The Duke of Dingguo remembered what the Empress Dowager had once said to him and fell silent.
Indeed, only by Shuang'er marrying into the Regent's Palace and binding the Regent and the Wei family together can Yi'er secure her throne.
After a long pause, he sighed, "Shuang'er, I'm sorry to have wronged you."
“Father, I will not be wronged as long as I can marry the Regent,” Wei Yingshuang said.
"Sigh." The Duke of Dingguo sighed helplessly. He knew his daughter's temperament; she had never wanted anything from a young age.
Moreover, now that the Wei family is tied to the Emperor, their fortunes are intertwined with his, so he has no choice but to accept it.
"The Regent's refusal to marry today will inevitably cause gossip, but you don't need to worry, your father will handle it for you," the Duke of Dingguo continued.
"Thank you, Father." Wei Yingshuang's eyes flickered, and she said nothing more.
......
Back at the manor, Steward Zhang came forward and took Xiao Yanchu's cloak: "Your Highness, would you like some more food?"
There are many rules in the palace, and in such an environment, how many people can actually eat their fill?
"No need, I'm going to see my mother, you don't need to come along."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As soon as Xiao Yanchu entered Yilan Courtyard, he heard a coughing sound. His heart tightened, and he quickened his pace.
Aunt Sulan just came out and saw the prince looking very happy. She stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness. The Dowager Consort was just talking about you."
"How is Mother?" Xiao Yanchu asked.
Aunt Sulan sighed: "It's still the same old story. Winter is always hard to get through. But once the year is over, spring will come, and the Dowager Consort's health will improve. Your Highness doesn't need to worry too much."
"Yes, I will go in and see my mother."
Aunt Sulan hurriedly lifted the curtain to let Xiao Yanchu in, and then she quickly walked to the bedside and helped Consort Jiang up.
"Your Highness, the Prince has come to see you."
Although Consort Jiang was only in her forties, she was ill, her face was pale, her black hair was mixed with a few strands of white hair, and she was thin, making her look much older than her actual age.
"Chu'er, you're here."
"Mother, how are you feeling?" Xiao Yanchu quickly sat down beside the bed and asked with concern.
"Don't worry, with Doctor Mu watching over you, everything will be fine." Consort Jiang smiled slightly: "Chu'er, did you just return from the palace?"
"Yes, I just attended a palace banquet."
Consort Jiang looked at her son with a hint of heartache in her eyes: "Chu'er, why don't you marry a princess? Someone will take care of you, and your mother will feel more at ease."
"Mother, the Empress Dowager wants to give Wei Yingshuang to me today."
Consort Jiang was taken aback: "You have already helped the Wei family so much, why won't they let you go?"
Consort Jiang became agitated and started coughing violently again.
Aunt Sulan hurriedly brought over a cup of water: "Your Highness, have some water." She patted the back of the Dowager Consort Jiang to help her catch her breath.
“Mother, I am not helping the Wei family, but the people of Great Chu. If Great Chu is truly in chaos, only the people will suffer. As a prince, I have the responsibility to protect the people of Great Chu.”
Consort Jiang took a sip of water to calm herself down: "In the end, it's the Wei family who benefited, yet they're still so wary of you."
"Mother, it's alright, they can't do anything to me."
"That's for the best. I heard from Doctor Mu that you left Yi'er in Yanyang? How is Yi'er now?"
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