"Yongchang, this matter cannot be kept from you; you will find out eventually." The Empress sighed softly, then held Princess Yongchang's hand tightly and slowly said, "Yongchang, you know about the envoy from the Zhou Dynasty. Your father intends to send a princess to the Zhou Dynasty for a marriage alliance, and he wants you to go."
"What? Father wants me to go?" Yongchang's eyes widened immediately, and he stood up abruptly.
"Yes, your father just came to Fengyi Palace and said so." The Empress nodded with a pained expression.
"Why? Why me?" Yongchang asked incredulously. "Besides, the Zhou envoy didn't mention anything about a marriage alliance. I even inquired about it myself."
"Empress Dowager doesn't know about this matter either. I can't fathom what your father is thinking either." The Empress shook her head helplessly.
"So, when Mother asked me if I had taken a fancy to any young master, was she trying to arrange a marriage for me before Father issues the decree?" Yongchang quickly understood the Empress's meaning and asked in shock.
"yes."
"Mother, why is it your son?"
"Because you are the Queen Mother's daughter, a legitimate princess."
Yongchang turned around, calmed himself down, and forced himself to remain calm, but when he opened his mouth, his voice couldn't help but tremble with tears, "Mother, what should we do about this? Your son doesn't want to be sent away for a political marriage."
Yongchang grew up in the palace. Although she had never done anything particularly malicious, she was well aware of the dirty tricks and underhanded practices within the palace.
Moreover, the Zhou Dynasty is even more powerful, and it is currently a time when the princes are vying for the throne. If she were to go there, she would inevitably become a sacrifice. In addition, she is a princess sent there for a political marriage. Although she will not lose her life in a short time, she will only be alive.
Yongchang didn't want this at all; she didn't want to be sent there for a political marriage.
"Mother, I will go and beg Father right now. Father dotes on me so much, he will surely agree to this." Yongchang turned to run outside, but was stopped by the Empress.
“Yongchang, wait. Since your father has already mentioned this matter, it means that he has made up his mind. There is no use in you begging your father.”
"What should we do then?" Yongchang asked in a panic. She had never left the capital city since she was a child, and she simply couldn't imagine leaving her hometown.
"Yongchang, don't panic. Your mother will never let you be sent away as a princess for a political marriage." Seeing Yongchang's red eyes, the Empress felt very sad.
"Mother, you must find a way! Your son really doesn't want to go," Yongchang said, kneeling before the Empress, his voice filled with grievance.
"Yongchang, your mother will find a way. Your mother will never let my Yongchang go to a political marriage." The Empress held Yongchang in her arms, her eyes slightly red.
After comforting Yongchang and sending him away, the Empress ordered someone to summon the Crown Prince.
The Empress knew some of the talented young men in the capital, but she didn't know much about them. The Crown Prince lived outside the palace and was familiar with those young men, so he should know some of them. She could then select a few, find out about their family backgrounds, and quickly betroth Yongchang to them.
The Empress was still somewhat relieved. She was fortunate to be the Empress, and as long as the Emperor did not issue an edict, she had the right to decide her daughter's marriage. Even if the Emperor blamed her afterward, the deed was done and the Emperor could do nothing about it.
Because of the Empress's sincere apology and the special gift she gave to Ren Nuanyun, the Crown Prince did not hold a grudge against the Empress. So as soon as the Empress's letter arrived, the Crown Prince put down what he was doing and walked towards Fengyi Palace.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty." The Crown Prince bowed to the Empress.
"Your Highness, please get up quickly." Seeing the Crown Prince enter, the Empress felt as if she had grasped a lifeline, and unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mother, why did you summon me to the palace so hastily? Is there something urgent?" The Crown Prince sat down on a chair to the side, and soon a palace maid served him hot tea.
"Your Highness, do you have any friends in the capital? Or, do you think any young master in the capital is decent?" The Empress didn't have much time to beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"Minister of Revenue Kong Fu, his two sons are both good. His eldest son is already an official in the court. Although his official position is not high, he is very ambitious. His younger son is also preparing for next year's imperial examination. They are both of good character." After a moment's thought, the Crown Prince named the two men.
"And there's Zhou Jun, the Vice Minister of Rites. Although he's over thirty, he has a very good personality and is very knowledgeable. But, Mother, why are you suddenly asking about these people?" The Crown Prince mentioned a few people and then looked at the Empress with curiosity.
The Empress urgently summoned him to the palace, asking why he needed to ask this.
"Your Highness, your father intends to send Yongchang away for a political marriage, so your mother would like to ask you if there are any suitable young talents in the capital who would like to betroth Yongchang before your father issues the decree."
"What? Send Yongchang to marry a foreign ruler? Why?" The crown prince was also shocked when he heard the news.
"Your father said that Yongchang is a legitimate princess, of noble status and of the highest rank, so she must be sent to the Zhou Dynasty for a marriage alliance," the Empress explained simply.
"But, Mother, is it too late for us to choose someone now?" the Crown Prince asked worriedly. In the palace, Yongchang was his only younger sister, and of course he would not want his sister to be sent away for a political marriage.
"There's still time. Your father hasn't issued the decree yet, so everything is still possible. Crown Prince, you and Yongchang have such a good relationship, you wouldn't want her to be sent to the Zhou Dynasty for a political marriage, would you?"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely find a way." The Crown Prince quickly assured him, "If you want to find a husband for Yongchang, I think the youngest son of the Minister of Revenue is very good. I have met Kong Fu before. He is an honest man with no bad intentions. Moreover, his eldest son has a good character. I heard that he only has one wife and no concubines."
Kong Fu's youngest son is named Kong Xinyuan, so it should be similar. I will go and investigate further to see what kind of character Kong Xinyuan is. As soon as I have any news, I will immediately send someone to inform the Empress Dowager.”
"Good, you must handle this matter as soon as possible, and you must not let anyone else find out. If your father finds out, he will surely be angry." The Empress looked at the Crown Prince with satisfaction, then remembered something and gave him further instructions.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand." The Crown Prince nodded, then stood up. "Your Majesty, there is no time to lose, I will go now."
"Very well." The Empress nodded solemnly.
Upon returning to the Crown Prince's residence, the Crown Prince immediately sent people to inquire about the Kong family. He had his own selfish reasons for mentioning the Kong family today. As the Crown Prince, he knew that Kong Fu, the Minister of Revenue, always considered himself superior, remained neutral, and did not take sides. If he could take this opportunity to win over Kong Fu, his chances of winning in the future would be much greater.
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