Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1152 - 1149_1

Chapter 1152: Chapter 1149_1

When the carriage arrived at the palace gate, Shangguan Xuanyi had already slept soundly and fully in Xiao’er’s space, where only half an hour had passed in real time.

The two of them got out of the carriage, refreshed and ready to head to Cining Palace.

Along the way, they bumped into a worn-out Shangguan Xuanhao with severe dark circles under his eyes, Ruan Weizhen and their two children.

Shangguan Xuanhao, sporting two large dark circles under his eyes, felt a pang of jealousy when he saw the energetic Shangguan Xuanyi!

"Sixth brother, are you made of iron? You look like you’ve had two days of sleep instead of two days without any!"

Shangguan Xuanyi thought to himself, he’d slept for more than two days in the space, so of course he looked well-rested!

However, he couldn’t mention that and instead replied, "If you spent a little more time on martial arts, your energy would be far more than double the average person’s."

What Shangguan Xuanyi said was true, those with higher martial arts skills tended to have far more energy than average people.

Shangguan Xuanhao remained silent upon hearing this. His martial arts skills were only developed because the emperor had forced him to, and they were already much better than many others’. To him, that was enough, and he saw no point in spending extra time on something he wasn’t interested in.

Plus, he had people with superior martial arts skills to protect him!

"Nevermind, different ambitions, having enough is alright!"

Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t say anything else. Given Shangguan Xuanhao’s status, his martial arts skills were indeed already sufficient.

They reached Cining Palace and paid their respects to the Empress Dowager first. Shangguan Xuanhao’s children had already mastered the art of showing proper respect.

"We pay our respects to our great-grandmother, wishing you countless blessings!" Shangguan Xuanhao’s children showed their respect solemnly, which made Xiao’er quite envious. She wondered when her little ones would learn to do the same, they’d be so adorable.

Seeing her two great-grandchildren showing respect so solemnly, the Empress Dowager beamed with happiness. "Good children, no need for such formalities, come over here. Let me give you something delicious to eat!" She warmly beckoned them to come over.

The children were obedient and ran over to their great-grandmother’s side with short strides.

The Empress Dowager seated them next to her and gave them some snacks to munch on.

Then she turned to look at the baskets in Xiao’er and Shangguan Xuanyi’s hands. "The children can’t be comfortable in there, quickly move them onto the warm bed."

The reason the Empress Dowager held especially warm feelings towards Xiao’er’s babies wasn’t just because of the auspicious signs that appeared when they were born, but also the fact that her health had noticeably improved since their arrival! She regarded these children as her lucky stars.

Every time the children came to the palace, her own health significantly improved.

The Empress Dowager was even considering keeping the children in Cining Palace and raising them herself.

After hearing this, Xiao’er and Shangguan Xuanyi went over and placed the children on the warm bed.

The people from Prince An’s Mansion arrived soon after. The Empress Dowager was fair and asked Du Yijin to also put her child on the warm bed.

Then arrived Gu Qiqi with her pair of children, lastly followed by the emperor and the empress.

Immediately the Cining Palace was bustling with activity.

Everyone spent some time in Cining Palace, shortly after, the Fifth Princess and her husband arrived.

Xiao’er glanced at the Fifth Princess. She noticed the lingering sweetness in her eyes and figured that the newlyweds must have been having a blissful time.

The newlyweds served tea to everyone, accepted their congratulations and gifts, after which the men were summoned to Zichen Palace by the emperor to discuss state affairs.

The emperor turned to invite Xiao’er as well, "Xiao’er, come over with Xuanyi!"

But the Empress Dowager had something else to discuss with Xiao’er, and it wasn’t customary for a woman of the harem to join the men’s discussions, so she interjected, "Emperor, your mother has something to discuss with Princess Rui."

The emperor knew how strict the Empress Dowager was about etiquette, and they had only just mended their relationship. He didn’t want to cause any trouble for Xiao’er, so he responded, "Oh, in that case, I won’t fight over her with you."

Today, their discussion was going to be about the Sacrifice to Heaven ceremony on the 19th of June, not military affairs.

The emperor led the way out of Cining Palace.

Before departing, Shangguan Xuanyi spared a glance at Xiao’er, wondering what the Empress Dowager was thinking.

Xiao’er flashed him a reassuring look.

Shangguan Xuanyi responded with a glance at the children, hinting that she should make use of them to navigate any problematic situations.

Xiao’er discreetly signaled an ’OK’ to Shangguan Xuanyi, only then did he follow the emperor and leave.

The remaining women stayed behind at Cining Palace, chatting about their lives.

The Empress Dowager needed to discuss something with Xiao’er. Her half-sister, who was married off to Shanxi province, had written a letter expressing her wishes to send her daughter to the Imperial Capital and hoped the Empress Dowager could secure a marriage arrangement for her.

The half-sister’s marriage had been quite decent. Years ago, she married the second son of the Huai-Xi Jiedushi (military commissioner). Unfortunately, the second son lacked ambition, but was keen on networking. The emperor wasn’t pleased with this and assigned him a minor official role in the remote Shanxi province, where he had been ever since.

Now that their children were grown-up, she wanted them to marry well and use it as a chance to return to the Imperial Capital. That’s why she plucked up the courage to write to the Empress Dowager, asking her to secure a marriage arrangement for her daughter.

Her request wasn’t too high – even a poor scholar would be acceptable.

However, the Empress Dowager, always conscious about her reputation, was reluctant. Her half-sister had been more beautiful and favored than her back in the day. She was loved by the previous emperor and everyone assumed she would become his wife. But the previous emperor chose the Empress Dowager instead. Whenever she helped her half-sister’s daughter, she would feel as if she was helping a love rival succeed.

Now, her half-sister had written to ask for her help and had even mentioned that a poor scholar would do. Although it seemed as if she was trying to avoid causing trouble for the Empress Dowager, if she really arranged a marriage with a poor scholar, her half-sister would surely look down on her!

The Empress Dowager lamented that her high status came with limitations. If she casually arranged a marriage for her nephew’s daughter with a poor scholar, her half-sister might spread rumors that she, as the Empress Dowager, only secured marriages for her family in non-influential families. That would be so embarrassing!

However, choosing a son from one of the major families for her half-sister’s daughter would be playing right into her half-sister’s hands.

She thought it over and over and concluded that Shen Jinghao, the top scorer in the imperial examinations, was the best option. The family of Marquis Shengping originated from humble beginnings, but now they were among the noble families! Their roots might be shallow, but they were still a reputable family.

Furthermore, Jinghao was the second son, and wouldn’t inherit the title. His future status and rank would depend solely on his abilities. If he truly was capable and became a high-ranking official, that would only happen decades later, when they all would be old!

Of course, the Empress Dowager was not aware that the emperor had already decided to appoint Jinghao as Magistrate directly. Otherwise, she would never consider granting such a favor to her half-sister’s daughter!

As soon as the Empress Dowager saw Xiao’er, she directly asked, "Princess Rui, is it true your brother has become the top scorer?"

Just as Xiao’er was about to stand up and respond, the Empress Dowager said, "You can sit and reply."

Xiao’er sat back and, though she became alert, responded calmly, "Yes, Empress Dowager, that’s correct."