Chapter 215: Chapter 214: Slapping the Green Tea Empress Dowager 31
It was late spring, and the weather was getting hotter by the day.
The thin spring clothes had already been worn, and now, at noontime, even in these, it felt somewhat hot.
Anning’s body was not very heat tolerant.
At noon, after having her meal, she changed into light clothing. She sat upright on the couch, speaking with Helan Zhi.
Helan Zhi was now a girl of seventeen or eighteen, at an age where girls are typically married.
However, due to Prince Kang’s relationship, Helan Zhi hadn’t matched with anyone, and Anning had not allowed her into the palace, hence she remained unmarried till now.
This year also coincided with the Imperial Examination. Since it had passed, Anning wanted to consider keeping one of the newly successful scholars of good character as her son-in-law.
She was discussing this matter with Helan Zhi.
Helan Zhi’s face was blushing deeply, looking extremely shy.
Anning asked her, "What type are you looking for? Let me ask Yu’er to keep an eye out."
Helan Zhi, obviously embarrassed, said, "Mother, I... I have taken a liking to a scholar."
"Really?"
Anning’s eyes sparkled, her face wholly joyful, "Which one is it? When will you bring him home for me to see?"
Helan Zhi lowered her head, fidgeting with her handkerchief, "He’s the third-place winner in this year’s exam; he... he is simply too handsome."
Anning felt slightly embarrassed; she hadn’t expected Helan Zhi to be focused on appearances.
"How handsome?"
Recently, Anning hadn’t been very busy and, with the affairs of tricking the little Emperor and the Empress Dowager going smoothly, she found the leisure to gossip.
"He’s exceptionally, exceptionally good-looking, even more so than Yu’er."
He Zhenyu was universally recognized as handsome, being born to the attractive Prince Kang and the stunning Anning, gathering the best features of both.
At least, within the Capital, Anning had yet to see any young gentleman more handsome than He Zhenyu.
"How handsome is he?"
Anning wondered, then asked Helan Zhi again, "Is he more handsome than Mr. Xiao?"
Helan Zhi pondered for a long time, frowning with frustration, "It’s hard to compare, they’re not of the same type. Mr. Xiao is very handsome too, but, he’s not less handsome than Mr. Xiao."
Fearing Anning’s disapproval, Helan Zhi eagerly praised the man, "He’s not only handsome and learned, but he’s also extremely gentle, and his paintings are exquisite..."
His scholarship must be incredible; Anning could infer this herself, considering he’d won third place, and naturally his knowledge was not lacking. As for being gentle, Anning was skeptical.
The logic of infatuated women can’t be reasoned with; even if he were a particularly ill-tempered person, she’d probably see him as exceedingly gentle.
Moreover, it was clear from Helan Zhi’s manner that she was utterly enchanted by the young scholar, completely muddled, hence she saw only his good qualities.
"Let’s arrange a meeting sometime."
It was rare for Helan Zhi to like someone this much; Anning couldn’t bear to interfere.
Besides, Helan Zhi had a tough past life; this life, even as recompense, Anning would like her to follow her heart.
Following that, Anning asked more about Helan Zhi: "Where is his family from? Who are they?"
Helan Zhi blushed, "His family is from South City. They seem to have not many members, only... his family isn’t very wealthy, his grandfather was a merchant, who later bought a lot of land in the countryside, and his father moved there to live, the whole family depends on those few hundred acres of land."
Anning nodded, "That’s not a concern for us. As long as you are keen on him, you like him, mother will fulfill your wish no matter what."
Still, Anning slightly furrowed her brow, "Is he married yet?"
This must be clarified, although Helan Zhi is a Commandery Princess, she couldn’t disrupt a perfectly good marriage just for her own liking.
"No."
Helan Zhi shook her head.
Anning joked with a laugh, "Oh, you’ve even clarified this, you’re really something."
Helan Zhi, bashful, couldn’t lift her head, coquettishly protested, "Mother..."
