newbobooks Chapter 388 Zheng Yanran's Provocation
Chapter 388 Zheng Yanran's Provocation
Chapter 388 Zheng Yanran's Provocation
“Okay, let’s go together this month during our time off. I’m also craving some fresh river fish.” Shen Li was looking forward to it when she felt a gaze on her from not far away.
She looked up and met the gaze of the pavilion above, where Zheng Yanran's eyes held undisguised smugness and provocation.
Shen Li didn't want to bother with such a minor character, but when she saw Consort Zheng opposite Zheng Yanran, she had no choice but to go over and pay her respects.
So she stepped forward and performed the courtier's greeting to Consort Zheng: "Your subject greets Your Highness, Consort Zheng."
"No need for such formalities, Shen Qing," Consort Zheng said with a kind expression.
Shen Li glanced at Zheng Yanran, who reluctantly stood up and performed a curtsy: "Greetings, Princess Yong'an."
"Get up." Shen Li raised her hand.
Zheng Yanran's eyes were filled with resentment; sooner or later, she would make Shen Li unable to lift her head.
"It's a rare opportunity to meet you, Shen Qing, please sit down and let's talk." Consort Zheng warmly offered Shen Li a seat, and after she sat down, she asked, "How are the wedding preparations going? Do you need my help?"
Zheng Yanran raised her head again upon hearing about the marriage. She had finally succeeded in marrying into the Gu family, and her very existence was the greatest humiliation to Shen Li.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The mansion has been repaired and everything will be ready in a month or so," Shen Li replied with a smile.
Seeing her calm demeanor, Consort Zheng couldn't guess what she was really thinking, so she could only offer a few words of praise.
"Thank you for your help, elder sister. I will make sure you don't have to work so hard once I enter the manor," Zheng Yanran said, seizing the opportunity.
Yu Die looked displeased and, fearing she might cause trouble for her mistress, had to keep her head down as much as possible so no one could see her.
Shen Li smiled upon hearing this and asked, "How are your preparations going, little sister?"
"The family is currently taking stock of the dowry, and the list was given to my sister for review a month ago." Zheng Yanran was certain that Shen Li was forcing a smile, and continued to ask, "It's inconvenient to visit your home before the wedding. How has Gu Lang been these days?"
Yu Die was so angry when she heard this address that she wanted to hit someone. It was simply shameless!
"It's good, but it's too busy. As an official in the court, there are many things I can't take care of. I'll ask my future husband to be taken care of by my younger sister." Shen Li said in agreement.
Zheng Yanran was surprised. She had originally intended to provoke Shen Li into a bad mood, but she didn't expect her to be so magnanimous.
She even suspected that this was a sarcastic remark about her, but the fact remained that she was going to marry him, so what was there to mock?
Has this woman gone mad from being an official?
Consort Zheng was also completely bewildered. She saw no malice in Shen Li's expression. Based on her years of experience navigating the palace, no woman could act like this when facing the one she loved.
"Of course, I'm glad you don't mind, sister." Zheng Yanran continued to probe.
"I'm so grateful for your hard work, little sister." Shen Li found her cautious manner even more amusing.
To still be dreaming at this point, truly ignorance is bliss.
As they were talking, a young eunuch walked into the pavilion and stood beside Consort Zheng. He glanced at Shen Li and said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty requests that you and Miss Shen go to the Qian Yuan Palace."
"What is it? We're all family, no need to hide it from each other." Consort Zheng also wanted to win over Shen Li, so she didn't ask the eunuchs to keep quiet.
"It's about discussing Miss Biao's marriage," the young eunuch replied cautiously.
“What’s there to hide? Since it’s a marriage, Minister Shen, please come with us. That way, if there’s an imperial decree, we won’t have to send it to your residence again.” Consort Zheng said as she stood up.
Shen Li's expression shifted, realizing that this matter was not simple, and she also stood up: "Yes."
Zheng Yanran was the happiest among them. It could be said that she was very excited whenever her marriage was involved. Just thinking about how she would soon be able to share a bed and whisper sweet nothings with the upright and noble Gu Chang'an made her unable to contain her joy.
She deserves the best man in the world.
On the way, Shen Li saw that Yu Die was pouting and looking unhappy, so she picked a flower and put it in her hair, nodded and said, "It looks good."
"Miss Xie." Yu Die couldn't smile; her eyes were filled with more heartache.
She must study hard and pass the imperial examination as soon as possible so that she can help her mistress in the imperial court.
Seeing that Shen Li was still interested, Zheng Yanran felt even more puzzled, as it shouldn't be like this.
When the three arrived at Qianyuan Hall, they were surprised to find many officials standing in the hall, including the cabinet ministers headed by Shen Zizai, the ministers of the six ministries headed by Minister Zheng, and even Prince Yi, who had not been summoned to the palace for a long time.
Emperor Cheng still looked ill, wearing a black dragon robe, but his face was even more somber and serious than the black color itself.
This scene doesn't look like a normal discussion about a young couple's marriage; it looks more like preparations for war.
Zheng Yanran was puzzled. Had an enemy invaded?
As soon as the three entered the inner room, the ministers' eyes fell on them. Their appearance and attire undoubtedly added a touch of brightness to the hall.
Shen Li's blue official robes, standing out among the red-robed officials, did not appear shabby at all; on the contrary, they seemed even more noble.
Among the high-ranking officials, only Gu Chang'an could rival Shen Li in appearance.
He was also the only one among the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers who was still young.
Gu Chang'an was somewhat surprised to see his Ah Li arrive, but he didn't show it on his face; his eyes were filled with tenderness as he looked at her.
Shen Li noticed that the King of Chess's expression was very sinister, which gave her a better understanding of the situation.
"My beloved concubine has arrived. Please come and sit down," Emperor Cheng beckoned.
Consort Zheng stepped forward, and the officials bowed in respect, truly displaying the demeanor of an empress.
"Your Majesty summoned me here to discuss marriage?" Consort Zheng asked, sitting beside the Emperor.
She also felt that this was not the right way to do things.
Zheng Yanran stood beside her, while Shen Li stood at the end of the group of officials.
Emperor Cheng did not answer, but looked at the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial below him and said, "You speak."
"Your Majesty, this morning at the court assembly, the Rongdi prince paid homage to our Great Zhao and pledged allegiance to us, offering to pay tribute annually. His only condition is that our Celestial Dynasty send a woman to marry him in a marriage alliance," the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies announced loudly.
"This is a good thing. Marriage alliances have existed since ancient times. If Your Majesty is unwilling to marry off your own daughter, you can simply choose from the imperial clan." Consort Zheng said dismissively.
Zheng Yanran didn't understand why she had been called here. What did it have to do with her marriage?
Hearing this almost explicit statement, Shen Li understood why the Emperor had been summoning the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies so frequently. He didn't want to embarrass himself by retracting his order and pushing Zheng Yanran into a pit of fire.
Emperor Cheng remained silent with a sullen face.
Minister Zheng's face was so gloomy it seemed like it could drip water.
The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, bracing himself, replied, "Your Majesty, the Rong and Di tribes do not want a princess, but a beauty. They specifically want your niece, Miss Zheng Yanran."
"What?" Consort Zheng was taken aback.
Zheng Yanran's face turned deathly pale, and she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, her eyes glazed over.
"But...but Yanran is already betrothed to someone. What kind of behavior would it be if she broke off the engagement and married a foreigner?" Consort Zheng was extremely unwilling.