Chapter 205

Chapter 205: I Was Very Satisfied

Shang Xing Yu said, “Later, after Mother died, Mother left the redemption token to me. I had silver to spend, so I never went to check how much it was.”

Yu Kang Bank was now the largest money house in Sheng Kingdom. Dozens of private merchant firms had formed it together. Back then, Emperor Chong Sheng had even been begged to approve and designate the different denominations of redemption certificates.

The moment Emperor Chong Sheng heard Yu Kang Bank, Emperor Chong Sheng looked at Su De Yun.

Su De Yun did not need orders. Su De Yun opened the box.

Emperor Chong Sheng only glanced once, and Emperor Chong Sheng’s calm eyes narrowed. Emperor Chong Sheng beckoned, and Su De Yun took out the certificate and placed it in Emperor Chong Sheng’s hands.

Emperor Chong Sheng toyed with it and looked at Shang Xing Yu. Emperor Chong Sheng asked, “You truly do not know how much silver is in here?”

“I did not know,” Shang Xing Yu said. Shang Xing Yu thought for a moment, then added, “But a million should be there, right? I was willing to give it all to Your Majesty, since I would become the Princess’s Prince Consort. After that, Your Majesty would be my Imperial Father too…”

Sheng Yuan Hao’s eye twitched.

The certificate in Emperor Chong Sheng’s hand almost fell to the ground. Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Who said a million? It is a little over four hundred thousand.”

Was this dandy trying to fool Emperor Chong Sheng?

Shang Xing Yu looked disappointed. Shang Xing Yu said, “Ah? So little?”

Shang Xing Yu said, “But this is all I own. If that is still not enough, then I will offer Mother’s dowry to Your Majesty too!”

Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Who wants your mother’s dowry?”

Emperor Chong Sheng’s head throbbed. Emperor Chong Sheng said, “We have not agreed to grant you to Qing Ning either.”

Shang Xing Yu asked seriously, “Then what must I do for Your Majesty to agree?”

Emperor Chong Sheng waved a hand. Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Enough. Go out first. We still need to ask the Empress Dowager and Qing Ning what they think. If Qing Ning agrees, We will not oppose it.”

“Really?” Shang Xing Yu immediately knocked his head on the ground several more times. Shang Xing Yu said, “With my build and my looks, the Princess will definitely be satisfied.”

Only then did Shang Xing Yu leave happily behind Su De Yun.

Emperor Chong Sheng stared at the certificate in his hand and asked Sheng Yuan Hao, “What do you think of this Shang Xing Yu?”

“He had some quick wits,” Sheng Yuan Hao said, “but Shang Xing Yu was not steady. Shang Xing Yu will not amount to much.”

Emperor Chong Sheng nodded. Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Other than the bad reputation, Shang Xing Yu was not bad.”

Age and looks were both suitable.

Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Young people being wild was not unforgivable. Shang Xing Yu can change in the future. Besides, Shang Xing Yu once saved Qing Ning…”

Emperor Chong Sheng gave an order. Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Someone, go summon Qing Ning into the palace.”

Even though Sheng Zhi Wan had expected something like this, Sheng Zhi Wan still did not think it would come so fast.

A palace eunuch waited outside. Sheng Zhi Wan changed into court dress and prepared to enter the palace.

The dark ceremonial robes with gold trim pressed down the seductive sharpness of Sheng Zhi Wan’s beauty, but they made Sheng Zhi Wan look even more noble and dignified.

When Sheng Zhi Wan arrived outside the palace, another palace eunuch guided Sheng Zhi Wan straight to the Empress Dowager’s Ci Hui Palace.

Inside Ci Hui Palace, the air felt frozen.

Empress Dowager’s face looked terrible. Emperor Chong Sheng’s expression did not look good either. Even before Sheng Zhi Wan walked close, Sheng Zhi Wan could faintly hear their arguing.

Sheng Zhi Wan paused for a heartbeat. Then Sheng Zhi Wan walked forward as if nothing had happened.

Sheng Zhi Wan greeted them one by one. Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Imperial Father, Grandmother.”

Empress Dowager looked at Sheng Zhi Wan, eyes full of tenderness and pity.

Emperor Chong Sheng answered with a sound and said, “We summoned you today because Prince Lu Chuo asked to marry you. Have you heard?”

“I heard,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied.

The news had spread right after morning court. How could Sheng Zhi Wan not know?

Emperor Chong Sheng looked at Sheng Zhi Wan and asked, “What do you think?”

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes. Sheng Zhi Wan said, “This child will follow Imperial Father’s arrangements.”

[Emperor Chong Sheng had not agreed in open court, so Emperor Chong Sheng would not let Sheng Zhi Wan go to Northern Di. If Sheng Zhi Wan directly said yes or no, it would only make Emperor Chong Sheng suspicious. It was better to say Sheng Zhi Wan would do whatever Emperor Chong Sheng wanted.]

Sure enough, Emperor Chong Sheng nodded. Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Then We have found you a Prince Consort…”

Sheng Zhi Wan lifted Sheng Zhi Wan’s head, pretending to be stunned.

