The Double-Chapter 541 - 162 Persuasion_4

In the palace, one could smell the intense fragrance of incense as soon as they entered Cining Palace.

When Empress Dowager Liu entered, the Empress Dowager was copying scriptures in front of the hall.

She was dressed very plainly, in a silk robe of autumn fragrance color, her expression serene. Although she was no longer in her blooming youth, she was not yet old. The sunlight streaming through the windows shone upon her face, faintly revealing the gentleness and charm of her younger years.

Even the haughty Empress Dowager Liu had to admit that the Empress Dowager was beautiful.

Speaking of which, The Late Emperor loved beauties, and there wasn’t a single woman in the palace who wasn’t attractive. When she was still the empress, the Empress Dowager was gentle and charming, Empress Dowager Liu was fierce and gorgeous, and Emperor Hongxiao’s birth mother, Noble Consort Xia, was spirited and cunning. Each had her own beauty. The Late Emperor respected the Empress Dowager, doted on Empress Dowager Liu, but truly admired Noble Consort Xia.

So much so that, although Noble Consort Xia had died, The Late Emperor had Emperor Hongxiao raised under the Empress Dowager’s name, and eventually made him the sovereign. Whereas the Empress Dowager Liu’s own children, seemingly greatly favored, ultimately missed the high position by a hair’s breadth.

Empress Dowager Liu shook her head, casting aside the random thoughts in her mind, and walked up to the Empress Dowager, saying, "Sister."

The Empress Dowager’s pen paused, and she looked at her, "You’ve come."

The relationship between Empress Dowager Liu and the Empress Dowager was far from warm. When The Late Emperor was alive, Empress Dowager Liu, taking advantage of her own favor, often troubled the Empress Dowager. But given the Empress Dowager’s powerful family background, Empress Dowager Liu was helpless. After The Late Emperor’s death, Empress Dowager Liu and the Empress Dowager maintained a superficial peace for many years. But Empress Dowager Liu didn’t believe for a second that the Empress Dowager truly trusted her not to have designs on her position.

Indeed, Empress Dowager Liu had always been puzzled by the Empress Dowager. Raising someone else’s son, helping another’s son ascend the throne, bearing hardships for years only to dress another for their wedding, was the Empress Dowager truly content? What sense was there in copying scriptures every day in Cining Palace? Empress Dowager Liu didn’t think that the Empress Dowager was a fool; after all, who from that family wasn’t smart?

Therefore, Empress Dowager Liu was somewhat wary of the Empress Dowager. She could act spoilt in front of the Empress Dowager, but never crossed the line.

"I came today to ask for a favor from Sister," said Empress Dowager Liu, "and I hope Sister will grant it."

"What is the matter?"

The two of them conversed, even skipping the usual perfunctory pleasantries when possible. Probably because they both knew that one would not visit the Cining Palace for no reason, and without a real issue at hand, Empress Dowager Liu wouldn’t have come to see the Empress Dowager.

"Yongning, that child, is now of age to be married off. I have a suitable match in mind and hope Sister can help to bring this happy union to fruition," said Empress Dowager Liu.

Finally lifting her head from the scriptures, the Empress Dowager looked at Empress Dowager Liu and asked, "Whom are you referring to?"

"Assistant Head Writer Shen Yurong, Lord Shen."

"Lord Shen?" the Empress Dowager exclaimed in surprise, "Didn’t Lord Shen already have a wife?"

"Yes," Empress Dowager Liu smiled, "but that previous marriage was truly unfair to Lord Shen. I see him as a man of integrity and sincerity, deeply affectionate and loyal to his unfaithful deceased wife, which shows he is a man of great loyalty and passion. Yongning has been spoiled since she was young, but marrying into the Shen family, I am sure Lord Shen will take good care of her, and will not allow her to be aggrieved, which puts my mind at ease."

Empress Dowager Liu almost said these words through gritted teeth.

"Lord Shen’s family background is not a match for Yongning’s," the Empress Dowager said, "You should be aware of this. There are many more well-suited young talents in the court."

Empress Dowager Liu’s smile was strained; of course, she knew, and she would have preferred for Yongning to marry someone from a wealthier family, but no parents in the world are obstinate when it comes to their children’s goodwill.

"Although the Shen family’s background is leaner, it is exactly why I feel comfortable entrusting Yongning to them. They will not take her for granted. They may not revere Yongning to the skies, but they will, at least, not dare to neglect her. Sister, I know you have always been fond of Yongning, and besides, I have also discussed this matter with Yongning. She too thinks that Lord Shen is a good man."

After looking at Empress Dowager Liu for a while, the Empress Dowager nodded and said, "Since she is very satisfied, so be it, I will discuss this matter with His Majesty."

"Or perhaps..." Empress Dowager Liu said, "You could grant the marriage directly. His Majesty is preoccupied with state affairs and probably does not have much energy to manage these matters concerning young ladies."

His Majesty is very fond of Shen Yurong. If Shen Yurong became Yongning’s Prince Consort, he would end up aligned with Prince Cheng’s faction. What if His Majesty considered this and interrupted the arrangement?

The Empress Dowager gently said, "That won’t do. Even if His Majesty is busy, this is still a major imperial matter. Besides, there are no secrets between His Majesty’s household and me; I cannot make such a decision on my own."