Dou Chuncao’s grandson?

The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned before she realized this referred to Cheng Shu, the son of Old General Lin’s adopted son.

This father and son from the Cheng family had certainly been making quite a name for themselves lately.

Though the Empress Dowager resided in the palace, she had heard of the excitement outside. She quickly understood the reason for Emperor Tai’an’s actions—Silang wanted to make important use of Old General Lin’s adopted son, Cheng Zhiyuan, and was arranging a match between Wan’er and Cheng Shu to secure Cheng Zhiyuan’s loyalty.

In that instant, the Empress Dowager inexplicably felt like laughing.

If you asked her, matching Chuncao’s daughter, Lin Wanqing, with Cheng Zhiyuan would probably be even more effective than matching the younger generation.

When Lady Lin was young, the Empress Dowager and the Old Madam had frequently visited each other, and her sharp eyes naturally saw through the children’s feelings clearly. Later, when Lady Lin clamored to marry Wen Rugui, the Empress Dowager had secretly cursed her for being bewitched.

As it turned out, her curse had been right on the mark.

“Mother Empress, what do you think?” Seeing the Empress Dowager lost in thought, Emperor Tai’an asked with a smile.

The Empress Dowager smiled, her well-maintained hands rubbing a pair of small walnuts. “This widow has some impression of that young man Cheng Shu. He is indeed quite excellent…”

Emperor Tai’an quietly waited for the Empress Dowager’s “however.”

“However, when it comes to uniting two families in marriage, it’s best to first feel out their intentions. Your Majesty also knows that the Old Madam of the Lin family has a stubborn temperament—she would rather break than bend.”

“That goes without saying. That’s precisely why your son has come to ask Mother Empress to intervene, so that the Old Madam of the Lin family will know of your son’s earnest concern.”

The Empress Dowager’s hands, which had been playing with the walnuts, paused for a moment.

It seemed Silang was quite determined to make this marriage happen. These words were telling the General’s Manor that this match must succeed.

Emperor Tai’an’s gaze skimmed lightly over the Empress Dowager’s hands holding the walnuts like a dragonfly touching water, and he slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

He had no hobby of playing matchmaker. Once he set his mind on something, it was naturally for the sake of checks and balances and benefits. With the national treasury empty after the war, Cheng Zhiyuan was an extremely important person. Whether they were willing or not, this marriage had to succeed.

“Your Majesty, await the news,” the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

“As for the Marquis Weiwu’s Manor—”

“My nephew’s wife already asked this widow to keep an eye out for a suitable match for Wan’er. Cheng Shu is quite excellent; they’ll only be pleased.”

“Then I must trouble Mother Empress.”

After Emperor Tai’an left, the Empress Dowager summoned the Madam of Marquis Weiwu to enter the palace.

Though the sisters Kou Jiao and Kou Wan had successively entered the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager, the Madam of Marquis Weiwu rarely came to the palace. The reason was simple—the Empress Dowager didn’t particularly like this nephew’s wife’s temperament.

Being suddenly summoned by the Empress Dowager, the Madam of Marquis Weiwu’s heart inevitably raced with excitement, and she said a whole string of concerned and flattering words.

The Empress Dowager listened with an indifferent expression, then asked, “Wan’er is not young anymore. Have you begun looking for a match for her?”

The Madam of Marquis Weiwu hastily replied, “The Empress Dowager has excellent judgment. We were hoping you would help oversee Wan’er’s marriage.”

“That’s perfect timing then. This widow has a candidate in mind whom I think is quite good. Let me tell you about him.”

Upon hearing it was Cheng Shu, the Madam of Marquis Weiwu was first shocked, then delighted, the corners of her mouth lifting uncontrollably. “The Empress Dowager truly dotes on Wan’er the most.”

Cheng Shu, the son of Cheng Zhiyuan, was currently a hot commodity in the eyes of many families looking to marry off their daughters—absolutely a golden son-in-law. She had entertained such thoughts herself, but since she had already said that Wan’er’s marriage would be overseen by the Empress Dowager, it wouldn’t do to act on her own initiative.

She never expected the Empress Dowager would think along the same lines as her.

Blooming with joy, the Madam of Marquis Weiwu returned to the Marquis Manor and summoned Kou Wan, who had returned from the palace today, to appear before her.