Empress Dowager cut in unhappily. Empress Dowager said, “Emperor! I do not agree! I do not want to choose either of these two. I will look again for other suitable people for Wan’er.”

Emperor Chong Sheng sighed. Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Imperial Mother, why not ask what Wan’er herself wanted?”

Emperor Chong Sheng looked at Sheng Zhi Wan’s confused eyes and said, “Besides Prince Lu Chuo, someone else came to seek marriage too. No – it was more accurate to say this person asked Us to match him to you as your Prince Consort.”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s heart jumped twice, but Sheng Zhi Wan still looked shocked on the surface. Sheng Zhi Wan asked, “Imperial Father meant someone was willing to marry into the Princess’s household?”

“Yes,” Emperor Chong Sheng said.

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “But this child’s reputation was extremely bad. Everyone disliked this child. Who would be willing to marry into the Princess’s household?”

The moment Sheng Zhi Wan finished speaking, Empress Dowager’s eyes reddened. Tears fell.

Empress Dowager said, “Who dared dislike my Wan’er? Wan’er, do not be afraid. Whoever had a rotten mouth and dared spread such gossip, Grandmother will find them and smash their mouth!”

Empress Dowager grew angrier the more Empress Dowager thought about it.

Those people could refuse if they wanted. Empress Dowager had not forced anyone. Yet someone had actually spread the words outside.

If Empress Dowager still had capable people around, Empress Dowager would have already sent someone to investigate.

Sheng Zhi Wan held Empress Dowager’s hand. Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Grandmother, Wan’er was willing. Who was the person Imperial Father spoke of?”

Emperor Chong Sheng said, “You know him too. He saved you. It was the second Young Master of the Fengguo General’s residence, Shang Xing Yu.”

As soon as Emperor Chong Sheng said it, the heavy stone in Sheng Zhi Wan’s heart finally fell.

Empress Dowager pulled Sheng Zhi Wan close. Empress Dowager said, “Wan’er, if you are unwilling, we can still keep looking.”

“There is no need, Grandmother.” Sheng Zhi Wan squeezed Empress Dowager’s hand in return and looked to Emperor Chong Sheng.

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Young Master Shang Er is very good. Young Master Shang Er saved this child. Young Master Shang Er was loyal and righteous. And now Young Master Shang Er did not despise this child’s situation and still wanted to marry into the Princess’s household…”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s lashes trembled. There was a bitterness in Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes.

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “This child thinks it is already very good. Truly.”

Sheng Zhi Wan looked up and smiled at Emperor Chong Sheng.

Emperor Chong Sheng had been testing her, but when Emperor Chong Sheng saw that smile, Emperor Chong Sheng’s heart trembled.

Many years ago, there had been someone who smiled at Emperor Chong Sheng like that.

But Emperor Chong Sheng had killed him.

Emperor Chong Sheng shifted Emperor Chong Sheng’s gaze away and forced Emperor Chong Sheng not to think about it. Emperor Chong Sheng said, “Fine. Since you do not object, tomorrow We will issue an Imperial Edict and grant the marriage.”

The instant Emperor Chong Sheng finished speaking, Empress Dowager’s body stiffened.

Sheng Zhi Wan felt it at once. Sheng Zhi Wan patted Grandmother’s hand, telling Grandmother that Sheng Zhi Wan was fine.

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Alright. This child will follow Imperial Father’s arrangements.”

Emperor Chong Sheng nodded. Emperor Chong Sheng still felt an unpleasant taste in Emperor Chong Sheng’s heart, so Emperor Chong Sheng said a few more words and left Ci Hui Palace.

After Emperor Chong Sheng left, Empress Dowager suddenly hugged Sheng Zhi Wan tightly.

Sheng Zhi Wan felt Grandmother’s tears fall into Sheng Zhi Wan’s hair.

Sheng Zhi Wan said softly, “Grandmother, it is fine.”

Empress Dowager said, “Young Master Shang Er looked handsome, and Young Master Shang Er saved you. Young Master Shang Er was willing to marry into the Princess’s household, and that means Young Master Shang Er promised he would never take concubines and would never chase women outside.”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “I was truly very satisfied.”

Sheng Zhi Wan meant it.

But Shang Xing Yu’s reputation was simply too terrible.

No matter how Sheng Zhi Wan said it, Empress Dowager still felt Sheng Zhi Wan was forced to swallow a grievance and marry a dandy.

The more Empress Dowager thought of it, the more Empress Dowager’s heart twisted in pain.

Empress Dowager had not protected Yin’er well. And now Empress Dowager had not protected Yin’er’s only bloodline either…

Sheng Zhi Wan finally soothed Empress Dowager. After Sheng Zhi Wan stayed and ate the evening meal with Empress Dowager, Sheng Zhi Wan left the Imperial Palace.

But before Sheng Zhi Wan’s carriage even reached the Princess residence, Zhang Da spotted a figure standing outside the gates from far away.

That person wore a City Gate Guard uniform.

Zhang Da frowned.

Liu Shang Miss really had lied to him. Qi Shi zi was clearly alive and well.

And why did Qi Shi zi come again to pester the Princess?