C167

"This Soup Dumplings is made from glutinous rice. Although it is soft, glutinous and delicious, it is not easy to digest. Naturally, you can't eat too much of it." As she spoke, Empress Dowager Wei's gaze swept across Dongfang Shou's face. "Back son, do you have something you want to say to This Dowager?"

Dongfang Yi stroked the green flower wrapped around the bowl's wall and hesitantly said, "Your son has heard …" Chang Rong came to see the Queen Mother yesterday? "

Empress Dowager Wei's eyelids twitched as she calmly replied, "That's right. She knows that This Dowager will cough from time to time after winter. The pills aren't very effective, so she deliberately found a side recipe. After yesterday's attempt, she really didn't cough much anymore."

Dongfang Qin's slender fingers slightly tightened, and he said in a low voice, "According to what I know, her mother and I aren't the only ones talking about this."

Empress Dowager Wei glanced at Dongfang Zhi and sighed. "It seems that you already know. Not bad, Chang Rong requests This Dowager to give the marriage to you. This Dowager has already agreed, and your mufei approves of the marriage. Later on, the imperial concubine and the Ministry of Justice will come to discuss the wedding day."

Dongfang Zhi clenched his teeth and knelt down, "This son has no plans to get married right now. I humbly request mother to take back my orders."

Empress Dowager Wei put down the green jade spoon in her hand and shook her head. "Qing'er, in another Yuyue, you'll be twenty-five. If you don't get married, how long do you want to drag things out for? This Dowager and your Mufei are waiting for you to get married and have children, but they've been waiting for so long already."

"This son knows how much trouble Mother has put in, but... Your son really does not want to get married. The empress will give your son some more time. "

Empress Dowager Wei stared at him for a while, then got up and walked over to the plum blossom painting cabinet. "I'm afraid that no matter how much time This Dowager gives you, it'll be of no use, because you've never wanted to let her go. However, Qing'er, she's not someone you can marry."

Dongfang Qin didn't explain. He just kowtowed and said, "I beg of you, grant me your wish!"

Empress Dowager Wei walked back to Dongfang Zhi and bent down to pull him up from the ground. Just as the latter thought she'd let go, a slow, yet undeniable voice resounded in her ears. "Everything else will go according to your wishes. Only this one won't."

Dongfang Wenyi's heart was thrown into chaos. He hurriedly said, "Muhou …"

Empress Dowager Wei raised a hand to interrupt him and said calmly, "This Dowager can't just watch you waste your life over an impossible woman. If the late Emperor were still alive, he'd probably make the same decision as This Dowager."

"However, Chang Rong isn't a woman that your son wishes. If you manage to get married, you will only harm each other."

"Chang Rong is indeed a proud child, but she is not a bad one. She will be infatuated with you. You will definitely find her good in the future. You and Chang Rong are both my beloved children, so I won't harm you."

"But …"

"Alright!" Empress Dowager Wei interrupted him again, her expression much colder than before. "This matter has already been decided. There's no need to say anything more. After indulging yourself for so many years, it's time to take care of it."

How could Dongfang Shan be willing to let this go? He once again kneeled down, lowering his head to look at the golden brick that reflected his pale complexion. "May Imperial Mother retract your orders!"

Empress Dowager Wei was displeased at her ignorance. "This Dowager has made it clear already, withdraw!"

Dongfang Qin knelt on the ground motionlessly. He would rather not marry Shen Xijun as his wife!

Faced with his silent protest, Empress Dowager Wei's expression darkened as she said coldly, "You aren't even listening to This Dowager's words anymore, are you?"

Dongfang Gu was just about to speak when the sharp voice of the inner court procurator called out, "Reporting to the empress dowager, Grand Concubine Chen wishes to see you!"

Empress Dowager Wei calmed her expression before returning to her chair. "Let her in."

Not long after, Lady Chen, who was holding onto Dong Mei's hand, walked in. Behind her was a palace maid holding a brocade box; when she saw Dongfang Zhi kneeling on the ground, she revealed a surprised expression. After bowing towards Empress Dowager Wei, she carefully said, "Empress Dowager, little brother …" But what did I do to make you angry? "

Empress Dowager Wei shook her head. "This Dowager isn't angry, but deplores your son. You're already such a big person, yet you don't have the slightest idea about your own plans. Your hard work and efforts have all been in vain."

Yin Qiu said from the side, "The grand imperial concubine doesn't know. King Rui came today to ask the empress dowager to withdraw the bestowed marriage. He is unwilling to marry the Prosperous Sect's daughter."

Lady Chen cried out in alarm before bowing towards the Empress Dowager in terror. "Please forgive me, Empress Dowager. Don't get mad at him, just wait for chenqie to properly persuade him when she gets back." After saying that, she said to Dong Mei, "Bring King Rui to Jingfang Jing and wait for me there."

"Yes." Dong Mei walked over to Dong Fang Shan, who was still kneeling on the ground, and said softly, "My prince, please follow this servant to the Tranquil Fang Zhai to wait."

Dongfang Shan wasn't willing to leave just like that. He clenched his teeth and said, "Unless muhou retracts this order, otherwise …"

Madam Chen's expression changed as she hurriedly interrupted him, "Didn't you hear what mufei said? Go out with Dong Mei immediately! Don't be impudent!" As she spoke, she took the opportunity of bending over to pull Dongfang Gu back and whispered in his ear, "Don't force your way in in order to prevent the situation from worsening. Mufei will try to persuade the empress dowager."

After a moment's hesitation, Dongfang Zhi rose to his feet and bowed to Empress Dowager Wei before retreating with Dong Mei.

After they left, Madame Chen came to Empress Dowager Wei's side and squatted down to massage her legs. She said guiltily, "It's all your fault that chenqie didn't teach him well enough and cultivated this child's willful personality. Fortunately, the empress dowager was magnanimous and didn't bother with him."

Empress Dowager Wei closed her eyes and said slowly, "You don't need to take everything from me. I grew up watching everything. I'm just a little stubborn in my temper. Once I recognize something and don't run into a bloody mess, I absolutely won't turn back."

"What the empress dowager says is right. Chenqie has repeatedly advised him to change his personality, but this child just won't listen."

"If it was any ordinary matter, it would have been fine, but this is his life, and he cannot be willful. Chang Rong is the daughter of the Prince of Pingyang, and I am also his niece, so it doesn't mean that I have wronged him." Empress Dowager Wei's eyes slowly opened, a brilliant light flashing through them.

"Chenqie also likes that child, Chang Rong. Now that the empress dowager has bestowed him with a marriage, it can't be any better."

Empress Dowager Wei gestured for her to sit down at a table next to her. She raised a hand to stroke her hair and said indifferently, "Unfortunately, your son thinks differently."

"He will understand the queen's pains." Her hands didn't stop moving as she spoke, kneading Empress Dowager Wei's legs in a neither light nor heavy manner.

Empress Dowager Wei smiled. "There were so many court ladies in Ning Shou Palace, but none of them could reach you. I remember that a few years ago, This Dowager's legs were so painful that she couldn't fall asleep, so you often came over to massage them for This Dowager for an hour. It was all thanks to you that This Dowager didn't know how she could have survived those days."

"This is what chenqie should do. Besides, chenqie can only do this much." With that, Madame Chen smiled. "If the empress dowager doesn't mind, chenqie will act the same as before, coming over every day to massage your legs."