I finally understood what it meant to be unable to explain oneself.
Situ Yao was too dishonest; he had already revealed the matter to the Emperor before I had even agreed. If this news spread, well, what man with any sense would dare to propose to a woman favored by the Crown Prince?
This was effectively cutting off my escape route.
Seeing me stunned, Situ You grew even more indignant. "No wonder my eldest brother has been punishing me lately. It turns out he's jealous of me spending time with you. First, he forbade me from using your nickname, and then when he heard I wanted to marry you, he made me write essays on strategy. Wang Nannan, tell me, if you had just given me a heads-up that you two were involved, would I have fallen into my eldest brother's trap? I don't care, you must beg my eldest brother to intercede, otherwise, I'll truly be crushed by these bothersome state affairs."
"This..."
"Vinegar jar, humph, how come I never noticed he was so jealous before?"
Me...
"Princess, this way please!" a maid's voice came from outside the courtyard gate. I was startled and looked towards the entrance, only to see Sui Sui rushing towards me. As soon as she arrived, she threw herself into my arms. "Nannan Jie, you're too naughty! You got involved with my eldest brother, such a big deal, and you didn't even tell me."
"I did not."
"Ah?" Not only Nannan, but Situ You was also dumbfounded.
I held up four fingers. "I can swear to the heavens, I absolutely did not get involved with His Highness the Crown Prince."
I hadn't even agreed to him yet.
Now it was the siblings' turn to be bewildered. Sui Sui thought for a long time. "Then what does it mean for my eldest brother to kneel and beg my father the Emperor to say he'll marry no one but you in this lifetime?"
"How would I know?" I replied grumpily, then suddenly thought of something and quickly grabbed Sui Sui's arm. "Wait, what was your father's reaction? He wouldn't... bestow a marriage, would he?"
"Uh, my father was quite pleased and wanted to bestow a marriage then and there. However, my mother stopped him, saying that bestowing a marriage was a major affair and they needed to consult the Imperial Astronomer for an auspicious date."
Thank you, Her Majesty the Empress. I covered my heart and took a deep breath. "Fortunately, fortunately."
Sui Sui continued to look bewildered. "Nannan Jie, what's going on?"
Situ You, however, had already recovered and said gloatingly, "You've read so many storybooks, and you still haven't figured it out? Eldest brother's feelings are purely one-sided. Hahaha, he has days like this too."
Sui Sui stomped her foot. "Second Brother, how can you be like this?"
"Humph, who told him to deliberately set me up? Big vinegar jar, serves him right. Nannan, as a good friend, you absolutely cannot agree to him easily, unless he's willing to let me off."
I couldn't be bothered with him. "You two can sort yourselves out. I need to go to the palace to see Her Majesty the Empress. A Xiu, have the carriage prepared."
Sui Sui grabbed my hand. "Nannan Jie, why are you looking for my mother?"
"I'll tell you later. Someone, get me ready."
Seeing Her Majesty the Empress in the palace was a major event, so I had to dress up. I shut out the curious siblings and quickly changed and applied makeup, then got into the carriage heading for the palace.
I hurried through the palace gates, only to find that I had come at the wrong time.
It was a quarter past noon, and Her Majesty the Empress was still napping.
However, I had spent my childhood in the palace, and the nannies and maids of Changning Palace were all very familiar with me. "Miss Wang, tea has been prepared in the side hall. Please rest for a while. Her Majesty the Empress is resting in Qianyuan Hall today and may not wake up so soon."
It was widely known that the Emperor and Empress shared a deep love.
Her Majesty the Empress resided in Qianyuan Hall, while Changning Palace was mainly used to receive guests.
The nanny's implication was that Her Majesty the Empress was not sleeping alone this noon; the Emperor was also there.
Who knew when I would be able to see her then.
So, I had no choice but to follow them to the side hall. The nanny busied herself with ordering tea and pastries to be served, appearing even more attentive than usual. Well, yesterday's "I'll marry no one but her" from His Highness the Crown Prince had likely spread throughout the palace.
I only hoped it wouldn't spread outside the palace too quickly.
Fortunately, Her Majesty the Empress did not keep me waiting too long today. Before I could finish my pastries, the announcement "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived" echoed from outside.
I quickly performed a formal bow.
As soon as she entered, she smiled broadly and personally helped me up. "Nannan, have you been waiting long? Next time you come to the palace, just have them announce you."
"It was Nannan who disturbed your rest, Your Majesty."
"Not at all, I am delighted you are here."
She sat down at the head of the table, then pulled me to a small chair to her left and asked with concern, "Have you been feeling better lately?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Nannan is much better now."
"My dear child, why are you speaking so formally?"
I was momentarily speechless. It was all Situ Yao's fault for talking about marrying me no matter what. I hadn't even made up my mind yet, and he pulled off this stunt. My mind went blank, and I came straight to the palace. Now that I saw Her Majesty the Empress, I realized I had no idea how to bring this up with her. Refuse the marriage? He hadn't even proposed yet, and I was rushing to say I wouldn't marry him; that would be too embarrassing.
But if I didn't refuse, what if the Emperor really picked an auspicious date and directly bestowed the marriage?