The Double
Chapter 545 - 163: Bestowed Marriage_3

Chapter 545: Chapter 163: Bestowed Marriage_3

"Actually, if it were Eldest Young Master Li instead, it might not be a bad thing," the Empress Dowager slowly said, "Right Chancellor Li’s Family is much more established than the Shen family. The very aspect that you care most about means nothing to the Li Family."

Empress Dowager Liu was moved by this undeniable truth. Although the Emperor’s reckless decree for marriage angered her, she originally disliked Shen Yurong – firstly, he was once a commoner, and secondly, marrying into his family would mean becoming his second wife, something she found unacceptable. Li Xian was different. Even the least competent Right Chancellor was still a Chancellor, and Li Xian had both talent and looks, certainly no less than Shen Yurong.

"But Yongning doesn’t know about this," Empress Dowager Liu thought of Princess Yongning’s temperament and still felt it was inappropriate, "How should I explain this to her?"

The Empress Dowager remained calm, "Matters of marriage are traditionally dictated by the wishes of one’s parents and the matchmaker’s words. Even though Yongning is a princess, it doesn’t mean she can choose her Prince Consort as she pleases. Compared to those princesses who were married off for alliances, she is already very fortunate. Besides, neither you nor I are at fault for this incident; it is the Emperor’s decree. If Yongning refuses to marry, she would be defying the imperial command."

Empress Dowager Liu was also frustrated. If Prince Cheng truly succeeded, who would care about Emperor Hongxiao’s decree? Unfortunately, Yongning was impatient, and at this critical moment, she suggested the marriage grant. Now, everyone still had to heed Emperor Hongxiao’s words.

"Eldest Young Master Li seems quite promising, and Yongning is just being stubborn for now. Once she’s truly married, she’ll naturally understand that you’re doing this for her own good. There’s no need to worry so much," the Empress Dowager said, "Any further concern is futile. I have said all that there is to be said. If you’re still dissatisfied, take Yongning and appeal to His Majesty with your tears." With these words, the Empress Dowager closed her eyes, no longer wishing to speak further with Empress Dowager Liu.

Empress Dowager Liu was filled with resentment, but also understood that the Empress Dowager’s words were not false. Standing before the Empress Dowager, she weighed her options and agreed that, compared to Shen Yurong, she indeed favored Li Xian more. Yongning’s current attitude was simply childish stubbornness, which would surely pass after a few days. Without saying more, she turned and walked out, planning to return to her own side hall. If Princess Yongning wanted to find her, she would likely be in her chambers now.

...

Inside Empress Dowager Liu’s side hall, at this moment, all the servants knelt on the ground, the palace maids trembling with fear, amidst the chaos scattered across the floor.

Princess Yongning had suddenly barged in, looking to speak with Empress Dowager Liu, and upon learning that she was not there, began to smash things on the table. She looked furiously angry, and the palace maids, who knew her temperament well, didn’t dare say a word, only hoping that Empress Dowager Liu would return soon. Though Empress Dowager Liu was usually arrogant and domineering, only she could calm down Princess Yongning at times like these.

Princess Yongning was panicking inside.

No one knew what she felt the moment she learned about the marriage decree. She had thought the matter was nearly certain, even hearing that the Empress Dowager had visited the Emperor, expecting that the Emperor would not counter his mother’s words, if only for the sake of face. But Emperor Hongxiao, much to her dismay, had not objected; instead, he had replaced her chosen husband with another!

How could this be acceptable?

She was carrying Shen Yurong’s child; how could she marry another man? Princess Yongning wanted to understand what was truly going on. She had even intended to explain things to Shen Yurong. Yet, after leaving court, there was no sign of Shen Yurong in the palace. Unable to find him, and fearing he was upset, her anxiety grew. What made her more anxious, though, was the need to rectify the mistake immediately.

The most direct solution was to involve Empress Dowager Liu.

Just as she was becoming increasingly impatient, a palace maid reported from outside: "The Imperial Consort has returned."

Princess Yongning leaped to her feet, rushing to meet her and exclaimed, "Mother Consort!"

"What are you doing?" Empress Dowager Liu frowned, looking at the mess on the floor discontentedly, "Yongning, I let your usual mischief slide, but this isn’t your Princess’s Mansion!"

Unaffected, Princess Yongning’s eyes rimmed red, she said, "Mother Consort, you still care about these trifles? I’m about to be sold off, and you’re still worried about these material things?"

"What do you mean sold off?" Empress Dowager Liu, stepping over a broken vase, let the palace maids clean up the place and took a seat, saying, "Don’t talk nonsense."

"The imperial marriage decree!" Princess Yongning raised her voice. "I told you explicitly it should be Shen Yurong, so how did it become Li Xian? Mother Consort! I will not marry Li Xian. In this life, I will only marry Shen Yurong!"

Empress Dowager Liu quickly sent the palace maids away and glared at her, "You dare say anything. There are informers everywhere in the palace; aren’t you afraid of being overheard, because I am."