Chapter 199

Chapter 199: Make a Good Impression

“Grandmother, I do not want to marry right now, and I do not want any offspring.” Sheng Zhi Wan leaned against Empress Dowager’s shoulder. “I only want to stay by your side.”

Empress Dowager sighed and pulled Sheng Zhi Wan to sit facing Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager asked, “Does Wan’er have a man you like? If you do, I can speak with your Imperial Father…”

“Grandmother!” Sheng Zhi Wan finally sensed something was off. “Did Imperial Father say something to you, and that is why you are so eager to marry me off?”

Empress Dowager smiled. “What woman does not marry? You once met a Qi Shu Xian. In the future, you may still meet someone good. You must not give up because you choked once and then stop eating.”

Sheng Zhi Wan pressed her lips together. “Then what if I meet someone even worse than Qi Shu Xian?”

Sheng Zhi Wan looked at Empress Dowager. “Grandmother, do you know why Imperial Father is in such a hurry to marry me off?”

Empress Dowager said, “It is because Imperial Father worries about you.”

Did Grandmother even believe that?

Sheng Zhi Wan wanted to ask, but reason finally pressed the emotion down. Grandmother was not only Sheng Zhi Wan’s grandmother. Grandmother was also the Empress Dowager of the Sheng Kingdom, and Imperial Father’s mother.

If Empress Dowager knew Sheng Zhi Wan’s plans, Empress Dowager would not only refuse to support Sheng Zhi Wan. Empress Dowager might even tell Imperial Father directly, all for the stability of the Sheng Kingdom.

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her head slightly. “You cannot see anything just by looking at portraits. Even if Grandmother truly wants me to marry, Grandmother should at least let me meet them in person.”

“You are willing to meet?” Empress Dowager was delighted. “If you are willing, then another day Grandmother will find a way to let you meet them.”

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled and agreed. Sheng Zhi Wan stayed at Ci Hui Palace for lunch, sat for a while, then rose to leave.

As for those men… Sheng Zhi Wan did not need to worry too much. Grandmother was too wishful. Even if Sheng Zhi Wan was Princess, Sheng Zhi Wan was still a divorced woman. Most of those young talents likely would not want Sheng Zhi Wan.

Still… Sheng Zhi Wan had to prepare early.

Empress Dowager watched Sheng Zhi Wan’s back for a long time before sighing and looking away.

Nanny Xiu thought Empress Dowager was worried about Princess’s marriage and quickly comforted Empress Dowager. “With Princess’s character and beauty, countless good young gentlemen will rush to her. Empress Dowager need not worry.”

Empress Dowager paused. Empress Dowager had almost forgotten. Empress Dowager had personally chosen those men, and they were all excellent. Yet Zhi Wan was still a divorced woman. Even if Zhi Wan was Princess, remarrying after divorce would still draw gossip.

It would be better to ask about those families’ intentions in advance.

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager decided to summon the women of those households into the palace to ask.

The next day, the sister-in-law from Consort Huai’s natal family was summoned first. Many years ago, Consort Huai, Bai Ruo, had died saving the Eldest Prince, who was now the Crown Prince. Because of that, Emperor Chong Sheng had granted Bai Ruo’s father, Bai Chang Yan, the noble title Marquis Yong Yi.

The one who entered the palace today was Madam Su, the wife of Marquis Yong Yi’s eldest son, the current Young Marquis.

Madam Su came from a respected family and treated people around her kindly. Before entering the palace, Madam Su even had the nanny maid with Madam Su wait in the carriage.

When Empress Dowager heard that, Empress Dowager felt pleased. For a woman marrying into a family, it was not only about the husband. It also mattered whether the mother-in-law was easy to get along with.

Yet Empress Dowager’s interest did not mean Madam Su would welcome it. After hearing Empress Dowager’s meaning, Madam Su’s face turned white, and Madam Su fell to her knees.

Princess Qing Ning? That was a divorced woman.

No wonder Empress Dowager had summoned Madam Su. Empress Dowager had set eyes on Madam Su’s Young Master Yu.

How could that be allowed?

Young Master Yu had placed second in the imperial exam at a young age. Young Master Yu might not match Qi Shu Xian, but Young Master Yu’s path had been smooth, without messy trouble. Young Master Yu was far better than Qi Shu Xian now, and Young Master Yu had just been promoted to a Han Lin Scholar Attendant Lecturer.

