C125

Wei Wenbin was a very talkative person. From time to time, he would mention some of the local customs and traditions of Jiangning and the interesting things he had encountered while he was an official. Therefore, he ate his lunch quite comfortably.

Not long after lunch, someone from the Cheng De Palace sent Wei Wenbin over. They wanted to know if there was anything that Dongfang Cong wanted to ask him.

After he left, Empress Dowager Wei and Yan said, "Today's autumn is cool and refreshing. Are you interested in accompanying This Dowager to the forest garden to admire the chrysanthemums?"

Mu Qianxue stepped forward to support Empress Dowager Wei and respectfully said, "Being able to accompany the empress dowager is her fortune."

Autumn was a season of blooming chrysanthemums, regardless of whether it was in the house, the mansion, or along the mountain path, one could always see the shadow of a gentleman among the flowers. Going up the forest was no exception, but the chrysanthemums planted here were much more expensive than those planted outside.

Behind this magnificent scene, it took the gardener a lot of effort.

As they passed by a pavilion, Mu Qianxue helped Empress Dowager Wei enter to rest. The palace maid quickly brought in a tea cup and pastries, placing them on a stone table made of white marble.

Empress Dowager Wei took a sip of the dark green tea that had been brewed from the pre-rain dragon well and slowly asked, "What does the princess think of Wen Bin?"

Mu Qianxue's heart skipped a beat as she cautiously said, "Vice Minister Jiang is witty and humorous. He should be a very good person."

Wen Bin grew up in this family, and although he was carefree, he was even more diligent than those Humble Class children. It was all because of him today, and I have never fought in this family before; when he was twenty years old, the family told him about a marriage, and after they got married, they both loved each other, and they both hoped for it to happen soon, but unfortunately, the child was unlucky. It was only two years old, and he could not bear it for even half a year.

"I didn't expect Vice Minister Wei to have such a bitter past."

"The dead have died, the living must continue. Several times, my brother and sister wanted to reconnect their strings, but he refused."

"I think Vice Minister Wei still can't let go of his dead wife. Give him some more time."

Empress Dowager Wei caressed her dark red skirt with the silver thread of Eight Clawed Crab chrysanthemum and asked with a faint smile, "What about you, did you ever put it down?"

Mu Qianxue tightened her grip on the handkerchief. "Qianxue doesn't understand what the empress dowager means."

Empress Dowager Wei sighed lightly and clapped her hands. "This Dowager knows that Emperor Chu has deeply hurt you, but your days have to continue anyway. You can't ruin your entire life just because of a moment of pain, can you?"

"The empress dowager has put in a lot of effort. Qianxue understands, but now that the nation's enmity has not been avenged and the family's hatred has not been resolved, how could Qianxue dare to say the words love?"

When the time is right, we will definitely send troops to Xichu. You don't have to worry too much, and with Prince Zhuang present, he will find a way to restore Nan Zhao. Right now, the most important thing for you is to take care of yourself.

"This one knows that I have taken care of you, but I can't really do anything about staying in King Rui's mansion. I can see that Wen Bin likes you a lot, and he has a long relationship with you. I believe he will take good care of you."

Mu Qianxue pulled back her hand and kneeled down. "Qianxue thanks the empress dowager for her love, but we've only met once. It's too early to discuss marriage, so please …" The empress dowager will give Qianxue more time. "

Empress Dowager Wei's face sank slightly, but quickly regained her usual benevolence and gentleness. She supported her up and said, "Since that's the case, we'll wait until you've thought it through before replying to This Dowager. But This Dowager really hopes that you can be my nephew's wife."

Not long after they left, Wei Wenbin, who was supposed to be playing the musical pair at Cheng De Palace, hurried into Ning Xi Palace. Before he even bowed, he impatiently asked, "Aunt, did the princess agree to it?"

Empress Dowager Wei smiled. "It seems like you're very fond of her?"

Wei Wenbin had something important to say. He rubbed his hands and smiled, "There's no man that wouldn't fall for such a peerlessly beautiful woman."

"She is not willing to answer This Dowager's question directly. However, from the looks of it, she is not willing to marry you." Empress Dowager Wei's words were like a bucket of cold water being poured over Wei Wenbin's head, chilling him to the bone. He didn't know what to say. "Then what should we do?" As he spoke, he knelt at Empress Dowager Wei's feet and anxiously said, "Aunt, help your nephew think of a way. Your nephew will definitely marry her."

It would have been fine if he hadn't seen Mu Qianxue before, but that peerless appearance of hers had already appeared in his mind. Even if he used a knife to dig her out, he wouldn't be able to do it.

Empress Dowager Wei cast him a sidelong glance and unhappily said, "Look at you, you're useless. Hurry up and get up."

Seeing that Wei Wenbin was hesitating and unwilling to get up, Yin Qiu smiled and said, "The empress dowager only said that the princess isn't willing to marry, but she didn't say that the marriage between the two of you can't be completed. You don't have to worry about that."

Upon hearing Yin Qiu's words, Wei Wenbin also became aware of the mystery behind them. His worries turned into joy as he swiftly stood up and tactfully said, "Nephew will follow aunt's arrangements."

"Don't worry. Since I've already spoken, even if she doesn't want to marry, she definitely must!"

Yin Qiu said softly, "I'm afraid Princess Xuanji will ask King Rui or even Grand Concubine Chen to come forward and plead for mercy."

Empress Dowager Wei sized up the suit of pure gold and sapphire armor between her fingers and said faintly, "No matter who it is, they won't be able to ask for this favor. This one has designated the marriage."

This was the sentence Wei Wenbin was most happy to hear. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Aunt! Thank you, Aunt! "

Unlike Wei Wenbin's glee, Mu Qianxue's mood was as heavy as the yellow leaves on a palanquin that had been blown down by the autumn wind. She had expected the empress dowager to send her to the palace, not just to drink and eat.

As the palanquin fell to the ground, Xia Yue lifted the palanquin curtain and said, "Princess, we've arrived."

"Yes." Mu Qianxue restrained her thoughts and helped Xia Yue out of the palanquin. She said gently to the eunuchs in the palanquin, "I'll have to trouble the eunuchs."

"Princess is too courteous, your servants will take their leave." As soon as she entered the manor, she saw Cai Yuan looking in on her from the courtyard. When he saw her enter, he revealed a look of delight as he quickly came over and greeted, "Princess, you've finally returned. Your highness has been waiting for you for a long time."

"Is the prince in the South Pavilion?"

"The Prince is in his study room. He said that he wants you to meet him immediately after you return." Before Cai Yuan's words could fade, Mu Qianxue had already walked quickly towards the study room.