Song Chen’s brows were tightly furrowed, as if they could crush a mosquito.
“I’m not going!”
Old General Song Yingwu’s expression was dark, and the two stood facing each other in the courtyard. It looked as though father and son were about to come to blows.
Meng Qianlan hurried over and stopped Song Yingwu, her brow showing a hint of displeasure.
“Our son has just returned, and you’re already finding fault with everything he does. Is this any way for a father to behave?”
Meng Qianlan shot Song Yingwu a glare, then stepped forward to take the bundle from Song Chen’s shoulder.
“Son, tell your mother, is there someone in your heart that’s kept you from marrying all this time? If there is, tell your father and me. As long as she’s a girl from a respectable family, we don’t care about her status.”
“Your father and I just hope you’ll marry soon and continue the Song family line. Tell me, which family’s daughter has caught your eye?”
Hearing this, Song Yingwu also secretly turned his head to stare at Song Chen.
But seeing that Song Chen remained silent for a long while, his anger flared up. He snorted coldly.
“With his stubborn, unyielding temper, how could he possibly have a girl he likes?”
“Why waste words on him? Just make him go meet that girl tomorrow.”
Meng Qianlan raised her beautiful eyes and glared at Song Yingwu. The old general immediately fell silent, mumbling a few times before closing his mouth.
His wife was over a decade younger than him.
She hadn’t minded his age and had married into the Zhenguo General’s Mansion with a generous dowry.
For over twenty years, while he was away fighting battles, it was Meng Qianlan who managed the mansion in an orderly manner.
Song Yingwu felt both love and guilt toward Meng Qianlan and never argued with her.
“There is indeed someone I admire in my heart, but our statuses are different. It’s better if you don’t interfere in this matter.”
After a moment of silence, Song Chen finally spoke.
Old General Song’s eyes narrowed sharply as he glared angrily at Song Chen.
“With our Song family’s status, what girl in Yujing City is beyond our reach? If you have someone you like, just say it. Your mother and I will go propose the marriage for you immediately.”
Song Chen took the bundle back from Meng Qianlan’s hands, his brow slightly furrowed.
“What does the Song family matter? If she’s unwilling, nothing else is of any use.”
With that, Song Chen turned and walked toward his room.
Seeing Song Chen’s attitude, anger rose in Song Yingwu’s expression. He rolled up his sleeves and was about to chase after him when Meng Qianlan stopped him.
“Our son has been stationed at the border all these years. Aside from rough soldiers, where would he have met any young girls?”
“You don’t think our son, he wouldn’t…”
Meng Qianlan’s expression became somewhat complicated.
The customs of Dajing were not openly discussed, and while same-sex relationships were rare, they were not unheard of.
Could it be that her son had fallen for a man?
Song Yingwu’s face darkened: “No, the Song family line cannot end with this brat. Tomorrow, even if I have to tie him up, I’ll drag him to meet that girl.”
…
Princess’s Mansion.
Shen Zhaoli had just returned when the Zhou family sent someone right after with many ancient books.
Looking at the ancient books filled with notes, Shen Zhaoli couldn’t help but smile lightly.
She knew her teacher still cared for her.
After having the ancient books sent to the study, Shen Zhaoli called for Mi Ning.
“I find the matter of the Lu family somewhat suspicious. Send someone to investigate thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned.”
“I don’t want Jingyi to fall into a pit of fire.”
Mi Ning accepted the order and left.
For the next few days, Shen Zhaoli shut herself in the study every day, studying the ancient books.
She had almost reached the point of paying no attention to the outside world.
It wasn’t until an imperial edict arrived from the palace that Shen Zhaoli was finally drawn out of her study.
In Qinghuan Hall, Ziyan helped Shen Zhaoli with her makeup and attire.
Mi Ning presented Shen Zhaoli with a cup of refreshing tea and said gently, “During the days Your Highness was in seclusion, the Prime Minister came every day. I was afraid of disturbing Your Highness, so I did not report it.”
Shen Zhaoli took a sip of the refreshing tea, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Why was Xie Yuheng, instead of properly recuperating from his injuries, coming to see her?
“You did the right thing. If Xie Yuheng comes again, there’s no need to pay him any mind.”
She had many things to attend to and no time to get entangled with Xie Yuheng.
