The Empress Dowager picked up where the Emperor left off. “Now that the Emperor has finished handing out his rewards, it is my turn. Lord Qu, what would you like me to bestow upon you?”
In her previous life, it was the Emperor who had promoted Qu Zhao, while the Empress Dowager had given He Xiujun the golden token granting immunity from the death penalty. The token she presented back then had been left to her by the late Emperor. This showed just how deeply she cherished Prince Jing.
“Your Majesty, I have someone in my heart. I wish to ask you to grant us an imperial marriage.”
Qu Jinshu suddenly knelt before the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager smiled. “So Lord Qu is ready to start a family.”
She turned to the Emperor. “Emperor, you have overlooked something. Lord Qu has defended his country and earned great military honors. How could you neglect such an important matter as his marriage?”
“I was indeed negligent. Mother is right to remind me. Lord Qu, tell me which young lady you have taken a liking to, and I shall arrange the marriage for you.”
Has she gone mad?
The Qu father and son were both filled with alarm.
When had they ever said they wanted an imperial marriage arranged?
Like Qu Sheng, Qu Zhao was naturally flirtatious, with countless female admirers outside the household.
But when it came to actually choosing someone to marry, he had absolutely no idea whom he wanted.
With his current status, shouldn’t he find someone worthy of him?
What was wrong with Qu Jinshu today? She had defied them again and again!
“Commandery Princess Hening. This humble subject has admired Commandery Princess Hening for many years and wishes to take her as my wife.”
The moment Qu Jinshu said this, it struck the Qu father and son like a thunderbolt. The others were equally bewildered.
Commandery Princess Hening was the legitimate daughter of Prince Pingnan.
Prince Pingnan was the Emperor’s own younger brother. Since he had always kept a relatively low profile and behaved himself, he had managed to remain in the Emperor’s good graces. Years ago, he had already left to travel around the country.
He had only one child, Commandery Princess Hening.
As for this Commandery Princess, she was no less mysterious than “Qu Jinshu.” Although she lived in the Prince Pingnan’s residence in the capital, she hardly ever went out.
How had Qu Zhao managed to fall in love with someone like her?
Only the members of the imperial family wore peculiar expressions.
Even the Empress Dowager and the Emperor exchanged puzzled glances.
Zhao Jingxing turned his wine cup, the corners of his lips curling slightly.
Ordinary people might not know the truth, but the imperial family knew it very well.
Why did Hening never leave the residence? Because she was naturally promiscuous and spent most of her time frequenting Yafeng Pavilion. She had countless male lovers whom she kept for her own pleasure.
However, she was Prince Pingnan’s beloved only daughter, and he was willing to indulge her. Besides, she used an alias whenever she went out, so she had never brought shame upon the imperial family. Thus, they simply turned a blind eye.
The Empress Dowager had even been worrying about her marriage. She never expected some fool to come knocking on her door of his own accord.
Of course, Qu Jinshu knew the truth.
After all, she had dealt with Zhao Hening in her previous life.
That woman was truly arrogant, domineering, and utterly unscrupulous.
Having someone like her marry into the Marquis’s household would certainly make life interesting.
“Why have you taken a liking to Hening?” the Emperor asked, trying to keep his expression neutral. Even he didn’t know what to say about his own niece.
“This humble subject once went to a temple outside the capital to offer incense. I was fortunate enough to meet Commandery Princess Hening there. She was accompanied by a maidservant and wore a veiled hat, yet her bearing was still extraordinary…”
“What’s more, she personally fed the little cats at the temple. Seeing how kindhearted she was, I decided then and there that I would marry no one but her.”
Zhao Jingxing almost let out a cold laugh.
She had conveniently left out a few details.
For instance, the maidservant accompanying Zhao Hening was actually one of her male lovers in disguise.
And the reason she wore a veiled hat was that certain marks on her body had not yet faded.
As for feeding the little cats, that was because she wanted to lure them somewhere else before torturing them to death.
Although he felt it was somewhat unfair, the Emperor thought about how he would no longer have to listen to his younger brother nagging him about finding a husband for Hening. His mood instantly brightened.
“I think this is an excellent match. I approve. I’ll send a letter to my younger brother at once and ask him to return so we can discuss the marriage.”
Having finally gotten rid of this troublesome burden, the Emperor found Qu Jinshu much more pleasing to the eye.
Qu Sheng’s brows were tightly furrowed. He could no longer figure out what Qu Jinshu was trying to do.
Only Qu Zhao, upon hearing people nearby mention that they had also been fortunate enough to see Commandery Princess Hening and that she was extraordinarily beautiful, perked up. He also heard that Prince Pingnan had once declared that he would leave all his wealth and property to his only daughter. His thoughts immediately began to wander.
He hurriedly reassured Qu Sheng. “Father, I knew that Qu Jinshu wouldn’t dare harm us. She’s helping me!”
“Think about it. Prince Pingnan is the Emperor’s only younger brother still alive, and he has only one daughter, Zhao Hening.”
“If I can get her under my thumb, won’t my future be limitless?”
His words suddenly made everything clear to Qu Sheng. He let out a long sigh of relief, and his mood improved considerably.
He snorted. “At least she knows what’s good for her. Otherwise, she’d have faced the family rules as soon as we got home.”
Having decided that Qu Jinshu had done him a great favor, the Emperor was practically beaming on his throne. His expression was positively benevolent.
Now was the time!
Qu Jinshu seized the opportunity and continued kowtowing.
“Your Majesty, this humble subject dares to make one more request.”
Under normal circumstances, such repeated requests would have been seen as going too far, and the Emperor would surely have been displeased.
However, he was in an excellent mood today, so he readily agreed.
“Go ahead, Lord Qu.”
“This humble subject wishes to participate in the wrestling competition one month from now.”
Wrestling was also a tradition in Xiling. A competition was held once every three years, and this happened to be the third year.
The Emperor and other members of the imperial family would attend the event, and many young noblemen eagerly signed up to participate.
The Emperor waved his hand. “I thought it was something serious. Can’t you simply register yourself? Rest well and prepare for the wrestling competition. I would also like to see just how impressive Xiling’s battlefield warriors are in the wrestling arena.”
“This humble subject will not disappoint Your Majesty.” Qu Jinshu raised her head, looking every bit the proud and confident warrior.
Qu Zhao, however, was so frightened that his legs nearly gave way.
Wrestling required the participants to compete with their upper bodies bare!
That meant Qu Jinshu could no longer take his place. He would have to enter the competition himself.
He would be lucky not to get beaten to death!
Qu Jinshu had deliberately brought up the competition before the Emperor. She was forcing him to participate.
That wretched woman had planned this all along!
“Father, she did it on purpose!” Only now did Qu Zhao finally realize what was happening.
“The Emperor is still here. Even if you’re angry, you must hold it in for now.”
Qu Sheng was furious too, but he still had to restrain Qu Zhao.
Perhaps because the marriage with Commandery Princess Hening had distracted her, the Empress Dowager did not bring up Prince Jing’s marriage.