funbook-pk Chapter 158 The Empress Dowager Arranges a Marriage
Chapter 158 The Empress Dowager Arranges a Marriage
After staying at the Xie family for a few days, Madam Xie returned the visiting card that the Empress Dowager had sent. The Empress Dowager summoned Madam Xie and others to the palace, specifically requesting that they visit Xie Xing.
Coincidentally, it was almost time for the Fifth Princess to choose her study companions, so Madam Xie simply brought Xie Jiaojiao and Xie Xing into the palace.
Early in the morning.
After getting ready, Madam Xie took Xie Xing and Xie Jiaojiao into the palace.
The old lady was a first-rank imperial consort and had an excellent relationship with the Empress Dowager. After presenting her visiting card upon entering the palace, her carriage proceeded directly towards the Empress Dowager's palace.
Upon arriving at the palace, Madam Xie, dressed in heavy palace attire, stepped out of the carriage and, led by a palace maid, proceeded inside with Xie Xing and Xie Jiaojiao.
"You two have been in the palace for a short time. In the future, you only need to be careful in one thing: the Empress Dowager will take good care of you. But you must not have too many conflicts with the noble people in the palace."
"Especially those princes and princesses."
Xie Jiaojiao obediently agreed.
Before Xie Xing could speak, Old Madam Xie turned to look at him and asked, "I heard that you don't get along with the Seventh Prince. Last time in the brothel, it was he who testified for Mingzhu?"
Although Madam Xie was not present at the time, she recently came to understand the reasoning behind it after some thought.
Xie Xing nodded.
Madam Xie sighed.
"You're a smart person; you should understand the principle of not giving others something to criticize."
“The palace is not like the outside world. Even if you have any grudges with the seventh prince, you must know how to use someone else to do your dirty work.”
"Madam Xie said calmly."
Xie Xing glanced at Old Madam Xie with surprise.
Originally, I thought that Madam Xie was only being so kind to her because she had brought benefits to the Xie family last time, but now it seems that she is seriously teaching her.
Xie Xing listened to this.
We arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace.
This was Xie Xing's first time entering the Empress Dowager's palace.
The palace was magnificent and opulent. Upon entering, one could feel a strong sense of oppression. Xie Xing lowered his head and looked at his toes.
Inside the quiet hall, only the sound of a few footsteps could be heard.
Xie Xing and Madam Xie stood aside and waited.
After a while, a nanny came over with a smile on her face and said to Madam Xie, "The Empress Dowager wants you to come in, saying that she has missed you very much since we last met."
With her eyes lowered, Madam Xie said politely, "I thank Your Majesty for your concern."
"Please come with me, Madam." The nanny led the way, leading them to the back of the hall, where a graceful and noble figure lay vaguely behind the beaded curtains and jade screens.
"Qiongying, you've arrived?" An aged voice sounded from behind the curtain.
Madam Xie first led Xie Xing and the others in a proper bow, saying, "Greetings, Empress Dowager, may Your Majesty live a thousand years."
The curtain was lifted, revealing a dark yellow figure inside.
Xie Xing quietly looked up and saw a graceful and elegant woman reclining on a chaise lounge. She smiled and looked over at him, extending her hand slightly toward Old Madam Xie, saying, "Qiongying, there's no need for such formalities with me."
"Come quickly."
As soon as Madam Xie stood up, a palace servant immediately prepared a chair next to the Empress Dowager for her to sit down.
"Is Your Majesty in good health?" Old Madam Xie asked the Empress Dowager with concern.
Only after she said that did Xie Xing notice the strong smell of medicine in the air.
The Empress Dowager coughed a few times and said, "My health is just like this. When I close my eyes is entirely up to fate."
Upon hearing this, the old lady's expression changed slightly, and she quickly covered the Empress Dowager's hand, saying, "Your Majesty, you must not say such unlucky things."
The Empress Dowager did not speak; she simply chuckled softly and turned her gaze to the two people behind Madam Xie.
The image finally settled on Xie Xing.
Just then, Xie Xing was caught red-handed peeking at the Empress Dowager.
Xie Xing quickly looked away.
The Empress Dowager then laughed and said, "I have also heard about the Xie family's affairs. Not long ago, Qiongying was still very dissatisfied with this newly adopted granddaughter. I wanted you to bring her to my side, but you refused. Now you want to send her to the palace to be my study companion."
"What's wrong? Don't you cherish your fake granddaughter anymore?"
Xie Xing's eyes widened slightly.
Isn't the Empress Dowager being a bit too direct?
Directly to the face and open wide.
The system said: [However, in the story, this Empress Dowager doesn't seem to like the female lead very much.]
Xie Xing then realized what was going on.
No wonder he spoke of Xie Mingzhu with a disdainful tone.
As Xie Jiaojiao listened to the system's voice, her fingertips twitched. Was the female lead that strange thing was talking about Xie Mingzhu?
Madam Xie touched her nose somewhat awkwardly, chuckled twice, and said, "Your Highness, please don't make fun of this old woman."
The Empress Dowager beckoned to Xie Xing, "Come here, come to me."
Xie Xing paused and glanced at Old Madam Xie.
Madam Xie nodded.
Xie Xing then walked a little closer to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager then took Xie Xing's hand in hers. The hand she held was icy cold. Xie Xing thought for a moment, then held the Empress Dowager's hand back, using the warmth of his own hand to warm her up.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "You little rascal, you're much more pleasing to the eye than that fake."
"I've heard you've been getting close to Zhiheng lately. How about I betroth you to Zhiheng?"
"Empress Dowager?!" Old Madam Xie was so shocked that she almost fell off her stool.
Xie Xing didn't realize who Zhiheng was at first, but then he suddenly remembered that the emperor had called Jun Lanjin by his courtesy name last time. Could this Zhiheng be referring to Jun Lanjin?!
Her hand trembled slightly with fright.
The Empress Dowager glanced at the terrified Madam Xie and scolded, "Look how frightened you are! Is Zhiheng not worthy to be your grandson-in-law?"
Madam Xie opened her mouth.
This isn't a question of whether they're a good match or not.
That's Prince Jin.
It is said that Jun Lanjin has no interest in women. However, he paid too much attention to Xie Xing recently, which made Old Madam Xie happy for a while. As a result, she also treated Xie Xing better.
However, after hearing Xie Ansheng talk about Xie Xing's special circumstances, how could Madam Xie still dare to have any intention of marrying Xie Xing to Jun Lanjin?
Regardless of whether Prince Jin's affection for Xie Xing was purely romantic or simply a preferential treatment based on hearing Xie Xing's innermost thoughts, if Jun Lanjin had taken even one of the uncertainties Xie Xing expressed to heart, the Xie family would have been in grave danger.
Madam Xie's forehead was covered in cold sweat.
She chuckled and said, "His Highness Prince Jin is an exceptional man; how could my Xie family possibly be worthy of him?"
The Empress Dowager held Xie Xing's hand tightly and said in a nonchalant tone, "Qiongying, Zhiheng has been reluctant to get married for so long. I've been so worried about him that my hair has turned white. Now that there's someone Zhiheng likes, I'll naturally try to find him a wife."
"Are you not giving me face?"
Madam Xie: "..."
Ah...this!
Judging from the Empress Dowager's expression, is she really serious?
Xie Jiaojiao subconsciously looked at Xie Xing.
Xie Xing...
Xie Xing was completely stunned.
She froze, her hand being touched by the Empress Dowager, completely unprepared for this turn of events.
a long time.
Madam Xie cautiously asked, "Your Highness, is Prince Jin aware of this matter?"