"Alright," Anning patted Helan Zhi’s hand, "Mother will investigate him properly. As long as his character is acceptable, mother will make this happen."
Anning had agreed to help, leading Helan Zhi to become overjoyed, causing Anning to constantly shake her head and sigh, lamenting that a grown daughter can’t be kept at home.
After seeing off Helan Zhi, Anning called for Xiao Lu.
"What’s the situation now?"
Xiao Lu immediately smiled: "Your Majesty has brought Miss Yun into the palace."
Anning knew it would happen like this.
She curled her lips into a smile: "You can send a message to the palace now, saying that Prince Kang is angry because he knows about Yun Que’s existence and that the little Emperor’s heart is all on Yun Que. He believes he was deceived, which is why he firmly refuses to marry the Commandery Princess into the palace."
Xiao Lu took the order and left.
Anning then sent someone to inquire about the newly minted third place scholar, Luo Zhichen.
Just after she had given the instructions, she saw Helan Zhi return.
"What’s the matter?"
Anning gestured for Helan Zhi to sit down.
Helan Zhi looked somewhat worried: "Mother, just after father refused my entry into the palace, the Empress Dowager set her sights on Sister Qingyu of the Prime Minister’s family. She is discussing with Prime Minister Wang about having Qingyu enter the palace as the empress."
"Ha..."
To this, Anning could only respond with a cold laugh.
Helan Zhi continued to chatter: "Sister Qingyu is really nice, and she also has someone she likes. Both families were preparing to discuss marriage after the new year, but now... I’m afraid Prime Minister Wang won’t refuse the Empress Dowager."
Anning had met Wang Qingyu, the lady often visited their home, and each visit she would greet Anning, who also liked her a bit.
Qingyu was a typical noble family lady.
The girl was gentle, virtuous, and very intelligent. She wrote beautifully, painted well, and managed household affairs effectively.
Moreover, this lady had a rare good nature, truly a good girl inside and out.
Anning really liked such sensible and clever young ladies like her. Whenever Qingyu visited, she would have many delicious foods prepared and sometimes, when in the mood, would even gift Qingyu some of her own designed jewelry.
In Anning’s view, the little Emperor marrying Qingyu was truly a waste of such a person.
Originally, Anning had planned to have Qingyu as her daughter-in-law.
"Really."
Anning looked at Helan Zhi, pondering in her mind: "Qingyu has someone she likes already? Who is it?"
Helan Zhi, without much thought, spoke very quickly: "It’s not that Qingyu likes him, but the two families have a good relationship. Qingyu’s mother likes the boy very much and feels that the children are well-matched, so they thought about settling it down. Qingyu had no objections; it is, it is the heir of General Li’s house."
It took Anning a while to recall what kind of person the heir of General Li’s house was.
Thinking of this person, she shook her head speechlessly: "What eyes does Mrs. Wang have."
"Ah?"
Helan Zhi was startled: "Is Mr. Li not a good person?"
Anning spoke solemnly, "It’s hard to say, just wait and see, the two families won’t work out."
Then, Anning breathed a sigh of relief internally.
Qingyu often came, and sometimes she would encounter He Zhenyu. Anning noticed these past years He Zhenyu seemed interested in Qingyu; she’d already planned to settle this after everything was ready.
Now knowing it’s the Li family, she felt relieved.
"Mother, Qingyu is unwilling to enter the palace."
Helan Zhi pleaded with Anning: "Can we help her?"
Anning pointed towards the direction of the study: "Don’t beg me, go and ask your father. He’s feeling guilty towards you right now. If you ask him, he will certainly agree, and it’s more appropriate for your father to handle this."
Helan Zhi’s eyes brightened: "Yes, if father talks to Prime Minister Wang about this, Prime Minister Wang will definitely refuse the Empress Dowager."
She joyfully picked up her skirt and ran.
Anning softly cautioned: "Run slowly."