After the favored concubine remarried, the aloof and powerful minister forcibly took her away.

Chapter 143 I Don't Like to Smile

Lu Ruoyao looked at Empress Dowager Feng, who was sitting above her, with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

He then slowly got up, walked to Empress Dowager Feng's side, and knelt on her lap.

She tilted her head back and said coquettishly, "Mother, since you value Lord Pei so much, I also think that Lord Pei is indeed a man of great talent and virtue."

"If Lord Pei could become my daughter's husband, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone? It would not only fulfill my daughter's lifelong wish, but also bring Lord Pei closer to our royal family."

Upon hearing her words, the first to speak was the young emperor sitting to the side.

The young emperor frowned slightly, his face serious.

"Does Your Majesty not know that, according to the custom of our dynasty, a person who becomes a consort cannot hold a position in the previous dynasty?"

The young emperor paused for a moment, then continued, "The rules set by our ancestors were to prevent the power of maternal relatives from becoming too great and affecting the balance of the court."

This is why powerful and influential families are unwilling to let their most favored descendants marry princesses.

After all, who would want their children and grandchildren to be unable to make a name for themselves in the imperial court and realize their ambitions?

Even if one were granted a position through favor, it would only be an insignificant, idle post, offering no opportunity to showcase one's talents.

Lu Ruoyao frowned slightly and said softly, "I know, but I really don't want to marry Sang Ruifeng. I don't like him at all."

After saying that, Lu Ruoyao couldn't help but recall how she had seen Sang Ruifeng before.

That seemingly gentle, humble, and polite demeanor was completely different from what the Empress Dowager had described.

But this man was so good at pretending that he even fooled the Empress Dowager into believing him.

In short, she would never marry him under any circumstances.

The Empress Dowager loves her so much, she will surely grant her request.

"Nonsense!"

Empress Dowager Feng's face darkened, and she shouted a rebuke.

Clearly, she did not intend to grant Lu Ruoyao's request this time.

Pei Yanzhi was a trusted minister specially left to the emperor by Empress Dowager Feng. After the emperor's death, he and Wei Ziqian would be relied upon to wholeheartedly safeguard the country for him.

If he were made the emperor's son-in-law, the court would lose a capable minister.

Empress Dowager Feng will not let Lu Ruoyao act recklessly.

"Mother..."

Lu Ruoyao's eyes were filled with tears, and her voice carried a hint of grievance and disbelief.

She never expected that her mother, who had always doted on her, would disagree.

"If Mother insists on making me marry into the Sang family, I will hang myself with a white silk ribbon rather than suffer this injustice."

After saying that, she suddenly stood up and went straight into the inner hall without looking back, completely ignoring the astonishment and attempts to stop her from behind.

"This kid."

Empress Dowager Feng sighed helplessly, but she didn't notice the young emperor's expression beside her.

"Your Majesty, I have other official duties to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

The young emperor hastily took his leave, and his expression became solemn after leaving the palace.

He knew in his heart that if Lu Ruoyao's matter was not handled properly, it could cause quite a stir.

On one side was his own older sister, and on the other side were his mother's arrangements and the situation in the court, which really gave him a headache.

Although Empress Dowager Feng was aware of the pros and cons, she felt particularly sorry for Lu Ruoyao.

If Lu Ruoyao pleads, she will inevitably be unable to resist; if Empress Dowager Feng relents...

Upon returning to his study, the young emperor immediately summoned his trusted eunuch and instructed him, "Keep a close eye on what's happening on my sister's side. Report back immediately if anything comes up."

After saying that, he fell into deep thought again.

A serious expression appeared on his slightly immature face; he knew the responsibility he carried.

After returning to the inner palace, Lu Ruoyao lay on the bed and began to sob.

She felt deeply wronged and also somewhat embarrassed. From childhood to adulthood, whatever she wanted, Empress Dowager Feng would give her.

Because of her poor health, even if she wanted the stars and the moon, Empress Dowager Feng would find a way to give it to her.

But what happened today, Lu Ruoyao really doesn't understand, what could be more effective at winning people over than marriage?

She would rather die than marry Sang Ruifeng.

After the young emperor left, Empress Dowager Feng sat in the palace listening to the weeping inside, and her heart ached.

Although she loved her daughter dearly, she had to make some compromises when faced with the fate of the nation.

"This child has been spoiled since childhood, how come he doesn't know how to think about the bigger picture?"

Empress Dowager Feng sighed again.

After a while, Empress Dowager Feng summoned Chen, the old nanny beside her.

"Go to the princess and persuade her to stop acting like a child."

Granny Chen accepted the order and left, while Empress Dowager Feng rubbed her temples.

Upon entering the inner palace, Granny Chen looked at the princess, who was crying her eyes out, and gently advised, "Princess, please stop crying. You'll hurt yourself."

"The Empress Dowager sent this old servant to tell you that she will reconsider your marriage, so please don't be so sad."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ruoyao's crying gradually subsided, and she sobbed, "Granny Chen, is what you said true? Will Mother really reconsider?"

Granny Chen nodded hurriedly: "How could this old servant dare to deceive the princess? The Empress Dowager truly cares for you and would never disregard your feelings."

Lu Ruoyao sat up, feeling wronged but also a glimmer of hope.

Even if she couldn't marry Pei Yanzhi, she was determined to take advantage of the time her mother was reconsidering to show her Sang Ruifeng's true colors.
-
After Pei Yanzhi left the palace, he was about to return to the Pei residence when Wei Ziqian shamelessly followed him in.

"doing what?"

He frowned and looked at Wei Ziqian, then heard Wei Ziqian say, "I haven't seen my sister in a long time, so I'm going to go see her?"

Wei Ziqian held a folding fan in his hand and fanned himself gently.

Pei Yanzhi looked at him and slowly uttered two words: "You're sick."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ziqian immediately became displeased: "Didn't you say you'd give me a little sister?"

It's unclear when exactly, but the relationship between Wei Ziqian and Pei Yanzhi has changed somewhat.

The two seemed to have learned a lot about each other, and were no longer as hostile as before.

"You went out before and saw Xiang Ning, right?"

Pei Yanzhi leaned against the carriage, closed his eyes to rest, and then slowly uttered these words.

Upon hearing this, Wei Ziqian paused in his fanning: "I don't understand what you're talking about."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Pei Yanzhi coldly scoff, "You can get out of the car now."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ziqian's face showed a hint of disappointment.

"I have seen Xiang Ning, but I didn't know she ran away."

"But to be honest, this is the first time I've ever met a woman who doesn't want to be around you."

After saying this, Wei Ziqian put away his fan and got off the carriage: "Don't always have such a long face. Not only is my sister afraid of you, but I am too."

After leaving his message, he boarded his carriage with swift movements, as if afraid that Pei Yanzhi would catch up with him.

Pei Yanzhi frowned slightly as he listened to Wei Ziqian's words.

When did he start having such a stern face?

"I never laughed?"

Cheng Hua, standing outside the carriage, almost thought he had encountered a ghost when he heard Pei Yanzhi's question.

After a long silence, Chenghua replied, "Perhaps Master doesn't like to smile..."

Chenghua: It's been so long since I've seen the young master smile.

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(End of this chapter)