“A marriage alliance?” Shen Xihe let out a soft laugh. “Now this will be quite the spectacle.”
Which noble lady in the capital would willingly marry into a foreign barbarian land? However, marriage alliances weren’t limited to princesses – they could also involve female members of the imperial clan or daughters of high officials who would be granted the title of princess before being sent off.
Regardless, one could imagine how bustling the homes of families with marriageable daughters would become from today onwards – even their servants would likely be overwhelmed with work. Some families with sons who were neither highly accomplished nor completely worthless would see their value rise significantly. Even parents troubled by their good-for-nothing, idle, and wastrel sons could take this opportunity to polish up these “crooked melons and split dates” – they might even manage to secure a good match.
After all, how much worse could it be compared to marrying into Tibet for a political alliance – having no support, being unaccustomed to the food and lodging, and not even being able to understand the language?
None of this concerned Shen Xihe. Even among the imperial clans, noble families, and prestigious households, there were no suitable young ladies. She couldn’t possibly become the one sent for the marriage alliance. Therefore, when news spread that Tibet would come to pay tribute in the early spring next year with intentions for a marriage alliance, Shen Xihe remained the most carefree.
“County Princess, has the Fifth Princess shown any unusual movements since recovering from her cold?” Mo Yuan would deliver palace news to Shen Xihe daily, focusing particularly on Princess Yangling.
“She’s quite patient indeed.” Shen Xihe trimmed the flowers and plants in her courtyard. Two days had passed, and the princess acted as if there was no one pulling strings behind her.
However, Shen Xihe didn’t believe that the conversation she had overheard that day was groundless. She contemplated adding more fuel to Princess Yangling’s fire.
At this moment, Princess Yangling was anxiously waiting for her palace maid to return to Sufang Hall. Upon seeing her maid, she quickly brought her inside: “Is the news true? Are you certain Tibet will come to the capital for tribute and seek a marriage alliance after spring begins?”
“Princess, the news is true. It came from Mingzheng Hall,” the palace maid replied. “Princess, what will you do? I heard the Third Princess has become close with the Fifth Princess and with Noble Consort Rong’s support…”
“Princess, why not seek help from…”
Before the other palace maid could finish speaking, she was silenced by Princess Yangling’s gloomy glare and lowered her head in fear.
“Never mention this again,” Princess Yangling warned in a deep voice. “Shen Xihe is ruthless and vicious. She even dealt such a harsh blow to Fourth Sister, yet she hasn’t directly moved against me. This isn’t because she has reservations or her reach isn’t long enough – she’s keeping me as bait, wanting to lure me out… Once she gets her wish, I’ll certainly die!”
Although Princess Yangling was timid, she had been clever since childhood. She just never dared to show it, maintaining her dignity as a princess only by currying favor with Princess Changling. While Shen Xihe’s threats genuinely frightened her, she hadn’t been scared senseless.
“But County Princess Zhaoning isn’t someone easy to deal with. Since she suspects the Princess, she surely won’t let this go,” the palace maid worried.
Princess Yangling pondered for a moment, her eyes fixing on something as she seemed to realize something: “There’s only one way out now!”
She instructed her maids to prepare her appearance, and after dressing up elaborately, she went to Mingzheng Hall.
Emperor Youning wasn’t a qualified father. As an emperor, he had too many matters to attend to, dealing with court affairs both major and minor daily. If not for the efficiency of the Three Departments and Six Ministries, he wouldn’t even finish reading the day’s memorials. Thus, he rarely concerned himself with the princesses, only inquiring about studies when it came to the princes.
The princesses had their mothers or palace consorts who raised them to worry about such matters. Only Changling would be frequently summoned to keep him company during meals. Even Princess Pingling, Noble Consort Rong’s daughter, had no special privileges. Generally, the princesses feared Emperor Youning and never sought private audiences.
Therefore, when Princess Yangling came seeking an audience, Emperor Youning was quite surprised. As he was in a good mood today, he waved his hand, instructing Liu Sansi to let her in.
“Your daughter pays respects to Father.” Princess Yangling controlled her unease and performed a proper courtesy.
“Rise.” Emperor Youning’s tone was fairly gentle. “What brings Yangling to seek an audience with me today?”
Apart from regular greetings, his princesses never approached him.
Princess Yangling didn’t dare to act coy or spoiled. She spoke properly: “Your daughter has taken a liking to someone and wishes to request Father to grant a marriage.”
The current dynasty wasn’t strict about women’s conduct. As long as there was no improper interaction, it wasn’t inappropriate for a woman to actively seek her parents’ blessing when she had someone she admired – it even made her appear frank and straightforward.
Princess Yangling’s words made Emperor Youning sigh lightly – his children had all grown up: “Which young man has caught Yangling’s eye?”
Since she dared to come before him so openly, it surely couldn’t be someone unsuitable.
Princess Yangling squeezed her handkerchief, steeled her heart, and closed her eyes before saying: “Your daughter admires Heir Bu and wishes to take him as my prince consort.”
The hall fell completely silent, so quiet that even a falling needle could be heard clearly. Emperor Youning contemplated for a moment before asking: “Yangling, whom do you wish to marry?”
Having already taken the first step, Princess Yangling couldn’t discern Emperor Youning’s attitude. Her heart was pounding, but there was no turning back now. Even though she no longer had her earlier courage, she still controlled her trembling voice and said: “Your daughter admires Heir Bu.”
This was her only way to survive. As long as the Emperor granted her marriage to Bu Shulin, given Shen Xihe’s friendship with Bu Shulin, she wouldn’t dare harm her. If she died, Bu Shulin would be the primary suspect, which would put him in a precarious position.
She was confident the Emperor would agree. He had originally intended for Bu Shulin to marry a princess, but after Bu Shulin’s same-sex scandal, although the Emperor didn’t value his princesses highly, he wouldn’t forcibly marry his daughter to someone known to prefer men. So when the Third Sister refused, the Emperor abandoned this idea.
Naturally, he wouldn’t marry another daughter after one refused, so the notion of Bu Shulin marrying a princess was dismissed.
But now it was different – she was actively requesting the marriage!
“Yangling, do you understand what you’re saying?” Emperor Youning asked in a deep voice. “Have you heard about Heir Bu’s preferences?”
Yangling’s eyes reddened: “Your daughter knows, but doesn’t mind. Perhaps Heir Bu was merely confused temporarily. When your daughter heard about it, I also considered giving up, but I still can’t let go of the Heir. I beg Father to grant this wish.”
After speaking, Princess Yangling kowtowed deeply again.
It didn’t matter whether Bu Shulin truly preferred men or not. She didn’t seek conjugal love, only to stay alive.
Marrying Bu Shulin meant he wouldn’t dare harm her, and neither would Shen Xihe. Bu Shulin would have to protect her.
In the future… even if the Bu family fell from the Emperor’s favor, she would have no worries as the Emperor’s daughter. If the Bu family was destroyed, she could still enjoy wealth and status in her princess manor for life, never again being manipulated as she was now.
Emperor Youning looked at Princess Yangling kneeling below, his expression unreadable. After a long while, he finally said: “Yangling, you must think this through carefully.”
“Your daughter has considered thoroughly. Not marrying the Heir would be a lifelong regret,” Yangling said firmly.
“Go back for now. I want you to think about this carefully,” Emperor Youning said.
Yangling opened her mouth to speak again, but Liu Sansi didn’t give her the chance: “Princess, please return. This matter of lifelong importance requires careful consideration.”