Upon entering the Empress Dowager's palace, to He Yunxiao's surprise, the Empress Dowager did not make things difficult for the ladies again. Instead, she treated them to fine tea and snacks.
She even said apologetically, "I overslept today and have kept you all waiting."
Although the ladies' legs ached, they dared not utter a word of complaint.
Qin Wenmo simply said, "Not long. Gazing at the beautiful scenery of the palace, in the blink of an eye, we were standing before the Empress Dowager."
When the Empress Dowager heard Qin Wenmo say this, a smile appeared on her face.
Then, her gaze naturally fell on He Yunxiao.
This man was not only the only male in the room, but also exceptionally handsome, unlike any other man I've ever seen.
"This person looks familiar, isn't he... from the Zhang family?"
Zhang Jingxian quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed my husband He Yuanhao's son, He Yunxiao."
The Empress Dowager kept her eyes fixed on He Yunxiao, clapping her hands and saying, "Good, good, good. I remember, the Marquis of Wuqing's family all came to last year's birthday banquet, so why didn't I see you?"
Even when facing the Empress Dowager, He Yunxiao remained calm and composed, saying in a rather indifferent tone, "Last year when I entered the palace, I only caught a glimpse of the Empress Dowager from afar. It's perfectly normal that the Empress Dowager hasn't seen me before. Not to mention that the Empress Dowager is busy with many affairs of state, even someone as idle as me would have forgotten the Empress Dowager's face if my aunt hadn't brought me to the palace today."
Seeing that He Yunxiao was handsome and eloquent, the Empress Dowager quickly said, "Good boy, come closer so I can take a good look at you."
He Yunxiao stepped closer.
The Empress Dowager said, "Closer."
He Yunxiao then moved a little closer.
The Empress Dowager feigned anger and said, "Am I a tiger? Why are you so afraid of me?"
For the first time, He Yunxiao regretted being too handsome; everyone was eyeing him wherever he went. Helpless and stiff, he could only awkwardly step forward, handing himself over to his future mother-in-law.
The Empress Dowager held He Yunxiao's hand and looked at him with increasing joy.
He actually asked, "Good boy, are you married?"
Good heavens! He Yunxiao exclaimed, "Good heavens!"
This passage wasn't in the original novel!
In the original novel, the female protagonist, Meng Qingqian, develops feelings for Chu Fan while protecting him after he kills He Yunxiao, thus establishing her status as the female protagonist.
Now that this has happened, He Yunxiao can no longer predict the story's direction based on his memories of the events.
First, he himself wasn't dead, so Chu Fan wasn't in danger of being hunted down by He Yuanhao. Then, his mother-in-law actually offered to send her daughter away?
Who can withstand this?
As the leading lady who rivaled Chu Xiaoxiao in the early stages, Meng Qingqian was extremely strong-willed, opinionated, powerful, and ruthless.
This is the complete opposite of Chu Xiaoxiao's soft and cute image.
However, if Chu Xiaoxiao is a "yandere" and Du Yinyun is a "simp," then what is Meng Qingqian?
He Yunxiao couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it. He hadn't even met Meng Qingqian yet; once they met, he could use the system to observe her and discern her personality completely.
Although he had never seen Meng Qingqian, seeing that the Empress Dowager, though past her prime, still possessed a beautiful face, He Yunxiao was not worried that the female lead would not be good-looking.
Therefore, when the Empress Dowager asked, "Are you married?", He Yunxiao answered frankly, "No."
The Empress Dowager opened her mouth to speak, but then turned to He Yunxiao's aunt and asked, "Jingxian, do you have a girl you like?"
Zhang Jingxian said, "I originally only wanted to find a gentle and virtuous woman, but Xiao'er had his own plans. That day I asked him who he wanted to marry in the future, and he said that he would only marry the eldest princess and that he would not look down on any other woman."
Even though Qin Wenmo and the others already knew the news in advance, when these words were spoken in the Empress Dowager's palace, everyone still subconsciously held their breath.
The decision that could determine the future of the State of Qi could very well happen within these few seconds.
He Yunxiao could clearly feel that the Empress Dowager's hand holding his had frozen.
Meanwhile, in the rear hall of the Empress Dowager's palace, separated by a screen.
With her usual composure, Meng Qingqian raised her eyes to look at the memorial. Her beautiful and sharp phoenix eyes seemed to want to pierce through the barriers of wood, stone, and flesh, reaching the front hall and seeing directly into people's hearts.
The Empress Dowager hesitated, "His Majesty is still young. As the eldest sister, Xiaoyue bears the responsibility of governing the Qi state. I'm afraid..."
He Yunxiao had known this would be the outcome.
Even a fool knows that marrying Meng Qingqian is impossible.
He quickly pledged his loyalty, saying, "I am devoted to Her Highness the Princess. If, in a few years, the Princess retires after achieving her goals, I am willing to marry her and cherish her as a priceless treasure."
The Empress Dowager sighed, "You are indeed devoted in love."
These words shocked not only He Yunxiao, but even the ladies couldn't stand it anymore.
Can He Yunxiao's reputation in Yin Jing be described as "devoted"?
No wonder the Empress Dowager couldn't defeat Grand Chancellor Han Wenxin back then; it would be a miracle if she could.
Concubine Zhang Jingxian promptly added, "The late emperor did not leave behind only one daughter. Princess Xiaoyue is busy with political affairs, but Princess Nanzhu is still unmarried."
The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up.
Although Nanzhu was not her biological daughter, she was still a legitimate princess.
"Yunxiao, I'm giving you the South Sea Pearl in marriage, are you willing?"
He Yunxiao was completely confused. Who was Nan Zhu? It wasn't mentioned in the novel!
He Yunxiao is always very cautious when it comes to female roles whose appearance is yet to be determined.
"Your Majesty! I have never met Princess Nanzhu, and most importantly, my love for Princess Xiaoyue is unwavering! I will never marry another!"
The Empress Dowager gently patted He Yunxiao's head.
Are you afraid that Nanzhu isn't pretty?
He Yunxiao confidently declared, "Your Majesty is wise. How could I be such a shallow person?"
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