Chapter 125 Conditions
"Well?"
Pei Shan's confident and certain expression froze!
His prepared arguments about joining forces to balance the court and how to rely on the Xie family in the future were all stuck in his throat!
What else can I give?
What could he possibly promise more than the Empress's throne?!
Wealth? Does Xie Sangning lack money? Her wealth is probably greater than the national treasury!
Power? Her influence is so great that even her father, the Emperor, is wary of her! Does she need a promise from a prince who hasn't even ascended the throne yet?
Shelter? What a joke! Now it's Xie Sangning who's protecting others!
Pei Shan opened her mouth, but was speechless for a moment.
He discovered that the bargaining chips he had carefully prepared and thought were substantial actually seemed so pale and powerless in front of the other party!
It's as ridiculous as a beggar promising a wealthy tycoon half a steamed bun when he becomes rich!
The atmosphere in the study instantly became extremely awkward.
Xie Sangning chuckled and said, "There is something I would like to ask Your Highness for help with. I wonder if Your Highness would be willing?"
Pei Shan's arrogance, which had subsided, instantly surged back!
Anything that can help is valuable.
"Please speak, Sister Sang Ning!"
"It's not a big deal. His Majesty has bestowed upon me the title of County Princess, but a County Princess is a County Princess. Without a county, where does the title come from? Third Prince, could you please mention it to His Majesty for me? My contributions should be considerable. I'd like to ask for a place with high taxes and good harvests, such as a wealthy county in Jiangnan. His Majesty shouldn't be too unhappy about that, right?"
Pei Shan's expression froze.
Xie Sangning is indeed greedy and arrogant.
Since Father didn't grant her a fief when he conferred the title of County Princess, he obviously didn't want to. To bring it up now would just be...asking for a scolding! And she wants a good place too? This is simply...
But considering the benefits of accomplishing this task, he only hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
If all else fails, we can ask the Empress Dowager for help; I'm sure she'll have a solution.
After the two made their agreement, Pei Shan left the general's mansion.
Xia was somewhat puzzled.
"Miss, why don't you want Xihan? Our Xihan is so good, it can be your fiefdom, and no one can covet it!"
Xie Sangning took a sip of tea and said, "Who said I don't want Xi Han?"
If we were to ask for Xihan directly, the Emperor, with his suspicious nature, would refuse it outright, and might even send someone to investigate.
However, if Xie Sangning were to ask for a wealthy county in Jiangnan, the Emperor would only think she was greedy. Although he would refuse, he would still have to compensate her, since he had not actually granted her any land.
As for where this compensation is located...
Xie Sangning couldn't help but laugh out loud when she thought of the Emperor's temperament.
Xia was completely baffled, but continued to ask, "Miss... the Third Prince actually seems much more composed than the First Prince. He also seems much gentler and more reliable. His promise of the Empress's position just now... that's a position that all women in the world look up to! Why...?"
She hesitated, then asked softly, "Why don't you agree to his proposal? Wouldn't it be better to become the most noble woman in the world?"
Hearing this, Xie Sangning chuckled.
“Ru Xia,” she turned around, “you’ve got one thing wrong.”
"Please enlighten me, Miss." Ru Xia asked, puzzled.
"Just because I married Pei Shan doesn't mean I can become empress."
"But rather—"
"Whoever marries me, Xie Sangning, will be able to sit on the dragon throne."
"The choice has always been in my hands."
The most tragic thing for a person is to not be able to find their own value and instead be suppressed and manipulated by others.
Xie Sangning is aware of her own worth and is proud of it. Such pride may not be very appealing, especially to men, because she is not easily fooled.
Coincidentally, she doesn't need anyone's approval.
——
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Pei Yan leaned back in his golden chair, rubbing his temples with his fingers. Memorials piled up on his desk, making it hard for him to breathe.
"His Majesty…"
Desheng, his back hunched, carefully held up a cup of freshly brewed ginseng tea. "You were reviewing memorials until the wee hours last night. Would you like some ginseng tea to perk you up?"
Pei Yan waved his hand irritably, not even bothering to lift his eyelids: "Just put it there."
Just then, a palace attendant announced from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience."
Pei Yan's brows furrowed even more.
Xiao Fengyi? What's she doing here?
Recently, because of Pei Shan's matter, she has been getting closer to me quite often.
They're in a hurry to make him establish an heir!
He's not old yet!
He suppressed his impatience and said in a deep voice, "Summon."
The heavy palace doors opened, and Empress Xiao Fengyi walked in, dressed in an elaborate and solemn phoenix robe, her golden phoenix hairpin swaying gently with her steps.
With a dignified and proper smile on her face, she walked to the imperial desk and bowed gracefully: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"Your Majesty, please rise." Pei Yan's tone was calm, carrying a hint of barely perceptible aloofness. "What is it?"
Xiao Fengyi stood up, but did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked at Pei Yan's slightly tired face with concern: "Is Your Majesty worried about state affairs? Look at your complexion... It breaks my heart. The other day, some fine bird's nest was presented as tribute. I have already instructed the imperial kitchen to stew it and send it to Your Majesty later."
Normally, Pei Yan might have appreciated such thoughtful and meticulous care.
But at this moment, he only felt agitated and wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible.
He waved his hand, his tone somewhat impatient: "I am fine. Empress, please speak freely."
"Your Majesty, I have come today to discuss the matter of Princess Xie Sangning of Jianing County."
"Xie Sangning?"
Pei Yan's nerves tightened instantly. "What's wrong with her?"
What kind of trouble has Xie Sangning gotten into this time?
Xiao Fengyi's face showed some difficulty: "I have recently heard that although Princess Jianing has been granted the title of Princess by His Majesty's grace, which is extremely honorable, it seems that she has not been granted a corresponding fiefdom?"
She paused, observing Pei Yan's suddenly darkened expression, and continued gently, "According to the ancestral system of our Great Qing Dynasty, women of the imperial family or meritorious officials who are granted titles are entitled to fiefs and stipends, to demonstrate the Emperor's favor and to uphold the rules. The County Princess is now of noble status, and if she does not have a fief... it would be against etiquette. If word gets out, it may cause criticism from the court and the public, who might say that His Majesty is biased or has mistreated meritorious officials. In my opinion, she should be given a fief, and a good one at that."
"The General Who Protects the Nation is about to return. If he finds out that the gift given by the county princess is inappropriate, he will probably have many doubts."
Pei Yan's face instantly turned extremely ugly!
Granting her the title of County Princess was already a humiliating act of coercion and forced upon her by circumstances!
Pei Yan almost slammed his fist on the table and pointed at Xiao Fengyi's nose, demanding to know if she had accepted bribes from Xie Sangning!
"Your Majesty... seems quite concerned about this matter? Was it Princess Jianing who asked you to come and ask me for it?"
Xiao Fengyi, however, feigned just the right amount of surprise and grievance: "Your Majesty is wise! How could a county princess of such noble status be so ungrateful? This matter... is something I pondered myself. As the mistress of the inner palace, in charge of the etiquette of the inner court ladies, seeing that the county princess has a title but no fiefdom, I always felt it violated ancestral rules and regulations, and I couldn't bear it. Moreover..."
"After much deliberation, I believe that if we were to supplement this rightful fiefdom and estate, it would demonstrate that our royal family is fair in its rewards and punishments, and that it combines kindness with severity. It would also make the people of the land even more grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence and kindness!"
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