Madam Su had been thinking of choosing a good marriage for her son as well, but absolutely not a twice-married woman like Princess Qing Ning.

Madam Su said, “Empress Dowager, please forgive me. Young Master Yu… Young Master Yu already has a woman Young Master Yu admires.”

Empress Dowager paused. Empress Dowager could tell at once that Madam Su had made that excuse up on the spot. With Empress Dowager’s old temper, Empress Dowager would have asked, “Oh? From which family?”

But today, Empress Dowager suddenly had no interest at all.

Even Wan’er could be disliked by others now. What would it matter if Empress Dowager asked? Even if Empress Dowager forced the other side to agree, if they were unwilling, they would not live well together.

Empress Dowager only nodded. “Then forget it.”

Empress Dowager spoke of other matters instead.

Madam Su finally relaxed.

After Madam Su left the palace, Empress Dowager met several more women in a row. Most refused. Few agreed, and even those who agreed did not look happy.

In the end, Empress Dowager still felt uncomfortable. After seeing those women off, Empress Dowager shut herself inside and cried until her eyes were red.

Sheng Zhi Wan also had Liu Shang watch outside the palace. From the expressions on those women’s faces when they left, Sheng Zhi Wan knew the results were about what Sheng Zhi Wan had expected.

Sheng Zhi Wan did not care.

That was simply how it was. If Sheng Zhi Wan looked at it from another angle, if Sheng Zhi Wan’s own son were suddenly being considered by a divorced woman, Sheng Zhi Wan would refuse too.

Besides, Sheng Zhi Wan knew herself clearly. With no expectations, there would be no disappointment.

Still, Grandmother was in such a hurry, which meant Imperial Father must have said something. Grandmother cared for Sheng Zhi Wan and would not force Sheng Zhi Wan into marriage, but Imperial Father would not be so gentle.

As for why Imperial Father wanted Sheng Zhi Wan married so quickly, Sheng Zhi Wan already had a guess. It was most likely because of the cold disaster in Mo Bei.

“Princess! Good news! Huge news!” Ting Lan rushed in and told Sheng Zhi Wan that Qi Shu Xian had been stripped and that Meng Yang would be a bedchamber maid forever.

Sheng Zhi Wan narrowed her eyes. “And that is all?”

“That’s… that’s all.” Ting Lan blinked. “Princess, is that not enough?”

Ting Lan thought it was satisfying beyond words. After all, Qi Shu Xian and Meng Yang had treated Princess like that. Their current fate was karma.

Not enough.

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her gaze. Profiteering and harming the people was a serious crime. Even if the Duke Manor was not confiscated, there should still have been punishment. Yet now it was only Qi Shu Xian losing his post.

Qi Shu Xian no longer had rank, but Qi Shu Xian still had the City Gate Guard position. Reinstatement would only take Imperial Father saying one sentence. So Imperial Father had not been as angry as Imperial Father looked. The removal had only been done for the court officials to see.

Maybe Imperial Father still wanted to use Qi Shu Xian again.

More importantly, the Third Imperial Brother had not been affected at all by this matter.

Thinking of a possibility, Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes turned cold.

Sheng Zhi Wan stepped outside and tugged the silk hanging from the plum tree outside the window, pulling it until one side was longer and the other was shorter.

Liu Shang saw this and blinked.

Young Master Shang Er was coming again tonight.

As the only person by Princess’s side who knew this huge secret, Liu Shang felt lonely.

Sure enough, that night, Princess left only Liu Shang outside to stand guard.

There was a faint sound outside the window, and Liu Shang sprang up. This was Liu Shang’s second secret. Everyone said the spoiled, useless Young Master Shang Er was a dandy, but Shang Er’s martial arts were actually extremely high.

If Shang Er had not intentionally revealed his presence with a trace of movement and sound, Liu Shang would have struggled to notice at all.

Liu Shang heard Princess cough softly, and a figure flipped in from outside.

Shang Xing Yu had dressed up on purpose before coming. The palace matter was not only known to Sheng Zhi Wan. Shang Xing Yu had heard it too. Since Princess was willing to marry, Shang Xing Yu naturally had to seize the chance and make a good impression.

So after seeing the silk as a signal, even though it was deep at night, Shang Xing Yu still stood before a bronze mirror and changed outfits several times.