent. Let your mother find you a new marriage partner. There are so many fine young men in our Great Chu Kingdom, are they all inferior to Xiao Yanchu?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Yingshuang suddenly raised her head and said resolutely, "No, Father, I only wish to marry the Regent in this life. Otherwise, I would rather cut off my hair and become a nun."
Two years ago, when she saw Xiao Yanchu riding a horse, holding a long spear, and with a murderous look on his face as he stormed into the imperial city, she knew that she could only have him in her life.
Before the Duke of Dingguo could say anything, Wei Yingshuang continued, "Father, do you think Aunt would agree to let her daughter marry someone else?"
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