Chapter 26: Xie Ning? By what right?
He spoke as he eagerly dashed back to the imperial desk, personally unrolling a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict, preparing the ink, and lifting his brush with an impatient air.
Li Qingning watched his restless demeanor and shook her head helplessly, about to speak the name she had in mind.
At that moment, a sharp voice came from outside the hall.
“The Empress Dowager has arrived.”
Before the words had fully fallen, the dignified figure of the Empress Dowager appeared at the doorway.
Behind her followed a confident young gentleman.
It was none other than Yuwen Yue.
Li Qingning’s brows knitted subtly.
Why had Mother come with Yuwen Yue?
A trace of displeasure arose in her heart, but her face remained composed. She stepped forward and, along with Li Qingzhi, bowed in greeting.
“Your humble son pays respects to Mother.”
“Rise,” the Empress Dowager said. Her gaze swept over the siblings and finally rested on the bright yellow edict already spread before them, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“You two siblings are together after all. It’s convenient, saves me another trip.”
Li Qingzhi, puzzled, thought Mother had come to visit them and hastily displayed the imperial brush in his hand like a treasure.
“Mother, you arrive just in time. As for our elder sister—”
“Zhi’er,” Li Qingning interrupted calmly. She had likely already guessed the Empress Dowager’s true purpose, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense.
“Heh, it seems we are thinking alike. I have come today precisely about your elder sister’s marriage.”
The Empress Dowager seemed oblivious to the undercurrents in the hall and spoke with unquestionable authority.
“Ah?”
Li Qingzhi was completely stunned.
He glanced at the Empress Dowager, then at his sister, his mind in a muddle.
“Mother, you already know about elder sister’s marriage?”
“Of course.”
The Empress Dowager assumed Li Qingning had informed the Emperor about Yuwen Yue and smiled even more warmly.
“Your elder sister is no longer young. As her mother, I naturally keep her marriage close to my heart.”
“In my view, the Second Young Master of the Prime Minister’s residence, Yuwen Yue, is a perfect match for your elder sister, in talent, character, family background, and appearance.”
“While the late Emperor was alive, he held this intention. Today, I wish to ask His Majesty to grant their marriage, fulfilling a wish left by the late Emperor.”
“How coincidental.”
Li Qingzhi slapped his thigh in sudden understanding.
“So the person elder sister is to marry is Young Master Yuwen! No wonder she wouldn’t say earlier—she wanted to surprise me.”
In his innocence, he thought it a joyous coincidence. His gaze toward Yuwen Yue carried the approving scrutiny of a proud older brother.
“Young Master Yuwen, from now on, my elder sister is in your hands. If you dare to mistreat her, I won’t forgive you.”
Yuwen Yue’s heart leapt with joy, but his face remained humble as he bowed deeply to Li Qingzhi.
“Your Majesty, rest assured. I will cherish Princess as a precious jewel and never fail her in this lifetime.”
As he spoke, he cast a deeply affectionate glance at Li Qingning.
Yet what he saw was a face as cold and flawless as frost.
“Mother, Your Majesty, you must be mistaken.”
Li Qingning’s cool voice was like a bucket of ice water, instantly dousing the enthusiasm in the hall.
“Today, I petition His Majesty to issue the edict because the person I intend to marry is not Young Master Yuwen.”
What?
The air seemed to freeze at that moment.
Li Qingzhi’s smile stiffened.
Behind the Empress Dowager, Yuwen Yue’s eyes, once filled with affection, turned to shock and embarrassment.
The Empress Dowager’s complexion darkened visibly.
“Qingning, what do you mean by this?”
A cold edge crept into her voice.
“Do not cause a scene before His Majesty.”
“I am not causing a scene,” Li Qingning met her mother’s gaze without a shred of retreat.
“Marriage is a matter of a lifetime happiness. I will neither settle nor compromise. In my heart, I have already chosen.”
“Who?” the Empress Dowager demanded fiercely.
Li Qingning’s gaze softened unconsciously for a moment, her mind flickering to someone frail yet quick-witted.
Her red lips parted to utter the name that stirred ripples in her heart.
“The heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan, Xie Ning.”
“The heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan, Xie Ning?”
The Empress Dowager murmured, then recalled some rumors that had recently reached the palace—about the Marquis’s heir and the daughter of Prince Jing, Li Rushi.
“Absurd!”
The Empress Dowager struck the table and rose abruptly, unable to believe her ears.
“You mean that notorious good-for-nothing heir? You favor such a man? What right does he have to become the prince consort of Great Qi?”
“Whether he has the right or not is not for Mother to decide, but for me,” Li Qingning said calmly, yet with unshakable resolve.
“He saved my life. To me, there is no one more worthy in this world.”
“Saved your life?”
The Empress Dowager sneered coldly.
“What nonsense did he feed you? Do you know he is already betrothed to the Princess of Prince Jing’s residence? He broke that engagement just to latch onto you. Can you trust such an ungrateful scoundrel?”
“That engagement was merely a transaction between Jia Yibo and Prince Jing. Xie Ning never acknowledged it,” Li Qingning explained lightly.
“As for whether he is ungrateful or not, I am the one to judge.”
“Your judgment?”
The Empress Dowager’s chest heaved violently with anger.
“Is your judgment worth defying the late Emperor’s will, disobeying my orders, and disgracing the royal family?”
She turned to the stunned Li Qingzhi, her voice stern.
“Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, you must know what weighs more. Prime Minister Yuwen Taiji is a pillar of the state. A marriage alliance with the Prime Minister’s household benefits your throne and the realm of Great Qi without harm.”
“This matter concerns the foundation of the nation. It cannot be left to her whims.”
Li Qingzhi was dumbfounded by this sudden turn of events—caught between his beloved mother and his dependable sister, unsure which side to choose.
“My husband will only be the one I choose myself. No one can force me.”
Li Qingning’s voice softened somewhat yet remained firm as she looked at her brother.
“I also ask Mother not to trouble the Emperor.”
“You…”
The Empress Dowager trembled with rage, pointing at Li Qingning, unable to speak for a long moment.
Yuwen Yue’s face had turned from red to white, then to a deathly pale. Standing there, he felt as if he had been stripped bare before everyone, overwhelmed by shame and fury.
Xie Ning?
That good-for-nothing who only knows how to indulge himself?
What right does he have?