Unlike Princess Yi’an, Kou Jiao, who lived in the palace year-round, Kou Wan, who had gained the Empress Dowager’s favor, spent most of her time at home, staying in the palace for at most three to five days each visit.

“Mother summoned me,” Kou Wan said, her expression bland and her tone even blander.

The Madam of Marquis Weiwu paid this no mind at all, beaming as she grasped her daughter’s hand. “Just as I said, you’re blessed. The Empress Dowager has chosen an excellent match for you.”

Kou Wan’s face changed dramatically. “Arranging a marriage for me?”

The Madam of Marquis Weiwu was startled by her reaction. “Why so surprised? You’re at exactly the right age to discuss marriage.”

This news was like a basin of ice water being poured over Kou Wan’s head. She took a deep breath to control her emotions, biting her lip as she asked, “Which family…”

She certainly knew she was at the age for marriage discussions, but being so suddenly told that a husband had been selected for her—someone whose appearance, temperament, and family she knew nothing about.

Very soon she would be living with a completely unfamiliar man. This change made her feel afraid, especially since… she had such a mother.

“Aren’t you on good terms with Second Miss Lin from the General’s Manor? The one chosen for you is Cheng Shu, the grandson of the Old Madam of the Lin family.”

“The Lin family?” Kou Wan’s almond-shaped eyes widened, filled with disbelief. “Mother, you didn’t mishear, did you?”

“How could I mishear such a thing? You’ve had quite a bit of contact with Lin Hao, so you should have met her elder brother, right? Though Cheng Shu isn’t the Old Madam of the Lin family’s biological grandson, his father is about to be given important responsibilities, and his family wealth is abundant…”

Kou Wan completely failed to hear what the Madam of Marquis Weiwu said afterward. Her mind was entirely occupied with the thought that she would be marrying into a family connected to Ahao’s elder brother.

Ahao was the kindest and most capable woman she had ever met. Though she hadn’t had much contact with Cheng Shu, he was Ahao’s brother!

Compared to marrying a complete stranger, Kou Wan actually felt a sense of good fortune.

Seeing Kou Wan’s dazed and stunned appearance, the Madam of Marquis Weiwu sternly warned, “In any case, this person was chosen by the Empress Dowager. You absolutely cannot be like those willful girls who want to pick and choose for themselves. Marriage is a major matter that’s supposed to follow parental orders and matchmakers’ words…”

The Madam of Marquis Weiwu spoke until her mouth was dry, then poked her daughter. “Did you hear me?”

Kou Wan nodded. “I understand.”

The Madam of Marquis Weiwu hadn’t seen her younger daughter this obedient in a long time, and she felt somewhat uneasy. “So you have no objections?”

Kou Wan smiled. “Didn’t Mother say the person was chosen by the Empress Dowager? Even if I had objections, it wouldn’t change anything, so I might as well happily accept it.”

She had at least seen his appearance and had once heard Ahao casually mention her elder brother’s temperament. Not to mention the Lin family elders were all easy to get along with. If it were truly a family about which she knew absolutely nothing, then she really would have nowhere to cry.

The Madam of Marquis Weiwu was overjoyed. “No wonder the Empress Dowager favors you. Wan’er is so sensible…”

Kou Wan sarcastically quirked the corner of her mouth.

The Empress Dowager soon invited the Old Madam to the palace for a conversation. After some pleasantries, she subtly revealed Emperor Tai’an’s intentions.

“The Second Miss from the Marquis Weiwu’s Manor?” The Old Madam had been pondering this before entering the palace, thinking the Empress Dowager’s sudden summons was very likely related to marriage arrangements for Zhiyuan and his son.

It wasn’t that her mind was particularly quick—it was simply that everything lately had been about these matters.

At least it wasn’t arranging a marriage for Zhiyuan!

The Old Madam’s first reaction was relief, and then she realized the Second Miss from the Marquis Weiwu’s Manor was Kou Wan, who frequently visited Ahao.

The Old Madam didn’t know Kou Wan well, but she knew her own granddaughter! Any young lady who could be close friends with Ahao certainly couldn’t be bad.

The Empress Dowager had been planning to hint to the Old Madam that this was the Emperor’s will and there was no room for refusal, when she saw the Old Madam nod with a beaming smile. “I never expected my grandson to have such good fortune. This old body thanks you on his behalf first.”