Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 670: Married for the Second Time (1)
Feng Xuxu looked at the Prime Minister’s anxious expression, her eyes filled with the hope that she could cancel this marriage proposal; then, looking at Lou Qianyu, she noticed a stark contrast in his eyes compared to the Prime Minister’s. It had been said that wives and mothers-in-law were eternal adversaries, but seeing this situation, it seemed that not only were they not the only ones, fathers-in-law and sons-in-law might be adversaries too, only it had not been witnessed.
"I have given this matter some thought," the Empress declared, "and have decided to let Xiao Jiazhen make her own decision. Both you and I shall not intervene, whether you’re the Emperor or her own father, in the end, we must abide by her choice. Do you have any objections?"
The Prime Minister and Lou Qianyu shook their heads, both secretly sighing, hoping that ’their daughter,’ ’Zhenzhen,’ would make the best decision.
"This old servant will follow the Empress’s arrangements."
"Qianyu feels the same."
Only then did Feng Xuxu smile satisfactorily, turning to Mei Lenglei beside her: "You shall personally invite Miss Xiao Jiazhen. I will wait for her here."
Mei Lenglei turned slightly, kneeling: "Yes, Your Majesty. I will go immediately." She glanced at the Empress with a smile at the corner of her mouth and left.
The hall suddenly became silent, the Ministers wore serious expressions, with their eyes looking straight ahead as if rooted to the spot like statues. The only ones who seemed at ease were the Emperor and Empress on the Dragon Throne, chatting occasionally, with the Empress sometimes coquettishly reprimanding the Emperor, then following with a light laugh and an enchanting voice. The Emperor, meanwhile, gazed lovingly at the Empress, welcoming her tirades with a smile. He was a different man than the one the Ministers usually saw, and they all understood even more clearly the Empress’s place in the Emperor’s heart. Any lingering hope they had that the Emperor might select their daughters as consorts vanished completely.
Before even the time it took for an incense stick to burn had passed, Mei Lenglei returned with Xiao Jiazhen following behind her. Mei Lenglei announced, "Your Majesty, Miss Xiao has arrived."
Xiao Yiran and Lou Qianyu were surprised at the swift arrival, and upon seeing the Empress’s smile, they understood—it wasn’t a coincidental visit, but an intentional arrangement.
At that moment, however, Lou Qianyu felt his heart surge, looking at the one he yearned for with fervent eyes.
"This subject, Xiao Jiazhen, pays respects to the Emperor and the Empress. May the Emperor enjoy health and the Empress good fortune." She knelt gracefully, her light pink pleated skirt spreading out on the floor like lilies in bloom, fresh and bright, tender and lovely.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Majesty," responded Xiao Jiazhen upon hearing the Emperor’s authoritative voice. She nervously stood up from the ground, bowed her head, and stood silently.
Feng Xuxu glanced at the person beside her, as if to say that he had frightened the one below, Xiao Jiazhen. Dugu Chen caught the message through his wife’s eyes and could guess her meaning quite accurately; he shrugged, ’Who told her to be timid.’
Feng Xuxu shot him a look and turned her head towards Jiazhen: "Zhenzhen, Lou Qianyu has come from afar to propose marriage to you."
Xiao Jiazhen suddenly lifted her head to look at her cousin, then glanced at Lou Qianyu, her face instantly blushed, and she lowered her head again, murmuring quietly.
"Zhenzhen, the decision to marry or not to marry is yours to make, not theirs, and not up to us or the Emperor. I will give you time to think it over carefully, there’s no rush."
Xiao Jiazhen felt her mind buzz. She remembered that early in the morning, Shan Yi had barged into her courtyard, seeking her out, saying that Lou Qianyu was in danger and asking her to seek the Empress’s aid. Despite feeling bitter about their past, there was still an emotional bond, which made her anxious to come to the Imperial Palace without giving it much thought. After all, what danger could a sovereign of a nation face in Xueyan Country’s Imperial Palace? In her haste, she woke up the sleeping Empress who, after listening to the full story, pondered for a moment, then told her to wait in the palace while she donned the Phoenix Robes and left.
