Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Engagement, Luo Ning Negotiates for Herself
The matter at Longfu Hall spread quickly.
Even the Marquis of Zhen Nan Manor was talking about it.
But the Empress Dowager and the Emperor did not tell anyone about Luo Ning’s prediction.
The taller the tree, the more wind it catches.
The failed “assassination” would still bring Luo Ning enemies.
The Empress Dowager issued an order, summoning Luo Ning into the palace.
Luo Ning’s mother, Madam Bai, very much wanted to go with her. By the time she changed clothes and went to Wenqi Courtyard to look for Luo Ning, Luo Ning had already left.
Madam Bai stayed quiet for a long while. She gave Nanny Kong and the others a bitter smile, gently shook her head, felt extremely disappointed in Luo Ning, and went back.
“…This is one hundred taels of gold leaf ingots, a reward from Your Majesty.” The Empress Dowager pointed at a red lacquer box and spoke to Luo Ning.
Luo Ning bowed respectfully and said: “This humble woman thanks Your Majesty and thanks Your Highness, the Empress Dowager.”
The Empress Dowager told her to rise.
As the two of them talked, the Empress Dowager mentioned that her prediction this time was very accurate.
“Your Highness, this humble woman has only learned a little fur. Peeking at Heaven’s secrets will reduce blessings and shorten one’s life. From now on, I will not dare to speak recklessly,” Luo Ning said.
The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction.
She did not become proud over one small success. To show respect for Heaven and Earth was the mark of a good child.
She was also very beautiful.
In Shengjing City, many famous prestigious clans only needed a daughter with seventy percent of this level of beauty before they dared to shout that she was “a beauty that topples a city.”
But a true beauty wore no powder, dressed simply, and was still moving with every frown and smile.
Luo Ning was worthy of her son.
“A’Ning, I have something I want to say to you.” The Empress Dowager dismissed everyone else and lowered her voice to speak heart to heart with Luo Ning.
Luo Ning’s heart gave a sudden tremble.
Then she heard the Empress Dowager say: “I have asked the Emperor to issue an edict, bestowing you to Prince Yong.”
The Empress Dowager paused, thinking about how to praise Prince Yong in a way that fit.
There were far too many things about Prince Yong worth praising.
When Luo Ning heard this, she moved to kneel. “Your Highness, Empress Dowager…”
“No need to bow.” The Empress Dowager smiled and helped her up. “If you have any concerns, just tell me.”
“For this humble woman to receive such a blessing is truly the favor of the heavenly gods and the great grace of Your Highness, the Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty. How could I have any concerns?” As Luo Ning spoke, her eyes were already turning red.
Her big reaction actually stunned the Empress Dowager.
A clear tear slid down from Luo Ning’s eyes. “From now on, this humble woman will have protection and can finally sleep in peace.”
The Empress Dowager understood at once.
Her expression darkened. “Has the Marquis of Zhen Nan Manor treated you lightly?”
“No, Your Highness, Empress Dowager. It is only that this humble woman went south to recover from illness for three years, and no one from home came to visit. When I returned, I was bullied and troubled by wicked servants.
“This humble woman is timid. My heart feels heavy, and I have not slept well, day or night. To gain this marriage is to rise in one step to the heavens. With Your Highness looking after me from now on, what would I still fear?” Luo Ning said.
Even though she was used to hearing flattery, Luo Ning’s words still warmed the Empress Dowager’s heart.
Maybe it was the way she cried, fragile and pitiful, that stirred the Empress Dowager’s pity. Or perhaps it was because her words sounded honest and sincere, making people believe her.
But as for Prince Yong…
“Will His Highness the Prince be willing to marry me?” Luo Ning blinked, her bright eyes looking at the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager smiled. “He should not dare to disobey an imperial edict.”
Luo Ning thought for a moment. She did not shrink back, but leaned forward and asked the Empress Dowager: “Your Highness, could this humble woman go and meet His Highness the Prince? Maybe this humble woman can persuade him.”
The Empress Dowager smiled again. “He has not said he is unwilling.”
“This humble woman still wants to meet him,” Luo Ning said.
The Empress Dowager called for Eunuch Wei and ordered him to escort Luo Ning to Prince Yong’s manor.
She did not put much hope in Luo Ning’s so-called “persuasion.”
The Empress Dowager was still thinking about how to persuade her son.
This marriage would be good for Prince Yong’s current situation, which was like oil poured onto a blazing fire. He did not need in-laws who were too powerful.
Luo Ning was brave, charming, and also clear-minded and smart. In the Empress Dowager’s heart, she was almost catching up with the Empress, Madam Zheng.
The Empress, Madam Zheng, had also been chosen personally by the Empress Dowager as a daughter-in-law. Indeed, she was proper in every way and managed the Six Inner Palaces in excellent order.
“…It seems I will have to use my trump card,” the Empress Dowager thought to herself.
Luo Ning entered Prince Yong’s manor.
Without Eunuch Wei as her escort, she would never have been able to step through the main gate of the Prince’s Manor.
Prince Yong was in the rear courtyard’s training grounds.
