The Double
Chapter 544 - 163 Bestowed Marriage_2

Chapter 544: Chapter 163 Bestowed Marriage_2

Jiang Yuanbai was speechless for a moment before he said, "Empress Dowager Liu hopes the Assistant Head Writer will become Prince Consort to Princess Yongning."

Jiang Li sneered inwardly but her expression remained as usual as she spoke, "The Xue Family’s resources are somewhat modest, aren’t they? Besides, with the Emperor so fond of Lord Shen, how could he bear to simply hand him over to someone else? It seems to me that the very moment my father suggested Eldest Young Master Li, the Emperor decided to choose someone else to bestow in marriage."

Jiang Yuanbai sighed, "I am of the same opinion."

"Why is father so downcast?"

"Prince Cheng will sooner or later find out that I was the one who stirred up this affair. If they were originally in favor of Shen Yurong, and I complicated the matter, I’m afraid they will bear me a grudge."

Jiang Li said indifferently, "Even without this matter, our Jiang Family’s relationship with Prince Cheng is not a friendly one. Since that’s the case, why bother about such things? It’s better to clearly recognize who your master is and devote yourself to supporting one person," she said pointedly, "A fence sitter ultimately pleases neither side."

Jiang Yuanbai has always been smooth in his dealings, and Jiang Li’s words served as a warning not to harbor any illusions about maintaining a cordial relationship with Prince Cheng now that he had decided to support Emperor Hongxiao. Naturally, Jiang Yuanbai understood the subtext of Jiang Li’s words; although somewhat irritated at being lectured by his daughter, he swallowed any rebuke he had upon seeing her gentle demeanor, as if she truly had the best interests of her father and the entire Jiang family at heart.

After all, she was now the only daughter by his side.

After stepping out of Jiang Yuanbai’s study, Jiang Li’s expression grew colder.

Princess Yongning had acted faster than Jiang Li had anticipated. It seemed she was eagerly looking forward to this unborn "life," hence her impatience in facilitating a marriage with Shen Yurong.

However, her calculations were destined to fall through.

As Jiang Li walked on, she thought again about the matter concerning Xue Huaiyuan from the Ye Residence. She received a message from Ming Yu that Xue Huaiyuan had not yet awakened, but Situ Jiuyue had said that it was not necessarily a bad thing. Jiang Li sincerely hoped that at least until Xue Huaiyuan awoke, her plans would proceed smoothly.

By the time Xue Huaiyuan truly awakened, he would be facing the main culprit responsible for the Xue Family’s woes, who, after a year at large, would finally start paying the real price.

...

With spring came growth, and newness everywhere, and many fresh occurrences in Yanjing City.

Yet the fresh event of this particular morning caught many people unprepared.

During the morning court, Emperor Hongxiao, just before the dismissal, suddenly issued an imperial edict arranging a marriage between the Eldest Young Master of the Right Chancellor’s Residence and Princess Yongning, sister to Prince Cheng, with the wedding to take place the following month.

This impromptu marriage edict caught everyone off guard. At that moment in the Golden Throne Hall, Eldest Young Master Li’s complexion changed at once. Even after the Right Chancellor prompted him to accept the decree, he almost stumbled while doing so.

Prince Cheng’s countenance was also far from pleasant, seemingly caught unawares by the news. Naturally, this was the case: the lifelong matter of his own sister had been decided all of a sudden, without his prior knowledge. In the presence of the civil and military officials, Prince Cheng could not protest, especially since Emperor Hongxiao did not afford him any opportunity to speak before he happily adjourned the court after seeing Eldest Young Master Li accept the decree.

The young Emperor was in an unusually good mood.

Leaving those concerned with somber expressions, at the same time, among the crowd, stood Shen Yurong, always favored by Emperor Hongxiao, with a particularly heavy gaze. Known for his grace and gentleness, he was always seen with a faint smile on his face, but today, that smile seemed strained. He did not linger to exchange pleasantries with his colleagues after the court was dismissed, pausing only a moment before striding away, as if he could not bear to stay a moment longer.

Upon learning the news, Empress Dowager Liu went straight to Cining Palace to confront the Imperial Consort.

"Sister," she said to the Imperial Consort who was fingering her Buddha beads, "we spoke of the match between Yongning and Lord Shen, yet how did the Emperor end up decreeing the marriage to Eldest Young Master Li? How shall I explain this to Yongning? Sister, don’t tell me it was your doing on purpose?"

The Imperial Consort looked at her calmly, her voice as still as dead water, stirring not a ripple as she said, "I did not deceive you, I spoke to the Emperor about Lord Shen. But the Emperor is no child; he has his own judgments, and I do not know his intentions. If you do not trust my word, then go reason with the Emperor. Perhaps he may change his mind."

Empress Dowager Liu was both anxious and angry. How could she approach Emperor Hongxiao, who had long since come to despise her and her son? It would be strange indeed if he listened to her words.