The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 696 - 696 327 Marriage Proposal (Two More Updates)_3

Chapter 696: 327 Marriage Proposal (Two More Updates)_3 Chapter 696: 327 Marriage Proposal (Two More Updates)_3 The Emperor silently watched her, his gaze suddenly landing on the wooden hairpin atop the serene Empress Dowager’s head. Frowning slightly, he said, “Although Mother is a devout Buddhist, her lifestyle is far too austere. She doesn’t even possess a decent hairpin. Unlike the Empress Dowager, who is heavily adorned with a headdress and encircled by pearls and jade, the epitome of extravagance!”

The serene Empress Dowager’s lips parted as though she wanted to say something but thought better of it.

She continued to drink her medicine.

The Emperor glanced at the sparse table and asked the handmaiden Cai, who was standing by, “Isn’t there any preserved fruit in the house?”

Cai chuckled, “The Empress Dowager does not partake of such.”

The Emperor huffed, “Mother is just too used to hardship. In Renshou Palace, they have at least eight kinds of preserved fruit!”

The Dowager’s eyelashes fluttered, and after finishing her medicine in one gulp, she passed the empty bowl to Cai. She wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, saying with an amused smile, “Your Majesty keeps mentioning the Empress Dowager today.”

The Emperor choked, “Did I?”

“Yes.” The Dowager replied, still smiling at him.

The Emperor huffed, “That’s because she was being unreasonable and has given me a headache. I just want to seize her actual power as soon as possible so I can comfortably bring Mother back to the palace.”

“You…” the Dowager shook her head helplessly.

“Your Majesty, Eunuch Wei is here,” reported a young eunuch, entering the room.

The Emperor asked, “What is he here for?”

The Dowager responded, “Go take a look; it must be something important.”

The Emperor left and returned after a while, looking somewhat grave.

“Your Majesty, what’s the matter?” the Dowager asked from her spot on the bed.

The Emperor has always shared everything with the serene Dowager. He sighed and began, “Gu Chao came to request an imperial decree, hoping that I would arrange a marriage between his granddaughter and the Prince of An.”

The Dowager looked slightly surprised, “Old Marquis Ding’an? How could he be associated with the Zhuang Family?”

Both families supported different factions. While they weren’t exactly incompatible like water and fire, marriage was certainly not the preferred option for both parties.

The Emperor replied with some helplessness, “The Prince of An has dishonored Miss Gu but refuses to grant her the status of his principal wife, treating her only as a concubine. Gu Chao is not a man who seeks fame and fortune nor does he associate himself with power. But he can’t swallow this insult. He believes the Zhuang Family has been too overbearing, exhibiting not even a hint of remorse.”

The Dowager remained silent for a while before saying, “I’ve heard of that boy, the Prince of An. I didn’t expect him to do such a thing.”

The Emperor confessed, “Frankly, I was quite surprised as well.”

The Dowager looked at him, asking, “Your Majesty, you don’t agree with this marriage?”

The Emperor nodded, “To be honest with Mother, I am indeed a bit hesitant.”

The Dowager asked softly, “Your Majesty, are you worried that their union could upset the situation in your disfavor?”

The Emperor shook his head, “Not at all. Gu Chao is not that sort of man. Besides, Jin Yu is not even Gu Chao’s biological granddaughter, but an adopted peasant girl. The old marquis would not change his stance for her. I am sure of this.”

After thinking for a moment, the Dowager asked, “Then, are you worried that the Empress Dowager will not approve?”

The Emperor’s expression became colder at the mention of the Empress Dowager, “The Empress Dowager still doesn’t know about this, and I have no intention of seeking her opinion.”

If he asked, there would be no room to maneuver. He’d either have to do it or not, and he’d need to seize the initiative.

“So, what exactly is Your Majesty worried about?” asked the serene Dowager.

After a moment of hesitation, the Emperor admitted, “The girl in question is somewhat infamous because of past misdeeds.” Most importantly, she had taken credit for the young divine doctor’s work. This was unbearable to the Emperor, making him rather unwilling to elevate Jin Yu’s status.

The Dowager didn’t inquire about the specific misdeeds. Instead, she paused before asking with a smile, “Has she reformed?”

The Emperor replied, “I’ve heard she indeed has made amends. Secretly leaving home for Ciyu Village, she tirelessly took care of the children there, until she collapsed from exhaustion.”

The Dowager gave him a gentle smile, “Your Majesty, there is great virtue in one who can change when seeing his wrongs. Moreover, Old Marquis Ding’an has rendered great services. For your sake, he has dispersed the Gu Family Army and bore the brunt of the people’s anger. If you cannot even agree to this small request of his, it would be too disheartening for the old marquis.”

The Emperor thought it over carefully. Indeed, the old marquis had never asked for anything before. The one time he did, refusing him right off the bat seemed rather rude.

The serene Dowager added, “Moreover, the old marquis saved my life once.”

“Really?” The Emperor looked at the serene Dowager in surprise.

The Dowager lowered her head, smiling self-mockingly, “It happened before I entered the palace. I went to the temple to offer incense, and on the way back, I was attacked by bandits. It was due to the old marquis drawing his sword to assist me that the bandit was chased away, else I might already be lying dead in the wilderness.”

The Emperor stared at her in silence, “I’ve never heard Mother mention this.”

She chuckled, “At that time, I had already been selected as an elegant lady and was not allowed to leave the residence. It was just youthful mischief that led me to sneak out.”

The Emperor finally understood, “I see.” After pondering for a moment, he stated, “I shall give serious consideration to the old marquis’ request.”

“Okay,” the Dowager nodded, smiling.

The Emperor chatted with the Dowager for a while, until Eunuch He entered and rushed him, “Your Majesty, it’s time to return to the palace.”

The Dowager looked up at the dim sky, a trace of reluctance flashing in her eyes. She patted the Emperor’s hand, “Your Majesty, return to the palace.”

Sighing heavily, the Emperor asked Eunuch He, “What about the peace charm you were asked to get?”

Eunuch He hurriedly fished a brocade box out of his sleeve. Opening it, he handed it to the Emperor, “Got it! It’s been blessed by Master Yuan from Leye Temple!”

The serene Dowager gazed at the peace charm that seemed to emit an endless Buddhist aura, “This is…”

“Oh,” the Emperor said, “It’s for the Empress Dowager.”

The serene Dowager was slightly taken aback.

Eunuch Wei explained with a smile, “The Empress Dowager fell ill from exhaustion after staying up all night to take care of Your Majesty a few days ago.”

The serene Dowager laughed, “It’s rare for you and your mother to reconcile.”

The Emperor looked at the serene Dowager, “Mother, you are my true mother; she is just the dowager of a country. This peace charm is a tribute from a monarch to a dowager, not a son to his mother. Furthermore, I can’t hide my actions from her. Instead of letting her trouble you, I’d rather tell her that I specifically came to pray for a peace charm for her, and took the opportunity to visit you.”

The serene Dowager smiled helplessly, “The Empress Dowager wouldn’t do anything to me, Your Majesty is worrying too much.”

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