After finishing her grooming, Shen Zhaoli took Mi Ning with her into the palace.
As the imperial carriage moved along the palace path, Shen Zhaoli leaned lazily against the seat, resting with her eyes closed.
From afar, she could hear the domineering voice of a woman up ahead.
“How dare you! Who gave you the nerve to block my way?”
Shen Zhaoli opened her eyes and glanced forward.
At the corner of the palace gate, a small sedan chair had stopped, revealing a glimpse of a smoky pink dress that looked somewhat familiar.
“Your Highness, that small sedan chair ahead seems to belong to Princess Anning.”
Shen Zhaoli narrowed her eyes, remembering.
That smoky pink palace dress had been snatched from her by Kuang Lianyue.
As the imperial carriage gradually moved forward, the scene in front of the small sedan chair became visible.
Kneeling before Kuang Lianyue was a delicate woman dressed in a brocade orchid-patterned ruqun.
Her head was lowered, making her face unclear, but from her somewhat disheveled hairstyle, it was evident she had likely suffered some mistreatment.
Kuang Lianyue stood arrogantly in front of the small sedan chair, while her maid, Feishuang, grabbed the woman’s hair.
“My Junzhu is speaking to you, didn’t you hear?!”
The woman was forced to lift her head, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face, though now pale and filled with pain and panic.
Shen Zhaoli frowned slightly. This woman was none other than Imperial Consort Yu, whom her elder brother had recently taken into the harem.
Imperial Consort Yu, named Yu Manqing, was the daughter of the Minister of War. Her family’s status in Yujing City was not particularly high.
During the selection process, she had been kept in the palace as a consort because of her exceptionally beautiful face.
Shen Zhaoli had heard that this Yu family girl had a gentle temperament, so how could she have provoked Anning?
Yu Manqing’s palace maid, Hong Ye, knelt on the ground, her face streaked with tears, kowtowing repeatedly to Kuang Lianyue.
“Junzhu, please let my mistress go. She would never dare to block your way.”
“If you are angry, punish me instead.”
Kuang Lianyue snorted coldly, looking at the maid Hong Ye with disdain.
“What are you, to plead on her behalf? Feishuang, hit her!”
As soon as the words were spoken, Feishuang released Yu Manqing and slapped Hong Ye hard across the face.
After several loud slaps, Hong Ye’s face was swollen and red.
Yu Manqing bit her lower lip and tried to intervene, but Feishuang shoved her to the ground, scraping a bloody mark on her fair and tender arm.
The master and servant were in a pitiful state, causing Shen Zhaoli to frown involuntarily.
“Stop!”
The imperial carriage halted beside the small sedan chair. Shen Zhaoli looked down at Kuang Lianyue, displeasure evident in her eyes.
“The imperial palace is not a place where you can act recklessly and without restraint.”
As soon as Shen Zhaoli spoke, everyone except Kuang Lianyue immediately knelt and paid their respects.
Kuang Lianyue stiffened her neck and glared at Shen Zhaoli, resentment in her eyes.
“What’s so reckless about me disciplining a mere consort?”
Shen Zhaoli ran her smooth, elegant fingers across her temple, let out a derisive laugh, and her phoenix eyes exuded authority even without anger.
“Regardless of Imperial Consort Yu’s rank, she is my elder brother’s woman. It is not your place to discipline her.”
“Have you forgotten the lesson from last time so quickly? I advise you to restrain your temper and not cause trouble for Imperial Uncle.”
Remembering the several slaps she received last time, Kuang Lianyue’s expression turned extremely unpleasant, her vicious gaze fixed on Yu Manqing.
“Hmph, you’re lucky this time. If you ever fall into my hands again, I’ll make sure you regret it!”
With that, Kuang Lianyue left in a huff, taking Feishuang with her.
Shen Zhaoli shook her head helplessly and instructed someone to help Yu Manqing up.
“How did you manage to offend Anning?”
Yu Manqing bit her lower lip lightly, her eyes slightly reddened.
“I don’t know where I offended Princess Anning either. I suppose it’s my fault for making her unhappy.”
The palace maid Hong Ye nearby couldn’t help but speak up.
“Even before my lady entered the palace, Princess Anning often made things difficult for her, all because my lady spoke up for you a few times.”
Shen Zhaoli raised an eyebrow slightly—so this matter actually involved her?