Chapter 199

Chapter 199: Make a Good Impression

“Grandmother, I don’t want to marry right now, nor do I want children. I only wish to stay with you,” Sheng Zhi Wan said, leaning gently against the Empress Dowager’s shoulder.

With a sigh, the Empress Dowager guided her granddaughter to sit facing her.

“Wan’er, is there a young man who holds your heart? If there is, I could speak to your Imperial Father—”

“Grandmother!”

Sheng Zhi Wan suddenly realized something wasn’t right. “Did Imperial Father tell you something? Is that why you’re so eager to marry me off?”

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly. “All young women must marry eventually. You once met Qi Shu Xian, but who’s to say you won’t find someone better in the future? You shouldn’t avoid love entirely because of past disappointments.”

“But what if I meet someone even worse than Qi Shu Xian?”

Sheng Zhi Wan pressed her lips together and asked softly, “Does Grandmother know why Imperial Father is rushing my marriage?”

“Of course, he’s worried about you.”

[Does Grandmother truly believe that herself?] Sheng Zhi Wan wondered silently.

She looked at the Empress Dowager, desperately wanting to ask aloud, but her reason won out. Her grandmother wasn’t only her grandmother—she was the Empress Dowager of Sheng Kingdom, the mother of the Emperor himself.

If Grandmother discovered her true plans, she wouldn’t support her. Instead, for the kingdom’s stability, she would inform Imperial Father immediately.

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her gaze. “These paintings alone aren’t enough. Even if Grandmother truly wants me married, shouldn’t I at least meet them in person first?”

“You’re willing to meet them?” The Empress Dowager’s eyes lit up with joy. “Since you’re agreeable, I’ll arrange for you to meet them soon.”

Sheng Zhi Wan nodded with a gentle smile. After sharing a quiet meal with her grandmother at Merciful Wisdom Palace, she stood up to leave.

As for those potential suitors…

She wasn’t worried. Grandmother was too hopeful. Even if she was a princess, so what?

After all, she was a divorced woman. Those talented young men would likely look down on her.

Still… she needed to prepare early.

The Empress Dowager watched Sheng Zhi Wan’s departing figure for a long while before sighing deeply.

Thinking her mistress was worried about the princess’s marriage prospects, Nanny Xiu quickly comforted her, “With the princess’s beauty and virtue, there’ll surely be countless young men eager to marry her. Empress Dowager needn’t worry.”

The Empress Dowager paused. She had indeed forgotten.

Though each candidate was personally chosen by her, all exceptional young men, Wan’er was still a divorced woman.

Even though she was a princess, marrying again would draw criticism. It would be wise to inquire about these young men’s wishes beforehand.

With this thought, the Empress Dowager decided to summon several noble ladies from those families to ask privately.

The very next day, the first invited was the wife of Marquis Yongyi’s eldest son, Madam Su.

Years ago, Princess Consort Xian Huai, Bai Ruo, had sacrificed herself to save the First Prince, now the Crown Prince. Thus, Emperor Chong Sheng awarded Bai Chang Yan, her father, the title Marquis Yongyi.

Madam Su was noble-born yet warm-hearted. Before entering the palace, she thoughtfully instructed her servants and nanny to wait in the carriage outside.

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager felt quite satisfied.

For a woman marrying, not only was the husband important but having a good mother-in-law mattered greatly as well.

But though the Empress Dowager was satisfied with Madam Su, Madam Su paled upon hearing her intent and quickly knelt down in shock.

Princess Ning Qing?

That woman was divorced!

No wonder the Empress Dowager summoned her. It turned out she was eyeing her son, Yu’er.

How could this be? Yu’er was so young yet had already become second in the imperial examinations. Though he couldn’t compare to Qi Shu Xian, his career was promising and free of scandal. Recently, he’d even been appointed a Hanlin Scholar.

She was already considering a prestigious marriage for him.

But… certainly not with a divorced woman like Princess Ning Qing!

“Please forgive me, Empress Dowager,” she pleaded. “Yu’er… Yu’er already has someone he loves.”

The Empress Dowager was startled, clearly seeing through the hastily invented excuse. Normally she would press, “Oh? Whose daughter is she?”

But today, she suddenly lost all interest.

Even her Wan’er was rejected. What good would forcing them do? A marriage without willingness would only cause unhappiness.

She nodded faintly, saying, “Then forget it,” and changed the topic.

Madam Su let out a relieved sigh.

After Madam Su left, the Empress Dowager summoned several other noble ladies in succession.

Most declined, a few reluctantly accepted, but none appeared pleased about it.

In the end, the Empress Dowager, deeply upset, dismissed everyone, shutting herself away in her chambers, eyes red from sorrow.

Outside the palace, Sheng Zhi Wan had Liu Shang watch carefully. Seeing the women’s expressions upon leaving, she knew the results were exactly as she’d expected.

She wasn’t upset.

It had always been this way.

From another perspective, if her own son had been eyed by a divorced woman, she’d never agree either.

Especially one who once stubbornly insisted on marrying down…

She knew herself clearly—without expectation, there was no disappointment.

But Grandmother’s urgency meant Imperial Father had definitely said something. Grandmother would never force her, but Imperial Father wouldn’t hesitate.

As for why Imperial Father was suddenly so eager for her marriage, Sheng Zhi Wan had a suspicion—likely related to the Northern Desert disaster.

“Princess! Good news—wonderful news!” Ting Lan rushed in excitedly, telling her about Qi Shu Xian losing his position and Meng Yang being permanently denied status.

Sheng Zhi Wan narrowed her eyes slightly. “That’s all?”

“No… nothing else. Isn’t this enough?” Ting Lan was confused.

To her, it was incredibly satisfying. Heir Apparent Qi and Meng Yang had treated the princess so poorly—this was surely justice!

But of course, it wasn’t enough!

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her eyes. Profiteering from disaster was a serious crime. Even if Duke Qi’s household wasn’t confiscated, punishment should’ve been harsher. But now, Qi Shu Xian merely lost his official title.

Though he’d lost rank, he still had a position guarding the City Gate. His return to power was simply a matter of Imperial Father’s decision.

So Imperial Father wasn’t truly as angry as he seemed. This dismissal was just to pacify the court.

Perhaps he still planned to use Qi Shu Xian.

Most importantly, the Third Prince hadn’t been affected in the slightest.

Sheng Zhi Wan thought of a possibility, her gaze growing cold.

She walked outside and tugged at a silk ribbon hanging from the plum tree, making one side longer than the other.

Liu Shang spotted this, blinking her big eyes knowingly.

Second Young Master Shang would come tonight again.

As the princess’s sole confidante of this secret, Liu Shang felt lonely indeed.

As expected, tonight the princess only allowed her to guard outside alone.

Suddenly, Liu Shang jumped to her feet, hearing a soft noise outside.

This was another secret she’d learned—the supposedly foolish and lazy Second Young Master Shang was actually highly skilled in martial arts.

If he hadn’t intentionally revealed his presence, she likely wouldn’t have noticed him at all.

Inside, Sheng Zhi Wan cleared her throat gently, and Shang Hang Yu immediately leapt in through the window.

Tonight, he’d specially dressed up for this visit!

He knew of what happened in the palace too. Since the princess was considering marriage…

Then, naturally, he must seize every chance to make a good impression!

Seeing the ribbon earlier, he’d changed several outfits in front of the bronze mirror—even though it was the dead of night.