The Duke of Qing stood straight as Prince Duan sized him up.
"Heir Zong—" Prince Duan felt it was a trick. Could it be that Heir Zong had so unspeakable secrets that had only been discovered these two days, therefore, did the Duke of Qing consider an alternative?
Prince Duan also thought that perhaps Heir Zong’s mind was not sound. Yes, that could be possible. Otherwise, with a mind, one would know that with the status of Zong Sheng’s Aristocratic Family, couldn’t he choose any eligible young won from all the aristocratic families of Nanzheng?
"If Your Highness is willing, just give a definite answer, so I can go back and prepare. Your Highness can rest assured, Zong Sheng’s Family will not mistreat the Commandery Princess," said the Duke of Qing straightforwardly.
Prince Duan was slightly startled. These words from the Duke of Qing did make him start to ponder. It was unexpected that the Duke would say such a thing, and it provided Prince Duan a foundation to think further.
However, this good news seed too sudden, making Prince Duan feel as if it were not genuine.
Prince Duan also stood up, wanting to ask whether Heir Zong had contracted so incurable disease, but he felt it was sowhat impolite to speak such words, especially considering Yunqian’s vibrant deanor the day before, which made it difficult for Prince Duan to think in that direction.
"The Duke of Qing values this matter so greatly that if I refuse, it would seem callous. To be honest, my initial wish was only to find a well-born talent for my son, to live a peaceful life, and that would satisfy ..."
"Your Highness, this is the fate of our children. We in Da Zheng are open-minded, why not let it be the fate of our children? Zong Sheng’s Family has always looked beyond such matters," the Duke of Qing sighed in relief, seeing that Prince Duan seed sowhat interested.
While saying this, the Duke of Qing glanced at the servant he had brought along, who imdiately brought the gift boxes forward.
"I’ve heard that Prince Duan always favors ink slabs, and it happens that I have two. While they may not compare to those Your Highness owns, they are a token of my regard." As he spoke, the servant opened the gift box to reveal an ink slab made of dense jade, with a design that was simple yet fluid, incorporating landscapes that seed to rge naturally, clearly the work of a master.
Upon seeing the ink slab, Prince Duan, who had been doubting the Duke’s sincerity, had to reconsider, recognizing the value of the ink slab now presented as a betrothal gift.
Prince Duan imdiately stood up, his expression becoming more solemn. He was belatedly aware of the feasibility of the situation, bolstered by the Duke’s words and the gift he had brought.
If Nian Ru were to marry into Zong Sheng’s Family, he would have less to worry about. Given the status of Zong Sheng’s Family, he needn’t fear pressure from the palace, and with Nian Ru well-placed in Zong Sheng Residence, and also connected with Qiandao Temple, he indeed could be reassured.
Just that point alone made distance a non-issue, and moving away from Zheng Capital might even be good for Nian Ru. Although moving away from Zheng Capital was not what Prince Duan most desired, it was worth a try for the sake of Nian Ru’s future life.
"Prince Duan, if there are any concerns, please speak them," seeing Prince Duan still hesitating, the Duke of Qing controlled his eagerness, "Does Your Highness have any worries? Is it that Your Highness is reluctant to have the Princess marry so far away? You need not worry, our marriage contract is just being set now. In two more years, after Yunqian fulfills his vows at Qiandao Temple, we’ll proceed with the marriage..."
Upon hearing this, Prince Duan had no objections.
"Your Grace, you speak too modestly. Since that’s the case, and you have the intent, and I’m very fond of Heir Zong, let’s agree to this for now. However, I’ve never cared much for pomp, and since both families are agreeable, let’s just exchange the Birthday Horoscope Cards to follow the necessary protocols and avoid unnecessary extravagance,"
"What Your Highness says certainly resonates with my own thoughts," the Duke of Qing couldn’t agree more, exactly hoping for this outco.
The Duke of Qing left the gifts, and Prince Duan personally escorted him out, thus settling the matter, with only the exchange of the Birthday Horoscope Cards and the delivery of the engagent contract to follow in a few days.
...
After returning from Prince Duan’s Mansion, Old Lady Zong received the news and wasted no ti. Dressed properly, she went directly to the palace.
Old Lady Zong was no fool, and she knew that Prince Duan alone did not have the final say on this matter; the first hurdle was Empress Dowager Yan Ping, who had to personally take action.
At this point, Old Lady Zong could not afford to consider anything else, regardless of the outco; the only option left for her now was the one before her.
Although Old Lady Zong did not believe in those claims about fate, having always been at the pinnacle of power, even though Zong Sheng’s Family had withdrawn from the political circles of Nanzheng State, what she knew and saw still surpassed that of an ordinary aristocratic family.
Thus, her disbelief did not an it did not exist, just that in Nanzheng State, this minimal existence was not enough to shake the foundation of Nanzheng State, only enough to be attributed to eccentric individuals. And in this world, there were many unclear and undefined matters, often without a consensus. Now that it had indeed co upon her personally, it was better to believe it existed than not.
Old Lady Zong sent soone in, and after a while, Nanny Du, who managed affairs for Empress Dowager Yan Ping, personally welcod them in.
"Old Duchess of Duke of Qing, I was just thinking of calling you over for a chat to lighten the mood, but I didn’t expect you to co by yourself," said Empress Dowager Yan Ping as she personally watered the flowers in the garden.
Above the garden, thin black gauze shrouded the entire sky, making the garden, filled with blooming fresh flowers, pleasantly cool.
"Empress Dowager," Old Lady Zong called out to Empress Dowager Yan Ping, then imdiately knelt down.
Empress Dowager Yan Ping was taken aback, and even before she could speak, Nanny Du had already gone to help her up.
"Old Madam, what kind of relationship do you have with the Empress Dowager that you can’t just talk normally? Why must you show such great ceremonial respect?" Nanny Du said, and then Empress Dowager Yan Ping finally spoke.
"Old Duke’s Lady, what is it? What problem has distressed you to this extent?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping was clueless, she put down the small watering can in her hand, and sat down directly on the cool couch in the corridor.
"Empress Dowager, please save Yunqian," Old Lady Zong said directly.
Empress Dowager Yan Ping was startled, and at this mont, she finally realized the gravity of the situation.
"What’s wrong with the young man Yunqian?" She had just seen him two days ago, and he was fine. Right, Zong Sheng Residence had called for an Imperial Physician these past two days; she was aware of it, but she hadn’t thought much about it then.
"Yunqian has encountered a misfortune, now whether he can survive or not, I only plead for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s grace to save him."
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Yan Ping stood up.
"Is it that serious? What kind of dicine is needed? As long as we have it in the Imperial Treasury, just tell , " said Empress Dowager Yan Ping as she glanced at Nanny Du.
"It’s not dicine, Your Majesty. I am asking Her Majesty for a person whose birthday horoscope is highly compatible with Yunqian’s, as only this person can save Yunqian. And now, this person is here with Your Majesty. Please, Your Majesty, show rcy," said Old Lady Zong as tears rolled down her cheeks, her face filled with sorrow.
"Which person are you talking about, sister? At this mont, just speak plainly. Don’t say it’s just one person, it’s..."
"Your Majesty, it is Princess Chao Ren from your palace," Old Lady Zong imdiately said.
Empress Dowager Yan Ping was taken aback, looking at Old Lady Zong with an indecipherable expression, without any rush to answer.
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