It was the twelfth lunar month, and he wore only a thin inner robe as he practiced with a spear. When he spun the long spear on the flat ground, he looked fierce and full of power.
A light sheen of sweat shone on his forehead.
At the edge of the training ground stood several of his trusted aide commanders, and there was also a large black dog with a massive body.
The black dog gave the newcomers a wary look. Then its upright ears lowered, and it trotted over to Luo Ning, tail wagging.
Luo Ning reached out to scratch its chin and rub its head.
A few commanders by the side of the training grounds stared, their eyes going wide.
“Has Chang Ying, the Grand General, gone crazy?”
“So friendly? Last time it even bit me.”
“Who is that?”
“That is Eunuch Wei. The person he is escorting must have a high status.”
Prince Yong, Xiao Huai Feng, put down the long spear. His gaze crossed the training ground and fell on the girl and the dog.
The wind was cold, but the sunlight was good.
The girl wore a rose-purple cloak. The color of her clothes was dark and made her look a bit older and more vulgar, but her face was delicate and clear.
Her snow-white skin had been turned a little red by the cold wind, as if she had put on a thin layer of rouge, making her seem even more charming.
She was very close and friendly with the dog.
Xiao Huai Feng’s brows knit tightly, and the displeasure in his heart was about to overflow.
Eunuch Wei did not dare show anything on his face, but he was very afraid of this dog and unconsciously moved to the side.
Xiao Huai Feng let out a whistle.
Even in that whistle one could hear sharpness. The black dog froze, its excitement gone. Its ears drooped as it obediently walked back to its master.
Xiao Huai Feng patted its head, not light and not heavy, as a warning.
Then he said to his Deputy General: “Take Grand General away.”
The Deputy General answered at once.
The black dog walked off but still turned its head back to look at Luo Ning, seeming reluctant to leave.
Xiao Huai Feng gave a cold snort and looked at Eunuch Wei. “What are you doing here? Who did you bring?”
Eunuch Wei hurriedly bowed. “Your Highness, Prince, this is by order of the Empress Dowager. Miss Luo has something she wishes to tell you, so the Empress Dowager sent her here.”
Luo Ning also spoke: “Yes, Your Highness, Prince. This humble woman has something she wishes to report to you in private.”
Xiao Huai Feng had been in a decent mood.
But watching his dog act cute with Luo Ning made him extremely unhappy. “If you have anything to say, you can tell the Empress Dowager. I am not interested.”
“This humble woman has done another service. The assassination at Longfu Hall the other day, this humble woman predicted it beforehand. The Empress Dowager rewarded me because of that,” Luo Ning said.
Xiao Huai Feng looked back at her.
After a moment of silence, he waved his hand. “Take her to the main hall to sit and serve tea.”
He added to Eunuch Wei: “You have brought her here, now go back and report.”
Eunuch Wei glanced at Luo Ning.
Luo Ning nodded. “Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch.”
Eunuch Wei did not dare defy Prince Yong and turned to leave.
Prince Yong went to change clothes.
Luo Ning waited for half an hour before he finally came out.
At home he wore a black cloak, wide and heavy, reaching down to his ankles. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and the straight, stiff cloak looked strong and sharp on him.
He sat down. His dark eyes rested calmly on Luo Ning’s face. “What is it?”
“Your Highness, this humble woman wishes to serve you,” Luo Ning said.
Xiao Huai Feng raised his hand and took a sip of tea. “In front of me, you are not allowed to beat around the bush.”
“This humble woman wishes to be your advisor. This humble woman understands a little divination and knows a bit of esoteric calculations. Perhaps I can help you. The Empress Dowager said she wishes to ask His Majesty to bestow a marriage and allow me to become Princess Consort Yong,” Luo Ning said.
Xiao Huai Feng’s hand, which was holding the tea cup, paused slightly.
He gave a half-smile. “You?”
“This humble woman wishes to beg for Your Highness’s favor and ask you to agree to this marriage. Three years from now, this humble woman will willingly fake her death and leave.
“Before coming out, I cast a divination. If Your Highness wishes to get what you want and marry a good wife, you will have to wait at least three years.
“His Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the court officials are all watching Your Highness’s marriage and weighing it every day. Your Highness must also be annoyed. Since it is like this, why not treat me as a temporary solution? This humble woman’s family background is low, and I must rely on Your Highness for everything.
“On the surface, I will be Princess Consort, but in truth I will act as an advisor. When Your Highness meets your true destined match one day, I only ask that you grant me a favor: change my name and identity, register me as the head of my own household, and grant me the title of Commandery Princess. To the outside world, you can simply say that the Princess Consort has died of illness.”
Luo Ning spoke for quite a while, but her voice was not fast or heavy.
Softly and gently, she finished: “This humble woman’s situation is not good. I wish to borrow a tiger’s might to scare off wolves. I beg Your Highness to take me in.”
Xiao Huai Feng finished the cup of tea, but he still held the cup, slowly rubbing the rim with his fingers.
Again and again, it was like a light tap on Luo Ning’s heart.
Her heart was pounding.
Success or failure all depended on today.