The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 152 Li Jiangui's Attitude

Song Hui was left in the tent, where he obediently knelt before the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager leaned against the soft pillows, looking weary.

"Song Hui, I have high hopes for you. Marrying the princess is the best outcome for you. You know your messy family; they're counting on you."

Song Hui clenched her fist: "Your Highness, His Highness's attitude is too firm for me to persuade, and Princess Huaijiang seems to dislike me as well."

He was too embarrassed to tell the Empress Dowager what Li Huaijiang had said to him. If the Empress Dowager knew about these words, she might abandon him and choose someone else from the family.

He had finally gained favor with the Empress Dowager, and he absolutely could not let anyone else replace him.

The Empress Dowager sat up: "I summoned you here not to listen to your complaints. I will find a way to deal with Huaijiang. How to take over Yongning is something you should be considering."

Song Hui readily agreed, assuring Princess Yongning that the autumn hunt would surely persuade her to agree to the marriage.

When the Empress Dowager saw Song Hui like this, she told him to leave.

Shen Hanyu went to Wei Ming's tent. Li Jiangui had not yet summoned his ministers for an audience; it was their free time.

Li Huaijiang and Princess Yongning went elsewhere and did not stay outside any longer. People from Chang'an had already arrived at the hunting grounds one after another. Because of what happened last time, this time it was Empress Wang who was in charge, and it was much more rigorous.

"Something feels off," Wei Ming said softly.

As one thing after another happened, Wei Ming also sensed that something was amiss.

Especially the reappearance of Emperor Huizong of Song.

"Is something going to happen to our girls' association?"

With the Empress Dowager in front and Song Hui behind, Wei Ming was really worried about Princess Yongning.

Seeing Wei Ming pacing back and forth in the tent, Shen Hanyu pulled her back.

"This is not a decision we can make. How things develop from here depends on the choices of Princess Yongning and the Emperor. We just need to do what we are supposed to do."

"Things that should be done?" Wei Ming's mind didn't immediately process what was going on.

"Study hard and pass the imperial examinations."

Shen Hanyu patted Wei Ming's hand. Even if they tried to stop her, their strength was negligible. They couldn't fight against the Empress Dowager, let alone the Empress Dowager's powerful influence.

Moreover, Li Huaijiang will definitely find a way to stop it, so they don't need to worry about it too much.

Wei Ming finally sat down and drank some tea.

“That’s true. All we need to do now is pass the imperial examinations. Once we achieve good results, Princess Yongning will have more confidence in her words.”

Towards the end, Wei Ming still had some complaints.

"But I just had a feeling that Song Hui, who had ulterior motives, would do something."

Shen Hanyu rubbed her temples. Royal matters were always kept very secret, so in her previous life, Shen Hanyu didn't know what had happened.

The only rumor circulating is that Song Hui and Princess Yongning had some entanglement, but the two did not get married.

Shen Hanyu gave Miaocui a wink, and Miaocui understood immediately.

"I'm going out now. I need to see the Emperor soon. I'm going to change my clothes."

"it is good."

Shen Hanyu walked out of the tent, and Miaocui came over and whispered, "Miss, should I keep an eye on Song Hui's side?"

"Keep an eye on things, and don't let the Empress Dowager's people find out. If they do, come back immediately."

Jin Chui hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Miss, why don't you let me go?"

Shen Hanyu shook her head: "No need, Miaocui is more cautious than you in this matter."

Jin Chui scratched his head and could only watch Miao Cui leave.

When Li Jiangui went outside, the ministers received the news and rushed over with their families.

Li Jiangui stood up, hands on his hips, and looked around the hunting grounds.

"This time, the hunting grounds are set up with more meticulous planning."

Li Jing, standing next to him, lowered his head, looking guilty.

Empress Wang sighed: "This is only because we have learned our lesson from what happened last time. We dare not let such a thing happen again."

Lee Geon-kyu sat down with a smile on his face.

"Okay, everyone sit down."

He looked at the ministers and waved for them to sit down.

The Empress Dowager arrived late, and as soon as she appeared, Li Jiangui's face turned cold.

Zhao Yu tugged at Li Jing's hand, and Li Jing glanced at her, saying, "It's nothing."

Empress Wang told Li Jiangui to control his expression and not to make things too ugly.

Before the autumn hunt, the Empress Dowager met with Li Jiangui to discuss Princess Yongning's marriage.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Princess Yongning arrived and, without a second thought, told Li Jiangui that she would never marry.

Because of this incident, the relationship between Li Jiangui and the Empress Dowager became increasingly strained.

Everyone kept their eyes down and pretended not to see the oppressive atmosphere above.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Empress Wang, who then tried to smooth things over.

"Your Majesty, what do you think of what I said earlier?"

Song Hui's efforts are one part, but Li Jiangui's side also needs to be negotiated. Even if the marriage cannot be granted, it cannot be prevented.

Li Jiangui toyed with the wine cup in his hand. "Mother, children's marriages are all predestined. Why force it? Haven't you suffered enough about what happened to Jun'er back then?"

Li Jun clenched her fists, a hint of pain flashing in her eyes.

Princess Yongning glanced at Li Jun, knowing that he was thinking of Jiang Li.

Before marrying Liang Ruoxue, Li Jun's greatest love was Jiang Li. He married her against all odds, but unfortunately, Jiang Li was of low status and the Empress Dowager looked down on her and treated her badly. Jiang Li died young, depressed.

When the Third Prince's Consort was mentioned, the Empress Dowager finally fell silent.

She looked at Li Jun, but Li Jun did not look at the Empress Dowager, clearly harboring resentment about the matter.

"I was wrong about Jun'er's matter," the Empress Dowager said, softening her tone.

Princess Yongning snorted coldly. What's the use of an apology? An apology won't bring Jiang Li back to life.

Li Jun's life-or-death state at that time was all thanks to the Empress Dowager.

When the two sides were at an impasse, Consort Xian suddenly spoke.

“The children are all grown up now and have their own judgment. Besides, it’s just not getting married, not some heinous crime. Yongning has a lot of things to do and can’t afford to worry about such romantic matters.”

The Empress Dowager looked in the direction of Consort Xian. Consort Xian had been ill and had not attended the previous palace banquets, but now that she heard that she was going to act as a matchmaker for Princess Yongning, she suddenly appeared to support Princess Yongning.

The Imperial Concubine smiled and said, "What the Virtuous Consort said is not right. Men should settle down and start a family before establishing a career, and the same goes for women. Moreover, Song Hui's family background is not bad, and he may be a great help to the princess."

Consort Xian said in a cool tone: "Your Highness is sharp-eared and sharp-eyed. I, as your mother, didn't even know that this was to arrange a marriage for Song Hui, but you did."

The imperial concubine immediately shut up, glanced at Li Jiangui's expression, and remained silent.

The Empress Dowager cursed inwardly that she was useless; she had mentioned it briefly at the Dragon Boat Festival banquet last time, but no one had taken it to heart, which was why Consort Xian was unaware of it.

Seeing that they were still arguing, Li Jiangui interrupted the conversation: "What's the point of saying all this? Let those people go hunting in the hunting grounds. I will go with them this time."

After saying that, he stood up, changed into riding clothes, and led his horse toward the hunting grounds.