"Shall I ask again?"
"Your Highness, there is none."
"If there isn't, what do you think of me? Am I worthy to marry you?" Song Chuyu wasn't worried about the Empress Dowager's opposition. To the Empress Dowager, her own attitude mattered more. The fact that the Empress Dowager had relented gave her an opportunity, and he needed to seize it.
Lin Qingyuan looked up in shock, meeting her still-swollen eyes directly: "Has Your Highness found someone you're deeply attached to, with a child on the way?" Otherwise, the princess absolutely shouldn't be asking him this question! Even if he thought everyone else were fools, others wouldn't consider him worth a damn!
Song Chuyu's mouth twitched momentarily as she suppressed her temper: "No."
"Then why?" Her eyes were red from crying—she must have made a choice that her family disapproved of. But if she chose him, the Duke's residence would only oppose it even more.
"There's no complicated reason. I've reached marriageable age, but I don't want to be married off—I want to be the one doing the marrying." Any slower, and in his mind she'd already have given birth to his child.
Lin Qingyuan stared directly into her eyes, suddenly sharp: "Even so, there are countless men in Shangjing City waiting to marry you."
"They'd be hard to control, I suppose."
"Your Highness thinks this commoner is easy to control?" Lin Qingyuan's demeanor gradually shifted, staring arrogantly at the person before him.
"No need for that. It might also be because you're good-looking."
Lin Qingyuan fell silent. He considered himself merely passable in appearance, far from being memorable enough to captivate the princess. If she wanted to mock someone, she had chosen the wrong person.
Song Chuyu took a deep breath and stood up: "I do need someone to marry, but not for the reasons you're thinking. You've probably heard—if I don't marry, I'll have to enter the palace. Entering the palace isn't what my aunt or parents want."
"Without entering the palace, Your Highness has more choices."
"Just say whether you're willing or not."
"What if this commoner refuses?"
"Then I'll ask someone else."
"This commoner agrees."
Song Chuyu instantly looked up—after all that nonsense!
Lin Qingyuan met her gaze directly. Even if most pies falling from the sky were poisoned, he wanted to catch one just this once: "Your Highness seems surprised."
More than surprised. Song Chuyu had thought he wouldn't agree. His career ambitions weren't in Shangjing, and she expected to need many compelling reasons to persuade him. She hadn't expected them to be unnecessary.
Song Chuyu gave him a measuring look.
Lin Qingyuan retreated slightly. Having just recovered from serious illness, there was nothing worth looking at, and he didn't want her scrutinizing him.
"Rest well and recover. In a few days, I'll have my father take you to see the Empress Dowager."
"I won't disappoint Your Highness's expectations."
"For etiquette instruction, I'll request a palace matron. You know how to behave, right?"
"I do."
Song Chuyu felt there was one thing she should still mention: "Given your status marrying me, you might face much criticism. There's no need to take it to heart."
"Your Highness as well. Marrying this humble one, you'll face no less criticism than I."
Song Chuyu hadn't expected him to consider this: "First, focus on how to handle the Empress Dowager."
"This commoner won't waste the opportunity you've fought for."
"Wei Rui."
"Your servant is here."
"Take good care of Lord Lin." Though he wasn't one yet, after meeting the Empress Dowager he would surely receive some official position.
"Yes."
As Song Chuyu turned to leave, she stepped back again: "Although Matron Huang isn't the Empress Dowager's personal attendant, she has her deep trust. Understand?"
"This commoner understands. But there's one more thing I'd like to ask."
"Speak."
"Is Your Highness sincere about this marriage?"
"Sincere."
Lin Qingyuan understood: "Farewell, Princess."
Song Chuyu turned away, sincerely hoping that this man who sought to benefit the common people would have a peaceful and smooth life, free from excessive hardship. If he was destined to achieve nothing, then may he live a carefree and joyful life; if he sought to climb higher by relying on the Anguo Duke Mansion, may his future be bright and prosperous.
Even if this marriage ultimately ended in chaos, if it allowed him to soar higher and bring stability to the people, it would still be worthwhile. After all, having failed once in marriage, it was unreasonable to demand another person to fulfill her every wish.
Besides, who could ever have everything go exactly as they desired…
…
The Hanlin Banquet before Cian Palace was the highest level of imperial reception, offering newly appointed officials an opportunity to present themselves before the Emperor and Empress Dowager. A poor performance could mean a lifetime confined to the Hanlin Academy—even those who had placed in the top three in past imperial examinations did not all advance to third-rank positions.
Yet many among them soared to great heights.
Kang Rui took out the brocade robe he had worn at the Autumn Frost Banquet, recalling that in his previous life, he had attended the Hanlin Banquet in this same garment—without any jade adornments or an illustrious family background, yet he had caught the Empress Dowager's eye with his exceptional calligraphy and married the Princess.
In this life, he would excel in every aspect, avoid involvement in Hanlin factional struggles, rise through the ranks more swiftly, and spare An An from undue criticism.
The Empress Dowager showed little interest in the banquet. Today was the day she would meet the man her troublesome niece had taken a liking to. Moreover, with her intention to return governance to the Emperor, she had even less enthusiasm for this gathering of veteran ministers and rising talents.
She delegated the prearranged poetry and debates entirely to the Emperor: "They will all be Your Majesty's subjects henceforth. Observe them carefully."
The Emperor, around twenty years old with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, already carried the aura of a sovereign despite his youth: "I am still young, Mother. Your guidance is essential."
"No matter." The Empress Dowager wondered what kind of man the girl had set her sights on. No matter how impressive, could he surpass the new Number One Scholar?
She glanced at Kang Rui in the hall. The young man remained composed and measured in his speech, even among seasoned scholars, and had not been led astray by the cunning old fox Qiu. Not bad, not bad.
But alas, that girl—never mind. The Empress Dowager rose. She would go see what kind of man he was.
Kang Rui suddenly looked up: Why was the Empress Dowager leaving? His policy essay was not yet finished! In his previous life, she had praised his essay highly—why had she left early now? Was something amiss?
He had no recollection of whether the Empress Dowager had left early in his past life.
"The Empress Dowager is unwell. I will oversee the proceedings for the ministers."
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"